The air was thick with excitent as everyone exchanged warm "Happy New Year" greetings and passed their carefully chosen presents to the Lin Family Elders. The atmosphere was festive, cheerful, and filled with joy.
"Who are these lovely ladies?" Grandpa Lin asked, eyeing Nanzhi and Yu Baoyin with a twinkle in his eye.
"This is Nanzhi, and her friend is Yu Baoyin," Lin Weihao answered, his glance lingering on Nanzhi a little longer making the elders noticed.
"Welco! Welco! Make yourself at ho!" Grandpa Lin bead, his mood clearly brightened by the lovely guests.
When it was Nanzhi's turn to greet the elders, Lin Daxia's gaze wandered to the delicate hair accessory in her hair, and a knowing smile spread across her face. Ah, she thought, so that's why my son was pestering the other night. She elegantly covered her mouth and a quiet chuckle escaped her lips.
On the other hand, Grandpa Lin and Pan Chen exchanged amused glances as they noticed the matching bracelets adorning the wrists of Nanzhi and Lin Weihao. They almost burst out laughing. Ah, they thought in unison, tokens of affection already? It won't be long before another wedding is in the works!
"Happy New Year, Auntie. I hope you'll like the moon cakes and these gifts," Nanzhi said with a smile, presenting the beautifully wrapped boxes.
"Oh my, you shouldn't have gone to all that trouble!" Lin Daxia replied, her heart ward by Nanzhi's thoughtfulness. My daughter-in-law is so considerate, she mused, accepting the gifts with a grateful smile.
The three elders, ever perceptive, imdiately picked up the sweet scent wafting from the boxes. It was clear they were no ordinary gifts.
"Co, co, don't stand around in the living room! Let's go to the dining room," Grandpa Lin called out warmly, ushering everyone forward.
Inside the Lin Family's spacious dining hall, the festive mood was in full swing. Lin Jianjun, the head of the family, sat at the head of the table, looking sharp in his white tang suit, which was adorned with bamboo ink wash paintings. His hair was neatly combed, and his amiable smile made him look younger than his years.
To his right sat Lin Daxia, elegant as ever in a white qipao, her hair gathered into a simple but graceful bun. Lin Weihao, on his left, wore a relaxed expression, with Lin Yicheng in his blue suit seated between Nanzhi and Lin Weihao. The rest of the seats were filled by Feng Ran, Yu Baoyin, Bingwen, and Hei Qian, all looking forward to the delicious al ahead.
The mont Nanzhi settled into her seat, she was bombarded by questions from the eager elders.
"When did you two et?" Lin Daxia asked, her eyes twinkling. "What do you like about my son?"
"Tell , are you so sort of magician?" Grandpa Lin asked with a chuckle. "I never thought anyone could make that blockhead fall in love!"
Nanzhi, trying to keep a straight face, replied, "Well, I do have my tricks up my sleeve."
"And can you cook?" Lin Jianjun asked, narrowing hiseyes with playful suspicion. "No? That's fine! My grandson can learn! He'll cook for you all his life!"
Everyone at the table burst into laughter. Your next read awaits at My Virtual Library Empire
Lin Weihao was used to their antics and didn't take it to heart. At least Zhi Zhi was comfortable.
"I hope you didn't misunderstand his cold personality," Lin Daxia had a playful grin on her lips. "He's just a bit shy… and maybe a little awkward."
"Oh, how did you manage to decode his cryptic speech that is akin to an ancient scripture? Even the enemy's code was easier to decipher than his." Grandpa Lin added with a wink.
"If he ever acts like so cold, untouchable prince, just remind him that I changed his diapers once," Lin Daxia said with a mischievous grin.
"Grandpa. Mom. Can we please talk about this later." Lin Weihao interjected, his lips twitching. His instincts told him that if he doesn't stop, these two would ntion sothing embarrassing from his childhood.
