On New Year's Eve, all the members of the Lu family gathered at Lu Lang's house. Lu Lang sat in the main seat, his loving gaze sweeping over each family member. His face was filled with a happy smile, because today, his home was filled with laughter and joy. Whether they were grandchildren or great-grandchildren, everyone was happy and full of vitality.
Looking at his family all together, Lu Lang felt a surge of warmth in his heart. These children were the pride of his life, and their growth and progress filled him with immense joy. Especially seeing their innocent smiles, Lu Lang felt that all his efforts had been worthwhile.
The family's housekeeper had prepared two large tables of delicious food, all beautifully presented and fragrant. Lu Lang smiled and nodded, expressing his gratitude to the housekeeper. On this special day, he hoped everyone could share in this joy.
After Lu Lang and his grandmother had each taken some food, the younger generation began to eat. Everyone raised their glasses, exchanging auspicious greetings and wishing each other health, happiness, and success in the new year. The whole house was filled with a warm atmosphere, and the family was enjoying a harmonious and joyful time together.
Lu Lang felt the warmth of his family; he knew that no matter what difficulties he encountered, his family would be there to support him. The power of this family love was boundless, making Lu Lang feel incredibly at ease. In this joyful atmosphere, Lu Lang also looked forward to an even better new year.
Seeing that everyone had almost finished eating, Lu Yijian and Lu Yiheng stood up, each with their partner holding their wine glass, and wished Lu Lang and Old Madam Lu a Happy New Year, saying a lot of auspicious words. Finally, Lu Yiheng glanced at Wen Ya and said with a smile, "Dad, Mom, today is the New Year. In this year, good things have happened one after another in our family, especially since Duoduo came to Beijing to celebrate the New Year. After the New Year, Wen Ya and I will go to Brother Qian's house in Heilongjiang Province as soon as possible to set the wedding date for Yuanzi and Duoduo."
Lu Lang looked at Qian Duoduo, who was sitting at another table with Lu Fen, and said with a smile, "Okay, you two just need to get this done as soon as possible."
Next, Lu Jiang led the way, followed by Lu Xing, Lu Cheng, Lu Yuan, Lu Qing, and Lu Fen, who went from house to house to toast Lu Lang and the old lady. The two elderly people were overjoyed. After Lu Lang had Qian Duoduo toast them, the old lady said with a smile, "Right now, my biggest worries, besides these unwanted Lu Jiang and Lu Fen, are Lu Zhi."
Lu Fen said with a grin, "Grandma, you don't need to worry about me. What I love most is this military uniform."
Lu Lang naturally wouldn't bring up something that would upset the old woman during the New Year, so he laughed and said, "In our family, both your father and your eldest uncle went into politics. Back then, it was out of necessity that we sent your second brother, Lu Cheng and Lu Xing, to the army. Looking back now, it was a very good move."
Lu Cheng and Lu Xing exchanged a glance. They had also been urgently sent to the army and then began a long and endless training. Fortunately, they had inherited the good genes of their elders and were quite talented in troop deployment. Years of military life had made them truly consider the army their home.
Gu Qi'en and Cao Wenqi exchanged a glance. They were among the earlier women to marry into the Lu family, having witnessed its rise and fall. Now, in Xinjiang, they were truly living comfortable lives, no longer as cautious as before. Cao Wenqi, a former member of a performing arts troupe, initially felt a sense of superiority when she married Lu Xing. However, after the Lu family returned to Beijing, she realized her husband wasn't someone without connections, so she toned down her temper considerably.
It wasn't until she saw Qian Duoduo, a girl who wasn't as pretty as herself, but who received an unprecedented welcome in the Lu family, that she felt a sense of imbalance. This imbalance reached its peak after Qian Duoduo received the property from Wen Ya.
She and Lu Xing were in her bedroom, and she said, "Second Aunt is really rich. She just gave me this courtyard house like that."
After so many years of marriage, he knew his wife's personality. Although she wasn't malicious, she was a bit petty and couldn't stand seeing others do better than her. So he ignored Cao Wenqi and just hung his clothes in the closet.
Seeing that Lu Xing ignored her, Cao Wenqi walked over, leaned against the wardrobe, and said, "Do you think Mom might have a yard like this? Could she give me one?"
Lu Xing glanced at her and said, "Don't even think about it. Don't try to compare yourself to Yuanzi's boyfriend. To be honest, you can't beat him."
Upon hearing this, Cao Wenqi immediately objected: "What? We all have one head and two hands. She's not even as good-looking as me, so how can I be inferior?"
After hanging up the clothes, Lu Xing closed the wardrobe door and leaned against it, just like Cao Wenqi had done earlier, and said, "She's a graduate student, and you are? You seem to have only graduated from junior high school, right?"
Cao Wenqi fell silent after those words. She glared at Lu Xing and said, "So what if you're a graduate student? What's so great about that!"
Lu Xing: "Don't be unconvinced. If you don't go to work for a day, you don't get paid. She holds the patent. As long as her patent is still in use, she'll have people sending her money even when she's lying in bed. How can you compare?"
Cao Wenqi was stunned: "Really? Or not?"
Lu Xing: "This matter is not a secret to the higher-ups. Moreover, even if you didn't have all of these things, you shouldn't be so jealous over this one point."
Cao Wenqi asked, puzzled, "What?"
Lu Xing straightened his posture and solemnly began, “Back then, my grandparents, parents, and second uncle and aunt were sent down to the village where Qian Duoduo lived. During their first year there, they caught a cold, and their condition was critical. Qian Duoduo and her brothers not only brought them rice but also medicine, helping them get through that most difficult first year. For the next few years, the Qian siblings continued to care for them. Therefore, this kindness is as precious as a lifeline, which is the key reason why we can't complain even if my grandparents are overly biased.”
After a moment of silence, Cao Wenqi cautiously asked, "So, did Qian Duoduo know her grandparents' true identities back then?"
Lu Xing stared at him, a mocking smile on his face, and replied, "Grandpa and Grandma's identities? What identities? In that era, survival was the most important thing. If Grandpa and Grandma had unfortunately passed away, their identities would no longer matter. Besides, no one could predict the future back then." As he finished speaking, a faint sense of helplessness crept into Lu Xing's voice.
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