Don't get married if you're reborn.

Chapter 362 The Favored Girl
After staying at his maternal grandparents' house with Mu Qingyang until 11 o'clock, Zeng Wenjie took Mu Qingyang back to the old street on his motorcycle.

Riding a motorcycle in this freezing weather is quite uncomfortable, but fortunately the distance isn't far, only two minutes away.

Then, for no apparent reason, Xiao Mu, who was riding on the motorcycle, thought of a classic scene from Andy Lau's "A Moment of Romance".

"Once it's past midnight, we'll start setting off fireworks and firecrackers. Are you ready?" Zeng Wenjie asked.

"Mmm-hmm-hmm-hmm-hmm!" Mu Qingyang pecked at the rice like a chick, showing a mix of excitement and anticipation.

She hadn't experienced such a strong New Year's atmosphere in a long time, let alone something like setting off fireworks.

Mu Qingyang suddenly said, "Grandpa Xie will probably be spending the New Year alone this year."

Zeng Wenjie was taken aback upon hearing this and asked, "Is Ninth Master also this lonely?"

Mu Qingyang said, "I used to spend the New Year with him."

Zeng Wenjie was too lazy to ask her about the situation of her other relatives, after all, the answers he would get would certainly not be pleasant.

He took out all the fireworks and lined them up in boxes along the wide, empty street, then placed a roll of firecrackers by the door.

Once midnight has passed, the door to wealth must be opened.

Then, for the next few days, you can't sweep away the debris left by the firecrackers.

"Go change into your pajamas, so you don't ruin them when the firecrackers go off," Zeng Wenjie reminded him.

"Okay, okay!" Mu Qingyang obediently agreed, turned around and went into the house to change into her cotton pajamas.

Seeing that everyone in his family was gathered inside watching TV, Zeng Wenjie felt reassured and took out a cigarette to light. Mu Qingyang came out from inside and took the lighter from his hand to light the cigarette for him.

"It's so quiet!"

Mu Qingyang couldn't help but say that at this moment, apart from the swaying red lanterns outside, there was not a single person in sight.

Zeng Wenjie said, "It gets lively as soon as it hits midnight, with every household setting off firecrackers and fireworks."

Mu Qingyang smiled with anticipation as he imagined the whole town lighting up with fireworks.

"Let's set off some for fun first, and save the fireworks for midnight." Zeng Wenjie threw away his cigarette butt, went inside to get an incense stick, lit it, and handed it to Mu Qingyang.

At midnight, everyone in the family came out.

Meanwhile, the town became lively, with every household setting off firecrackers and fireworks.

Fireworks shot into the sky, illuminating the entire town as if it were daytime. The deafening crackling of firecrackers made it impossible to hear anything else.

"Go set off fireworks!"

Zeng Wenjie shouted loudly at Mu Qingyang, while he picked up the firecrackers.

He lit the firecrackers and threw them directly at the front gate.

Mu Qingyang walked to the side of the street amidst the billowing smoke, lit the fuses of the boxes of fireworks with the incense stick in his hand, and then ran away with a scream.

Around 12:20, the shelling finally stopped, leaving only sporadic sounds.

The entire town was shrouded in smoke, and the air was thick with the smell of gunpowder.

"Happy New Year."

Zeng Wenjie put his hand on Mu Qingyang's shoulder and said to her with a grin.

Mu Qingyang also cheered, "Happy New Year!"

Then, she was picked up and spun around a few times. The young couple's joyful laughter made the elders in the room exchange smiles, which they found very pleasant.

After putting Mu Qingyang down, Zeng Wenjie smiled and said, "How was your New Year? Were you happy?"

Mu Qingyang hugged him tightly and said happily and joyfully, "This is the happiest New Year I've ever had. Next year, let's invite Grandpa Xie to celebrate the New Year with us!"

Zeng Wenjie felt a chill run down his spine when he recalled Xie Jiu's terrifying nature.

“After we finish paying our New Year’s respects here, I’ll accompany you to your mother’s and grandmother’s to burn paper money and offer sacrifices,” Zeng Wenjie said.

