Before he died, my grandfather forced me to marry the richest man in the capital.

Time flies, and before we know it, it's Chinese New Year.

Perhaps it's because it's Chinese New Year, and everyone who can go home has gone home, so the house, which was originally dim, is now brightly lit these days.

The entire capital city was filled with the festive atmosphere of the New Year, and fireworks burst brilliantly in the dark sky at night, leaving behind a final, beautiful spectacle.

The sky was bright and clear, just like daytime, and the atmosphere was full of festive spirit.

As I get older, my mindset becomes more composed. When I was little, I would be overjoyed to receive a new piece of clothing during the Lunar New Year and would walk around the house several times, taking it out to look at it from time to time. If I received a red envelope, I would hide it under my pillow and secretly take it out to count it.

As I've grown up, I've started to hope that every year during the Lunar New Year, there will only be an increase in the number of people, not a decrease, and that every year will be a grand reunion. My New Year's wish is no longer for abundant wealth, but for peace and health.

The Ji residence was decorated with a festive atmosphere, with lanterns and colorful decorations. Red rotating lanterns hung high at the main gate, and couplets written by the old man were pasted on the pillars at the gate. The treetops in the yard were also adorned with a new coat of paint.

Twinkling colored lights, red lanterns, and red dolls filled the gaps in the tree. This was prepared by Ji Hancheng for Xiaoyouzi and the two little princesses.

A black car drove towards the courtyard from a distance and then came to a steady stop in front of Tang Junyao and Ji Hancheng.

Ji Hancheng, wearing a black woolen overcoat, put his arm around Tang Junyao, who was wearing a beige down jacket, and waited for the people in the car to get out. The car door opened, and a young man wearing a black down jacket got out of the passenger seat. He had lost the pure boyishness that he should have had at his age.

The boy greeted her politely and respectfully, "Sister, brother-in-law."

Ji Hancheng nodded, and Tang Junyao smiled slightly, put her arm around Tang Junyan's shoulder, and led the awkward man into the living room.

Since exchanging contact information with Tang Junyan, Tang Junyao's relationship with him has become much closer. She often reminds him to study hard and suggests that he do something meaningful.

With three children, Tang Junyao has let go of the past. During the Spring Festival, every household is bustling with joy and laughter, but Tang Junyan is all alone. Tang Xin is in prison, Chen Lan is in a grave, and Tang Junting is missing.

Tang Junyan, who was all alone, was unwilling to return to the Tang family villa. He always said that the house belonged to his sister and that he would return it when he grew up. So Tang Junyao asked Ji Hancheng to take the child to the Ji residence.

In fact, the school had already given out holidays, and Ji Hancheng had already contacted Tang Junyan. However, the boy was hardworking and found a temporary job to take over the work of the workers who had returned home from other places. He needed to work until the night of Lunar New Year's Eve.

Tang Junyan had just finished work when Ji Hancheng sent someone to pick her up. Xu Mingkai had already returned to his hometown, supposedly to go on blind dates.

Tang Junyao had suggested that Tang Junyan take on a part-time job, but after several attempts, Tang Junyan always casually said it wasn't hard work.

How could it not be hard work? This child is not an adult yet, and the only work he can do is secretly wash dishes, mop the floor, or do something even harder in the kitchen.

I remember Tang Junyan once said to Tang Junyao, "Only when I experience the bitterness of life will I remember the bitterness when I taste the sweetness, and only then will I cherish what I have now."

This is something a teenager shouldn't be able to understand, but Tang Junyan understood it in advance. Ji Hancheng felt that this was not a bad thing. Being able to endure hardship, reflect, and think would prevent him from going astray.

When Grandpa Ji and Yuan Shu saw Tang Junyao bring in a boy, they were all very welcoming, especially Grandpa Ji, who waved his hand affectionately, feeling a little sorry for the boy. "The boy is good-looking, but he has such parents." "Come, child, come to Grandpa."

Tang Junyao patted Tang Junyan's shoulder, "Go on, call him Grandpa." After saying that, she rubbed the back of his head.

