CHAPTER 791: CHAPTER 788: NEW YEAR PREPARATIONS

"After I go back, you two behave yourselves at home."

Ruan Hongzhuang said this to Shen Siyuan, but her gaze was directed at Taozi.

"Why are you looking at me? I’m always very well-behaved," Taozi retorted, but her credibility was quite low.

Ruan Hongzhuang withdrew her gaze, looked at Shen Siyuan, and after a moment of thought, said, "If... if you can’t make it on the second day, then come to my house on the third day."

The two would be holding their wedding after the lunar new year, and according to tradition, Shen Siyuan would have to visit on the second day. However, considering it’s not just a girlfriend’s first year, if Shen Siyuan visits Si Ming on the second day, he surely won’t be able to visit Taozi’s family for the new year.

Taozi was quite touched upon hearing this and said, "Thank you, Ruan Ruan, actually... actually, it’s okay if you don’t come to my house on the second day, you can come on the fourth or fifth day."

"I never said I was letting Si Yuan visit your house; I was just worried he wouldn’t make it in time."

"Tsk~"

Upon hearing this, Taozi looked displeased, reaching out to pinch her waist, but she was a bit slow, and her face ended up getting pinched instead.

"You have to be good at home, okay?" Ruan Hongzhuang said.

Then she turned around and headed towards the boarding gate.

Watching Ruan Hongzhuang’s departing figure, Taozi turned to Shen Siyuan, "Can you come to my house on the second day?"

"Of course, didn’t we agree on that?" Shen Siyuan replied.

"Will you make it in time?" Taozi was a bit worried.

"Don’t worry, I’ve got it all planned."

Saying this, Shen Siyuan turned and walked away, and Taozi quickly followed.

Ruan Hongzhuang, who had already passed through the gate, couldn’t help turning back to take a glance and saw Shen Siyuan walking with his hands behind his back while Taozi was hopping along the tiled lines.

"Honestly, such a grown-up and still so childish."

She said, looking down at the tiled ground, then took a step, right in the middle, without stepping on the lines. Perfect.

"Aunt Mao, lower it a bit, lift it up more."

"Oh~ oh..."

Tang Tang and Dou Dou were helping Mao Sanmei hang red lanterns on the balcony.

For the New Year, things should be a bit festive. The house was too big, and it certainly wouldn’t be possible to prepare everything on New Year’s Eve, so they started decorating in advance.

So, when Shen Siyuan and Taozi returned home, they heard the two little ones shouting excitedly.

Once decorated, the house indeed felt filled with festivity.

"Oh~"

Upon seeing Shen Siyuan return, Tang Tang immediately rushed over, arms open for a hug.

Shen Siyuan picked her up, then looked at Dou Dou, who was following along.

"Do you want to spend the New Year with us this year?"

Dou Dou blinked, not understanding what Shen Siyuan meant.

Taozi smacked him on the back and said, "It’s the first year, Dou Dou definitely has to spend it with her mom and dad, get lively."

After Dou Dou passed away, every year during the New Year, those were the hardest times for Tao Guangsha and his wife. Having her back this year, they surely need to celebrate together joyously.

Dou Dou heard about festivities and immediately looked excited, "My dad bought me lots and lots of fireworks."

"Really? Where does he plan to set them off? We could join you then," Shen Siyuan said.

If Tao Guangsha bought large-scale fireworks, it wouldn’t be feasible to set them off inside their community; they’d likely head to the seaside.

Dou Dou scratched her head, indicating she wasn’t sure.

"I need to go ask my dad about it."

"Then we’ll get some fireworks and set them off together."

At this moment, Mao Sanmei also walked over, worn out after a whole morning’s work, sweat-drenched.

"Take a break, I’ll go fix lunch right away," Shen Siyuan said.

Seeing how tired she was, Taozi said, "No need to cook lunch; I’ll have someone deliver it."

Shen Siyuan conveyed Taozi’s words, and upon hearing this, Mao Sanmei hurriedly waved her hands, saying it was unnecessary, but Taozi had already taken out her phone.

"I’ve contacted a few hotels before; they offer delivery services. Ruan Ruan and I used to eat from these places often, and their food is quite good..."

"Thank you."

Mao Sanmei gestured her thanks with her hands. Although all the household chores fell to her, making her indeed tired, she gained a lot, and having her daughter accompany her made her very content.

Shen Siyuan put Tang Tang down and took out a bank card to hand it to Mao Sanmei.

"Ruan Ruan gave this to me before she left; it’s the money from selling the Jade Guanyin and Mei Le Pearl, enough for you to have a good New Year."

Upon hearing this, Mao Sanmei looked delighted, took the card, and repeatedly expressed her gratitude.

"Now that you have money, make sure you don’t get too carried away," Shen Siyuan joked.

Mao Sanmei quickly waved her hands, indicating she wouldn’t.

Tang Tang stood to the side, tiptoeing, curiously eyeing the bank card in her mom’s hand. She reached out to grab it, but Mao Sanmei stopped her, indicating with a wave that it wasn’t a toy.

"Hmph, stingy," Tang Tang pouted, expressing her anger.

"It’s ’stingy,’" Shen Siyuan corrected.

Taozi, curious, asked, "How much money is there?"

"Over two million, I think."

As it was addressed to Shen Siyuan, Mao Sanmei heard and her eyes widened in shock and delight.

She gestured and wrote on a board, overwhelmed with excitement.

"This is too much. I don’t feel right taking it all. How about I return some to you?"

Seeing her like this, Shen Siyuan smiled and pointed to Tang Tang, "Nothing wrong with that. All this was picked up by her. You are her mother, so taking it is just right, isn’t it? Haven’t you wanted to buy a house? This money is enough for that."

Mao Sanmei felt a little embarrassed hearing this; she didn’t expect Shen Siyuan to know about her desire to buy a house.

"Thank you."

Mao Sanmei gestured to Shen Siyuan with her hands, then bent down for a deep bow.

Tang Tang followed her mother’s example, giving Shen Siyuan a bow, but with her backside sticking up too high, she almost fell, sparing herself only thanks to Shen Siyuan’s quick reflexes, supporting her with his foot. Otherwise, she would’ve hit her head, transforming her into a "little unicorn."

"Han~"

"Still laughing."

Shen Siyuan lifted her, lightly tickling her small behind.

The little one kept giggling, making Taozi nearby roll her eyes—what kind of way was this to educate a child?

"Alright, you two go play now, don’t cause trouble here," Shen Siyuan said, putting Tang Tang down again.

"Auntie, did you buy me a New Year gift?"

It turned out Dou Dou stayed there all along while the adults talked, just to ask about this.

"Don’t worry, you won’t be left out," Taozi generously replied.

"Then I want a little motorbike," Dou Dou immediately said.

"Now you’re being picky? Also, what would a child do with a motorbike?"

"For cruising around, it looks cool..."

Dou Dou said, wiping her forehead amusingly, causing everyone to laugh, leaving only Taozi looking speechless.

"Motorbikes are too dangerous."

"How dangerous?"

"You’re basically wrapped in metal, could get killed."

"I’m not scared. I’m already dead; a small motorbike suits me best."

Taozi: ...

PS: I’m on the train and didn’t have time to update. There’s more today~