Sister, can I be a maid too?

Just as I was thinking this, my phone suddenly vibrated.

Lin Jianxia paused for two seconds, then looked down at her screen.

[Jiang Xiaobai the Annoying]: Hello, hello, want to see fireworks?

"......"

Lin Jianxia blinked, her gaze slowly drifting to her side.

She was glued to her phone all night, completely oblivious to what was happening here.

She pursed her lips and typed softly.

[Lin Jianxia]: What fireworks?

[Jiang Xiaobai the Annoying]: Never mind that for now, just tell me if you want to watch it or not.

Lin Jianxia hesitated for a moment, then typed out a single word.

[Lin Jianxia]: Yes.

The next second, with a 'ding-dong' sound, a video call popped up. She trembled and hurriedly clicked 'reject'.

Faced with the curious gazes from Lin Tingwan and her grandmother, her ears instantly turned bright red.

[Lin Jianxia]: Jiang Yubai!!!

[Lin Jianxia]: What are you doing?!

[Jiang Xiaobai the Annoying]: Watching fireworks? Are you alright over there now?

[Lin Jianxia]: It's nothing, it's nothing!

[Jiang Xiaobai the Annoying]: Tch, I won't watch it then.

Before Lin Jianxia could figure out what "I don't care" meant, the familiar "ding-dong" sound rang out again.

She paused for two seconds, staring at her phone screen—it still showed the same message, with no new messages.

Immediately afterwards, Lin Jianxia's eyes widened, and she abruptly turned her head to look at the side.

Lin Tingwan, the younger sister, was looking down and calmly tapped the "Accept Call" button that popped up on the screen.

Lin Jianxia's mind went blank for a moment. Her eyes widened, and she lunged forward, slamming the mute button down to cover the camera, then quickly turning her head away.

"Grandma! Wanwan and I are going to go to the yard to look at the stars for a while!"

Before she could finish speaking, she hurriedly grabbed her sister and headed for the door.

Only after sitting on the steps in the courtyard did Lin Jianxia finally let out a long sigh of relief. She took her younger sister's phone and said fiercely:

"Jiang, Yu, Bai!"

The person on the other end of the video moved their mouth, but no sound came out.

Lin Jianxia was taken aback at first, then composed herself, reverting to her fierce expression, before unmuting:

"Jiang Yubai!!"

"I heard you, I heard you, why did you call me twice?" Jiang Yubai's lazy voice came through. "Isn't this Wanwan's phone? Where is she?"

Lin Jianxia, ​​who was about to launch into a accusation, paused, and subconsciously tilted her phone to the side.

"Here it is."

Lin Tingwan leaned closer to the camera and gently waved to Jiang Yubai inside, her eyes sparkling.

"As long as they're all there, okay, keep an eye on them."

As soon as he finished speaking, the scene seemed to reverse, with a flame licking a green fuse.

The camera then began to shake violently, as if it were fleeing in panic. A few seconds later, the image finally stabilized and focused on the deep blue night sky in the distance.

Before Lin Jianxia could understand what was happening, suddenly—

"Oh!"

A golden spot of light suddenly burst open in the center of the screen, transforming into thousands of streaks of fire that fell in a flurry.

"Bang—bang bang!"

A series of muffled explosions rang out, and the sky was instantly illuminated.

First, a silvery waterfall cascaded down with a roar, followed by the blooming of golden chrysanthemums and blue peonies. A violet ribbon of light spiraled upwards, then shattered into hundreds of shooting stars at the highest point, streaking out in all directions.

Before one flower fades, another blooms, and the colors of red, orange, yellow, and green rise and fall, filling the entire field of vision, even reflecting off the screen in a flickering light.

Even though there was a layer of glass between us, the brilliance seemed to splash out, with tiny specks of light seeping into my eyes.

Lin Jianxia and Lin Tingwan sat side by side on the cool steps, gazing absently at the small, crowded, yet dazzling night sky.

