Chapter 341 - 338: Xiao Man’s Blessing

Chapter 341: Chapter 338: Xiao Man’s Blessing

When he got home, his parents were nestled on the sofa watching TV, their legs covered with a blanket.

When Jiang Xia returned, his parents barely said a word to him, completely engrossed in the TV. It made him feel a little awkward.

"Mom, I’m going to go take a shower."

"Go on, go on." Xia Shanshan just gave him a brief glance before looking away.

His mom, who loved to gossip, suddenly wasn’t prying. Jiang Xia was a little surprised, but it was for the best. He couldn’t be bothered to explain anything anyway.

He went to his room, grabbed some clean clothes, showered in the bathroom, and then went to bed.

◇

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was New Year’s Eve.

Jiang Xia got up bright and early to hang lanterns and put up couplets with Jiang Wende.

After breakfast, they spent an hour on the family’s spring-cleaning. Then, Xia Shanshan said to Jiang Xia, "Our whole family is going to Yanwan’s for the reunion dinner at noon. Are you going to head over first, or will you come with your dad and me later?"

Jiang Xia chose the first option without a second thought. ’At a time like this, seeing my wife is what’s important, of course.’

Watching her son leave, Xia Shanshan shot Jiang Wende a look. They then loaded all the gifts they had bought a few days prior into the car’s trunk.

’Got to use the New Year as an excuse to give that little rascal a shock, courtesy of his dear old mom.’

The weather on New Year’s Eve was wonderful. The drizzly rain of the past two days had vanished, leaving behind a clear sky, as blue as if it had been freshly washed.

As Jiang Xia walked down the street, he soaked in the warm winter sun, feeling a pleasant comfort that seemed to reach his very bones.

Wanzhou City was adorned with festive lanterns and decorations. The streets bustled with people in new clothes, their faces overflowing with smiles.

This was his first New Year since his rebirth. In this still relatively innocent era, the festive spirit felt so much richer than it did in the future he remembered.

He finally managed to hail a taxi, and about twenty minutes later, Jiang Xia was knocking on his wife’s door.

The one who opened the door was none other than Lin Yanwan. She looked a little surprised. ’Why is he here so early today?’

"Wife, Happy New Year," Jiang Xia said with a grin.

"Calling me that in my house, you’re asking to d—" *Phew.* She managed to stop the words on the tip of her tongue. It was New Year’s, and saying things like that was bad luck.

"Keep your voice down! If my dad hears you, he’ll definitely teach you a lesson," Lin Yanwan said, her delicate brows furrowing.

"Hehe, I wouldn’t be so sure about that."

She stepped aside and got his usual slippers from the shoe cabinet. Just then, Ji Wanqiu came out of the kitchen. Seeing Jiang Xia, she couldn’t help but smile. "Xiaxia, you’re here! Where are your parents?"

"Mom, Happy New Year." After the greeting, he answered her question. "They’re coming over a little later. I wasn’t doing anything, so I came to see if you needed any help."

"Actually, there is. You can help Yanwan’s dad put up the couplets in a little while," Ji Wanqiu said with a smile. "Oh, right, have you had breakfast yet? I’m making tangyuan."

Jiang Xia blinked. "Not yet. I want two big ones."

"What kind of filling would you like? We have mixed grain, brown sugar and peanut, and black sesame paste."

"Ooh, the brown sugar and peanut, please."

"Alright. Go on and relax for a bit, I’m still kneading the dough."

"Mhm!"

Lin Yanwan tossed a rag to Jiang Xia. "Come help me with the windows."

"Where’s Xiao Man? I don’t see her," Jiang Xia asked, stroking Yuyuan the cat’s head.

"She’s still sleeping."

"Can’t have that. I have to go wake her up. How can she sleep in on a day like today?" he said with a laugh. He put down the rag and knocked on Xiao Man’s bedroom door. When there was no response, he turned the handle and pushed it open.

On a bed piled high with stuffed animals, his little sister-in-law was sleeping soundly, hugging a Tom the Cat pillow.

