He wondered to himself – she had always been a good drinker, so why wasn't she drinking this fine wine that she had treasured for many years?
Despite his doubts, he helped her avoid toasts when everyone was toasting each other, drinking many glasses in total, including his own and hers.
Ning Lang hid behind him, happily enjoying her food.
"Ah Lang, why aren't you offering a toast?" my cousin called out with a laugh. "You're the only one missing this year!"
Ning Lang replied with a smile, "I'm hungry. I'll go over after I've eaten more."
"I've been waiting for you!"
Everyone here is usually very busy, and when they occasionally get together, some people can't make it due to work. Taking advantage of the New Year's reunion dinner, everyone chatted enthusiastically, one sentence after another, and laughter rose and fell in waves.
After the meal, everyone drank tea and ate fruits while waiting to stay up all night to welcome the New Year. The atmosphere was harmonious and joyful.
Although staying up all night on New Year's Eve is an old tradition, it has been lost in many places for many years.
The Ning family is a long-established family with a rich history. The old house still retains the living habits of the older generation, and the meaningful tradition of staying up all night on New Year's Eve is also maintained every year.
The old man couldn't stop smiling. Sitting in the main seat, he looked at the lively group of younger relatives below, his face beaming with joy.
After a while, Ning Qi stood up and shouted with a smile, "We've rested enough. Grandpa wants everyone to stretch their muscles! Choose any weapon you like, you can spar or practice on your own!"
At this moment, several servants carried up heavy weapons, put them aside, and then went to fetch more.
Ning Qi smiled and said, "The old rules apply—weapons are all sheathed, participants must wear light armor, and we'll stop short of a direct confrontation!"
"good!"
"I want to be here first this year!"
"I lost to Old Rui last year! This year I'm going to challenge him!"
"I lost to A-Lang the year before last and last year, and I don't want to fight her this year! Haha!"
Sheng Xuan loves this show the most. Watching the masters compete in wonderful battles, with flashing swords and graceful movements, is simply too exciting!
Ning Lang, standing to the side, was engrossed in scrolling through her phone, seemingly lost in thought.
Sheng Xuan nudged her and asked, "What weapon do you want to choose?"
Ning Lang said lazily in a low voice, "Too lazy to move."
Just as Sheng Xuan was about to speak, Ning Rui grabbed him and pulled him away.
"Quick! Help me put on my armor! By the way, are you going to compete this year, Ah-Xuan? After you help me put it on, I'll help you put it on!"
Sheng Xuan was already tempted and laughed, "Okay! I want to spar with Brother Qi in a bit! His leg strength is really impressive!"
A moment later, the first battle in the arena began!
Ning Qi went first, and Ning Zhang chose to fight him with a wooden stick. After more than a hundred rounds, Ning Zhang lost and stepped down amidst laughter and applause from the crowd.
Ning Rui went on stage, but was unexpectedly beaten down by one of his cousins.
After several challenges, Ning Qi and Sheng Xuan went on stage. One used nunchucks and the other used a short knife. They fought for more than two hundred rounds. Both of them were covered in sweat, but there was still no winner.
"Great job! That was awesome!"
"A true duel between masters!"
Ning Qi simply threw away the nunchucks and attacked with his bare fists.
Sheng Xuan also threw down his dagger and retaliated with a punch.
"Wow!" Ning Rui nudged Ning Lang beside him and said with a grin, "Ah Xuan has not only kept up these past few years, but he's actually made a lot of progress!"
Ning Lang rested his chin on his hand and watched, smiling without saying a word.
The two fought for over a hundred rounds, and finally Sheng Xuan won by restraining Ning Qi's hind legs.
"Awesome! So awesome!" Everyone applauded.
Ning Qi and Sheng Xuan laughed and wiped their sweat, both saying it felt great.
The old man sitting in the main seat nodded approvingly: "Both are very good. Ah Xuan, take a break and catch your breath. Ah Lang, go up and have a fight with Ah Xuan."
As soon as Grandpa finished speaking, everyone burst into laughter.
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