We moved to Golden Courtyard

Actually, Mom and Dad know what you want to do, but it's unnecessary. I know if I say this, you'll definitely argue with me, saying you just want to spend one last simple New Year's Eve with us.

How pretentious! So pretentious! Just because you have a new home doesn't mean you're no longer my son. It just means you have two homes now, double the happiness, right?

So this Lunar New Year's Eve, you should spend it with your loved ones. Your mom and I are going to travel the world!

Son, I'm so happy to see you get married.

Don't worry about it.

Love, Dad. Love, Mom.

……

Tears could no longer be held back.

Drops fell one by one onto the letter paper.

"And then you pull this stunt at the very last minute... Dad... were you a cook or a Chinese language teacher back then?"

She wiped away her tears and sniffled.

When Xu Qi looked at the sunlight outside the window, he couldn't help but smile.

So life... is always about looking forward.

“I was actually thinking that if I happened to run into my uncle’s family on the second or third day of the Lunar New Year, I would show them my current achievements. But now that you two have gone on a world tour, what’s the point of me visiting them?”

Tears streamed down her face despite her smile.

When you want to fly away on your own and soar through the sky, a strong wind suddenly rises. You think it's good luck, but it's actually your parents' final gift to you.

"I really do have... the most romantic parents in the world."

I carefully folded the letter and put it back in the envelope.

Each responsibility, the responsibility my parents once had to shoulder, is now... my turn to shoulder. I'm not a child anymore...

The word "life" is passed down from generation to generation, and each generation is fortunate.

577. Would you like to take a look at Su's needlework?

On New Year's Eve, everything in the Golden Courtyard looked so festive.

When setting the table, Mei noticed that Xu Qi's usual spot on the table had been set with a set of chopsticks and a bowl, and couldn't help but sigh.

"Who put this here? Didn't we say this morning that Xu Qi is staying at his own place tonight?"

"Ah... Mei, I set this up."

Mei turned around, startled.

"Sister Eden? But..."

"It's ok."

With a smile on his face, Eden seemed to be in an exceptionally good mood today.

"He will come back."

"Ugh?"

Almost the instant the words were spoken, the doorbell rang outside.

Kosmo, who was playing games in the living room, heard the noise and went to open the door. When he saw Xu Qi returning with two bags of snacks, he was clearly stunned.

"What? You're not welcoming me in?"

Kosmo quickly stepped aside, then remembered to ask, "Weren't you... at your own home tonight...?"

"That's a long story..."

Xu Qi!?

Mei walked over quickly, pinched Xu Qi's arm, and then pinched Xu Qi's cheek.

"Is it really you? Why are you back?"

"You seem to feel that my ghost has returned, right?"

At this moment, hearing the commotion at the entrance, everyone in the Golden Courtyard gathered around, and upon seeing Xu Qi, they were all clearly surprised.

Apart from Eden, everyone else had a look of sudden realization.

And the questions they asked were all strikingly similar.

"Xu Qi? Aren't you spending New Year's Eve at home tonight?"

Xu Qi was lost in reminiscence. "When I got home in the morning, I found no one there. Later I found out that my parents had gone on a world tour."

I simply made do with a simple meal at home for lunch, and sure enough... I have no talent for cooking. Then I sat at home alone, lost in thought, and by the time I came to my senses, it was already dusk.

I bought some snacks to celebrate the New Year with everyone.

Upon hearing Xu Qi's parents' romantic choice, everyone in the courtyard remained silent for a long time.

Mei said almost subconsciously, "Why did they have to go on a trip on New Year's Eve?"

"Yes...it just so happened to be New Year's Eve."

Seeing this, Ellie quickly clapped her hands and said, "Alright? Since you're back, hurry up and wash your hands, then get ready to eat. Everyone's still making dumplings."

Making dumplings? Is this some kind of Chinese New Year joke?

Xu Qi was taken aback, and only after following everyone into the living room did he realize...

It turns out everyone really was making dumplings.

Mei seemed to remember something and couldn't help but laugh, "You have to try it later. Su's dumplings are so neat, they look like they were sewn together with a needle and thread."

Speaking of this, Fu Hua sighed.

"Let me explain. It's not that it seems like Su used a needle and thread to sew the dumpling wrappers together. And let me explain again, we in China don't wrap dumplings like that. Don't misunderstand, this isn't the tradition."

After a burst of laughter and joking, everyone hurried back to their work.

“Actually, everyone used to buy frozen dumplings for Chinese New Year,” Aponia explained to Xu Qi. “After Fu Hua moved in, everyone started trying to make dumplings themselves.”

