Chapter 127

As New Year's Eve approaches, the atmosphere of the New Year becomes stronger in the streets. The streets are filled with the sounds of hawkers, and all kinds of New Year goods are displayed on the streets. Passers-by stop to look from time to time. Even poor people who have worked hard all year come out with their families to buy New Year goods so that they can celebrate the New Year at home.

The county government office was closed for the holiday. Lin Shuge entered the room with some red papers. Three people in the room were drawing something with their pens. Xiaobai was lying in the warm bed, biting the quilt and playing with it, kicking his legs from time to time, and he was having a lot of fun.

"Have you finished writing?" Lin Shuge put the paper down and looked around the table.

Xie Chen and the other two were completing the task assigned by Lin Shuge, which was to write couplets. Originally, Xie Chen was going to write it, but the twins thought they had good handwriting skills and volunteered to give it a try. Lin Shuge was naturally happy and at ease, and with a wave of his hand, he handed the task over to the three of them.

"I've finished writing. Come and see it, brother." Xie Chen was full of confidence. He blew on the ink, put down the pen in his hand, and picked up the couplet to show Lin Shuge.

"Well, the brushstrokes are powerful yet vigorous and free and easy. It's well written. Zhongxuan, this one you wrote is suitable for hanging in the main room." Lin Shuge praised. It can be seen that Xie Chen's calligraphy was practiced by famous calligraphers since he was a child. He can make a lot of money by setting up a stall outside.

Lin Shuge's introduction of couplets in Ganzhou received a very good response and has become popular in various counties of Dingyuan. In recent days, there are many more scholars writing couplets on the streets of Qingquan County.

"Brother, brother, look at what I wrote." Lin Qingyuan hurriedly put down his pen and picked up the couplet he wrote to ask his brother to comment.

Lin Shuge glanced at what Lin Qingyuan had written, and then at what Lin Xuan had written. "Ayuan and Axuan wrote very smoothly and naturally. They have done a good job on their studies this year."

"Brother, Ayuan and I are going to post the couplets. The peach charms are not drawn yet, so you and Erlang can draw them." Lin Xuan was happy to receive good comments, and went out excitedly with Lin Qingyuan to post the couplets.

"Brother, aren't you going to write?" Xie Chen picked up the pen and started drawing on the paper. With each stroke, he could already see the general outline. Lin Shuge had seen his painting skills and knew that he was an excellent painter. He leaned over to take a look and saw that the character of Yu Lei in his painting had begun to take shape.

Lin Shuge: "You guys write it. I won't join in the fun." He saw that Xie Chen's men were very quick, so he pushed the job of painting Shen Tu to him like a cheat, and sat beside him and stared at him.

Xie Chen raised his eyes and smiled, looking very heroic. When Lin Shuge reacted, he was already in Xie Chen's arms. Xie Chen had hugged him from behind, and a pen was stuffed into his hand.

"Brother, let's paint together." As he spoke, he began to paint. Lin Shuge endured the burning sensation from his burning body on his back and focused his attention on the painting in front of him.

Xie Chen held his hand and traced stroke by stroke, "Brother, don't be distracted and concentrate on learning. This is how you should start drawing." He spoke confidently and seriously, as if he was a responsible teacher teaching students to draw. If his other hand, which was around Lin Shuge, had not been rubbing his waist, it would have been a shame.

"Zhongxuan, are you done with the painting?" Lin Shuge asked, with some gritted teeth in his voice.

"I'm teaching my brother how to draw. Isn't he happy?" Xie Chen was calm and composed. His breath penetrated Lin Shuge's neck. Lin Shuge glanced outside and said, "Let go when you've had enough fun. A Yuan and A Xuan are coming in."

Xie Chen didn't even raise his head and continued to draw, "Brother lied to me. Since brother doesn't study hard, then I will punish him by making him accompany me..."

Lin Shuge's waist was a little weak, his cheeks flushed, and he glared at him, "I won't play with you when you have a beautiful lady..."

