Lin Xinyan’s face flushed crimson.
Surely, she could deprive Zong Jinghao of his position if she wanted to. After all, she had fifty percent of the shares in her hands.
On the other hand, Cheng Yuxiu had also prepared gifts for the children. Unlike Zong Qifeng, it wasn’t money but a token from the heart.
She had gone to South China Temple in person to ask for an amulet with the hope that the children would grow up safely and healthily.
The amulets were in a small yellow silk bag, embroidered with Buddhism-related motifs. Cheng Yuxiu brought them forward and hung them on their necks.
It wasn’t that she was a superstitious person, but it would be better to believe in something than nothing at all.
“Today is New Year’s Eve, and I can’t just come empty-handed.” Shen Peichuan had also prepared a gift for the children – a Nephrite jade pendant. “I don’t know much about jade, but I was told that it’d be good to wear this when I bought them. Men should wear it in the shape of the Guanyin statue, while it should be the Buddha for women, although I don’t really understand what it means.”
He gave the pendant with the Guanyin statue to Lin Xichen and the one with the Maitreya Buddha to Lin Ruixi. The little girl opened the red velvet box to see the beautifully carved Maitreya Buddha inside grinning pleasantly while holding the Buddhist prayer beads.
“Thank you, Uncle Shen. I love it,” the little girl beamed while stroking the pendant.
Shen Peichuan sighed in relief. “I was afraid you wouldn’t.”
He had been feeling very uneasy since the day he purchased the pair of jade pendants. Gifting was a matter of catering to someone else’s liking, but getting them a plush toy didn’t seem right for this occasion.
“Thank you, Uncle Shen. I love it too,” Lin Xichen chimed in politely. Growing up abroad, he didn’t understand the Buddhist culture back home so he asked, “Men should wear it in the shape of the Guanyin statue, while it should be the Buddha for women. Is it because the Guanyin is a female and the Buddha is a male?”
There was a moment of silence at the table.
No one had expected Lin Xichen to ask such a question.
“That’s not how you interpret it, and you can’t just say that.” Lin Xinyan patted her son’s head. “It’s not very respectful.”
“It’s all right. He’s just a kid.” Zong Qifeng waved his hand. “Let’s eat.”
Zong Jinghao had a couple of drinks with Shen Peichuan to celebrate the occasion.
He thought it didn’t matter if he drank himself unconscious since the drivers were around.
Outside, fireworks were on display.
Lin Ruixi inhaled her food and finished the bowl of soup in one gulp, earning a frown from Lin Xinyan. “Slow down. Why are you in such a hurry?”
“I wanna play with fireworks,” the little girl said hurriedly, her voice muffled as she shoved another mouthful of food into her mouth.
Lin Xinyan stroked her hair lovingly. “Still, there’s no need to rush. There are so many of us who haven’t finished our food yet. It’s not like you can go out on your own, right?”
Upon consideration that it wouldn’t be fun to play alone outside, the little girl jumped off from her chair and urged, “Then hurry up! I wanna play outside. Don’t keep me waiting.”
Amused, Shen Peichuan said, “There are so many dishes. It’ll take at least twenty minutes for me to finish them.”
The little girl blinked. “Then just finish this plate of fish in front of you.”
“Oh, no, I need to fill myself up,” Shen Peichuan said, grabbing a crab roe bun. “Besides, I don’t like to eat fish.”
“You’ll get fat if you eat too much,” Lin Ruixi piped. “And a fatty can never find a girlfriend. Look at Uncle Su doing so well with Aunt Qin Ya. Nobody will want to go out with a fatty.”
Everyone at the table roared with laughter.
“I’m done,” Shen Peichuan said, putting down his chopsticks.
She’s right. I’ll never find a girlfriend at this rate.
“Eat up, Uncle Shen,” Lin Xichen piped up as he refilled Shen Peichuan’s plate.
“You’re the best, Xi,” Shen Peichuan said, patting Lin Xichen’s head.
“Even if you’re not fat, you can never find a girlfriend,” Lin Xichen said, putting a piece of braised pork in his mouth. “You might as well eat, Uncle Shen.”
Shen Peichuan was rendered speechless at the sudden verbal attack.
The reunion dinner ended with joyful laughter. After leaving the restaurant, they arrived at a vast space where Lin Ruixi could set off fireworks.
At that moment, all sorts of fireworks were readied in the trunk, and the little girl couldn’t get any more excited.
Shen Peichuan first ignited her two sticks of fireworks, known as Little Stars. The name was such because it resembled a star when it ignited.
She gave Lin Xinyan a stick and said, “Mommy, mommy, this is for you.”
Lin Xinyan bent over to accept it, and the little girl dashed off in her snow boots.
Zong Jinghao stood next to her. In the distance, Shen Peichuan was setting off fireworks with the kids.
“This is their first time celebrating at home. We weren’t allowed to set off fireworks when we were abroad.” Lin Xinyan’s lips quirked up into a faint smile, watching as the kids hopping around happily.
“Are you happy?” Zong Jinghao asked, draping an arm around her shoulder.
“I am, but it’s not perfect,” Lin Xinyan answered. It was her first Chinese New Year without Zhuang Zijin. She felt a little disappointed because it wasn’t a perfect reunion, especially since she had just reunited with the children’s father this year.
Sensing her dampened mood, Zong Jinghao buried his head inside her coat. “When did you fall down? How come I don’t know? Here, let me take a look,” he said, reaching inside her coat to lift her sweater.
Lin Xinyan pushed him away in shock. Not knowing if she was too strong or if Zong Jinghao did it on purpose or if it was because his feet slipped, his body leaned back the moment she pushed him. In just a split second, he fell over while taking hold of her hand and pulling her down together.
“Ah!” Lin Xinyan shrieked reflexively, but she shut her mouth immediately in fear of alarming Shen Peichuan and the kids.
Zong Jinghao landed on his back first, and with his coat opened, Lin Xinyan fell on his chest.
Lin Xinyan tried to stand up, but the man yanked her arm, causing her to topple over again. Pressing her head with one hand while fondling the back of her waist through her sweater with the other, he lifted his head slightly and captured her lips with his.
Her long hair cascaded down, covering both of their faces. His kiss was deep, and his body was burning up despite the cold weather.
Lin Xinyan struggled to break free from his arms.
“Don’t move,” the man said, loosening his grip. “I’ll be gentle.”
Just then, with a deafening roar, fireworks burst through the dreary and hazy night, making the sky a kaleidoscope of colors.
However, Lin Xinyan feigned ignorance and took advantage of the distraction to get up and run away.
