I Returned to the Day He Brought His First Love Home-Chapter 109: New Year’s Eve

"What was that all about? We’re about to have New Year’s Eve dinner. Why did you run out?"

When Irene Lynch saw Grace Winslow return by herself, she glanced outside and, not seeing Hayley, couldn’t help but ask.

Grace told Irene Lynch what had just happened.

Irene Lynch sighed and gently poked her on the forehead. "Oh, you. You’ve been full of mischievous ideas since you were a little girl. Your sister-in-law listened to you this time and opened a clothing store, and she’s made quite a bit of money."

"If your brother and sister-in-law don’t end up making money and start fighting over it, you’ll be in for it."

Grace pouted. "That won’t happen. My brother isn’t that kind of person, and neither is my sister-in-law."

"Mom, my brother and his wife have their own ideas, and that’s a good thing. They should do what they want to do. There’s no need to force them."

"Even if they did go into business, they might not be cut out for it."

Hearing this, Irene Lynch just shook her head and didn’t say anything more.

Grace helped in the kitchen, and it wasn’t until a little after five that Hayley returned, her face beaming with joy.

The moment she walked in the door, she stuffed a large red envelope into Grace’s hands.

"Hayley, what’s this?" Grace squeezed the red envelope in her hand. ’She’s certainly generous,’ she thought. ’There must be at least a hundred yuan in here.’

A hundred yuan was no small sum.

Many workers only made twenty or thirty yuan a month.

"You’re my lucky star, my God of Wealth! I told you I’d give you a big red envelope. Don’t think it’s too little. When I earn more, I’ll give you an even bigger one." Hayley was in high spirits, unable to contain the smile on her face.

"So Grace’s idea can really make money?" Irene Lynch asked, a little curious.

"Mom, yes, it definitely can. I’ll ask my brother-in-law and his wife if they want to join in. If they’re not good at sales, they can just leave it to me, and I’ll give them a cut of the profits." Hayley nodded with a smile.

"You’re going to include the eldest and his wife?" Irene Lynch was very surprised.

She had always felt that her two daughters-in-law got along quite well and her two sons had a good relationship, but she knew that whenever money was involved, conflict was almost inevitable.

She had always worried that money matters would cause a rift between her eldest and second son.

Now, seeing that Hayley hadn’t forgotten about the eldest couple even after making money, she felt truly gratified.

"Mom, what kind of person do you take me for? Of course we should make money together if we can. We’re a family, aren’t we? My brother-in-law and his wife have helped us out plenty in the past."

"Mom, if you have any personal savings, you can invest some too. A woman needs to have her own security. When you have your own savings, you don’t have to worry about a thing." Hayley wore a helpless expression. She hadn’t expected Irene Lynch to think of her that way.

Irene Lynch looked a bit embarrassed. "I don’t really have any personal savings..." 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

"Mom, you do," Grace quickly interrupted.

Irene Lynch looked at her, confused.

Grace simply gave her a meaningful look.

Hayley paid no mind to the silent exchange between mother and daughter, cheerfully carrying some dishes out.

It was almost time for dinner, and the table had already been cleared.

The dough had been prepared long ago and was now resting in a basin.

Grace and Irene Lynch followed suit, carrying dishes out to the table.

The family’s income had been good this year, so Irene Lynch had been willing to spend. The spread on the table was quite lavish.

Naturally, there was no shortage of chicken, duck, fish, and meat.

"Wow, Grandma, it’s New Year’s! We’re eating so well!" Ryan Winslow exclaimed excitedly as soon as he saw the dishes on the table.

His two younger brothers chimed in as well.

In previous years, while they always ate well for the holiday, it was never this good.

After all, while the family’s income was decent, their expenses were also high.

Irene Lynch gave him an exasperated look. "Of course it is! Now go wash your hands and get ready to eat."

Hearing this, the three little ones happily scampered off to the kitchen to wash their hands.

Nolan Winslow had also bought soda. Grace couldn’t remember the last time she’d had any, so she poured herself a glass as soon as she sat down.

Irene Lynch tapped her on the head. "Don’t drink that before dinner. You’ll spoil your appetite."

Grace smiled playfully. "It’s fine. Your cooking is so delicious, Mom, I’ll definitely eat a lot."

Since it was a rare New Year’s celebration, Gregory Winslow and his two sons also started drinking.

Brandon Winslow had bought the liquor—Maotai. It had cost over ten yuan, which was a considerable expense.

After a few rounds of drinks, the men were all a bit tipsy and talking loudly.

Grace and the other women gathered together, chatting while drinking their soda.

When dinner was mostly over, they cleared the bowls, chopsticks, and leftovers, wiped down the table, and the family gathered together again to start making fried sweet dumplings.

The children, meanwhile, ran outside to play.

The women sat together, making small talk as they wrapped the dumplings.

Occasionally, they would share some gossip from their workplaces, which even drew over the men, who were already quite drunk.

Outside, the sound of firecrackers gradually began to fill the air.

The laughing and shouting of children could be heard clearly, even from upstairs.

At ten o’clock, Irene Lynch went to heat up the oil for frying.

The temperature in the kitchen began to rise.

Batch after batch of dumplings were sent in to be fried in the hot oil.

It wasn’t long before a delicious aroma wafted out.

This was the first New Year Grace had celebrated since her rebirth.

In her past life, after marrying Caleb Forrest, she had never once properly celebrated the New Year.

Every year was filled with endless chores and obligations.

By the time she finished her work and sat down to eat, often only scraps and leftovers remained on the table.

She couldn’t remember the last time she had experienced anything like this—the whole family sitting together in perfect harmony, enjoying the wonderful aroma, their hands busy as they talked and laughed.

When the first batch of fried dumplings was ready, Grace couldn’t resist sneaking one and popping it into her mouth.

It was so hot that she immediately started hissing and blowing out air.

Seeing this, Irene Lynch said with fond exasperation, "Look at you. You’re a grown woman, but you still act like a child, sneaking food."

Grace giggled. "You made them, Mom. They’re delicious."

Irene Lynch couldn’t be bothered with her. After telling her not to sneak any more, she went back into the kitchen to continue her work.

Gregory Winslow had sobered up a little and came over to help as well.

Nolan Winslow went into the kitchen to take over for Irene Lynch, letting her take a break.

The frying continued all the way until midnight.

Outside, the sounds of firecrackers and fireworks merged into a continuous roar.

Gregory Winslow took Nolan and Brandon Winslow outside to set off firecrackers.

The firecrackers they bought this year were particularly large; they went on for a full ten minutes before they were all spent.

After they were done, Nolan Winslow pulled Grace outside to light fireworks.

The fireworks available back then weren’t particularly beautiful, and they weren’t cheap either.

Nolan and Brandon Winslow had bought a lot of them.

Grace held a firework in her hand. After Nolan Winslow lit it, she watched it streak into the sky with a long tail before bursting into a gorgeous flower of light.

The new year had truly arrived.

The dark times were finally over. A beautiful future awaited each and every one of them.