Chapter 203

Chapter 203: New Year’s Eve (5000 words)

Mei Fang woke up from a warm and pleasant dream to find that it was already bright outside. He hurriedly got up to check on Lin You Xi, only to discover that she was no longer beside him. Instead, he heard her chatting happily with Xiang Xiaoxia in the kitchen.

When Xiang Xiaoxia came out of the kitchen, she saw Mei Fang looking dazed as if he had just woken up. She scolded him immediately, “How could you still be sleeping at this hour? Youxi has been up for a while helping me prepare breakfast. Don’t you see how considerate she is?”

“Miss Xiang, Fang helped me so much yesterday, so let him sleep a little more…” Lin You Xi spoke up for Mei Fang, and Xiang Xiaoxia couldn’t continue scolding him in front of her.

“I don’t expect you to be smart or anything, but if our Xiao Ya grew up to be half as obedient as you, I would be very satisfied as a mother.”

“If you ask me, we might as well hope Xiao Ya becomes an astronaut as soon as possible.”

“Why are you talking bad about me so early in the morning… I heard everything.”

Xiao Ya rubbed her eyes as she came out of the bathroom, excited when she saw Lin You Xi. “You Xi, do you know? I had a dream last night, and I dreamed you suddenly disappeared!”

“What do you mean by ‘disappeared’?”

“It means suddenly vanishing. Then I went to ask my brother, who told me to pinch him. It didn’t hurt at all, so I realized I was dreaming…”

Half-awake, Xiao Ya seemed less sharp than usual. Xiang Xiaoxia listened to her while tidying things up, then asked further, “What happened next? Do you remember?”

Lin You Xi and Mei Fang both sensed the seriousness of the situation, but they were caught off guard by Xiao Ya’s mom. They had to act nonchalant and turn their attention to Xiao Ya.

“Then I went back to my room and remembered the Earth being destroyed. I sat alone in a spaceship, drifting through the galaxy…”

“Stop saying such nonsense during the New Year. Go wipe your mouth on the wall.”

“I won’t! The wall is so dirty! No way!”

Xiao Ya stuck out her tongue at her mom and escaped to her room, dodging Xiang Xiaoxia’s pursuit.

The first thing Mei Fang did after getting up was to fold the quilt and place it on one side of the sofa before asking Xiang Xiaoxia, “Mom, where should I put the quilt?”

“Come eat breakfast first with You Xi, I’ll take care of the quilt.”

“Okay.”

Mei Fang approached the dining table under his mother’s urging, and Lin You Xi served him a bowl of mung bean porridge.

“Do you want stir-fried noodles or pan-fried dumplings?”

“Why is everything so high in carbs… I’m trying to get fit.”

“Eat or not?”

Lin You Xi glanced at Mei Fang and said, “I also prepared boiled eggs.”

“Give me a boiled egg. Were the stir-fried noodles made by you or Mom?”

“I made them.”

“Then I’ll have some too.”

Lin You Xi served Mei Fang a small bowl of stir-fried noodles, but he didn’t pick up his chopsticks.

“Are the pan-fried dumplings also yours?”

Lin You Xi nodded.

“Then let me try one…”

Lin You Xi picked up a dumpling to put in Mei Fang’s bowl, but seeing Xiang Xiaoxia busy with the quilt behind them, she tried to feed Mei Fang directly. Mei Fang, who was afraid of his mom catching him, quickly bit the dumpling to avoid detection.

“Mmm… delicious.”

“It is, isn’t it?”

Lin You Xi smiled, “But these are dumplings made by your family, so they’re good because Aunt Xiang made them.”

“Oh, oh, I also helped make the dumplings, so I deserve credit too…”

Lin You Xi and Mei Fang continued chatting amiably, and Xiang Xiaoxia, holding the quilt, headed to the balcony to air it out. However, she first sniffed the quilt carefully.

Her face showed no obvious change, but she picked up a strand of hair from the quilt.

This length of hair…

A complex expression flashed across Xiang Xiaoxia’s face. After flicking the hair away, she said nothing and went back to airing the quilt.

