A pond full of blooming flowers, an ultimate addiction.

After a busy month, just before the Lunar New Year, the Guo family's affairs were finally over. The entire Guo family was moved away from Xi'an, and Guo Yuantao was sentenced to ten years in prison.

On New Year's Eve, every household was brightly lit, and the red lanterns reflected everyone's joy.

Jiang Guoqing brought Jiang Xue to the family reunion dinner. Cui Xiuling understood and didn't object, but her expression was distant. Jiang Chen took his annual leave from the army to spend the New Year with Grandpa Jiang.

"Grandpa, I'll finish this, you can drink as you like." Jiang Chen exuded masculine energy as he downed a glass of baijiu with gusto.

"Slow down, eat something." Ruan He picked up some food for Jiang Chen and hurriedly stopped him from pouring wine. After downing a glass of baijiu, Jiang Chen's face turned bright red.

"And who is this?" Jiang Chen asked knowingly, his face showing an honest and simple expression.

“This is your sister Jiang Xue. You rarely come back, so you must have never seen her before.” Jiang Guoqing spoke up for Jiang Xue like a protective mother hen.

"No, Uncle, having Jiang Yi as my sister is enough for me to cause trouble." Ruan He told Jiang Chen everything. His parents couldn't openly express their opinions out of consideration for their relationship, but that didn't mean he would remain silent.

"Second Brother, Happy New Year." Jiang Xue raised her glass and clinked it with his, her sweet voice irresistible.

"Thank you, Happy New Year," Jiang Chen said politely, then ignored her.

Jiang Xue fell silent and ate her meal by herself. After the little incident, she told her grandfather how advanced the military's weapons and equipment were now, so different from before. When the two found common ground in their conversation, Jiang Chen would clink glasses with her grandfather, and she received quite a bit of nagging from Ruan He.

After dinner, Jiang Yi video-called her grandfather to wish him a Happy New Year in advance: "Grandpa, Happy New Year! I wish you good health and a long life." Jiang Yi forced a smile, her voice hoarse from a cold, as if her nose was stuffed with cotton, and her eyes misted over from a violent cough. Originally, her grandfather and the others wanted to come to New Zealand to spend the New Year with her, but she declined because she was busy with graduation and many things. "Mom, Second Uncle and Second Aunt, and my two older brothers, Happy New Year."

"Listen to your voice, did you take your medicine?" Grandpa Jiang looked at Jiang Yi, who was wrapped in a blanket, and his tone was full of concern despite his reproach.

"I've taken the medicine, Grandpa. I'm fine. I just blew too much air conditioning yesterday." The discomfort from the cold made her feel weak, but she forced herself to stay awake so her grandfather wouldn't worry. "I've taken the medicine and I'll feel better after a nap."

"Then you should rest quickly." Grandpa, still worried, made Youming watch her finish drinking her medicine.

Jiang Yi was so coughing that she couldn't lie down. She felt feverish but also like she was shivering in an icy river. She hadn't spoken to Chi Ruiche for the past two days, only saying that she was busy with final exams.

Jiang Yi felt her throat was dry and sore. She struggled to stand up and reached for the warm water that had been prepared in advance on the bedside table. But when she picked up the cup, her hand trembled and the cup slipped from her grasp.

"boom--"

The thermos slammed heavily onto the floor, jolting Jiang awake instantly, his groggy mind clearing in a moment.

"Miss, the doctor has arrived." Youming went to find the clinic doctor to give Jiang Yi an IV drip.

Jiang Yi originally wanted to tough it out and didn't want to get an IV drip, but the persistent high fever was too much for even the best person to handle.

As the medication was administered, Jiang Yi slowly closed her eyes. Her body temperature gradually decreased, and sweat beaded on her back and forehead. The maid cleaned Jiang Yi up and changed her into new pajamas.

The Chi family's New Year's Eve dinner was large, with everyone gathered at the Chi residence. Out of respect for Grandpa Chi, everyone exchanged polite greetings. Initially, the two families had almost no contact, but as Grandpa Chi grew older, they began to maintain a superficial relationship. This time, the topic of conversation revolved around the situation in Xi'an and the marriages of several of the older boys.

Yu Sanguan, a member of the Yu family, passed away from illness before the Lunar New Year. For three years, the family's old house remained bare, without couplets or red lanterns, giving it a somewhat monotonous appearance. With the downfall of the Guo family, the alliance between the two families crumbled, and even the finest delicacies tasted bland to them.

Guo Anyue gave the Lü family their eldest grandson. Although she had no powerful backing, she firmly held her position as Mrs. Lü. The Lü family had always maintained a neutral stance, so the Guo family's affairs didn't affect them much. They would even urge Lü Haotian to settle down at the dinner table.

Each family has their own thoughts and ideas for the New Year's Eve dinner. As dusk settles, the bright streetlights and twinkling stars in the sky create a dazzling spectacle, immersing the entire city in a radiant glow as we welcome the new year.

After three days of IV fluids, Jiang Yi's condition improved, but she missed sending them her first New Year's greetings the following day. However, everyone sent her red envelopes right on time. In particular, Chi Ruiche and Lü Haotian mailed her a box of New Year's gifts.

"President Chi is so hardworking. Don't you even take a break during the New Year?" Jiang Yi's health had recovered a bit, and her soft voice was tinged with hoarseness.

"I thought my sister didn't want me anymore." Chi Ruiche pretended to be hurt, clutching his chest. "I'm getting old, my sister doesn't like me anymore."

"It's not a big deal." Jiang Yi was momentarily speechless.

"I'm sorry, Yi Yi, I can't be by your side right away." Chi Ruiche knew she had a cold, but he couldn't be there to take care of her, so he could only find out through Youming.

"I'm all better now," Jiang Yi comforted him. She really wanted him by her side; when people are sick, they especially crave care and attention.

"Soon, my Yiyi will be back." Chi Ruiche tore off a page from the calendar. As the calendar grew thinner, his mood improved.

"Hmm, I opened the gifts today, but I still prefer the ones from my second brother. He really understands girls' hearts. Compared to that, President Chi's gift seems a bit perfunctory." Jiang Yi deliberately held up the cotton doll that Lü Haotian had sent her.

“Yi Yi, I’ll get jealous if you praise other men.” Chi Ruiche frowned as he listened to Jiang Yi praising Lü Er.

"But I like Chi Ruiche like this, he's so cute." Jiang Yi likes Chi Ruiche's joys and sorrows, rather than his attempts to suppress them. Only in this way can he be like a person, a vibrant person.