"Hello, Grandpa, sorry to bother you." He was as polite as could be, which made Tang Junyao's maternal instincts surge. Ji Hancheng squeezed her hand to comfort her, "Don't worry, she's become much more cheerful, and she's more sensible than many children."

Aunt Ji had never met Tang Junyan before, but since he was escorted in by the young mistress and welcomed in by the young master, he must be an important person. She placed the fruit in front of Tang Junyan.

Tang Junyao introduced them openly, "Sister-in-law Ji, this is my younger brother, Tang Junyan, Xiaoyan, this is my grandfather, this is my mother-in-law, this is my father-in-law..."

As she introduced them one by one, Tang Junyan obediently followed his sister's instructions and greeted each person politely. He was very moved, and his eyes reddened slightly, because Tang Junyao had acknowledged him, her half-brother, in front of so many people, and that their father and mother were the ones who had harmed his sister.

My sister must have a very broad mind.

Although Grandpa Ji was old, his observational skills had not diminished at all. He stretched out his loving hands and patted Tang Junyan's hands, saying softly, "Relax, Yaoyao is very kind, and you are a good child too."

Tang Junyan pursed her lips and nodded.

After dinner, Ji Hancheng went back to his room to take care of the baby. When the nanny saw him come in, she automatically disappeared out of the room.

Tang Junyao led Tang Junyan to the guest room, which was next to her room. The room was simple, with a bed, a small sofa, a desk, and many books on the bookshelf. The compact room was cozy and not empty.

"You'll stay here tonight. Come in and see if you like it." Tang Junyao pushed him inside from behind. He looked around. He was supposed to be spending the New Year alone in a corner, but now his sister had taken him into such a big family. What could he not like? He was too touched to even think about it.

"Thank you, sis, I really like it."

"Uncle, let's play together." Little Youzi, wearing a red down jacket, shuffled along with his short legs. It was because Tang Junyao would occasionally show her son photos of Tang Junyan that Little Youzi recognized him.

Tang Junyan squatted down and picked up Xiaoyouzi. "Okay, can I bring him to play in my room?"

"Okay, Lele, listen to your uncle. Don't cause trouble, and don't jump on your uncle's bed."

Little Yuzu readily agreed verbally, but whether she would actually do it was another matter entirely. "Okay."

As I walked down the stairs, I bumped into Aunt Zhang, who was coming out of her room. "Godmother."

Aunt Zhang knew Yao Yao was kind, so she didn't interfere with her actions. Besides, Tang Junyan was a pitiful child, just like Yao Yao, both unfortunate. She could understand Yao Yao's behavior. "Hey, where's Lele?"

"Lele and Xiaoyan are playing together. Xiaoyan is actually a good kid; he's very kind, but..."

"My dear child, whatever decision you make, your godmother will support you. Although I am old, I can still judge people. This child's eyes are pure, without any ulterior motives. Just like you, he is a kind child."

Tang Junyao smiled slightly and took Aunt Zhang's arm as they went downstairs.

"Actually, I've seen this child several times outside the Tang family compound before, but every time I went out, he would run away quickly. I don't know what he's doing here. I've mentioned it to the old man a few times, but he just sighed and said he hopes the child will remain untainted by the mud."

Tang Junyao was surprised after hearing this, because it seemed like she had never encountered anything like it before.

These actions reveal Tang Junyan's truest thoughts: he wanted to get closer, but he was also afraid.

At midnight, after putting the two children to sleep, Ji Hancheng placed a box of fireworks in the yard. Tang Junyao, Tang Junyan, Xiaoyouzi, and Yuan Shu were all in the yard, as was the old man who always went to bed early.

I smiled as I watched the younger generation holding fireworks, twirling around in the courtyard. The bright flames were exceptionally dazzling in the dark night.

Amidst laughter and joy, and mixed with different emotions, Tang Junyan took care of his little nephew in every way, chasing after Xiaoyouzi while carefully following behind, his every move revealing his protectiveness.

The old man saw this and nodded repeatedly. He was a good child who remained untainted by the mud and did not turn bad like his mother.

After playing for more than an hour, everyone's phone received different New Year's greetings. Several people sat in the courtyard, picking up their phones to reply to the greetings.

