I traveled back to ancient times, but I was able to lie down and relax.

On New Year's Eve, Liu Nanjia didn't stay in bed as much as she had in the previous days; she got up early.

Just as he stepped out, he ran into Song Chen, who was returning from martial arts practice.

Song Chen, with beads of sweat still clinging to his forehead, paused for a moment when he saw Liu Nanjia suddenly appear.

Why did you get up so early today?

Liu Nanjia was admiring the boy's energetic figure, but upon hearing these words, her mood instantly soured.

"What do you mean? Are you saying I'm lazy?"

She glared at him as she spoke.

Song Chen quickly waved his hand: "No, no, that's not what I meant, I was just a little surprised."

He usually only encountered Liu Nanjia after he had finished washing up.

Therefore, he doesn't pay much attention to his clothes when practicing martial arts in the morning, and he does whatever is convenient for him. At this moment, he is somewhat "disheveled".

Liu Nanjia wasn't actually angry, but seeing his flustered appearance, she wanted to tease him a little more.

With his hands on his hips, he said, "An accident? Well, it's just that I used to be a late riser!"

Song Chen panicked even more, his face turning red.

Liu Nanjia couldn't help but sigh inwardly, "What a handsome young man with rosy lips and white teeth! He's got a great physique too. Not bad at all. He could be an idol in modern times."

She only let Song Chen go after she had seen enough. "Alright, I was just teasing you. Go wash up, it's uncomfortable to have sweat sticking to your body. Come help in the kitchen after you're done, we have a lot of things to do today."

Song Chen then remembered what he was wearing, his face turned even redder, and he ran to his room.

Liu Nanjia watched his hurried escape and laughed, then reminded him, "Remember to wash with hot water, it's the middle of winter, don't get sick."

"Okay." Song Chen's muffled reply came from inside, and Liu Nanjia then smiled and left.

Song Chen was extremely embarrassed at this moment, and secretly resolved that he would never be lazy again and would always dress neatly no matter what.

Thinking of Liu Nanjia's direct gaze just now, without the slightest hint of embarrassment, her feelings became even more complicated.

Is this girl too presumptuous? Or is she just clueless? How can she not care at all about the differences between men and women?

Liu Nanjia had no idea that she had caused trouble for Song Chen; she didn't take what had just happened to heart at all.

In modern times, what haven't I seen?

When Song Chen finished tidying herself up and walked into the kitchen, pretending to be calm, she saw Liu Nanjia busy at work, seemingly having put the matter behind her.

I didn't know whether to feel relieved or upset.

When Liu Nanjia saw him come in, she immediately asked him to help, "Come on, you're strong, help me knead the dough. It's different from making bread normally, it requires..."

She was planning to make dumplings. After telling Song Chen about the dough she needed for the dumpling wrappers, she went to prepare the filling herself.

The pork is minced, and some of it is mixed with shepherd's purse, making it a classic dumpling flavor.

Another portion included winter bamboo shoots she had dug up; she remembered eating them once and finding them quite delicious.

After Liu Sirou got up, they had a hearty breakfast and then continued their work.

Liu Yanxi started cleaning early in the morning; during the New Year, it's customary to "remove dust and filth, and clean the courtyard and doors."

After finishing breakfast, Liu Sirou ran to help her brother and cleaned her and her sister's room.

After tidying up the yard, Liu Nanjia and Song Chen were almost done in the kitchen.

Several people would put up peach wood charms and Spring Festival couplets on the courtyard gate to ward off evil spirits and ensure the safety of the house.

Spring Festival couplets were also pasted on the doors of the classrooms and the main hall, and Liu Nanjia also pasted paper-cut window decorations on the windows.

The bright red couplets and paper-cut window decorations instantly created a festive atmosphere in the courtyard.

They had a simple lunch, as the main event of the day was in the evening.

Before dinner, Liu Nanjia thought for a moment, then cooked a large plate of dumplings and called Liu Yanxi over:

"Brother, take this to Grandma. If you want to stay, talk to her. I won't go. Tell Grandma that we'll each go our own way tonight."

Liu Yanxi paused for a moment, nodded, and left with the dumplings.

Liu Nanjia did this because she heard from Aunt Wang that Grandma Liu wanted to call them over on the 24th.

They had all gone to town, so naturally they didn't run into each other.

Today is Lunar New Year's Eve, and she doesn't want to deal with those people at all. It's best if everyone goes their own way and doesn't bother each other.

But Grandma Liu is an elder, and the only person there who genuinely cares about them. If she comes to find them later, it will be awkward if she doesn't.

It would be better to take the initiative and have my brother bring a plate of dumplings over to tell Grandma directly, which would save face for both sides.

Liu Nanjia thought her brother would stay there for a while, but before long, Liu Yanxi returned.

"Brother, how's it going over there? Why are you back so soon?"

"It's nothing, Grandma Dumplings accepted it, and I've already told her," Liu Yanxi replied.

Actually, Grandma still wanted them to go, but with Grandpa Liu's temper, how could she possibly give him a good look?

Fang also spoke sarcastically, "Now that you've made a lot of money, you look down on us elders. Why did you come alone, and only brought a plate of dumplings? Who are you trying to fool?"

Seeing the two men's behavior, Grandma Liu sighed and stopped mentioning the time they spent together that night.

After accepting the dumplings, he let Liu Yanxi return and then went to reprimand Fang Shi.

Now that she's in charge of the household, she's much more assertive with Old Master Liu, let alone Madam Fang.

When Liu Yanxi left, there was a huge commotion over there.

He felt that his sister probably didn't want to hear these things, and there was no need for her to say them, so he didn't.

Liu Nanjia really wasn't interested in what was going on there. The only thing she probably wanted to know was how Grandma Liu had taught Fang a lesson.