Chinese New Year

Qin Yanan waited all day, but Lin Xiao never gave her a gift.

Actually, a tablet is nothing to her.

She wouldn't even care about the most expensive tablet.

What she cared about was that this was a gift from Lin Xiao.

Therefore, not receiving a gift caused her to be in a state of anxiety and uncertainty all day.

……

Lin Xiao was naturally unaware that her actions had caused a misunderstanding.

After handing the tablet over to the female demon, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The female boss is very interested in tablets.

For the next two days, every time Lin Xiao entered the Cangxuan Realm, Yu Jiuyou treated him almost as if he didn't exist.

This also meant that Lin Xiao was unable to raise Yu Jiuyou's favorability level again.

This problem really troubled Lin Xiao.

It seems that we can only proceed to the next step of building favorability after Yu Jiuyou's interest in the tablet has diminished somewhat.

As time goes by, the Chinese New Year is fast approaching in the real world.

As the Lunar New Year approached, the population of Shanghai decreased rapidly.

Most of the shops outside have closed down.

Lin Xiao wasn't too surprised by this.

The prosperity of Shanghai is supported by the millions of workers throughout the entire Canglong Kingdom.

Therefore, as the year draws to a close and migrant workers return home for the holidays, this once bustling city becomes the quietest place of the year.

Lin Xiao is an orphan who grew up in an orphanage.

No parents, no relatives, and no "home" to return to.

In previous years, he had limited ability to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

He either cooks a bowl of dumplings in his rented room to tide him over, or he buys some snacks and supplies to take back to the orphanage.

Then he joined the elderly woman who was the headmistress and other children who were just as helpless as him to join in the fun.

This year is different; Lin Xiao's situation has improved a lot because of this inexplicably appearing game.

It's more than enough to provide the headmistress and the children with some things for the New Year.

He really didn't want to stay alone in the desolate rented room any longer.

He missed the smile of the headmistress, the noisy chatter of the children, and the pure warmth of the orphanage.

……

On New Year's Eve, Lin Xiao got up exceptionally early, packed his things, and drove to a nearby large shopping mall that was still open.

The shopping mall was busier than outside, mostly with people like him who hadn't gone home or were buying New Year's goods for their relatives.

The festive New Year songs echoed in my ears, and the aroma of food mixed with the New Year's spirit warmed my heart.

Lin Xiao moved among the shelves, constantly buying all sorts of things she needed for the New Year.

When I was a child, the headmistress would always try her best to buy us candy and new clothes for the Chinese New Year.

It wasn't much, but it was the best she could give.

Back then, he and the other children would surround the headmistress, asking for candy, pasting Spring Festival couplets, and setting off firecrackers.

His simple yet warm life is his most precious childhood memory.

Now that he's grown up, it's his turn to protect those children who were once as lonely as he was, and to repay the kindness of the headmistress who raised him.

All he could do was try his best to bring them joy and let them feel the warmth of home.

This time, Lin Xiao specially found a cargo truck and only agreed to deliver goods for him during the Chinese New Year after he paid the other party an extra thousand yuan.

Soon, after several moves, Lin Xiao had filled the entire cargo haul truck to the brim.

The total cost was over 100,000 yuan, which shocked everyone in the mall.

After all, no one has ever seen anyone use a haul truck to purchase New Year's goods.

Lin Xiao naturally didn't care about the stares of passersby, since he had more relatives than others.

In order to prevent the dean from suspecting that his money was ill-gotten, it was also, in a way, a triumphant return home.

Lin Xiao even drove the luxury car that Qin Yanan had given him before.

With this vehicle as proof, I believe the headmistress won't refuse the supplies she delivered.

What he didn't realize was that while he was driving his car, leading the way for the cargo,

Qin Yanan was sitting in the driver's seat of a white sedan parked on the side of the road.

Her beautiful eyes were fixed on his figure, her expression a complex mix of emotions.

Because of the annulment of the engagement, she had a falling out with her family and naturally did not go home for the Chinese New Year.

This year, she is also alone in another city.

I was originally thinking that I might be able to spend the New Year with Lin Xiao today.

But to my surprise, Lin Xiao went out very early in the morning.

Thinking about the gift she hadn't received, she felt a little puzzled.

