The bustle of New Year's Eve still seemed to linger in the air on the first day of the new year. Iron Clothes Village basked in the faint winter dawn, appearing especially tranquil.
The peach-wood charms on every household's lintel were dazzlingly red. Firecracker scraps from the night before lay scattered across the ground, while most villagers remained sunk in dreams, enjoying a rare bout of laziness in the year.
Chen Yuan had risen early as usual, preparing to go to Moon Island for his morning training.
As they ate a simple New Year's breakfast with the family, Second Aunt looked at Chen Yuan and suddenly teased him with a smile. "Brother Yuan, you've grown another year older with the new year. You're a grown man now. Take that girl from the Zhou Family—she's gentle-natured, nimble, and hardworking. She's a rare good girl."
"You two grew up together, so you know each other inside and out. Shall I find an opportunity to sound out the Zhou Family?" she asked, winking at Lin Sanniang.
Lin Sanniang laughed as well. As she placed a piece of cured meat in Chen Yuan's bowl, she chimed in, "That's right, Yuan'er. The more I look at Xiao Yu, the more I like her. If you feel the same, your father and I will help make the arrangements."
Although Chen Dahai said nothing, he held up his wine cup with a smile on his face, clearly delighted by the prospect.
Even with his steady temperament, Chen Yuan couldn't help feeling his face grow hot under his family's teasing.
Zhou Yu's delicate face flashed through his mind. He put down his chopsticks and said frankly, "Father, Mother, Second Aunt, stop teasing me. Xiao Yu... is indeed very good, but let's wait until after the County Examination before