"Okay!" Mu Qingyang nodded in agreement.

"Go back to sleep, there will be red envelopes to collect tomorrow morning!" Zeng Wenjie reminded him.

"Well... goodnight!" Mu Qingyang released him and said softly.

Back in her room, Mu Qingyang could still smell a faint scent of gunpowder. The wooden structure of the house couldn't possibly keep those smells out. But the smell made her feel safe and secure. She gently pulled the covers up, closed her eyes wearily, and quickly fell asleep.

When she woke up the next day, she still didn't curl up into a ball as usual.

Returning to Zeng Wenjie's hometown for the Lunar New Year seems to have corrected her less-than-ideal sleeping posture.

"Phew, I slept so well!" Mu Qingyang thought happily as she threw back the covers, then immediately got up to change her clothes and wash up.

The main hall door was wide open, and looking out from inside, the entire street was covered with debris left from firecracker explosions, as well as empty shells of various fireworks.

"Good morning, Grandpa!"

Grandpa had already gotten up and even strolled around outside for a while. When Mu Qingyang met him, she hurriedly greeted him.

Grandpa smiled and took out a red envelope from his pocket, handed it to her, and said, "Happy New Year, this is your lucky money."

Mu Qingyang bowed slightly, accepted the gift with both hands, and said happily, "Thank you, Grandpa!"

She used to think that happiness was something far away from her, but now she feels that it is so simple and readily available.

This kind of emotion isn't a luxury for her; she just needs a change of environment.

The red envelopes were quite generous, containing at least 500 yuan.

"Grandma, Happy New Year!" Mu Qingyang greeted his grandmother immediately upon seeing her again.

Grandma also took a red envelope out of her pocket and handed it to Mu Qingyang, saying, "Happy New Year, my good boy!"

I received another 500 yuan red envelope.

Zeng Wenjie then came out of the room and saw Mu Qingyang receiving a red envelope. He called out to his grandparents, "Happy New Year, Grandpa and Grandma!"

"Happy New Year," Grandpa said simply.

"Happy New Year," Grandma said with a smile.

The two elders verbally agreed, but didn't actually move their hands.

Zeng Wenjie was taken aback for a moment, then held out his hand and said, "New Year's money?"

Grandpa said indifferently, "You're all adults now, why do you still need New Year's money?"

Grandma nodded and said, "You're an adult now, and a boss yourself. Why would you need New Year's money?"

Zeng Wenjie pointed at Mu Qingyang and said, "She has one?"

Mu Qingyang waved the two red envelopes at Zeng Wenjie with a smug look on his face.

Grandpa smiled and said, "Little Mu is a good boy, of course he does."

Zeng Wenjie fell silent. Fine, fine, with Mu Qingyang around, I'm no longer a good boy, right?

At this moment, their parents also came out, and Zeng Wenjie and Mu Qingyang went forward together to wish them a Happy New Year.

"Happy New Year! I wish our little Mu all the best in her studies and that she becomes more and more beautiful!" Han Yu handed over a red envelope so thick that Zeng Wenjie suspected it was stuffed with newspaper.

"Hahaha, Happy New Year! Happy New Year! Xiao Mu, here's a red envelope for you. If you want to make any jewelry, just melt it down and make it yourself." Zeng Xiangdong also handed over a red envelope.

The red envelope wasn't as thick as the one Han Yu gave, but it was very heavy. Inside, there were gold notes pressed into the shape of banknotes!
Zeng Wenjie looked at his parents with longing eyes.

"You're an adult now."

"You're already eating like a nineteen-year-old, why would you want a red envelope?"

Mu Qingyang felt the sensation of being favored, his face flushed red, and his lips were practically pursed.

Zeng Wenjie pointed at Mu Qingyang and said, "She's already eating like a twenty-year-old, why can't I?"

"You're not as good-looking as her."

"You're annoying, but Xiao Mu is cute."

Zeng Wenjie has been dealt another blow.

Mu Qingyang quietly tugged at his sleeve and whispered in his ear, "I'll share some with you later."

She knew all too well what it felt like to be ignored.

(End of this chapter)