Chapter 152: Chinese New Year

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On New Year's Eve, Ding Heng opened his eyes at exactly six o'clock sharp, before the sky outside the window was fully bright.

He changed his clothes and went downstairs. Sister Jiang was busy in the kitchen, steaming something on the stove. White steam rose and the air was filled with the aroma of glutinous rice.

Ding Heng greeted her, "Sister Jiang, so early?"

Sister Jiang turned around, her hands still busy: "Little Ding is awake? Breakfast will be ready soon."

Ding Heng walked over and glanced at the steamer on the stove: "What are you steaming?"

"Sweet rice cake is a must-make for Chinese New Year in my hometown of Suzhou and Hangzhou."

Sister Jiang lifted the lid of the steamer and glanced inside: "The boss wants to have good luck for the New Year and has something sweet to eat, so he asked me to make some desserts. I don't know if they'll suit your tastes."

Ding Heng said politely, "Thank you for your hard work, Sister Jiang. It's the New Year, and you're still busy."

"Hey, what's so hard about this?"

Sister Jiang waved her hand: "The overtime pay the boss gave me is enough for me to live at home for three years. I should thank you all."

As she spoke, she took the steamed rice cakes out of the steamer, cut them into evenly thick slices, and arranged them on a plate.

Ding Heng then asked, "Sister Jiang, will you be busy preparing the New Year's Eve dinner by yourself tonight?"

"That's not it."

"How so?"

"The boss will arrange a professional chef team to come over around 2 or 3 pm to prepare, and the banquet will start at 7 pm."

Sister Jiang counted on her fingers: "Seven dishes, two soups, and one dessert, for a perfect meal. I've already checked the menu with the chef several times; it's mainly Hunan and Sichuan cuisine, which should suit your family's tastes."

Ding Heng nodded: "Thank you for your trouble."

Footsteps approached from afar, and Pema yawned, calling out lazily.

"Sister Jiang! Is breakfast ready yet?! I'm starving!"

"Alright, alright, shall we prepare the milk?"

"Of course you need to. How can you grow taller if you don't drink milk?"

Baima ran downstairs on her short legs, picked up a piece of sweet rice cake and put it in her mouth: "Mmm...delicious! Indeed, the best desserts are from Suzhou and Hangzhou!"

Ding Heng joked, "Still want to grow taller?"

"What's wrong with that?"

Bai Ma stood on tiptoe and gestured to Ding Heng's ear: "If I ramp up my growth later, it will at least grow this long!"

The little girl is dressed especially festively today.

The white velvet long sleeves accentuated the softness of her shoulders and neck, while the burgundy ruffled skirt layered upon layered, revealing fluffy white trousers underneath – it was sickeningly sweet.

The white stockings are embroidered with delicate red decorative buttons that wind up from the ankle, echoing the bow on the burgundy Mary Jane shoes.

The red ribbon hanging from her hair swayed gently with her movements, transforming the sweetness of the red and white color-blocked outfit into a lively and charming look.

Ding Heng then asked, "Why did you get up so early today?"

Baima picked up another piece of rice cake and stuffed it into her mouth, mumbling, "I can't sleep. It's too noisy by the river. Someone even set off firecrackers last night..."

"Aren't fireworks prohibited in urban areas?"

"How would I know?"

Pema chewed on a rice cake, her eyes darting around: "Brother, can we set off fireworks tonight?"

"Didn't I just say that fireworks are prohibited in the city?"

"Eh..."

Baima pouted, looking disappointed: "I haven't set off fireworks in a long time. They don't allow it in Chengdu. They can set them off in Tibet, but it's freezing cold every time I go back, so I don't feel like having fun."

Seeing her dejected appearance, Ding Heng chuckled lightly: "Want to let go?"

"I do! Brother, do you have a way?"

"Yes, there are..."

"Brother~ Good brother~ Please take me out just this once~ I promise I'll be good!"

"Alright, let's go shopping first, then I'll take you out to play tonight."

Ding Heng instructed, "The regulations aren't as strict in the suburbs. Just find an open space and be careful, and you'll be fine."

"real?!"

Baima jumped up from her chair: "I want to go shopping too! I want to pick out the fireworks myself!"

