Rebirth: Starting with Capturing the Goddess Mentor

Chapter 311 One, Two, Three Boss Ladies?!

After the cleaning lady finished cleaning and came out of the room, only the faint smell of cleaning agents and the faint sound of firecrackers coming from outside the window remained in the room—the festive atmosphere of the New Year had already begun to permeate the air.

Chen Yan and Xi Yingying had also changed their clothes.

Chen Yan wore the same clothes as before, because he had no other clothes to change into.

However, Xi Yingying brought clothes with her.

After taking a shower, she radiated a warm glow.

She changed into an extremely gentle outfit: a soft, light gray knitted long dress that perfectly outlined her slender waist and smooth leg lines, covered by a loose knitted cardigan in the same color, looking lazy and comfortable.

Considering she was going out for a walk, she didn't wear high heels anymore, but instead put on a pair of clean white sneakers, which added a touch of youthful energy.

"Alright, shall we go?"

Xi Yingying straightened the neckline of her cardigan, walked to Chen Yan's side, and had a relaxed smile on her face.

Chen Yan naturally took her hand and walked outside.

Today is Lunar New Year's Eve, and the trees lining the streets are covered with bright red lanterns, string after string, row after row, shimmering with festive light under the pale blue sky.

Many shops have put up brand-new Spring Festival couplets and upside-down "福" (Fu, meaning good fortune) characters at their entrances, and some have also displayed kumquat trees or New Year flowers.

The air was filled with the aromas of families preparing their New Year's Eve dinners—the smoky fragrance of fried fish, the rich flavor of stewed meat, and the unique sweet and sour taste of sweet and sour pork ribs, making one's mouth water. There were far fewer pedestrians on the street than usual, but everyone's face was filled with ease and anticipation. They walked briskly, most carrying heavy bags of New Year's goods, hurrying home for a family reunion.

The afternoon sun felt warm and comfortable on my skin.

Chen Yan strolled along the old street hand in hand with Xi Yingying.

The bluestone path has been worn smooth by time, and there are some old shops on both sides.

The bright and clean pastry shop wafted the aroma of freshly baked bean curd and dried rice cakes; an old-fashioned barbershop was still open, with several old men sitting inside waiting for their "New Year's haircuts"; and there were also vendors selling roasted nuts and seeds, with melon seeds, peanuts, and walnuts tumbling in huge iron pots, making an enticing sizzling sound.

As Chen Yan passed by a fireworks shop, he stopped. The small shop was filled with a dazzling array of fireworks and firecrackers.

He turned to look at Xi Yingying: "Let's buy some fireworks and set them off together tonight for New Year's Eve. What do you want? Sparklers? Goldfish? Or maybe a few big ones?"

The moment he asked that question, Xi Yingying's heart was filled with a warm, bittersweet feeling.

She looked up at Chen Yan, the afternoon sunlight falling on his profile, outlining his clear features.

He held her hand so naturally and firmly, just like any ordinary couple on the street.

When the two of them were alone together before, they were mostly busy with things in bed.

Of course, this is understandable.

After all, she was just Chen Yan's lover.

This was the first time the two of them had strolled hand in hand down the old street like an ordinary young couple.

This feeling... is so wonderful.

She was so happy that she was almost in a daze, and even a little incredulous.

"Huh? Why are you looking at me like that? Say something!"

"Oh, oh, okay!"

Her voice was filled with an excitement she herself didn't realize, even a sweet undertone before she choked up, "Let's buy some sparklers, and... those little fireworks you hold and spin in your hand, what are they called again?"

"Electric Flower?"

"Yeah, right, right."

"Boss, two sparklers, two boxes of sparklers, and... two of those little fountains too."

A small fountain is nice; it suits Xi Yingying perfectly.

Chen Yan thought to himself.

He skillfully picked through the items, paid, and the shopkeeper deftly packed them into a red plastic bag.

Taking the bag, Chen Yan took her hand again and continued walking forward.

Xi Yingying's fingers curled slightly in his palm, then gripped his hand even tighter.

