Chapter 775: The New Year

During New Year’s Eve, every family put up lanterns and colored banners.

In the past few years, the standard of living of every family in Taoyuan village improved. Naturally, there was a pursuit for quality of life.

In the past, during the New Year, everyone would at most buy one or two firecrackers to put on, or some people would put up one or two couplets to pray for a better standard of living next year. Then, they would buy some meat and snacks that they were usually reluctant to buy. That was the new year.

Now, every family lived in a new house, and every family bought a new car. They did not lack the money for firecrackers and meat. Therefore, firecrackers and fireworks were a must for every family. They had also prepared a large amount of food to store.

However, Taoyuan Village was now a tourist village. These firecrackers and fireworks could not be randomly placed. They had to be placed at the designated location.

Taoyuan Village closed on the day before New Year’s Eve. The entire village was hung with red lanterns and colored lanterns. It was very much like the new year.

The Xiao family had all returned. On the days before the Lunar New Year, everyone, regardless of gender or age, was busy.

They were busy with both work and family. The New Year had to feel like the New Year.

Everyone had already agreed that the lunar new year would be spent at Xiao Lingyu’s house.

It had been like this for the past few years. They were no longer separated from each other. During the Lunar New Year, they would usually be at the Xiao family’s house. Mother Xiao was good at cooking and was in charge of cooking. The other sisters-in-law would be in charge of helping out.

As for the men, they were in charge of things like cleaning.

In short, the family was very harmonious. They did not care about who did the most work and who did the least.

“Brother-in-law, up a bit. Yes. That’s it!”

Gong Tianhao was standing on a stool and sticking couplets at the door.

Xiao Lingshuo was looking at the positioning from below.

It was the first time Gong Tianhao had done something like this since he was born.

In the past, his family would also stick couplets and hang lanterns, but they were all handed to the servants to do. He had never done it himself.

But after marrying Xiao Lingyu, he realized that he had already gone through many firsts, such as washing vegetables, cooking, and cleaning. He was like many ordinary men helping out around the house.

In the past, the Xiao family had no money and did everything by hand. It was not a big deal.

Now, the Xiao family was already a millionaire. It wouldn’t be strange for them to hire a few people to do the work.

However, the Xiao family did not do that. They would rather do the work at home themselves.

Over the years, Grandpa Xiao and his wife, as well as the uncles, had built new houses. Xiao Lingyun and her children were originally living with their parents, but Gong Yinxiong was pursuing her harder and harder. The people around them were also trying to set them up. Furthermore, Gong Yinxiong was really good to her. He did not mind that she had two daughters. In fact, he even doted on the two children more than she did. This was not something that could be done just by putting on an act.

Furthermore, Gong Yingxiong and Gong Tianhao were brothers who trusted each other. Based on her relationship with Xiao Lingyu, if Gong Yingxiong weren’t a man worth trusting, Gong Tianhao would stop him from pursuing Xiao Lingyun. Therefore, if there were no accidents, she would definitely marry Gong Yingxiong.

Previously, because of Gong Tianhao’s accident, Gong Yingxiong couldn’t stay in Taoyuan village.

Later, after Gong Tianhao recovered, Gong Yingxiong stayed in the village and pursued his wife.

Some time ago, Xiao Lingyun and Gong Yingxiong finally confirmed their relationship, and everyone was very happy.

Eldest Uncle and Aunt Xiao immediately decided to build a new house so that their daughter and her new family could move in immediately. After all, it was sometimes inconvenient for a son-in-law to live with his parents-in-law.

When Xiao Lingyun heard that, she was both angry and amused. She said, “Dad, Mom, are you that eager to chase me away?”

Eldest Aunt Xiao rolled her eyes and said, “We’re not chasing you away. You’re still our daughter even after you get married. Plus, Yingxiong is a good man. You shouldn’t let him go. You’ve already made a mistake once, so you can’t make it again.”

Xiao Lingyun, “…”

At this moment, Gong Yinxiong hugged Xiao Lingyun and said with a smile, “Dad, Mom, I won’t only be your son-in-law in the future, but I’ll also be your son. I’ll definitely take good care of Yun ‘Er, and I’ll also take good care of the family too.

When Eldest Aunt Xiao heard this, her eyes turned red, and she said emotionally, “Yes, okay. Yinxiong, I believe in you!”

At this moment, Xiao Lingyun said somewhat speechlessly, “Gong Yinxiong, we haven’t even married yet, and you’re already calling them mom and dad.”

In order to pursue his wife, Gong Yinxiong’s face had become very thick. He said, “Anyway, we’re going to get married sooner or later. They’ll be my parents soon. So it makes no difference.”

Xiao Lingyun, “…”

Uncle Xiao and his wife, “…”

Gong Yinxiong’s skin was really getting thicker and thicker.

In the end, Gong Yinxiong also agreed to build a house for him and Xiao Lingyun.

Xiao Lingyu’s family also expanded, but they didn’t build a new house. Instead, they added two new floors. In the past, the house was a two-story building. Now it had been modified into a four-story villa. It was very beautiful.

