Chapter 350: The Counterattack of the Xiao Family's Son-in-Law!

The house newly allocated to the Tang Family is still undergoing renovations.

The two families agreed to gather at the Du Residence this year to spend the Lunar New Year together, and to reunite at the Tang Family next year.

On the dining table on New Year's Eve, all kinds of delicacies exuded a rich aroma.

Tang Ye cast a glance toward Du Xi.

The two stood up simultaneously with perfect tacit understanding, held their wine glasses steadily with both hands, and looked respectfully at the four elders: "Mom and Dad, this glass of wine is for the four of you! May everything go as you wish in the new year, and may all your desires come true!"

The corners of Xiao Qin's eyes and brows were filled with irrepressible smiles, "My wish for this year has already been fulfilled; as for what I'm looking forward to next year, I'll have to rely on you two to put in more effort."

Du Xi's curiosity got the better of her, and she tilted her head to ask, "Mom, what wish did you make?"

Tang Ye took the opportunity to wrap his arm around Du Xi's shoulders, his tone full of teasing: "Mom's biggest wish this year was to see you married off in a grand fashion. As for next year—naturally, she's hoping we'll add a cute little baby to the family!"

Du Xi's cheeks instantly flushed like rosy clouds, and she gave Tang Ye a coquettish glare, her voice soft and shy: "Then you'll have to put in enough effort."

As soon as these words were spoken, a burst of joyful laughter erupted at the table.

After the meal, the family sat around the television, waiting for the Spring Festival Gala to begin.

Tang Ye, however, could not find a moment of leisure; his phone chimed with notifications from time to time, and he had no time to pay attention to what was on TV, as his entire focus was on sending and receiving messages and answering calls.

Near midnight, Guo Liang finally called in.

"Section Chief Tang! Happy New Year! Wishing you and your family happiness and everything going smoothly!"

The corners of Tang Ye's mouth lifted involuntarily: "Guo, I also wish you a smooth and prosperous new year, and may your family be harmonious and happy!"

"Section Chief Tang, I'm drinking with Zhao Bin right now, and he insists on saying a few words to you!"

As soon as Guo Liang finished speaking, another slightly hoarse voice came through the phone.

"Section Chief Tang! When are you coming back to Pinghu? I still owe you a meal and drinks; I can't welch on that debt!"

Tang Ye was slightly stunned, and memories came flooding back like a tide.

Back in Qigang Village, he and Village Chief Zhao Bin had once made a bet.

Now that Qianjin Village had made a beautiful comeback relying on mitten crab farming, Zhao Bin, as the "loser," had kept this old matter firmly in his heart.

Tang Ye had long since put the matter behind him, but at this moment, he couldn't help but laugh and reply: "Definitely! When I have time, I must go back to fulfill the appointment!"

Emboldened by the alcohol, Zhao Bin spoke even more straightforwardly: "When you come back, you have to do me a favor and talk to Tian, and have him promote the mitten crab farming technology in our village too! Our village's water quality is no worse than theirs; we can definitely raise plump, delicious crabs!"

Tang Ye pondered for a moment, his tone becoming serious: "That's not hard to arrange. You have Guo Liang contact the experts at the Agricultural College to go to your village for an on-site inspection. But I'll say this upfront: crab farming has extremely high requirements for water quality, and whether it can succeed in the end will depend on the professional assessment of the expert team."

"With your word, I can set my heart at ease!" Zhao Bin slapped his thigh in excitement.

After hanging up the phone, the New Year's bell struck twelve just right, the melodious sound echoing in the night sky, and the phone also began to vibrate incessantly, with message notification tones following one after another.

New Year's greetings from colleagues in the department and friends and family arrived one after another.

Tang Ye calmed his mind and carefully replied to every message word by word.

In the blink of an eye, it was the first day of the Lunar New Year.

The Du Residence was bustling with activity, and guests coming to offer New Year's greetings arrived in an endless stream.

As the son-in-law of the Du Family, Tang Ye took the initiative to shoulder the task of receiving guests, helping to greet them and serve tea, sharing quite a bit of pressure for Du Chengfeng.