She looked down at their clasped hands, then looked up at Chen Yan's smooth jawline and his eyelashes illuminated by the sunlight.

She could clearly feel her heart beating in her chest with an unprecedentedly full and steady rhythm, each beat telling a story—

So this is what happiness is.

Having lived for 30 years, this was the first time she had truly experienced the taste of 'love'.

When I married my ex-husband, I didn't really love him; I was more of a person who just wanted to make do.

But now that she's with Chen Yan, she truly feels like she's fallen for him.

But... I'm not worthy.

She was just a divorced woman, and being his mistress was already a great blessing. How could she possibly hope to stroll hand in hand with him in the old street like this?
"If only time could stand still at this moment!"

Xi Yingying couldn't help but think to herself.

She nestled close to him, feeling the strength and warmth from his arms, the solidity of the bluestone slabs beneath her feet, and the unique aroma of the New Year—a blend of roasted nuts, cooked food, and a faint smell of sulfur in the air.

"It feels so good," Xi Yingying whispered, more like a murmur to herself, her voice so soft it seemed to drift away on the wind.

"Huh?" Chen Yan didn't hear clearly and turned his head to look at her.

Xi Yingying raised her head, met his questioning gaze, and mustered her courage to say, "I said, it feels so good to hold your hand and walk down the street like this."

Chen Yan looked into her eyes, which were exceptionally bright in the sunlight and filled with pure joy that seemed to be overflowing.

He tightened his grip on her hand and said softly, "I can stay with you all this Spring Festival and take you to explore the whole city of Ningbo."

Xi Yingying's eyes lit up even more, as if she couldn't believe it was true: "Really?"

Chen Yan gently pinched her nose: "When have I ever lied to you?"

She stood on tiptoe and gave Chen Yan a quick kiss on the cheek: "Thank you, boss!"

………………

Chen Yan only took Xi Yingying back to the hotel when the setting sun painted the sky red.

“If you get hungry later, just call the front desk and have them bring dinner up,” Chen Yan said to Xi Yingying.

"Okay, boss, you should go quickly, don't keep your uncle and aunt waiting."

"Okay, I'll go now. You rest well here, and I'll come find you later."

"Okay."

As she spoke, Xi Yingying escorted Chen Yan to the elevator.

Today is Lunar New Year's Eve, and Chen Yan will definitely have to go home to have the New Year's Eve dinner with Empress Dowager He and Old Chen. Xi Yingying's status as his lover is obviously not suitable for her to go to Chen Yan's house.

After the family of three enjoyed their New Year's Eve dinner together, Chen Yan watched the Spring Festival Gala with Old Chen and Empress Dowager He for a while.

The three sat on the sofa, watching the Spring Festival Gala and chatting about everyday things.

Among them, Chen Yan's relationship problems were the most talked about.

Empress Dowager He peeled a tangerine and handed it to Chen Yan, asking, "So, your marriage with Xin Xin is settled then?"

Chen Yan stuffed a whole orange into his mouth without saying a word.

Empress Dowager He muttered to herself, "That's right. Both sets of parents are meeting on the fifth day of the new year, so it's time to settle this matter. It's just a pity about Xiao Ruan..."

Chen Guodong coughed and said, "Alright, now that the two children's marriages are settled, let's not mention other girls, lest Xiao Jiang finds out and gets upset."

Empress Dowager He snorted: "I'm not stupid enough to say this in front of Xin Xin. Blame your philandering son. Why did you have to do two things at once?"

Years of stress response made Chen Yan keenly aware that Empress Dowager He might kick him at any moment.

So he jumped up from the sofa and said with a smile, "I'm going out to set off fireworks with my classmates. You guys should go to sleep early. If you're really bored, have a little sister for me to play with."

"Get out of here, you have no manners!"

………………

When we drove back to the Buckingham Palace Hotel, it was already past 10 p.m.

Chen Yan asked for two room cards when he booked the room, so he didn't say hello to Xi Yingying and just swiped the cards to take the elevator up.

