How Jiang Yi is harassed outside is none of Tian Guihua's business, but this is her own home. It's not so easy for someone to cause trouble in their own home.
Zhou Xiaolan couldn't believe that Tian Guihua would actually take action. By the time she realized what was happening, she was already standing outside the Hua family's courtyard.
Just as she was about to push her way in, another group of people came to offer New Year's greetings.
Xu Yinghua said with a smile, "Aunt Hua, Happy New Year! It's so kind of you to greet me at the door."
She also noticed the little girl living across the hall, "Xiao Lan is up so early too?"
Zhou Xiaolan could only obediently follow the people who came to offer New Year's greetings.
Tian Guihua said, "Alright, now that we've exchanged New Year's greetings, let's hurry up and go to other places, otherwise everyone will be finishing up later."
Chen Meili glanced at the bag in her hand, covered her mouth and laughed, "Hurry up, hurry up, I just saw a few boys with empty pockets, they've already made a second trip."
Even with her thick skin, Zhou Xiaolan couldn't stay any longer. "Grandma Hua, I'll come back to play with Xiangyun after I've finished paying my New Year's respects."
Watching Zhou Xiaolan leave, Chen Meili asked, "What happened? She and Xiangyun made up again."
“That’s not true,” Tian Guihua immediately denied. “She does want to find our Xiangyun, but after what happened last time, our family is afraid.”
As she spoke, Tian Guihua ushered them into the courtyard, asking, "Why did you all come out first this year?"
"Oh, it's all the same. We women will wait until the men leave after we've finished paying our New Year's visits," Chen Meili said with a smile. "Auntie, would you like to keep us company later?"
"I won't go join the fun. Baoguo and Liangfen are home this year, so they can go visit everyone for the New Year. Your uncle and I will stay home and relax for a bit." Tian Guihua brought them a fruit platter and let them help themselves.
Everyone knows their limits; they each pick something they like, say a few auspicious words, and then prepare to move on to the next shop.
When Jiang Yi pushed open the door and entered, Hua Xiangyun and Hua Zhian both stared at him.
Hua Xiangyun was just a little surprised that Jiang Yi had arrived so quickly; she thought the two of them would at most meet in private.
Hua Zhian felt that Jiang Yi was probably afraid of being alone. He had just spent time with the siblings yesterday and came to their door today, which showed that he really didn't have many friends.
"Jiang Yi, come and sit down." Hua Zhian stood up warmly, ready to properly receive his lonely neighbor.
Jiang Yi smiled and wished them a Happy New Year, and Hua Xiangyun and the others quickly replied.
"Make yourself at home, don't be shy," Hua Zhian said, bringing out a stool and sitting down himself, leaving the kang (heated brick bed) for him.
Jiang Yi sat down next to Hua Xiangyun with a graceful demeanor. "I was wondering if I would have made a wasted trip today. I didn't expect you all to be home."
Hua Xiangyun turned her head and asked with a smile, "We were just about to go out to pay New Year's visits, would you like to come along?"
Jiang Yi: "...Let's go together. I'm just worried that not many people will recognize me, and I'll have to trouble you to help introduce me."
Hua Xiangyun chuckled inwardly. This guy was as cunning as ever, trying to use her and her brother to build good relationships with the neighbors.
Hua Zhian readily agreed, "That's easy to say. Although I haven't been here for two years, let me tell you, I know this area best."
Many people have heard of you but haven't met you in person, so this is a good opportunity for me to introduce myself to them.
What else could Hua Xiangyun do but stand up with them? Anyway, they were going out to pay New Year's visits, just avoiding the first group of children. Now was the perfect time to go.
"Let me tell you, my sister is shy and doesn't want to go out with those kids, because she's afraid they'll slip candy into her pockets."
Now is the perfect time to go; most households should only have some sunflower seeds and peanuts left, so it won't be too awkward.
When her own brother exposed her shortcomings, Hua Xiangyun didn't refute him, since what he said was true anyway.
"Jiang Yi, if you come out, but the house is locked up tight, what will happen if people come to pay their respects?" Hua Zhian asked, then quickly looked at the ground, blurting out his question.
“Everyone should understand,” Jiang Yi said, looking at Hua Xiangyun. “I’m all alone now, but once I have a family, everything will be normal.”
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, the doors should not be closed. As a junior, he should not wait at home for others to come to his door.
If you want to make it on this street, today is a great starting point.
He didn't care before, but now that he has someone to rely on, he naturally has to make some changes.
Hua Xiangyun gave him a thumbs up, saying that this was the kind of attitude one should have towards life. If he had understood this earlier, he wouldn't have argued so fiercely with his master.
A few years ago, she was engrossed in cultivation and only knew that he had a fierce argument with his master. Jiang Yi also packed his bags and left the country the day after he arrived.
Even after his master passed away, he only came and went in a hurry, instructing himself to guard the home before disappearing from her life again.
After Jiang Yi was adopted by her master when she was five years old, he took good care of her, including helping her with her studies and homework.
In comparison, the teacher was somewhat irresponsible, simply throwing away what was to be handed in and then abandoning her, without considering that she was just a young child at the time.
Jiang Yi was only in elementary school at the time, but he was already playing the role of a parent, taking care of her, a child of only a few years old, as she grew up.
Jiang Yi and her master both held the same place in her heart, and the argument between them left her in a dilemma.
Later, Jiang Yi went abroad, and the two did not see each other for many years, gradually developing a sense of estrangement.
Now, because of her own actions, she had brought this person to this place, adding another layer of guilt to her heart.
Last night I intended to ask about the Nine Lotus Cauldron, but because I stayed up all night to celebrate the New Year, I didn't have a chance to be alone with it, so I put it off. It seems I should ask what exactly happened.
Upon hearing that they were going out to pay New Year's visits, Tian Guihua gave them a few more instructions, especially for the elders in the courtyard, who should go first.
They receive such reminders every year, and Hua Xiangyun and her colleagues keep them in mind.
Hearing the commotion, Hua Zhiping also brought Li Lijuan out, saying, "Let's go and come back as soon as possible."
The Hua siblings thought that walking around the several courtyards would be quick, but clearly, they made a mistake this time.
This time, everyone's attention wasn't on the siblings; instead, Jiang Yi received more attention.
When you encounter these days' talk of influential figures, everyone always has a lot of strange and unusual questions.
But Jiang Yi was unusually good-tempered today. He answered patiently what he could and avoided answering what he couldn't, all without making people feel annoyed.
After spending time with him, the Hua brothers both gave him a thumbs up; they couldn't match his patience.
Li Lijuan also whispered to Hua Xiangyun, "Comrade Jiang has a really good temper. He answered the same question ten times without getting impatient."
I only found out today how capable the aunties in this courtyard are; I was afraid I hadn't gotten to the bottom of things.
Hua Xiangyun deeply agreed, "Fortunately, they are forgetful. Once their curiosity is satisfied, they will forget about it. Jiang Yi's success can be considered a lucky accident."
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