The couplets had to be pasted everywhere. With the scale of the houses, this work would take half a day.

They started at Father and Mother Xiao’s home.

It was Gong Tianhao’s first time putting up the couplets, so he was a little rusty. However, practice makes perfect.

Soon, a set of couplets was put up.

After Gong Tianhao got down from the stool, he stood in front of the couplets.

Xiao Lingshuo held the other couplets in his hands and said, “Brother-in-law, bring paste with you. We’ll paste more of them! Xiaohui, take these lanterns too!”

Gong Tianhao nodded and said, “Yes, okay. Let’s go!”

Xiao Xiaohui followed behind with the lanterns.

Gong Tianhao became more and more familiar with the work. In the morning, all the couplets were pasted, and the lanterns were hung up one by one.

When he saw the couplets, the lanterns, and the sincere smiles of the children around him, Gong Tianhao felt the atmosphere of the New Year for the first time. It was lively and festive.

After putting up all the couplets, Gong Tianhao saw that there was only one set of couplets and a pair of red lanterns left. He asked with some doubt, “Shuo ‘Er, why do we have an extra set of lanterns and couplets?”

Xiao Lingshuo covered his mouth and laughed, “Brother-in-law, I knew that you would forget about this.”

“Oh?” Gong Tianhao really couldn’t remember which family he had forgotten.

Xiao Xiaohui hugged the lantern and almost rolled his eyes. He said with a speechless smile, “Brother-in-law, don’t you need to put up the couplets at your own home?”

Gong Tianhao finally reacted and said with a smile, “That’s right, the Gong family hasn’t put up the couplets yet.”

He had been with the Xiao Family so much that he had forgotten about his own home.

The three of them took their things to the Gong family’s residence again.

“Eldest young master!” Xiao Zhang and Xiao Wang were cleaning the courtyard.

It was the new year. Apart from Xiao Zhang and Xiao Zhang, who stayed behind, Old Master Gong gave everyone else a holiday. He told them to reunite with their families and come back on the eighth day of the New Year.

Gong Tianhao nodded and instructed Xiao Xiaohui, “Xiaohui, go and bring a stool over.”

Xiao Zhang looked at him and asked, “Eldest young master, what are you going to do?”

Gong Tianhao nodded and said, “Paste the spring festival couplets!”

Little Zhang was slightly surprised and said, “Eldest young master, Xiao Wang and I can help you with that.”

Gong Tianhao refused, “There’s no need.”

A moment later, Xiao Xiaohui came out with a plastic stool.

After a while, the spring festival couplets were posted and the red lanterns were hung.

“Okay, done!” Gong Tianhao clapped his hands happily. Then, he asked, “Shuo ‘Er, did we miss anything?”

Xiao Lingshuo shook his head and said, “No, brother-in-law!”

Gong Tianhao raised his wrist to look at the time and said, “It’s almost time for dinner. Let’s go back and eat. Xiao Wang, Xiao Zhang, hurry up.”

“Oh, okay, Young Master!” The two of them replied.

After Gong Tianhao left, Xiao Zhang said to Xiao Wang, “Do you feel that ever since young master came to the Taoyuan Village, he has become more humane?”

Xiao Wang nodded his head in agreement and said, “Yes, you’re right. Young master is becoming more and more humane. He’s no longer the cold and stern young master from before.”

Xiao Zhang said in amazement, “If I hadn’t seen the eldest young master’s changes with my own eyes, who would have thought that a ruthless emperor in the business world would become like this?”

Xiao Wang agreed very much. Then, he said, “Let’s quickly pack up and go eat!”

Then, the two of them packed up and went to eat.

It was noon, and everyone was still busy. When it was time to eat, a few people rushed back with sweat all over their heads.

“Where are you guys going? Why are you all sweating?” Eldest Aunt Xiao asked Eldest Uncle Xiao.

Eldest Uncle Xiao said, “Tonight, on New Year’s Eve, everyone will set off fireworks. Mingyang and I looked around to see if there were any inflammable and explosive objects around.”

Eldest Aunt Xiao asked, “Did you find anything?”

Eldest Uncle Xiao shook his head and said, “No. The villagers have already done several sweeps.”

“Then why did you come back with sweat all over your forehead?” Eldest Aunt Xiao asked in puzzlement.

“What else could it be? Isn’t it already meal time? Mingyang and I quickly ran back!” Eldest Uncle Xiao said. If they were late, there might not be food for them anymore.

Everyone, “…” Their worry was not unfounded.

Xiao Lingyu saw Gong Tianhao return and smiled as she went up to him and asked, “Are you done with the couplets?”

Gong Tianhao nodded and said, “Yes, I’m done.”

At this moment, Xiao Xiaohui smiled and said, “Big Sis, brother-in-law almost forgot to paste the couplets at his own home.”

Hearing this, Xiao Lingyu also found it funny and said, “Oh, is that so?”

Gong Tianhao didn’t admit it and said, “Don’t listen to him. I didn’t forget at all. How could I forget about my own home?”

