An Xiaxia would probably punch him in the face if she knew what he was thinking…

“What do you think? Am I getting better?” An Xiaxia had “I need a compliment” written all over her face.

 Sheng Yize nodded. “Not bad.”

 As if to prove what he said, he finished the entire bowl of dumplings!

 Thinking that he actually loved the dumplings, An Xiaxia said with delight, “Let me get you some more!”

 Sheng Yize was speechless. Talk about sowing the wind and reaping the whirlwind…

Sheng Yize pondered for two seconds over the bowl that was filled to the brim with dumplings, then calmly began to put dumplings into Cola’s and Pepsi’s small bowls.

 “Mummy made these herself and they show how much she loves you. Now, eat.”

 Knowing nothing about what he was playing at, the two kids jabbed their baby chopsticks into the dumplings and stuffed them into their mouths.

 Cola managed to finish two, while Pepsi looked like she was going to cry. Feeling sorry for her, Cola finished hers for her.

 An Xiaxia saw what he did and was elated. “Why, Cola, there’s more in the kitchen if you like them so much! You don’t have to take your sister’s!”

 She then grabbed Cola’s bowl, giving him no time to protest, and got him another bowl of dumplings from the kitchen.

 Cola looked dumbstruck.

 He exchanged looks with Sheng Yize, and both men saw despair in each other’s eyes.

 –

 They spent the evening of the Spring Festival in the old Sheng family home.

 Little Hope, Cola, and Pepsi went to play by themselves, while An Xiaxia leaned on Sheng Yize’s shoulder as she ate snacks and mocked the Spring Festival Gala on TV.

 “Last year, I posted on Weibo and said that it was the worst Spring Festival Gala ever, but I was wrong. The one this year is even worse. I want to apologize to the one last year!”

 Sheng Yize watched with flagging interest. His gaze then landed on An Xiaxia’s face.

 She had really become more beautiful by the day and her features were stunning.

 It was just like the name Mr. Song had given her: her beauty could overthrow cities and ruin states.

 When the clock struck twelve, Cola, Pepsi, and little Hope kowtowed to Grandpa and Grandma Sheng, who gave each kid a thick red packet. The three little ones then happily went to bed.

 Sheng Yize gave An Xiaxia a red packet as well. He chuckled as he said, “The allowance for your snacks this year.

 “Enjoy.” Sheng Yize rubbed her hair. “Happy Chinese New Year, Xiaxia.”

 I hope I’ll be able to say that to you every year for as long as I live.

 “Happy Chinese New Year!” An Xiaxia replied with a smile. She then began to type on her phone.

 After sending out a group message, she got replies from the others in turn.

 Qi Yanxi: No greeting message. Please humiliate me with red packets, thank you!

 Fang Shanshan: Happy Chinese New Year, Xiaxia! May you become all the more adorable in the coming year!

 Su Xiaomo: Mwa! My dear little Xiaxia, remember to bury yourself when spring comes. That way, we’ll be able to reap an adorable Dummy Xia mushroom in the fall!

 Chi Yuanfeng: Happy Chinese New Year! Work hard on using up all of Brother Yize’s money!

 .

 The last one was from Mrs. Si.

 “Happy Chinese New Year, Xiaxia. We’ll visit you in six days.”

 An Xiaxia showed the message to her husband. “Si Bai is coming!”

 Sheng Yize replied impassively, “I see.”

 Hmph, that brat. Sheng Yize now had Cola to help him, and he would love to see what Si Bai would do this time.

 –

 After days of waiting, the Si family was finally here.

 Si Bai was in a new black jacket and he bowed adorably to greet the adults. “Hello, Father-in-law, Mother-in-law.”

 “Hello to you too.” An Xiaxia smiled brightly. She nudged Sheng Yize, who took out a red packet reluctantly.

 “Thank you, Father-in-law.” Si Bai blinked. “Where is Pepsi?”