Only when the last wisp of silver light faded away did Jiang Yubai's face, which had been flickering in and out of focus by the fireworks, become clear again.

"Is it pretty?" he asked with a grin.

Before he could answer, someone seemed to be calling him from afar.

Jiang Yubai tilted his head and responded, then turned back and waved his hand:

"Wait, my dad's calling me, I'll hang up now."

The video call ended instantly, and the screen switched back to the chat interface.

Lin Jianxia blinked, feeling a strange emptiness in her heart.

How could he just die like that...?

I haven't even settled the score with you for suddenly making a video call.

I haven't even... haven't even asked you why you didn't message me.

There's still so much I haven't said.

I haven't even said Happy New Year yet...

Just as I was in a daze, a voice message suddenly popped up at the top of the screen.

Lin Jianxia subconsciously clicked on it—

"By the way, Little Hedgehog, and Wanwan, Happy New Year!"

The voice, tinged with laughter, dissipated lightly into the night.

Lin Jianxia's eyes lit up instantly. She opened the voice chat, leaned close to the microphone, and softly replied:

"Hey... you idiot... Happy New Year!"

Even though she intended to use a fierce tone, the last syllable of her voice involuntarily rose, like a little tail that was secretly wagging.

She squinted her eyes contentedly, her lips still curved in a smile, when she suddenly noticed a distant gaze beside her.

Lin Jianxia froze, then slowly turned her head—

Lin Tingwan was silently watching her, and there was a clear hint of resentment in her beautiful eyes.

.....ah.

That's right.

This seems to be.....

Was it Wanwan's phone?

Chapter 167 Lin Jianxia, ​​your house is way too remote! (Part 2)

New Year's Day.

Jiang Yubai was fast asleep when the noisy voices and footsteps outside the door abruptly pulled him out of his dream.

He groggily opened his eyes and glanced at the alarm clock on the bedside table.

Nine o'clock in the morning.

I casually pulled the blanket over my head, but the soundproofing in this old house was really bad, and I couldn't get any peace and quiet even when I tried to take a nap.

With no other option, Jiang Yubai slowly straightened up and yawned again.

I chatted with those two idiots too late last night, and was woken up several times around midnight by the intermittent fireworks, so I didn't get a good night's sleep.

I took out my phone and opened QQ. The chat history was all from last night. I didn't know if the two sisters had woken up yet.

He sent them a "Happy New Year" message, then got up, dressed, and washed up.

After dawdling over washing up and changing his clothes, Jiang Yubai pushed open the bedroom door and walked into the living room.

Looking up, the place that was deserted last night is now crowded with faces that are half unfamiliar and half familiar.

My parents were chatting in the living room, occasionally greeting guests. The aroma of tea and fruit mingled together, creating a lively festive atmosphere.

A middle-aged man, whom he didn't recognize, saw him, smiled, and called out:

"Oh, Jiang Yubai's gotten all white?"

Jiang Yubai nodded and politely replied, "Hello, Uncle," but felt a little helpless inside.

Who is this...who is this again...who is this still?

Since receiving the demolition compensation and making investments, every year around this time, a large number of relatives and friends, some I've met before and some I haven't, have appeared.

“Yu Bai,” Jiang Pinglan greeted him with a smile, casually introducing him, “This is Uncle Li.”

Upon hearing his father address him in that tone, Jiang Yubai roughly understood—

This person probably doesn't need to be remembered.

He nodded and then said, "Hello, Uncle Li."

I walked around the living room, calling older people "uncle" and "auntie," and nodding and smiling at those of the same generation.

He felt like an exhibit, being scrutinized and examined by countless eyes.

"Jiang Yubai, you look really handsome and energetic. Do you have a girlfriend yet?"

"Jiang Yubai, I heard you're taking the college entrance exam soon? How are your results?"

When asked about her love life, she just smiles and says, "I'm too engrossed in studying to date." When asked about her grades, she gives a vague answer like, "They're alright, but I still need to work harder."