Chapter 159 Happy New Year No matter what Mingxi asked...
No matter how Mingxi asked, Wei Ning remained silent.
Mingxi glared fiercely at Wei Ning one last time.
Fine, you don't want to say, huh? Then she won't ask anymore. Let Wei Ning keep it to himself!
Mingxi, in a fit of pique, stopped asking what Wei Ning had said and stormed off home.
Wei Ning noticed that Ming Xi was angry, so he didn't dare to say anything more and could only follow silently behind her.
Mingxi lowered her head, sulking. When she caught a glimpse of Wei Ning secretly following behind her, she became even angrier.
"Say something!" Wei Ning is usually so eloquent and persuasive, so why is he speechless right now? If he offered a few words of explanation or softened his tone, Ming Xi might not be angry.
But Wei Ning didn't say a word at this moment, silently following behind Ming Xi, like a saw-off gourd, which was infuriating.
The two remained silent until they reached the courtyard gate. Mingxi stopped and glanced back at Weining. Weining's lips twitched slightly, and he was about to say something when he heard Mingxi give a heavy "humph" before turning and walking into the courtyard.
"You're back?"
When Zhao Sulan saw Mingxi return, she asked curiously, "How did it go? Did Wei Ning take you out..."
She was halfway through her sentence when she noticed Mingxi's sullen face and realized something was wrong: "What's wrong? Why do you look unhappy? Did Weining bully you?"
Seeing Zhao Sulan's anxious look, Mingxi quickly explained, "No, no, it's just... it's just a small argument."
Mingxi herself couldn't explain what she was angry about. Was it just because Wei Ning refused to tell her what the sentence she hadn't heard was? Or was she actually hoping that Wei Ning would say something?
Mingxi herself hadn't figured out the problem, so naturally she didn't know how to tell Zhao Sulan.
She stammered and gave a perfunctory answer.
"Well, it's nothing serious anyway."
Hearing that Mingxi hadn't been bullied, Zhao Sulan felt much relieved. It wasn't that she wanted to get involved in the young people's affairs, but she was worried that Mingxi would be bullied.
Now that she knew it was just a minor disagreement between the two children, she didn't pry into it. Instead, she changed the subject: "Okay, I see it's getting late, it's time to make dumplings."
Mingxi rolled up her sleeves: "Okay, I'll help!"
Mingxi washed her hands and kneaded the dough, while Zhao Sulan chopped and mixed the filling. The sounds of their kneading and mixing created a harmonious symphony with the sound of the television.
Mingxi worked quickly and kneaded the dough. She covered the board with the dough and Zhao Sulan assigned her a new task: "Go wash a few coins. We'll put them in the dumplings when we make them later, to bring good luck."
"OK!"
Mingxi readily agreed and quickly went inside to find the coins.
Just as she found the coin, she suddenly heard a commotion outside. Mingxi curiously peeked out and saw Aunt He from across the street sticking her head out of her house.
Aunt He: "I think I heard someone arguing. It's the Lunar New Year, what couple is fighting?"
Mingxi shrugged: "I don't know."
She only came out after hearing the noise.
Aunt He: "It sounds like the noise from the front yard. Let me see what's going on."
Where there's excitement, Mingxi couldn't be left out. She immediately followed Aunt He's footsteps, and the two of them arrived at the front yard, only to find that it wasn't the people in the front yard arguing, but Dong Chunling and Hu Mingyi arguing outside the yard.
Mingxi immediately stood at the door, took out a handful of melon seeds from her pocket, and started eating them while watching the commotion.
As Mingxi's gossip buddy, Aunt He was just as quick as Mingxi. She took a big step and moved closer to Mingxi. The two of them moved in unison. Aunt He also took out a handful of melon seeds and started eating them next to Mingxi.
Hearing the commotion, Aunt Ma came out of the house but before she could see Dong Chunling and her husband arguing outside the yard, she saw Mingxi and Aunt He's actions. Her lips twitched involuntarily.
However, Aunt Ma didn't say anything.
She walked over to Mingxi and saw Dong Chunling and Hu Mingyi, the couple, struggling at the gate of the courtyard.
Aunt Ma suddenly felt a sense of disgust.
Why is it Dong Chunling again?
Why is Dong Chunling not at home celebrating the New Year's Eve, but running back with Hu Mingyi?
Even the usually kind-hearted Aunt Ma was reluctant to get involved.