Nanzhi also smiled. She never expected the Lin Family folks to be this simple and friendly. It was a far cry from the gatherings of the Lu Family. At the sa ti, she missed her father and mother.
Feng Ran, Yu Baoyin, Bingwen, and Hei Qian all stifled their laughter, clutching their chopsticks in an attempt to contain their amusent.
"Right, I was being insensible," Lin Daxia said with a sigh.
" and my big mouth. Everyone, let's eat first!" Lin Jianjun picked up his chopsticks.
The dinner was, as expected, a feast. The table was overflowing with dishes—stead dumplings, braised pork belly, longevity noodles, chili-soaked fish, spring rolls, glutinous rice cakes, sweet rice balls, eight treasure rice, and dried mandarin oranges. Each bite was better than the last, and everyone ate their fill, with Lin Yicheng eagerly eyeing his dumpling.
Nanzhi passed him a dumpling with a coin inside, and sure enough, Lin Yicheng was the lucky one to find it, his face lighting up with joy.
After dinner, Nanzhi brewed tea for the elders, a special blend she had prepared herself. Uncle Pan, brought it in on a tray.
"What is this?" Lin Jianjun asked, sniffing the fragrant tea. The scent was unlike anything he had ever experienced before—floral and sweet, yet refreshing. As a tea enthusiast, he particularly enjoyed stronger scents, but this tea was sothing special.
He took a careful sip, and his cane tapped the floor in approval. "This is good tea! I didn't know we had this kind of tea, Old Pan. Why didn't you prepare this before?"
Pan Chen smiled amiably. "The tea was a gift—lotus tea leaves with honey, brought by Miss Lu."
Lin Weihao smiled at his grandfather's curiosity. "It's from Nanzhi. She made it a few days ago when she heard that you liked tea."
"From Nanzhi, you say?" Lin Daxia leaned forward, intrigued. She noticed three bottles of honey and a small jar with dried petals beside the tea. As an awakener, she was more sensitive to the ntal energy in the air. The scent alone told her that this tea was of the highest quality.
She took a sip, and imdiately a soothing warmth spread through her body, revitalizing her. Her eyes widened in amazent. "Oh my, this is the best tea I've ever tasted! It must be very expensive!"
After the apocalypse, tea had beco a rare luxury—almost impossible to find. Even the commissary's stock had been hoarded before the collapse. For Nanzhi to have given her such a rare and precious gift made Lin Daxia's admiration for her grow even more.
Pan Chen then served the moon cakes.
"Here's your red packet!" Grandpa Lin said with a grin, producing a small bundle from beneath the table. He placed it on the table in front of Nanzhi.
Lin Daxia added, "Rember, red packets co with a lifeti mbership. No refunds, only endless gatherings."
Even Lin Weihao couldn't help but agree. "Sounds like a deal."
Mother Lin chuckled. "I heard from my son that you liked jades. I haven't worn them in ages. Your skin is so fair and smooth—I'm sure they'll look beautiful on you."
Nanzhi's eyes widened as she opened one of the red boxes, revealing a set of fine jade pieces. She blinked, her heart skipping a beat. I like them already, she thought, thoroughly impressed.
Yu Baoyin also received a red packet, which contained jade pins, along with a pair of combat boots—sothing she never expected but greatly appreciated. The craftsmanship was stunning.
As for the boys, they received two pairs of new combat shoes—lightweight, all-terrain tactical boots. "I had soone find these for you," Grandpa Lin explained. "They're the latest innovation. Only a few pairs were made, so you're lucky."
Feng Ran, Bingwen and Hei Qian recognized the boots imdiately. "Thank you, Grandpa Lin!" they said in unison.
Grandpa Lin waved it off, a proud smile on his face. "No problem at all."
Nanzhi leaned close to Lin Weihao, her voice a soft whisper. "They all seem like personal keepsakes. Is it okay for to keep them?"
Lin Weihao gave her a reassuring smile. "Of course. My mother like tanks more than jades."
Nanzhi: We'll get along well.
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