Chapter 243 - 93: Red Envelopes, Going to Yundu to Watch Fireworks

At 11:50, Jiang Li, having had a nap, quickly washed her face and pulled Shen Yanzhi downstairs.

Jiang Bowen and the rest of the family were sitting on the sofa watching the Spring Festival Gala, chatting intermittently while snacking on sunflower seeds and oranges.

Hearing the commotion, Shen Yugang turned around. When he saw the two of them approaching hand in hand, he couldn’t help but tsk. "It’s one thing for Xiao Li to take a nap, but you went up with her? Just how precious do you think you are?"

Jiang Manshu nodded in agreement. "Exactly. With you around, I’m afraid Xiao Li couldn’t even sleep peacefully."

Still, seeing how close the two of them were, she, as a mother, felt at ease.

Jiang Li didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She turned to Shen Yanzhi and whispered, "Looks like your status in this family is dropping by the day."

Shen Yanzhi shrugged nonchalantly and raised an eyebrow at Jiang Li. "As long as your status is high, that’s all that matters. I don’t care if mine is low."

’Besides, he had a feeling that once their child was born, his family status would hit rock bottom.’

’Oh, on second thought, Shen Yuchu will be at the very bottom.’

’I can probably manage to be second-to-last.’

Jiang Li stepped forward to defend Shen Yanzhi. "Mom, Dad, don’t blame him. I was the one who asked him to come up with me."

Jiang Manshu shook her head in resignation. "Oh, Xiao Li, you just spoil him rotten!"

Jiang Li led Shen Yanzhi to a seat. Jiang Manshu immediately took Jiang Li’s hand and said with heartfelt gravity, "You can’t spoil a man. Otherwise, they get ruined."

Shen Yanzhi couldn’t help but ask, "Mom, who’s your real son, anyway?"

’Of course, he truly hoped Jiang Manshu would treat Jiang Li like her own daughter.’

Jiang Manshu’s reply was firm and decisive. "Xiao Li, of course!"

’Are you kidding? With a daughter-in-law this wonderful, who needs a son?’

’If it weren’t for her position, she’d want Jiang Li to just have the baby and ditch the father.’

’It’s like they say, you’re better off giving birth to a pork roast than a son. They do nothing but make you angry day in and day out.’

’Their only use is to marry a daughter-in-law you like, and maybe give you a little spending money each month.’

Shen Yuchu burst out laughing. "Big Brother," he teased, "I never realized you ranked so low in this family."

Jiang Manshu shot Shen Yuchu a disdainful look. "And you have the nerve to laugh? In this house, your status is the lowest of all."

Shen Yuchu’s smile vanished instantly.

’Why did I have to go and mock Shen Yanzhi just now?’

On the television, the hosts began the countdown.

"10... 9... 8..."

Forgetting all about their family rankings, the entire family joined the hosts in the countdown.

"5... 4... 3..."

At the end of the countdown, everyone shouted in unison, "Happy New Year!!!"

Jiang Li held her hand out to Jiang Bowen. "Dad, wishing you a prosperous new year! Now, where’s my red envelope?"

Jiang Bowen shook his head in fond exasperation and pulled out the red envelopes he had prepared long ago from his pocket.

The red envelopes weren’t just for Jiang Li; there were also ones for Shen Yanzhi, as well as for Shen Yuchu and his wife.

Before Jiang Li could even ask, Jing Shiyun produced two red envelopes from out of nowhere. She chuckled, "In this new year, I hope you and Xiao Shen have a sweet life together."

Jiang Li and Shen Yanzhi replied in unison, "Thank you, Mom."

Having collected red envelopes from Jiang Bowen and Jing Shiyun, their next stop was naturally Shen Yugang and Jiang Manshu.

But before Jiang Li could even show off her skills by wishing them a happy new year, Shen Yugang and Jiang Manshu had already taken out their red envelopes. "We ask for nothing more than for the two of you to be healthy and for your life together to grow ever sweeter."

Holding the thick red envelopes, Jiang Li beamed. "Don’t you worry, Mom and Dad. Ah Yan and I will only grow sweeter and sweeter."

After collecting the four red envelopes, Jiang Li walked over to the side and picked up the ones she had prepared earlier.

First, she handed envelopes to Jiang Bowen and Jing Shiyun. "Dad, Mom, this is a small token of appreciation from Ah Yan and me. We wish you a happy New Year and hope all your wishes come true. May you have many more happy years to come."

The couple didn’t refuse; after all, it was a token of affection from the younger generation.

[System Detection: Host has spent 50,000 yuan on a New Year’s red envelope for Jing Shiyun’s husband. A 100x rebate has been triggered. 5,000,000 yuan has been deposited into your bank account. Please check for receipt.]

Hearing the system prompt, Jiang Li felt a secret thrill of delight.

She had originally planned to give them checks but then decided that cash had more impact. So she had specially gone online to buy the largest possible red envelopes—the kind that could fit 50,000 yuan.

’Spending 50,000 to get 5,000,000 back... this was a foolproof, can’t-lose business.’

Next up were Shen Yugang and Jiang Manshu. "Dad, Mom, Happy New Year. I wish you peace and health in the coming years, and may each year be better than the last."

Jiang Manshu’s eyes grew moist. "Good... good..."

’This was the first time Shen Yanzhi wasn’t spending the New Year alone.’

’She had even braced herself for the day Shen Yanzhi might bring home a male "daughter-in-law." Then, out of the blue, he announced he was getting married. She’d assumed it was a loveless match.’