He wants to adopt a younger sister, but his aloof wife disagrees.

Jiang Che had already woken up.

He didn't rush to get up, but leaned against the headboard, quietly reading a paper book in the dim light. He was wearing a dark gray loungewear T-shirt, his expression focused and serene. Occasionally, he would glance down at his loved one beside him, and a gentle ripple would appear in his eyes.

Shen Qingge, who was beside her, seemed to sense something. Her eyelashes trembled, and she slowly opened her eyes.

Those usually cold and sharp phoenix eyes were now veiled with a misty haze. She blinked blankly, and when she saw Jiang Che's profile, a faint smile unconsciously curved her lips.

"morning……"

Her voice, with its characteristic morning huskiness and soft sweetness, was like a cat's paw gently scratching at the heart. She stretched out an arm and lazily draped it over Jiang Che's waist, rubbing her cheek against his arm.

"woke up?"

Jiang Che closed the book and placed it on the bedside table. He then leaned down and planted a kiss on her smooth, full forehead: "It's still early. Do you want to sleep a little longer? You don't have to go to the company today, and no one will bother you."

"I'm not going to sleep."

Shen Qingge shook her head, stretched in bed, her slender body revealing graceful curves beneath the silk sheets: "Today is New Year's Eve. We still need to put up Spring Festival couplets and prepare the New Year's Eve dinner. As the mistress of the house, how can I stay in bed?"

As she spoke, she threw back the covers and sat up. Her silk nightgown slipped down with her movement, outlining her full, firm breasts and slender waist. She casually gathered her hair, stepped barefoot onto the carpet, walked to the French windows, and drew back the curtains.

"Whoosh—"

The blinding light of the snow instantly flooded the room.

"Such heavy snow."

Shen Qingge squinted at the silvery-white world outside the window, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes: "A timely snow promises a good harvest. It seems next year will be a good year."

Jiang Che walked behind her, took a thick white cashmere robe and draped it over her shoulders, then embraced her from behind.

"It's not just a good year, it's also the second Spring Festival we've spent together."

Jiang Che rested his chin on the top of her head, inhaling the faint scent of shampoo in her hair, and said in a gentle voice, "As long as you're here, every year will be a good year."

Shen Qingge turned around, wrapped her arms around his neck, and looked up at him. The morning light shone on her face, making the fine downy hairs clearly visible, and her eyes were filled with deep affection and dependence.

Jiang Che.

"Um?"

"Thank you for giving me a home."

Jiang Che smiled and lowered his head to kiss her lips.

This is a long and tender good morning kiss, carrying New Year's hopes and endless love.

……

After washing up, the two went downstairs.

There was already some commotion inside the restaurant.

Su Xiaoruan was lying on the dining table, holding a steaming hot custard bun in her hand, munching on it while scrolling through her phone.

Today she wore an extremely festive New Year's outfit. The top was a modified Chinese-style short jacket, made of bright red brocade embroidered with golden "福" (good fortune) characters and rabbit patterns. The collar and cuffs were trimmed with snow-white rabbit fur, making her small, delicate face appear even more rosy and adorable. She wore a fleece-lined off-white pleated skirt, thick white tights, and red cotton slippers with pom-poms.

Her hair was tied into two buns, each adorned with a gold hair accessory with tassels. As she shook her head, the tassels made a soft, tinkling sound.

Seeing Jiang Che and Shen Qingge come down, Su Xiaoruan's eyes lit up. She immediately put down the steamed bun in her hand, jumped off the chair, and rushed over like a bright red firecracker.

"Brother! Sister! Happy New Year! Wishing you prosperity, good fortune, and a blessed baby soon!"

Su Xiaoruan rattled off a string of auspicious words, then stretched out her two delicate white hands, palms up, her big eyes blinking as she looked at them, her face practically screaming "Give me money!"

"You little rascal, you sure know how to sweet-talk."

Shen Qingge was amused by her, her clear, cold phoenix eyes curving into crescents. She took out a thick red envelope from her pocket and placed it in Su Xiaoruan's palm: "Here, this is your New Year's money from your sister. I hope our Xiaoruan will make progress in her studies and become more and more beautiful in the new year."

"Thank you, sis! You're the best! You're the most beautiful woman in the world!" Su Xiaoruan took the red envelope, quickly squeezed its thickness, and her smile became even brighter.

Then, she turned to look at Jiang Che, her eyes filled with a hint of cunning and anticipation.