Upon opening the door, Chen Yan found Xi Yingying lying on the bed playing on her phone, dressed in a white pajama set.

Hearing the door open, Xi Yingying turned her head sharply like a startled deer.

When he saw that it was Chen Yan standing at the door, his eyes, which had been filled with a hint of laziness and weariness, instantly lit up.

"Boss, you're here?"

Chen Yan closed the door behind him, a slight smile playing on his lips: "I promised you I'd come."

Xi Yingying scrambled off the bed, her bare feet barely touching the soft carpet as she quickly walked to him: "Shall we go out now?"

Her eyes sparkled with anticipation.

"Okay, I'll take you to a nice place." Chen Yan naturally reached out and ruffled her hair. "Wear something warm, it's cold outside, and the wind is strong by the river."

"it is good!"

After Xi Yingying finished speaking, she quickly ran back to the bedside to change her clothes, her cheerful back view resembling that of a child about to go on a spring outing.

The Mercedes-Benz S400 drove away from the brightly lit city center and headed towards the riverside scenic area on the edge of the city.

The closer you get to the river, the stronger the smell of sulfur and gunpowder becomes in the air, and you can also faintly hear crackling and cheering sounds coming from afar.

Chen Yan found a place to park the car, took Xi Yingying's hand, and walked down the riverbank.

My eyes suddenly opened up.

The long riverside walkway had already been crowded with young people, and even many families had come together.

The ground was covered with a thick layer of red firecracker confetti, like a festive carpet. The air was filled with excited shouts, children's screams, and the unique smell of fireworks.

Young people gathered in groups of three or five, holding all sorts of fireworks: sparklers hissed and drew golden trails; rockets screamed as they shot into the night sky, leaving a trail of white smoke; small peacocks spun on the ground, spewing out dazzling sparks; and some even brought large boxes of fireworks, eagerly preparing for midnight.

Wow, so many people! It's so lively!

Xi Yingying's eyes sparkled as she gripped Chen Yan's hand tightly, looking around with curiosity and excitement.

The cold night wind blew through her hair, and her cheeks were slightly red from the cold, but the joy and happiness made her whole being come alive.

Chen Yan led her to a relatively quiet, open area on the riverbank, and took out the fireworks he had bought that afternoon, one by one, and laid them out on the ground:

"We'll release it too."

Xi Yingying clapped her hands happily and squatted down like a child to pick out her items.

Chen Yan took out a lighter, lit a few long "electric sparks" and handed them to her.

Tiny golden sparks immediately burst forth in her hand, reflecting her bright smile and outlining a warm halo in the night.

"So lovely!"

She waved the light stick in her hand, laughing so hard her eyes disappeared.

Time slipped away quietly amidst laughter and the ever-blooming flames.

More and more fireworks were ignited, shooting into the deep night sky. The pitch-black night was torn apart time and time again, blooming into huge and dazzling flowers: golden chrysanthemums, red peonies, silver waterfalls, purple stars... The booming explosions and the cheers of the crowd intertwined, like a lively New Year's scene.

Someone shouted first: "Ten! Nine! Eight! Seven..."

Like a lit fuse, more and more people joined the countdown, their voices growing louder and more unified, converging into a powerful wave of sound that echoed along the riverbank.
"Six! Five! Four! Three! Two! One!"

"Happy New Year--!!!"

Happy Year of the Sheep!!!

The moment the character "一" fell, it was as if a unified command had been received, and countless huge fireworks simultaneously rose into the sky from all over the riverbank and even from corners of the city on the opposite bank!

The sky over Cixian County was completely illuminated at that moment, as if daytime had arrived. It was colorful and dazzling, and the deafening roar drowned out all other sounds, announcing the end of one cycle and the beginning of another.

The Year of the Horse has completely slipped away, and the vibrant Year of the Sheep is galloping in!

"Happy New Year, baby."

Amidst the dazzling colors and deafening roar, Chen Yan lowered his head, leaned close to Xi Yingying's ear, and spoke loudly.

Warm breath brushed against her cool earlobe.

