Beijing-Hong Kong Rosemary

Chapter 147 New Year’s Money

At 7 p.m., we started eating our New Year's Eve dinner.

The kitchen prepared sixteen dishes, which filled the table and looked delicious and tempting.

Several of the dishes are Hong Kong Island specialties, which are also Shen Guining's favorites.

She could feel that she was valued and cared for.

In the past, no one in the Shen family would cater to her preferences.

I haven't had a New Year's Eve dinner like this for several years.

With more people, the mealtime is more lively.

Xia Xi insisted on tasting the rice wine, and the more they tried to stop her, the more curious she became. In the end, she took a small sip anyway.

The old lady said Shen Guining was too thin and told her to eat more, and also said that Qu Yanci didn't know how to take care of people.

Shen Guining spoke up for her boyfriend, "Without my grandmother, Aci takes good care of me."

The old lady chuckled and said, "So you're going to speak up for him now?"

Shen Guining pursed her lips and lowered her eyes shyly.

The Spring Festival Gala started right after dinner.

Several servants even joked about whether there would be another "dumpling-making" program this year.

Around nine o'clock, the snow stopped outside, and Shen Guining accompanied Xia Xi to the yard to play with sparklers.

A thin layer of snow covered the branches and leaves, which fell with a rustling sound when the wind blew, and a chill swept over them.

Shen Guining sat on a bamboo chair under the eaves, wrapped in a down jacket. Her nose was red from the wind, and her cheeks looked as if she had applied a light blush.

The sparkler in my hand hissed and sparkled, the tiny sparks reflected in my pupils.

Xia Xi handed the camera to Shen Guining, "Auntie, could you take a few pictures for me?"

"Okay." Shen Guining reached out and took it, glancing down at the lens. "Is this your new camera?"

Xia Xi smiled and said, "Yes, my uncle bought it for me."
-
Qu Yan left the study to answer a work call and handle some urgent matters.

It was already 10:20 when he finished.

The old man and woman are too old to stay up all night, and were about to go back to their room to rest.

"Ningning, just tell the housekeeper if you need anything. Don't be shy, just treat her like you're at home," the old lady instructed.

Shen Guining nodded, "Okay, I understand, Grandma. You should go to sleep early."

"You should all go to bed early too. Staying up too late is bad for the health of young people."

"Ah."

The old man helped the old woman back to her bedroom.

Xia Xi was still looking down at the photos in the camera.

Xia Qi patted her head, "Let's go, stop studying, go take a shower and go to bed."

"Oh." Xia Xi looked up at Shen Guining. "Auntie, I'll send you the photos later. Trust my skills, they'll definitely look good!"

Xia Qi bluntly stated, "That's because your aunt is beautiful, it has nothing to do with your skills."

Xia Xi pouted, "...There is still some connection, isn't there?"

At least it restores her beauty.

"Of course it's related." Shen Guining smiled and said, "Thank you, Xixi, for taking the photos for me."

"You're welcome." Xia Xi smiled and said, "Goodnight, Uncle and Aunt. I'm going to bed now."

Shen Guining replied, "Good night." Qu Yanci's room was on the second floor, on the east side. It was spacious and decorated in a purely Chinese style.

The furniture is mostly made of dark brown mahogany, with intricate carvings and lifelike patterns.

The walls are adorned with authentic calligraphy and paintings, their profound meanings naturally exuding an air of scholarly refinement.

An incense burner in the corner is lit, emitting hazy white smoke. The finest agarwood has a light and pleasant aroma.

Shen Guining was carried to the bedside and sat down.

Qu Yanci held her hand and gently rubbed it, "You've been playing outside for so long, aren't you cold?"

“I put on heat packs.” Shen Guining pulled her hand back and took out two thick red envelopes from her coat pocket. “Grandpa and Grandma gave these to me when you weren’t here. I’m so old now, and I still get lucky money.”

The red envelopes were bulging and heavy in my hand.

Suddenly, she remembered that when they first got together, she had also received a New Year's gift of 10,001 yuan from Qu Yanci.

At that time, he said he hoped they could spend the Lunar New Year together next year.

I didn't expect it to be more than two years later.

However, she is already very content.

It's been a long time since I've felt this kind of homey atmosphere, so warm and happy.

In a daze, another red envelope appeared in her hand, given to her by Qu Yanci.

Shen Guining asked, puzzled, "Hmm?"

Unlike the other two generous red envelopes, his was very thin; you could feel it with your hand and it contained a bank card.

"You gave me a card again?"

Qu Yanci narrowed his eyes, slightly displeased. "What do you mean 'again'? Didn't you leave the card I gave you at home without taking it? You're not even going to ask for money after we broke up? Who's as stupid as you?"

Shen Guining was speechless.

She wasn't being presumptuous or unwilling to accept money; who would complain about having too much money? It was just that the thought of owing him so much and then spending his money after the breakup made her uneasy.

Qu Yanci looked directly into her eyes. "Or are you trying to distance yourself from me?"

Shen Guining's eyelashes trembled as she squeezed the red envelope in her hand. "Why are you bringing up old grievances again?"

At the time, she genuinely believed that she would never have any contact with him again after the breakup.

Qu Yanci gently pinched the soft flesh on her face, "Who told you to disobey?"

“I accepted it; I didn’t say I wouldn’t accept it.”

"Don't just accept things and not use them."

"...But I don't have anywhere to spend money right now."

"I'll take you shopping in a few days."

"Okay." Shen Guining placed the red envelope on the bedside table.

It was a bit warm inside, so she took off her coat. "Shall we take a shower now?"

Qu Yanci wrapped his arms around her waist, pressed his thin lips against hers, and breathed hotly, "Kiss me for a while."

Warm-toned light emanates from the frosted glass lampshade, casting shadowy reflections in the pupils.

Shen Guining's head was under his control, and she responded to his kiss with her lips and teeth opening and closing.

He is habitually assertive yet gentle, gradually taking over.

The antique carved wooden bed is quite old; it creaks softly when you move it a little.

Shen Guining lay down on the bed, her back sinking into the fluffy, soft down comforter, her fingers clasped tightly together, her palms damp and sticky.