The ultimate Valkyrie has fallen for me

"Come on, drink this one too. Don't worry about drinking too much, you'll just sleep afterward."

"Xiao Lu, eat more vegetables, don't be shy, make yourself at home."

At the dinner table, Ye's father kept urging Lu Yuan to drink, while Ye's mother kept putting food into Lu Yuan's bowl. Their enthusiasm was just like that of a new son-in-law visiting his family.

Ye Qingluan sat to the side, eating her food with her head down, feeling a little embarrassed.

Lu Yuan's parents had died early, and after working in sales for a year, he had developed a thick skin. So he didn't stand on ceremony and treated everyone like they were at home.

The meal lasted for two or three hours, until Mr. Ye, holding a wine glass, slumped over the table, finally concluding. It was a happy occasion for both host and guests.

"Qingluan, stay with Xiao Lu."

Ye's mother helped Ye's father up, smiled at Lu Yuan, and then gave Ye Qingluan a few more words of advice.

"I'm sorry, my dad is just too happy today."

Seeing that the two had gone to their room to rest, Ye Qingluan spoke, her head lowered, somewhat embarrassed.

In her opinion, her father was being too emotional today, to the point of not being restrained enough, which was not the proper way to treat a guest.

"How could that be? I really like Uncle like this."

Lu Yuan smiled, which was not just a polite gesture.

Today's meal, while not comparable to a high-end banquet at a fancy hotel, was still quite lavish for a family gathering. More importantly, Lu Yuan hadn't felt this warm family atmosphere in a long time.

"If you like, you can come and eat here often."

Ye Qingluan said softly, her face instantly turning red to the roots of her ears.

He quickly lowered his head and began clearing the table of dishes.

"I'll help you."

Lu Yuan didn't notice Ye Qingluan's expression, and didn't even quite hear what she said.

"I don't need you to do these things. Go sit down and have some tea."

Ye Qingluan pulled Lu Yuan up with a hint of reproach and led him to a side hall.

There's a tea tray here; it must be from Ye's father's usual tea-drinking habits.

Ye Qingluan worked skillfully and quickly made tea for Lu Yuan, then went back to the restaurant to tidy up.

Looking at the busy Ye Qingluan, Lu Yuan couldn't help but smile. He hadn't expected her to be so traditional.

After drinking a few cups of strong tea and suppressing the smell of alcohol in his mouth, Lu Yuan, feeling bored while sitting, stood up and wandered around aimlessly.

The balcony door was open, and through the window, you could see fireworks rising into the sky.

Lu Yuan smiled and walked onto the balcony, gazing at the fireworks in a daze.

Fireworks are beautiful, but they vanish in an instant. Are all beautiful things in this world destined to be fleeting?

"Fireworks are so beautiful, but unfortunately, beautiful things are always fleeting."

Ye Qingluan walked over and looked at the fireworks outside the window, and couldn't help but sigh.

Lu Yuan was taken aback and looked at Ye Qingluan with some surprise, not expecting that Ye Qingluan had the same idea as him.

"However, at least it bloomed brilliantly, so its life was not in vain."

Ye Qingluan suddenly smiled and looked at Lu Yuan.

"Right?"

"Um."

Lu Yuan nodded, then asked a rather jarring question.

"Have you finished washing the dishes so quickly?"

"It's in the dishwasher."

Ye Qingluan smiled, then stopped looking at Lu Yuan and leaned on the railing, watching the fireworks as if talking to herself.

"Although we are members of the Ye family, neither of my parents are martial artists, so we are even less respected than some of the servants in the Ye family. For most of their lives, my parents have been swallowing their pride and enduring humiliation. This is the first time that they can speak and laugh freely without any restraint during the New Year's Eve dinner."

"...This will happen every year from now on."

Lu Yuan paused slightly, smiled, and said something.

Lu Yuan had some prior knowledge of Ye Qingluan's situation, but he didn't know much about the hardships and grievances she endured.

