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

As if sensing something, Shen Qingge's eyelashes trembled, and she slowly opened her eyes.

Those usually cold and sharp phoenix eyes were now veiled with a layer of sleepy mist, hazy and languid. When she saw Jiang Che, a faint smile unconsciously curved her lips, her voice carrying the unique huskiness and softness of early morning:

"What time is it...?"

"Eight o'clock." Jiang Che leaned down and planted a kiss on her smooth, full forehead. "Today is New Year's Eve, it's time to get up and put up the Spring Festival couplets, Mrs. Jiang."

Upon hearing the words "Mrs. Jiang," Shen Qingge's sleepiness faded somewhat, replaced by a shy smile. She stretched out her slender arm from under the covers, wrapped it around Jiang Che's neck, and rubbed against his neck like a cat affectionately attached to its owner.

"I don't want to move... the bed has sealed me off."

"Then I'll go call Xiao Ruan over and have her use her Lion's Roar to unseal you?" Jiang Che threatened with a smile.

"No!" Shen Qingge immediately let go and sat up helplessly. "If that girl comes, she could tear this roof off."

Half an hour later, the two finished washing up and went downstairs.

Shen Qingge wasn't wearing any of those sharply tailored business suits today; instead, she wore a bright red cashmere sweater. Jiang Che had personally chosen this sweater; the high neckline made her neck appear even longer, and the loose fit didn't hide her figure at all. Instead, the relaxed drape accentuated her innate elegance and nobility. She paired it with off-white wide-leg trousers and soft-soled slippers, making her look festive and gentle, like a fairy goddess straight out of a New Year's painting.

As soon as I reached the bottom of the stairs, I heard a series of crackling noises coming from the living room downstairs.

"Brother! Sister! Come down and see! The lanterns I ordered have arrived!"

Su Xiaoruan was standing in the center of the living room, directing several bodyguards (Han Xiao had brought people to deliver New Year's goods) to move things.

Today, Su Xiaoruan is practically a walking "red envelope".

She wore a modified red Hanfu-style jacket and skirt, with a border of snow-white rabbit fur trim around the collar and cuffs, which made her plump, collagen-filled face look even more delicate and adorable. Her hair was styled in two buns, adorned with two gold hair accessories with tassels that swayed with her movements.

Seeing Jiang Che and Shen Qingge come down, Su Xiaoruan's eyes lit up, and she rushed over, lifting her skirt.

Happy New Year! Wishing you prosperity and good fortune! Give me a red envelope!

Su Xiaoruan rushed to Jiang Che, stretched out her two delicate white hands, palms facing upwards, her big eyes blinking mischievously and expectantly.

"It's not even midnight yet, where did you get the red envelope?" Jiang Che chuckled and patted her palm. "Work first, then get paid."

"Huh? We still have to do work?" Su Xiaoruan pouted, but her eyes lingered on Jiang Che for a few seconds.

Today, Jiang Che was wearing a black turtleneck sweater with a dark gray cardigan over it, the sleeves slightly rolled up to reveal a section of his muscular forearm. His calm, reserved, yet homely handsome demeanor made Su Xiaoruan's heart skip a beat.

She quickly lowered her head, concealing the fleeting, strange emotion in her eyes, and put on a carefree smile:

"Alright, alright! Let's get to work! I'm your free labor today! So, what do you want to do?"

"Put up the Spring Festival couplets." Jiang Che pointed to the pile of red paper with black characters on the ground.

[9-11 AM: The scent of ink and red paper]

The gate to Qingche Lane is three meters high, and pasting Spring Festival couplets is a skill.

Jiang Che brought over a ladder, took the Spring Festival couplet he had personally written the night before, and stood steadily on it.

The first line reads: "Returning home amidst wind and snow on Kunlun Mountain."

The second line reads: "The simple joys of life are found in the mundane."

Horizontal scroll: "May all your wishes come true"

The calligraphy style is reminiscent of Yan Zhenqing and Liu Gongquan, with vigorous and powerful strokes, conveying a sense of composure and grandeur after weathering many storms.

"A little to the left... no, a little to the right."

Shen Qingge stood at the bottom of the ladder, arms crossed, head tilted slightly upwards, giving instructions.

