Return to 88: Starting from Marrying My Sister-in-law

On New Year's Eve, Chinese people traditionally stay up all night to welcome the new year. Even ordinary people, no matter how far away from home they are, will try their best to go home and spend the Spring Festival with their families.

And staying up all night on New Year's Eve is the most crucial part of it.

Lu Yang had just gotten off the plane.

Then I received a call from my secretary.

"Boss, thank goodness, I can finally get through to you on the phone. Are you still going to the Spring Festival Gala?"

"Don't go."

"This...no way? This is the Spring Festival Gala live! It's a place many people dream of going to. Now we finally have this opportunity, and it's free. They sent us an invitation, and you're saying you're not going?"

“My dear niece, does she mean I have to go just because she invited me? The Spring Festival Gala may be very lively, but what’s the point of celebrating the New Year if I don’t have family with me? Here’s what we’re going to do: go and ask her if she can give me—well, let me count—three, five, eight, yes, eight invitations in total. If she can allow me to bring my family to the Gala and book a separate table for me, Lu Yang, then I’m definitely going. I’ll leave right now.”

"Hehe, boss, what are you dreaming about in broad daylight?"

"Alright, stop with the nonsense. I've said it several times already, I'm not going. If you want to go, go ahead. I remember there were two invitations, one of which allowed me to bring my wife. If I'm not going, your sister-in-law definitely won't go either. As for the last one, let me think about it."

"Then you'd better hurry, boss. The Spring Festival Gala starts promptly at 8 o'clock, and it's already almost 5 o'clock. After dinner, you still have to rush to the venue to queue for entry into the studio. If you don't come, hmph, I'll just sell this last ticket to scalpers outside."

Lu Yang knew she was joking.

The invitation is linked to his status. After entering the studio, he will be seated in a designated location, and there will even be a nameplate on the table representing his personal identity. Only he can go there in person, or he can designate someone to go on his behalf.

Anyone else who wanted to enter, even with his invitation, would only be turned away when his identity was checked.

Without even thinking, he said, "That's great! Sell them all. Don't just sell one; sell both. It's a waste to keep them for you to take to the Spring Festival Gala. Let's make some more money and split it 50/50. How about that? Pretty generous, right?"

terrific?
Weird.

snort!
Xu Shiqi's mouth was full of bitterness.

She flew to Beijing specifically to deliver an invitation to the CCTV Spring Festival Gala to her boss. She dreamed of accompanying him to watch the Gala live and spending New Year's Eve together.

She had already come up with all the reasons.

My sister-in-law is pregnant, and it's really inappropriate for her to go to such a lively occasion as the Spring Festival Gala with such a big belly. It's not good for the development of the baby in her belly.

Also, although two invitations were sent, they didn't specify that you had to bring family members or subordinates/assistants, right?
What a great opportunity!

That's why she kept calling her lousy boss. She tried several times to persuade him, and then flew all the way from Shenzhen to the Spring Festival Gala program team's guest accommodations to reserve a spot.

Everything is ready now, except for the final push, but the boss has changed his mind again. Can you imagine how angry she is?
And adding two to five... Haha... Haha... She was starting to suspect that her boss's brain must have gone awry.

Otherwise, why wouldn't they cherish such a precious Spring Festival Gala invitation?
They even sell them to scalpers?
...Ugh...Really...How could he even think of that?

Seeing that she was at CCTV, just as she entered the studio, her brows furrowed into a deep frown. After hesitating for a long time, she finally spoke in a humble tone: "But boss, I've noticed that this year's Spring Festival Gala has invited many private entrepreneurs like you. I heard there will be a Q&A session where you private entrepreneurs will be invited to appear on television. Such a great opportunity, boss, are you sure you don't want to come?"

You have to admit, her strategy was quite effective; Lu Yang hesitated for at least a moment.

But he hesitated for only a moment.

His gaze fell upon his younger sister, whom he hadn't seen for half a year and who had grown much taller; his mother, whom he hadn't seen for more than half a year and who looked even older than before; and... well, Uncle Meng looked even younger than before. It seemed he had been living a very comfortable life lately. Since becoming the principal of the vocational school, and with the support of his own Little Genius Company, he had established a school-enterprise cooperative education program. He was riding high, and not only was he living a very comfortable life, but the vocational school was also likely to be upgraded to a bachelor's degree program. At that time, wouldn't the value of his position as principal increase accordingly?

He was busy with his own business and had been married for many years, with his own little family.

