Chapter 88 Happy New Year! Turns out you can make two sweet dumplings...

Jin Suiqing was both amused and exasperated. This guy was drunk, how could he still remember to supervise someone brushing their teeth?

Is brushing your teeth some kind of behavior etched into your DNA? Taking advantage of his drunkenness, Jin Suiqing blurted out her question: "Why do we have to brush our teeth?"

Jin Shiyu lowered her eyelids and whispered, "Because my sister's tooth hurts when she had it pulled... it hurts too."

What did he say?

Is he in pain too?

Jin Suiqing was somewhat surprised. She blinked and tried hard to recall her childhood: she was locked in Jin Shiyu's arms and couldn't move, her mouth gagged, and the doctor put large pliers into her mouth... Every time she thought about it, she felt a sharp pain.

While she was pondering, Jin Shiyu took out a handkerchief, dipped it in the wine in the bowl, and carefully wiped her fingers clean before cupping Jin Suiqing's face in his hands and saying in a serious tone, "Come on, sister, open your mouth and let me see if you have any cavities."

Look how drunk he is! Jin Suiqing hurriedly reached out to push him away, but Jin Shiyu's strength was perfectly controlled, making it impossible for her to break free without causing her pain. As Jin Suiqing struggled, Jin Shiyu's thumb had already pried open her teeth and pressed it inward.

“Jin… Jin Shiyu,” Jin Suiqing mumbled, “I don’t have any cavities now.”

Jin Shiyu said coldly, "Before the tooth was pulled, you also said you didn't have any cavities. Be a good girl, open your mouth."

Jin Suiqing panicked, her gaze darting back and forth:

Hui Hong was helping Xu Qingqing walk out, while Ji Saiyu closed her eyes, leaned back in her chair, and stroked Gong Dagou, who was sprawled on her lap, like a dog.

Right now, no one can pull Kim Si-ok away for her.

Jin Suiqing closed her eyes in despair. After a moment of internal struggle, still hesitating between clenching her teeth and opening her mouth, Jin Shiyu's tone turned several degrees colder, carrying a commanding tone: "Open your mouth."

Jin Suiqing subconsciously let out an "ah" and opened her mouth.

“Good girl,” Jin Shiyu smiled and carefully examined her teeth under the light.

Jin Suiqing wanted to cry but had no tears. The two were clearly not related by blood, but he had raised her since then. The sibling-like oppression was ingrained in her bones. If Jin Suiqing did not resist at all, she would have died with him.

Damn it, damn it! Jin Suiqing was filled with righteous indignation, while Jin Shiyu remained oblivious. After confirming that there were no cavities, she released Jin Suiqing and pointed to the half-eaten sweet dumpling in the bowl, "Eat."

Why should his word be law? Jin Suiqing got angry and turned her head away from the half-eaten sugar dumpling. "You said that eating sweets will cause cavities."

Kim Si-ok: "Brushing your teeth is enough."

"It won't get better."

Jin Shiyu looked troubled, lowered his eyes and pondered for a moment, "But that was specially wrapped for you."

"Was it specially made?" Jin Suiqing's heart softened, and she turned around to secretly glance at him. "Really?"

Seeing her turn around, Jin Shiyu smiled and her eyes narrowed. "It's true, Mother said that eating sweet dumplings will bring good luck in the coming year. She used to make them for me, and now I'm making them for my sister."

Jin Suiqing was stunned.

His words were like two soft knives piercing Jin Suiqing's heart, stinging her slowly.

All the anger he had felt earlier vanished, and Jin Suiqing felt a pang of soreness. He raised his hand and rubbed his nose.

"What's wrong? Do you find the food unpalatable and don't want to eat it?" Jin Shiyu's eyes were fixed on her, and she quickly said, "If you don't want to eat it, it's fine, little sister."

Jin Suiqing shook her head, "It's not that it tastes bad, it just tastes a bit sour."

