Chapter 133 (continued)

The three of them raised their glasses and drank in one gulp before starting their meal.

Ming Lexin picked up a shrimp, took a bite, and found the shrimp meat to be fresh, tender, and springy, with a rich and tempting aroma of garlic and chili sauce—it was absolutely delicious.

She ate the lotus root sandwich again. The aroma of meat and lotus root mingled together. With one bite, the juices burst forth, and the tender meat and crisp lotus root collided in her mouth—it couldn't be more delicious.

The remaining roast goose, stewed eggplant, squirrel fish, and hazelnut chicken soup were also very fragrant. Each dish had its own unique characteristics and was a delicacy that could not be found elsewhere.

Ming Lexin completely forgot about dieting, happily finished most of a bowl of rice, and said, "This is what Chinese New Year is all about! Eating dishes we don't usually get to eat, petting dogs we don't usually get to pet, and setting off fireworks we don't usually get to set off!"

Qing Mengzhu smiled and used serving chopsticks to put food on her plate, saying, "Auntie, please eat more."

Ming Lexin: "I'm eating! I even brought some digestive tablets with me this time, so we can each take one later."

Ming Chunxi: "There's no need to overeat to the point of needing digestive pills."

Ming Lexin: "No, that won't do. It would be such a waste not to finish such delicious food."

They chatted and ate, and by the time they finished eating it was already past eight o'clock.

Qing Mengzhu and Ming Chunxi accompanied Ming Lexin to set off fireworks, but they didn't go far; they set them off right in front of their house.

The villagers had just finished setting off their own fireworks and were now quiet when Ming Lexin lit one herself. The fireworks "whooshed" into the sky, bursting into various colors and patterns.

Ming Lexin tilted her head back, intently watching the fireworks.

It was very cold, and the air was thick with the smell of gunpowder.

Qing Mengzhu and then Ming Chunxi stood side by side behind them. As the fireworks bloomed, they couldn't help but glance at each other, then leaned closer, held hands, and exchanged a soft kiss.

"Happy New Year," Qing Mengzhu said softly with a smile.

"Happy New Year." Ming Chunxi's eyes were equally gentle.

Hearing the commotion, the Dharma Protector turned to look at them, then quickly turned back.

The two often kissed secretly; even the dog was used to it, woof!

After the fireworks were over, they had digested a little of their food and went home to chat and play cards, while also listening to the Spring Festival Gala in the background.

It's a rare holiday, so I should relax a bit. No need to go to bed early tonight, and no need to get up early tomorrow.

Around midnight, Ming Lexin yawned and said she couldn't hold on any longer. She took out two large red envelopes from her pocket, gave one to each of them, and said it was New Year's money.

One remained calm, while the other thanked her somewhat embarrassedly before saying goodnight and returning to their rooms to sleep.

Today is Chinese New Year, so I need to wash my hair, take a bath, and change into new clothes.

After they finished showering, Qing Mengzhu sat cross-legged on the bed, while Ming Chunxi stood behind him, drying his hair and using a hairdryer.

While chatting, Qing Mengzhu took out her phone and habitually opened the Interstellar Mall to browse the discount section.

As soon as Qing Mengzhu opened the Interstellar Mall, an animation of "fireworks" popped up on the screen, followed by New Year's greetings.

He looked at the Interstellar Mall and chuckled, "That's pretty user-friendly."

Ming Chunxi peeked out and said, "It's a very old-fashioned design."

Qing Mengzhu: "You can just say it's rustic; it really is."

After the fireworks display ended, a gift box effect appeared.

Qing Mengzhu: "Hey? Look, the Interstellar Mall has sent out New Year's gifts."

Ming Chunxi: "What is it?"

Qing Mengzhu clicked into her personal profile and saw. "A box of seasoning powder, a Wish Seed, and a 20% discount coupon valid for one year."

Ming Chunxi put down the hairdryer. "Let's check the 20% off coupon first. It's valid on all platforms?"

Qing Mengzhu immediately thought of those intermediate skill books that cost two or three hundred thousand, and excitedly clicked on the coupon to check the details, but then said disappointedly, "It's only available for select items."

Ming Chunxi: "Where are the Wish Seed?"

Qing Mengzhu showed him the introduction to the "Wish Seed": "You can choose any seed that we are eligible to purchase, with a value not exceeding ten thousand Star Coins."

