Chapter 154: New Year’s Eve

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

“Mom, come take a look at the gift Brother gave me!” Guo Yan exclaimed as she entered the house. She placed the bag she was holding on the table and beckoned her mom from the bedroom.

“What’s going on? Why are you back so early?” Guo Yan’s mom checked the time; it was only around three o’clock.

“Mom, come and see the gift Brother gave me!” Guo Yan rushed over, holding onto her mom’s arm, and led her to the table.

“What’s this that’s got you so excited?” Her mom asked as she opened the bag, revealing a stack of bright red property certificates.

“Xiao Chao, what are you up to?” Guo Yan’s mom’s expression turned serious as she looked at the stack of property certificates.

“Aunt, these are properties 1 purchased earlier, intended for investment.” Guo Yan giggled when she heard Zhou Chao mention “investment.”

“Don’t laugh. Let your brother finish!” Guo Yan’s mom shot her a glance, and Guo Yan immediately quieted down.

“I’m doing well with my current business, and I don’t need these properties. So, I’ve decided to transfer them to Xiao Yan. She’s not so young anymore, as the saying goes, ’Raise sons in poverty, raise daughters in wealth’. Since 1 have the means, I don’t want Xiao Yan to suffer any hardships. Isn’t that right, Guo Yan?”

“Yeah, yeah, Brother is absolutely right!” Guo Yan’s head bobbed up and down like she was mashing garlic.

“Oh, you!” Guo Yan’s mom didn’t know what to say to Zhou Chao for a moment. She knew that this kid had his own ideas, and once he decided on something, he wouldn’t regret it.

“Alright! 1 won’t say anything more. I’m going out to buy some groceries. You two enjoy some quality time tonight,” Guo Yan’s mom said as she picked up a basket for groceries and headed out.

“Haha, I’m going to be a little rich girl in the future!” Observing Guo Yan’s enthusiastic display of the property deeds, there was nothing to comment on this time; it was simply the joy of a child!

Zhou Chao lounged on the sofa, scrolling through short videos, paying little attention to the ecstatic and joyful antics of Guo Yan beside him.

Before long, Guo Yan’s phone started ringing incessantly, and Zhou Chao knew she had probably posted something on her social media.

“Guo Yan, delete your posts,” Zhou Chao said calmly, though Guo Yan was initially startled. However, seeing Zhou Chao’s stern expression, she didn’t argue and promptly deleted her posts.

“Don’t think I’m being too strict with you, sis. 1 just hope you won’t let these small gains blind you. By flaunting your wealth on social media, you’ll only make people think you’re a second-generation rich kid who relies on your family’s wealth. 1 just hope that one day, without relying on external things, others will see you as a truly wealthy individual with substance.”

“I understand, Brother! I might not fully get it, but I sort of do. Posting all those luxury items will only lower my style.”

“Yeah,” Zhou Chao replied, lying back on the couch and returning to his phone.

Time flew by, and it was already 4:30 p.m. At this point, the front door opened, and Guo Yan’s mom returned, carrying two large bags and a basket of vegetables. Zhou Chao quickly got up and took the bags from her.

“Third Aunt, you could have at least called!” With his words, Zhou Chao walked into the kitchen, carrying two large bags in his hands.

“It’s just a short walk; there was no need to trouble you,” Zhou Chao looked at her reddened hands and felt a tinge in his nose.

“Third Aunt, I’ll cook tonight. You go and rest for a while,” Zhou Chao said, pushing his aunt out of the kitchen.

“You young man!” Guo Yan’s mom wore a pleased smile when she saw Zhou Chao helping out in the kitchen. But when she noticed Guo Yan sitting on the couch, engrossed in her phone, her expression shifted from sunny to cloudy.

Meanwhile, Zhou Chao was busy in the kitchen. His excellent culinary skills allowed him to chop vegetables quickly. In less than twenty minutes, all the ingredients were prepared, and a pot of tomato spare rib soup was simmering away.

Zhou Chao glanced at the time; it was already 5 o’clock. His uncle would be returning soon. So, he started cooking the dishes.

“Mmm, it smells so good! When did your cooking skills become so impressive?” Guo Yan’s father, who had just entered the house, couldn’t help but salivate at the aroma.

“If I had such great cooking skills, would you be unaware of it? Xiao Chao is back and he’s in the kitchen!” Guo Yan’s mom rolled her eyes at her husband, then turned her gaze to the kitchen.

“When did Xiao Chao return? He didn’t even give me a call!”

“He came back today!” Guo Yan’s father was about to say something more when the kitchen door swung open.

“Uncle, you’re back! The dishes are ready, let’s eat!” The group of them got up and soon the table was filled with delicious food.

“Chao, come and have a drink with your uncle,” Zhou Chao didn’t refuse and joined Guo Yan’s father for a drink.

The dining table was filled with conversations and clinking glasses.

“Uncle, it’s getting late, and 1 should head back.” As the meal was wrapping up and everyone was now sitting on the sofa, Zhou Chao checked the time. It was time to go home.

“Alright, but don’t drive after drinking. Get a designated driver.”

“I got it, Uncle. I’m heading back now.”

At nine or ten o’clock in the evening, the streets were filled with designated drivers. Zhou Chao casually hailed one and took a ride back home.

In the blink of an eye, it was New Year’s Eve. Over these days, Zhou Chao had been dining out and drinking almost every night. He had also met with Lei Mingtang and discussed the wedding plans. Having had prior experience, Zhou Chao was now familiar with the process.

He and Lei Mingtang talked late into the night, finally ironing out all the details. Now, they just had to wait for the wedding, which was scheduled for after the New Year.

“Ding ding ding.” Zhou Chao was lounging on the couch, watching TV, when his phone rang. He glanced at the incoming call and raised an eyebrow.

“Bro, didn’t you say 1 should buy fireworks on New Year’s Eve? You’re not backing out now, are you?” Guo Yan’s excited voice came through the phone, and Zhou Chao couldn’t help but smile.

“Who said I’m backing out? I’ll buy them this afternoon. Why are you in such a rush?”

“I’ll call you again in the afternoon then!” Before Zhou Chao could say more, Guo Yan hung up, leaving him slightly bemused.

In the afternoon, just a short while after Zhou Chao had finished his lunch and relaxed on the couch for less than ten minutes, he received another call from Guo Yan. Letting out a sigh, Zhou Chao grabbed his car keys and drove over to Golden Coast to pick her up.

“Haven’t you played with fireworks before? Why are you so excited?” Zhou Chao asked with a grin, watching her sitting in the front seat, bubbling with enthusiasm as if she had just stumbled upon a treasure.

“Back where 1 used to live, we rarely had the chance to set off fireworks. I’ve always watched others do it.” Guo Yan’s words touched a soft spot in Zhou Chao’s heart. It seemed he hadn’t had much experience with fireworks either.

“Well, tonight, we’ll make up for it!” Zhou Chao drove to a fireworks specialty store and bought four large boxes of fireworks. It cost him nearly 3,000 yuan. Guo Yan also bought some smaller items to play with, filling the trunk of the car until she was satisfied.

“Let’s go, back home!” When they returned home, they found Guo Yan’s parents busy preparing the New Year’s Eve dinner..