"Brother..." she drawled, shaking Jiang Che's arm coquettishly.

Jiang Che shook his head helplessly and took out another red envelope from behind him.

"You're a college student now, yet you're still begging for red envelopes like a child." Although Jiang Che said it with a hint of disdain, he couldn't hide the doting look in his eyes. "Here you go. Be careful with your money, don't go and buy those weird figurines again."

"I know! You're the most handsome, bro!"

Su Xiaoruan took the red envelope, but instead of putting it away immediately, she suddenly stood on tiptoe and, taking advantage of Jiang Che's inattention, gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.

"This is a return gift!"

After the kiss, her face flushed, like a cat that had successfully stolen some fish, she ran back to the dining table with the red envelope in her hand.

Jiang Che paused for a moment, then touched the dampness on his cheek.

Shen Qingge watched from the side, not angry at all. Instead, she glanced at Jiang Che with a half-smile and said, "It seems Mr. Jiang is quite charming. Even our little princess couldn't resist stealing a kiss."

"Ahem." Jiang Che cleared his throat somewhat awkwardly. "Let's eat, let's eat."

……

10:00 AM.

After breakfast, as is customary, it's time to put up Spring Festival couplets and window decorations.

Jiang Che spread out red paper and prepared the ink in the study.

Shen Qingge stood beside him, helping him cut the paper. She had changed her clothes; she wore a dark green velvet cheongsam with a beige cashmere shawl draped over it. The cheongsam accentuated her graceful figure, and the dark green color made her skin appear as white as snow, giving her a noble and elegant air. She was focused as she cut the paper, her slender fingers pressing the red paper, every movement exuding a scholarly air.

Su Xiaoruan was in charge of causing trouble... oh no, I mean, creating a lively atmosphere.

She held her phone and took pictures of Jiang Che from various angles as he wielded his brush.

"Wow! Bro, your calligraphy is amazing! The strokes are so elegant and powerful! Absolutely incredible!"

"Sis, move a little to the left! Yes, yes, the lighting is perfect! It's so beautiful! This is the style of a wealthy matriarch!"

After Jiang Che finished writing the last couplet, he put down his brush, looked at the two women, and a satisfied smile appeared on his lips.

The first line of the couplet reads: "Auspicious snow fills the courtyard, welcoming a hundred blessings."

The second line reads: "Red plum blossoms reflecting the sun bring a thousand auspicious omens."

Horizontal scroll: "Family Happiness"

"Alright, go put it on," Jiang Che said.

The three people, carrying Spring Festival couplets and the character "福" (good fortune), arrived at the main gate.

The snow is still falling outside, but the wind has subsided a lot.

Jiang Che brought over a ladder, climbed up, and pasted the horizontal scroll.

Shen Qingge and Su Xiaoruan stood below directing the operation.

"Brother! It's crooked! Move it a little to the left!" Su Xiaoruan shouted loudly, while cracking sunflower seeds in her hand.

"Like this?" Jiang Che adjusted his expression.

"No, the right side is too high! Lower it a little bit!" Shen Qingge squinted and gestured carefully.

A cold wind blew by, stirring up the snow on the ground.

Shen Qingge subconsciously wrapped her shawl tighter around herself.

Jiang Che saw it from the ladder and quickly finished sticking it on. Then he jumped down, walked to Shen Qingge's side, and took her cold hand: "Are you cold? Come inside quickly."

"It's nothing, I just stood there for a while." Although Shen Qingge said it was nothing, her body still leaned closer to him.

Su Xiaoruan watched this scene from the side, threw the sunflower seed shells in her hand into the trash can, and clapped her hands.

She looked at the two people who were snuggling together, their smiling faces accentuated by the red Spring Festival couplets.

At that moment, she felt neither jealousy nor heartache.

She just felt very warm.

This is probably what home feels like.

……

Two o'clock in the afternoon.

It's the time to prepare for the most important meal of the year—the New Year's Eve dinner.

Although Qingche has a top-notch culinary team, Jiang Che insists on personally cooking several dishes for this meal every year.

The kitchen was steaming hot.

Jiang Che, wearing an apron, was processing a grouper that had just been airlifted in.

Shen Qingge and Su Xiaoruan were also helping in the kitchen (although most of the time they were more of a hindrance than a help).

