Chapter 106: New Year's Eve

As every household joyfully prepared for the New Year, the crackling of firecrackers filled the streets with a festive and cheerful atmosphere. Yet, for the residents on a patch of land in the western suburbs, the arrival of demolition and relocation stirred a different mood. Most welcomed the prospect of moving into new homes and eagerly cooperated with the developers’ efforts. Some long-term residents were initially reluctant, but the generous compensation eventually won them over.

There stood a building completely blanketed by dense ivy, its thick leaves casting heavy shadows that swallowed the daylight. The rooms inside were gloomy and eerie; without lights, the entire building remained shrouded in a somber haze. The dark green vines crept into the rooms, giving the place the chilling, desolate air of a haunted house. Unable to endure this oppressive atmosphere, many residents chose to leave the neighborhood.

Rong Yuan sat in the smoky gloom of his living room, exhaling a stream of smoke as he sighed deeply while staring at the demolition notice posted that day. Time showed no mercy. Once fearless and bold in his youth, he now bore the frost of age on his hair and the deep wrinkles etched across his brow and face. His eyes, clouded and dim, betrayed a life marked by decay and indulgence. In his younger days, he had ventured boldly and recklessly, shielded by the care of his parents and brother. When trouble came, his family bore the burden for him. But as they slowly drifted away, as if all his luck had been spent, misfortune followed. Gambling lost him money; even honest business ventures ended in losses. At home, the elderly and the child he cared for spoke to him only when asking for money, sharing no common ground otherwise. Even his last remaining asset had become infamous. In his youth, he had squandered money on pleasure and never bought a decent home. Now, a bitter and absurd sadness overwhelmed him: if he died tomorrow, he would leave behind no shelter, no roof over his head—a pitiful fate indeed. Their twenty-year-old home was to be reclaimed by the landlord due to demolition, leaving them homeless and forsaken.

“Dad, I brought a friend home,” Rong Hui announced as she opened the door, the thick smoke inside stinging the eyes like a fire. She looked at the sighing man enveloped in smoke with disdain, then glanced apologetically at her friend.

“Dad, you don’t even offer a drink to my friend? All you do is smoke all day. You’re hopeless,” the girl scolded bitterly as she led her boyfriend inside, shooting her father a few warning glances.

Rong Yuan had always cherished his daughter. Perhaps despite a lifetime of wrongdoing, he had reserved his last shred of goodness for his only beloved child. Yet now, her sharp voice and untimely actions stirred a complex mixture of sorrow and resentment within him. Eventually, he relented, tidied the messy home, and served tea to the guests.

“Master Wang, please have some tea. It’s all my dad’s doing—he’s the one who made this place such a mess,” Rong Hui said, affectionately linking arms with the man she called Master Wang, their intimacy so unmistakable it bordered on provocative.

The man known as Master Wang carried a mature and distinguished air. He glanced briefly over the disarray of their home, suppressing the disdain and contempt in his eyes. Then, leaning close to the girl’s sensitive ear, he whispered teasingly, “Since it’s so dirty and messy here, how about we find a clean and beautiful place instead, hmm?”

“Annoying~” Rong Hui giggled, delighted by his flirtation, drawing circles on his chest with her thumb. “Master Wang, I don’t want to stay at a hotel anymore; they all look the same.” She pouted coquettishly. “Why don’t we go to your place tonight?”

A fleeting shadow of displeasure crossed the man’s deep eyes but vanished quickly beneath a loving smile that stirred like a spring breeze through his restless heart. “Alright, as long as you can still get out of bed tomorrow, you little vixen!”

“Ah, you’re so bad... hehe...” Laughter filled the living room, their voices low but the sentiment clear enough to reach Rong Yuan, who lingered silently in the kitchen.

No matter how flawed a parent might be, their care and love for their children never wavered. Rong Yuan had lived through a lifetime of hardship and deceit, encountering all manner of scoundrels and suffering many losses. Having long seen through the decadent, reckless rich heirs, he knew only his daughter would suffer wounds in the end. He did not ask for her to find someone wealthy—only that she live a peaceful and safe life.

Hearing the two preparing to leave, he could no longer contain himself and rushed out to stop Rong Hui.

“Where are you going? You’re not going out tonight,” Rong Yuan said sternly, his face stern and unyielding, showing little regard for his daughter’s dignity.

The girl’s cheerful expression suddenly darkened. She whispered to Master Wang, “Go wait in the car.” The charming man cast a contemptuous glance at the disheveled, defeated Rong Yuan, hummed a tune, and left the compound.

