As night falls and the lights come on, every household hangs up bright red lanterns, and festive New Year pictures and couplets are pasted on doors and windows.
The courtyard in the east of the city was filled with the deafening crackling of gunpowder, and the faint smell of gunpowder and the aroma of food permeated the air.
The children set off firecrackers and fireworks in the yard, their laughter and chatter creating a lively atmosphere.
Lu Ziwei went home after making the dumplings; she wanted to have New Year's Eve dinner with her family.
Jin Mudan had no family left, so she spent the New Year with Su Yujiao in the courtyard.
"Madam, the general has arrived." Tiger said excitedly.
Su Yujiao still had a bright smile on her face; being happy during the Lunar New Year was the most important thing.
"Come on then."
"Make him give you big red envelopes; if he doesn't, he's not allowed to come in."
"Okay."
Su Yujiao was preparing the dishes and chopsticks, and Jin Mudan was helping her. After half a year of recovery, she was able to get out of bed and walk, but she still couldn't walk fast.
Jin Mudan was smiling when she noticed that there was another person following behind Lu Ziqian, and her smile immediately froze.
How could it be him?
Mo Lingchen's smile remained gentle and warm. The two looked at each other, as if there was an indescribable feeling between them.
Jin Mudan turned her face away, refusing to look at him.
The two hadn't been in contact for almost half a year. She thought she had long forgotten that person, but she didn't expect that just seeing him from afar today would still cause her some inexplicable pain.
Su Yujiao looked at Mo Lingchen and couldn't help but frown. Why was he here?
She really hoped that Mo Lingchen would stop provoking Mudan. Princess Qinghe was no pushover, and Mudan couldn't afford to offend her.
"Young Master Mo, what brings you here?"
"I heard from Brother Lu that you have taken in many homeless children. I admire you greatly and would like to contribute my love as well."
"Come in."
As soon as Mo Lingchen finished speaking, several servants led a carriage in, which was filled with brand-new cotton-padded clothes and shoes.
"Give them to the children; of course, they should wear new clothes for the New Year."
Wow, so many cotton-padded coats.
The children were delighted, but instead of rushing to grab the food, they looked at Su Yujiao expectantly, as if seeking her opinion.
Looking into the children's longing eyes, Su Yujiao couldn't bring herself to refuse.
"Hurry up and thank Lord Mo."
"Thank you, Lord Mo."
Su Yujiao watched Jin Mudan standing awkwardly at the back of the crowd, desperately trying to ignore him, yet she couldn't help but pay attention to his every move and word.
Alas, the women of this world are all more devoted than the last.
She had once loved deeply and knew the feeling of being unable to extricate oneself from deep love.
Tonight is Lunar New Year's Eve, and he came to see the peonies under the guise of showing his love and care; that shows his thoughtfulness.
After the New Year, Mo Lingchen was going to marry the princess, and Peony's fantasy was completely shattered.
Let her have no regrets tonight; consider it a final farewell.
"If Young Master Mo doesn't mind, please stay and have New Year's Eve dinner with us."
Upon hearing this, Jin Mudan's expression changed almost imperceptibly, but she quickly regained her composure.
Mo Lingchen appeared to be talking to Su Yujiao, but he was actually glancing at the woman in the last row out of the corner of his eye.
Noticing her nervous expression, he knew he should refuse, but he couldn't help but agree.
"Then I'll have to trouble you."
"Wang Ma, make the arrangements. Let's start having our New Year's Eve dinner. Let the children help out."
"yes."
When it was time to take their seats, Su Yujiao and Jin Mudan sat together, with an empty seat left next to each of them. The children were already sitting properly, waiting for the meal to begin.
Lu Ziqian consciously sat down next to Su Yujiao, which was also the default position for everyone.
Mo Lingchen glanced at the seat next to Jin Mudan, hesitated for only a second before sitting down, still exuding elegance and refinement, without the slightest awkwardness.
Jin Mudan, on the other hand, was visibly nervous the moment he sat down, and even her breathing seemed a little unsteady.
Su Yujiao frowned. Who arranged the seats? It seemed like it was done on purpose.
But since they were already seated, she didn't want to cause any more trouble, as that would seem deliberate.
"Let's eat! Let's all have a toast first, wishing everyone a peaceful, prosperous, and successful new year."
At first, everyone was a little reserved, but after a few drinks, the atmosphere became more lively.
After all, they are just teenagers, a time when they are lively and active, and they can't stay still for long.
Jin Mudan and Mo Lingchen acted as if they had never met before, quietly eating and watching the children play, without exchanging words or eye contact throughout the entire meal.
Su Yujiao was in a good mood today and drank a few extra cups, becoming somewhat tipsy.
Lu Ziqian carried her directly back to the room. Su Yujiao pushed him a few times, but gave up when she couldn't move him.
"Don't touch me, I can walk by myself."
The man hugged her tighter: "Jiaojiao, don't push me away."
"Don't be like those two, pretending not to know each other. It makes me uncomfortable."
"Life is both long and short, so don't be too hard on yourself. Enjoying life while you can is the most important thing."
He laid her on the bed and gently kissed her forehead, her eyebrows, her red lips, and then down...
The candlelight flickered, her eyes were hazy with intoxication, she was both innocent and charming, just the way he liked her.
He couldn't help but press closer to her, his voice hot and hoarse: "Jiaojiao, I miss you so much."
"I've been so busy lately that I haven't had time to come see you."
The man's breath sprayed into the woman's ear canal, hot and tingling, as if an electric current was running through her body.
Almost instantly, it aroused her desire.
She's been divorced from him for over six months, and she still has needs.
Seeing that she didn't speak, Lu Ziqian made his next move.
He gently rubbed her twice, and the woman did not stop him, but simply turned her face away, suppressing the shame that came from her body.
He knew she had tacitly agreed, but was just a little embarrassed.
The man's fingertips traced the thin fabric of her body, a silk bodice, soft and delicate.
Lu Ziqian kissed her through the fabric...
Looking into the man's gentle eyes, she breathed slightly and gently pushed him away, reason prevailing over desire: "Lu Ziqian, you're drunk."
“We’re already divorced, we shouldn’t do this kind of thing anymore.”
The man gently captured her red lips, giving them two tender pecks: "You clearly have needs, why think so much?"
"It's the Lunar New Year, don't be too hard on yourself. What's wrong with indulging a little?"
"Be good, I'll make you feel very comfortable."
That night, he was tender and affectionate, and he played plenty of foreplay, leaving her unable to resist...
The next morning, when she woke up, the man had already left, and Su Yujiao breathed a sigh of relief.
He does have some sense of boundaries, otherwise it would have been quite awkward.
At breakfast, she asked Jin Mudan, "What time did Mo Lingchen leave last night?"
Jin Mudan looked slightly uncomfortable for a moment: "After you left, he left not long after sitting there."
Did you two talk last night?
"He's getting married after the New Year, shouldn't we make a proper clean break?"
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