Chapter 238: Handing Out Red Envelopes

Jinjin also whispered, "Delicious."

After the meal, Jiang Ran suggested, "Tomorrow is the weekend; let's go buy New Year goods. Bring Jinjin and An'an so they can also feel the New Year atmosphere."

"Sure," Su Ruan nodded, "it's a good chance to buy new clothes for the kids."

"I want new clothes too!" An'an said immediately.

"We have them," Jiang Ran laughed, "this New Year the whole family will wear new clothes."

The next day, the whole family set out to buy New Year goods.

The mall was a sea of people, everywhere red lanterns and festive music.

"Mom, look, lanterns!" An'an pointed at the decorations on the ceiling.

"So pretty," Su Ruan held her daughter's hand, "the New Year should be bright and prosperous."

The first stop was the children's clothing section. Su Ruan picked out clothes for the kids.

She chose a red Cheongsam for An'an and a little Tang suit for Jinjin.

"Mom, this looks good!" An'an touched the embroidery on the Cheongsam, "it has little flowers."

"Do you like it?"

"I like it!" An'an nodded, "I'll wear it for the New Year."

Jinjin also touched her Tang suit, "Thank you, Mom."

"You're welcome." Su Ruan kissed her son's cheek, "When New Year comes, we'll wear this."

Next came the adult clothing.

Jiang Ran picked a dark blue Zhongshan suit for himself, while Su Ruan chose a Modified Cheongsam.

It wasn't bright red, but a dark red—more subdued, yet still festive.

"Does it look good?" Su Ruan asked Jiang Ran inside the fitting room.

"It looks good." Jiang Ran's eyes lit up, "It suits you especially."

"You try yours too."

Jiang Ran changed into the Zhongshan suit, appearing both spirited and steady.

The two stood before the mirror, like a young couple from the Republic era.

"A perfect match," the sales assistant said with a smile, "if your family steps out like this, it'll be especially festive."

After buying clothes, they went to the food section. Li Huijuan wrote a long list: candies, nuts, fruit, and various ingredients for the New Year's Eve dinner.

"Mom, can we finish eating all this?" Su Ruan looked at the items in the shopping cart.

"We can finish it," Li Huijuan said, "the New Year should be abundant, for good luck."

Jiang Jianguo was in charge of picking drinks: "Ranran, white wine or red wine?"

"Buy a bit of both," Jiang Ran said, "Dad likes white wine, Yan Shen and I will have red wine."

The shopping finished, and they returned home with many bags. The children were exhausted and fell asleep in the car.

"Today was really tiring," Su Ruan leaned against the seat back, "but happy."

"Indeed," Jiang Ran squeezed her hand, "the New Year is like this—tired yet joyful."

Back home, they lifted the children onto the bed. The adults were also tired, ate a little, then rested separately.

At night, Su Ruan and Jiang Ran lay on the bed, chatting.

"This is our first New Year in the new house," Jiang Ran said, "we must celebrate it well."

"Mm," Su Ruan nodded, "I want to decorate the house more festively—put up Spring Festival couplets, hang lanterns."

"Okay, we'll do it tomorrow."

"Also," Su Ruan thought for a moment, "I want to prepare New Year gifts for the staff. This year, everyone has worked hard."

"Alright, I'll handle it," Jiang Ran said, "Douzi and Yaya's side needs more. They've been a big help this year."

"Right." Su Ruan leaned on his shoulder, "Time flies, another year is about to pass."

"Indeed," Jiang Ran embraced her, "this year many things happened—An'an fell ill, plagiarism scandal, Cornerstone Series, Rebirth Series… It wasn't easy, but we got through it."

"And it's even better," Su Ruan said softly, "going through storms makes us cherish the sunshine more."

"Right," Jiang Ran kissed her hair, "let's sleep; we have to be busy tomorrow."

"Mm."

They embraced and fell asleep. Outside the city grew quiet, and inside the window the two slept soundly.

In the following days, the house was filled with New Year atmosphere.

Li Huijuan and Jiang Nainai were busy preparing ingredients for the New Year's Eve dinner.