“Dad, you really don’t give me any face. Don’t you know how hard it was for me to climb up to such a high branch? And you’re so eager to tear us apart,” Rong Hui snapped, eyes blazing with malice. In her eyes, her father was weak and incompetent, barely managing to support the family through petty schemes. She felt ashamed of having such a father.

Rong Yuan’s heart sank deeper, hurting despite his intentions to protect his daughter. Yet his voice only grew firmer: “Hui’er, you need to break up with that man. He’s no good for you. In the end, you’re the one who gets hurt the most. Listen to your father—end it quickly.”

“I won’t!” Rong Hui almost yelled, glaring at him with hatred. “Rong Qing only made it to the top of the entertainment world by relying on a man. If she can do it, why can’t I? Or maybe you never wanted me to succeed, wanting me to live a life of poverty and scorn. But I won’t... I won’t!” After venting, she dashed out the door. In that luxurious car awaited a bright future, and she refused to sink into a life of humiliation and despair. She was willing to give up everything to exchange for a life of wealth and comfort.

Watching his daughter sever ties, Rong Yuan suddenly aged decades. He sat, broken, staring out the window after her disappearance. Their life was destined for pain and separation. Since that quarrel, Rong Hui never returned home. Her phone was always off, and she vanished without a trace. Lady Rong wept constantly, her beauty fading in grief, while Rong Yuan sank further into a haze of smoke and numbness.

On New Year’s Eve, all members of the Huo family gathered at the ancestral home. From morning until evening, they received guests and accepted New Year greetings, keeping busy throughout. Rong Qing selected several suitable gifts from Huo Ling Tian’s private stash to present to the younger generation. Most were older than her but still addressed her as “aunt” or “auntie,” which embarrassed Rong Qing profoundly.

Like most northern families, they adorned the house with couplets, built blazing bonfires, and ate dumplings. The Huo estate was grander, with nearly every household draping vibrant red banners and stacking high fires. The family enjoyed harmony and reunion. Though outwardly formal and mindful of status, the family feasts were relaxed affairs where everyone could drink, chat freely, and speak openly. After dinner, some young ones proposed playing mahjong to pass the time. Rong Qing watched beside them, occasionally playing chess with the elder.

Huo Ling Tian took on the role of strategist for his grandfather, who was a master chess player. With sharp calculation and skill, Ling Tian won three consecutive games, even defeating the seasoned old man. Terrified of losing, Huo Zhen cheated and sent Ling Tian away, restoring his usual commanding presence.

Some younger members lounged on the main house’s sofas, watching the Spring Festival Gala. The dull program nearly lulled them to sleep, their heads nodding like withered eggplants. Yet the joyous atmosphere of this year’s Spring Festival kept them from giving up, forcing themselves to stay awake despite the struggle.

“Bang... bang, bang...” The resounding noises echoed through the entire courtyard.

Rong Qing, wrapped in a fur coat, was the first to rush outside the main house. Without realizing it, it was already past midnight—the new year had arrived. Fireworks blossomed across the sky over the Huo estate, dazzling in vibrant hues. The elders and youngsters, touched by the festive beauty, all stepped out to watch the mesmerizing display.

Unconsciously, a warm chest pressed against her back. The two embraced closely. Her cold hands were covered by his over her heart. The noisy world faded away, leaving only the steady thump of a familiar heartbeat.

“Wife, Happy New Year,” Huo Ling Tian’s voice vibrated through his chest into her heart, each beat stirring hers in response.

“Husband, in this new year, you must listen to me. Don’t bully me or make me sad. Don’t lie to me. I’m already your wife, and you’ve already gained so much. So you have to treat me better—much better.” Rong Qing spoke stubbornly, turning to face him. Her eyes sparkled like a fairy’s in the mortal world.

“All right, I’ll listen to everything you say.” Huo Ling Tian saw her adorable pink nose and gently nipped it, eliciting a surprised exclamation from his wife.

Ling Tian never made empty promises but treasured everything he had in his beloved wife. What he could do was show her his true heart and unwavering love through his actions. A woman willing to give him her most beautiful, innocent years was his greatest fortune and treasure.

Satisfied, Rong Qing led her husband to Huo Zhen’s side. She respected this elder deeply—playful like a child but cared for like a granddaughter. They knelt before Huo Zhen, thanking him for raising such a good grandson and for bringing him into her life.

“Happy New Year, Grandfather. Wishing you good health. As the granddaughter-in-law of the Huo family, it is both my honor and my responsibility. I will not let you down,” Rong Qing spoke with heartfelt sincerity.

“Well done... well done.” Huo Zhen quickly lifted his precious child, tears streaming down his face, touched beyond words. Silently wiping his eyes, he thought to himself: If anyone dares to speak ill of my granddaughter-in-law, they’d better be ready to face me!