Mingxi had no idea what Aunt Ma was thinking; she was thoroughly enjoying watching the spectacle.
Hu Mingyi grabbed Dong Chunling's arm and said, "Don't make trouble. I've already explained to you that I have no relationship with Jiang Wenhua. Although we had a relationship before, so many years have passed, and I've long since let it go. Now I only treat her as a younger sister."
Dong Chunling covered her ears and shook her head repeatedly: "I don't believe it, I don't believe it! What kind of brother and sister would be so intimate? I saw it clearly, you two were already hugging each other!"
Hu Mingyi frowned: "I already said it was a misunderstanding. I was just helping Wenhua untangle her hair. Her hair got tangled with the curtain. You're overthinking it."
Dong Chunling still pouted, unconvinced: "With so many people in the family, why doesn't Jiang Wenhua ask others for help? Why doesn't she ask her mother-in-law for help? Why does she insist on asking you for help?"
Her eyes widened as she stared intently at Hu Mingyi: "She's interested in you and is using you as an excuse to seduce you!"
"Don't talk nonsense!" Hu Mingyi said sternly.
However, Mingxi heard that the tone of his words was much gentler than when he had scolded Dong Chunling earlier.
It's clear that Hu Mingyi doesn't want to deny that Jiang Wenhua was interested in him and seduced him.
Mingxi couldn't help but roll her eyes.
Those involved are often confused, while bystanders see things clearly. From Mingxi's perspective, she can clearly see Hu Mingyi's hidden smugness, but Dong Chunling can't sense it at all.
At this moment, she felt that Hu Mingyi was still protecting Jiang Wenhua, and a surge of extreme anger rose within her.
She abruptly shook off his arm: "Hu Mingyi, you're still protecting Jiang Wenhua, aren't you? Let me ask you, in your heart, who is more important, me or Jiang Wenhua?"
Hu Mingyi frowned, seemingly driven to desperation by Dong Chunling. He sighed deeply and said, "Can you stop making a scene? It's the New Year, and you've already caused trouble at home once. Now you're back here to make a spectacle of yourself for everyone. What kind of nonsense is this?"
Dong Chunling threw a tantrum: "I don't care, I don't care, I just want to know, between me and Jiang Wenhua, who is more important to you!"
"How can you compare them? You two are different in my heart." Hu Mingyi changed the subject.
Dong Chunling: "No, I've had enough. You have to choose between me and Jiang Wenhua. If you choose Jiang Wenhua, then we might as well get a divorce and stop living together. If you choose me, then you can stop having anything to do with that little bitch Jiang Wenhua!"
Hu Mingyi: "You...you're putting me in a difficult position!"
He squatted down to one side, holding his head, and remained silent.
Seeing him like this, Dong Chunling's anger burned even brighter, almost destroying her.
Seeing Dong Chunling's eyes turn red with anger, Mingxi couldn't help but roll her eyes.
Dong Chunling already knew that Hu Mingyi couldn't handle things.
Before the two got married, Hu Mingyi was torn between Dong Chunling and Jiang Wenhua, unable to let go of either of them.
Dong Chunling was aware of this matter, but she insisted on going her own way and married Hu Mingyi despite everyone's disapproval.
All I can say is that she should have expected this outcome.
However, Dong Chunling has always been like this, thinking that she is special, just like the heroine in a romance novel. Even if the male protagonist is a playboy, he can be changed by the heroine and eventually turn over a new leaf and treat the heroine wholeheartedly.
But life is never a romance novel, and the playboys Dong Chunling encounters never change because of her.
So every time she gets married, she has to face a mess of trivial matters.
However, these were her choices, so Mingxi could only respect and offer her blessings.
"Dong Chunling, please don't make things difficult for Mingyi!"
Upon hearing the sound, Mingxi turned to look at the alley entrance and couldn't help but exclaim "Oh ho!" when she saw who it was.
The speaker was none other than Jiang Wenhua, the person who sparked the battle between Dong Chunling and Hu Mingyi.
Mingxi cracked sunflower seeds, glanced at Dong Chunling, and then at Jiang Wenhua.
Jiang Wenhua walked over to Hu Mingyi, helped him up, and then looked at Dong Chunling with a pleading expression, saying, "I heard what you just said. I'll listen to you. I won't associate with Brother Mingyi anymore. Can you please let Brother Mingyi go and stop pressuring him?"
Mingxi spat out a mouthful of sunflower seed shells, thinking to herself that Jiang Wenhua's words were quite interesting.