Shen Qingge was in charge of picking the vegetables. She sat on a high stool to the side, holding a bunch of green beans in her hand, picking them slowly and methodically. She was clearly not very good at this kind of housework, and her movements were a little clumsy, but that did not detract from her serious expression.

"Do I need to remove the strings from both ends of this green bean?" Shen Qingge asked hesitantly, holding up a green bean.

"Yes, it tastes better when it's cleanly torn." Jiang Che said without turning his head, his knife skills flowing smoothly as he sliced ​​the fish into paper-thin slices.

Su Xiaoruan squatted on the ground peeling garlic. There was a large pile of garlic in front of her, and her hands were covered in the smell of garlic, and her eyes were red from the smell.

"Brother, why are you peeling so much garlic? Are we going to have a garlic feast?" Su Xiaoruan sniffed and asked, sounding a little aggrieved.

"Tonight I'm going to make steamed scallops with garlic and vermicelli, and also garlic ribs. Garlic is the soul of the dish," Jiang Che explained with a smile.

Time slips away amidst the everyday hustle and bustle.

The kitchen was filled with the sounds of chopping vegetables, sizzling oil in a pan, and the occasional chatter of the three people.

"Sis, you're picking those green beans way too slowly. At this rate, we won't be able to eat until next year," Su Xiaoruan complained mercilessly.

"You think I'm too slow? Then you do it." Shen Qingge pushed the green beans in front of her and raised an eyebrow at her.

"I...I still need to peel the garlic!" Su Xiaoruan immediately chickened out.

As Jiang Che listened to the two bickering, the smile on his lips never faded.

Five o'clock in the afternoon.

As dusk fell, all the lights in the manor came on.

Inside the restaurant, a huge round table was already laden with a sumptuous feast.

In the center is a steaming bowl of **Buddha Jumps Over the Wall**, a broth that Jiang Che simmered for two whole days, containing top-quality ingredients such as abalone, sea cucumber, and shark fin. Its aroma is so rich that it's intoxicating just to smell it.

Next to it is a **"Steamed Grouper"**, symbolizing abundance year after year. The fish is covered with shredded scallions and red peppers, and drizzled with hot oil, bringing out its fresh and sweet flavor.

There are also **"Braised Lion's Head Meatballs", "Braised Prawns in Oil", "Four Happiness Meatballs"**... a total of eighteen dishes, all with excellent color, aroma and taste.

The three of them took their seats.

Jiang Che changed out of his apron and put on a dark red velvet shirt, which made him look exceptionally energetic.

Shen Qingge also touched up her makeup and reapplied her lipstick, looking stunningly beautiful under the lights.

Su Xiaoruan couldn't wait to pick up her chopsticks, her eyes fixed on the plate of prawns.

"Come on, let's raise a glass first."

Jiang Che poured three glasses of red wine (Su Xiaoruan poured grape juice).

"The first toast is to the past."

Jiang Che raised his glass, his gaze deep and gentle: "Thank you for this year, for allowing us to stay safe and healthy together."

"Respect to the past!" Su Xiaoruan shouted loudly.

The three clinked glasses.

"The second toast is to the future."

Jiang Che looked at Shen Qingge, then at Su Xiaoruan: "I hope that next year, Qingge's company will reach new heights, Xiaoruan's studies will go smoothly, and she will win the Best Actress award soon. And we... will still be as happy and complete as we are today."

"To the future!" Shen Qingge's eyes were slightly red, and her voice was a little choked up.

"The third cup..."

Su Xiaoruan suddenly stood up, holding her cup, and looked at the two of them seriously:

"Respect to my brother and sister-in-law!"

"Thank you for tolerating my willfulness, thank you for giving me this family. I, Su Xiaoruan, swear that I will earn lots and lots of money in the future and take good care of you!"

Jiang Che and Shen Qingge both laughed.

"Okay, I'll be waiting for your filial piety." Jiang Che rubbed her head.

……

We ate our New Year's Eve dinner slowly but very happily.

Outside, snow was falling heavily, but inside it was warm and cozy.

Su Xiaoruan recounted amusing anecdotes from school, imitating the bald professor's lecture style, which made Shen Qingge laugh so hard she almost fell over, completely losing her composure.

Shen Qingge also shared some gossip from the business world, the untold drama behind the glamorous facade, leaving Su Xiaoruan speechless.

Jiang Che didn't talk much; most of the time he was in charge of serving food, peeling shrimp, and pouring drinks for the two of them. But he was always smiling, and that heartfelt sense of satisfaction was even stronger than if he had earned 10 billion.

