Chapter 2509: Chapter 2573: New Year’s Greetings
Inside the car, Li Yifei waited for a little while; Ye Yunzhu’s arrangements were quick. Even if the relevant personnel were unwilling to come, with Deputy Mayor Ye’s personal involvement, they still had to obey the orders. When the people arrived, Li Yifei drove away, with Father Su and Su Yiyi sitting in the back seat. A few elderly people outside watched the car leave.
"Sigh, Old Su’s daughter and son-in-law seem really well off."
"Well off indeed, but not very filial. Then again, there aren’t many filial children these days..."
"Stop saying that nonsense. Old Su already said he’s the one throwing tantrums. Didn’t you see his daughter and son-in-law’s attitude? It’s quite good!" The old lady watched the car turn the corner and disappear, her eyes showed a hint of envy.
Inside the car, Li Yifei finally knew what Father Su had been up to during this time. He actually went to a construction site to work, as a basic laborer. But due to his poor health over the years, his body struggled to cope. Despite this, Father Su gritted his teeth and persisted. When the site was open, he could eat and live there, though the conditions were very poor. The place to sleep was a sweltering, humid barracks; the blanket could even be wrung out with water. If it rained, it was even worse. The food was also that kind of large pot meal, with hardly any oil or water. In summer, it was mostly radishes, potatoes, cabbage, or bok choy, with barely any other vegetables, and very little meat, which wasn’t very clean. It could be said he was suffering.
The old man earned some money and, with the site closed in winter, found this place, rented a house, and planned to spend the winter.
Father Su spoke easily while Su Yiyi wept strongly; coaxing couldn’t help. Li Yifei also felt uncomfortable inside; the old man’s change was genuine, and as children, they were long satisfied. Continuing that kind of work for a few more years might ruin his health entirely.
"Dad, just enjoy the New Year. Afterward, let Yiyi find a nicer community, and we’ll choose a house for you to live in comfortably. If you want to work, you can work, but don’t do such exhausting jobs anymore. If you don’t, then it’s fine to go to the park, chat with friends, and play chess!"
"No, no, after New Year, I still want to work. It’s actually quite good; earning money myself feels great... To be honest with you two, I feel really satisfied now. Over the years, besides gambling money, I rarely spent on food or clothes. Now, I’ve completely quit that; I can earn a little and occasionally enjoy some food and drinks, which is nice. Life like this is satisfying."
"Dad, please listen to Yifei. You’ve changed so much now, let your daughter support you! After the New Year, I’ll buy a house for you. Once you move in, if you feel bored... well, maybe meet a companion, and you two live well together; no need to worry about anything else."
"Those words... Dad is not that kind of person!" the old man blushed, trying to hide his embarrassment: "Dad is not lonely; life is quite peaceful now."
"Dad, I didn’t mean that. I meant if it happens, don’t worry about me. I support you!" Su Yiyi wiped the tears from her eyes and forced a smile.
Father Su still felt awkward and said, "This matter... we’ll talk about it later; don’t think about it now. As long as you and Yifei have a good life, Dad is satisfied. Oh, I know Dad’s words aren’t pleasing. Yifei, you, and those girls are all good kids. As long as your life is good, Dad is satisfied!"
"Dad!" Su Yiyi hugged Father Su’s arm, leaning her head against it.
This father and daughter had been in a helplessly strained situation for years, but now Father Su genuinely managed to change. As a son-in-law, Li Yifei was also pleased for them. With this, Su Yiyi could finally let go of her emotional burden.
The car arrived home; it was New Year’s Eve, and Li Yifei had been gone for hours, which wasn’t ideal, but all the women understood. When the family heard, they agreed too. The Li family now never lacked food or clothing, and usually, these relatives rarely visited, fearing awkwardness. However, during New Year, the chance was rare, and gathering together for some lively times was always good.
The women weren’t gossipers; people like Xu Zhenguo saw the car return and came to welcome them. When Father Su got out, Xu Zhenguo expressed his welcome, which eased Father Su’s heart a lot. He didn’t want to come to the Li family for the New Year, fearing his past would make him looked down upon.
"Old Su, you’re quite late, huh? Haha, come on, let’s sit over there, not mix with the youngsters!" Xu Zhenguo said with a smile.
Father Su nodded vigorously and said, "Alright, let’s go. Oh, it was troublesome for Yifei to pick me up, truly..."
"He should pick you up, after all, you’re his father-in-law. Stop saying that; we made a pot of fine tea earlier; come and try it."
"Alright, alright!"
Li Yifei parked the car and answered the security guard’s call. On Zhao Liuzi’s side, they had already gone over and taken the person away, first locking him in the Public Security Bureau. He wouldn’t have a good time, and this time he wouldn’t think of getting out unless he died.