"Brother, have you finished painting?" Lin Qingyuan's voice came from outside. Seeing the footsteps approaching, the door creaked slightly, and Lin Shuge quickly pushed it open and stepped out of his arms.

Xie Chen handed the two paintings to Lin Qingyuan and said, "It's finished."

"Wow, the painting is so good. I didn't expect Erlang to be such a good painter. Brother, why is your face so red? Is it too hot in the room?" Lin Qingyuan said, and walked over and stretched out his hand to test the temperature on Lin Shuge's forehead.

"No, maybe it's a little hot. Ayuan, you go and paste the peach charms first. Zhongxuan and I will follow soon." Lin Shuge quickly stepped back and said anxiously.

Lin Qingyuan looked at him suspiciously for a few times, then looked at Xie Chen to inquire. Xie Chen said, "Ayuan, Axuan is calling you."

Lin Qingyuan listened carefully and indeed heard Lin Xuan's voice, so he stopped pestering her and went out with the peach charm.

"Wei Zhongxuan." Lin Shuge's sinister voice came to his ears. Xie Chen turned around, hugged him and said, "Brother, I won't dare to do it next time. It's New Year's Day, you can't punish me."

Lin Shuge was hugged tightly by him, listening to what he said in his ear. He thought about the twins outside the house, and perhaps he should tell Ayuan and Axuan.

In the evening, the family sat together to eat the New Year's Eve dinner. As it was the first time they celebrated the New Year together, the meal was extremely sumptuous. Lin Qingyuan had been looking forward to the dinner when he had been helping out in the afternoon. He was very happy at this moment. The food on the table dazzled him and he kept putting food into his bowl. Xiaobai was also eating happily beside him.

Lin Shuge took out some wine and poured a glass of wine for everyone, then raised his glass and said, "May the new year be better than the old one."

"Brother, what you said is really good." Xie Chen praised. He also picked up the cup, and several people raised their glasses together, "May the new year be better than the old year."

There were bursts of firecracker sounds outside. Inside the house, Lin Qingyuan was loudly talking about recent interesting things. Xie Chen's alcohol tolerance was as poor as usual. Halfway through the meal, his eyes became a little dazed, and then he kept staring at Lin Shuge and laughing.

Lin Shuge pushed back Xie Chen's hand that he had repeatedly extended to him, and went to the kitchen to pour a few bowls of prepared hangover soup. "Ayuan and Axuan, you should drink a bowl later, or you will feel uncomfortable when you wake up tomorrow." He helped Xie Chen up, "Zhongxuan, drink it up obediently."

"Erlang's alcohol tolerance is not as good as mine. Axuan, look at Erlang, he is acting like a spoiled child to the eldest brother again." Lin Qingyuan laughed, but did not notice that Lin Xuan's eyes darkened slightly, and she looked at the two brothers steadily without saying a word.

After finally helping Xie Chen to lie down on the bed, the twins had already cleaned up the mess when Lin Shuge came back.

"Ayuan and Axuan, here are the New Year's money for you. Also, don't go to bed for a while." Lin Shuge handed them two red envelopes.

"Thank you, big brother." Lin Qingyuan said loudly after taking it.

Lin Shuge touched the head that was almost reaching his shoulder, looked at Lin Xuan with a smile, "Ah Xuan, you..." But seeing that Lin Xuan didn't seem happy, he sent Lin Qingyuan back to the room and pulled his sister to sit down.

"Axuan, what happened?" Ever since he came to Qingquan County, he has been busy with official duties and has hardly taken care of the twins. Could it be that Axuan has something on her mind?

Lin Xuan seemed to be in great difficulty. She looked at him, hesitant to speak, and then let out a long sigh.

Lin Shuge was frightened. Lin Xuan never needed him to worry about anything. What could be so difficult for her to talk about? Just as he was about to open his mouth, he heard Lin Xuan say, "Brother, are you and Erlang really going to do this..."

Lin Shuge was shocked and his face was hot. He didn't dare to guess what Lin Xuan meant, but he saw a trace of embarrassment on her face. "You know? I wanted to find a suitable time to tell you."

