Super Soldier in the City-Chapter 2130 - 2193: New Year
Northern New Year celebrations emphasize a lively atmosphere, and the customs throughout Huaxia are similar. Early in the morning, the children change into new clothes and follow Li Yifei around, starting to put up spring couplets and matching couplets. These tasks should have been done by the security guards, but this year, Li Yifei decided to do it himself, accompanied by Chu Xiaoyao, Xu Shanshan, and other women. The work progressed quickly; spring couplets were put up and red lanterns hung on each villa, some written by the fathers-in-law, others bought by Li Yifei.
The house was filled with a festive atmosphere, and everyone set aside their work, thoroughly relaxed, and began celebrating the New Year.
After spending more than an hour putting up all the couplets, Li Yifei went to the security guards’ living area. Everyone he met was less restrained than usual. Li Yifei could almost call out all the security guards’ names, although he wasn’t familiar with their families. Nevertheless, it didn’t hinder the excitement. The New Year’s Eve dinner was prepared by the cafeteria, and although they didn’t celebrate it with the Li family, it was still very lively. Since joining the Li family, everyone’s lives have been increasingly better. Li Yifei has never been stingy with his people, always fulfilling his promises, and even taking actions he hadn’t promised.
"Folks, no need for many words. A new year is upon us. May we create an even better era together, an era belonging to the Li family. And you will be the best friends and partners of the Li family. It’s the New Year, and I hope you all stay happy, and wish your families good health." Li Yifei said a few simple words as he looked at the security team members standing in rows in front of him.
After a round of applause, the security guards had long been captivated by Li Yifei’s charisma and felt honored to follow such a family head.
Li Yifei spoke for a while, then returned home, where the women were all dressed up, looking more glamorous than usual.
New Year celebrations are not only about family reunions but also about children. This means that if there are children in the house, it becomes even more lively. The Li family now has quite a few children. Counting them, there are already six, plus Su Xiaoxiao, making seven children, bringing much joy to the fathers-in-law and mothers-in-law. These days, they nearly revolve around the children. In a little over six months, Xu Yingying’s child will be born, adding another child to the family.
"Mom and Dad, you can see now that your son has six children. Hehe, if you were still here, you would certainly be happy. While other families consider having two children as plenty, I practically have a basketball team." Li Yifei stood alone in front of his parents’ shrine and spoke softly.
Holidays always make one miss family more. How could Li Yifei not think of his parents? Sadly, they have long passed away, and he can only reminisce. The children are growing up healthy, Li Yifei is maturing, and the Li family is steadily expanding. Perhaps in another ten or twenty years, the Li family will truly be considered a major family.
After offering incense to his parents, Li Yifei sat in solitude for a while before joining his family in celebration.
In the evening, the women decided to make dumplings by hand, but... this was obviously a big task. With around thirty people estimated to eat reunion dinner tonight, not making enough won’t suffice.
Fortunately, there were many helping hands, and the fathers-in-law and mothers-in-law were not idle either, all pitching in. Within two hours, the dumplings were ready, even preparing enough for tomorrow morning. According to tradition, they hid sugar and coins in the dumplings for good luck.
Li Yifei prepared some red envelopes and a special gift for these elders, which was a travel itinerary. He planned to send them abroad for a tour after the New Year, to see the outside world. As for the red envelopes, they were for the children, each receiving a card. Li Yifei didn’t specify how much money the cards contained. Initially, he planned to put a billion in each, to ease the elders’ minds. Any woman who had a child would receive a sum, alleviating the elders’ concerns. However, after reconsideration, Li Yifei abandoned the plan, as giving money like that might provoke thoughts among the wives who hadn’t had children, causing discord. So Li Yifei simply handed out cards to symbolize good luck.
On New Year’s Eve, the Li family gathered together, watching the Spring Festival Gala while chatting. The family, busy all year, played Mahjong, poker, chess, or drank tea and watched TV. The older children looked after the younger ones, playing boisterously.
Su Xiaoxiao was experiencing this kind of New Year for the first time. Her father passed away shortly after she was born, leaving her mother to manage the household alone, living in poverty. Especially after her mother fell ill, life became even harsher, compounded by the attitude of Uncle Su Dazhuang’s family. This New Year marked a lifetime memory for her.
When she first came to the Li family, Su Xiaoxiao felt very inferior. However, these few days made her realize that Uncle Li’s family treated her very well, without discrimination or disdain, nor excessive sympathy, which made her feel truly comfortable.
