Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Li Yanchen looked at Lin Wan. âIs it that funny?â
Lin Wan held her stomach as she laughed. âThis sound effect is so funny.
Where did you get it?â
Li Zexuan clicked a second set of photos that night. He posed them with a caption: âMs. Lin laughs because of the sound effects.â
He posted again with the caption: âMs. Lin said that the green coat looks good. Does anyone know what brand it is?â
He posted yet again: âCan Ms. Lin be even more childish? Her voice is louder than on TV.â
âMr. Li plugged his ears. He probably canât stand Ms. Linâs sharp laughter. Why does she laugh like this while watching the Spring Festival Gala?â âMs. Lin laughed so hard that she fell onto Auntie Xia.â
Lin Wan had no idea that her every action was being posted online.
Meanwhile, Li Zexuan just kept posting and had no time to read the comments.
[Xuanxuan, is Ms. Lin the only thing left in your world? Look at how many posts youâve made. Is there a single one without Ms. Lin?]
[Xuanxuan, are you really watching TV or watching Sister Wan?]
[In one set of photos, Mr. Li appeared, but only half of his face was visible.] [Is Xuanxuan also a fan of Sister Wan?]
[I know the coat. Itâs from the SL brand. Itâs this yearâs model. Itâs sold out already.] n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
[In Xuanxuanâs heart, Ms. Lin is the most important person.]
[Xinxin is not willing to be outdone. He has more posts than Xuanxuan. Both of these brothers are incredible. Whatâs going on?] [Whatâs Xinxinâs username? Link it here.]
[Tagging Xinxin now.]
[At one point, I didnât know whether to watch TV or read the comments.] [Watching TV and reading comments at the same time.]
[They are surprisingly covering their faces. Did they let Xinxin take the photos?]
Probably because there were so many people, nobody felt sleepy. Everyone persisted until the end of the evening party.
As the clock struck midnight, Xia MO suggested a countdown to make wishes together.
The adults silently made wishes in their hearts, while the children expressed their wishes aloud.
None of them wished for toys. Though their words were different, the meaning was the same: âI hope every year is this happy and joyful.â
Everyone stayed up late together. When dawn approached, they finally returned to their rooms. In less than two hours, they got up again and exchanged New Yearâs greetings.
The New Year atmosphere in the community was lively. Early in the morning, both long-time residents and tourists stepped out to greet strangers. Some even prepared candies to give to the children.
It wasnât until noon that Lin Wan had a chance to look at her phone.
Countless messages flooded her private inbox.
Fans had even turned her photos into emojis. After reading some comments, she learned that these photos were all taken by her stepson and uploaded without her knowledge.
In some pictures, she was rolling her eyes. In others, she was grinning. In some others, she was rolling on the ground while laughing.
She clenched her fists and wanted to confront her stepson about it. However, when she saw the captions that went with the photos, she relaxed.
Li Zexuanâs messages were all about her.
Finally, Lin Wan commented: âThis kid doesnât know how to take good-looking pictures.â
[As expected, Sister Wan approves.]
[Sister Wanâs tone doesnât really sound reproachful.]
[I feel moved after reading them. Xuanxuan only has eyes for Sister Wan. Sister
Wan must also be touched.]
[Yeah, Xuanxuan really loves this stepmother.]
[Thatâs right. Even Xinxin posted pictures of Lin Wan and said it was the highlight of the day.]
Lin Wan put down her phone and pretended to be annoyed. âLi Zexuan, how many photos of me did you take?â
Li Zexuan smiled mischievously. âNot many⦠just about a hundred.â
Lin Wan said, âYour skills are really poor. Out of a hundred, not even one satisfies me. Take some more. Make sure they are good this time. And in the captions, you better write: New Year, new Ms. Lin.â
Li Zexuan thought Lin Wan would tell him to delete the photos, but unexpectedly, she wanted to pose for more.
He happily opened the camera and clicked more pictures.
Li Yanchen and the other two sons joined in the fun.
Li Zexuan was the photographer.
After a while, he put down the camera. âLi Zexin, itâs your turn. Take pictures of me with the family. I donât have many pictures with me in them.â
âYou like taking pictures, so just take more.â
Li Zexuan was speechless. âIâve already taken enough. Now that itâs your turn, donât just take photos of Xiao Yi. Xiao Yi has Uncle Xiao to take photos of him.â
Li Zexin didnât listen to his brother, and his camera was still focused on Xiao Yi.
In the afternoon, everyone gathered together. They just spent the time leisurely. They drank tea, munched on melon seeds, basked in the sun, and talked.
On the evening of the first day of the lunar year, Li Zexuan treated everyone to a movie. The boys had already rented a New Yearâs film and only informed their family in the afternoon.
Ten people watching a movie together was quite a spectacle.
On this day, everyone did everything they wanted to do for the New Year.
After returning to their rooms at night, they were reluctant to go to sleep.
Xia MO leaned against Xiao Tianlin. âOld Xiao, I donât want to sleep. I donât want the day to be over.â
âDo you like lively places?â Xiao Tianlin remembered that his former wife didnât enjoy such occasions.
âI like being with family and friends.â
âMe too. Xiao Yi seems happier than ever.â
In Auntie Huangâs room, Auntie Bao leaned against the dressing table. âOld Huang, if I hadnât pinched myself, I wouldnât have known this was all real. I thought I was dreaming all this time. I have never experienced such liveliness in all these years.â
Auntie Huang was folding clothes. âRight? I thought this kind of happiness was only possible from oneâs own children. I feel like severing ties with my son.â
âDonât do that, please. Iâve lived for so many years, and itâs the first time Iâve encountered such good people like Wanwan and Yanchen. Theyâve done exceptionally well.â
âI thought that reunion would have nothing to do with me. Who wouldâve thought that reunion would include me?â
âI remember the last time we had a reunion at my home was ten years ago when Little Huangâs father was still around, and Little Huang wasnât in college.â Auntie Huang thought for a moment. âI forgot that I have my own son and daughter-in-law.â
âYou canât say that. Little Huang would be so hurt. Now, go wash up and sleep. We have to go mountain climbing tomorrow. By the way, can our old arms and legs manage to climb a mountain?â âWanwan said itâs not very steep. We can trust her.â
âI trust her. Alright, Iâll freshen up first.â
In Xiao Yiâs room, Li Zexin shamelessly squeezed under the blanket.
Xiao Yi looked displeased. âLi Zexin, itâs New Yearâs, and youâre not spending time with your own brothers. Why are you here with me?â
Li Zexin smirked. âIâve been with them for so many days. Today, Iâm spending time with you. Besides, Li Zekai snores really loudly.â âI donât need that.â Xiao Yi tried to push Li Zexin out of the bed.
However, he grabbed the cabinet firmly..