Rejected by the Campus Belle, I Find My True Love-Chapter 205 - 203: The New Year’s Gift from My Son
With Xue Xing’s industrious help, the work that should have taken more than two hours was finished in less than one.
Looking at his newly refreshed home, Xue Yang was very satisfied. He glanced at their customary New Year’s couplets. The first line read, "Fortune Stars Shine Brightly," the second, "Prosperity Endures and Grows," and the horizontal banner across the top also said, "Fortune Stars Shine Brightly."
Hmm, that’s right. This is what the New Year is all about.
What kind of New Year had he celebrated for the past six years? Aside from studying, he would run over to Chen Ying’s house whenever he had free time. In previous years, he would have never been at home at this time; he would have already gone to the next village to be at Chen Ying’s house.
Xue Yuanqing had just finished the preparations for the New Year’s Eve dinner and was about to put up the couplets when he found they were already hanging, leaving him stunned for a moment.
"Dad, don’t worry about it. Come sit down and rest for a bit. There’s no need to start cooking dinner so early."
"Did you put up the couplets?" Xue Yuanqing already felt it was rare enough to see Xue Yang at home today. If he had also put up the couplets, wouldn’t that mean... the sun had risen from the west?
He instinctively looked westward and saw the sun.
Oh, it’s afternoon, so the sun should be in the west. If it were in the east, that would be a true miracle.
"Xing Zai did it."
"I knew it! How could you possibly put up couplets? Wait... Xing Zai did it?"
Xue Yuanqing was even more astonished. Xue Xing was his second brother’s prized child, and a high school student to boot. His parents usually wished he would practically live in the study, so how could they have agreed to let him come over and help?
Xue Xing chuckled. "I did it with Brother." Even though he was the one who actually put up the couplets, the image of his brother holding them while steadying the ladder with his foot was quite a sight.
"Brother, are you going to my house to put up couplets? You don’t have to do anything. Just stand by and watch."
Xue Yang’s eyebrows rose slightly. Was there really such a good deal?
"Let’s go, then."
The two brothers walked out.
Watching his son finally acting normal this year, Xue Yuanqing couldn’t express how overjoyed he was. He would make sure his son could continue his studies, even if it meant hauling a hundred bags of cement himself.
Xue Yuanming was getting ready to put up his couplets when he saw Xue Xing arrive with Xue Yang, which caught him by surprise.
"Dad, come on down! Let Brother and me put up the couplets."
"Oh, alright."
Xue Yuanming climbed down from the ladder, confusedly yielding the task to the two brothers.
"Be careful."
"With Brother here, don’t worry. Go prepare the New Year’s Eve dinner. I want to eat early this year, and then we can set off fireworks after it gets dark." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦
That morning, Xue Yang had bought two large boxes of fireworks, one for each of them. But Xue Xing had already decided he wanted to set them off together with his brother.
By the time they finished with the couplets, it was already past five o’clock.
Xue Yang washed his hands, gave them a good shake, and said, "My mom’s calling me home for dinner. I’m heading back."
"When did Auntie call you?"
"Does she have to actually call out loud?"
"Isn’t she supposed to?"
"We’re adults now. Can’t we estimate the time and go home on our own?"
"..."
Xue Xing scratched his head. That did seem to make sense. But ever since he was a kid, whenever he went out to play, he almost always waited for his mother to call him before he returned. The only times he went back on his own was when he got bored. He couldn’t recall many instances of his brother voluntarily going home when it was time.
However, he didn’t dwell on it. He obediently went to take a bath and change into new clothes, getting ready for the New Year’s Eve dinner.
The kids next door had bathed and changed early and were already playing with firecrackers. Some had even burned a few holes in their new clothes and were trying to figure out how to fix them.
Xue Yang passed by and commented, "So what if they have a few holes? Back in my day, I cut up my new clothes before I even got to wear them, and it was no big deal."
"Really?"
"Go on, go play."
"Yay!"
This new brain of mine is pretty useful.
When he got home, the New Year’s Eve dinner was ready.
His mother, Zhong Hailan, saw Xue Yang and called out, "Hurry and wash your hands so we can eat. I was just about to call for you, but you came back on your own. Saved me the trouble."
"Of course. Your son knows enough to come in out of the rain."
"Yes, yes, my son is the smartest."
As the meal was winding down, Zhong Hailan and Xue Yuanqing each took out a large red envelope for Xue Yang.
"Xiao Yang, Happy New Year!"
Their family only had one child, so Xue Yang’s red envelope was always quite substantial, possibly more than what all the other children in the neighborhood received combined. It was for this reason that Xue Yang had never really lacked pocket money growing up.
"Thanks, Mom and Dad. I have a red envelope for you, too."
Xue Yang took out a large red envelope from his pocket and handed it to them with both hands. "Well, I’m still in university, so you two will have to share one for now. Once I graduate, I’ll give each of you your own big red envelope."
"Oh, that’s wonderful. We’re happy just knowing you have the thought."
Xue Yuanqing and Zhong Hailan simply thought their son was growing up and showing some filial piety, so they accepted the red envelope with content smiles.
"Don’t worry, your son always keeps his word."
"Alright, we believe you. Now, finish your food."
After dinner and a short rest, Xue Yang prepared to take a shower. In the two days since he’d been back, he had only worn old clothes he had at home and hadn’t touched the ones he brought from Yancheng. It was quite hot at home; even spring attire would make him sweat easily, so Xue Yang usually just wore a short-sleeved shirt and a thin jacket.
Today was New Year’s Eve, however, and a sense of ceremony was essential. He decided to wear new clothes. His parents had offered to take him shopping, but Xue Yang had told them he already had new outfits, so they didn’t go. He had only worn clothes they picked out for him when he was little; ever since growing up, he had been buying his own.
"Cousin, Happy New Year. I’ve come to give you a red envelope."
"Thanks, Brother Xiao Zhi! Thank you, Cousin-in-law."
He had initially thought Chen Fang was just visiting, but she had decided to spend the New Year with Yang Xiaozhi’s family. Did he even need to ask? Calling her Cousin-in-law was the right move.
Chen Fang blushed at being addressed that way but still nodded slightly. "Happy New Year!"
After a few pleasantries, Yang Xiaozhi took Chen Fang to the next house to distribute more red envelopes.
Xue Yang grabbed his clothes and went to take his shower.
When he came out ten minutes later, his phone was buzzing incessantly on the table.
It seemed to have been vibrating for as long as he’d been in the shower. Apparently, the magic of ’Happy New Year’ messages had passed.
Wiping his hair, Xue Yang picked up his phone. A familiar WeChat video call popped up on his screen. It was from Lin Xi.
He had told her that morning about the fireworks he’d bought, and the girl had seemed very interested, insisting she wanted to see them. He’d told her they would look better after dark, and now, just as dusk was settling, she was already calling. It seemed she couldn’t wait another second.
Xue Yang hit the accept button, and a stunning figure appeared before him.
"Happy New Year!"
"Happy New Year!"
