TFWYH – Chapter 327 New Year’s Eve Dinner

Madam Jiang said with a cheerful smile, “Of course we don’t mind. Since you’re already here, why bring so many things? Yue’er, hurry and add four more sets of bowls and chopsticks!”

Before she even finished speaking, Ling Yue had already dashed into the kitchen and quickly brought out four brand-new sets of bowls and chopsticks.

Though it was a bit crowded, the atmosphere was wonderfully lively.

Tang Tiansheng and Qin Suyun were newlyweds, still in that sticky-sweet honeymoon phase. During the meal they kept picking food for each other—she looked at him shyly, while he gazed back at her with open adoration.

Tang Tianyang couldn’t be bothered to endure that bowl of dog food, so he pulled Ling Sheng and Ling Yu over to drink with him.

Madam Qian and Madam Jiang chatted away in hushed voices.

Ling Yue kept her eyes on Ling Chen. Whenever she saw his bowl empty, she hurried to add more rice for him.

As for Li Dashan, he had already gone to the estate to keep his parents company.

Ling Yue had just gone to visit them too, buying fruits and pastries for the whole family.

Watching this scene, Tang Wan couldn’t help but curve her lips into a smile.

Just then, Ling Yu picked a piece of fish for her. “Eat up. Don’t just sit there grinning like an idiot.”

Tang Wan rolled her eyes at him.

She wasn’t grinning foolishly—she was simply satisfied with how things were.

She still remembered when she had first arrived: the family had broken pots and leaky tiles, and a single pot of wild-vegetable gruel had to be shared among everyone, leaving no one truly full.

But now there was fish and meat, everything they could want. Yet Tang Wan felt that it tasted just as fragrant and sweet as that wild-vegetable gruel back then.

After the meal, aside from Tang Wan, the women began cleaning up.

The men who wanted to keep drinking continued drinking; those who wanted to chat kept chatting.

Ling Canghe and Tang Hongba were about the same age, so they sat together, drinking and talking as they went.

Noticing their odd expressions, Tang Wan leaned over to listen in.

It turned out that Ling Canghe had just heard Tang Hongba mention being too busy. Coincidentally, Ling Canghe had been thinking of quitting his job at Zui Xian Pavilion, so he wanted to partner up with him.

Tang Hongba was puzzled. “You’re doing just fine at Zui Xian Pavilion. Why would you quit?”

To Tang Hongba, being an accountant at Zui Xian Pavilion was like being a civil servant in modern times—benefits, food and lodging included, plus a year-end bonus. And he still wanted to quit?

“In-law, you don’t know how bitter it’s been for me…” Ling Canghe wiped at his eyes dramatically and began to tell his story.

It turned out he’d been dealt a blow by his own son.

The thing was, yesterday he’d told Ling Sheng that he wanted to buy a house in the poor district. His mother always living with the second branch wasn’t really appropriate.

But Ling Sheng had looked utterly baffled. “Why go to the poor district? Just buy a place in the same alley where Sister Wan lives! It’s close, and living together nearby means we can look after each other!”

Ling Canghe had smacked his son on the head in irritation. “Where am I supposed to get that much money?”

Ling Sheng said he had money—and even brought out his own money jar for Ling Canghe to see.

And Ling Canghe had been… utterly crushed.

His son’s savings were actually several times more than his own?

Damn it—what the hell happened to this world?!

After finishing the story, Ling Canghe laughed in a way that looked more painful than crying. “I can’t even earn as much as my own son. I don’t even know where to put this old face of mine!”

Tang Hongba froze for a moment, then burst into loud laughter, slapping him on the shoulder. “Oh my, brother-in-law! I thought I was the only useless father around—turns out you are too!”

Ling Canghe hadn’t quite reacted yet, but when his gaze drifted to Tang Wan, who was secretly eavesdropping, he immediately laughed as well. “Exactly. We may be getting on in years, but we’re not crippled yet. How can we lose to the kids?”

“Right, right!” Tang Hongba felt the same way and agreed on the spot. “Fine then—once the New Year starts, you’ll—”

“Dad!” Tang Wan cut them off in time. “I have an idea!”

“Oh?” The two of them instantly perked up with interest.