Since we are both reborn, of course I would choose the rich woman!

Chapter 374 Family Portrait (6k views, please subscribe)

When Rong Nianqing told Lü Yao this, there were only two days left until the Spring Festival.

When Lü Yao received Rong Nianqing's message, he was shopping with Wang Shu for New Year's goods. Lü Yao's company had also given everyone a holiday, and everyone was preparing for the New Year. Except for those on shift, everyone else in the company was on holiday.

Even Lu Yao's company, which is known for its hard work, has given employees a holiday, and almost no one is talking about work anymore.

But at this very moment, Rong Nianqing came looking for her.

While accompanying Wang Shu shopping, Lü Yao called Rong Nianqing to ask when she planned to hold the press conference.

Rong Nianqing said directly, "Let's say the fifth day of the Lunar New Year."

Lu Yao asked in surprise, "Huh?"

Originally, Lu Yao and his team planned to hold a press conference around the tenth day of the Lunar New Year. In short, they wanted to get this done before the Lantern Festival and attract enough attention from the outside world.

In reality, Lü Yao's show of force wasn't meant for domestic manufacturers and competitors at all, but rather to project an image to overseas manufacturers and forces. After that blond guy from the Land of Light finished dealing with his own affairs, Lü Yao and his group needed to be as agitated as possible, until it triggered economic sanctions from the Land of Light.

Therefore, Lü Yao himself was not in a hurry.

Hearing Lu Yao's slightly surprised response on the phone, Rong Nianqing said decisively, "You did a very good job in laying the groundwork and building momentum in the early stages. We can take advantage of this wave to become a huge success, take the initiative in the domestic semiconductor industry, gain fame, and become the industry leader."

"The original plan was too far in the future and wasted too much of the current online buzz. It's always better to ride the wave of online buzz as early as possible."

That's the logic...

Lu Yao scratched his face and said, "It's like this, if the press conference is held on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, it means that from the first day of the Lunar New Year, all the people we've been rehearsing with will have to immediately put down what they're doing and come over to coordinate, so as to avoid any mishaps."

Although Lü Yao and Rong Nianqing had started preparing for this press conference months in advance, and the relevant staff had rehearsed countless times, everyone still had to rehearse together several times before the official start.

Especially after the annual leave.

Lu Yao continued, "Of course, these problems are easy to solve, it's just a matter of working overtime, but what about you? You have so many relatives and connections to visit during the Spring Festival, can you get away from that?"

Rong Nianqing replied without hesitation, "They will understand."

"I've already visited some of the more important partners or elders in the past two days. As for the remaining relatives, my mother will handle them. Once our press conference is held online and causes a huge stir, they will naturally understand. You don't need to worry about me at all."

After explaining her own situation, Rong Nianqing continued, "All the staff who returned from the emergency will be compensated according to the 3+2 compensation policy per day, and we will also reimburse all travel expenses incurred."

Upon hearing this, Lü Yao began to wonder to himself, "Is this about money?"
It was clear that Rong Nianqing was extremely anxious.

He was even a little anxious and confused. Had something happened to Rong Nianqing? Why hadn't Rong Nianqing shared information with him?
Now, Lü Yao and Rong Nianqing's relationship was far more than ordinary, and he could ask her many questions directly. So, after a moment of hesitation, Lü Yao asked, "President Rong, tell me honestly, is there some problem on your end?"

Rong Nianqing laughed on the phone, "There are some minor troubles, but they're all family matters, nothing serious. Don't worry about it. I just don't want to waste such a good opportunity. While things are still going strong, we can do things even better."

Lü Yao could hear the sincerity in Rong Nianqing's voice.

He couldn't help but sigh—

If someone of Rong Nianqing's status and position works this hard, how can those who started from a much lower point than her compete with her?

Lu Yao laughed on the phone, "Okay, I'll arrange it right away."

After hanging up the phone, Lü Yao looked at Wang Shu beside him and smiled, "President Rong has arranged some work. I'll probably be busy with work after the first day of the Lunar New Year."

Wang Shu was used to it. Even though the timing was strange, she still smiled and said, "That's how President Rong is. She's very career-oriented. When she's really working, even the New Year can't stop her."