Lin You Xi brought out the spring rolls, dumplings, meatballs, radish balls, and braised beef she had made herself. Mei Fang, acting as a protector and laborer, accompanied her home.

After their first kiss, they weren’t as subtle as they were with Xia Yuan. You Xi didn’t ask Mei Fang if it was his first time, and Mei Fang didn’t know if You Xi had seen his chat history with Xia Yuan, given that the conversation was straightforward enough to reveal the nature of their secret training.

Mei Fang delivered Lin You Xi to her home. Lin Guochuan was outside putting up couplets, with Liang Meijuan holding a bamboo ladder for him.

“Uncle Lin, Aunt Liang, hello.”

“Dad, Mom, I’m back.”

“Back so early? Did you eat breakfast?”

Liang Meijuan seemed even more affectionate towards Lin You Xi than before. “If you haven’t eaten, you can…”

“I ate at Fang’s place. Oh, and Aunt Xiang brought over a lot of New Year’s gifts…”

Lin You Xi had Mei Fang show her parents the items Xiang Xiaoxia had brought.

“Oh, Xiaoxia, why did you bring so many things? That’s really unnecessary.”

“But it’s Aunt Xiang’s thoughtfulness, Mom, just accept it.”

“You kids…”

In Lin You Xi’s heart, Liang Meijuan had become like a mother figure, and her attitude towards Mei Fang wasn’t just that of a friend.

She grabbed Mei Fang’s hand with delight.

“Fang, thank you so much for being there with Yuan Yuan yesterday. We really didn’t know what to do without you.”

“Not at all… it’s what Yuan Yuan and I should do.”

While Mei Fang was chatting with Liang Meijuan, Lin You Xi noticed her father rubbing his back on a ladder and asked, “Dad, is your old backache acting up again? Shouldn’t you come down and rest?”

“Hmm… no, I need to finish putting up the couplets.”

“Can’t Fang help you?”

As soon as Lin You Xi mentioned it, Mei Fang eagerly raised his hand and offered, “Uncle Lin, let me help you?”

Lin Guochuan shook his head, declining Mei Fang’s offer. “No, it has to be done by a male family member…”

Liang Meijuan lightly patted Lin Guochuan’s calf. “What does it matter if it’s a male family member? It’s 2012, why stick to those outdated traditions? Besides, Fang isn’t an outsider, so it’s fine if he helps.”

Persuaded by Liang Meijuan, Lin Guochuan finally came down the ladder and handed the couplets to Mei Fang.

He wasn’t good at expressing himself, but he thanked Mei Fang for his help yesterday and for hosting Lin You Xi overnight.

“By the way, Fang, I really appreciate what you did yesterday.”

“Uncle Lin, we’ve known each other for so long, no need to be so formal.”

“That’s right, for so long.”

Lin Guochuan smiled at Mei Fang, “For You Xi, I’m definitely not a capable father, but fortunately, you’ve always been there to look after her…”

Unexpectedly, Lin Guochuan expressed something like entrusting his daughter at this moment, which embarrassed Lin You Xi as she gently patted her father.

“Dad, what are you saying! I never felt you were incapable. You worked hard to raise me, and in my eyes, you’ve always been amazing…”

“I think Uncle Lin is amazing too,” Mei Fang added with a smile.

Mei Fang chatted warmly with the Lin family, and Lin Guochuan, supported by Liang Meijuan, went home to rest. Mei Fang, under Lin You Xi’s guidance, finished putting up all the couplets.

When Mei Fang was ready to go home after helping, Liang Meijuan called him over.

“This is dried fish and pork I had someone bring from my hometown, and I specially went to the east gate market to make sausages. Take some home with you…”

“There’s too much… we won’t be able to finish it.”

“It’s okay, it’s okay. There are so many people in your house, you can share with your uncle and others. We don’t have many here.”

Unable to refuse Liang Meijuan’s kindness, Mei Fang reluctantly took the New Year’s gifts home.

Carrying heavy loads twice, Mei Fang returned home to find Xia Yuan sitting on their sofa, holding Mei Ya, chatting warmly with Mei Lijun.

Seeing Mei Fang return, Xia Yuan greeted him with a smile. “Fang, you’re back?”

