My phone dinged.
It was all New Year greetings.
Ivan Underwood: Happy New Year.
Joel Sutton: Miss Hathaway, in the new year, I wish you more beauty, more happiness, and say goodbye to all worries!
Dylan Dawson: Zoe, Happy New Year.
Lane: Madam, Happy New Year. Thank you for letting drive back. My dad had a bit of a health issue a few days ago, fortunately, I got him to the hospital in ti.
I first replied to Lane: Happy New Year. You don’t need to rush back to work. I’m going abroad after the New Year for about two years. During this ti, after you take care of your dad, you can co to my ho to drive for my dad, and your salary will be the sa.
Then I opened the four-person group chat.
Crystal Dawson was acting like a big fool, sending lots of red envelopes in the group. Leah Lane was crazily spamming fireworks effects. Only Tiana O’Connell wisely grabbed the red envelopes, occasionally throwing in a "Mr. Dawson is so cool 666" or "Yara, you should send a red envelope too".
I recorded a video of the fireworks outside the window and posted it in the group: Ladies, a new year, a new beginning.
Crystal, Leah, and Tiana were all in City A, so they could naturally see the fireworks outside too. Each of them took a video of the fireworks and posted it in the group, considering it as watching the fireworks together.
Knowing I would be ho this year for New Year, Crystal was excited: Well done, my dear Yi, here, a gift!
With that, she transferred 6666 in the group.
I unreservedly accepted it.
I continued talking about going abroad, and while they were reluctant, considering that Henry Preston didn’t want to divorce yet, they all strongly supported it. Then Leah and Tiana sent a big red envelope, saying it was to express their support for .
After chatting for a while, I responded to everyone’s New Year blessings one by one, and also sent a New Year greeting to my in-laws.
The affection and closeness I initially felt toward my in-laws dissipated after learning about Winter Tate’s situation. I felt like I was being used as a pawn by them.
Although marrying Henry was my choice, living like a widow for five years was not what I wanted. Foolishly not understanding why people treated this way was truly laughable.
However, since my in-laws are on my side now, I still need to show basic courtesy, especially since I haven’t divorced Henry yet.
Shortly, my in-laws replied with a ssage and attached a large New Year red envelope, which I didn’t accept.
At this mont, a ssage from Henry ca through. He also directly transferred money along with a "Happy New Year" note.
This was the first ti he sent New Year’s wishes and a red envelope—usually, it was sending him one, timing it to the exact second.
Does he have so kind of extre delay chanism? It takes him so long to respond to others’ initiatives.
I simply ignored it, just as he had ignored innurable tis in the past.
My instinct told to check my Monts.
Sure enough, I saw a new post by Azure Vaughn, showing a screenshot of a transfer of 1,314,520.
Only the recipient’s na and profile picture were cropped out.
Azure wrote: Happy New Year, hope to have you by my side year after year.
Ninety percent sure it’s Henry. I felt calm enough, yet seeing that screenshot still stuck in my throat.
Unexpectedly, Henry sent such an overly affectionate number, as if he was coordinating with Azure to make her happy.
On one hand, he claid he’d handle matters with Azure, yet on the other hand, he was flaunting their affection. It was just so ironic. If I had agreed to let him try again before, wouldn’t I look like a fool now?
While I was feeling a bit annoyed, I received a ssage from Azure: Miss Hathaway, Happy New Year. Wishing you to find true happiness in the new year.
Purely to irk .
I replied: Thanks, I will. I’m planning to go abroad after the Spring Festival, but Henry doesn’t agree to divorce yet, so we’ll have to be separated for two years to proceed with the divorce. Good luck during these two years!
Then I quickly sent Azure a screenshot of Henry’s recent New Year greeting and transfer to .
And reminded her: Tell Henry not to contact again, and unlike you, I’m not short on money.
I watched the fidgety typing indicator on Azure’s end—it would start and stop, indicating she was flustered by my words yet uncertain about how to respond.
I had no interest in bickering with her during the festival, and after watching the fireworks for a while, I went back to my room to sleep.
On New Year’s Day, my mom woke up to visit my uncle’s house for New Year greetings. I also have an aunt who married far away, but my dad takes us to visit her every year.
Everyone is usually busy, except for phone contact. Gathering during festivals strengthens family bonds, and I enjoy imrsing myself in it.
"Uncle, Aunt, Happy New Year!" I said cheerfully upon arriving at my uncle’s house.
"Zoe, you’ve co. Happy New Year, Happy New Year! Co in and sit!" Aunt welcod us warmly.
The house was cozy, with a sleek white oak table adorned with a delicate fruit platter, sunflower seeds, peanuts, and brilliantly packaged candies. I sat on the couch eating and listening to my parents chat over tea with my uncle.
Just then, soone else rang the doorbell. My uncle went to open it, and I heard Dylan Dawson’s voice, "Mr. Hathaway, Happy New Year!"
"Oh, Young Mr. Donovan, Happy New Year! Please co in and sit!" My uncle was quite surprised but happy.
I watched in bewildernt as Dylan Dawson sat across from , smiling, "Zoe, Happy New Year."
"Isn’t he... Crystal’s brother? I think I t him a few years ago," my mom said after a few seconds.
"Yes, Uncle and Aunt, Happy New Year. I’m Dylan Dawson, Crystal’s brother. I’ve been working abroad for the past few years, just got back at the end of the year." Dylan answered politely, "I’ve collaborated with Mr. Hathaway abroad a few tis, and hearing he ca back for the New Year, I wanted to try my luck and greet him."
Dylan Dawson had collaborated with my uncle? I thought for a mont; they indeed seem to have connections in Xylos.
My dad smiled, "So that’s it. Young Mr. Donovan, you’re truly accomplished. I heard that you’ve been doing exceptionally well with The Dawson Family’s branch abroad. Why the sudden return?"
This question made lower my head quickly—bla Crystal the blabbermouth!
Dylan glanced at briefly, then replied, "After staying abroad for a long ti, I began to miss ho. Besides, I’m over thirty now, still single, and my parents have been urging ."
My parents exchanged glances with a tacit understanding I wished not to witness.
My phone rang just in ti, and I hurried to answer it. It was Crystal calling, "Hehe, how is it? Has my brother arrived?"
"Oh great, was it you again??" I really wanted to turn Crystal into Crystal Dentingtone.
"I just casually ntioned that you might go visit your uncle for the New Year. Who knew my brother and your uncle knew each other?" Crystal feigned innocence.
I realized what a coincidence it was, all due to Crystal’s divine ddling.
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