CHAPTER 226: CHAPTER 226: BRILLIANT FIREWORKS

"Ah!"

The pain was unbearable, and Rou couldn’t help but scream. She wanted to end the torment quickly, so she obediently said to Xuanxuan, "I’m sorry."

"Alright, alright, you’ve apologized. Quan, let her go!" Rou was here with her, and Ji Dongquan hurting her wasn’t good for either of them! After all, Rou was He Gang’s most beloved sister.

"Get out!" Ji Dongquan withdrew his hand slowly, his powerful and cold aura startling Rou.

"Quan, you..."

"Someone, take Madam to her room. Without my permission, she is not to leave." Ji Dongquan glanced around coldly and called the bodyguards in.

"Ji Dongquan, let it go." Mi Wan tugged on Ji Dongquan’s sleeve, softly advising.

"Throw both of them out!" Out of sight, out of mind! A deep gloom shadowed Ji Dongquan’s face.

Rou was terrified of Ji Dongquan. Without waiting for the bodyguards, she walked out obediently. Shi Minjun, worried about her, followed without a word.

"Xuanxuan, were you scared just now?" As soon as Shi Minjun and Rou left, Ji Dongquan sat down by Xuanxuan with Mi Wan, his expression softening as he asked Xuanxuan gently.

"No, Uncle Ji, you were so cool! You taught that rude auntie a lesson so quickly." Xuanxuan smiled at Ji Dongquan, her face full of admiration.

"Hehe."

Ji Dongquan’s cold demeanor disappeared, replaced by a smile.

A few minutes later, the food was all on the table. No one, neither adults nor children, mentioned the commotion caused by Shi Minjun and Rou. They happily enjoyed their meal; the atmosphere was warm and pleasant.

New Year’s Eve dinner is usually a reunion dinner. Initially, Mi Jing wanted to go with Shen Lingxing to the Shen Family’s old house to have dinner with the elderly grandmother, but Shen Lingxing insisted on going to her parents’ house, much to their delight.

Fang Qingru and Mi Zhihong were as warm as ever. The atmosphere at the dining table was joyous and filled with laughter.

After dinner, Shen Lingxing drove Mi Jing back to the Shen Family’s old house. It was already 8:30 pm when they arrived. The hall was quiet, with no sign of the festive New Year spirit.

"Mrs. Zhou, where’s Grandma?" Seeing Mrs. Zhou coming from the inner room, Mi Jing hurriedly approached her and asked anxiously.

Although Shen Lingxing said that they had Grandma’s approval to have dinner at her parents’, it was inevitable that the elderly might feel uncomfortable. After all, during the New Year, everyone hopes the family can have a joyful meal together, especially the elders, who hold these traditional values.

"The elderly lady might have caught a cold. She’s feeling dizzy and went to bed without dinner." Mrs. Zhou sighed, her expression a mix of pain and worry.

"Grandma is sick?" Guilt quickly washed over Mi Jing. She frowned slightly and asked, "Why didn’t anyone tell us?" If they had known earlier that Grandma wasn’t feeling well, they would have come back.

"The elderly lady didn’t allow it." Mrs. Zhou had tried several times to call Mi Jing, but the elderly lady stopped her every time. Having been with the elderly lady for so many years, Mrs. Zhou understood her temper and didn’t dare to disobey her.

"Mrs. Zhou, it’s getting late. Let the driver take you home." Shen Lingxing said calmly.

"I... I’d rather stay." Though her family was waiting for her to return to celebrate, Mrs. Zhou couldn’t stop worrying about the elderly lady and had no intention of going home.

"Don’t worry, Jingjing and I are here." Shen Lingxing’s gentle smile seemed to possess a magical warmth.

Having Shen Lingxing and Mi Jing there, Mrs. Zhou felt reassured. She smiled, nodded, and then turned to leave.

"Wife, go check on Grandma." Shen Lingxing said, hugging Mi Jing’s shoulders.

"What about you?" Mi Jing looked at him and asked, puzzled.

"I’ll go make some porridge."

The couple split ways, one heading to the kitchen and the other to the grandmother’s room.

Knock, knock—

Mi Jing gently knocked on the door, then listened for any sound from inside.

After waiting for a while without hearing a response, Mi Jing cautiously opened the door and walked in quietly.

"Who is it?"

A weak, slightly hoarse voice with none of its usual authority and strength called out.

"Grandma, it’s me, Jingjing." Only a table lamp was lit in the room, casting a dim light. Mi Jing turned on the ceiling light and spoke softly as if afraid of disturbing her grandmother.

When the ceiling light turned on, the elderly lady closed her eyes against the sudden brightness. After adjusting, she opened her eyes and looked at Mi Jing. "You came back."

"Yes." Mi Jing responded and walked to the bedside. "Grandma, Lingxing is making porridge. He’ll come to see you in a bit." Not wanting to make her grandmother worry, Mi Jing explained Shen Lingxing’s whereabouts before she could ask.

Hearing this, the elderly lady’s slightly sunken eyes revealed a touch of emotional relief. She smiled softly and said, "I’m not hungry, just a little dizzy. I’ll be fine after a good sleep."

"Even if you’re not hungry, you still need to eat something. Mrs. Zhou said you didn’t have dinner." Mi Jing sat by the bed, noticing her grandmother’s pale face and low energy, feeling a surge of heartache.

"Grandma, you must tell us if you’re feeling unwell. Don’t bear it alone." Mi Jing said sternly, forgetting her grandmother’s usual authority. To her, she was just a sick, elderly lady who needed care and concern.

"It’s nothing, Zhou is always with me." The elderly lady hid her emotions and replied with a lighthearted smile, not wanting to worry Mi Jing.

"We certainly believe Mrs. Zhou cares for you well, but we also want to take good care of you!" Mi Jing stood up and walked to the table. Turning back, she asked, "Grandma, would you like some water?"

"No need, I’m not thirsty." The elderly lady’s smile grew kinder as she waved her hand at Mi Jing.

"Are you tired? Do you want to sleep more?" Mi Jing returned to the bedside and asked.

"Not tired. Keep me company and chat, will you?" the elderly lady said.

Mi Jing had the same thought and nodded. She began sharing stories about herself and her grandmother.

Twenty minutes later, their conversation was interrupted by Shen Lingxing’s arrival. After feeding the elderly lady a bowl of porridge, Mi Jing had an idea. She glanced at the window covered by curtains and then asked Shen Lingxing, "Do we have any fireworks at home?"