Chapter 622 - 625: Happy New Year

Chapter 622: Chapter 625: Happy New Year

After the reunion dinner, everyone was in high spirits and not the least bit sleepy.

They gathered in the courtyard, chatting and warming themselves by the fire as they stayed up for the New Year’s vigil.

Hua Manman held a cup of hot tea while her kitten, Little Flower, dozed at her feet.

She felt a weight settle on her shoulders and turned to see Li Ji draping a cloak over her.

Li Ji sat down beside her and asked in a low voice.

"Are you cold?"

Hua Manman shook her head. "I’m not cold."

Li Ji touched her hand, and only relaxed after confirming her fingers were warm.

Hua Manman rested her head on his shoulder.

She watched the flickering flames and said softly.

"I wish Gou Dan were here."

Li Ji wrapped an arm around her waist and hummed in agreement.

"We’ll see him soon."

Hua Manman said, "Once the Crown Prince can rule on his own, let’s leave Tianjing and find a place to live in seclusion."

Li Ji agreed without hesitation.

Originally, Manman had wanted to find a fiefdom and live out the rest of her life in peace.

But with Li Ji’s current power at court, even if he were willing to relinquish his authority, the others would not necessarily let him go.

The tree may crave stillness, but the wind never ceases.

Now, she no longer dared to hope for a fiefdom. She only wished that Li Ji could retire peacefully in the future, without any more trouble.

As these chaotic thoughts ran through her mind, sleepiness gradually crept up on her. Hua Manman’s eyes slowly closed, and she drifted off without realizing it.

When the night watchman’s call sounded from outside, midnight had arrived.

The old year passed, and the new year arrived.

Li Ji looked down at the woman sleeping in his arms and whispered.

"Happy New Year."

He had spent the previous five New Year’s Eves all alone.

After a long and lonely wait, he had finally been reunited with the one he had yearned for.

It was as if the sun had broken through the clouds and a warm breeze had melted the ice and snow.

All the past suffering had become worthwhile.

From now on, they would spend every year together.

...

When Hua Manman woke up, she found herself in bed, covered by a soft quilt.

She got dressed and went outside, seeing Li Ji downstairs.

Li Ji was talking with Li Liao.

When they saw Hua Manman approaching, they tacitly stopped their conversation.

There was hot water ready in the kitchen. Li Ji ladled some out for Manman to wash up, then took two large meat buns from the steamer, placed them on a plate, and handed it to her.

"We only made meat buns today. Make do with these for now, and I’ll make you a bowl of hot noodle soup later."

Hua Manman remembered his disastrous cooking skills. She quickly took a bite of a meat bun and said while chewing.

"No, no, the meat buns are enough."

Li Ji narrowed his eyes. "Are you criticizing my cooking?"

’How was I supposed to answer that?’

’I didn’t want to betray my conscience, nor did I want to pierce the damn man’s ego.’

’I guess I’ll just have to coax him.’

Hua Manman wiped her mouth, stood on her tiptoes, and gave him a quick peck on the lips.

"Of course not, of course not! I love you so much, how could I ever criticize you?"

The corners of Li Ji’s mouth turned up uncontrollably.

"You know what’s good for you."

Hua Manman continued to eat her meat bun, thinking, ’This damn man is actually pretty easy to please. A little kiss and a few sweet words, and he’s immediately placated.’

Li Ji looked down and saw her eating happily.

Her pearly white teeth bit into the bun, and in one bite, a large chunk of it was gone.

A slight sheen of oil on her lips made them look even more plump and red.

Like red cherries hanging from a branch, exuding a sweet aura.

Li Ji asked, "How do the meat buns taste?"

Hua Manman nodded without hesitation. "They’re delicious."

The meat buns were generously filled, and the dough outside was steamed white and soft. With each bite, the savory juices seeped into the bun, releasing a fragrant and delicious aroma.

She then asked, "Didn’t you have any meat buns this morning?"

Li Ji had, of course, eaten some. But now, he lied with a straight face.

"No."

Hua Manman was about to offer Li Ji the other meat bun on the plate so he could try it too.

But Li Ji grabbed her wrist, leaned down, and took a bite of the bun she was holding.

Right where Manman had just taken a bite.

A piece of the meat bun was gone.

Li Ji straightened up, chewing slowly and deliberately, his gaze fixed on Hua Manman’s lips as he gave his serious evaluation.

"It really is delicious."

His actions made Hua Manman’s cheeks flush.

Just as she was about to say something, she heard a cough from the doorway.

"COUGH, COUGH!"

Hua Manman and Li Ji looked toward the sound and saw Li Liao standing in the doorway.

There was no telling how long he had been standing there.

Hua Manman worried that her father-in-law had seen her intimate moment with Li Ji. Mortified and embarrassed, the blush on her cheeks deepened.

Li Liao, seemingly oblivious to the fact that he’d just interrupted his son, said with a perfectly straight face.

"The luggage is all packed. When can we set off?"

Hua Manman hastily finished the bun in her hand in a couple of bites.

"We can go now."

Only after she had finished it did she remember that Li Ji had just taken a bite from that very bun.

She didn’t really mind sharing saliva with the damn man—they were an old married couple, after all, and had done far more intimate things. This was trivial.

The main reason was her embarrassment, since Li Liao had seen the whole thing.

Li Ji stared expressionlessly at his own father, as if he were looking at a 300-watt light bulb.

Li Liao, completely lacking the self-awareness of a third wheel, remained firmly planted on the spot. He even took the initiative to comfort his daughter-in-law.

"There’s no need to rush. Take your time eating. Be careful not to choke."

Hua Manman wiped her lips with a handkerchief and demurely stated that she was already full.

In front of an elder, she naturally had to be polite and try to appear more ladylike.

But the next moment, she heard Li Ji ask.

"How could one meat bun possibly be enough for you?"

With that, he took out two more large meat buns from the steamer and handed them to her, gesturing for her to eat her fill and not go hungry.

Hua Manman: "..."

’That damn man was undermining her!’

She first glanced at her father-in-law standing in the doorway, then lowered her voice and hissed at her husband.

"Put them away for now. I’ll eat them later."

Li Ji indicated that he understood.

He immediately found a clean cloth bag and stuffed all the remaining meat buns and steamed buns from the steamer into it.

It filled the large bag completely.

He patted the bulging bag and said.

"Don’t worry, these are all for you. I guarantee you’ll have plenty to eat."

Hua Manman tried to save face. "I can’t eat that many."

Li Ji replied without hesitation.

"You’re being too modest."

Hua Manman didn’t want to deal with him and turned to look at Li Liao, who was still standing in the doorway.

Li Liao gave her a kind and amiable smile and said in a tolerant and encouraging tone.

"It’s good to eat more. A healthy appetite is a blessing."

Hua Manman: "..."