Chapter 302: New Year's Eve Dinner

At three in the afternoon, the doorbell of the Xiang family old mansion rang.

The butler hurried to open the door and saw Xiang Qiang and Chen Lan (Xiang Tai) standing at the entrance with their two sons — Xiang Zuo and Xiang You — carrying several boxes of exquisite New Year gifts in their hands.

The butler smiled as he took the gifts. "Old Master, Master, and Young Master Fei are all in the living room."

Xiang Qiang nodded and patted his two sons on the shoulders: "Come, let's go meet your big brother."

Xiang Zuo and Xiang You exchanged a glance — one excited, one helpless.

Just as they entered the living room, a burst of lively footsteps was heard. Xiang Yang came charging over like a little cannonball and threw his arms around Xiang Zuo's leg: "Uncle! Play with me!"

Xiang Zuo was knocked off balance and rubbed Xiang Yang's head with a wry smile: "Yangyang, didn't your daddy teach you to be gentler?"

Xiang Yang tilted his little face up, eyes sparkling: "Daddy said boys have to be energetic!"

Xiang You was snickering on the side, but the next second, Xiang Yang pounced on him too: "Uncle You, get one too!"

Xiang You: "......"

Just as they were making a fuss, the sound of a car engine came from outside. After a while, Xiang Sheng walked in with steady steps, followed by an elegant lady — Zhang Yushan.

"Ah Sheng is here." Xiang Butong, seated in the place of honor, greeted him with a smile.

Xiang Sheng nodded and walked up to the old man: "Dad."

Zhang Yushan also offered polite greetings: "Mr. Xiang, and Happy New Year to everyone."

Xiang Tai walked out from the kitchen and her eyes lit up at the sight of Zhang Yushan: "Yushan is here too? Sit, sit, you can keep Ah Min company for a chat."

Zhou Huimin, her belly round, smiled gently: "Sister Yushan, it's been so long."

Zhang Yushan walked over and gently took her hand: "Ah Min, you look wonderful — how many months is the baby?"

"Six months." Zhou Huimin stroked her belly, her face full of happiness.

On the other side, Xiang Fei, Xiang Qiang, and Xiang Sheng sat in the tea room, brewing a pot of fine pu'er.

"Ah Fei, I heard Cai Wen closed several big deals on the mainland this time?" Xiang Qiang asked after taking a sip of tea.

Xiang Fei nodded: "Mm, we've reached cooperation with a few film and television companies on the mainland — there'll be several co-productions next year."

Xiang Sheng raised an eyebrow: "Looks like you really plan to make Fei Min the bellwether of Huaxia?"

"Inevitable." Xiang Fei smiled faintly.

In the kitchen, Xiang Tai, Zhang Yushan, Dong Xiaolan, and Zhou Huimin were busy preparing the New Year's Eve dinner.

"Ah Min, stop fussing — sit and rest for a while." Dong Xiaolan looked at her daughter-in-law with heartache. "With your condition, you can't be tiring yourself out."

Zhou Huimin shook her head, still trimming vegetables in her hands: "Mom, it's fine. The doctor said moderate exercise is good for the baby."

Xiang Tai laughed as she chopped: "Ah Min is so thoughtful — unlike those two rascals at our place, who only know how to play all day."

"By the way, Yushan and Ah Sheng..." Xiang Tai lowered her voice. "Are those two getting close to good news?"

Zhou Huimin pressed her lips into a smile: "You'll have to ask Sister Yushan herself about that."

The women exchanged smiles, and the kitchen was filled with a warm atmosphere.

In the living room, Xiang Yang was pestering Xiang Zuo and Xiang You to play with his remote-control car.

"Uncle! Why isn't it moving?" Xiang Yang held up the remote, his face anxious.

Xiang Zuo crouched down and checked: "The battery's dead — just swap it out."

Xiang You asked the butler for a spare battery: "Here, use this."

Xiang Yang cheered, took the battery, and clumsily installed it.

"Yangyang's amazing!" Xiang You rubbed his little head.

Xiang Yang lifted his chin proudly: "Of course! Daddy said I'm the smartest!"

At seven in the evening, the New Year's Eve dinner officially began.

The long dining table was laden with sumptuous dishes: steamed garoupa, braised lion's head meatballs, poached chicken, abalone soup... the aroma filled the air.

Xiang Butong, seated in the place of honor, raised his glass: "Come, everyone together — Happy New Year!"

"Happy New Year!" everyone responded in unison, and the glasses clinked with a crisp sound.

Amid the meal, laughter and chatter never ceased. Xiang Yang sat on Xiang Butong's lap, his little mouth stuffed full, drawing laughter from everyone.

"Eat slowly — no one's going to steal it from you." Xiang Yan doted on him as he wiped the corner of his grandson's mouth.

Xiang Yang mumbled indistinctly: "Grandpa, this is so good!"

After dinner, Xiang Fei called out to Xiang Zuo, who was about to go play with Xiang Yang.

"Ah Zuo, next year I'm planning to shoot a new film — how about you take a role in it?"

Xiang Zuo was stunned for a moment, then jumped up excitedly: "Really? Big Brother!"

Xiang Tai saw this and immediately kicked him: "You're already so old, still so reckless! Thank your big brother!"

Xiang Zuo finally came to his senses and hurriedly bowed: "Thank you, Big Brother! I'll give a great performance!"

Zhou Huimin laughed from the side: "Auntie, we're family — no need to be so formal."

As Xiang Fei and Zhou Huimin were about to leave, Xiang Yang suddenly hugged Xiang Butong's leg, his eyes brimming with tears: "Great-grandpa, I don't want to go home — I want to stay with you and Grandpa and Grandma..."

Xiang Fei frowned: "Yangyang, don't fuss — we'll come again tomorrow."

Xiang Yan snorted coldly: "What? My grandson wants to keep me company, and you're not happy about it?"

Xiang Fei said helplessly: "Dad, that's not what I meant..."

"Then it's settled!" Xiang Butong hammered it home. "Yangyang stays here tonight — as long as he wants."

Xiang Yang's tears turned to laughter: "Great-grandpa is the best!"

On the way home, Zhou Huimin leaned against Xiang Fei's shoulder and said softly: "Today was really happy."

Xiang Fei held her hand: "Mm, being together as a family is better than anything."