"Sour?" Jin Shiyu looked at the half-eaten sweet dumpling. "They were all made fresh today, they shouldn't be sour."

Jin Suiqing picked up the remaining half of the sweet dumpling with her chopsticks and brought it to his lips, "Want to try some?"

Jin Shiyu obediently opened his mouth, bit into the half dumpling, and chewed it carefully. He was about to say, "It's not sour..." but when he looked down and saw Jin Suiqing's bright eyes, he swallowed his words back.

Jin Suiqing clapped her hands happily, "Brother also ate sweet dumplings. Next year will definitely be smooth and sweet for you too."

After going around in circles, the sugar dumpling ended up back in Kim Shi-ok's mouth.

Jin Shiyu stared blankly at Jin Suiqing, but in his heart he recalled the words Gu Hanjiang had said to him before he left.

Don't hate your sister, she did nothing wrong.

Nineteen years later, Kim Si-ok finally understood the meaning of those words.

His mother never wanted him to live with hatred. Love and hate are always equal; whatever he gives, he will receive back in return.

He loves his sister uncontrollably, and his sister will reciprocate with an equal amount of love.

With the sweet dumplings she hadn't made in nineteen years, she gave him her love.

Jin Shiyu sobered up, but seemed drunk again. He suddenly started laughing loudly, which frightened Jin Suiqing. She quickly stood up and turned Jin Shiyu's face towards her: he was clearly laughing, but tears kept streaming down his face.

"Brother, what's wrong with you?"

"Jin Suiqing, Jin Suiqing..." Jin Shiyu called her name, pulling her into his arms, then changed his address, calling her name again and again, "Sister, sister..."

He wasn't very strong, and she could easily push him away. But Jin Suiqing felt that it wasn't Jin Shiyu's arm that was holding her, but clearly Jin Shiyu's soul. Jin Suiqing dared not move, afraid of shattering his soul. She thought to herself that he was really difficult to deal with when he was drunk, but she smiled and hugged Jin Shiyu, gently patting his back.

Jin Suiqing said, "Jin Shiyu, why are you crying? It's just a sweet dumpling, is it really that big of a deal?"

Without a reply, Jin Suiqing counted on her fingers and continued talking to herself, "Look, there's only one this year, so we'll each have half, sharing the good fortune equally; next year, you can make two, and we'll each have one, doubling the good fortune, and we'll be happy together, isn't that great?"

Hearing her rambling, Kim Si-ok cried even harder.

He never imagined that two sugar dumplings could be made.

*

Outside, firecrackers and fireworks went off. Jin Suiqing glanced at the time and realized that the group had been drinking until midnight.

Right now, besides Jin Shiyu, there's no one else to watch the fireworks with her. Jin Suiqing patted her a little harder, "Don't cry, come with me to watch the fireworks."

Jin Suiqing wiped away Jin Shiyu's tears, pulled him out of the house, and before leaving the courtyard, Jin Shiyu didn't forget to retrieve his cloak.

After pondering for a moment while looking at the clothes rack, he reached out, took a piece of clothing, draped it over his arm, and left with Jin Suiqing.

Although they said they were watching fireworks, Jin Suiqing was actually worried that the new children in the village might set them off carelessly, fearing that a fire might start and cause a disaster.

When they arrived at the location, they saw two elderly men, Li Yousheng and Ma Anping, wearing armbands and happily helping each other maintain order.

Jin Suiqing jogged over and greeted the two: "Grandma Ma, Grandpa Li, it's so late, aren't you asleep yet?"

Ma Anping said happily, "I haven't seen so many children in decades. It's so lively. We also want to stay up all night to welcome the New Year." After saying that, she took out a red envelope from her bosom and stuffed it into Jin Suiqing's arms, "Suiqing, Happy New Year, here's your red envelope."

Jin Suiqing accepted the red envelope without ceremony, and cheerfully bowed, saying, "Happy New Year to Grandpa and Grandma."

Li Yousheng glanced at Jin Shiyu following behind her and asked suspiciously, "And who is this...?"