The winter sun shone on her face, making even the fine downy hairs on her skin clearly visible. She squinted, her expression focused, all the domineering aura she exuded in the business world now channeled into the leveling of this piece of red paper.

"Like this?" Jiang Che adjusted his position.

"Hmm, it's a little crooked. Make the left side one centimeter higher." Shen Qingge stretched out her slender fingers and gestured in the air.

Su Xiaoruan stood to the side, holding a can of paste and a roll of tape. Watching the two working together so well, she felt a pang of sadness, but she quickly suppressed it.

She looked at Jiang Che on the ladder, at his broad back, and thought to herself: as long as I can keep watching him like this, stay in this house, and be a "third wheel," it's happiness, isn't it?

"Xiao Ruan, tape." Jiang Che's voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Oh! It's here!" Su Xiaoruan snapped out of her daze and quickly tore off a strip of tape and handed it over.

Because the ladder was a bit high, she had to stand on tiptoe and stretch out her arms.

Jiang Che bent down and took the tape from her hand. The moment their fingertips touched, the slightly cool touch made Su Xiaoruan's fingers curl up slightly.

"Be careful, don't shake it," Jiang Che gently reminded him.

"I...I understand." Su Xiaoruan blushed and took a step back.

After finishing pasting the door stickers, the three moved inside.

Paper-cut window decorations, the character "福" (good fortune), small lanterns... the originally minimalist mansion with its cool tones is instantly filled with a strong festive atmosphere under the embellishment of these red elements.

Although Shen Qingge wasn't good at physical labor, she was top-notch when it came to aesthetics. She arranged several sprigs of red plum blossoms in a celadon vase and placed a plate of golden bergamot in the entryway, instantly elevating the style of the entire space by several notches.

"Perfect."

Shen Qingge clapped her hands, looking at her newly renovated home, a satisfied smile playing on her lips. She turned to Jiang Che, her eyes seeking praise: "How is it? Mr. Jiang, isn't the interior design pretty good?"

"It's more than just possible."

Jiang Che walked over, naturally put his arm around her waist, and whispered in her ear, "It's simply turning the rotten into the magical. It seems that from now on, we can save money on designers for all the interior design work at the company and just have President Shen do it on the side."

Shen Qingge was amused by him, her eyes sparkling as she gave him a playful glare: "Dream on, my appearance fee is very expensive."

Watching the two of them being so affectionate, oblivious to everyone else, Su Xiaoruan, clutching the remaining few "Fu" characters, deliberately sighed loudly:

"Ugh—is the heating in this room too high? Why does it smell like we're in a super lovey-dovey place? Single people have no rights here!"

Jiang Che and Shen Qingge exchanged a smile.

"Alright, stop joking around." Jiang Che released Shen Qingge, rolled up his sleeves, and said, "You've been working all morning, are you hungry? Let's make dumplings."

[1-3 PM: Flour and Fingertips]

If pasting up Spring Festival couplets is the prelude, then making dumplings is the main event of New Year's Eve.

On the huge central island counter, the ingredients prepared by Jiang Che were already laid out.

Jiang Che kneaded the dough at five in the morning. After several hours of resting, the surface was smooth as jade and very elastic when pressed. The filling was a classic three-delicacy filling: fresh black pork minced into a paste, paired with freshly peeled shrimp, chives, and eggs, and then drizzled with Jiang Che's secret-recipe seasoned oil, which smelled delicious.

"The division of labor was clear today."

Jiang Che washed his hands and stood in front of the cutting board, like a chef in charge of everything: "I'll roll out the dough, and Qingge and Xiaoruan will wrap the fillings. Is that alright?"

"No problem!" Su Xiaoruan confidently rolled up her sleeves. "I learned how to make dumplings on set! It'll be a piece of cake!"

Shen Qingge hesitated. She looked at the white dough, then at her own hands, which were still long and slender even with manicured nails and usually only used for signing and typing. A hint of uncertainty flashed in her eyes.

"Um... do I want to wrap it too?" Shen Qingge asked.

"Of course." Jiang Che picked up a rolling pin, skillfully pinched off a piece of dough, and with a flick of his wrist, a round dumpling wrapper, thick in the middle and thin at the edges, flew out. "Dumplings for New Year's Eve should be made by the whole family together for good luck. It doesn't matter if they're a little ugly, I won't mind."