"Xiao Man, wake up. Time to get out of bed," Jiang Xia said, sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Ngh... Brother-in-law... Xiao Man is so sleepy... I wanna sleep more..." Xiao Man mumbled, her eyes barely open a slit.

"But it’s New Year’s today! If you sleep in, it’ll affect your whole year. Does Xiao Man want to be a little lazybones all year long?" Jiang Xia gently pinched his little sister-in-law’s nose. ’She looks kind of cute in her Jerry-style pajamas,’ he thought.

"Huh? New Year’s!?"

Xiao Man’s eyes shot open. "No! Xiao Man doesn’t want to be a lazybones!"

"Hahaha, that’s a good girl. Xiao Man is the most hardworking little girl I know. Now, hurry and get up."

Jiang Xia patted his little sister-in-law’s cheek. Xiao Man’s eyes darted slyly. She scrambled out of bed, knelt properly before Jiang Xia, and kowtowed.

"Brother-in-law, Happy New Year! Gong xi fa cai! I wish you and my sister a long and happy life together, with good health and good fortune! And I hope you have a baby soon!"

She rattled it all off in a single breath. ’I wonder how long she’s been practicing that in secret,’ he thought.

Lin Yanwan, who was standing at the door, felt her eye twitch. ’The first part was normal enough, but what the hell was that about having a baby soon?!’

"Brother-in-law, where’s my red envelope?" his little sister-in-law asked with a sly grin.

"My red envelope? Oh, I’ve had it ready for you. But... what you said just now wasn’t quite enough. How about a few more good wishes for your brother-in-law?" Jiang Xia pulled a red envelope from his pocket but held it out of her reach.

"Umm... I wish you and Sister a happy marriage, eternal love, a long life together, may good things come in pairs, with non-stop fireworks, and many, many babies!"

Lin Yanwan: ?

’Aren’t those wedding blessings?’

"Excellent work! You’ve earned a reward!"

A huge grin spread across Jiang Xia’s face. He turned to look at his wife, giving her a pointed look. ’See? Even Xiao Man is telling us to get to work on making a baby.’

He handed her the thick red envelope and couldn’t help but ask, "Xiao Man, who taught you to say all that?"

"I’m self-taught, Brother-in-law~" Xiao Man said, lifting her chin proudly.

"Xiao Man, you’re amazing." Jiang Xia gave her a thumbs-up.

"Hee hee~ Even if you praise me like that, Brother-in-law, it’s not like I’m happy or anything."

His little sister-in-law shyly covered her face, her little body squirming with bashful delight.

Lin Yanwan walked over, pulled Xiao Man’s new clothes for the day from the closet, and tossed them to her. "Xiao Man, we’re about to eat. Get up already."

Seeing her sister, Xiao Man immediately tried the same trick again. "Sister, Happy New Year! I wish you and Brother-in-law a happy marriage, a life full of bliss, eternal love, a baby soon, lots of luck with pregnancy, and have five babies, fair and square!"

Hearing this, Lin Yanwan’s vision went dark. ’Wasn’t saying it once enough? Did she have to say it a second time? And who said anything about having five babies with him?!’

"There, Sister. Xiao Man gave you her New Year’s greeting. Now, hand over the red envelope," Xiao Man said with a grin, holding out her little hand to her sister.

"No way! Those aren’t New Year’s greetings at all!" Lin Yanwan said through clenched teeth.

"Huh? But Brother-in-law thought I did a great job," Xiao Man said, looking puzzled. "It had ’Happy New Year,’ and ’Happy Marriage,’ and ’have a baby soon’ in it."

"Hmph! Then go ask whoever thought it was so great for your lucky money!"

As she spoke, Lin Yanwan couldn’t resist shooting a fierce glare at Jiang Xia. ’Look at what he’s taught her!’

Jiang Xia just chuckled. "Don’t be scared, Xiao Man. If your sister won’t give you one, I will. It’s just lucky money. Your brother-in-law has plenty to spare~"