bioinnovel Chapter 149 Happy New Year, Brother Yan!
Chapter 149 Happy New Year, Brother Yan!
The New Year's bells rang out, their lingering sound echoing in the quiet night sky.
The noise from the television gradually faded away, replaced by the occasional, sporadic sound of firecrackers outside the window.
The breathing in Zhang Yan's arms became even and long.
Nie Qingcheng's sleeping face was serene, with a sweet, satisfied smile on her lips, like a child who had received all the candy in the world.
He looked down at the unguarded face, and the softest part of his heart was filled with a warm emotion.
This is perhaps what home feels like.
I don't know how much time passed, but the sky began to lighten with the first hint of dawn.
The first rays of morning light shone through the window and fell on the floor of the room.
Zhang Yan slowly opened his eyes. He hadn't moved all night, and half of his body was stiff, but the person in his arms was sleeping soundly.
He carefully tried to lay her flat on the bed.
The moment he moved, the person in his arms let out a soft moan of dissatisfaction, like a kitten whose sweet dreams had been disturbed, and instinctively burrowed even deeper into his arms.
Her arms, instinctively, tightened, holding his waist tightly.
Zhang Yan froze, a helpless bitter smile appearing on his face.
He could only remain in this position, motionless.
After a while, Nie Qingcheng's long eyelashes fluttered gently like butterfly wings.
She slowly opened her eyes, her beautiful peach blossom eyes still carrying a hint of sleepiness.
When she realized that she was clinging to Zhang Yan like an octopus, a beautiful blush instantly rose on her stunning face.
"I……"
She was about to explain when Zhang Yan spoke first.
"Awake?" His voice was slightly hoarse from the early morning. "Happy New Year, Mr. Nie."
"Happy New Year……"
Nie Qingcheng's voice was barely audible. She quickly climbed off him, wrapped herself tightly in the blanket, leaving only her watery eyes showing.
"I...I didn't mean to last night."
"Yeah, I know." Zhang Yan stretched his numb arm and teased with a smile, "You did it on purpose."
"You!" Nie Qingcheng was both ashamed and angry, and she grabbed a pillow and threw it at him.
Zhang Yan caught it easily.
"Alright, I'm not teasing you anymore, get up." He glanced out the window, "We're going to wish Grandpa and Grandma a Happy New Year today."
"Oh……"
Nie Qingcheng responded and obediently lifted the blanket.
When she stepped barefoot onto the soft wool carpet, she belatedly realized that Zhang Yan was still wearing the same wrinkled shirt from yesterday.
He actually just held her like that and sat on the sofa all night.
Her heart felt as if it had been violently struck by something.
A bittersweet feeling welled up inside me.
"You..." She looked at him, hesitant to speak.
"What's wrong?"
Why didn't you wake me up?
"Seeing you sleeping so soundly, I couldn't bear it," Zhang Yan said casually, as if he had only done a trivial thing.
Nie Qingcheng could no longer hold back, stepped forward, and hugged him tightly from behind.
She pressed her face against his broad and warm back.
"Zhang Yan, you're such an idiot."
……
Half an hour later, the two were ready.
Nie Qingcheng prepared a brand new dark red Tang suit with gold embroidery for Zhang Yan.
The clothes were made of excellent material and the cut was perfect. When worn by Zhang Yan, he lost some of his usual boyishness and gained more of the nobility and composure of a young master from a prominent family.
"It's so beautiful."
Nie Qingcheng stood in front of him, tiptoeing, and carefully straightened his collar. Her beautiful eyes were filled with undisguised love.
"Like a... gigolo who cheats people out of money and sex."
Zhang Yan: "..."
He pinched her cheek.
"Is that how you praise your man?"
"I'm just telling the truth." Nie Qingcheng giggled and gave him a light peck on the lips. "Let's go, my pretty boy, go collect your red envelope."
The two walked out of Tingyuxuan side by side and arrived at the main hall of the Nie family.
The main hall was already full of people.
Grandpa Nie and Grandma Nie sat upright in the central armchair, both wearing joyful smiles.
Nie Zhenbang and other elders sat on either side.
Nie Xiaorou and a group of children huddled together, chattering away, seemingly discussing something.
When Zhang Yan and Nie Qingcheng entered, everyone's eyes turned to them.
When they saw Zhang Yan in his imposing Tang suit, a look of amazement flashed in their eyes.
"Happy New Year, Grandpa and Grandma."
Nie Qingcheng pulled Zhang Yan to the two elderly people and spoke sweetly.
"Okay, okay!"
The old lady smiled broadly and waved to them.
"Come here quickly, let Grandma take a look."
Zhang Yan and Nie Qingcheng walked to the prayer mat and knelt down properly.
Wishing Grandpa and Grandma good health and all the best.
Zhang Yan's voice was clear and steady.
"Good child, get up quickly!"
The old man personally stepped forward and helped the two of them up.
The old lady then took out two thick, gold-embossed red envelopes from behind her back.
"Here, this is your New Year's money."
She put one of them into Nie Qingcheng's hand and handed the other to Zhang Yan.
Zhang Yan accepted it with both hands.
"Thank you, Grandma."
"Take it. From now on, you are a child of the Nie family." The old lady patted his hand, her eyes full of love.
The relatives around, watching this scene, felt a mix of emotions.
Especially Aunt Liu Yun, whose face was extremely pale.
She knew that from this moment on, this orphan whom she had once looked down upon had completely established himself in the Nie family.
After the New Year's greetings were exchanged, the atmosphere in the main hall became even more lively.
The younger generation surrounded their elders, saying auspicious words and asking for red envelopes.
Just then, the butler hurriedly walked in from outside, looking somewhat strange.
"Grandpa, outside... Qin Xiao, the young master of the Qin family, has come to wish you a Happy New Year."
"Qin Xiao?"
The old man raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
Although the Qin and Nie families both live in the capital, one is in the military and the other in business, so they don't usually have much interaction.
It was at the last birthday banquet that some unpleasant contact occurred because of the marriage arrangement.
What is he doing here on the first day of the Lunar New Year?
The others in the main hall also showed expressions of curiosity.
Nie Zhenbang, in particular, narrowed his eyes slightly.
He knew that at the last birthday banquet, this "mad dog" of the Qin family had been severely punished by Zhang Yan.
Given his personality, it would be good enough if he didn't come looking for revenge, how could he possibly come to pay a New Year's visit?
"Let him in."
The old man pondered for a moment, then waved his hand.
Soon, a tall, stern-faced young man, exuding an aura of iron will, strode in.
It was Qin Xiao.
He wasn't wearing his military uniform today, but rather a set of black casual clothes, yet his distinctive, sharp aura as a soldier remained undiminished.
He was carrying two simple gift boxes.
"Grandpa Nie, Grandma Nie, your junior Qin Xiao wishes you a Happy New Year."
He walked up to the two elderly people and bowed respectfully.
His attitude was polite and humble, completely unlike his arrogant and domineering demeanor at the last birthday banquet.
This completely surprised everyone present.
"Good, good, young master Qin, you've got a kind heart."
Although the old man was puzzled, he still politely replied on the surface.
Qin Xiao straightened up and glanced casually across the main hall.
His gaze fell upon the young man in a dark red Tang suit, who was leisurely drinking tea.
His cold, stern face instantly changed.
To everyone's astonishment and disbelief.
Qin Xiao quickly walked up to Zhang Yan and stopped.
Then, he lowered his head slightly and spoke in a deep voice with an almost respectful demeanor.
The sound, clear and distinct, resounded throughout the entire main hall.
"Happy New Year, Brother Yan."