"Who said I could make ugly bags?" Shen Qingge's competitive spirit was ignited. The word "can't" simply didn't exist in her dictionary.

She walked to the cutting board, and imitating Su Xiaoruan, picked up a dumpling wrapper and placed it in her palm.

The dumpling wrappers were soft and cool, with a very unique texture.

She used chopsticks to pick up a lump of filling and placed it in the middle of the wrapper, then tried to close the two sides of the wrapper together.

However, there is often a huge gap between theory and practice.

She pinched the left side, and the filling on the right side leaked out; she pinched the right side, and the dumpling broke open again. The originally round and cute dumpling wrapper seemed to have its own ideas in her hands, stubbornly refusing to turn into a gold ingot.

After struggling for two minutes, Shen Qingge finally finished her first creation.

It was a long, crooked, and even somewhat misshapen "dough ball." It lay on the cutting board, looking particularly forlorn.

"puff--"

Su Xiaoruan, standing next to her, couldn't help but burst out laughing: "Sis, are you making dumplings or a bomb? This is so abstract!"

Shen Qingge's face instantly turned red, all the way to her ears. She glared at Su Xiaoruan with a mixture of embarrassment and anger, then looked at her hands covered in flour, and looked helplessly at Jiang Che.

"Um... is there something wrong with this skin?" Shen Qingge tried to shift the blame.

Jiang Che looked at the disastrous dumpling, suppressed a laugh, put down the rolling pin, and walked over.

He stood behind Shen Qingge, but instead of reaching out directly, he leaned down slightly, wrapped his arms around her waist, and took her hands from behind.

This pose is extremely ambiguous.

Jiang Che's warm chest pressed against Shen Qingge's back, his breath brushing against her ear, carrying a faint woody scent. Shen Qingge's body stiffened slightly, then went limp, her heart beginning to race.

"Don't be nervous, relax."

Jiang Che's voice was deep and magnetic, like the vibrating strings of a cello:

"Cover your hands up slightly to give the filling some space... Yes, that's it."

He held her hand, guiding her finger movements:

"Pinch this spot with your thumb and forefinger, and squeeze hard... See, that's it."

Under Jiang Che's "hands-on" instruction, a beautiful dumpling with a big belly, round waist, and clear pleats was born.

"Wow! It really worked!" Shen Qingge looked at the dumplings in her hand with surprise, her eyes sparkling like a little girl who had received candy.

She turned her head and met Jiang Che's deep eyes, which were very close to hers.

The two were so close that they could see each other's reflections in their eyes. An electric current seemed to crackle in the air.

"Have you learned it?" Jiang Che asked softly, his eyes full of doting affection.

"I...I've learned it." Shen Qingge lowered her head in a fluster, feeling her cheeks burning.

Seeing this, Su Xiaoruan stopped what she was doing.

She watched her brother embrace her sister from behind, seeing the unprecedented shyness and happiness on her sister's face. The scene was so beautiful, so beautiful that she felt utterly superfluous.

She lowered her head and squeezed the dumpling wrapper in her hand tightly, her fingertips turning white from the force.

My heart ached, as if I had drunk a mouthful of vinegar.

But she quickly composed herself. She was Su Xiaoruan, the best little sister. She couldn't ruin this beautiful moment.

"Ouch! My eyes!"

Su Xiaoruan exaggeratedly covered her eyes and shouted, "Can't you please consider the feelings of minors? Making dumplings has to be like acting out an idol drama? I'm calling the police!"

Jiang Che released Shen Qingge, smiled, grabbed a handful of flour, and gently smeared it on Su Xiaoruan's nose:

"Why are you calling the police? Hurry up and wrap them! If you don't finish wrapping them, you won't get dinner tonight."

"Ah! My makeup!" Su Xiaoruan touched her nose, looked at the white powder on her hand, and immediately grabbed a handful of flour to retaliate, "Brother, you ambushed me! Take this!"

"Smack."

Flour flew everywhere.

The kitchen instantly turned into a battlefield.

Shen Qingge wasn't spared either, accidentally injured by Su Xiaoruan, her face smeared with white powder. She paused for a moment, then joined the fray, grabbing some flour and sprinkling it at Jiang Che.