Lu Yao laughed and said, "They say whether you have money or not, you should go home for the New Year. President Rong is really going all out."

Wang Shu glanced back at Lü Yao: "And what about you?"

Lü Yao knew what Wang Shu was referring to, but Lü Yao felt no ripples in his heart: "Home is not just the place where we are born. Everyone has one, and everyone should find their second hometown after adulthood."

As he spoke, Lü Yao looked at Wang Shu with a smile and said with sincere and clear eyes, "I have found it."

Under Lü Yao's scrutinizing gaze, Wang Shu's heart pounded wildly, and a surge of immense joy welled up within her, causing her smile to brighten involuntarily. Wang Shu did not shy away from this happiness, but instead looked into the depths of Lü Yao's eyes and said sincerely and earnestly, "That's good."

very good.

Lu Yao and Wang Shu bought a lot of groceries to prepare for this year's New Year's Eve dinner.

In previous years, Wang Shu would always go abroad to reunite with her family. But this time, thanks to her pregnancy, she was finally able to spend the New Year with Lü Yao. Neither of them went home, which made it perfect for them to spend the New Year together.

After returning home, Lü Yao sent the menu for this year to a large group of his close friends.

Lü Yao: "The menu for this year's New Year's Eve dinner includes—"

"Braised pork knuckle, two kinds of braised dishes, eight-treasure tofu, shredded pork with chives, fish head with chopped chili, Dongpo braised pork, plus a serving of four-delicacy eight-treasure candy, and dessert is available."

As Lü Yao rattled off the names of the dishes one after another, like a comedian telling a joke, the previously quiet group chat quickly became lively.

Bella Zhou: "Wow! So many delicious things to eat! Can I help if you can't finish them all?!"

Gao Chuning: "Hahaha, when it comes to eating, who can beat me! But boss, when does your New Year's Eve dinner start? Damn it! You have to wait for me! I'll just eat a few bites of my own New Year's Eve dinner."

Gao Chuning is not a local of Shangnan, but she brought her family here a long time ago. However, she does not live with her family; instead, she rents a place here for them to live in.

Cheng Xinyu was also in the group, and she was much more sensible: "Boss, I'll go and help you out."

Lu Yao laughed as the group chat became lively: "Great! Everyone is welcome to come and freeload on New Year's Eve. This year, it'll just be me and Sister Shu here for the New Year, so we'll be having dinner a little later. Just be here before nine o'clock."

Actually, the way people eat New Year's Eve dinner is the same all over the country.

Some people finish their New Year's Eve dinner around 3 or 4 pm and then wait to watch the Spring Festival Gala.

However, in some places, the New Year's Eve dinner is eaten quite late at night.

Therefore, there were really no special customs surrounding the New Year's Eve dinner, especially since neither Lü Yao nor Wang Shu believed in these things, so the New Year's Eve dinner was very casual.

This large group not only included people who were close to Lü Yao, such as Zhu Junyan and Zhou Xiangyang, but also Tong Fuli, who was engaged to Zhou Xiangyang. In addition, Rong Nianqing, Gan Xiaoxi, Jian Xiaojie, and Liang Yilan were also in the group.

As the group chat became lively, Liang Yilan also posted a frustrated emoji: "[Pouting] Damn it, why didn't you tell me you were preparing this New Year's Eve dinner earlier? Even if I ate New Year's Eve dinner and took a plane there, I still wouldn't make it in time."

Wang Shu sent a message in the group: "It's just a casual get-together, there will be many more opportunities to get together in the future."

Jian Xiaojie started spamming the chat: "[Frustrated][Frustrated] Are you kidding me! You guys do this when I'm not around? I'm not having it! I'm not happy!!"

"Ahhhh!"

Everyone had gotten somewhat used to Jian Xiaojie's "willfulness," so they weren't surprised by it anymore.

Wang Shu chuckled and said, "Alright, stop fooling around. It's not like we haven't eaten together before."

Rong Nianqing chimed in, saying, "This is such a lavish meal! Could it be that our CEO, Mr. Lü, cooked it himself?"

Lü Yao sent a message: "I am the head chef."

