Destined Entwining: Capturing My Devoted Beau-Chapter 451 - 246: Apple of His Eye (First Update)
Aiden Sheldon looked at her mischievous smile and instantly felt better. He tapped her pert little nose with his finger and said, "Are you really here to say goodnight to me? You know, children who lie will have their noses grow long..."
"Dad—!" Ruby Sheldon stomped her foot in protest, "I’m already twenty years old! You still see me as a child!"
"Alright, alright, our Betty is a big girl now. So, what’s up? No need to beat around the bush with Dad," Aiden Sheldon said, leading her to her bedroom.
Aiden Sheldon and Autumn Stetford had three children, two sons and a daughter.
The two sons were quite a bit older than this daughter, and by the time the youngest daughter was born, the sons were already grown up.
The couple personally raised this youngest daughter, doting on her the most, and her two older brothers were no exception, spoiling their sister to the skies since she was little.
However, Ruby Sheldon never became arrogant due to the affection, remaining a very obedient and good child.
After escorting her into her bedroom, Aiden Sheldon didn’t step inside. He just stood at the door with his hands in his pockets, smiled and said, "...Are you wondering if the relatives from your mom’s side are coming to celebrate New Year with us?"
Ruby’s face turned red, her fair skin almost translucent, glowing like lychee jelly.
She mumbled, "...Didn’t you say everyone would celebrate the New Year together this year?"
Aiden smiled and said, "Yes, so you don’t have to worry. Whoever you want to see, you’ll definitely meet."
After saying this, he winked at her.
Ruby’s face turned even redder, as if her thoughts had been totally seen through by her father.
But since she was little, she never had to fight for anything, so she wasn’t much of a talker.
After all, without having to say anything, others would already present whatever she wanted before her, so why bother learning to speak up?
...
As the Lunar New Year approached, people all over the country were almost entirely caught up in the enthusiasm of preparing for it.
Of course, nowadays, people aren’t like in the past when they could only eat their fill of meat, or get new clothes, during the New Year.
Today, people often consider they’ve had too much meat, and have started eating wild vegetables for health.
Some people even have enough clothes to wear something different every day.
So, the things that were once the most anticipated during the New Year for the average person, no longer hold much allure for the general public now.
But still, everyone is keen on preparing New Year’s items, not for eating or wearing, but for the atmosphere of family reunion and prosperity.
Lawrence Winters had been following his mom, uncle, and the old Daoist to shop for New Year’s items in the past few days.
Their company was on break, and Lucas Harlow’s new film was set to shoot after the New Year, so they had plenty of free time with nothing to do.
The New Year’s items for their home were unlike others’.
Besides the food, drinks, and clothing, the New Year preparations included the first winter blossom of an old winter plum tree from a certain Celestial Path Temple, incense ash from a censer offered in a certain Earth God Temple for who knows how many years, and monkey wine brewed by some animal in a certain big mountain.
There weren’t many things, but they sure could make one run themselves ragged.
Lawrence had been running around for days and felt he was about to collapse.
She complained to Gabrielle Winters, "Mom, why didn’t I find preparing for the New Year so troublesome before? Is it because Grandmaster is here this year?"
Gabrielle laughed and said, "You were busy with extra classes every holiday season in the past, you never knew about these things."
"Ah? So it’s not just this year?" Lawrence scratched her head, "Does this mean it will be like this every year?"
"That depends on your uncle. It’s said he has a special calendar that determines New Year’s specialties based on the Five Elements and Lucky Stars."
Lawrence’s mouth twitched. She was certain that whatever calendar was certainly something her uncle made up!
But she didn’t expose Nick Zeller’s "bewitching" behavior in front of Gabrielle, merely saying, "This year, for the New Year, should we invite Madwoman Sis over?"
Gabrielle thought for a moment, then said, "I remember you mentioned that Madwoman Sis’s parents came to take care of her, it might not be very convenient."
"Alright then," Lawrence nodded, "I’ll ask Kenneth. If he says not to, then we won’t."
Kenneth Osborne returned late that night.
He had been busy finishing up work in recent days.
Originally, he wanted to finish work so he could return to River City for the Spring Festival.
Now, although not returning to River City, spending a two-person New Year with Lawrence sounded quite nice.
As soon as he came back and changed clothes, Lawrence came knocking on his door.
"Kenneth, are you in there?"
"Yes, wait a moment."
Kenneth went over to open the door for her.
Lawrence didn’t go in, asking him from the doorway, "Kenneth, have you thought about inviting Madwoman Sis’s family over for New Year?"
Kenneth shook his head and said, "I’ve considered it, but Mr. Zhao advised us not to contact her too often, as it might attract unwanted attention."
"But we’re friends..." Lawrence was speechless, "Can’t friends interact?"
"Her situation is quite special, it’s best not to cause her any trouble before her child is born."
This reason Lawrence accepted.
She sighed a little, saying, "It’s only been a year, and Sister Xiao got married and had a child, now Madwoman Sis is about to have her child, and only Three Billion Sis and I are still single."
Kenneth pinched her cheek, smiling somewhat mockingly, "...You’re still single? The nerve!"
Lawrence brazenly said, "Isn’t my face in your hand? I don’t want it anymore, okay?"
Kenneth kissed her, laughed and said, "Always quick-witted, you’re growing more and more capable."
"I’ve always been capable, you just never noticed," Lawrence shrugged and smiled, "Tomorrow is New Year’s Eve, Kenneth, do you still have to go to the company?"
Kenneth nodded, "Going there to wrap things up tomorrow."
The day before New Year’s Eve, every household was already prepared for the New Year.
The Sheldon family’s mansion, closest to the former Imperial City, the Wells Residence Garden, was also welcoming many guests.
Besides the Sheldon family’s guests, there were relatives from Autumn Stetford’s family too.
Her father, Richard Stetford, famously known as Uncle Nine abroad, was also back in the country, staying at the Wells Residence Garden with the Sheldons.
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This is the first update, the second one will be at seven o’clock in the evening.
There are only two updates today, with two sponsorship updates from the Alliance Hierarch still owed; there will be three updates tomorrow~
Love to all!