Laughter, playful shouts, and dust flying everywhere intertwine under the sunlight to create a vivid picture.

[Shenshi (3-5 PM): Coins and Wishes]

We've had enough fun, and the dumplings are almost all wrapped.

In the end, only a little filling and a few wrappers were left.

Jiang Che took out a one-yuan coin from his pocket that had been washed and even disinfected long ago.

"The usual rules."

Jiang Che showed the coin to the two of them: "Wrap this coin inside a dumpling. Whoever finds it tonight will be the 'lucky star' next year and can make a wish, any wish."

"Any wish?" Su Xiaoruan's eyes lit up. "Including having you dance in women's clothing?"

"...Apart from this." Jiang Che's face darkened. "Legal, reasonable, and not violating ethics and morality."

"Then I'll take it!"

Su Xiaoruan snatched the coin.

She took the last dumpling wrapper, carefully placed the coin inside, and then meticulously pinched each pleat.

While shaping the dumpling, she secretly made a mark—a small, inconspicuous wavy pattern on the edge of the dumpling.

She thought to herself:

This coin must be eaten by my brother.

May he have peace and good fortune every year.

Or... if I get to eat it myself, I'll make a wish: I hope to stay by their side forever, even if only as their younger sister.

"Alright! Mission accomplished!"

Su Xiaoruan mixed the special dumpling into the pile of dumplings, patted the flour off her hands, and a bright smile appeared on her face.

[You Shi (5-7 PM): Old friends and red envelopes]

At four o'clock in the afternoon, the doorbell rang at the manor.

"Boss! President Shen! Miss! Happy New Year!"

Han Xiao walked in carrying bags of gifts. He was dressed festively today, wearing a red down jacket and carrying two bottles of his treasured Moutai.

"Han Xiao's here!" Su Xiaoruan greeted him like a happy little bird. "What delicious food did you bring?"

"That's wine for the boss, this is for you." Han Xiao magically pulled out a large box of top-quality imported chocolates from behind her back. "I know you like sweets."

"Wow! Han Xiao is the best!"

Jiang Che walked over, holding two thick red envelopes in his hands.

"Han Xiao, you've worked hard this year." Jiang Che handed one of the gifts to him. "This is your year-end bonus. Also, the company has approved a month's leave for you. Take your parents to Sanya for a vacation."

Han Xiao took the red envelope and felt its thickness; it definitely didn't contain cash, but a check.

"Thank you, boss! You're so generous!" Han Xiao was moved to tears.

"This is for you." Jiang Che handed another red envelope to Su Xiaoruan.

"For me?" Su Xiaoruan was taken aback. "I'm not an adult yet, am I? (Although I'll be soon)"

"New Year's money." Jiang Che ruffled her hair. "No matter how old you are, you'll always be a child in my eyes."

Su Xiaoruan took the heavy red envelope, and her nose suddenly stung with tears.

"Thank you, brother."

She lowered her head, her voice choked with emotion.

"Alright, why are you crying on New Year's Day?" Shen Qingge walked over and handed Han Xiao a cup of hot tea. "Stay and have New Year's Eve dinner with us tonight."

"This...isn't this a bit inappropriate?" Han Xiao hesitated, after all, this was a family dinner.

"What's wrong with that? You're practically family." Jiang Che made the decision. "Go, sober me up. Tonight, we're not leaving until we're completely drunk."

[戌时: Lights and Waiting]

The sky was getting dark.

All the lights in the Clear Lane Manor were turned on.

Red lanterns hung from the willow trees by the lake, their reflections shimmering in the water, creating a scene resembling a celestial marketplace.

Inside the restaurant, a huge round table was already laden with cold dishes.

In the kitchen, the water in the large pot had boiled, bubbling with white foam.

Jiang Che carried plates of plump, white dumplings, ready to put them in the pot.

Shen Qingge stood next to him, holding a strainer in her hand.

Su Xiaoruan leaned against the door frame, watching this scene unfold.

Outside the window, the faint sound of firecrackers could be heard in the distance.

At this moment, time seemed to stand still.

Jiang Che turned around and glanced at the two women behind him, his eyes warm as spring.

