Evander Lancaster prepared a New Year’s Eve dinner that the mother and daughter found very satisfying, especially the sea cucumber soup. Juliana Lancaster couldn’t praise it enough—not just because it was delicious, but also because it was healthy, something health professionals always value.

Originally, she planned to give her daughter a piece of her mind once Evander left, since she saw them busy on the balcony, exchanging kisses now and then, which made her quite uncomfortable.

Now, she was so pleased by her son-in-law that she forgot all about it.

After the dinner, while Sophia Hamilton was washing the dishes, Evander sliced a fruit platter. Watching him skillfully cut the fruit into almost identical small pieces, Sophia curiously asked, "Do you cook often? Your knife skills are impressive."

Evander turned to glance at her, a smile in his eyes, "Practiced on patients."

"Oh, talking about that during New Year’s is such a mood killer!" Sophia retorted lightly, displeased. Evander placed the cut fruit into a dish, then handed a piece to her lips, asking with a grin, "Then what should we talk about that won’t kill the mood? The human reproduction plan?"

Sophia took the fruit into her mouth, still processing Evander’s remark, and noisily chewed while stacking the clean plates together, "Such a grand plan doesn’t really concern you and me..."

Standing behind her, Evander gently placed his hands on her shoulders, lightly pressing his abdomen forward and asked with a smile, "Are you sure it doesn’t concern us?"

Realizing what Evander meant, Sophia’s face immediately turned red.

She bit her lip and snuck a glance towards the living room. Thankfully, her mom was absorbed in the TV skit, not noticing them.

She turned back to glare at Evander, scolding softly, "Be careful, my mom is in there."

"Alright," Evander leaned in close to whisper in Sophia’s ear, his breath tickling the edge of her ear, causing Sophia to shiver as she rubbed her shoulder against it. She heard Evander continue, "We’ll continue once mom goes to her room to sleep." 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Sophia...

She wanted to scold him for being a rogue, but her heart felt sweet.

...

At the Lancaster Family, after the New Year’s Eve dinner, the young people gathered together to play cards.

Violet Zimmerman returned to her room to rest, and not long after, Joseph Lancaster also came over.

Housekeeper Mrs. Zhang was sitting in the living room watching the Spring Festival Gala. Seeing Joseph come in, she quickly stood up, "The second Mr. Lancaster is here, the Madam has gone to her room to rest."

"Hmm, you continue watching TV. I have some matters to discuss with Mrs. Zimmerman."

Joseph changed into slippers and headed straight for the stairs. Since Violet was the lady of the house, it was common for him, as the younger brother-in-law, to discuss matters with her. Besides, when her husband was alive, he often came over, so the housekeeper didn’t think much of it and returned to watching the Spring Festival Gala.

Joseph pushed open the door to Violet’s room, seeing her already changed into sleepwear with her eyes closed, leaning against the bed. He turned and closed the door, approaching with a smile.

"Why are you turning in so early?"

"Early? Look at the time," Violet replied, eyes still closed. She knew it was Joseph from the sound of his footsteps.

Joseph sat by the bed, gently nudging her and said with a smile, "Wake up a bit, I have something to tell you."

"What is it? Go ahead," Violet didn’t open her eyes. With so many family members and handling New Year’s Eve dinner as well as company matters, she had been very tired these past few days.

"Violet, Jiayue... confessed to Evander."

Joseph’s expression turned serious, and as he finished speaking, Violet immediately opened her eyes wide.