If you want so many dishes to be cooked at roughly the same time, you'll definitely need help. The servants in the villa will be there to assist you. We'll see who comes first and grab their helper.

Jian Xiaojie roared again, "Wait for me! I'm sure I can arrange everything. I'll try to get back before nine o'clock! Even if I can't make it back, eat slowly! You really have to eat slowly!"

Wang Shu soothed Jian Xiaojie like a kitten, saying, "Okay, okay, we'll try our best to wait for you."

Amidst everyone's commotion, Lü Yao and Wang Shu prepared everything they needed to, even pressing tofu in the villa's yard beforehand.

In this day and age, you can buy tofu anytime.

But homemade tofu is always a little different from store-bought tofu, especially freshly made tofu pudding. A portion is scooped out of the boiling water, sprinkled with scallions and seasonings, and the aroma of the seasonings instantly dissipates in the steam.

It makes your mouth water.

The day before the New Year's Eve dinner, Lü Yao ate a lot of tofu pudding.

In addition, Lü Yao also fried a lot of meatballs and prepared several steamers of vegetable buns and meat buns.

While Lü Yao was busy in the yard, Wang Shu sat in the back watching with a big "auntie smile." After Lü Yao came over to rest, Wang Shu laughed and said, "You don't just keep busy like this every year during the Spring Festival, do you?"

That
It's so tragic.

As Wang Shu said this, the image of Lü Yao alone in the room preparing various New Year's goods and food appeared in his mind. In the steaming heat, Lü Yao was all alone... Just thinking about it made Wang Shu feel like his heart was about to break, and his eyes were a little sore.

Fortunately, Lü Yao spoke up in time, pulling Wang Shu out of that bleak imagination: "How could that be? What would I do with all this food by myself? That's ridiculous."

"It was only because I'm spending Chinese New Year with you this year that I thought of getting all these things together."

As he spoke, Lü Yao sighed, "Actually, I don't have a very good impression of the Spring Festival. On the contrary, the Spring Festivals of the last two years have been very peaceful. I don't know why, but this year I suddenly wanted to prepare these New Year's goods."

Fried meatballs, tofu, steamed buns, steamed bread, and steamed bread with red bean paste filling.

These are things that people in Lü Yao's hometown do during the Spring Festival. Because they were very poor in the past, many vegetables could not be stored for long, so they would prepare the leftovers at home and make them into various kinds of dried food to store for the Spring Festival.

The pork will be cooked and marinated.

The fish will be washed, salted, and hung up.

Beef and mutton were rare commodities. When I was a child, we couldn't get much for the New Year, so we ate it very quickly.

Meat buns were also a rarity. Lü Yao remembers that when he was a child, the most common thing his family steamed was mantou (steamed buns). There were very few mantou with red bean paste filling; there was only one drawer full of them.

There were quite a few vegetable buns.

So when Lü Yao was a child, the thing he ate most during Chinese New Year was vegetable buns.

Lu Yao and Wang Shu sat together under the eaves. The atmosphere between them was exceptionally quiet and peaceful. Winters in Shangnan are actually quite cold, a kind of damp and chilly cold that is very unpleasant.

As dusk fell, Lü Yao couldn't help but exhale a breath. Looking at the sky outside the villa gradually turning blue, he chuckled, "I still remember that every year after the New Year's Eve dinner, the food for the next two or three days would be quite good. The leftovers from the New Year's Eve dinner could last for several days." "After those two days, eating vegetable buns would be very satisfying. But there weren't many vegetable buns; they'd be almost gone by the seventh day of the Lunar New Year. Then it would become the same old routine: porridge with steamed buns, and the main dish would be pork stir-fried with cabbage."

Lu Yao slumped in his chair, his expression inexplicably becoming particularly nostalgic: "It's strange, I should have been tired of eating it when I was a child, but for some reason, now when I think back on it, I feel a strange unease."

Wang Shu turned his head slightly and looked at Lü Yao beside him.

Very strange.

Although Lü Yao was still so young, he seemed to be covered with a thick layer of dust, and his expression and aura... made Wang Shu feel inexplicably sorry for him.

