novelraw Chapter 339 Hong Kong New Year's Eve
Chapter 339 Hong Kong New Year's Eve
This year's Lunar New Year's Eve was even more lively and vibrant than usual, thanks to the addition of Sha Zhu and Yu Shui. The table full of delicacies was a testament to Wang Yuling's culinary skills, and to everyone's surprise, Sha Zhu, after just a few days of intensive training, had also managed to cook several signature Cantonese dishes quite well, perfectly capturing their freshness, aroma, and cooking time, demonstrating his remarkable talent.
Lin Yan put down his ivory chopsticks with satisfaction, then turned his gaze to Sha Zhu, who was grinning and accepting everyone's praise. As if remembering something, he casually asked, "Brother Zhu, there's something I forgot to ask. Why didn't you bring Uncle He along this time? I remember he's a veteran in the trade."
As soon as the words were spoken, the silly siblings, who had been all smiles just moments before, suddenly looked gloomy. The lively atmosphere at the table also paused slightly.
Raindrops lowered their heads, silently picking at the rice in their bowls. Sha Zhu sighed heavily, a complex, bitter smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, tinged with an unspeakable embarrassment and sorrow.
"Hey, why bring him up..." He picked up the wine glass in front of him, tilted his head back and drank the spicy liquid in one gulp, as if trying to suppress his surging emotions. "The year Yi Zhonghai fell from power, I felt it was an opportunity, so I took Yu Shui and made a special trip to Baoding. After much persuasion, I invited him to come back to Beijing so that our family could be reunited."
He shook his head, his eyes filled with deep helplessness: "But what did they say? They said the factory valued him and couldn't do without him. Bah! That sounds nice, but everyone knows he couldn't bear to part with that widow Bai... We had a huge argument there and parted on bad terms. My brother and I returned to Beijing looking dejected, and we haven't seen each other since."
He picked up the bottle and poured himself a full glass, the clear liquid shimmering under the light. "It's just that every year during the Lunar New Year, I, as his son, send him some money, just to fulfill that little bit of blood ties." He raised his glass, giving it a self-deprecating shake in the air. "Who told me... to end up with a father like this!"
The bitterness in his tone silenced everyone present for a moment.
At this moment, Lin Gang raised his glass, a hearty smile spreading across his face, and his loud voice broke the slightly heavy atmosphere: "Brother Zhu, Sister Yushui, if you ask me, look to the future! In a few years, things will be even better here, and the country will be even better. Then, Brother Zhu, with Sister Yushui and your newlywed beautiful wife, will return to Beijing in style! That's what you call a triumphant return, a triumphant triumph! Come on, let's have a drink for that!"
Sha Zhu felt a surge of warmth in his heart at these words, and the gloom in his eyes lessened considerably. He wiped his mouth forcefully, grinned again, and loudly agreed, "Hey! Brother Gangzi, you've hit the nail on the head! Let's go for this, fill it up! Boil it down!"
After everyone had finished their sumptuous New Year's Eve dinner in a lively atmosphere, and were chatting over tea, Lin Er suddenly remembered something, slapped his forehead, and laughed, "Young Master, look at my memory! The company bought a huge batch of fireworks at the end of the year, which were originally intended for the annual party, but the schedule was too packed and it got delayed. Now is the perfect time, how about we set them off in Victoria Harbour? It'll add some festive spirit!"
Upon hearing this, Lin Yan's eyes lit up with interest, and he nodded, saying, "That's a good idea. How about this, you call Wenbin, Jiaming, and Brother Liuqian to see if they'd like to come out and have some fun. Invite Brother Damao and Sister Xiao'e along too." He paused, a slight smile playing on his lips, displaying his usual thoughtfulness, "And prepare a few extra generous red envelopes; the kids will probably all be coming, and the red envelopes should be festive."
"Okay, I'll go arrange it right away!" Lin Er was about to turn around when Lin Yan called him back.
"Is there anything else you need, young master?"
A playful glint flashed in Lin Yan's eyes as he chuckled, "After the fireworks, let's just take a boat to Macau and spend a few days there. I've heard that the newly opened casinos there are quite impressive. You guys can go try your luck and 'sweep the field'."
Upon hearing this, Lin Er immediately beamed, "Young Master is so thoughtful! I'll go and prepare the yacht and the Macau trip right away, I guarantee everything will be perfectly arranged!"