"This might be inconvenient..."

"It's settled then!"

Bai Ma didn't give Ding Heng a chance to refuse, turning around and running upstairs: "I'm going to get my coat!"

Sister Jiang came out of the kitchen carrying a bag of milk and was almost bumped into by Bai Ma: "Hey, slow down, slow down! Your milk..."

"Let's drink it later!"

Baima had already run upstairs.

A moment later, footsteps could be heard again on the stairs.

This time it was Qu Zhen, her hair casually tied up, her face showing the weariness of just waking up.

"Xiao Ding, up so early?"

Good morning, Auntie.

Qu Zhen sat down, and Sister Jiang served her a bowl of porridge.

She took the bowl and asked, "What is Baima doing?"

Ding Heng replied, "He went upstairs to put on his coat, saying he wanted to go out with me to buy fireworks."

"Since you're just idling around during the day anyway, you siblings might as well go out for a stroll, but don't go too far."

While drinking her porridge, Qu Zhen gently instructed, "Xiao Ding, Bai Ma is a naughty child, so keep a close eye on her."

Ding Heng nodded: "Don't worry, Auntie."

Baima quickly ran down again, wearing a white fluffy coat, her bare legs under her skirt were covered with thick white tights, and a red scarf was wrapped around her neck, making her look round and chubby.

"Let's go, let's go!"

She grabbed Ding Heng and quickly walked to the garage.

Ding Heng opened the back door of the Mercedes and gestured with his chin towards Bai Ma: "Sit in the back."

Bai Ma asked in confusion, "Why? Isn't the passenger seat empty?"

"Just sit in the back when I tell you to, why are you making such a fuss?"

Ding Heng didn't explain, opened the driver's side door, and got in.

Bai Ma pouted and reluctantly climbed into the back seat.

Ding Heng drove out of the villa area and turned onto the main road.

Pema peered out the car window: "Brother, where are we going?"

"Pick someone up."

Who is it?

Ding Heng did not answer, and the car eventually stopped in front of the Chujiang Hotel.

"Wait a minute."

Ding Heng got out of the car, and Bai Ma sat obediently inside waiting.

A few minutes later, Baima saw Ding Heng lead a girl out of the hotel lobby.

Ding Heng opened the passenger door and let Wen Jing get in.

Bai Ma's eyes widened, and her brain began to work at lightning speed.

Wenjing fastened her seatbelt and turned around to see Baima in the back seat.

Ding Heng got into the car and first gestured for Baima to lift his chin.

"Pema, my sister."

Then she turned to Wenjing.

"Wenjing, you..."

"Hello, sister-in-law!"

Before Ding Heng could finish speaking, Bai Ma sweetly called out.

Wenjing looked a little embarrassed and stammered, "Y-hello..."

Baima approached with a grin: "Sister-in-law, what's your name?"

"Wen, Wenjing..."

"Hello, Sister Wenjing, my full name is Pema Yangjin, and I am Tibetan!"

Baima introduced herself generously, adding, "Sister-in-law, you're so beautiful, the most beautiful sister-in-law I've ever seen."

"Thanks."

Wenjing was overwhelmed by the praise and began to have some doubts.

What does "most beautiful" mean?

Has Baima already met other "sisters-in-law"?

Ding Heng started the car, his face expressionless: "Sit still, don't mess around."

Pema stuck out her tongue and shrank back into the back seat.

The car drove onto the main road and headed towards the suburbs.

Pema, leaning against the back of the seat in front of her, asked curiously, "Brother, where are we going to buy fireworks?"

Ding Heng looked ahead: "There's a fireworks wholesale store over there on the old street; it's been open for over ten years."

"A wholesale point? Do they have all kinds of fireworks?"

"Pretty much, it has most of what you need."

"I want to buy a Gatling gun! And a rocket launcher! And one that spins around on the ground!"

Bai Ma was so excited that she danced around, but Ding Heng ignored her.

Nearly an hour later, the car stopped on an old street in the suburbs, and Ding Heng led the two girls into the alley.

The wholesale storefront was small, made of corrugated iron sheets, with several boxes of samples piled up at the entrance.

The owner was a man in his fifties who was squatting on the ground arranging goods. He looked up when he saw someone coming.