Xia Yuan wore a red embroidered cloak with tassels, giving her a traditional Chinese dress vibe, with a special kind of vigor in her eyes.

“Wow, you look so beautiful today. Is this your New Year’s outfit?”

“Yes, yes… My mom said it goes well with me… But it feels like I’m in a movie when I wear it. Even just leaving the neighborhood, everyone stares at me, it’s a bit embarrassing, haha.”

“What’s embarrassing about that? It’s only because you look so good!”

Mei Lijun slapped his thigh, laughing heartily. “When Yuan Yuan first came to my house, she was just a little kid. Now, she’s grown into a tall and elegant young lady. Hahaha!”

“Uncle Mei, stop teasing me…”

Xia Yuan blushed and took Mei Ya in her arms. “I came to see You Xi, but since she’s gone, I guess I’ll leave now…”

Xia Yuan walked over to the busy Xiang Xiaoxia in the kitchen. “Goodbye, Aunt Xiang!”

“Alright… goodbye, Yuan Yuan. Come play whenever you have time.”

“Alright! I’ll come over after lunch to watch fireworks with Fang, You Xi, and Xiao Ya.”

“Oh, alright…”

Xiang Xiaoxia smiled but felt an indescribable feeling inside.

“Fang, go send Yuan Yuan home.”

“Alright.”

“I want to go downstairs for some fresh air too!”

Xia Yuan, Mei Fang, and Mei Ya went downstairs together.

Mei Lijun helped close the door, and once they were in the elevator, he slapped his forehead. “Yuan Yuan’s dad gave us such a valuable bottle of wine, why didn’t we give him any gift in return?”

“They have everything, what would we give them?”

“What are you talking about? Although Xia Xun’s family is wealthy, they’re not the kind to be materialistic. Besides, I’m doing quite well as a deputy director.”

“What’s the point of competing? Makes you seem capable…”

Xiang Xiaoxia chopped some radishes and pondered, feeling something was off. She put down her work and sat next to the happy Mei Lijun.

“Did you notice something?”

“Notice what?” Mei Lijun frowned, looking serious.

“Of course, I’m talking about something important.” Xiang Xiaoxia hesitated for a while before speaking to Mei Lijun. “Our son might be dating You Xi.”

Little Mei Ya held Xia Yuan’s left hand and Mei Fang’s right hand, skipping along the road in the residential area.

“Xiao Ya, be careful, don’t fall.”

“If Senior Sister Yuan and Big Brother hold me, I won’t fall!”

“What do you mean by Big Brother? Can’t you change your nickname?”

“Give me ten yuan, and I’ll call you dear brother or little brother.”

“You naughty girl, always asking for money.”

“New Year’s Eve and you’re still saying such nonsense! Big Brother, you always pretend to be good in front of Mom. If she heard you talk like that, she’d rub your face against the wall.”

“Hahaha! What does rubbing your face against the wall mean?”

“It’s a special skill of our mom,” Mei Ya said. “She’s very strict about it, especially during New Year’s, making sure we don’t say anything inappropriate.”

“That’s how elders are. Or rather, mothers just want their children to be safe and happy.”

“But if Senior Sister Yuan becomes a mother someday, she definitely won’t be so annoying,” Mei Ya muttered. “Senior Sister Yuan will dress her daughter beautifully and her son handsomely. She’ll never have to return New Year’s money to anyone, unlike me, living a poor life every day.”

“Hahaha… Xiao Ya, you’re so cute… By the way, it’s New Year’s Eve, and as your older sister, I should do something.”

Xia Yuan took five hundred yuan bills from her wallet. “Here, Xiao Ya, take this New Year’s money. Senior Sister Yuan doesn’t have a red envelope, so you can keep it like this.”

“Great! Thank you, Senior Sister Yuan! You’ll be a super great mom in the future. I wish you and Big Brother Fang a happy marriage and quick children!”

“What are you saying, you!”

Before Mei Fang could react, Mei Ya made a silly face and ran away. Xia Yuan watched Mei Ya run, blushing.

“Your sister is really interesting! Your family seems so happy.”