It was already 8 p.m. when we finished eating.

The Spring Festival Gala has begun.

The three of them moved to the sofa in the living room.

A lively song and dance program was playing on the television, but it was just background noise.

The real activity was the "staying up all night" that belonged to the three of them.

Jiang Che took out a deck of cards.

"Let's play Dou Dizhu (a card game), and the loser gets a sticker on their face," Jiang Che suggested.

"Bring it on! Who's afraid of who!" Su Xiaoruan rolled up her sleeves, ready for a big fight. "I'm the Landlord Prince of Jianghai University!"

"Oh? Is that so?" Shen Qingge shuffled the cards elegantly, her eyes playful. "Then I, the capitalist, will have to see what she's made of."

As it turns out, luck is no match for absolute intelligence and cunning.

Half an hour later.

Su Xiaoruan's face was covered with white strips, making her look like a white mop.

"Waaaaah... You're bullying me! Did you conspire together?!" Su Xiaoruan cried out indignantly through the gap in the note.

Shen Qingge only had one card stuck to her face, and it was one that Jiang Che had deliberately let her win. She elegantly held her teacup, smiling like a fox: "Xiao Ruan, this is called all's fair in war. Card counting is a basic skill."

Jiang Che's face was spotless, without a single sticker. Looking at Su Xiaoruan's face covered in notes, he couldn't help but laugh: "Alright, last round. If you win this round, you'll be exempt from all punishments."

"Really?" Su Xiaoruan's eyes lit up.

"real."

In this round, Jiang Che and Shen Qingge tacitly and recklessly let the opponent win.

Jiang Che defused his own bomb, while Shen Qingge kept the king in her grasp.

Finally, Su Xiaoruan threw out her last card.

"I won! I won! Hahahaha!"

Su Xiaoruan jumped up excitedly, ripped the note off her face, and rushed over to hug Jiang Che and Shen Qingge:

"I knew it! I'm the best!"

Jiang Che and Shen Qingge exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with doting affection.

This wasn't a victory for her; it was simply that they didn't want to see her lose too badly.

……

Before we knew it, it was 11:50.

The new year is approaching.

"Let's go to the terrace."

Jiang Che got up, brought three thick down jackets, and put them on the two of them.

The three of them went up to the second-floor terrace.

The snow is still falling, but it has lessened considerably.

In the distant city, sporadic fireworks have already begun to rise into the sky.

"Are you cold?" Jiang Che took Shen Qingge's hand and put it in his coat pocket.

"I'm not cold." Shen Qingge shook her head and leaned on his shoulder.

Su Xiaoruan stood on the other side, holding Jiang Che's arm, and resting her head on his other shoulder.

The three of them huddled together, gazing at the distant night sky.

"Ten seconds left!" Su Xiaoruan looked at the countdown on her phone.

"Ten! Nine! Eight..."

"Three! Two! One! Happy New Year!"

"Bang--!!!"

Almost simultaneously, countless golden pillars of light rose up around the Clear Lane Manor.

That was a fireworks show that Jiang Che had specially prepared.

This year's fireworks were even grander and more dazzling than last year's.

Fireworks lit up the night sky, illuminating the snowy night as if it were daytime.

Multicolored light shone on the faces of the three people.

Jiang Che turned his head and kissed Shen Qingge's lips.

Amidst a sky ablaze with fireworks and the ringing of bells to welcome the new year, they shared a passionate kiss.

Su Xiaoruan did not turn her head to avoid it.

She watched this scene unfold, watching the man she loved so deeply kissing another woman.

Her heart will still ache.

However, amidst that pain, an even deeper emotion was growing.

That is a blessing.

It's also about companionship.

She reached out and grabbed the hem of Jiang Che's coat.

Hold on tightly.

"Happy New Year, brother."

I am not greedy.

"As long as I can stand by your side like this, even if it's just the hem of your clothes, I'll be content."

The fireworks lasted for a full ten minutes.

As the last firework faded into the night sky, the world returned to silence.

"Let's go back inside and eat dumplings."

Jiang Che released Shen Qingge, turned his head, and looked at Su Xiaoruan.

He reached out and gently wiped away the tear that had slipped down Su Xiaoruan's cheek without her noticing.

"Why are you crying again?" Jiang Che's voice was so gentle it made you want to cry.