I wanted to find Lin Xiao to get some answers and see if I had really misunderstood.

Then, she followed Lin Xiao all the way to the shopping mall here.

Seeing Lin Xiao drive away, Qin Yanan thought for a moment and finally followed him.

……

Looking at the five characters "Qingshan Orphanage" at the entrance of the courtyard, Qin Yanan's eyes flashed with shock, realization, and a hint of guilt.

She finally understood that the "preparation" Lin Xiao mentioned was never meant for her.

Lin Xiao didn't forget, nor did he not care; it's just that there was someone more important to protect in his heart.

Qin Yanan sat in the car, silent for a long time.

Listening to the laughter and cheerful voices gradually rising from the orphanage, and watching Lin Xiao's busy figure, the disappointment in her heart was slowly replaced by tenderness and respect.

This seemingly ordinary boy has a kind and warm heart.

This warmth is more precious than any expensive gift.

She didn't leave immediately, but sat in the car quietly watching everything in the orphanage.

Lin Xiao and the children put up Spring Festival couplets and hung lanterns together.

The children surrounded him, chattering and asking for snacks, their faces full of innocent joy.

At that moment, Qin Yanan felt a warmth in her heart.

This is the meaning behind their willingness to risk their lives to eliminate evil spirits.

……

In the orphanage on the other side, Lin Xiao handed the prepared down jacket to the director, Grandma, and said with a smile:

"Grandma Dean, Happy New Year! This is a down jacket, scarf, and gloves I bought for you. It's cold, so please wear them so you don't get cold."

The headmistress took the down jacket and touched the soft fabric.

Looking at Lin Xiao, her eyes instantly reddened, and she smiled repeatedly, saying, "Good child, you're so thoughtful. You've been saving money for yourself, yet you still remembered to buy us so many things. Thank you so much."

Grandma Dean watched Lin Xiao grow up, from a thin little boy into a sensible and responsible young man.

Over the years, no matter how well or poorly Lin Xiao was doing, he would always come back to spend the Lunar New Year with them.

This gesture deeply moved her.

"Grandma Dean, why are you being so polite with me?" Lin Xiao smiled and said gently.

"I was raised by you, and in my heart, you are my family. Buying things for the children and spending the New Year with you are things I should do."

The children had already gathered around, chattering and calling out "Brother Lin Xiao."

Lin Xiao squatted down, patted the head of the little boy in front, and said with a smile, "Don't worry, I brought lots of delicious food and fun things, I promise you can eat and play to your heart's content."

He then distributed the candy and cookies to all the children.

The children took the snacks, their eyes crinkling with smiles, and chatted with Lin Xiao as they ate.

Some said they learned to write, while others said they learned to sing.

The chattering sounds instantly enlivened the quiet courtyard, filling it with the festive atmosphere of the New Year.

Lin Xiao stood up and looked at the headmistress, saying, "Headmistress, I bought Spring Festival couplets and lanterns. Let's decorate the yard together and add some festive atmosphere, okay?"

"Okay, I'll do whatever you say." The headmistress nodded with a smile, her eyes full of satisfaction.

So, after unloading all the New Year's goods, Lin Xiao and the children got busy.

Spring Festival couplets were pasted on the gate of the courtyard and the door of each house.

The children helped by handing over glue and Spring Festival couplets, and stood on tiptoe to try to help stick them on; their movements were clumsy but they were very earnest.

Red lanterns hang at the entrance of the courtyard, swaying gently in the breeze, creating a festive atmosphere.

Paper-cut window decorations are pasted on the windows, and balloons are blown up and hung in the yard.

In the blink of an eye, the entire orphanage was filled with festive cheer and a strong sense of the New Year.

After arranging all this, Lin Xiao began preparing the New Year's Eve dinner.

The headmistress helped out while the children gathered at the kitchen doorway, asking questions all at once.

"Brother Lin Xiao, when is the best time for New Year's Eve dinner?"

"Brother Lin Xiao, we want to eat dumplings!"

While cooking, Lin Xiao replied with a smile, "Almost done, just wait a little longer. Once it's done, we'll have New Year's Eve dinner and make dumplings together."

"Okay!" the children shouted in unison, their eyes full of anticipation.