"Shishi, Ru Yan, let me help you carry some of these."

Liou Qingcheng said enthusiastically and took the things from Bai Shishi’s hands.

"Thank you, Qingcheng." Bai Shishi smiled.

"Thanks." Mei Ruyan said simply.

"Do we really need to say thank you anymore?" Liou Qingcheng smiled sweetly, her naturally unadorned face showing a pure smile that left no room for any ill thoughts.

In reality, Bai Shishi and Mei Ruyan weren’t carrying much, most of the stuff was in Lin Tian’s hands.

If Lin Tian were just an ordinary person, his hands would probably be aching from carrying them this far.

"Why aren’t you helping me carry anything?" Lin Tian asked sourly.

"Humph, you’re late, carry it yourself." After saying that, Liou Qingcheng called to the two ladies, "Come on, have some hot fruit wine to warm up."

The four left a trail of footprints in the snow and walked to the bonfire.

"Uncles and Aunties, Happy New Year! Wishing you to grow younger and healthier with each passing year," Bai Shishi greeted politely.

"And peace every year, all wishes fulfilled!" Mei Ruyan added with a smile on her face, speaking auspiciously.

"Happy New Year, and I wish you both to become more beautiful every year." Liou Zhengming laughed.

Yan Xinrou nudged Liou Zhengming and said, "You this guy, you should be more articulate when complimenting girls. You should say, ’becoming more beautiful each year.’"

Liou Zhengming paused and then laughed, "Haha, okay, okay, becoming more beautiful, more youthful each year."

Lin Hao and Zhang Nianping just smiled at the two women, said ’Happy New Year,’ and then began to look them up and down seriously, as if choosing a daughter-in-law.

Isn’t this exactly assessing for a daughter-in-law?

The one in front, tall, seems to be a good match with their son, looks good, pretty eyebrows, a pleasant smile, not too fat or thin, especially, ample bust, sure to have enough milk if having children.

The one behind also looks good, tall and slim, dressed cool, looks cool but quite kind. Besides ample bust, wide hips, good for having sons!

Although both are somewhat older, older women do take better care of people.

These were Zhang Nianping’s first impressions of the two young women. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

The one in front should be Bai Shishi, the other girlfriend of their son. As for the one behind... could it be as well?

Just then, Lin Tian put down all the bags inside and came out.

He stood beside his father and introduced, "Dad, Mom, this is Shishi, and this is Ruyan, my benefactors from Kanyue City."

And then he told the two women, "These are my parents."

Introducing them like this in front of everyone made it very formal.

"Uncle, Auntie, Happy New Year." Bai Shishi slightly bowed to the two elders after speaking.

Mei Ruyan quickly followed suit with a bow.

"Happy New Year, happy New Year." Zhang Nianping paused and said, "It’s quite cold today, let’s sit down, warm ourselves by the fire, eat, and chat."

"Okay." Bai Shishi nodded with a smile.

Everyone sat around the half-meter-high bonfire.

Only then did Bai Shishi pass the bag she had been holding to Zhang Nianping and Lin Hao, "Uncle, Auntie, I didn’t bring much, just some unreleased products from my company. Having these daily will ensure you look ten years younger in half a year."

"This... isn’t too good, is it?" Lin Hao said politely.

Bai Shishi chuckled, "I’m here to celebrate the New Year, must bring something. Though they’re not expensive, it’s a token of appreciation from the younger generation."

Seeing Bai Shishi say so, the two cheerfully accepted.

Mei Ruyan also handed her bag to Liou Zhengming, using the New Year visit as an excuse.

In fact, what Lin Tian had brought inside earlier was also meant for them, being auxiliary products from the Energy Research Center, perfect for gifting elders.

This wasn’t an official meet-the-parents visit, so Bai Shishi didn’t bring those goods, avoiding potential awkwardness.

After a while, the grand feast inside was ready, Lin Tian set off a string of firecrackers in the courtyard, and everyone took their seats.

The feast had dumplings, wine, and loved ones. Everything was warm and cozy. Due to the celebratory mood, everyone drank quite a bit, ate a lot, and laughter and joy continued until they dispersed.

In the past, at large family gatherings with the Bai Family, Bai Shishi would sit at a big table with lots of delicacies and fine aged wines.

But smiles and family warmth were missing. Each year’s gatherings felt like awkward formalities, with some well-wishes at the start, while the entire dinner felt robotic.

As for Mei Ruyan, her large family meals have been lackluster since her mother passed away. Sometimes it was instant noodles, sometimes just a piece of bread.

For them, family affection was a luxury!

But today, they felt so much warmth, the genuine joy on everyone’s faces and the hearty laughter filling the room couldn’t be faked.

Had they not become adept at changing their expressions from years of socializing, they might have already been in tears.

Suddenly, Mei Ruyan felt very grateful to Liou Qingcheng, for allowing her to experience the family warmth she’d longed for; it was the kind of feeling that would even make one smile while dreaming.

Yan Xinrou asked Lin Tian to place a square table in the middle of the living room, inviting Liou Zhengming and Lin Hao’s couple to play mahjong while watching the Spring Festival Gala.

As for the four young ones... they could do as they wished.

"Why don’t we play mahjong too? Or cards?" Liou Qingcheng suggested, sitting on the sofa.

"I don’t mind." Bai Shishi replied.

"Sure." Mei Ruyan replied simply.

These two were old gambling pros, and mahjong was child’s play for them.

Lin Tian, sitting by, shook his head and smiled, "Let’s play mahjong later; come with me first."

The three exchanged glances, not knowing what Lin Tian intended, but followed him outside anyway.

Lin Tian carried over two benches and placed them under the eaves, saying, "Sit here for a while."

"Why?"

Mei Ruyan glanced at the bonfire, which had long been buried in the snow for lack of wood. Were they supposed to sit there and stupidly watch the snow?

"Just sit down."

After saying that, before they could agree, Lin Tian ran out of the courtyard, returning with five attendants, each pushing a cart loaded with various sized fireworks.