In the gaps between his busyness, he secretly observed the way Du Chengfeng handled interpersonal relationships and couldn't help but feel admiration.

Du Chengfeng had long since had Xiao Qin prepare return gifts.

According to the value of the gifts given by the guests, he precisely returned items of equal value.

Such thoughtful arrangements were not only in accordance with etiquette and avoided gossip, but also cleverly maintained the friendship between them.

On the afternoon of the first day of the New Year, Tang Ye's phone rang again; the caller ID was Ding Xiang.

"Brother, Happy Spring Festival! You must watch the Provincial Television Station's Spring Festival Gala tonight!"

Ding Xiang's voice carried irrepressible joy and anticipation.

Tang Ye was infected by it: "Don't worry, I'll definitely watch it on time!"

At eight o'clock that night, Tang Ye tuned the television channel to the Huainan Variety Channel.

At a glance, he found Ding Xiang among the team of hosts.

Judging from her position, she should be the second female host of the gala.

Ding Xiang was wearing a purple evening gown, wearing a diamond-encrusted headband, her chest was snow-white, her makeup was exquisite, her stage presence was steady, and she was poised and elegant!

Xiao Qin stared at the television for a while, then suddenly became thoughtful: "Is this female host from our Hanzhou Station? Did she transfer to work at the Provincial Station?"

Tang Ye explained with a smile: "Her name is Ding Xiang; she was selected from the local station to host this gala temporarily, and she will return to Hanzhou Station afterward."

Xiao Qin suddenly realized and nodded gently.

Qin Lan, who was on the side, also became interested and praised: "This girl's hosting style is elegant and approachable; I like her from the bottom of my heart. Sometimes I think, if only I could have a daughter like this."

Tang Ye looked at Qin Lan in surprise.

Is Mom a wish-granting saint?

If Mom knew that he had helped her take in a goddaughter, and that it was Ding Xiang, he wondered what her reaction would be!

The second day of the Lunar New Year.

Du Chengfeng and Xiao Qin took gifts and went to the Qiongjin Xiao Family to offer New Year's greetings.

Xiao Qin looked at the scenery flying past outside the car window, her brows slightly furrowed, full of resistance.

"If you ask me, we shouldn't go to offer greetings. Every time we go, we have to suffer, and we are met with cold looks."

"Your brother is right; everyone is family, let's find an opportunity to resolve the knot in our hearts." Du Chengfeng was more broad-minded.

Back then, the marriage with Xiao Qin had been met with unanimous opposition from the entire Xiao Family.

Now, a one-hour phone call from the eldest son of the Xiao Family, Xiao Guangcheng, had changed Du Chengfeng's decision, and he insisted on going to offer greetings.

Xiao Qin knew deeply that for her husband, maintaining a relationship with her maiden family was a key step in his career advancement.

The outside world all rumored that Du Chengfeng had risen to power by relying on his status as the Xiao Family's son-in-law, but she was the only one who knew the hardships involved.

Watching Du Chengfeng's sedan disappear around the corner, Tang Ye and Du Xi walked side by side toward the Shi Ren Yi Jia Shu Yuan.

Along the way, Du Xi remained silent, her expression downcast.

Tang Ye asked, "Why are you so unhappy?"

Du Xi sighed softly, her face full of worry: "I'm worried about my dad; he's bound to suffer a lot of grievances going to my grandfather's house. Every time he went in the past, he was treated like he was invisible and was often mocked."

A smile tugged at the corners of Tang Ye's mouth as he comforted her: "This year is different; your dad is not the man he used to be."

Du Xi looked at Tang Ye, "Why?"

Tang Ye helped Du Xi analyze the situation: "The new County Party Secretary of Tianling County, Shen Mingcheng, is your eldest aunt's son-in-law. If he wants to achieve results in Tianling County, he cannot do without your dad's support from behind the scenes. So this time, your dad won't face too much trouble, and your eldest aunt's attitude toward him will change."