When Hu Mingyi heard Jiang Wenhua say that, his pride as a man couldn't take it anymore. He pulled Jiang Wenhua behind him and said with a pained expression, "Wenhua, no, you don't have to sacrifice so much for me."
Mingxi couldn't help but roll her eyes.
May I ask what Jiang Wenhua sacrificed?
Could it be that the sacrifice Hu Mingyi mentioned refers to Jiang Wenhua's own statement that she would no longer have any contact with him?
She was truly exasperated by this madman. Shouldn't she have had some sense of propriety since she and Jiang Wenhua were both married?
Hu Mingyi had no idea that he was seen as a madman by others. At this moment, he felt like a great hero protecting the woman beside him. He looked at Dong Chunling and said righteously, "Dong Chunling, this is my last warning to you. Wenhua and I have nothing to do with any of that nonsense. We are just like brother and sister. If you say anything more, I'll divorce you!"
Perhaps it was because Jiang Wenhua came over at this moment, or perhaps it was because he saw that there were quite a few neighbors watching the commotion, but Hu Mingyi was no longer as indecisive and hesitant as before.
He glanced at Dong Chunling indifferently, and said with a hint of threat, "Anyway, I've been divorced once, so I'm not afraid of getting divorced again!"
After saying that, Hu Mingyi stopped trying to coax Dong Chunling and turned to leave.
Mingxi: Huh? ? ?
She stopped eating her sunflower seeds and stared blankly in the direction Hu Mingyi had left.
So he just took Jiang Wenhua and left, leaving Dong Chunling behind?
Not only did Ming Xi not expect this, but even Dong Chunling did not expect it.
She stared blankly at Hu Mingyi and Jiang Wenhua's departing figures for a long time. Just as their figures were about to disappear from her sight, she hurriedly lifted her foot to catch up.
Despite her tantrums, Dong Chunling is still unwilling to divorce Hu Mingyi.
After all, if she gets divorced again, she will be getting married for the third time. It's not easy for a man to find a partner even after three marriages, let alone a woman like her.
Although Dong Chunling always felt that she was quite good-looking, she wasn't completely brainless.
Given her circumstances, even after three marriages, it would be difficult for her to find a decent male companion, let alone someone like Hu Mingyi who is also a leader.
So when Dong Chunling saw Hu Mingyi leave with Jiang Wenhua, she immediately panicked. She took off running after Hu Mingyi, shouting as she ran, "Mingyi, I don't want to divorce you! I don't want to divorce you!"
A short while later, Dong Chunling, Hu Mingyi, and Jiang Wenhua disappeared into the alley.
Looking at the alleyway that had returned to peace, Mingxi pouted.
She thought Dong Chunling would finally stand up for herself this time, but it turns out Dong Chunling still couldn't straighten her back.
However, it's hard to say.
After all, Mingxi thinks Dong Chunling seems to be enjoying herself quite a bit.
To be precise, not only Dong Chunling enjoyed it, but Jiang Wenhua and Hu Mingyi also enjoyed it.
Dong Chunling enjoys the fact that her man has other suitors and that she can outwit and outmaneuver them, as this proves that she has good taste in men and satisfies her competitive spirit.
Hu Mingyi, on the other hand, enjoyed the feeling of two women vying for his attention, especially in front of outsiders. Having two women fighting over him was a way to showcase his masculine charm. Therefore, whenever Dong Chunling and Jiang Wenhua argued, he would side with the weaker party; in essence, he was playing both sides.
Jiang Wenhua enjoyed the special treatment she received from Hu Mingyi. Even though Dong Chunling was Hu Mingyi's real wife, she always received preferential treatment from him, and this feeling of being superior to Dong Chunling was what she enjoyed most. So the angrier Dong Chunling got, the more it fueled her fighting spirit.
In any case, none of the three people are normal.
Watching a lively event during the Lunar New Year is just like watching a TV show.
After watching the excitement, everyone turned around and went home.
They wouldn't have come out in this freezing weather if it weren't for the excitement to see.
Mingxi sniffed, wrapped her cotton coat tighter, and hurried home.
She got frostbite just watching the commotion.
Back inside, Zhao Sulan had already prepared the dumpling filling and was about to wrap the dumplings. Mingxi quickly went up to her to share some gossip.
"Mom, you don't know, Dong Chunling and Hu Mingyi just started arguing in the alley..."