So Wang Shu reached out and took Lü Yao's hand. She didn't say anything, but it was as if she had said everything.

At least, Lü Yao sensed it.

Lu Yao grasped Wang Shu's hand in return and laughed, "But it's alright, I steamed a lot of meat buns and vegetable buns this year, so I'm sure I'll get tired of them."

Seeing that it was almost time, Lü Yao got up to get the steamed buns.
As Lü Yao lifted the lid of the steamer, a large plume of steam roared out, and the warm, cozy feeling truly brought back the taste of the Chinese New Year.

Watching Lü Yao's retreating figure amidst the thick steam, Wang Shu couldn't help but touch her belly. In such a scene, it would be even more interesting if there were children running around and making a fuss nearby.

But it will be many years before the child can run and play.

……

New Year's Eve, 2017.

That day, Lü Yao and Wang Shu slept in until they naturally woke up, and then, around noon, they began preparing this year's New Year's Eve dinner.

Ingredients that need to be cooked in advance should be put into the pot and steamed in advance.

The simple and easy ones can be done later.

In the afternoon, Lin Yongzhen was the first to visit. She brought a bottle of good wine and then started to busy herself with small talk. Then Cheng Xinyu also came over.

Zhou Bella and Gao Chuning didn't arrive until after 7 p.m. because they were with their parents.

Once everyone had arrived, Lü Yao moved the karaoke machine from the villa to the living room. After that, Li Qiuwen, and even Gan Xiaoxi, Zhu Junyan, and Zhou Xiangyang came over.

It's actually quite normal for Zhu Junyan and Zhou Xiangyang to come over.

Because Lü Yao is someone they desperately need to get closer to right now.

Around 9 p.m., Lü Yao filmed the grand occasion at the villa and sent it to Jian Xiaojie, who was overseas: "We're about to have dinner. Wishing you a happy Lunar New Year's Eve and a prosperous new year!"

Jian Xiaojie replied to the message after a while, her tone very impolite: "Who wants your blessing via text message? I want to hear it with my own ears!"

"Eat slowly!! I'm on my way!!"

Rong Nianqing also sent a message in the group: "Is it that lively? I regret not making arrangements in advance."

Jian Xiaojie: "Hahahaha, when it comes to having fun, you're nowhere near as good as me!"

Because Jian Xiaojie wouldn't arrive until very late, Lü Yao didn't wait any longer and started taking out all the hot dishes from the pot. Then everyone celebrated New Year's Eve together, bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming the new.

Because everyone was familiar with each other, everyone was very relaxed during the New Year's Eve dinner tonight, joking and playing around with each other, filling the villa with a joyful atmosphere.

With the 2017 Spring Festival Gala playing in the background, people started chatting and gossiping after a few rounds of drinks.

Gan Xiaoxi frowned deeply as she watched the Spring Festival Gala: "Damn! Why does this year's Spring Festival Gala feel so boring? So boring!"

Lu Yao glanced at the large TV in the living room, but couldn't recall any highlights of the 2017 Spring Festival Gala. It seemed that since the Spring Festival Gala a few years ago, it had become more and more of a conceptual Spring Festival background.

You can't say she did anything wrong.

But it just doesn't look good.

Therefore, its most suitable role is the background sound during the Spring Festival Gala's family reunion segment. Lü Yao simply turned down the volume of the Spring Festival Gala program, then went to the karaoke machine and said, "Since the Spring Festival Gala isn't very good, let's each show our talents tonight. To show my sincerity, I'll go first!"

"Oh!!!"

Gan Xiaoxi, Zhu Junyan, and others who love to have fun got excited.

They certainly recognized Lü Yao's talent.

However, after Lü Yao became President Lü, or even Mr. Lü, he rarely performed his talents anymore.

The entertainment industry of Shanghai University and even Southeast University lost a rising star, but the business world of Southeast University welcomed their CEO, Mr. Lü.

Lin Yongzhen also joined in the fun, taking out her phone to record a video. While recording, she laughed and said, "If I had known you were going to perform a talent show, I would have dragged Nali over no matter what."

Gao Chuning stood on a chair and went completely wild: "Champagne! Champagne!! If all else fails, beer will do! Ahhh, I'm so happy tonight!!"

