Jiaojiao said, "Let’s talk about it later. For now, Miaomiao is still young. She’s only sixteen and in the second year of middle school."

Lu Zishu wanted to say, "You’re only fifteen," but kept silent due to Duan Xi’s presence.

At this time, Jiaojiao didn’t think Lu Zishu’s feelings for Xin Miao were all that deep. She didn’t plan to play matchmaker. Firstly, she felt they weren’t well-matched. Secondly, she thought everyone was still young, and after a few years, feelings would naturally fade. She never imagined that in the decades to come, this carefree young man, whose personality was like a Husky, would endure such hardship in his love life...

As New Year’s Eve approached.

Jiaojiao began to have small worries.

She didn’t know where to celebrate the New Year. She used to plan to spend the early New Year at the Duan Family and return to the Ruan Family in the evening. But now, since Shu Jiao lived permanently with the Shu Family, and Grandpa Shu repeatedly called to invite her to celebrate there, Jiaojiao was evidently expected to spend New Year’s at the Shu Family. She was extremely troubled.

At this time, Duan Xi offered a suggestion, "We can celebrate it ourselves."

"Just the two of us?" Jiaojiao stroked the fur of the Little Snow Wolf in her arms, feeling a bit reluctant, "That doesn’t seem right."

They were only engaged, not married. How could they spend New Year alone?

"Besides, brother Xi, you don’t know how to cook New Year’s Eve dinner, and neither do I. We can’t eat instant noodles at home, can we?" Just imagining the scene, Jiaojiao felt like an unloved little thing.

"No, I can cook. I’ve read books about it, and it might not be just the two of us," Duan Xi said.

In his view, by celebrating New Year’s elsewhere, there would be two outcomes: either all three families would come, or none would. He’d be happy with the former, and even more content with the latter.

Jiaojiao sighed, watching the dark shadows nearby, waiting to snatch away the Little Snow Wolf’s treat, pouting silently.

While she liked being alone with Duan Xi, she preferred the lively, bustling company of a big family during times like New Year.

Duan Xi reached out and held her small hand, "Trust me, okay?"

Jiaojiao looked over melancholically, seeing the determination in his eyes, and finally agreed.

So, on New Year’s Eve, while everyone was waiting for Jiaojiao’s arrival, they only received a call from Duan Xi, saying they were heading to Hengya for the New Year.

Shu Jiao was both amused and exasperated when she received Duan Xi’s call.

Beside her, Grandpa Shu, after she hung up, anxiously asked, "What’s happening? Is Jiaojiao coming for New Year?"

Shu Jiao shook her head, helplessly said, "No, she and Xiaoxi went to Hengya to celebrate New Year by themselves."

"What?" Grandpa Shu’s eyes widened, "That brat..."

Grandpa Shu was about to curse, but seeing Gu Zichen holding Little Potato and coming out of the room, it seemed Little Potato was still asleep, so he swallowed his words.

Shu Jiao stood up and walked to the room, saying as she went, "Dad, then I won’t stay here for New Year either. I’m off to Hengya first."

Although she knew the reason behind Duan Xi’s actions, Shu Jiao still had to rush over, fearing that if the two kids really spent the New Year alone, it wouldn’t be good.

However, when Duan Qianyang received the call, his reaction was completely different; he was delighted. He grabbed his coat from his room and headed out the door.