On New Year's Eve, in the Yang family mansion, everyone, young and old, who had just finished lunch, began preparing the New Year's Eve dinner.
Quan Jinghuai, who rarely participates in cooking, also rolled up his sleeves and joined in making dumplings.
Hong Xiaoduo had just finished making a few when she heard the melodious sound of the copper bell hanging in the courtyard.
This was Tianji's idea: to tie a copper bell to a rope, with the other end at the courtyard gate, and hang a sign on it that said, "Please pull the rope if you come."
Tianquan rushed out to see what was happening and quickly returned to tell Hong Xiaoduo that Master Jiang had arrived and wanted to see her.
"You guys keep it wrapped up, I'll go check on it." Hong Xiaoduo got up, quickly washed her hands, and walked out.
Feiyan thought for a moment, then washed her hands and went to prepare tea. The Jiang family patriarch and Xiaoduo had a good relationship, so he was a guest. Guests naturally needed to be served fragrant tea; one couldn't be impolite.
Outside the courtyard gate, Jiang An was followed by Pang Dayong.
Compared to last time, Jiang An was noticeably thinner, but he looked radiant and in great spirits, with a sparkle in his eyes.
Pang Dayong, no, he should be called Jiang Dayong now. As the saying goes, clothes make the man and a saddle makes the horse. Now he is wearing a fine robe and a jade hairpin in his hair. He is completely different from when he was seen in Zhaozhong Town. He is like a different person.
Perhaps it was because she learned about her origins, that her mother who didn't love her and her maternal grandparents who mistreated her were not her relatives, and that it wasn't because she was unlucky or unlikable.
Now that his father knows the truth, he has taken him back. In just a few days together, he has experienced what true family affection and fatherly love are.
Therefore, as Jiang Dayong's mindset changed, his mental state naturally changed as well, and his confident demeanor improved.
"Mr. Jiang, it seems the problem has been resolved. Come, let's go inside and talk," Hong Xiaoduo said, inviting him inside.
With the Jiang family's matter resolved, Hong Xiaoduo was also happy.
"Bring everything in," Jiang An said to his servants.
“We’re here, why bring things? We won’t be staying here long, we’ll be leaving after the New Year.” Hong Xiaoduo said with a smile, looking at the box and the basket.
"I know, I know. There's only one box to take. The rest is food, just to add a few dishes to your New Year's dinner table. I know you've traveled all over the country and seen the world, so please don't mind." Jiang An responded with a relaxed smile after finding his son.
Jiang Dayong, who was walking behind, watched his father chatting and laughing with the young woman, looking very familiar and casual. He couldn't help but smile and silently followed.
After arriving at the living room, the servants put down their things, and Jiang An ordered them to wait outside the courtyard gate.
Just as Hong Xiaoduo said, "Please sit down, both of you," she saw Jiang An and his father solemnly straightening their robes. Then, Jiang An clasped his hands and bowed deeply to Hong Xiaoduo: "I thank you, Xiaoduo. If it weren't for you, I would still be a fool to be a sucker, raising someone else's son, working like a beast of burden to earn money for others, while my own son suffers outside."
"Xiaoduo, you are the Bodhisattva of the Jiang family." After saying that, Jiang An looked at his son beside him.
"Bai Ze, kowtow to our benefactor on behalf of your father."
Bai Ze? You've changed your name? That makes sense; Da Yong sounds too ordinary.
Hong Xiaoduo was momentarily distracted when she saw Jiang Baize lift his robe and kneel before her: "Jiang Baize kowtows to thank Aunt for her great kindness." After saying that, he kowtowed three times solidly.
Hong Xiaoduo never liked being knelt to. This time, she wanted to stop him, but her movements were slowed down by the way he addressed her. By the time she reached out her hand, Jiang Baize had already kowtowed neatly, looked up and clasped his hands in a fist salute at her.
After kowtowing three times, his forehead was already red and swollen. It was only because the Yang family was well-off and the living room floor was paved with smooth stone slabs that he managed to do so. Otherwise, with the force he had just used, his forehead would definitely have been broken and bleeding.
Hong Xiaoduo pointed at Jiang Baize and asked Jiang An with great confusion, "Auntie?"
“Yes, Xiaoduo, you have done such a great favor for my father and me. It’s no exaggeration to say that you are our second parents. From now on, we are equals. Also, this is half of my savings over the years. Please accept it, Xiaoduo.” As Jiang An spoke, he went to a box next to him, took out a bulging package, and stuffed it into Xiaoduo’s hand without saying a word.
"Get up first. You're more than ten years older than me. Do you feel good kneeling before me?" Hong Xiaoduo suddenly remembered the person still kneeling on the ground and quickly said.
Jiang Baize then stood up and said very seriously, "What's wrong with you? It has nothing to do with age. From now on, you will be Baize's elder."
Hearing him say this so seriously and willingly, Hong Xiaoduo just grinned and said, "Stop, stop! You're having fun, but I'm not!"
I'm the kind of person who likes to meddle in injustices, and your family's affairs are nothing to me.
So you don't need to go to such lengths. Besides, you've already given us so many things.
Hearing her say that, Jiang Baize looked at his father. Jiang An comforted his son with his eyes and said to Hong Xiaoduo, "For you, Xiaoduo, this may be a very ordinary thing, but for my son and me, it is a matter of fate. You have changed the tragic fate of my son and me."
Xiaoduo, your temperament is different from that of ordinary women, so don't worry about how you're addressed. Besides, all the children call you "Mother."
Hong Xiaoduo was both amused and exasperated: "How can these be the same?"
Seeing that Jiang An was still trying to persuade her, Hong Xiaoduo thought to herself that she would be leaving this place after the New Year anyway. If she left after the Lantern Festival, she would stay here for at most half a month. During this time, she would not see this father and son frequently. So, she would just accept the aunt as her aunt.
"Alright, alright, as long as Young Master Bai Ze doesn't feel wronged. Also, I can't accept these things, please take them back." Hong Xiaoduo said as she picked up the bag that the other party had just stuffed into her hand and handed it back to Jiang An.
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