We send each other red envelopes and wish each other a safe and healthy new year. The older I get, the more I realize that only when you are safe and healthy can you have happiness later on.

Because the two little princesses were sleeping, Ji Hancheng canceled the fireworks display, mainly because he was afraid of waking them up.

The old man really enjoyed the atmosphere. Standing at the door, leaning on his cane, he was deeply moved. The happier one is, the more reluctant one is to leave. He said to Butler Ji beside him, "People are indeed greedy. I want to live a few more years."

Butler Ji said, "Master, don't worry, you'll live a long life. With the young mistress watching over your health every day, you're sure to live a long life."

Fate was predetermined, how could Yao Yao possibly change it? When the time comes, no one can stop it. No matter how reluctant you are, you have to leave. Can Old Tang really bear to part with Yao Yao? Of course he can't, it's just that fate has come.

Grandpa Ji didn't say these words aloud; he just smiled slightly, thinking to himself that he didn't want to spoil everyone's New Year's celebrations and that he should live one more year as long as possible.

Tang Junyan received a text message from an unknown number: Happy New Year, have a happy year.

He knew it was Tang Junting who sent it, and replied: Okay.

Then no one replied to the message, because Tang Junyan knew that even if he asked Tang Junting where she was, there would be no reply. Tang Junting had been missing for a long time and had never sent him a message, not even one. This was the first one.

She only went to the school gate to find him the night before she left, to give him money, but Tang Junyan refused. Before leaving, Tang Junting only said one sentence: Take good care of yourself. I am not worthy to be your sister. Just consider me dead.

I haven't seen him since that night.

"What's wrong? Is something the matter?"

Tang Junyan: "No, I... she sent a blessing message." He was afraid that Tang Junyao would overthink it, so he didn't call Tang Junting "sister".

Tang Junyao simply nodded without asking any further questions. She wasn't a saint and couldn't forgive everyone, just like Tang Junting. She could let go of the past, not pursue it, and not get stuck in it, but she couldn't help or inquire about it.

Patting Tang Junyan on the shoulder, he said, "It's the New Year, you're a year older now, cheer up. We all need to look forward. Remember my words, you don't owe me anything. If you keep treating me with an apologetic attitude, it's an invisible reminder of my past. Xiaoyan, we're both unlucky to have an irresponsible father, but you have a loving mother. It's just that your mother loves you in the wrong way."

With his arm around Tang Junyan's shoulder, he said, "Let bygones be bygones after midnight. New year, new beginnings. Let's not live in the past. The future is bright. Come here or to Fenghua Terrace when you have a holiday."

"Okay, thank you, sis."

"The family doesn't say thank you. We'll play a little longer and then go upstairs to sleep. We'll take you out to play tomorrow."

"understood."

After the fireworks were set off, Grandpa Ji started handing out red envelopes. Each envelope contained an auspicious number: 888 yuan. He then sent Butler Ji to distribute them one by one.

Of course, Tang Junyan also got a share. After the first round of distribution, the second round was Yuan Shu and Ji Hang's red envelopes. Yuan Shu distributed them to everyone, 666 yuan each.

"Alright, you young people have fun. This old man is going to bed. I can't keep up with you young people anymore." With that, Butler Ji helped the old man walk towards the stairs.

"Thank you, Grandpa; thank you, Dad; thank you, Mom."

Tang Junyan: "Thank you, Grandpa; thank you, Uncle; thank you, Aunt."

Little Yuzu shouted, "Thank you!"

Ji Hancheng glanced at his empty hands and chuckled. This was really unfair. ".............." At least give me one, just for the ceremony.

Using the flowers as a gift, Tang Junyao handed Ji Hancheng a red envelope, saying, "Don't be sad, I'll share one with you."

"Thank you, honey."

"Brother-in-law..." Tang Junyan wanted to give Ji Hancheng a red envelope, but was stopped. "Keep it and go have some fun."

At that time, the Han family was also unusually lively. Since there were no babies here, Han Yue and Su Yu arranged huge custom-made fireworks for Guo Guo.

The entire villa was like a fireworks display. Han Yue and Su Yu were like staff members, lighting the fireworks and setting them up, all to make the Han family's ancestor happy.