Nangong Qing and A Xu also came over, and Yan Chuan and Yi Huan rested for two days.

Su Luo handed all the red lanterns in the courtyard to Nangong Qing and A Xu, and Du Xiuyuan specifically helped them pass the lanterns.

Yan Chuan and Yi Huan held up the little lion headgear they had bought and tried to imitate the lion dance.

The yard was filled with laughter as they played and joked around.

On Chinese New Year's Day, everyone worked together to prepare the New Year's Eve dinner.

Xie Wanwan and Nangong Qing could do almost nothing but watch the fire.

"Ah Xu, my braised lion's head meatballs are ready. Take them out."

"Alright!"

Ah Xu was busy carrying firewood and serving dishes, having a great time.

This New Year's Eve dinner was probably the most heartwarming and down-to-earth experience these young men and women had ever had.

Du Xiuyuan stood at the door with Yan Chuan and Yi Huan, setting off firecrackers. "Crackling and popping..."

Two children and an old man lit a firecracker with an incense stick, then ran to the corner of the gate, covered their ears, and squatted down.

The laughter was harmonious; Du Xiuyuan hadn't been this unrestrainedly happy in many years.

"Dr. Du, this is so much fun! Let's do it again!"

"Okay, okay..."

Yan Chuan pulled Du Xiuyuan along and hung up a new string of firecrackers.

The New Year's Eve dinner was a joyous occasion for all the guests.

Zhao Ruyun and Xie Wanwan started teaching Yanchuan and Yi Huan how to do paper cutting.

Su Luo tidied up and gave the fruit to Du Xiuyuan and the others.

"Su Luo, come out here for a moment, I have something to tell you."

Nangong Qing was in the courtyard when he suddenly called her out with a serious expression.

"What's wrong?"

"I……"

Seeing his predicament, Su Luo walked forward, leaned against the bridge in the courtyard, and fed the fish in the water.

The weather is getting cold, and the fish aren't swimming around much.

"Speak, what do you want?"

Nangong Qing hesitated for a moment, then took the letter out of her sleeve.

"Su Luo, this is the information I found about Yan Chuan's father. I hope you won't be too sad."

It was news from Chen Huaixu. Su Luo rushed to take it and read it. She didn't put the fish feed in her hand properly, and the whole bowl fell into the fish pond under the bridge.

Is he... still alive?

This news is crucial to her future, regardless of whether Chen Huaixu lives or dies.

The envelope had been opened; Nangong Qing had no intention of hiding it.

The moment Su Luo saw the contents, she finally felt completely relieved.

I was even a little happy!

Chen Huaixu is dead. He really is dead, just as he had predicted.

Now she no longer has to worry about anyone taking her child away from her, and her mother-in-law is also hers.

"Su Luo, don't be sad, please accept my condolences..."

Seeing that Su Luo had just spilled all the fish feed into the fish pond, Nangong Qing's heart skipped a beat.

"I'm not sad..."

"But thank you anyway for not letting my mother-in-law know first. If she had found out today, she probably wouldn't have had a good New Year."

I've taken this letter. I'll tell my mother-in-law in a couple of days; she'll find out eventually.

Su Luo's eyes were smiling, and there was not a trace of sadness on her body. Did she really not care about losing her husband?

Or perhaps she's already gotten used to it.

"Su Luo, what...what kind of feelings do you have for Yan Chuan and their father?"

This was Su Luo's privacy, but Nangong Qing still couldn't help but ask.

Leaning against the bridge, gazing at the courtyard adorned with red lanterns, where every household was brightly lit that night, the air between the two of them grew noticeably quieter.

“I have no feelings for him. You've already looked into my past, haven't you? It's just like you know.”

"Don't laugh at me, but Chen Huaixu and I only have two children. I've never even seen what he looks like, let alone know what kind of person he is."

"So what are your plans for the future? Will you find someone who cares about you again?"

"I...I...I..." Nangong Qing's eyes darted around, and after saying this, she panicked.

"I talk too much, if you don't want to talk, that's fine too..."

Su Luo smiled warmly, never expecting that the beautiful and proud Nangong Qing would also have such a flustered moment.

"What? You want to marry me?"

"No, no...no, I...I..."

"Hahaha... What are you panicking about? Even if you want to marry me, I don't want to get married yet."

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Nangong Qing's expression changed seventy-two times.

From initial panic to later frowning, and then turning into anger, Su Luo couldn't understand what he was thinking.

When the laughter stopped, Su Luo helped him adjust his shawl.

"I was just kidding. I don't know the answer to the question you just asked me. Even though Chen Huaixu is dead, I don't necessarily have to find a man to spend my life with."

I can live just fine without a man.

But if one day I meet someone with whom I have a soulmate, it's possible, but right now everything is unknown.

The men here all have multiple wives and concubines, so it's impossible for Su Luo to share the same husband with others.

She's not incapable of living a life of great wealth and luxury, so why bother going out and getting upset?

"Let's go back. Wanwan and the others will be here to call me to cut paper snowflakes soon."

Watching Su Luo's departing figure, Nangong Qing held onto the spot where Su Luo had just draped the shawl over his shoulders.

How can we determine if we are soulmates?

In the hall, everyone gathered around the bonfire, on which were two tables for them to place their paper cuttings.

"Miss Xie, your 'Year After Year Abundance' fish paper cutting is so beautiful, it looks like it's come to life. Could you teach me how to do it?"

Ah Xu scratched his head shyly, chuckling to himself.

"It's very simple. First, fold the paper according to the proportions, and then do this..."

When Yi Huan saw Su Luo come in, she ran over and showed her her work.

"Mom, look at the little flowers I cut out, aren't they pretty?"

"It looks good... Yi Huan's cut is the best."

Yi Huan is a beginner and can only cut out an irregular flower shape.

Su Luo took a piece of paper and a pair of scissors and sat down, unsure of where to begin with paper cutting.

Nangong Qing came in and sat down next to her. Seeing that she didn't know how, he took the things from her hands and said.

"I'll teach you..."

Can a man like Nangong Qing also do paper cutting?

This made Su Luo look at her with new respect.

With practiced skill, he quickly cut out a circular, hollowed-out flower shape, inside which was a lifelike rabbit.

"Nangong Qing, I didn't expect you to have this trick up your sleeve. You're really amazing."

Su Luo absolutely adored it.

"I'm going to stick this little bunny on my window in a bit, it's so cute."

Seeing this, Yi Huan ran to Nangong Qing's side and said, "Uncle Nangong, Yi Huan wants one too..."

Nangong Qing nodded smugly.

"Okay, Uncle will cut another one for Yi Huan."

Seeing the complicated cutting technique of these paper-cut window decorations, Su Luo realized she couldn't learn it in a short time, so she simply gave up.

He heated up a pot of tea for them, then suddenly remembered something and said to Nangong Qing.

"Nangong Qing, do you know a lot of people? Can you help me find an official? I don't trust anyone else."

I need someone capable and loyal, preferably from the same family. I'd also like to find a cook.