Chapter 92: New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve, dusk.

Xiang Fei stood before the main gate of the Xiang family's ancestral mansion, looking up at this ancient and elegant Chinese courtyard. Great red lanterns hung at the entrance, fresh Spring Festival couplets were pasted up, and bursts of laughter and joy echoed from within the courtyard.

He took a deep breath, pushed the door open, and stepped inside. The moment he entered, he saw his biological father, Xiang Yan, playing Chinese chess with the old master in the courtyard.

Xiang Yan held the black pieces, his brows furrowed, staring at the chessboard in deep thought. The old master, meanwhile, was calm and composed, holding a red chariot piece in his hand, smiling as he said, "You must think carefully about this move."

Xiang Fei smiled slightly, walked forward, and respectfully called out, "Grandfather, Father, I'm back."

Xiang Yan looked up, saw Xiang Fei, and a rare smile appeared on his face: "Ah Fei is back? Come quickly, see how I should make this move."

The old master waved his hand with a laugh: "Don't listen to him; he just wants you to help him cheat."

Xiang Fei chuckled, about to speak, when suddenly he heard intense discussion coming from the living room.

"Golden Harvest's scheduling for the Spring Festival slot is too ruthless; we must find a way to suppress them!" That was Xiang Qiang's low and powerful voice.

"Shaw Brothers is no simple matter either; they have bought out several prime-time advertising slots." Xiang Sheng's voice carried a degree of solemnity.

Xiang Fei walked into the living room and saw Xiang Qiang and Xiang Sheng sitting on the sofa, with a pile of documents and reports spread out before them, clearly discussing the movie scheduling strategy for the Spring Festival slot.

"Uncle Qiang, Uncle Sheng." Xiang Fei offered a greeting.

Xiang Qiang looked up, saw Xiang Fei, and a smile appeared on his face: "Ah Fei is back? Perfect, come take a look at our plan."

Xiang Fei walked over and sat down, then asked, "What moves are Golden Harvest and Shaw Brothers making for this year's Spring Festival slot?"

Xiang Qiang let out a cold snort: "That old fox, Raymond Chow, has thrown a lot of money into promotion this year and even recruited several big-name stars to endorse them."

Xiang Sheng added, "Shaw Brothers is not willing to be outdone; they have bought out TVB's prime-time advertising slots, and our film promotion might be suppressed."

Xiang Fei pondered for a moment, then suddenly smiled: "Since they are buying advertisements, then we will play something else."

Xiang Qiang raised an eyebrow: "Oh? What idea do you have?"

A glint of sharpness flashed in Xiang Fei's eyes: "Offline events, star roadshows, social media hype... they throw money to buy ads; we will crush them with reputation and popularity."

Xiang Sheng's eyes lit up: "Makes sense! The audience during the Spring Festival slot eats that up the most!"

Xiang Qiang patted Xiang Fei's shoulder and praised him: "Good kid, your mind turns just that fast."

After finishing the main business, Xiang Fei stood up and walked toward the kitchen.

Just as he reached the door, he heard Chen Lan's hearty laughter coming from inside: "Sister, your braised pork is absolutely exquisite!"

Xiang Fei's adoptive mother, Mother Wu, responded gently: "Oh, not at all."

Xiang Fei pushed the door open and entered. The kitchen was steaming with heat; Chen Lan and Mother Wu were busy preparing the dishes for the New Year's Eve dinner. Two little boys—Xiang Zuo and Xiang You—were squatting on the floor helping to pick vegetable leaves.

Hearing the commotion, Xiang Zuo and Xiang You looked up to see a strange man standing at the door and immediately became alert.

"Who are you?" Xiang Zuo stood up and asked, tilting his small face upward.

Xiang You followed over, tilting his head to size up Xiang Fei: "How did you get into our house?"

Xiang Fei was stunned for a moment, then chuckled.

Chen Lan heard the commotion, turned around, and immediately laughed: "Oh, Ah Fei is back!"

She walked over, took Xiang Zuo and Xiang You by the hands, and said gently: "This is your eldest brother, Xiang Fei."

Xiang Zuo and Xiang You widened their eyes: "Eldest brother?"

Xiang Fei squatted down, smiling as he patted the heads of the two younger brothers: "Yes, I am your eldest brother."

Xiang You blinked, then suddenly asked: "Then do you know how to play video games?"

Xiang Zuo also excitedly leaned in: "Eldest brother, do you know kung fu?"

Xiang Fei was amused: "A little; I'll teach you another day."

Chen Lan shook her head with a smile: "You two, stop pestering your eldest brother; go wash your hands and get ready for dinner."

Xiang Zuo and Xiang You cheered and ran out of the kitchen.

Xiang Fei stood up, looked at Chen Lan and Mother Wu, and asked: "Do you need help, Mother, Auntie?"

Chen Lan waved her hands: "No need, no need; go keep the old master and the others company; we can handle it here."

Mother Wu also said with a smile: "Ah Fei, go rest; the New Year's Eve dinner will be ready soon."

Xiang Fei nodded, turned, and left the kitchen, yet a warmth surged in his heart.

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

The large round table in the Xiang family's ancestral mansion was filled with abundant dishes—braised pork, steamed fish, poached chicken, abalone, shark fin, sea cucumber, and steamed cured meats... the aroma wafted everywhere, making one's mouth water.

The whole family sat together in harmony and joy.

The Xiang old master sat in the main seat, raised his wine glass, and said with a smile: "Another year of reunion; come, let us all have a drink together!"

Everyone raised their glasses and clinked them together, saying in unison: "Happy New Year!"

During the meal, Xiang Zuo and Xiang You were the most active, constantly asking Xiang Fei questions.

"Eldest brother, are the movies you shoot very impressive?"

"Eldest brother, can you take us to the film set to play?"

Xiang Fei smiled and replied: "When you have your holidays, I will take you."

Xiang Qiang and Xiang Sheng were discussing business matters, and occasionally Xiang Fei would interject with a few words, offering his own insights.

Chen Lan and Mother Wu were busy serving food to everyone, occasionally reminding Xiang Zuo and Xiang You to eat slowly.

The Xiang old master looked at the hall full of descendants, and a gratified smile appeared on his face: "The family is lively this year; it is truly good."

Xiang Yan also sighed with emotion: "Yes, a family reunited is more important than anything else."

"Yes, it is more important than anything else," Father Wu also chimed in.

After the New Year's Eve dinner ended, Xiang Fei politely declined the offer to stay overnight and drove home alone.

Outside the car window, the streets were decorated with lights and lanterns, firecrackers went off one after another, and the New Year atmosphere was full.

He turned on the radio, which was playing festive New Year songs.

Recalling tonight's reunion dinner, the corners of Xiang Fei's mouth involuntarily turned upward.

Home is always the warmest harbor.