The landlord has multiple personalities and wants everyone to pay him.

I don't know when it started, but the activities on New Year's Eve seem to have gradually changed from the whole family gathering together to watch the Spring Festival Gala to everyone finding their own fun.

I don't know what others think, but for Ye Shu, the Spring Festival Gala programs are getting less and less appealing every year.

Cao Cao ate chicken ribs, finding them tasteless but also feeling it was a waste to throw them away.

It feels like something's missing if you don't watch the Spring Festival Gala all year round.

So most of the time, the Spring Festival Gala becomes just background noise for the lively and festive atmosphere of family reunions, and nobody cares what programs are performed; they just enjoy the noise and the excitement.

When Ye Shu was little, on New Year's Eve, whether she was setting off firecrackers outside with her two older brothers or playing video games in the inner room, she would always take the opportunity to run to the living room to grab a handful of snacks and call out to her grandmother:

"Grandma, Zhao Benshan is coming out, call me!"

Back then, a short skit could become popular in their class for half a year, and at the start of the semester, the whole class would say to each other, "If you're not sick, take a walk."

But ever since these older generation actors stopped appearing on the Spring Festival Gala, the enthusiasm for watching the Gala has faded.

It's New Year's Eve, after all, it's supposed to be a time for relaxation, and there's no work to do, so why can't I relax?

This homemade grain liquor really has a strong aftereffect; several old men who were drinking and chatting this afternoon are now completely unconscious.

The kang (heated brick bed) was hot, making the room cozy. With the alcohol taking effect, the men didn't care about their image anymore. They took off their clothes and lay sprawled out on the kang in the east room, their snoring rising and falling in waves.

Grandma, whether disturbed by the symphony playing in the east room or simply tired from old age, went back to her own room to rest.

Ye Shu's two cousins, having been terrified of Xiao Nuan's beatings that morning, quit gambling altogether. The group then decided to team up and play games together.

Ye Shu doesn't usually play games, and Xiao Nuan is a hardcore smartphone user, so the two cousins, along with their two wives and Xiao Tao, formed a five-man racing team and went to the inner room to play.

My aunt and the two older women finished cleaning up the dishes in the kitchen and started kneading dough and preparing fillings, getting ready for the dumplings we'd be having for the rest of the night.

The living room became much quieter. Ye Shu and Xiao Nuan sat on the sofa, watching TV.

Ye Shu held a peanut in his hand, rubbed off the skin, put one into Xiao Nuan's mouth, and threw one into his own mouth.

Shen Jingwan had just insisted on helping with the dishes, but now her aunt and two older women had chased her out of the kitchen and told her to come out and rest.

Shen Jingwan sat down next to Ye Shu, looked at the two children, and then she reached out and gently took Ye Shu's hand.

"Xiao Shu."

Her voice was gentle, with a hint of laughter, but also a touch of seriousness:

"During dinner just now, I had a brief chat with your Uncle An and your father. However, I'd still like to ask you directly what you think about this matter."

Ye Shu sat up straighter and looked at Shen Jingwan:

"Auntie, what's wrong?"

Xiao Nuan, who was standing nearby, also heard their conversation and turned to look at her mother.

Shen Jingwan looked into Ye Shu's eyes, her smile unchanged, but her question went straight to the heart of the matter:

"Xiao Shu, are you truly sincere towards Nuan Nuan and the others? Have you really thought about building a good life together in the future?"

"Of course."

Ye Shu didn't hesitate at all and gave the answer without even thinking. This wasn't a question that required any thought.

"Yes."

Shen Jingwan gently patted Ye Shu's hand; her hand had a motherly warmth.

"Look, you two have such a good relationship, and we, as your parents, are happy to see it. So, we were thinking, why don't you... find a good time next year and get married? That way, we'll truly be a family."

"marry……?"

Ye Shu was indeed a little surprised. This seemed a bit too fast, didn't it? The time between him and Xiao Nuan, and with them, from the moment they met until now, wasn't very long.

But then I thought about it, and it seems like everything's fast-paced these days. Movies are faster; hours-long films are sped up to minutes of handsome young men and beautiful young women. Transportation is faster; journeys that used to take days can now be completed in half a day. Love is fast too; someone you didn't know last month is already broken up with next month.

There's a term called something like... a whirlwind marriage. Yes, compared to whirlwind marriages, mine has actually been going on for quite a while.

Moreover, Ye Shu is confident that she will not change her mind.

There was just one thing he wasn't sure about...

Seeing the somewhat complicated expression on Ye Shu's face, Shen Jingwan smiled:

"Xiao Shu, don't be nervous or stressed. Auntie isn't forcing you to set a date right now; I just wanted to let you know in advance so you don't feel burdened. Your Uncle An, your father, and I all agree and are happy to help. We can discuss the specifics of when and how to proceed gradually, once you're all ready, okay?"

"Tomorrow."

After Shen Jingwan finished speaking, Ye Shu was about to speak when he heard Xiao Nuan speak first.

Ye Shu turned her head and saw Xiao Nuan looking at Shen Jingwan with a serious expression, which she found somewhat amusing.

"Xiao Nuan, what did you say?"

Xiao Nuan blinked and repeated:

Let's get married tomorrow.

Even Shen Jingwan, who was standing next to her, couldn't hold back any longer. She said to Xiao Nuan:

"Nuan Nuan, there's no need to be in such a rush. Getting married is a big deal, and there are many things to prepare. How can it be arranged for tomorrow?"

Ye Shu also looked at Xiao Nuan, who had a serious expression on her face, and reached out to squeeze her hand:

"Exactly! It's Chinese New Year today, and the wedding is tomorrow? Who does that?"

Seeing that her mother and Ye Shu disagreed, Xiao Nuan didn't say anything more. She was just giving a suggestion, and if they didn't adopt it, it was none of her business.

Ye Shu lowered her head and thought for a moment, then looked up at Shen Jingwan and said very seriously:

"Auntie, I understand what you mean. Don't worry, my feelings for them are genuine, and I want to be with them for the future. As for the marriage, I will give you and Uncle an explanation. But..."

He squeezed Xiao Nuan's hand and continued:

"This isn't a decision I can make alone. Marriage is a matter between two people, and even more so in our area, it involves five people. I need to know what each of them is thinking, and whether they have any concerns. I can't let them get married without fully understanding the situation; that wouldn't be fair to them."

Just as he finished speaking, a program on television came to an end, followed by applause.

Shen Jingwan looked at Ye Shu, her eyes brightened for a moment, then her smile widened, her face full of satisfaction.

She breathed a soft sigh of relief, squeezed Ye Shu's hand tightly, thinking, "This son-in-law can't be fake, can he?"

"Okay, good child, Auntie understands. Our Xiao Shu is so sensible. Auntie is truly relieved that you think this way and consider their needs."

She couldn't help but raise her hand and stroke Ye Shu's hair as if she were touching her own child:

"Let's leave it at that for now. You can discuss it yourselves and let us know whenever you've made up your minds. We'll be waiting."

She was increasingly pleased with her son-in-law.