“Oh! I forgot to introduce you,” Jin Suiqing grabbed Jin Shiyu and said, “He’s my brother, doesn’t he look familiar?”

Ma Anping squinted at Jin Shiyu for a moment, then suddenly realized, "Oh, the one who brought mining equipment into the mountains to rescue people three years ago."

Jin Suiqing patted Jin Shiyu's lower back with a playful laugh. Jin Shiyu understood and nodded in greeting, "Hello, Grandma. Hello, Grandpa."

Back then, she looked very pretty, but she had a fierce and menacing air about her. Now, she can be so gentle and kind.

Ma Anping and Li Yousheng exchanged glances and smiled knowingly.

"Okay, okay," Ma Anping said, taking out another red envelope. "Now that you've called them grandpa and grandma, you have to accept red envelopes."

Jin Suiqing smiled and refused the red envelope, then took Jin Shiyu's arm, "Grandpa and Grandma, no need, we're family, one is enough."

A family.

After listening, Jin Shiyu paused several times before nodding somewhat absentmindedly under the gaze of the two elderly people.

The two old men looked Jin Shiyu up and down suspiciously. After a long while, they finally asked Jin Suiqing, "What are you two planning to do..."

Jin Suiqing: "We plan to get married after the New Year."

Li Yousheng paused slightly, then asked in confusion, "Isn't he your brother?"

Jin Suiqing pulled Jin Shiyu down by the collar, then stood on tiptoe and brought their faces close together, playfully asking, "Do we look alike?" The two old people shook their heads. Jin Suiqing then went to them and whispered, "He is my brother, but not by blood."

After the explanation, the old couple couldn't say anything more. Li Yousheng thought for a moment, then strode confidently to Jin Shiyu. Jin Shiyu was so tall that Li Yousheng couldn't help but puff out his chest to show his strength. "Be nicer to Suiqing in the future. If we hear that she's suffered any injustice, those old guys in Xu Village aren't to be trifled with!"

Jin Suiqing watched Li Yousheng from behind, secretly covering her mouth and laughing.

Jin Shiyu felt a surge of bitterness. After three years apart, besides him, Jin Suiqing now had 'family' who could support her.

He is no longer Jin Suiqing's only one.

Jin Shiyu was not happy, but he shouldn't refuse Jin Suiqing's request, so he lowered his head and said respectfully, "This junior will keep it in mind."

Jin Suiqing, perceptive as ever, sensed that Jin Shiyu was in a bad mood. She smiled and said goodbye to the old couple, then intertwined her fingers with Jin Shiyu's and led him to the edge of the open space. Turning her head to look at him, she asked, "Why are you unhappy?"

Jin Shiyu remained silent, then unfolded his cloak and draped it over Jin Suiqing. "It's nothing, just be careful not to catch a cold."

If you don't admit it, then you're unhappy.

Jin Suiqing pursed her lips and looked at his shoulder, saying, "Why did you only take one item?"

Jin Shiyu lowered her eyes and reached out to tie the ribbon for her. "I was in a hurry, so I just grabbed one."

“Nonsense,” Jin Suiqing glared at him, slapped his hand away, took off his cloak, shook it out, and draped it over his shoulders. “You’re afraid to look me in the eye again.”

Jin Shiyu tried to take it off, but Jin Suiqing stopped her with a look. She refused to tie it, lifted the cloak, and tumbled inside. After struggling for a while, she poked her head out again, gripped the edge tightly, and looked up at him, laughing so hard her eyes almost disappeared. "This way you'll be warm, Jin Shiyu, that's what you think, right?"

Under the cloak, Jin Shiyu naturally enveloped Jin Suiqing, pulling her into his arms, and his hands also gripped the edge of the cloak with hers.

The space beneath the cloak was cramped, but because the two of them were gripping each other tightly, the cold wind could no longer get in.

Jin Suiqing couldn't get out either.

