Why bother writing songs? Fast forward to the "Don't Laugh Challenge"

Chapter 184 The Rusty Iron Box

As they passed by, Lao Weizhen eagerly carried all the things into her hands, and Xia Shen could see that his mother was genuinely happy. Even though the old lady was making random comments about one person and praising another, putting him down and praising Zhou Yumeng at the same time, it all sounded warm and comforting to him.

When we arrived in the courtyard, several elderly neighborhood aunties greeted us.

"Xiao Shen is back? He's grown quite a bit taller, and now he's fair-skinned and handsome, a real heartthrob."

"Of course she's beautiful! Xiao Shen is a big star now, okay? His wife is a big star too."

"He's really successful, much more successful than my husband. I still have to give him some money every month, sigh."

Xia Shen greeted them one by one.

Of course, he could only laugh it off when the older generation complained about the younger generation, listening to them freely criticize his childhood friends whom he hadn't seen in a long time.

We dare not agree, we dare not say anything!
but
Speaking of success, Xia Shen glanced at his mother's back as she busied herself arranging things in the room, and a strange emotion welled up in his heart.

Actually, it wasn't easy for his family to support him all the way.

Before this year, everyone's opinion of their family and of him was actually quite negative.

Why insist on such unrealistic things, pouring all your savings into teaching your son useless things? He'll be destined to starve after graduation.

Whether it's relatives or close older friends, this is how they describe them.

The old neighbors who are still in the courtyard now are the ones who live close to them. They have never spoken ill of them over the years and have always helped each other. They have a very good relationship, which is why they are here.

After all, Xia Shen's close childhood friends were all his family's children; they had grown up together since they were little.

Of all the people who are close to my family, only these old neighbors have always treated my family like family.

Xia Shen could also imagine that during the process of his failure to achieve success, he was not the only one under great pressure; his family was also under a lot of pressure.

Fortunately, everything is fine now.

Zhou Yumeng also greeted the elders along with Xia Shen, appearing poised and graceful.

Only Xia Shen could catch a glimpse of her hidden nervousness.

Actually, these old neighbors also remembered Zhou Yumeng. Back then, Zhou Yumeng often came to Xia Shen's house to play, and they also knew that Xia Shen had a friend.

Then they found out that the tomboy who seemed so mischievous and from a wealthy family was actually Xia Shen's current girlfriend, and they were shocked.

"Xiao Zhou has become so beautiful!"

"Oh, it's Yumeng! Do you remember Aunt Chen Lan? You used to come to Xia Shen's house to play often, and Aunt Chen Lan even held you."

"Girls change so much as they grow up!"

"Xia Shen is lucky to have such a beautiful girl who keeps thinking about him."

These words made Zhou Yumeng's face turn bright red.

Then there was Xia Shen, speechless.

Okay, so he was the only one who didn't know his playmate was a girl when he was little.

Everyone except him knew about this.

After chatting for a while, the neighborhood elders gradually went home. Xia Shen also took Zhou Yumeng back to the living room at home. A little while later, Xia Shen's father, Xia Jianjun, also strolled home.

Zhou Yumeng was quite reserved from beginning to end, sitting quietly on the sofa watching TV without daring to move.

This is a world apart from the unrestrained figure who once lived in their living room, a figure that exists only in their memories.

Even during the meal, Lao Weizhen kept putting food on Zhou Yumeng's plate.

This is exactly the same as when I was a child.

Back then, Zhou Yumeng ate very steadily, but now she eats in small bites, and every now and then she says, "Thank you, Auntie! Thank you, Auntie!"

Lao Weizhen looked at the two of them with great satisfaction: "You two have grown up together. It's really fate that you can meet again after growing up and become a family."

"Hmm," Zhou Yumeng said, glancing at Xia Shen.

It turned out that Xia Shen was also looking at her.

The two of them immediately burst into laughter.

How can one describe fate? It is truly wondrous and sometimes just that amazing.

Xia Wei didn't say much, just like Xia Shen's impression of his father—taciturn and introverted. He simply took out two red envelopes from his pocket and handed them to the two men. Then, looking at Zhou Yumeng, he said, "Uncle isn't very good with words, but from now on we're family, and this will always be your home."

"Okay! Thank you, Uncle!" Zhou Yumeng nodded, took the red envelope from her hand, and clutched it tightly.

At this moment, her tension finally subsided.

So, nothing has changed.

Aside from the graying temples and wrinkles on their faces, the uncles and aunts...

The New Year's Eve dinner was very harmonious. After dinner, the family watched the Spring Festival Gala on TV. Pop diva Song Anqi sang "Wolves," a song she collaborated on with Xia Shen. When the show reached the Shanghai branch venue, a pre-recorded video message from Xia Shen and Zhou Yumeng wishing friends across the country a Happy New Year was shown.

"Happy New Year to all viewers! This is Xia Shen!"

"I'm Zhou Yumeng~"

"we are--"

"The adorable duo of 'Romance in the Rain'~"

"In the new year, I wish all the people of the country and all my viewers a prosperous career, good health, happiness, and joy for your families."

Watching myself send New Year's greetings on TV with my parents felt quite magical.

Later, the two returned to Xia Shen's room.

Actually, Xia's parents had prepared a room for Zhou Yumeng.

That room was even exclusively for Zhou Yumeng.

They're only dating now, and this is the first time they're going home under a new identity.

We used to be able to sleep together at night, but that doesn't mean it's good to do so now.

There are still some things to consider.

Moreover, they haven't taken the final step yet.

First of all, Xia Shen didn't know how to start the conversation, as it was his first time in a relationship.

Zhou Yumeng was even less likely to have the courage to speak up.

Otherwise, if the two of them had been even slightly bolder, they wouldn't have waited until last year to confirm their relationship.

But they can still go back to Xia Shen's room to whisper to each other.

The moment Xia Shen entered the room and closed the door, he couldn't wait to pull out a red envelope from his pocket.

"Come on, let's see how many there are!"

This is the first time he's brought his girlfriend home, so it's unlikely to be the usual routine, right?
Then, that expectation waned when he opened the red envelope and shook out a brand new purple banknote inside; his heart sank.

When I saw [5] above again, my heart was completely dead.

Then, when he saw Zhou Yumeng pull out a thick stack of red envelopes from her own, he smiled silently.

"Hehehe, hahahahaha."

This is boring, I'm not watching anymore!
Xia Shen casually stuffed the red envelope under her pillow.

He scanned the room.

Although Xia Shen's room had all new furniture and a new bed, and was kept meticulously tidy.

However, there are still many old items.

For example, Xia Shen's computer from when he was in school, and some other small items.

"Wait, I'll show you something."

Xia Shen glanced at the cabinet, then his eyes lit up, and he immediately took out an item from the cabinet.

This is a rusty iron box.

Xia Shen opened it in front of Zhou Yumeng and then laughed, "Ta-da, look!"