Qin Yuchuan had always been known for his serious demeanor, rarely smiling or joking, and generally keeping to himself.
Today, Yan Yang witnessed a side of him he had never seen before, making him wonder if the person before him had been switched.
Hurrying back to his own quarters, Yan Yang poured himself a glass of water to calm his nerves.
"What's the matter with you?" Yan Chi asked curiously.
Yan Yang pointed towards the Falling Flower Courtyard, "The General was alone in the courtyard, smiling brilliantly for some unknown reason."
Yan Chi speculated, "Perhaps it has something to do with Miss Feng Qingyi! The General treats her differently from others; she's probably the only one who can make him happy."
"But we'll be leaving Shengjing again after the New Year. I'm afraid the General and Miss Feng Qingyi won't have many opportunities to meet."
Yan Yang replied, "Then I'd better enjoy some good meals before we leave. Once we're gone from Shengjing, who knows when we'll be back."
No one knew how long this war would last - it could be a year, two years, or even longer.
All they could do was give their best effort.
...
On the twenty-ninth day of the twelfth lunar month, Feng Qingyi's uncle Feng Zhiyuan and his family of three also returned to their hometown to celebrate the New Year with everyone.
Feng Zhiyuan had made his fortune selling barbecue, and now lived quite comfortably.
His wife, named Luo Qingyun, was a high school teacher.
They had a son named Feng Xinghui, who was twenty-three this year.
The family got along well enough, but living in different cities meant they only exchanged greetings during holidays, with little interaction otherwise.
Each had their own social circles, but when they gathered, they would chat warmly.
On New Year's Eve, Feng Qingyi and Feng Qingci were responsible for hanging lanterns and putting up couplets, while the others prepared chicken, duck, fish, meat, vegetables, and drinks.
Once everything was ready, the family gathered around the fire pit to make dumplings.
In the countryside, dumplings were entirely handmade, with hand-chopped fillings, giving them a special flavor.
The timing of New Year's Eve dinner varied from family to family, but the Feng family always set theirs for around 5 PM.
Before the reunion dinner, they needed to worship their ancestors. Only after this ritual could they officially begin the meal.
A table full of delicious food and a big family gathering created a joyous atmosphere.
If firecrackers hadn't been banned, the sound of them going off would have been heard all around.
At the dinner table, everyone toasted each other, offering words of congratulations.
Those who didn't drink alcohol used soft drinks as a substitute, just for show.
After eating and drinking their fill, everyone helped clean up the tables, chairs, and dishes.
Afterward, the elders started playing cards. Although staying up all night wasn't a tradition here, few people would sleep on this night.
Several tables were set up around the fire pit, with mahjong and poker games ready, waiting for neighbors to join after finishing their own New Year's Eve dinners.
The younger generation didn't join in this merriment, each returning to their own rooms.
After chatting with her friends on her phone for a while, Feng Qingyi decided to bother Qin Yuchuan.
[Qingyi: Have you finished dinner?]
[Yuchuan: We've already eaten.]
[Qingyi: What are you doing now?]
[Yuchuan: Staying up for the New Year.]
[Qingyi: Is there anything fun going on?]
She thought about how the Spring Festival in ancient times must have been much livelier than now, and surely more interesting.
[Yuchuan: Would you like to come and see?]
[Qingyi: Is that okay?]
[Yuchuan: Of course.]
If he could spend New Year's Eve with her, it would be quite nice.
There were no outsiders in the house, and he would keep her within sight.
[Qingyi: Wait for me a moment.]
Although no one was likely to notice her now, she still locked the door just in case.
Since returning to her hometown, meeting with Qin Yuchuan felt like a clandestine rendezvous.
Appearing in his study again, Feng Qingyi was now quite at ease.
"Qin Yuchuan, are you staying up for the New Year alone in your study?"
Qin Yuchuan replied, "I'll go to the main hall shortly."
Feng Qingyi walked to Qin Yuchuan's side, "It's the New Year, and you're here painting. You really know how to enjoy your leisure time."
On his desk was an almost completed ink landscape painting.
"Just a casual work, nothing remarkable."
With just a few strokes, he had outlined the contours of mountains and waters.
Feng Qingyi admired this, even though it wasn't her area of expertise. She couldn't help but find it impressive.
"You're being modest. It's really well done."
"If you like it, then I'll give it to you."
Qin Yuchuan added the final touches and wrote a few characters.
With just a casual comment, she had gained a painting. Although she didn't know its value, it would be nice to keep as a collection.
"Come with me to the main hall," Qin Yuchuan said, taking Feng Qingyi's hand.
The main hall of the General's Mansion was now very lively.
Besides Qin Yuchuan, Xuanyuan Xi was the only other master in the mansion.
To make the mansion more lively, the housekeeper had gathered all the maids and guards, bringing everyone together here.
The tables in the main hall were laden with various snacks, including preserved fruits, pastries, and dragon's beard candy.
While staying up for the New Year, people would chat and eat these snacks.
When Feng Qingyi entered the main hall with Qin Yuchuan, she immediately felt everyone's curious gazes upon her.
After greeting everyone, Feng Qingyi was called to sit beside Xuanyuan Xi.
"Qingyi, won't your family mind that you've come here today?"
"They're busy playing cards; they haven't even noticed I'm gone."
Xuanyuan Xi pointed to the large square table nearby.
"Qingyi, since you're here, treat this place like your own home. Don't be shy. Try some of these snacks on the table."
Feng Qingyi looked at the table, amazed by the variety of snacks. For a moment, she thought they were set up for sale!
The nearly two-meter-long table was packed full.
Each plate contained a different type of snack. If Shen Hanyue were here, she would have been ecstatic.
Just then, Yan Yang walked in briskly, carrying two baked sweet potatoes.
Seeing Feng Qingyi, Yan Yang looked her way.
"Miss Feng Qingyi, I just baked these sweet potatoes. Would you like to try one?"
Smelling the aroma of the freshly baked sweet potatoes, Feng Qingyi took one from him, "Thank you, Yan Yang!"
Yan Yang grinned somewhat goofily, "No need to thank me. I'm glad you like it, Miss Feng Qingyi."
Feng Qingyi took the peeled sweet potato to Qin Yuchuan's side.
"I'll share half with you. Would you like some?"
With so much food on the table, if she ate this whole big sweet potato, she surely wouldn't be able to eat anything else later. She needed to find someone to help her finish it.
Qin Yuchuan looked at her and said, "Alright."
Feng Qingyi happily broke the sweet potato in half and handed one half to Qin Yuchuan.
"I thought the General never liked sweets. Why did he accept the sweet potato from Miss Qingyi?" Bai Wei asked, puzzled.
Xuanyuan Xi slowly took a sip of hot tea and smiled.
"You don't understand. He may not like sweets, but when it's offered by the girl he loves, it's not just any ordinary sweet treat anymore."