"Oh, this is... Xiao Ding?"

He stood up, brushing the dust off his hands: "I haven't seen you in years! You've grown so much!"

"Uncle Liu, Happy New Year."

Ding Heng stepped forward and shook hands: "Are you still operating this year?"

"We keep driving it, year after year, but business is a little worse because it's banned in the city."

Uncle Liu responded with a smile, his gaze falling on the two girls behind Ding Heng: "These two are..."

"This is my sister, and this is my girlfriend."

"You've brought your girlfriend home for the New Year already?"

Liu Shuchong and Ding Heng gave each other a thumbs up: "Good job, kid."

Ding Heng smiled but didn't reply: "Uncle Liu, what good stuff do you have this year?"

"There are plenty more!"

Uncle Liu turned and walked inside, beginning his introduction: "Gatling guns, jellyfish-shaped toys, peacock-shaped toys, and those kids' toys like firecrackers and sparklers..."

The shed was filled with all kinds of fireworks, big and small, red and green, piled up to the brim.

Baima followed behind, her eyes wide open.

She ran over, picked up a case of Gatling guns, and almost couldn't lift it: "Brother! This one! I want this one!"

Uncle Liu joked, "This little girl is quite strong."

Baima put down the box and went to grab another one: "I want this one too! And this one too!"

She picked out a large pile one after another, piling it on the ground like a small mountain.

Finally, he excitedly exclaimed, "Brother! I want all of these!"

Ding Heng chuckled and sighed, "Can you even finish releasing them all?"

"We can let it all go!"

Baima patted her chest and promised, "I'll make up for all the fireworks we missed in the past few years tonight!"

Uncle Liu was beaming from ear to ear as he began to calculate the accounts one by one.

Ding Heng paid the bill, bent down, picked up the fireworks, and began to move them into the car.

Wenjing quickly went over to help, and Baima followed behind. The three of them made several trips back and forth, and finally managed to stuff everything into the trunk.

The car pulled up in front of my grandparents' convenience store.

Wenjing pushed open the door and went in. The old lady was sitting behind the counter watching TV. When she saw Wenjing come in, her face lit up with a smile.

"Jingjing's here!"

"grandmother."

Wenjing greeted the old lady politely, and she invited her to sit down. Then she looked at Baima and asked, "And this is...?"

Ding Heng introduced generously, "Grandma, this is Baima, my dad's girlfriend's daughter."

Baima immediately stepped forward and greeted sweetly, "Hello, Grandma!"

The old lady was taken aback for a moment: "Alright, alright, come in and sit down!"

Baima followed her inside, her eyes scanning the surroundings.

Ding Heng's maternal grandfather came out from the inner room and, seeing that guests had arrived, quickly served tea to greet them.

Baima has a sweet tongue, calling the elderly couple "Grandpa" and "Grandma" repeatedly, making them smile from ear to ear.

Wenjing tied on her apron and went into the kitchen to help.

Ding Heng followed him in and asked, "Do you need any help?"

"No, no need."

Wenjing didn't even turn her head: "You just chat with Grandpa and Grandma."

Baima slipped out of the living room and peeked into the kitchen, asking, "Sister-in-law, do you need any help?"

"Really, you don't need to. You can just sit down too."

"Then I'll help you pass it!"

"Alright..."

Baima insisted on helping, and Wenjing had no choice.

The little girl seemed to find it all new and exciting. Under Wenjing's guidance, she busied herself handing over bowls and plates, having a great time.

Wenjing was dizzy from being turned around, but she didn't know what to say, so she could only let her do as she pleased.

Ding Heng returned to the living room, where the old lady pulled him aside and began to nag, "What's your dad's girlfriend like?"

"fine."

"Is he good to you?"

"It's fine, don't worry, Grandma."

Ding Heng knew that Qu Zhen definitely knew he would be coming to his maternal grandparents' house at noon.

The reason I asked him to bring Baima was to tell him—I don't mind, and you don't need to make things difficult for me.

"That's fine then."

The old lady nodded, then looked at Wenjing, who was busy in the kitchen: "I really like Jingjing. She's diligent, sensible, and has a good temper. You mustn't mistreat her."