Xiao Xiaohui shouted, “Don’t worry. I have a witness. Fourth Brother, tell Sis. Didn’t brother-in-law forget about his own home?”

Xiao Lingshuo rolled his eyes at Xiao Xiaohui and said, “No!” But in his heart, he thought, ‘Let’s help brother-in-law save face.’

Xiao Xiaohui, “…” Big Brother-in-law and fourth brother are bullying me.

The members of the Xiao family rushed back one after another.

“Okay, everyone, hurry up and wash your hands. It’s time to eat!” Fourth Aunt Xiao came out with a stack of bowls and chopsticks and shouted.

Soon after, everyone in the courtyard rushed to the backwater basin and waited to wash their hands.

Lunch ended happily.

In the afternoon, the atmosphere was really festive.

The sound of children playing and laughing could be heard everywhere.

Just after lunch, many children in the village came to look for Xiao Letong and Xiao Ling to play.

Xiao Letong and Xiao Ling were beautiful and cute. Moreover, they loved cleanliness and hygiene. Most of the children in the village liked to play with them. If they had anything to eat or play with, they would first run to the Xiao Family to give the brothers. This made the parents of these children feel both funny and helpless.

Xiao Ling didn’t mind this. Even though he had lived for tens of thousands of years, his mind was very simple. He had never played with children before. Now that he was out of the space, he wanted to play with other children.

However, Xiao Ling had always remembered his identity. Even if he wanted to play, he would follow Xiao Letong.

As for Xiao Letong, he was already an old monster that had lived for thousands of years. Once he returned to the infant stage, he had no choice but to put away his cold and aloof attitude and return to being a child.

In total, he had already passed through three infant stages.

The first was when he was born for the first time. However, Xiao Letong only had a vague memory of that life. His impression was that he was lonely. The children didn’t want to play with him, or they came to bully him. So he didn’t have a good childhood in that life.

The second time was when he transmigrated. When he was born, he was carried to the Heavenly Mountain sect. In the sect, there were mostly adults. Plus, due to his identity, none of the children dared to play with him. Therefore, he grew up without a playmate.

Now, in this third lifetime, he could finally enjoy a real childhood.

However, seeing the snot-faced children, Xiao Letong was a little afraid. These children were too unhygienic.

However, he also knew that most of the children in the countryside were like this.

Xiao Letong could not tolerate it. His first order as the king of children was to enforce cleanliness. Unhygienic children couldn’t play with him. Xiao Letong was a great leader in his previous life. Now, even though he had become a child, his dignity was still there. Every child obeyed his order.

Therefore, no matter how dirty the children in the village normally were, when they went to see Xiao Letong, they would make themselves look very clean.

This made the parents of these children feel helpless, so they could only prepare a few sets of clothes for them a day. Anyway, they were not short of money now. They could still afford a few sets of clothes.

When Xiao Letong and Xiao Ling saw the children in the yard, the other children took out the new toys that the family had bought for them or the new snacks their families had bought for them. Then, they stretched out their hands and handed them to Xiao Letong and said carefully, “Tong Tong, this is the new gun that my dad bought for me. I haven’t started playing with it yet. Come, I’ll let you play with it. This is the kind of gun that shoots bullets. It’s very fun.”

“Tong Tong, this is the football that my mom bought for me. Let’s play with it later.”

“Tong Tong, this is the new candy that my mom bought for me. It’s so sweet. Come, eat it!”

“Tong Tong, this is a walnut that my grandma bought for me. It’s really delicious. Here, have some!”

All of them were fighting to give Xiao Letong toys and snacks.

Xiao Letong looked at their hands and then glanced at them again. He didn’t take their things immediately. Instead, he smiled and said, “The clothes you’re wearing today are really beautiful!”

“Is that so? Tong Tong!” All the children were extremely happy to receive Xiao Letong’s praise.

“Yes, of course, it’s true. They are very beautiful!” Xiao Letong praised them generously.

Because it was the new year, these children were dressed very cheerfully and fashionably. Most of them were dressed in red. They were all very fashionable. Over the years, as the standard of life got better, the children became more well-fed too. When they wore these clothes, they looked really beautiful and cute.

The reason why these people were willing to be led by Xiao Letong was that other than him being beautiful, handsome, and smart, Xiao Letong would praise and criticize them as the situation demanded it. He was a very good leader.

“Tong Tong, can you go out and play with us?”A child asked carefully.

“Yes, Tong Tong, these new toys are really fun. Let’s go out and play together!”

Xiao Letong immediately said with a serious face, “We can go out and play, but we have to be clean, understand? If anyone gets dirt on them or the others, I won’t play with them anymore!”

“Yes, yes, we all know!” The children nodded happily. They had always known that Tong Tong was a very clean and hygienic child.

A moment later, Xiao Letong took Xiao Ling and a group of children outside to play. The children’s happy laughter soon spread throughout the entire village.

With Xiao Letong leading this group of children to play, the parents did not have to worry. These children would never dirty the new clothes that they had just put on.

Taoyuan village was very happy and festive to welcome the new year.