Fortunately, after all the hardships, Ye Qingluan became a martial artist at the Starry Sky Club, joined the Special Operations Team with a fourth-grade martial vein, and her future is bright. The lives of her family of three will definitely get better and better.

"after……"

Ye Qingluan turned to Lu Yuan, paused for a moment, as if gathering her courage, and then asked.

"Can you have New Year's Eve dinner with us again in the future?"

"I……"

Looking into Ye Qingluan's bright, trembling eyes, Lu Yuan couldn't help but be taken aback.

Could this expression, these eyes, these words be interpreted as a confession?

Does Ye Qingluan like him?

Ye Qingluan had always treated him well, even very well. So well that before the end-of-month gambling match, Ye Qingluan spent a lot of points to buy him equipment.

But Lu Yuan always believed that it was Ye Qingluan repaying him for his kindness.

Even when she occasionally sensed Ye Qingluan's affection, she dismissed it as a matter of repaying a debt of gratitude.

At this moment, Ye Qingluan suddenly mustered up her courage and spoke.

Ring ring!

Just as Lu Yuan was wondering how to answer, his phone rang. He took it out of his pocket and saw that it was Liu Yanyan calling.

"Miss Liu, Happy New Year..."

Lu Yuan answered the phone, deliberately adopting a casual and slightly cynical tone.

Liu Yanyan didn't have anything to say. Apart from sending New Year's greetings, she just chatted idly with Lu Yuan.

After talking for nearly ten minutes, Lu Yuan finally made an excuse to hang up the phone.

After all, Ye Qingluan was still there, and it was impolite for him to keep making phone calls.

"Was that Yan Yan calling?"

Seeing that Lu Yuan had hung up the phone, Ye Qingluan casually asked a question.

But her tone didn't sound like she was asking a question.

Lu Yuan didn't hide anything and simply nodded.

"When did your relationship become so good?"

Ye Qingluan looked at Lu Yuan, her originally gentle gaze now showing a hint of anger.

"I remember back in training camp, you two were the worst match in the dorm."

"I ran into him when I went to the logistics department to handle some business. I don't know why, but my feelings of camaraderie just welled up inside me."

Lu Yuan gave a half-joking explanation, then deliberately changed the subject by asking a different question.

"The three of you had a good relationship back then, and you should still be in touch. By the way, how is Feng Biyu now? I haven't seen her since she graduated from the training camp."

"Biyu was assigned to an office job and has been quite busy. I haven't seen her in a long time. As for Yan Yan, I met her a while ago and she mentioned you."

As she finished speaking, Ye Qingluan stared at Lu Yuan again, her anger intensifying.

"Heh, heh heh."

Lu Yuan gave a somewhat forced smile, avoiding eye contact with Ye Qingluan.

Why are you bringing me up?

"Nothing much, just catching up. We were all roommates, isn't it normal to bring this up? What are you being so guilty about?"

"Yes, that's right. I have nothing to be ashamed of."

Lu Yuan forced a smile again, but couldn't help but wonder, "Yeah, why is he feeling guilty?"

However, once the call was made, the atmosphere from before was completely ruined.

The two chatted idly on the balcony for over an hour, while the fireworks outside continued to play.

It looks like it'll have to sit overnight.

"I should go back now."

Seeing that it was getting late, Lu Yuan spoke up.

Ye Qingluan nodded and escorted Lu Yuan to the door.

"No need to see her off, go and take care of your uncle and aunt."

She was going to see Lu Yuan downstairs, but Lu Yuan just smiled, waved, and went straight into the elevator.

Ye Qingluan watched the elevator descend until it reached the first floor, then closed the door with a hint of disappointment.

Jingle bell~~

As soon as I stepped out of the elevator, my phone rang again.

It's Chinese New Year, so it's normal to get a lot of phone calls. I wonder whose greetings they are this time.

"Um?"

Lu Yuan was taken aback when he took out his phone and saw the caller ID.

Shen Humeng.

Why would she call?