Chapter 156: A Welcoming Gift

"Happy New Year." Yan Hejun’s expression was impassive, yet his eyes held a gentle warmth.

Song Man nodded with a smile, "Happy New Year. May your career soar to new heights in the coming year."

"Happy New Year, Sister-in-law. I wish you constant advancement in your career and a happy, fulfilling marriage in the year ahead," Yan Ruhai said, his words as sweet as honey.

Zhong Yuxiu accepted the blessing with a radiant smile, pulled a red envelope from her pocket, and handed it to him. "Thank you for your well wishes. I’ll take that as a good omen."

"Sister-in-law, I’m already so old—you’re still giving me a red envelope?" Yan Ruhai felt a mix of amusement and warmth, a glowing, heartfelt sensation spreading through him. It wasn't about the money; it was the gesture that touched him.

"No matter how old you are, you aren't working or married yet. Take it," Zhong Yuxiu said, pressing it into his hand. "This is just for this once; there won't be one next year."

"Since your sister-in-law gave it to you, just take it," Yan Rushan said, a smile gracing his handsome face.

Yan Guofeng chimed in, "Your brother is right, just take it. You must treat your sister-in-law well in the future; look at how she thinks of you in everything." If she could treat his younger brother this kindly before even marrying into the family, she would surely be a wonderful daughter-in-law. He didn't believe for a second that she would change her tune after the wedding; he knew Zhong Yuxiu’s character well enough to know she wasn't the type to be two-faced.

"In that case, I'll shamelessly accept it. Thank you, Sister-in-law," Yan Ruhai said with a grin, taking the envelope with both hands to show his respect.

"That's the spirit, we're all family," Yan Rushan said, holding Yuxiu’s hand. "Besides, your sister-in-law isn't short on money."

Song Man stepped forward and patted him lightly. "Yuxiu not being short on money is her own business. Once you’re married, your money should be managed by your wife. You’ve been spendthrift since you were a child; I wouldn't trust you with a full pocket."

"Of course," Yan Rushan agreed immediately.

"Yuxiu, why don't you sit and rest for a while? Go play a game of chess with your grandfather," Song Man said, pulling Yan Hejun toward the kitchen, with Yan Ruhai trailing behind them.

"Come, sit," Yan Guofeng said kindly, gesturing to the sofa opposite him. "It’s different when someone is well-educated—even your blessings sound better. Come, sit by me. We won't play chess for now; people will be coming soon to pay their New Year’s respects, and you and Rushan can meet them."

"All right, thank you, Grandpa Yan." To be visited by people coming to pay respects to Old Master Yan—those were all valuable connections.

In the kitchen, Song Man said to Yan Hejun, "Go upstairs and pack a large red envelope. To show our sincerity, put five hundred in it. It’s Yuxiu’s first time visiting, and we didn't give her one—it was our negligence. We even forgot about it today during the festivities; it’s truly inexcusable. If Yuxiu hadn't given Xiao Hai a red envelope, I wouldn't have even remembered."

When a woman visits her partner's home, if the parents are satisfied, they usually give her a red envelope. This custom had changed significantly during the turbulent years, but families who cared about tradition would at least offer something.

Yan Hejun nodded and headed upstairs.

Yan Ruhai asked, "Mom, when I bring a girlfriend home in the future, will it be like this too?"

"What else?" Song Man shot her youngest son a look. "It’s not that every person you bring home gets a red envelope. We only give them if we are satisfied and approve of you both."

Yan Ruhai: "..." So many hoops to jump through—the adult world was truly complicated.

"That’s why you need to be steady! Don't bring anyone home unless you’re certain you’re going to marry them. We don't have the patience to meet everyone, let alone host them," she said, her tone pragmatic yet understandable.

"Oh." Yan Ruhai didn't pay it much mind; he didn't have a partner yet, so it wasn't a concern.

"Don't just brush me off," Song Man said, eyeing him. "Do be careful. I’m not worried about your brother; your sister-in-law is a person of substance. Unless something unexpected happens, they will surely live a good life. You, on the other hand, have been reckless and carefree since you were a child. Your father and I will have plenty to worry about with you."

"I know, Mom. I’m already so old—please save me some face in front of others," Yan Ruhai said with a grin, chatting with his mother while he helped out.

Yan Hejun returned from upstairs and went straight to the kitchen, handing the red envelope to Song Man.

"You give it to her."

"Fine." Song Man took it and stepped out of the kitchen with him.

Yan Guofeng looked on with a kind smile. He was chatting with Yan Rushan and Zhong Yuxiu, and whatever he said made them both laugh. Song Man watched them, feeling a sense of deep satisfaction.

"Dad, what are you all talking about? You look so happy."

"We were talking about Rushan when he was little. He was always more steady than Xiao Hai, even as a child, and much craftier. That little tyke could always run circles around the other kids in the compound. I used to joke that he was born to be a commander." Who would have thought he would choose such a completely different path later in life?

Song Man chuckled, "It’s true. Rushan was so fair and delicate as a child, carved out of jade. Everyone who saw him would say how handsome and well-behaved he was! He was so clever that whenever he caused trouble, no one ever suspected him. Even if other children said he led the mischief, nobody believed it!"

"In our compound, the children of Rushan’s generation were always getting into trouble; kids crying at the top of their lungs was a daily occurrence. For a while, I became neurotic—whenever I heard a child crying in the compound, I’d be terrified it was because my Rushan was up to no good again."

"A wolf in sheep's clothing," Yan Hejun remarked, nodding in rare agreement.

Zhong Yuxiu couldn't help but laugh. She felt a twinge of regret that she hadn't known how adorable—and mischievous—Yan Rushan was as a child. A naturally cunning child was rare; if guided properly, they would grow up to be quite capable.

Yan Guofeng shook his head with a smile, "Once I realized how mischievous and calculating he was, it took a lot of effort to steer him right. For a time, I even threw him into the military to train with the new recruits to instill some patriotism in him."

As they chatted, Zhong Yuxiu pieced together the image of young Yan Rushan: a boy who committed mischief with a perfectly straight face. He was deeply cunning and a master of disguise. She wondered what their children would be like. A sudden, warm sense of anticipation filled her—the thought of a child belonging to her and Rushan.

"Yuxiu, dear, when you came over earlier, it slipped our minds. You know how it is—after those ten years of chaos, many customs were lost." Song Man took her hand, placed the thick red envelope in her palm, and closed her fingers over it. "It was our oversight, please don't take offense."

"Auntie, you're too kind. I understand completely. I didn't think of it either until just before I left, when I suddenly remembered that Xiao Hai wasn't working yet. My adoptive father used to give me a red envelope every New Year, right up until I was sixteen or seventeen." Before the Wan family’s daughter returned, Wan Xuetang had truly been kind to the original owner of her body. For her, the original owner’s death marked the final chapter with the Wan family.

"You’re such a good child, but you shouldn't have to be this mature," Song Man sighed. Understanding children were usually forged by the hardships of life; only after suffering too much bitterness and injustice did they become overly sensible. Children raised in the lap of luxury often grew up to be somewhat selfish or overbearing—not that being pampered was wrong, but once someone was spoiled, it was difficult to change.

As the saying went: it takes three years to learn good, but only three days to learn bad.