The Jiang’s started their holidays on the 29th, meaning to say that the annual party would be on the last day of work. The Jiang’s employees, with their vacation already started, were much more relaxed when it came to drinking.

There were no observations of superior and subordinate during events like this. Even Jiang MingYuan, who had always been solemn, was fed a lot of alcohol. As much as he could hold alcohol, he was still very drunk by the end of the evening.

The drunk Jiang MingYuan didn’t look too different than usual. His cheeks were not red, nor he did not slur in his speech. He looked just like normal and did not sway when he walked. Perhaps only those who knew him very well could be able to tell that he was drunk from his slower-than-normal reaction and his unfocused eyes.

Cheng Huan was startled when Jiang MingYuan said they should go get their marriage certificate. Her first reaction was to turn him down. But when he said he was just joking, she felt a slight disappointment at the same time that she felt relieved.

Cheng Huan sighed about her own shamelessness. Taking a deep breath, she tried to suppress all of her crazy thoughts. Looking away, she asked when he was leaving.

“I am taking off now.” Jiang MingYuan wasn’t going to go into the office today. He needed to meet up with a customer today at 3 PM so he needed to leave soon.

Per their customs, they would worship their ancestors first before they have their New Year Eve meal.

Gu MingLi, on the other hand, was reluctant to waste another minute after waiting 30 years for the opportunity to be with her lover in the open. And, truth be told, she did have a little bit of a guilty conscience for cheating on her late husband and was not really keen on going to visit him.

“I have already visited your dad already.” She didn’t, but that didn’t stop Gu MingLi from saying it. Her voice sounded weak from the other end of the phone and, coughing a little, she said to her son, “It’s not that I want to take off during this time. I really wish the two of us can spend New Year Eve together but you know how bad the air will be around New Year time.

Cheng Huan pursed her lips. Taking another look at the purse in her arms, she was a bit perturbed. Stroking the logo that was made out of gemstones, Cheng Huan placed the purse to one said and pondered about using some of her savings to get the man a gift.

She’d chalk it up to a New Year’s gift.

***

XiaoXiao, too, had noticed the purse when they were having breakfast. He could finally let out the secret that he had been keeping for days and he couldn’t wait to take the credits.

With a look full of pride, he said as he sipped on the porridge, “I picked this one out myself, Mommy. It’s so sparkly and pretty, right?”