Upon hearing that they were going to Macau to gamble, Sha Zhu and Yu Shui, the siblings, immediately looked hesitant and exchanged glances. Sha Zhu rubbed his hands together, somewhat embarrassed, and said to Lin Gang, "Gangzi, well... my sister and I won't be going. First, you've already given us a huge favor by providing food and lodging and buying us these new clothes; second, the little money we have... it's really nothing to show off, we'd just be watching from the sidelines, so we don't want to spoil everyone's fun!"
Upon hearing this, Lin Gang deliberately put on a stern face: "Zhu Zi, that's quite a roundabout way of putting it. Are you looking down on me, Lin Gang? Since I'm the one bringing you out to broaden your horizons, why would I let you pay? Just follow along and have fun! The young master has spoken, what are you afraid of?" He then turned to Wang Yuling and smiled: "Yuling, I'm leaving Yushui in your care. Bring plenty of pretty clothes; we're going to have some fun with her for a few days!"
Lin Yan smiled gently at the right moment, his tone relaxed yet with an undeniable confidence: "Brother Zhu, don't worry. I can't guarantee anything else, but here, the one thing you don't have to worry about is money. Now that you're out here, have fun to your heart's content, everything is on me."
These words finally dispelled the last concerns of Sha Zhu and his sister, and Yu Shui's face once again showed an expectant smile.
Ten minutes later, Lin Er returned after making the call, and Lin Yi had already started the car and was waiting at the door. Except for the Sha Zhu siblings, who went back to their rooms to seriously pack their luggage, everyone else tacitly went back to their rooms and symbolically packed two suitcases—after all, they had storage rings on them, so this was just for show.
When Lin Yan and his group arrived at Victoria Harbour, Li Wenbin, Zheng Jiaming, and others were already there. Three trucks from the Lin Group were parked quietly to the side, and dozens of large cardboard boxes filled with various fireworks were neatly arranged on the ground. As soon as Li Wenbin saw them arrive, he immediately shoved his daughter into Lin Yan's arms, took out a lighter, and was about to rush forward.
"Wait!" Lin Er quickly stopped him. "Wenbin, you're still so impulsive! Take the little one to a safe distance first."
Duo Duo, nestled in Lin Yan's arms, wasn't shy at all. She stared at the handsome uncle with her big, bright eyes and suddenly planted a kiss on his cheek. Li Wenbin watched with a hint of envy, while He Zhiqing couldn't help but chuckle, "Our Duo Duo just loves good-looking people. She's grown up watching such a handsome uncle like Lin Yan; how is she going to find a husband?"
This remark drew laughter from everyone. Lin Yan gently pinched Duo Duo's rosy cheeks and said loudly, "My niece, Lin Yan, has no worries about getting married? When Duo Duo grows up, she can just tell her uncle whoever she likes—" He deliberately dragged out the words, his eyes gleaming with a playful light, "and I'll just tie her up and bring her to the wedding ceremony. I guarantee she won't dare say no!"
"Hahaha—" Everyone was amused by this and laughed so hard they almost fell over. Even Lin Er, who was setting up the fireworks, shook his head with laughter. Although Duoduo didn't understand what the adults were laughing about, she also giggled and held tightly to Lin Yan's collar.
Lin Yan smiled and placed Duo Duo and the three children from the Tang family side by side in a safe viewing spot, like arranging a row of adorable New Year's picture dolls. He took out a thick stack of red envelopes from his suit pocket and carefully gave each child two, even Xu Xiaoling and He Yushui, who were standing to the side, received an unexpected surprise.
"Uncle is giving you New Year's money," he said, bending down to gently stroke the children's heads, a tender smile playing at the corners of his eyes. "Wishing our little lucky stars a prosperous New Year and peace year after year."
Having said that, he straightened up and nodded to Lin Er, who had been waiting for a long time. The starry sky and the lights on the opposite bank reflected in his smiling eyes, and his clear voice carried on the night breeze:
"Lin Er, light it! Wishing everyone a Happy New Year—" Before he finished speaking, the first cluster of fireworks roared into the night sky.
"boom--"
A burst of vibrant golden chrysanthemums erupted in the night sky above Victoria Harbour, their shimmering light reflecting on the joyful smiles of everyone present. Lin Yan stood amidst the cheering crowd, looking up as the dazzling display of color flickered in his eyes.
"May your business flourish." He finished speaking softly, a gentle smile curving his lips.