In addition, it had only been a few years since he reunited with his mother and younger sister, and it was after he got married. Naturally, his focus would be on his own little family, and he would neglect his mother and younger sister.

Now that we finally have a chance to reunite and celebrate the Spring Festival together as a family, am I going to miss it again because of some small thing?
Thinking of this.

Instead, he made up his mind.

He laughed into the phone and said, "My dear niece, I've said it 800 times, I'm not going, but you're still tempting me. How about this, if there really is an interview, I'll give you this opportunity. You can represent our company and speak in front of people across the country on television. At that time, please say your bold words."

Xu Siqi was stunned on the spot, and stammered, "No, I... I can't do it."

"You can do it, keep it up!"

Lu Yang clenched his fist: "Don't underestimate yourself. You are my chairman's assistant, and I allow you to speak on my behalf."

"Dudu."

After saying that, he hung up immediately.

Xu Siqi held the phone, and when she heard the dial tone, she stomped her feet in anger. She glanced around and saw that many people were looking at her. Her face turned red, she covered her face, and went to find a corner to squat down.

Although Lu Yang didn't put the call on speakerphone, everyone around him heard what he said.

The words "Spring Festival Gala" were especially familiar to him, and when he heard that he had received an invitation, Lu Yang refused to attend.

Wait until he hangs up the phone.

His mother, younger sister, and Uncle Meng, who were sitting in the same car, all stared at him at the same time.

How would you describe these three pairs of eyes?
Moved, conflicted, yearning, understanding...

"Wow, brother, you're so great! I'm so touched. You didn't come to see me for so long before, and I thought you didn't like me anymore. Now I know, brother, you care about me so much. Of course, you must care about Mom too..."

As Meng Tiantian spoke, her eyes darted around, "Hehe, what a pity! This is the live broadcast studio of the Spring Festival Gala. I never dreamed that my brother would receive an invitation to the Spring Festival Gala. How about this, brother, you stay home with Mom and sister-in-law, and I'll go in your place. I'm still young, and there will be plenty of opportunities to spend the Spring Festival with you in the future."

The young girl certainly has a good plan.

Lu Yang stared blankly at her: This is my sister, could she have been possessed?

Ye Qiuyu and Meng Wenxian, a married couple, also stared blankly at her.

Meng Tiantian lowered her head: "Don't look at me like that. I just feel it's a waste. Besides, I heard that they invited singer Yang Yuying to the Spring Festival Gala tonight. She's the queen of sweet songs and my idol..."

As he spoke, his voice grew softer and softer.

Hehe... because there's a murderous aura about it!

"Ouch... Mom, Mom, be gentle, be gentle, I was wrong, I was just joking... I won't go, okay?"

Ye Qiuyu grabbed her ear with one hand.

He sternly warned her: "At such a young age, you've already learned to idolize celebrities, Meng Tiantian. I think you've really grown up. Have you finished your winter vacation homework?" "Yes, I have."

"Then have your brother buy you a few more sets."

"what?"

"Help! Mom, you're bullying a child!"

“Calling for help won’t do any good, Yangzi. You need to exchange all the New Year’s money you gave her tonight for homework. That’s what Mom said…”

"Don't look at your dad, he's not very good either."

"Waaaaah, no! Brother, please do something about Mom!"

"Alright, alright, your mom was just joking with you. Listen to your dad, don't mess around next time. Your brother finally managed to take some time off to pick up our family so we could spend the Spring Festival together, and you, because you want to chase after celebrities, you even want to leave the whole family behind to go to the Spring Festival Gala. Who else should your mom punish but you? You deserve it. Quickly apologize to your brother."

"I was wrong, brother, hug me. My heart is broken. Mom is so cruel, and you are so cruel too. You didn't even speak up for me. Humph, I'm going to tell my sister-in-law later that you were going to give me homework as New Year's money. If my sister-in-law doesn't help me either, I will... I will... I will give Lu Xin'er homework as New Year's money every year."

What a wonderful younger sister!

Lu Yang thought to himself.

The girl used to be quite cute, but it's only been a short time since I last saw her. She seems like a completely different person, becoming much more mischievous and naughty. Could this be the rebellion of teenage girls?
So if I give you homework as New Year's money, you'll remember it and give my daughter homework as New Year's money in return, right?

A strange smile appeared on Lu Yang's lips.