Ming Chunxi: "This is a nice gift."

Qing Mengzhu: "Yes! I'll see which plant seeds are more expensive, and then I'll wish for which plant."

Ming Chunxi turned the hairdryer back on to dry his hair. "No rush, let's think about it slowly."

Qing Mengzhu: "Then I'll browse around some more. This seasoning powder seems pretty ordinary. I've seen it before; it's a seasoning powder produced in the cultivation world, and you can buy a box for 99 Star Coins."

Ming Chunxi: "The first two gifts were probably more expensive, this one is just to make up the numbers."

Qing Mengzhu: "That's also possible."

Regardless, the fact that the notoriously stingy Interstellar Mall is willing to give out gifts is already a cause for celebration.

Qing Mengzhu was overjoyed and tossed and turned all night, almost unable to sleep.

Ming Chunxi was so overwhelmed by his teasing that she grabbed his arm and pulled him into her arms, and the two of them finally got a good night's sleep.

When Qing Mengzhu woke up the next day, she was full of energy and in a great mood.

Ming Lexin looked at him curiously. "Why are you so happy today? Is there some good news?"

Qing Mengzhu: "I received a nice New Year's gift."

Ming Lexin: "No wonder. I made sandwiches and coffee for you. Have breakfast first. How about today? Like we said yesterday, let's go hiking?"

Qing Mengzhu smiled and said, "Great! The weather's nice today, we can go hiking and enjoy the snow and plum blossoms."

Ming Lexin was delighted. "Then I'll go put on some makeup first."

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, everywhere was crowded, but the undeveloped wild mountains behind their village were sparsely populated, which was just enough for their family to travel.

Today, besides the three adults, two dogs, a red fox, and an otter also went out together.

The two dogs wore their red vests, while the red fox and otter wore down collars and looked very energetic.

Qing Mengzhu and Ming Chunxi took Ming Lexin to see the remaining snow, the sea of clouds, and the abandoned plum blossom forest.

Ming Lexin took photos the whole way, sometimes alone, sometimes with two young people, and she had a lot of fun.

Qing Mengzhu also posted on her WeChat Moments.

After seeing the post on WeChat Moments, Zhao Hexi not only liked it but also messaged him privately. "[Your family atmosphere is so wonderful! It seems you get along very well with Auntie Ming.]"

Qing Mengzhu: [Auntie is very easy to get along with.]

Zhao Hexi: [I'm so envious. I've only been home for a few days, and my parents are already complaining that I sleep later than a dog and get up later than a pig, and they don't want me to go on blind dates. They're already nagging me at the very beginning of the year.]

Zhao Hexi also posted a crying emoji.

Qing Mengzhu replied with a comforting emoji: [Why don't you come back and play too? We're having a picnic tomorrow.]

Zhao Hexi immediately perked up: [What picnic? What are we eating?]

Qing Mengzhu: [I'd like to take Auntie to experience fishing, and then roast chicken and fish in a kiln. We'll use hazel grouse for the kiln chicken, as they're small and easier to roast. As for the fish, it depends on whether we can catch any. If we can't, we'll have Little Otter catch a couple.]

Zhao Hexi immediately replied: [I know how to do this!]

Zhao Hexi: [Fishing, right? Do you have enough fishing rods? If not, I have a few more.]

Zhao Hexi: [I can also make kiln-roasted chicken. I've always succeeded before. Wait for me, I'll come over first thing tomorrow morning.]

Qing Mengzhu and Zhao Hexi have planned to go on a picnic on the second day of the Lunar New Year.

Zhao Hexi arrived early in the morning and even had breakfast at their house.

After breakfast, everyone took advantage of the good weather and went fishing.

Zhao Hexi suggested several excellent fishing spots. "These spots have all produced big fish, one of which is the spot where someone caught a mandarin fish. If it weren't for the Chinese New Year and the fact that not many people are out fishing, we might not have been able to snag this spot."

Qing Mengzhu understood. "Then let's go to that fishing spot for mandarin fish. It's close to our fields, so we can have a picnic there later."

Their company didn't fully cultivate the 450 acres of land they rented; they reserved a portion for planting after the new year.

The fields are currently lying fallow, which is perfect for barbecuing on them—barbecuing in someone else's field is somewhat offensive, so they wouldn't do something like that.