After making an appearance in front of outsiders, what mattered most was still celebrating the New Year with family. Shen Changgeng bent over slightly and personally took up a brush to write spring couplets, while the little flatterer Shen Yu clapped enthusiastically beside him.
"Beautiful! It has the air of a master's work!" Words seemed to suffer from inflation in Shen Yu's mouth, tumbling out as though none of them cost a thing. Even someone as thick-skinned as Shen Changgeng grew embarrassed by the praise.
"That's enough, Little Yu." Quietly throwing away the couplet he had ruined, Shen Changgeng stared ahead with feigned seriousness. "Your dad can't quite handle this."
Shen Xingshuo had just come downstairs when he heard the father and son's amusing exchange. He ambled over with a yawn. "Dad, why did you decide to write the couplets yourself this year? Didn't Uncle Liu already get them ready?"
"This year's atmosphere is different." Shen Changgeng looked at his second son, who was still bleary-eyed despite sleeping until ten, and curled his lip in distaste. "Wipe the gunk out of your eyes."
Forced to cut his yawn short, Shen Xingshuo looked speechlessly at his blunt father. He really couldn't imagine how someone who talked with such utter tactlessness had managed to win over his gentle mother.
"Xingshuo, you're up? There's still breakfast in the kitchen. Ask Uncle Liu to heat it up if you want some." Speak of the devil. Just as Shen Xingshuo finished his silent complaints, Lin Yujing came over carrying some little pastries she had baked.
After popping one into each of their mouths, Lin Yujing looked expectantly at the father and his two sons. "Are they good? I haven't tried making them in ages!"
"Delicious! Sweet and super chewy!" Shen Yu gave her his wholehearted