"It's from the smoke!" Su Xiaoruan sniffed and said stubbornly.

"Okay, smoked."

Jiang Che did not expose her.

He stretched out his arms and embraced both women at the same time.

On the left is my lover, and on the right is... my closest relatives (and perhaps more than just relatives).

"Let's go home."

The three of them embraced as they walked into the warm interior.

That night, heavy snow blocked the door.

But in the clarity, love burns like a furnace fire, never extinguished.

For Jiang Che, this was the ultimate meaning he had pursued throughout his life's struggle—

There are people to shield us from the wind and snow, and people to share warm porridge with.

Peaceful times, life is worth living.

...

...

February 14th is Valentine's Day in the West.

On this day, Jianghai City seemed to be filled with the sweet scent of chocolate. Although it was still early spring and the wind on the streets carried a slight chill, the shop windows were already overflowing with pink roses and heart-shaped balloons. Couples strolled hand in hand down the street, their smiles brighter than the midday sun.

Inside the main building of the Clear Lane Manor, the atmosphere was subtly busy.

At 6:30 a.m., the sky was just beginning to lighten.

In the master bedroom's walk-in closet, Shen Qingge was selecting clothes. She wasn't as composed as usual; her movements even seemed somewhat hurried.

"Isn't this red one too flashy? I'm meeting some rather conservative investors today." Shen Qingge held up a bright red fitted suit in front of the mirror, her brows furrowing slightly.

Jiang Che leaned against the door frame, holding a freshly made Americano in his hand, his gaze gently falling on her.

Shen Qingge ultimately gave up the red suit and chose a dark gray haute couture cashmere suit. The dress was exquisitely tailored, with a cinched waist that perfectly accentuated her graceful curves. The skirt was just below her knees, revealing a section of her shapely calves, and her ankles appeared exceptionally slender under the black stockings.

She sat at her vanity, quickly applying her makeup. Despite the time constraint, her technique remained steady. The base makeup was light and sheer, while earth-toned eyeshadow deepened the contours of her eyes, making her almond-shaped eyes appear even more profound and expressive. Finally, she chose a dusty rose lipstick and applied it to her lips, giving her a healthy glow without sacrificing composure.

"I'm sorry, Jiang Che."

Shen Qingge looked at the man behind her through the mirror, her eyes full of apology: "It's Valentine's Day, but I have to fly to Beijing. The merger and acquisition deal has reached a critical moment, and I have to go and sign the contract in person."

Jiang Che stepped forward, put down his coffee cup, placed his hands on her shoulders, and leaned down to look at her in the mirror:

"Don't talk nonsense. Work is important. Valentine's Day comes every year, but a project this big doesn't happen every day."

He reached out and gently brushed the stray hairs behind her ear, his fingers lightly tracing her warm earlobe, causing her to tremble slightly.

"And," Jiang Che lowered his head and planted a kiss on her neck, "no matter where you are, my heart is with you."

Shen Qingge turned around, wrapped her arms around his waist, buried her face in his chest, and took a deep breath, as if drawing energy from him.

"Wait for me to come back," she said sullenly. "Tonight... I'll try my best to be back before midnight. Then... I'll make it up to you."

When she said the word "compensation," her voice lowered, carrying a hint of ambiguity that only the two of them understood.

Jiang Che chuckled and patted her back: "Okay, I'll wait for you."

At 7:00 AM sharp, Shen Qingge boarded the car to the airport.

After seeing Shen Qingge off, Jiang Che returned to the house.

The vast manor suddenly fell silent.

He finished clearing away the breakfast plates and was just about to go to his study to read when he heard light footsteps on the stairs.

Jiang Che looked up and paused slightly.

Su Xiaoruan came down.

She was clearly dressed up carefully today.

She wasn't wearing her usual hoodies and jeans, nor was she wearing cute pajamas.

She wore a light pink tweed Chanel-style coat over a white lace top with a delicate bow at the neckline. She paired it with a beige pleated mini-skirt, revealing her long, straight legs clad in sheer tights (which made them appear bare), and small leather shoes adorned with pearls.

Her hair was styled into soft, large waves, half-tied at the back of her head and secured with a pink bow hair clip. She wore full makeup, with rosy blush on her cheeks, clearly defined eyelashes, and glossy, plump lips that looked so inviting you wanted to take a bite.

She no longer looks like the carefree younger sister, but a sweet, delicate girl full of romance.

Good morning, bro.