"We all believe in you too."

The voices of Hu Yuying and Li Qingxue sounded behind Lin Wanning.

Lin Wanning was startled for a moment before turning to look at Hu Yuying and Li Qingxue. "Y-you... how did you...?"

Li Qingxue covered her mouth and giggled. "Someone went out and forgot to come back. Can’t we come check on you?"

"The dumplings are ready! For our first winter solstice in the capital, of course we have to celebrate together!" Hu Yuying said, picking up her bowl and chopsticks. "Let’s eat!"

The group cheerfully made their way into the sunroom.

"I love this sunroom—it’s so warm and cozy," Li Qingxue said blissfully, stretching her arms. She drew a smiley face on the fogged-up glass with her finger. "May every day ahead be filled with happiness and joy."

"Absolutely!" Lin Wanning agreed, adding a checkmark next to the smiley face. "We’ll all be happy together."

Long Aotian glanced down at the little girl beside him.

Noticing his gaze, Hu Yuying whispered softly, "This winter feels so warm-hearted."

"I’ll always be with you from now on."

In the past, winter solstice was likely a lonely affair for Hu Yuying—just her sitting alone in an empty room, making dumplings by herself, eating by herself, with no one to talk to...

But not anymore. From now on, he would stay by her side, always.

"Mhm." Hu Yuying smiled, stealing a shy glance at Long Aotian before murmuring, "I really like you..."

Long Aotian stiffened slightly, watching the faint blush on Hu Yuying’s cheeks. If only Qingxue and Wanning weren’t here, if only it weren’t broad daylight—he’d have swept her up into his arms and carried her straight to the bedroom to "exterminate some ants."

After resting for days, he was brimming with energy. The "ant-slaying" session would undoubtedly be far more effective this time.

As if sensing his thoughts, Hu Yuying stepped on his foot. "Can’t I be nice to you without you thinking about that every time you’re free?"

She then walked over to the stove, scooped up a dumpling, and took a bite. "Alright, it’s ready! Let’s eat!" ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ novel•fire.net

At her signal, Li Qingxue and Lin Wanning gathered around.

"Wow~ this dumpling is huge!"

"Hehe, I made this one. Yuying, doesn’t it look like a golden ingot?"

"K-kind of, I guess?"

"Wanning said the same thing! Then let’s all wish for prosperity!"

"Dig in!"

......

"Ugh... I’m stuffed... can’t eat anymore..."

Hu Yuying stared sheepishly at the remaining dumplings in her bowl. Who would’ve thought she’d get full after just ten?

They were just too big.

The three girls simultaneously turned their eyes to Long Aotian.

Under their gaze, he awkwardly set down his chopsticks and let out a small burp. "N-next time, let’s make them smaller."

He then placed his bowl in front of them.

The leftover dumplings from their bowls were promptly dumped into his, instantly refilling it to the brim.

"Sigh." Long Aotian took a deep breath and loosened his belt.

Just as he took his first bite—clink—"Ow! What’s so hard in here?"

He spat out a coin.

Lin Wanning gasped in regret. "Aww, I should’ve eaten one more! Maybe I would’ve gotten the lucky coin!"

Li Qingxue smiled at the coin in Long Aotian’s hand. "That’s a fortune coin. Whoever gets it will be blessed with good luck for the whole year."

"Long Aotian, the goddess of luck has smiled upon you. The next year will be full of blessings!"

"Guess I am lucky," Long Aotian chuckled, running his tongue over the sore spot on his tooth. "But can I make a suggestion?"

"Next time, use a one-yuan coin instead of a fifty-cent one. This one’s too small—I almost swallowed it by accident."

"Fine, this was just spare change from the supermarket. I’ll swap it for a one-yuan next time."

Suddenly, Lin Wanning sniffed the air. "Mmm, what’s that amazing smell?"

"My lamb stew must be almost done," Hu Yuying said, hurrying outside.

She lifted the lid, revealing a pot of milky-white broth bubbling gently.

After scooping a spoonful to taste, Lin Wanning eagerly asked, "How is it, sis?"

"Here, try it." Hu Yuying blew on the spoon before holding it to Lin Wanning’s lips.

"So rich! I can’t even taste any gaminess!" Lin Wanning praised, giving a thumbs-up.

Seeing this, Li Qingxue couldn’t resist trying some too. Though already full, the exaggerated delight on Lin Wanning’s face made her curious.

Watching their reactions, Long Aotian shook his head while holding his bowl. Tsk, look at them—acting like they’ve never tasted good food before. As if Yuying’s cooking could ever be anything less than amazing!

"I’ll check how the vegetables are growing. If they’re not ready, we’ll go buy some ingredients for lamb stew tonight."

With that, Hu Yuying led Li Qingxue and Lin Wanning to the small garden Long Aotian had recently tilled.

She pulled out a tiny white radish, no bigger than a finger.

The three girls burst into laughter at the sight of the comically small radish, as if sharing an inside joke.

Long Aotian, puzzled, walked over. "What’s so funny?"

Hu Yuying glanced at him before all three shook their heads in unison. "Nothing!"

"The radish’s only palm-sized. We’ll go buy ingredients for dinner—can you wash the pots while we’re out?"

"Sure, I’ll clean up after eating."

"Then we’ll snack on this radish," Hu Yuying said, washing off the dirt before taking a crisp bite. Tiny radishes like this were refreshingly crunchy but too small for cooking.

She grinned strangely at Long Aotian while chewing, making him shudder inexplicably.

When Lin Wanning also smiled at him before taking a big bite, the odd discomfort intensified.

Finally, Li Qingxue held the radish, her eyes glinting mischievously. With an exaggerated chomp, she devoured it and teased, "Hehe, tastes pretty good!"

She tossed the gnawed radish stub to Long Aotian, her grin widening as she watched him.

Staring at the pitiful remains, Long Aotian suddenly felt a pang of sorrow.

"Why do I feel... kinda sad?"

"Sad? You should be!" Li Qingxue huffed, casting a meaningful glance at his lower half. "If you dare act up again, you’ll have plenty to be sad about!"

With that, she turned and followed Hu Yuying and Lin Wanning to shop for groceries...

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