Su Ruan led the children to put up Spring Festival couplets and hang lanterns.

Jiang Ran and Jiang Jianguo were in charge of cleaning and tidying the courtyard.

On the twenty‑eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, Jiang Jiaojiao's family also arrived to help.

"Aunt!" An'an shouted happily as she saw Jiang Jiaojiao and rushed over.

"Hey, did An'an miss her aunt?"

"I missed her!" An'an nodded, "and also miss my little sister."

Yuan Yuan is now seven months old, can crawl, and is especially lively.

Jiang Jiaojiao placed her on the crawling mat, and the little girl immediately crawled toward her older brother and sister.

"Little sister can crawl now!" An'an said excitedly.

"Yeah," Jiang Jiaojiao laughed, "crawling all day nonstop, it's exhausting me."

Jinjin also came over to watch, carefully protecting the little sister, afraid she would bump into the table corner.

"Jinjin is really sensible," Gu Yanshen praised, "just like an older brother."

"Jinjin has always been very sensible," Su Ruan said, "and when An'an was sick, they especially looked after their younger sister."

The family divided the work and cooperated, and the efficiency was high. By the twenty‑ninth day of the twelfth month, the house had already been decorated with festive cheer.

Red lanterns hung at the doorway, spring couplets were pasted on the door, and paper window decorations were affixed to the windows.

A tray of candies was set out in the dining room, New Year tangerines were placed in the living room, and the New Year atmosphere was everywhere.

The thirtieth day of the twelfth month, New Year's Eve dinner.

Li Huijuan had been busy since morning.

Su Ruan and Jiang Jiaojiao helped as assistants, Jiang Ran and Gu Yanshen were in charge of setting the tables, and Jiang Jianguo played with the children.

At four in the afternoon, the New Year's Eve dinner was ready.

A table piled high with dishes: steamed fish, braised pork, poached chicken, and various foods symbolizing good fortune.

"Come, before we eat, let's take a family photo first," Jiang Ran took out a camera.

The family changed into new clothes and stood in the living room.

Jiang Jianguo and Li Huijuan sat in the middle, and Jiang Nainai sat beside them.

Jiang Ran and Su Ruan stood behind the parents, Jinjin and An'an stood at the front, and Jiang Jiaojiao's family stood on the other side.

"Look at the camera, give a smile!"

Click—, happiness was captured.

After the photo, the meal began.

Jiang Ran poured wine or drinks for everyone.

"This year, our family has gone through a lot," Jiang Jianguo was the first to raise his glass, "but the most important thing is that everyone is safe and sound. Come, cheers to health!"

"Cheers to health!"

"Second cup," Jiang Ran raised his glass, "to our family getting better and better. Parents' health, Grandma's longevity, the children's healthy growth, and my career, RuanRuan's, my sister's and brother‑in‑law's are thriving."

"Cheers!"

"Third cup," Su Ruan smiled, "to love. Because of love, we can walk through storms together and welcome the sunshine."

"Cheers to love!"

After the three cups, the meal began. The children ate with particular gusto, the adults chatted while eating, and the atmosphere was warm.

"What are the plans for next year?" Jiang Jianguo asked.

Jiang Ran looked at Su Ruan: "We will continue the 'Foundation' and 'Rebirth' series, but want to slow the pace. Spend more time with family, enjoy life more."

"I agree," Su Ruan nodded, "design needs to settle, and life does too."

Jiang Jiaojiao said, "I plan to return to work after finishing maternity leave, but will adjust my position, not be so busy. Want to spend more time with Yuan Yuan."

"Okay," Li Huijuan nodded, "work is important, family is also important. As long as we balance them, that's fine."

After the meal, the children received red envelopes. Li Huijuan and Jiang Jianguo gave, Jiang Ran and Su Ruan gave, and Jiang Jiaojiao and Gu Yanshen also gave.

An'an and Jinjin's little red envelopes quickly swelled.

"Thank you, grandpa and grandma, thank you, dad and mom, thank you, aunt and uncle!" An'an said sweetly.

Jinjin also whispered, "Thank you."