Xi Yingying snapped out of her daze at the breathtaking fireworks display, turned her head, and saw the dazzling night sky reflected in her eyes, as well as Chen Yan's face so close to hers. Her smile appeared exceptionally pure against the grand backdrop.

Happy New Year, boss!

Before he could finish speaking, Chen Yan lowered his head and kissed her lips, which were illuminated by the fireworks and felt cool.

This kiss carried the smell of gunpowder, but also the impulse and blessings of the new year.

But after only a few seconds of kissing, Chen Yan's phone rang.

He released Xi Yingying and made a 'shush' gesture.

Xi Yingying nodded obediently.

Then, Chen Yan connected to a WeChat video call.

The phone screen lit up instantly, illuminating Chen Yan's face, which had a touch of everyday life, but the next second, the screen was filled with another stunning face.

Jiang Zhixin appeared in the picture.

She was clearly at home, with warm-toned wall lamps and a headboard faintly visible in the background.

She was wearing a soft pink coral fleece cotton nightgown, her long hair draped lazily over her shoulders.

The soft light from the screen gently outlined her delicate features.

Her eyebrows were like distant mountains, naturally green without any makeup;

Her eyes, like autumn water, held a gentle smile, and her gaze sparkled with delight.

Even through the screen, her natural beauty and elegance are palpable, like a delicate and exquisitely beautiful flower in full bloom, carefully nurtured in a greenhouse, its radiance beyond compare.

When Xi Yingying saw this face that could outshine even the most dazzling fireworks around her, she knew that she would forever remain a clandestine lover, unable to see the light of day.

After all, being a woman herself, even she felt a deep sense of jealousy towards that face.

"Happy New Year, Chen Yan!"

Jiang Zhixin's voice came through the receiver, clear and melodious.

Upon seeing Jiang Zhixin, Chen Yan's voice softened unconsciously: "Happy New Year, my wife!"

After she finished speaking, two blushes quickly rose on Jiang Zhixin's beautiful face, spreading all the way to her delicate earlobes.

"Hate!"

She said coquettishly, "Who's your wife! Don't call me that!"

"Alright, alright, I won't call you that then. Happy New Year, Teacher Jiang!"

"You're not allowed to call me that!"

"What?"

"No reason."

"Happy New Year, sweetheart?"

Jiang Zhixin was finally satisfied and asked, "Where are you?"

Chen Yan switched the camera to the rear camera, pointing at the crowd of people setting off fireworks by the river: "They're watching others set off fireworks from outside."

"Ah! I should have come here too. We can't set off fireworks here..." Jiang Zhixin pouted, looking a little aggrieved.

"It's alright, you'll marry into this family sooner or later anyway, and you'll be a Cixian resident after that."

"Hmph, I haven't even agreed to marry you yet..."

…………

After chatting for a few more minutes, Chen Yan made an excuse that he had to go home, and Jiang Zhixin reluctantly hung up the phone.

Seeing that the call had been hung up, Xi Yingying dared to approach Chen Yan: "Boss, was that the boss's wife just now?"

"Yes."

Just as Chen Yan finished speaking, another video chat rang; it was Ruan Yusang calling.

"Happy New Year, hubby!"

Happy New Year, baby!

"Honey, why was your phone busy just now?"

"Oh, my teacher called to wish me a Happy New Year."

"Haha~ You're such an interesting teacher, calling your students in the middle of the night..."

Then, the two exchanged pleasantries for a while...

"Okay, honey, I'm going to sleep now. Goodnight~"

Okay, I'm going back now too. Goodnight~

After hanging up the phone, Chen Yan noticed that Xi Yingying's gaze towards him was a little different.

Xi Yingying opened her mouth, about to say something, but at that moment, Chen Yan's phone rang again...

Chen Yan reluctantly pressed the answer button: "Hey, Mu Mu, Happy New Year~"

"Happy New Year, husband~"

………………

(To my handsome, dashing, and debonair godfathers, please give me some monthly tickets and recommendation votes at the beginning of the month!)

(End of this chapter)