On New Year’s Eve, Li Yifei handed out red envelopes, including Su Xiaoxiao’s share, and said, "Xiaoxiao, our meeting is fate. By bringing you into our family, I hope you grow healthily and happily and treat this place as your home. These aunties are your family too!"
"Uncle... I, thank you all. You have been very kind to me, and I really don’t know how to express it. Anyway, I will repay you," Su Xiaoxiao said emotionally.
Xu Yingying’s mother smiled and said, "Girl, you’re still young. Why not recognize Li Yifei as your godfather and these women as your godmothers? It will make it easier when addressing them at home, and you won’t feel too awkward."
"Alright, if you agree, you’ll be my only goddaughter!" Li Yifei thought for a moment and agreed.
The women overheard, gathered around, and looked at Su Xiaoxiao. Chu Xiaoyao said, "Uh, Xiaoxiao, it’s your choice. If you don’t want to call them, you don’t have to recognize them. It’s okay."
"I... I want to call them, just afraid I’m not qualified," Su Xiaoxiao hesitated to say.
"What’s there to be qualified for? I think you’re qualified. Recognizing them will make you feel more attached to this home." Lin Qiong took Su Xiaoxiao’s hand, crouched down, and spoke earnestly.
Su Xiaoxiao bit her lip, knelt down, seriously kowtowed three times to Li Yifei, and said, "Godfather, happy New Year."
"Good, good, stand up!" Li Yifei smiled.
"You need to greet your godmothers too!" Su Xiaoxiao didn’t stand up but turned to face the women, kowtowed three more times, calling them godmother.
Li Yifei had his own plans regarding this situation, but he didn’t think it was calculating against Su Xiaoxiao. This girl carried True Qi within her innately, not entirely unique but rare among people. Moreover, as she was so young, Li Yifei planned to teach her cultivation techniques after the New Year, letting her start practicing. Surely within a few years, she could achieve minor success, becoming a powerful asset to the Li family.
Including Jiang Ningxiang, Xu Shanshan, and Li Yifei himself, the family would have four Innate Experts. Imagine how many families or sects in the world could boast four Innate Experts; the thought excited him.
And by recognizing each other as godfather and godmother, it would certainly strengthen their emotional ties and relationship, thus this calculation was warranted.
As the sound of fireworks exploded, the new year arrived. Li Yifei posted on Twitter, wishing everyone a happy New Year and good health, quickly garnering tens of thousands of retweets and comments.
After keeping vigil, the children were already asleep, exhausted, and the elders returned to their rooms for rest. Li Yifei looked at his charming wives and felt content with life. On New Year’s Eve, Li Yifei drank quite a bit, feeling somewhat tipsy, sitting alongside Chu Xiaoyao and Su Yiyi. He wrapped his arms around them, squinting and said, "Wives, I love you, love each one of you, loved you before, love you now, and will love you in the future!"
Of course, there were Meng Xiaofei, Xu Shanshan, and Su Lio in the room, each with different expressions. Meng Xiaofei pouted, Xu Shanshan threw a charming look at Li Yifei, and Su Lio rolled her eyes, thinking Li Yifei was spouting nonsense. "I’m not your wife, I’m your aunt!"
Na Yi was very happy. Sitting not far away, she had initially felt somewhat apprehensive, but now she was relaxed. Li Yifei had acknowledged her, and hearing such affectionate words filled her with joy.
The women were reluctant to return to their rooms, wanting to stay with Li Yifei on this special night. The home’s lone man suddenly felt a slight regret because the bed was too small to accommodate everyone.
Perhaps he should think about ordering a large bed, allowing all his wives to sleep on it, with him lying like a king among them. Though his bed wasn’t small, able to fit five or six people, it was still not big enough.
With the new year, everyone grew older. Li Yifei had already crossed thirty and was heading toward forty, and many women were already over thirty.
"Alright, wives, no one should return tonight, just stay here, though we might not all be able to stay together. Well, I will knock down the walls and merge the room; afterward, we can all live together." Li Yifei finished speaking, earning some sideways glances. Su Lio, Meng Xiaofei, and Xu Shanshan pouted and left, while Li Yifei laughed heartily, looking at the remaining wives, saying, "You all... Hmm, Ningxiang, Lianyao, you need to take care of the children, so you can choose for yourselves, and the rest, stay. Tonight, your husband wants to be with you, and you to be with him."
Su Mengxin threw him a sideways glance and said, "You know you can’t handle yourself, yet you show off. I’m going back too, got to sleep with the kids." 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦
Once these few left, Li Yifei didn’t have to choose. With the remaining women, they could directly share the same bed.