...

...

Night fell completely over Jianghai City, but the darkness of tonight was destined to be unable to stand in this country.

As dusk settles over the Ching-Che Manor, thousands of custom-made landscape lights illuminate the entire estate, transforming it into a crystal palace. The red lanterns along the shore are reflected in the lake, shimmering in the breeze like countless koi swimming in the water.

Inside the main restaurant, the air is filled with an intoxicating, complex aroma. It's the rich, mellow flavor of old hen soup, the intense aroma of braised sea cucumber with scallions, and the unique soy sauce fragrance of aged Moutai—this is the ultimate "New Year's flavor" for the Chinese people.

On the huge round table made of black walnut wood, all kinds of delicacies were laid out.

Jiang Che changed out of the sweater he wore during the day and put on a high-quality dark red velvet lounge shirt, the collar slightly open and the cuffs rolled up, revealing his smooth forearms. He was standing by the table, intently helping Shen Qingge sober up.

Shen Qingge had already bathed and changed. She put on a wine-red silk slip dress, with a white cashmere shawl draped over it. Her long hair was casually tied back, secured only with a jade hairpin, with a few slightly curled strands falling to her neck, making her already fair skin appear almost translucent under the warm yellow light.

She rested her chin on her hand, her eyes sparkling as she quietly watched Jiang Che pour the wine. Those phoenix eyes, which usually exuded calmness and aloofness, were now brimming with spring water, shimmering and full of undisguised love and dependence.

"Don't pour too much, we still have to stay up late to celebrate the New Year later," Shen Qingge reminded softly, her voice lazy and soft, carrying a hint of dampness from her bath.

"Don't worry, this wine isn't very strong and has a smooth taste, perfect for adding to the fun." Jiang Che pushed the crystal glass in front of her, his fingers inadvertently touching her fingertips, the warm touch making Shen Qingge's heart tremble slightly.

Sitting opposite her, Su Xiaoruan was resting her chin on her hands, watching this "dog-abusing" scene.

She didn't change her clothes tonight, still wearing that festive red jacket and skirt, only her hair ornaments had been changed to a pair of more delicate golden bells. Her small face, full of collagen, looked rosy under the light, and her big eyes blinked, making her look like an exquisite New Year's picture doll.

However, behind that seemingly carefree smile lies a subtle and barely perceptible loneliness.

"Ahem!" Su Xiaoruan deliberately cleared her throat loudly, picked up her chopsticks and tapped the rim of her bowl. "Hey you two, can we eat first? The dishes on the table are getting cold, and my stomach is already protesting!"

Jiang Che turned his head, smiled, and flicked her forehead: "You're so impatient. Han Xiao, sit down, let's begin the meal."

Han Xiao sat somewhat awkwardly at the lower end of the table, looking at the table full of dishes, her eyes slightly red: "Thank you, boss, thank you, President Shen."

Happy New Year, everyone.

Jiang Che raised his glass, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, finally settling on Shen Qingge's face:

May every year bring this day, and every year have this morning.

"Happy New Year!"

...

...

The four wine glasses clinked crisply in the air, the sound like the most beautiful melody in the world.

The banquet officially began.

Jiang Che is not only a perfect chef, but also a thoughtful and meticulous caregiver.

He peeled the shrimp with incredible speed and elegance. His slender fingers deftly removed the shells and veins, placing the snow-white shrimp meat into Shen Qingge's bowl.

"Try this braised prawns; they're cooked to perfection."

Shen Qingge picked up a shrimp and put it in her mouth, the fresh and sweet taste exploding on her tongue. She squinted her eyes in satisfaction, a sweet smile curving her lips, like a well-fed ragdoll cat.

"You eat too." Shen Qingge picked up a piece of braised pork and held it to Jiang Che's mouth.

Jiang Che naturally opened his mouth to catch it, and the two smiled at each other. The tacit understanding and warmth flowing in the air were so strong that they could not be dissolved.

While chewing on sweet and sour pork ribs, Su Xiaoruan secretly glanced at Jiang Che.

Looking at the tender, almost saccharine gaze her brother gave his sister-in-law, she felt a bitter, sour feeling in her heart, as if she had been soaked in lemon juice.

"If only... if only it were me."