He chuckled and pinched the little girl's nose. "Alright, it's decided then. I'll give you a few years' worth of homework and exercises first. Your niece is still in kindergarten. When she starts elementary school, you can return them. From now on, I'll give her a set of homework and exercises every year as New Year's money. Isn't that fair?"

Meng Tiantian was dumbfounded. She wiped her eyes and stared blankly at her brother.

It feels like we just met today.

After a long while, she burst into tears, "I can't finish writing, there's too much to write! Brother, please don't give me more homework and exercises. I was wrong, I won't do it again next time."

With such a domineering older brother, it seems even the most rebellious younger sister will have her temper straightened out and turn back into a docile, obedient donkey, becoming her brother's good sister again.

Lu Yang patted her head with satisfaction. "That's more like it. Come on, get out of the car. I'll take you to meet your sister-in-law and your niece. Lu Xin'er has been nagging for a long time, wanting you to come and play with her."

Unbeknownst to them, the car had already entered the Second Ring Road and stopped in the alley where the courtyard house was located.

After getting off the bus, there was a lively atmosphere.

They could talk for an hour just about the courtyard house, and another hour about Mingyue's second pregnancy. Finally, they talked about how Lu Yang declined the invitation to the Spring Festival Gala of the central state-owned enterprise, preferring to give the invitation to his secretary so she could attend on his behalf, rather than miss such an important opportunity. He wanted to stay home, be with his family, and spend New Year's Eve with them.

Everyone was deeply moved, and they talked about this topic until the Spring Festival Gala ended, still feeling that the conversation was not over yet.

Among them, there was one person who felt quite uncomfortable, and that was Yin Mingzhu.

She was Lu Yang's ex-fiancée, but now she happens to be Lu Yang's sister-in-law.

She was the one who took the initiative to break off the engagement.

Now that I've met my in-laws—no, I should say my younger sister's in-laws—the awkwardness that welled up from the bottom of my heart is indescribable.

If I had known, I would have stayed far away.

Moreover, she also regretted it, because she knew that Lu Yang had received an invitation to the CCTV Spring Festival Gala, and she even watched those two invitations being sent out.

Unfortunately, she doesn't have enough star power; she's still a long way from being a host for the Spring Festival Gala.

Lu Yang would decline to go to the Spring Festival Gala, preferring to stay with his family and spend New Year's Eve with them.

She didn't quite believe it at first.

But later I had to believe it, because my college girlfriends also flew over, bringing with them an invitation for this guy, and also the news that he was rebellious.

You don't even give CCTV face. They personally sent you an invitation, inviting you to watch the show live without you having to pay anything, and you still complain and refuse to go.

When Yin Mingzhu heard this, she was initially at a loss for words, but after that, she was deeply moved by Lu Yang's decision.

Although this jerk doesn't know how to cherish women and has a terrible temper, he's undeniably caring towards his family. No wonder my little sister has been so happy and content since marrying him.

For a while.

Her emotions outweighed her rationality, leading her to make a decision that, in retrospect, was absolutely terrible.

Because Lu Yang refused to go to the Spring Festival Gala, he sent his secretary Xu Siqi to attend in his place. However, there was an extra invitation, so Xu Siqi wanted to find a companion for herself and asked her good friend for advice.

"Sister Mingzhu, why don't you do it?"

"This is an invitation to the Spring Festival Gala. You might even get a chance to appear on television in front of people all over the country. Mingzhu, you also work at CCTV, but you're a host for another program. Don't you want such a great opportunity?"

Yin Mingzhu was so blinded by greed that she didn't agree, and now she regrets it terribly.

No, it's just a family reunion. Why are you, an outsider, meddling in the middle?

Her in-laws weren't coming—no, it was that jerk's parents and younger sister who weren't coming. It was just that his little family plus herself and her mother, so Yin Mingzhu wasn't exactly an outsider.

But my in-laws have arrived!

Now, the two families are celebrating the Spring Festival together: one is the groom's close relatives, and the other is the bride's close relatives.

And what about her?
What is her identity?
She's just a sister-in-law, and...

Her status was already awkward enough, and now she moved into his villa in front of her younger sister's in-laws. What are they going to think?
After meal.

The family begins their New Year's Eve vigil by watching the Spring Festival Gala together.

At one point, Lu Yang suddenly froze, because when the camera panned across the room, he suddenly recognized many familiar faces among the private entrepreneurs.

Not only that.

As a representative of entrepreneurs, my niece was right; someone was lucky enough to be interviewed by a Spring Festival Gala host.

(End of this chapter)