Ding Heng smiled and said, "I know."

The old lady added, "If your mother were here, she would definitely like this girl too."

Ding Heng didn't reply, his eyes darkening...

Wenjing was putting the chopped vegetables into the pan when oil splattered. She jumped back slightly, while Baima laughed heartily beside her. The scene was warm and natural.

The family reunion dinner at noon was very lavish; Wenjing prepared a total of six dishes and a soup.

After finishing his meal, around 2 PM, Ding Heng prepared to leave.

As the car drove away from the old street, Baima leaned back in her seat, her short legs, wrapped in white silk, swaying gently.

"Brother."

"Um?"

"How many sisters-in-law do I actually have?"

Ding Heng was both amused and exasperated.

Why are you asking that?

"Just curious."

Baima counted on her fingers.

"The auntie who likes to wear Hanfu, the auntie who can cook, and that... the auntie I met in the hotel lobby last time, the really enthusiastic one... three in total?"

Ding Heng did not answer.

Pema concluded to himself, "Brother, you're pretty amazing."

Ding Heng asked in bewilderment, "What's so impressive about that?"

"Of course you're amazing! Most people struggle to handle even one woman, let alone three. Isn't that impressive?"

"What are you saying? Aren't you a woman?"

"So dealing with me will definitely be difficult for you too!"

Pema, however, was self-aware and immediately added another sentence.

"Brother, if you still have the energy, shall I introduce you to some more?"

"ah?!"

Ding Heng looked completely bewildered.

"You're welcome!"

Baima proudly raised her chin: "Now that I'm your sister, of course I have to share good things with you!"

"Go! Go! Go……"

Ding Heng was too lazy to argue with her and focused on driving.

Afterwards, Baima insisted on going shopping, so Ding Heng accompanied her to stroll around a shopping mall in the city center.

It was almost five o'clock when we got back to the villa.

The chef team has arrived, the stove is full of ingredients, and everyone is doing their job, working enthusiastically.

Qu Zhen and Ding Wenjie were sitting in the living room drinking tea, with the TV on, broadcasting CCTV-1.

The New Year's Eve dinner started promptly at 7 p.m., and the five of us, including Sister Jiang, ate for almost two hours. By the time the dishes were cleared away, it was nearly 9 p.m.

The Spring Festival Gala started early.

Several people were huddled on the sofa watching TV. Qu Zhen and Ding Wenjie sat together, Bai Ma sat cross-legged in the middle, and Ding Heng leaned against the side of the sofa.

"I am bored……"

Around 10 o'clock, Baima started yawning.

Fearing she might fall asleep immediately, Ding Heng simply said, "Let's go set off fireworks."

Baima roused herself and sprang up from the sofa: "Let's go, let's go!"

Qu Zhen reminded her again, "Be careful, don't let your little sister run around."

"Know."

The two got out of the car and drove towards the suburbs.

It was almost eleven o'clock when we arrived at the old street.

Wenjing stood at the store entrance waiting for them, her little face flushed red from the cold wind.

Not far away, at the end of the old street, lies a stretch of ruins left after demolition, offering a wide view.

Ding Heng moved the fireworks over and arranged them one by one.

"Alright, which one should we put in first?"

"This one! This one!"

Baima picked up a Gatling gun.

Ding Heng walked over, lit the fuse, and stepped back a few paces.

The fuse hissed as it burned, and with a loud "bang," the first firework shot into the sky, exploding into a golden flower.

"Wuhu!"

Baima exclaimed excitedly.

Then came the second, the third... colorful fireworks exploded in the night sky, illuminating the entire open space.

After firing the Gatling gun, Baima went to fire the rocket launcher.

She was incredibly bold, grabbing a lighter and heading straight for him, with Ding Heng following behind, ready to drag her back at any moment.

"Whoosh—snap!"

The rocket shot into the sky and exploded into a tiny flower.

Afterwards, she played with firecrackers, little bees, peacocks spreading their tails, and so on... Baima had a great time.

As midnight approached, she finally got tired of playing and sat down on a rock by the roadside.

Wenjing handed her a bottle of water: "Are you tired?"

Baima took the drink, sipped it, and shook her head: "Not tired! Just a little sleepy..."

