Lively Little New Year's Eve

At this moment, only Xu Guoqiang was home; Xu Aiyun and Tian Fujun hadn't returned, and Tian Xiaoxia was still in class.

Tian Runye brought Zhao Dongchuan in and placed the gifts they had bought down.

She then busied herself with pouring tea for Zhao Dongchuan and Xu Guoqiang.

"Oh my, you bought so many things... This must have cost a lot of money, right?"

Xu Guoqiang looked at the large pile of gifts, feeling a slight pang of heartache.

He already considered Zhao Dongchuan family, and seeing so many gifts that must have cost a lot of money, he felt pained on his behalf.

"You young people have a long life ahead of you; you should save more money. Weddings and banquets cost a lot..."

"Grandpa, I also advised Dongchuan, but he said it was his first time visiting, and he wanted to respect the elders and not be impolite..."

"Oh, Little Zhao, you are thoughtful. As long as you two are well, that's enough; there's no need for all this..."

Afterward, Zhao Dongchuan, Tian Runye, and Xu Guoqiang sat and chatted idly.

He also gave an update on his recent situation.

Before long, Xu Aiyun pushed her bicycle into the courtyard. Seeing an extra bicycle in the yard, she knew they had guests.

Immediately, she heard familiar voices chatting inside the house.

"Second Aunt, you're back!" Tian Runye heard the sound, stepped out of the house, and saw Xu Aiyun returning.

"Runye, do we have guests?"

Zhao Dongchuan also came out when he heard the voices.

Following Runye, he called out, "Second Aunt!"

Xu Aiyun looked at Zhao Dongchuan for a moment, then at Tian Runye, and seeing her blushing, she immediately understood what was happening.

"Haha, good, good, good. Little Zhao, look at you, you didn't even say you were coming. I'll go to the market to buy some more vegetables..."

As she spoke, Xu Aiyun pushed her bicycle, about to leave.

She was stopped by Zhao Dongchuan and Tian Runye.

"Second Aunt, there's no need. I see there are already plenty of vegetables at home. There's no need to go to the market again; just like usual is fine!"

Tian Runye said, laughing, as she held Xu Aiyun's arm.

"Yes, there really isn't. It's not like I haven't eaten here before..." Zhao Dongchuan said with a smile.

"That's different... Now you're Runye's partner, and this is your first visit, so how can we be casual? I'd better go buy some more vegetables..."

As they were talking, a car horn sounded.

With a screech of brakes, Tian Fujun, wearing a military overcoat, got out of the car.

"Oh, what's going on here..."

Tian Fujun saw Tian Runye and Xu Aiyun pulling at each other and asked, laughing.

"Second Uncle! You're back!" Tian Runye called out.

"Little Zhao? You're here too?" Tian Fujun nodded in response, looking at Zhao Dongchuan with a hint of surprise.

"Second Uncle! Hello, Runye and I came together!"

Zhao Dongchuan responded with a smile.

Tian Fujun was a very smart man; as soon as he heard this, he understood, his mind as clear as a mirror.

"Hahahaha, good, good, good! Tonight you must drink a few more cups with me!"

Tian Fujun was very happy that Tian Runye and Zhao Dongchuan could be together.

Little Zhao's character, talent, and ability were beyond doubt; not to mention nationally, he was outstanding throughout the province. He and his half-daughter, Tian Runye, were truly a match made in heaven.

He had known a little about Runye and Shaoan's situation before, but due to being too busy with work, he hadn't paid much attention. Later, because of Li Xiangqian's entanglement with Tian Runye, he had privately discussed the issue with Li Dengyun.

But a grown child is beyond a father's control, and Li Xiangqian's stubborn insistence on Tian Runye was also a troublesome matter. Fortunately, she now had a partner, so Li Xiangqian could finally give up completely.

"Fujun, look, I haven't prepared anything. I wanted to go to the market to buy some vegetables, but I was stopped..."

Xu Aiyun said to Tian Fujun, smiling.

"Second Aunt, aren't there a lot of dishes prepared for the Little New Year in the kitchen? There's really no need to go..."

"How can that be the same..."

"Forget it, Aiyun. I see it's getting late. If you go buy vegetables again, it'll take too much time with the back and forth... The main thing is to bring out that liquor... Tonight, Little Zhao and I will drink and be merry until we drop..."

Tian Fujun also said a playful remark, laughing.

Hearing Tian Fujun say this, Xu Aiyun no longer hesitated.

Then, the group entered the house.

As Tian Fujun and Xu Aiyun entered, they saw the large pile of gifts, filling the space.

"Oh, so many things, this is..." Xu Aiyun said in surprise.

"Second Aunt, these are from Dongchuan..." Tian Runye said.

"Oh my, Little Zhao... Look at you, there really was no need for this... It's too extravagant..."

Xu Aiyun knew at a glance that these things must have cost a lot of money. Although their family's financial situation was not bad, bringing so many things as gifts was indeed quite a display.

"Second Aunt, it's my first time visiting, so I can't be impolite... These things aren't much, please don't dislike them, haha..." Zhao Dongchuan said, laughing.

"You rascal, all these superficial gestures..."

Tian Fujun naturally saw it too and understood the situation. But as a man, he also knew that for a first visit, the man definitely wants to leave a good impression on the woman's family, so he understood and didn't say anything.

If it were someone else who had sent them, he would definitely return them, but since it was Runye's partner, he was family, and it was a matter of social etiquette... No one could criticize that!

"Alright, Aiyun, these are from Runye's partner, so just accept them. Later, when they have their wedding banquet, we'll help out more..."

Xu Aiyun also nodded with a smile, no longer discussing the matter, and instead ran into the kitchen to start bustling.

Today was the Little New Year, and it was also Zhao Dongchuan's first visit as Runye's partner, so a grand meal had to be prepared.

Tian Runye also followed into the kitchen to help out, getting busy.

Before long, the tomboy Tian Xiaoxia, with her hair in a bun, wearing a military cap and a floral cotton jacket, returned.

She loved excitement.

Upon returning, she saw Tian Runye and Zhao Dongchuan exchanging glances, and immediately pulled Tian Runye aside to whisper.

No one knew what the two talked about, but soon, she was laughing uncontrollably.

Her eyes narrowed mischievously as she looked at Zhao Dongchuan.

"I didn't expect it, Brother Zhao usually seems so refined, but when he's in love, he's so good at charming women..."

Tian Xiaoxia whispered to Tian Runye, making Runye's ears turn red with embarrassment.

"Alright, don't tease me anymore..."

...Tian Xiaoxia, that little ray of sunshine, was like a monkey as soon as she returned, scurrying everywhere, running into the kitchen, sitting in the living room, and even enthusiastically discussing Zhao Dongchuan's new poems, offering her opinions.

She was clever; she took out the latest issue of Peoples Literature from her room and pulled Zhao Dongchuan to sign it for her.

This made everyone present burst into laughter.

With such lively activity, time passed quickly.

The meal was ready, a large table filled with dishes, including meat, vegetables, and soup.

"Originally, I wanted to buy a fish... but you all insisted on stopping me..."

Xu Aiyun wiped her hands and said with a smile.

"Second Aunt, there's no need, these dishes are definitely enough for the New Year, it's too lavish!"

Zhao Dongchuan said with a chuckle.