“You can’t spoil her too much, giving her five hundred yuan like that. She’ll probably spend it on model kits or toys.”

“Isn’t it great for a child to have their own interests? I envy her, being able to pursue her dreams so early…”

“Speaking of which, how’s the album coming along? I haven’t asked about you and Liu Xiaoyu for a while.”

“Most of the vocals are recorded before the New Year, and now it’s almost ninety percent complete. The rest will be adjusted after the New Year…”

Xia Yuan talked to Mei Fang while staring at his mouth.

When Mei Fang looked at her, Xia Yuan shyly looked away.

“Are you thinking about taking a few more turns around the neighborhood before going back?”

Xia Yuan nodded, “There are many people at home, and I can’t help much…”

“Then take a few more turns.”

“Okay.”

What am I doing! What am I doing!

I’m such a fickle woman!

We agreed to do secret training only once, but now I’m having fantasies about Fang again!

If this continues… sooner or later, You Xi will catch me in the act!

How will I face her then?

So I can’t… can’t… it’s only been a few days… I can’t want that anymore…

Seeing Xia Yuan looking uncomfortable, Mei Fang softly asked, “Do you need to—”

“No more secret training! We did it last night, no need to do it again!”

Mei Fang laughed as he shook his head. “I was talking about super energy. When did we mention secret training?”

“Waaah…”

Xia Yuan felt ashamed when her intentions were revealed and immediately pouted, biting Mei Fang’s hand lightly.

Mei Fang cried out in pain, and she kissed his hand tenderly.

“Too many people during New Year, let’s go to the pavilion.”

“Okay…”

Xia Yuan confidently held Mei Fang’s hand and walked into the pavilion, then sat on his lap.

Just like the previous secret training session.

“How do we replenish energy like this?”

Mei Fang spread his hands.

“It can… it can.”

Xia Yuan untied her red cloak and draped it over Mei Fang, and the two of them embraced passionately in the winter New Year’s Eve.

As they hugged, Xia Yuan slowly lifted her head, gazing lovingly at her beloved.

…

…

Noticing Xia Yuan’s longing gaze, Mei Fang smiled and shook his head. Then he gently lifted Xia Yuan’s chin and kissed her lightly.

They engaged in another intimate session of Mei Fang’s secret training.

This time, it lasted longer than the previous one. Meanwhile, little Mei Ya, after buying the toy she wanted, jumped around looking for her big brother and Senior Sister Yuan.

She searched the pavilion and saw her brother and senior sister under the red cloak.

“Oh… this shouldn’t be something I should be watching at my age!”

Mei Ya mimicked her brother’s strange tone, covering her eyes and running away.

It’s so weird, let me take another peek.

Mei Ya ran to see her brother and Senior Sister Yuan kissing.

“No! It’s too scary, Brother is going to eat Senior Sister Yuan!”

Mei Ya ran away again.

But she couldn’t resist running back to look.

This must be the last time—

Before Mei Ya could run to see, Yueyue姐 suddenly picked her up—

“We’re here for New Year’s dinner.”

“What are you doing here?”

“I was… I was…”

Mei Ya stood straight, backhanding, and said, “I was learning about the future!”

“This isn’t knowledge you should be learning at your age.”

Mei Yue gently awakened Mei Ya’s slumbering mind. “Go play with firecrackers, don’t disturb couples.”

“Okay… okay…”

After Mei Yue chased away Mei Ya, she watched the boy and girl in the pavilion from afar.

Ah, youth is truly wonderful!

And my youth… has already passed—

Ever since her previous experience of being deceived, Mei Yue had been persuaded by her parents to go on several blind dates before the New Year, but none of them ended well.

Clearly, it was becoming increasingly difficult for Mei Yue to find a partner now…

I’m sorry everyone, I broke the FJ key on my Cherry MX8.0 keyboard, and I’m feeling down. The update is a bit late. Check out an old author’s work, “I Don’t Want to Make Choices After Rebirth.” No need to say more about the genre! This is a legendary author with solid writing and engaging content. Mention that you’re from the “Reborn Childhood Sweetheart” community, and it’ll make me feel better. Thank you all!