Xu Qi understood.

At this moment, Sister Nia was chopping the filling with a kind smile. Her hands moved swiftly and deftly, but the contrast between her movements and her saintly smile was striking…

He casually grabbed the canned food that had sneaked up to him intending to steal a bite, and then tossed it to Pado.

"Kitty, keep an eye on your canned food. I don't want to end up with a mouthful of cat hair when I eat dumplings later."

"Alright, boss!"

With that, he took the can of food and went off to play elsewhere.

Dumplings alone are not enough without vegetables.

In the kitchen, Mei, Rita, and Qianjie were busy at work.

With Qianjie as the head chef, the two ladies could only assist him.

"I'll make two portions of fish later, one for eating and one for storing."

Rita asked in confusion, "Release? What does that mean?"

"It means 'may you have abundance every year.'" Xu Qi explained, leaning against the kitchen doorway. "We make an extra fish dish during the New Year and leave it in the kitchen overnight."

May you have fish every year, and abundance every year. This is a tradition.

Rita couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle.

"I didn't expect there to be this kind of meaning in it."

"Hey kid! Chatting is fine, but if you dare step into the kitchen, I'll turn you into a dish tonight."

Master Qian is as strict as ever...

After leaving the kitchen, Fu Hua and her family were responsible for rolling out the dough.

Yes, one.

Shi Bao brought Xiao Li Zi here for the New Year, and with Fu Xian'er who had always been there, weren't they practically family?

"Hey! Little Xu, take a look at my skin, isn't it thin?"

As they were talking, the dough in Shi Bao's hand broke and fell to the ground because it was too thin.

"Junior Uncle, you don't have to help if you don't know how."

"Huh!? This!... This was just an accident! You wait, I'll make a thicker one for you to see later!"

"Shi Bao, I think you have a pretty thick skin."

"Fuck off!"

His gaze then fell on the quiet Fu Xian'er. Even when the fairy sister was doing these everyday things, her temperament was still very otherworldly.

Of course, speed is equally extraordinary.

The dough was tossed into the basin in large quantities, as if a bridge had been built in the air. When I was a kid, I watched "Cooking Master Boy" and always thought it was all a lie—how could it be so exaggerated?

I've only just realized... it seems it might actually be true.

Feeling that being idle like this wasn't a good thing, Xu Qi decided to help make dumplings.

Even if you can't cook, you can at least make dumplings, right?

Then you see the plate of oddly shaped dumplings in front of Kevin.

Hmm... I've suddenly lost all confidence.

"Xu Qi, come here quickly!"

Velvet's voice came from behind him. Xu Qi turned around and saw her doing some kind of modification to the little robot with Klein.

"Sister Wilvi, what are you doing again?"

"Ta-da! This is my newly developed automatic dumpling-making machine, number 666!"

……

As he spoke, he stuffed the dough and filling into Klein's mouth and pressed the button.

Before long, Klein spat out dumplings of all shapes and sizes, which were at least better than Kevin's.

"How was it? Wasn't it amazing?"

It was certainly exciting, but Sister Velvi...

"Aren't you afraid the professor will find out and kill you?"

"What's there to be afraid of! She's busy discussing academic matters with Dr. Mei in her room right now; she has no interest in me."

"Oh? Is that so~~"

Behind Vervière, Mebius held a plate of freshly wrapped green dumplings, a horrified smile on his face.

"You're really confident, aren't you...Vilvie?"

Turning away, unable to bear watching Vilvie being chased by Mebius any longer, Xu Qi walked to Mei's side. Seeing that there was still some flour on her face, he kissed her and licked it off.

"Ugh!...Really, how can you act like this..."

578. Dear older sister, I don't want to try anymore.

"What? Are you shy?"

Mei looked around and breathed a sigh of relief when she realized that no one was watching her.

She rolled her eyes at Xu Qi reproachfully, but a slight smile still lingered on her lips.

"Actually, I originally wanted to go in and help cook, but Mei wouldn't allow it, saying that how could the professor go into the kitchen? So she pushed me out."

“This girl…” Xu Qi shook his head with a chuckle.

Then, as if she had just thought of something, she leaned close to Mei's ear, bit down on it, and whispered, "You and Mei prepared such a gift for me for Christmas."

"So, what gifts are you preparing for the Lunar New Year?"

Mei's face flushed instantly, and she turned her head away, murmuring softly, "This... I wasn't prepared this time, but if you want..."