Wenjing sat down next to her and reached out to help her tidy her hair, which had been ruffled by the wind.

Baima leaned on Wenjing's shoulder and yawned: "Sister-in-law, you're so kind."

Wenjing was a little embarrassed by her sudden praise: "Why are you suddenly saying this?"

"I just think you're good."

Baima was so sleepy and confused that she spoke without thinking: "I feel you're different from other women. My brother is really lucky to have found you..."

Other women...

Wenjing didn't speak, but looked up at Ding Heng not far away.

The man was squatting on the ground, picking up the fireworks debris and stacking the empty boxes one by one.

Twelve o'clock.

Fireworks and firecrackers resounded throughout the old town suburbs, crackling and popping incessantly.

Ding Heng's phone started vibrating in his pocket, with messages popping up one after another.

Upon closer inspection, the first message was actually from Wen Shu.

[Wen Shu]: Happy New Year, brother-in-law! Wishing you great wealth, good health, and all the best in the new year! [Sprinkling flowers][Sprinkling flowers][Sprinkling flowers]

[Ding Heng]: Happy New Year.

Ding Heng: [Transfer: 8888]

They received it instantly.

[Wen Shu]: Thank you, brother-in-law!!! Brother-in-law is the best in the world!!!

Ding Heng didn't reply and scrolled down.

[Lucky Zhao]: Happy New Year, Brother Ding Heng!!!

[Lucky Zhao]: Have you missed me? When are you coming to see me? []

[Ding Heng]: Happy New Year.

[Ding Heng]: Didn't we say we'd meet after the fifth day of the lunar new year?

[Lucky Zhao]: Couldn't it be earlier?

Ding Heng: Good boy...[

【Lucky Zhao】: Oh…[

[Lucky Zhao]: By the way, is Xiao Jingjing next to you?

【丁衡】：In.

[Lucky Zhao]: Then kiss her for me!

Ding Heng glanced at Wen Jing, who was not far away accompanying Bai Ma, put away his phone, and did not reply.

【Lucky Zhao】: Oh…[

[Lucky Zhao]: By the way, is Xiao Jingjing next to you?

【丁衡】：In.

[Lucky Zhao]: Then kiss her for me!

Ding Heng glanced at Wen Jing, who was not far away accompanying Bai Ma, put away his phone, and did not reply.

Scroll down, and you'll find Longhe.

[Sister Long is a dragon, not a milk dragon]: Happy New Year, brother!!!

[Sister Long is a dragon, not a milk dragon]: []

[Ding Heng]: Happy New Year. When is the concert?

[Sister Long is a dragon, not a milk dragon]: April! Changsha Station! I'll reserve a ticket for you then!

Ding Heng: Okay.

Finally, it's Hua Qing.

【A Sea of ​​Flowers Under a Sunny Sky】: Happy New Year.

Just four simple words.

[Ding Heng]: Happy New Year.

[Ding Heng]: What are you doing at home, senior?

【A Sea of ​​Flowers Under a Sunny Day】: Watching the Spring Festival Gala, how about you?

[Ding Heng]: We just finished setting off fireworks.

【A Sunny Day Amidst a Sea of ​​Flowers】: Get some rest early, goodnight.

[Ding Heng]: Good night.

The conversation remained utterly pointless, as if it were just a routine task being performed...

Ding Heng put away his phone and went over to stack the last few empty boxes.

Baima was so sleepy she could barely keep her eyes open, and she fell into a deep sleep leaning on Wenjing's shoulder.

Wenjing looked up at Ding Heng: "Are you going back?"

"Um."

Ding Heng bent down and picked up Bai Ma. The little girl was so light that she weighed almost nothing.

"Mmm...oh...oh..."

She mumbled something in her sleep, then drifted off to sleep again.

Ding Heng didn't understand, but guessed it was Tibetan.

The car started and drove away from the old street.

Baima lay in the back seat, curled up in a small ball, breathing evenly.

Wenjing sat quietly in the passenger seat, looking out the window.

Fireworks were still rising sporadically in the distance, exploding in the night sky before dissipating.

"Ding Heng".

"Um?"

"Happy New Year."

"Happy New Year……"