Jin Shiyu felt much better. He rested his chin on the top of Jin Suiqing's head and thought to himself, Jin Suiqing always knows how to make him happy.

Whether it was intentional or unintentional.

In the open space, bursts of fireworks rose into the sky, firecrackers crackled, and amidst the red and yellow hues, children chased each other, brandishing sparklers. Time passed, so long that the adults called the children home, and Li Yousheng and Ma Anping helped each other away.

Soon, there were hardly any people left.

They waited until the last firework rose into the sky and exploded with a bang.

Jin Suiqing exclaimed in delight, "This one is so big and so bright!"

Jin Shiyu had no interest in admiring the scenery; he lowered his head, his eyes filled with nothing but gold fragments and green.

The warm yellow fireworks illuminated her large, bright eyes, and a layer of warm mist clung to her eyelashes. She nestled in his arms, feeling warm and cozy, and with each gasp, white steam rose from her eyes.

As the fireworks faded, Jin Suiqing suddenly looked up and said earnestly, "Happy New Year, Jin Shiyu."

Jin Shiyu looked at her and hummed in agreement, "Happy New Year."

*

The group enjoyed a wonderful vacation.

Xu Qingqing still insisted on trying to get Jin Shiyu drunk before he passed out, but each time she failed; Huihong seemed to have figured something out and had been going to the greenhouse more often these past two days; Gong Dagou no longer touched alcohol and would go to the stage to perform zip-lining and show off to the children, becoming the king of the kids; Ji Saiyu was too lazy to move at all and would never leave her room except to eat.

The group of people spent the rest of the day together until the fifth day of the lunar new year.

The factory needs to resume production, so even if Boss Liang Jin is lazy, he has to go to work.

She covered her head, struggled in bed for a moment, and reached out to touch the side.

Is it empty, or is it cold?

Kim Shi-ok got up early.

Jin Suiqing struggled to sit up. Before she could even open her eyes, a warm towel was already placed over her face. Jin Shiyu knelt by the bed and gently wiped her face. "Breakfast is ready. Rinse your mouth and get up to eat."

Jin Suiqing mumbled a couple of "uh-huhs" in her sleep, took the towel from his hand, and wiped herself with grumbling, "When are you planning to go back to the capital, brother?"

"I'll be back in two days, before the Lantern Festival."

Jin Suiqing stopped what she was doing, blinked at him, and asked, "Isn't it getting a little late?"

Jin Shiyu took the towel from her hand, rinsed it in hot water, and dried her hands. "It's not too late."

It was actually quite late.

He needed to buy a horse and ride it all the way back, which would take five days and five nights without stopping. When he arrived in the capital, he would have to avoid the patrols of the magpies. If there were no problems, he could barely make it in time for the Lantern Festival.

He had this thought only because he wanted to stay with Jin Suiqing for a couple more days.

Jin Suiqing did some mental calculations and shook her head, saying, "No, that would be too stressful. It's best to leave today; we can rest for a couple of days when we get back."

There will be a banquet in Ziwei City on the Lantern Festival, and the Jin family will inevitably have to attend. If he misses it or looks tired on the day of the banquet, Huangfu Li will definitely become suspicious of him.

Jin Shiyu didn't reply, but continued to wipe her hands, and when washing the towel, he noticeably applied more pressure.

Jin Suiqing thought again, why not go and say hello to Sister Yin, and simply smuggle the Kui Dragon used by Jin Shiyu to transport goods to the capital? That way, there would be less trouble and the speed would be faster.

Just as she was pondering which option was more suitable, there was a sudden knock on the door. Huihong called out in a low voice from outside, "Sui...Suiqing, something bad has happened!"

Jin Suiqing slapped Jin Shiyu's hand away, rushed to the door, opened it, and asked, "What's wrong? Tell me slowly."

Huihong ran quickly, her forehead covered in sweat, and she was still holding a large cabbage covered in mud in her arms. She said in a trembling voice, "His Highness the Crown Prince arrived early and is waiting for you outside the courtyard!"