Cheng Xinyu told Gao Chuning, who was making a huge fuss, to stay away from Wang Shu. "You can make a fuss, but don't get in my way!"

Seeing the villa hall in complete chaos, Lü Yao was genuinely happy. He took the microphone, rolled up his sleeves, and said, "OK, then next up is 'Gong Xi Fa Cai' for you!"

"Gong Xi Fa Cai" is a New Year's song sung by Andy Lau in 2005. This song is very suitable for singing during the Chinese New Year. Because of its auspicious meaning, it has become a must-play Chinese New Year song in major shopping malls for the next 20 years.

Lü Yao is no exception; he should sing this song during the Chinese New Year.

"Wait a moment!!"

Just as Lü Yao was about to start singing, Jian Xiaojie, who was late, finally arrived. Besides Monia, Rong Nianqing was also with Jian Xiaojie.

Seeing the imposing trio push open the door and enter, Lü Yao cheered, "Wow! Such a powerful lineup!"

Rong Nianqing took off her coat and handed it to the maid who came over, and said with a smile, "You guys are having so much fun, I really couldn't resist coming."

Jian Xiaojie said smugly, "How about that? Didn't I time it perfectly? Luckily, I didn't miss our CEO Lü's first performance since leaving the entertainment industry."

Lu Yao left the karaoke area with the microphone and laughed, "Since you're here, as punishment for being late, you should at least drink three cups first, right?"

As he spoke, Lü Yao started singing Wu Bai's lyrics and said with a smile, "Come on, come on, finish one cup, and there's another one!"

After saying that, Lü Yao took the lead in cheering, "Have a drink! Have a drink!"

With Lü Yao taking the lead, the others also chimed in, "Have a drink! Have a drink!"

Jian Xiaojie didn't stand on ceremony. She went to the dining table and downed three glasses of baijiu in no time, without even turning red in the face or panting. She drank the liquor as if it were water, and after finishing, she even turned the glass upside down to show her sincerity.

Each crisp toast was met with enthusiastic cheers from the hall.

Lü Yao didn't hold back and immediately started showcasing his talents.

The atmosphere was lively, and the cheerful and lively song "Gong Xi Fa Cai" quickly overshadowed the sounds of this year's Spring Festival Gala, gradually becoming the source of the excitement in the hall.

After Lü Yao, Cheng Xinyu, Gao Chuning, and even Lin Yongzhen all took to the stage to perform. After their solo performances, they all went on stage together to perform.

Fine wine, delicious food, singing and dancing.

As the clock struck midnight on New Year's Eve, everyone counted down together, then some shook champagne and sprayed it, others shouted loudly, and still others held confetti cannons that went off with a bang... bringing the atmosphere of New Year's Eve to its peak.

In the midst of such a jubilant and enthusiastic atmosphere, Lü Yao, who was already somewhat intoxicated, couldn't help but shake his head.

He saw that everyone looked good and happy, even Lin Yongzhen was smiling so happily and so vividly.

That kind of joy that rises from the depths of the soul, that vibrant aura... it can't be faked.

so good.

Such days.

If I can be this happy every year from now on, that would be a true blessing in life.

After the New Year's bell rang, everyone bid farewell to the old year and welcomed the new, finally ushering in a new year that truly belonged to the University of Tokyo.

While everyone was in high spirits, Lü Yao suggested, "Let's take a family photo together to record this joyful moment."

Jian Xiaojie, who had drunk a bit too much, immediately jumped up upon hearing the suggestion: "I'll go find the camera!"

"I'm going to touch up my makeup!"

"Oh, you should have said you wanted to take pictures earlier! I'm already such a mess!"

Upon hearing this suggestion, the girls immediately began to frantically tidy up their appearance.

After Jian Xiaojie found the camera in the house, Lü Yao set it up, gathered everyone in the hall, and then immediately rushed towards the crowd after pressing the time-lapse shutter.

"five!"

"Four!"

"three!"

"two!"

"one!"

As the countdown ended, everyone flashed their brightest smiles at the camera and shouted in unison, "Happy New Year~~~"

"Crack!"

(End of this chapter)