Lin Xuan said anxiously, "Brother, you know this is difficult. People can ruin you forever with just one word. I don't want you and Erlang to go through this so hard."

Lin Shuge was somewhat relieved: "You mean you don't object?"

"Why should I object? I see the affection between you two. Erlang is very careful with you and always thinks of you. Didn't my elder brother always worry about him? But my elder brother, although there have been gay couples since ancient times, no one has ever..."

"Ah Xuan," Lin Shuge interrupted, "I don't really care what the world says. I only care about you, A Yuan, and what he thinks. He is determined, and I can't be a coward and make him feel uneasy all day. Although he doesn't say it, I know he is always worried about gains and losses. I don't know what he is afraid of, but no matter how difficult it is, I will accompany him."

Lin Xuan looked up at her brother and nodded, "Brother, I understand." She smiled and looked determined, "If anyone dares to talk nonsense in front of you in the future, I will make them..."

"Brother, what are you and Axuan talking about?" Lin Qingyuan saw that the atmosphere was a bit depressing and thought that the two were arguing.

"We are talking about what we will show you later." Lin Shuge saw Lin Xuan shaking her head slightly at him, and paused before speaking.

"What? What?" Lin Qingyuan was indeed attracted by this topic and no longer worried about what had just happened.

"Wait a little longer, it's not time yet. Go back to the house first. I'll go see if Zhongxuan is sober."

Lin Shuge returned to the room and saw Xie Chen still sleeping soundly. He poked his cheek angrily and suddenly came out of the closet, towards his younger sister. Even though Lin Shuge was usually calm, he felt a little embarrassed.

While he was lost in thought, his fingers were grabbed by someone. Xie Chen had just woken up, and his voice was a little low. "Brother," he called out. Seeing Lin Shuge looking at him with resentment in his eyes, he immediately sat up and asked, "Brother, what's wrong?"

"Ah Xuan knows."

"Know what?"

Lin Shuge looked at him speechlessly. Xie Chen suddenly realized what was happening, scratched his head, and said nervously, "I'll explain to her tomorrow, is she..."

After all, she kidnapped someone's brother, and it was very well-mannered of Lin Xuan not to come in and scold her.

Unexpectedly, Lin Shuge shook his head and said, "Ah Xuan is very good. She has no objection. She is just worried that we will be burdened by worldly rumors."

Xie Chen suddenly stood up and took something out of the box. Lin Shuge asked curiously, "What are you looking for?"

"I had prepared the New Year's money for Ayuan and Axuan, but I got drunk just now." Xie Chen looked unnatural, and his fingers holding the red paper seal turned pale. After a pause, he walked out.

After a long time, Xie Chen finally came back. Lin Shuge was already a little drowsy. He felt a little cold on his face. When he opened his eyes, he saw Xie Chen's hand that had not been retracted. "Are you going to give it back?"

Xie Chen didn't answer his question, "I just had a few words with A Xuan."

Lin Shuge hummed, and Xie Chen asked, "Brother, don't you want to ask what we talked about?"

"No need to ask." Lin Shuge said with a smile.

What is there to ask? Just look at Xie Chen’s expression and you will know what the two of them said.

"Brother, I'm so happy." Xie Chen buried his head in Lin Shuge's arms and rubbed it gently.

"I'm happy too. Zhongxuan, get up and look outside." Lin Shuge said softly.

Xie Chen turned around and looked outside with him. Only a few stars could be seen in the dark night. It was a cloudy night with bad weather. Xie Chen was about to say what was so good about the night, but suddenly the entire night sky was lit up, and countless gorgeous fireworks bloomed in the sky, dazzling and shocking.

"Brother, what is this?" Xie Chen's voice was not very clear amid the noise outside.

"Fireworks." Lin Shuge's eyes were reflecting bright fireworks. Xie Chen even felt that these eyes were more beautiful than fireworks. He laughed out loud and stood side by side with him, watching a scene that he would never forget in his life.