"Why are you awake?" Ye Fei asked softly.

Zhao Gushen didn’t answer, instead he asked, "Why are you awake so early too?"

He had the little one clinging to him, so he couldn’t turn over.

He could only turn his head with difficulty and finally saw the time on the wall clock.

"It’s only 7 o’clock," Zhao Gushen said.

His voice still had a hoarse tone.

It sounded like he wasn’t naturally awake, ready to fall back asleep at any moment.

"I’m getting up to prepare breakfast," Ye Fei said, "It’s too early now, Aunt Lin and Housekeeper Hong might not be back yet."

"Then why not order some takeout? You can sleep a little longer," Zhao Gushen suggested.

They had only gone to bed at 2:30 in the middle of the night, so they’d gotten just over four hours of sleep in total.

"On the first day of the New Year, which takeout places are even open?" Ye Fei asked with a smile.

Even if shops do open on the first day of the New Year, because it’s a holiday, they’d start business later than usual.

Very few shops would be open this early.

And that’s only if there’s nearby places that deliver within the distance.

Even if you find a delivery service, it might be too far, and when the food finally arrives, it could be cold, or worse, soggy and unappetizing.

"I’m already awake anyway," Ye Fei said with a smile.

At this moment, Xiao Mo was also awakened by their rustling voices.

The little one rubbed his eyes and realized that somehow, he had snuggled up to Ye Fei without even knowing when.

The little one was so pleasantly surprised to find such a nice thing as soon as he opened his eyes.

"Xiao Fei!" The little one immediately let go of the arms he had around Zhao Gushen and turned his attention to Ye Fei’s embrace.

He held Ye Fei tightly.

Ye Fei bowed her head and kissed him on the cheek: "You go back to sleep. I’ll call you when breakfast is ready."

Xiao Mo pouted a bit, gave Ye Fei a peck on her cheek, and then let go of her.

Ye Fei then got up and changed her clothes.

The new clothes for New Year’s were in the room she shared with Zhao Gushen.

So, Ye Fei went next door to their room and changed into the new clothes they had bought before the year end, from head to toe, inside and out.

She also brought all of Zhao Gushen’s clothes over to Xiao Mo’s place.

Only then did she head to the main hall.

"Aunt Lin, Housekeeper Hong!" It was really coincidental.

She had just reached the entrance of the main hall when she bumped into Aunt Lin and Housekeeper Hong.

They were still wearing thick coats, clearly new clothes for the New Year.

They looked joyful and newly refreshed.

Adding much cheer to the Spring Festival.

Seeing Aunt Lin and Housekeeper Hong like this, it was clear they had only just returned.

Ye Fei was surprised, "How come you’re here so early?"

"We didn’t have much else going on, so we thought we’d come back early," Aunt Lin explained as she entered with a smile, "Also, the workers at the old house are on holiday, no one’s here. Coming back early means we can help out."

"And we can also prepare breakfast for the old house."

Aunt Lin and Housekeeper Hong had been with the old house for decades.

Since Zhao Gushen could remember, Aunt Lin and Housekeeper Hong had been at the old house.

Their affection for the old house couldn’t be compared to that of the other ordinary workers.

"I’m here for breakfast, you could have rested at home a bit longer," Ye Fei said.

"We’re used to getting up early, as we age, we sleep less, so we wake up early and can’t fall back asleep. We’re also thinking about the old house," Aunt Lin explained.

Some words were not suitable to say.

Now that their son has his own family, they prioritize their own household.

Gathering during the holidays is enough.

Staying too long might make them annoying.

Over time, various frictions will occur due to differences in living habits.

Thus, Aunt Lin and Housekeeper Hong came back earlier.

It’s better to keep some sweet memories than to become a nuisance.

"You’ve just arrived, don’t rush," Ye Fei said, "Please, take a break first."

"Breakfast is simple, just fried dumplings. I can handle it alone," Ye Fei said.

"Nonsense, I can’t let that happen," Aunt Lin immediately insisted.

"It’s originally my job. Having you do it while I’m idle here, that’s not right," Aunt Lin firmly shook her head.

"You’ve just come in. It’s very cold outside and you haven’t even warmed up yet," Ye Fei said as she fetched two cups of warm water for them, "At least warm yourselves up first."

Aunt Lin and Housekeeper Hong felt quite embarrassed, but they followed Ye Fei’s advice and warmed up first.

They held the warm cups in their hands for a while.

Ye Fei then went to the kitchen.

Before long, the old couple arrived as well.

Seeing Aunt Lin and Housekeeper Hong, they were surprised, "Why are you back so early again?"

Every year, it’s the same. They always come back so early.

Every time before they leave, the old lady would persuade them to rest at home for a couple of days.

Even if they come back on the first day of the New Year, no need to rush.

It doesn’t matter if it’s morning or afternoon, no need to get up so early.

It’s rare to have the New Year holiday. Don’t they want to spend more time with their son, daughter-in-law, and little grandson?

"There’s not much to do at home, so we came back early. Otherwise, staying idly at home is also uncomfortable," Aunt Lin explained.

Truth is, they feel more at ease staying at the old house.

Once Aunt Lin warmed up enough, she quickly went to the kitchen to help.

Housekeeper Hong also tidied himself up and went back to his managerial duties.

The old lady followed them to the kitchen.

Ye Fei and Aunt Lin certainly wouldn’t let the old lady do anything.

The old lady was just there to chat.

"So, your son and daughter-in-law are doing well?" The old lady casually grabbed a handful of sunflower seeds, sitting nearby, cracking them as she spoke.

"They’re doing great," Aunt Lin said with a smile, "My little grandson is now a year and a half old, chubby and charming. I’ll show you a video later."

"Why don’t you spend more time with your grandson? It’s rare to have such a fun little one," the old lady said.

Aunt Lin sighed and said, "To be honest, my son grew up living in the old house."

Because Aunt Lin and Housekeeper Hong had always worked in the old house, they had their own little courtyard inside.

Their son, Hong Tianxiang, naturally stayed with them, growing up in the old house.

He stayed until college, living on campus, and later renting a place after graduation.

Aunt Lin and Housekeeper Hong earned a good income from the old house.

They had little expense because everything was provided, allowing them to save up quite a sum.

So they simply bought a house for Hong Tianxiang.

He could live there and later use it as a marital home when he got married.

"But as kids grow up and start their own families, things are different. There are always differences in living habits," Aunt Lin said.

"We’re not very familiar with the daughter-in-law. If we stay too long, she might have opinions too. Besides, it’s not like we have nowhere else to go," Aunt Lin said with a smile.