After Mingxi finished her long-winded explanation, Zhao Sulan shook her head and sighed, "Old Dong and his wife are really lucky to have such a daughter..."
Mingxi and Zhao Sulan chatted while making dumplings. Zhao Sulan was an expert at making dumplings; she rolled out the dough quickly and wrapped them just as fast. Mingxi, on the other hand, was clumsy and could only wrap one dumpling before Zhao Sulan had already wrapped three.
Zhao Sulan not only wraps dumplings quickly, but also skillfully. One by one, the plump, white dumplings are neatly arranged on the bamboo mat, resembling countless small gold ingots.
In comparison, the dumplings made by Mingxi were much worse, each one crooked and not as neat as Zhao Sulan's dumplings.
Some of the openings weren't even properly sealed, and Zhao Sulan had to redo them once.
The last few dumplings to be made were "lucky dumplings" with coins inside, and these dumplings were naturally made by Zhao Sulan.
Mingxi wasn't confident in her ability to make dumplings; she was afraid that if she did, these "lucky dumplings" would break as soon as they hit the pot.
Mingxi and Zhao Sulan weren't hungry, so they put the dumplings on the windowsill outside as soon as they were wrapped. Since the temperature was usually around minus ten degrees Celsius at night, the dumplings would freeze solid in no time.
Mingxi and Zhao Sulan continued to snuggle on the sofa and watch TV.
At this moment, Mingxi couldn't help but start to miss the Spring Festival Gala.
Although she often complained about how boring the Spring Festival Gala was in her past life, and that it got worse every year, she still felt that not watching the Gala during the Spring Festival would make it feel like something was missing.
I was watching TV past 11 p.m. when the sound of firecrackers outside suddenly became more frequent.
Gou Dan came to play with Ming Xi again, carrying a box of small firecrackers. Ming Xi was bored, so she put on her clothes and ran out with Gou Dan.
Zhao Sulan chased after her, calling out, "Come back after playing for a while. I'll cook dumplings, let's eat dumplings."
"knew!"
Mingxi responded with a shout without turning her head.
Mingxi ran out the door with Gou Dan, and as soon as they stepped outside, they saw Wei Ning waiting at the door.
Gou Dan ran to Wei Ning's side: "Brother Wei Ning, I've called out the boss."
Wei Ning took a lollipop out of his pocket and handed it to Gou Dan: "Here, take it."
Dog Egg licked his lollipop, chuckled, and ran away.
Mingxi understood everything. It turned out that Gou Dan had been bribed by someone with ulterior motives to call her out!
She gave Wei Ning a heavy "humph," her anger, which had subsided earlier, resurfaced. She glared at Wei Ning, her face full of displeasure.
That Wei Ning is so annoying!
Wei Ning knew Ming Xi was angry, so he carefully walked to Ming Xi's side. When Ming Xi saw his actions, she couldn't help but snort coldly again.
"snort!"
This person is really good at pretending. On the surface, he acts honest, but in reality, he's the one who lured the child out with money!
Wei Ning: "Don't be angry, okay? I asked Gou Dan to call you out because I have something to give you."
Mingxi looked at him: "What is that?"
She's not someone who's easily bribed; Wei Ning can't just give her something and expect her to forgive him.
"Ta-da!"
While recording the audio, Wei Ning took out a small square box from his pocket, opened it in front of Ming Xi, and inside was a watch.
A women's watch with a thin leather strap.
Wei Ning: "I picked it out on purpose. I felt it suited you the moment I saw it. I was planning to give it to you after watching the fireworks, but I forgot just now."
Wei Ning had noticed long ago that although Ming Xi had a watch, it was from many years ago, Ming's father's watch. The watchband was wide and large. Although it was functional, it looked rather bulky and unattractive on her wrist.
So he carefully selected this watch for Mingxi.
Mingxi: "Hmph, don't think that just because you gave me a watch, I'll stop being angry with you!"
That's what she said, but Mingxi still took the watch with bright eyes. She didn't stand on ceremony with Wei Ning and put it on her wrist directly.
To be fair, Wei Ning has a good eye for things; the watch he chose has an exquisite and delicate dial, which is perfect for Mingxi.
Mingxi liked it very much when she put it on. She held up her wrist and waved it in front of Wei Ning, asking, "How do I look? Does it look good on me?"
Her slender, pale wrists, set against the darkness, resembled a piece of warm, lustrous jade. Wei Ning's eyes darkened, and he said in a hoarse voice, "Beautiful."
