Chapter 153: New Year’s Eve Is Really Just Skipping New Year’s Day, Which Means Jumping

After listening to a few more of Wu Zhiyun’s blind date stories, it was almost lunchtime. Wu’s Mother and Mother Jiang walked out of the house from inside.

Wu’s Mother saw them chatting happily and beamed from ear to ear.

This was looking promising.

In reality, only Wu Zhiyun was having a good time. Jiang Linyuan was basically just responding with “Oh,” “Yeah,” and “I see.”

He was going for a cool, aloof vibe, but even the coolest guy’s tune gets a little warm sometimes.

Jiang Linyuan’s replies were simple, but Wu Zhiyun’s impression of him only improved.

He’s different from other guys. He doesn’t covet my looks or my money, and he turned me down flat.

He must be a pure-hearted person.

Jiang Linyuan and his family were about to have lunch, so Wu Zhiyun naturally couldn’t shamelessly stick around.

“Twenty-eight years old, chasing after a twenty-year-old. No shame at all.”

Mother Jiang watched Wu Zhiyun leave, speaking with irritation.

Jiang Zhiyao nodded in profound agreement.

Old auntie, so enthusiastic. Does she think that’s supposed to get someone hot and bothered?!

Good thing she had the decency to leave.

Jiang Linyuan didn’t really care. He just treated it as casual chat. He turned to look at Mother Jiang.

“A friend of mine is coming tomorrow. Just giving you a heads up.”

Mother Jiang paused, surprised.

“Tomorrow? Tomorrow is New Year’s Eve. Why are they coming to our house?”

“Just a friendly visit between good friends.”

Jiang Linyuan said.

What kind of good friend comes over on New Year’s Eve!? A girlfriend, right!

I thought there was a reason the eldest wasn’t dating, and just when I eased up on the younger one, you give me a surprise!

Mother Jiang turned to look at Jiang Zhiyao, thinking she might know something.

“Who’s coming? That Su Muzhi, right?”

Jiang Zhiyao grabbed Jiang Linyuan’s hand, her face expressionless.

Haji Yao was pretty smart.

Then again, only someone like Xiao Su, who thrives on chaos, would choose to come to their house on New Year’s Eve.

“Yeah, that’s right.”

Jiang Linyuan nodded.

Jiang Zhiyao looked at him, was silent for a moment, then smiled.

“Well, that’s fine too.”

Absolutely lawless. Running wild at school was one thing, but now she’s actually daring to step onto my turf and provoke me openly.

Hearing this, Mother Jiang quickly pressed on.

“What Su Muzhi? Where is she from? She’s not pregnant and coming to our house, is she?”

“What nonsense are you talking about! Mom!”

Jiang Linyuan hadn’t said anything, but Jiang Zhiyao was already huffing, stomping her foot as she glared at Mother Jiang.

Mother Jiang ignored her, just staring at Jiang Linyuan, waiting for his answer.

What the hell is the eldest thinking?! Why is he inviting a girl to our house? Did things really get out of hand?

“Pregnant? Comrade Hongmei, don’t slander the pure friendship between Xiao Su and me!”

Jiang Linyuan said with great seriousness.

Why does everyone keep ruining my reputation!

Mother Jiang stared at Jiang Linyuan for a long time, then looked at Jiang Zhiyao on the side.

Two people, and both were more trouble than the other!

“Fine, fine! I don’t care anymore! It’s just an extra pair of chopsticks. Does that girl have any dietary restrictions?”

She muttered as she walked back inside.

“Don’t worry about her. She’ll probably just show her face and leave.”

Jiang Linyuan said casually.

Eat? What if Haji Yao flips the table? Better not ruin everyone’s meal.

“…Alright. Do what you want.”

Hearing this, Mother Jiang sighed again.

She really couldn’t figure out what the eldest was thinking.

After Mother Jiang left, Jiang Zhiyao grabbed Jiang Linyuan’s hand, her face slightly flushed.

“I think there’s a mouse in my room again. Can you come catch it tonight?”

Huh?

Is this “mouse-catching” legitimate or not?

Last time it was just wiping my face, and this time who knows where it’ll go!

“We’re staying up to ring in the new year tonight. Why would I be catching mice?”

Jiang Linyuan said.

“Then you’re not allowed to go accompany Su Muzhi tomorrow.”

Jiang Zhiyao said again.

“She’s just coming for a visit.”

Jiang Linyuan said.

“That’s still too much. Is she coming to meet Mom and Dad?”

Jiang Zhiyao asked, tilting her head and gently leaning against Jiang Linyuan’s chest.

“Probably.”

Jiang Linyuan didn’t push her away.

“You’ve met her parents?”

“I have.”

He got pinched.

“Why do you always do such foolish things?”

Jiang Zhiyao slowly lifted her head to look at him.

“Aren’t you also doing foolish things?”

“That’s different!”

Jiang Zhiyao waved her hand, looking helpless.

After saying that, she tugged at Jiang Linyuan’s shirt, raised her face, her pupils reflecting the boy.

“Next year, and in the future, I’ll always be by your side. No matter how foolish the things you do.”

“I can’t predict what the future will be like. I have no idea how many decades it’ll take to get what I want, but I’ll always stand by your side.”

Just like you stood by me when we were kids.

She had long made up her mind. If you won’t speak, I’ll endure. I’ll fill my heart with your silence. I’ll stay quiet, like the night, keeping watch under the twinkling stars, patiently bowing my head.

Jiang Linyuan opened his mouth slightly, momentarily unsure how to respond.

He just took Jiang Zhiyao’s hand.

“Isn’t that just stating the obvious?”

“I might get a little mad tomorrow. I might not be able to hold back from losing my temper at Su Muzhi, you know.”

Jiang Zhiyao swayed his hand, reminding him.

Jiang Linyuan couldn’t help but laugh.

“Since when do you need to tell me things like that?”

“Hm? Just now?”

Jiang Zhiyao let out a soft laugh, her eyelashes curving, the corners of her lips lifting, her long hair swaying in the wind, as if announcing to the world that she was in a great mood.

…

As it got closer to evening, Jiang Linyuan boiled some dumplings ahead of time.

The New Year’s Eve dinner would be later, so he planned to deliver some dumplings to the Thief Saint early and be back just in time.

While he was busy, someone sent him a message.

He took out his phone and looked.

Huang Taoyan.

[All Roosters Drive Big Buses]: Heh heh, Jiang Linyuan, I’ve prepared a huge surprise for you in a few days.

What the hell kind of ID is that? And why did she change her name again?

“What, are you going to kowtow and call me daddy?”

Jiang Linyuan replied.

“Don’t compare me to your unborn child. That’s disgusting.”

Damn, this Yellow Monster really has no sense of boundaries between men and women! Who’s disgusting here!

Jiang Linyuan saw her reply and typed again.

“Our New Year’s Eve is based on the lunar calendar. The New Year’s Eve on the calendar already passed. But why are you still stuck on that day?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, New Year’s Eve is really just skipping over New Year’s Day, which means…”

“Fuck you!”

Not wanting to chat with this Yellow Monster anymore, he sent a “Happy New Year’s Eve” and then grabbed the insulated lunchbox to head out and find the Thief Saint.

What kind of surprise could Huang Taoyan prepare?

Probably just bringing the Crazy Little one over to spend New Year’s with him, always meddling and scheming.

Mind your own business.