In the kitchen, Cheng Tian's Mother kept stir-frying the pork and garlic scapes in the wok. Cheng Tian's Father sat on the sofa, watching the day's news intently. Beside him, Cheng Tian sat on a little stool with Noibat in his arms.
Frogadier, Aron, and Yamper were playing together on the floor nearby. The windows were covered in condensation, with bright red "fortune" characters already pasted on them. Even through the windows, they could hear the constant crackle of firecrackers outside.
Cheng Tian's Mother finished cooking the last dish. After plating it and bringing it out, she wiped her hands on her apron. "You two! Wash your hands and get ready to eat!"
"Dinner's ready, son!" Cheng Tian's Father stood up excitedly. "I bought a case of beer. Have a few drinks with me tonight!"
"Don't you two drink too much!"
In the downtown villa district, Bai Yun sat helplessly on the sofa, listening to his father lecture him. Monferno sat in front of the television watching JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, while Bai Yun's Mother held Rockruff in her arms.
"You! Stop watching those Japanese anime on TV all the time! Learn more about managing the company from me. Our family's company will be yours someday, you know?"
"Dad, you know I'm not cut out to manage a company! You're still so young! Just keep running it yourself!"
"Hey! You little rascal!" Bai Yun's Father was about to say more when the doorbell suddenly rang.
"I'll get it." Bai Yun's Mother walked over with a smile and opened the door, revealing Lin Lin and her mother standing there, smiling. "Hello, Auntie!"
"Oh! Little Lin is here!" Bai Yun's Mother was overjoyed. "Ling'er, you're here too!"
"Well, Old Lin is still out on duty even though it's New Year's Eve, so