Mingxi: "I think it looks good too."
She said, "I'll accept this watch, but something so valuable can't be taken for nothing. How much did you pay for it? I'll give you the money."
Mingxi wasn't someone who didn't know value for money; she could tell at a glance that the watch wasn't cheap, costing at least three hundred.
Wei Ning shook his head: "No need."
He gave Mingxi the things he wanted willingly, without expecting any money from her.
Wei Ning could refuse, but Ming Xi couldn't refuse. Her attitude was firm: "No, I must give it to her."
Normally, Wei Ning would bring her some food and drinks, things that weren't expensive, and she would accept them. But this watch was different.
Wei Ning couldn't refuse Ming Xi's request, so he had to compromise: "I don't want money, I want you to grant me one wish."
"Give you one wish?" Mingxi tilted her head. "What grievance have you made? You don't want me to give you a thousand dollars, do you? Or do you want world peace?"
Wei Ning was speechless. What on earth is all this?
He chuckled helplessly, "Don't worry, it won't be a wish that puts you in a difficult position, nor will it be a wish that you can't fulfill."
Mingxi: "Alright, go ahead and tell me, what's your wish?"
Wei Ning: "Hmm, I haven't decided yet. I'll owe you for now and tell you when I've thought it through."
Mingxi muttered, "What is this? First it said it was a wish that wouldn't put me in a difficult position, then it said it wasn't decided yet. How do you know it won't put me in a difficult position if you haven't decided yet..."
Despite saying that, Mingxi finally agreed: "Okay, tell me when you've thought it through."
"Pinky promise".
Wei Ning chuckled and extended his little finger. Ming Xi pouted, "How old are you? Still so childish."
She held out her hand: "Okay, pinky promise, never to change it for a hundred years, whoever changes it is a dog."
Wei Ning: "Yes, whoever turns into the puppy is the one who gets the nickname."
Mingxi didn't stay outside with Weining for long. She was thinking of going back to eat dumplings, so after Weining finished speaking, she waved goodbye and went home.
When she entered the house, the dumplings were just cooked.
Zhao Sulan handed over chopsticks: "Come on, come on, quickly try the dumplings today and see how they taste."
Mingxi rolled up her sleeves: "Let me try it."
She picked up a dumpling and put it in her mouth. As soon as she bit down, she heard a "crunch" and immediately cried out, "Ouch!"
Zhao Sulan: "What's wrong?"
Mingxi spat out a coin: "I found a coin in my food."
Zhao Sulan beamed with joy: "Oh, that's wonderful! Finding a coin in your very first dumpling is a great start, meaning you're sure to have a smooth and successful year ahead!"
She said, "Let me put a few more on your plate, so you can try them."
Mingxi picked up the dumpling that Zhao Sulan had just picked up, and the next second, there was a "crunch".
Zhao Sulan: "You got to eat again?"
Mingxi spat out a coin: "Hmm!"
Zhao Sulan naturally offered another round of auspicious words. Mingxi was helpless. Although eating lucky dumplings was a good thing, she had eaten two dumplings and was hurt twice. It was too much of a coincidence.
She looked at Zhao Sulan with suspicion, and sure enough, she noticed something was wrong with Zhao Sulan's actions the next second. Every dumpling Zhao Sulan picked up had a small mark on it.
No wonder she suddenly had such good luck; it turns out it was all thanks to her mother's hard work.
Mingxi sighed helplessly; it was just for good luck, her mother didn't need to do this...
But the next second, Mingxi also picked up a marked dumpling and put it into Zhao Sulan's bowl: "Mom, you eat too."
Zhao Sulan didn't notice and stuffed it directly into her mouth: "Ouch!"
She spat out a coin: "I'm getting some coins now."
Mingxi: "Then Shunming's mom, you'll definitely have a smooth year too!"
Zhao Sulan: May everything go smoothly for us next year!
As the mother and daughter were talking, the clock struck twelve. As the old grandfather clock chimed twelve, the sky outside was completely illuminated by firecrackers and fireworks. Mingxi peeked out to watch the fireworks, and the other families in the courtyard also came out to watch.
Mingxi took the lead and shouted "Happy New Year!"
"Happy New Year!"
May you make a fortune next year!
Whether adults or children, everyone in the yard shouted out in unison.
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Author's Note: My prediction was wrong. I'll have to let Xiaoming know he's the original owner of this body in the next chapter.
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