Regarding the water supply and electricity, the related personnel quickly arrived and organized manpower for emergency repairs, ensuring that today water and electricity would be restored, letting the nearby residents have a peaceful New Year.
After receiving news from both sides, Li Yifei said thank you, and seeing Su Yiyi waiting for him, he walked over with a smile.
"Husband, I don’t know what to say. Thank you. Meeting you has been the greatest luck of my life."
"Meeting you, meeting all of you, is my happiness too!" Li Yifei said as he held Su Yiyi’s hand with a smile.
When the two returned home, they found the women all making dumplings, each under the guidance of their mothers, having divided the work across several areas. Li Yifei patted his forehead, thinking about tonight’s New Year’s Eve dinner... it would be a large table full of dishes, and even if each person ate a dozen or twenty dumplings, they would still need to make quite a few.
Luckily, there were many hands to help. Li Yifei rolled up his sleeves, washed his hands, and prepared to pitch in, but the women shooed him away. Su Mengxin gave him a look and said, "Go watch the kids, we don’t need you here!"
"Alright, I’ll go check on the kids!" Li Yifei chuckled.
The mothers who had come for the New Year watched their daughters interact with Li Yifei, nodding secretly. The children’s lives have their own blessings, and it seems that this big family gets along harmoniously and happily, which is more important than anything else.
They were incredibly satisfied, and Li Yifei had indeed proven himself.
So many people gathering for the New Year was a first for the Li family. The only regret was... Li Yifei’s parents couldn’t be there. Li Yifei felt a bit melancholic; even though he was known for his resilience, deep down he had tender spots, and his parents were his vulnerability.
During festive seasons, people often miss their loved ones the most. Amidst the lively New Year’s Eve dinner at the Li family, Li Yifei still remembered his parents. No matter how capable he was now, he couldn’t bring them back to life.
"Honey?" Su Mengxin sensed Li Yifei’s distraction and called out softly.
"Huh?" Li Yifei snapped back to reality, saw Su Mengxin’s worried expression, smiled broadly, and shook his head saying, "It’s nothing, just thinking about something."
"The kids want to wish you a Happy New Year." Su Mengxin held Li Yifei’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
Upon hearing this, Li Yifei’s eyes widened with interest, "The kids are wishing me a Happy New Year?"
"Yes, the older kids want to wish their dad, the head of the Li family, a Happy New Year," Su Mengxin said, also feeling quite happy.
"Great! Where are they? I’ll go see them!" Li Yifei adjusted his mood, stood up, walked a few steps, then stopped and looked at Su Mengxin with a bashful smile, reaching into his pocket. He said, "Honey, I didn’t prepare any red envelopes..."
Su Mengxin gave a knowing smile, took out a stack of red envelopes from her pocket, and handed them over, saying, "I prepared them for you."
Li Yifei took the red envelopes, felt they were very light, and asked with some confusion, "What’s inside?"
"The kids’ little villas," Su Mengxin replied.
"Huh?" Li Yifei was momentarily stunned, blinked, and asked, "What villas? Ours?"
"Of course not. Our family, in collaboration with the government, developed an island tourism project, with one large island and two small islands. According to the agreement, one of the small islands is for us to develop freely, so we just turned it into our holiday resort!"
"That’s great, is it in the South Sea?" Li Yifei asked.
Su Mengxin nodded and said, "In the South Sea, don’t worry, actually every member of the family has a villa. But tonight, since the kids are wishing you a Happy New Year, you should give them something special."
Li Yifei understood and said, "That makes sense, this is much better than giving money in a red envelope."
"Go on!" Su Mengxin gestured.
Entering the room, Li Yifei saw several children in festive new clothes. The nostalgia for his parents in his heart was immediately replaced by the sight. Mom and Dad, can you see them? You have so many adorable grandchildren now. They are healthy and lively; they are the future of our family.
"Dad!" Li Yufei, representing the children, spoke up, "Happy New Year! Wishing you success and good fortune in the new year!"
After the greeting, she pulled the other children along, kneeling down to kowtow to Li Yifei. He initially wanted to stop the children from kneeling, but paused and eventually decided not to interfere, accepting their kowtows and blessings with peace of mind. Li Yifei handed out the red envelopes, and the children happily thanked him upon receiving them.
After the children finished their New Year greetings, as children, Li Yifei and the women also wished the elders a Happy New Year, offering their blessings and gifts. They certainly wouldn’t be stingy in this aspect. Their daughters understood their parents’ preferences and presented appropriate gifts. There was no need for competition in this matter, as the women of the Li family wouldn’t use this to compete with one another. They simply prepared the gifts that should be prepared.
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