61 — Chapter 61: New Year's Eve Dinner

Many years later, people in the courtyard would still talk about that fireworks display of 1992.

After nearly an hour and a half, Li Luoran finally reluctantly withdrew her gaze and turned to see her aunt standing behind her.

“Go downstairs and thank them.”

“Huh?” Li Luoran opened her mouth in surprise. She was an introverted girl and was a little bewildered for a moment. “That boy of yours has a lot of people who work for him. It’s New Year’s, yet all these people chose not to go home to celebrate, but came here just to make their boss’ beloved smile. These people are definitely his most loyal subordinates. So, it’s only right and polite for you to go down and say thanks for their hard work.” Unlike Li Luoran, Li Rao was very clear about such matters in her career and, afraid her niece might be muddled, could only remind her.

“Mm, I should.” Li Luoran wasn’t confused and immediately understood the point. Though a little shy, she acted at once. Watching Li Luoran’s cheeks redden while she tried to appear calm, Li Rao teasingly added, “Come on, you need to learn how to be a sister-in-law.”

Zhang Tong hurriedly directed everyone to clear the debris scattered on the ground, preparing to leave. They had already booked a hotel to stay at for the night. Su Pingnan handled things generously—knowing these people had worked hard away from home, good liquor and dishes had long been arranged, just waiting for them to return and celebrate the New Year happily.

Looking up, Zhang Tong saw Li Luoran standing among the crowd with a composed face. Zhang Tong glanced at his flustered underlings and stepped forward himself. Li Luoran wore a pure white knitted top and tight blue women’s jeans, the light-colored outfit made her look almost like a fairy, and Zhang Tong dared not stare too long at her.

Li Luoran’s heart beat like a drum as she smiled and bowed deeply to Zhang Tong and the others. “Because of me, you’ve been inconvenienced. Thank you, and I wish you a happy New Year.” The crowd quickly protested that there was no need for her to thank them. Everyone thought their boss was indeed impressive—this young lady’s looks and manners were impeccable. Li Luoran exchanged a few polite words and watched Zhang Tong and the others leave.

Once they were far away, she realized she was already sweating on her forehead in the cold night wind. “I’ll do my best,” Li Luoran quietly encouraged herself and turned to see her younger sister looking at her with admiration.

“You’re amazing—those people look fierce, but they were so polite to you.” The little girl hooked her arm through her sister’s and whispered, “Sister, I’ve changed my New Year’s wish.”

“Changed to what?”

Li Luoyan quickly scanned the surroundings, found no one paying attention, leaned into Li Luoran’s ear and said, “I want to be a sister-in-law too.” Li Luoran was furious and the two sisters chased each other all the way home.

Back at Su Pingnan’s village, after Su Pingnan hung up the phone with Zhang Tong he smiled a little—this little girl actually had the courage to go downstairs and thank the men. Who knew how scared she might have been inside.

“Firecrackers, Second Brother!” Su Anxi put on the new clothes Su Pingnan had bought. The all-pink outfit fully displayed the girl’s vivacity. “Alright.” Su Pingnan was relaxed as he personally started setting off firecrackers. Everyone in the village had been waiting for him to start the first one. When the Su family’s firecrackers crackled loudly, the whole village immediately began to buzz.

After the excitement, the Su family began their New Year’s Eve dinner. The father sat at the head of the table. Su Pingnan had changed so much in a year that his voice in the family carried a lot of weight, and for a moment, when he didn’t say anything, there was a little awkward silence.

Su Pingnan sighed inwardly and reached for a bottle—it was the 1986 Moutai he had brought back. He deliberately furrowed his brow and said to Su Zhendong, “Go get Dad’s old liquor, we’re used to drinking that for the New Year—this one is hard to get used to.” The booze was the bulk liquor Su’s father used to make, priced at 1.2 yuan per jin and very sharp.

Su Pingnan didn’t pour into his cup. He switched to a big bowl and poured a full bowl straight up. “Anxi, Dingbei, Ruoyun. You three come to the table too.”

According to the old Su family rules, younger female members were not allowed at the table because they’d be outsiders in the future. But when Su Pingnan spoke, naturally no one objected.

Su Dingbei, the most forthright, sat down and without looking at her eldest brother or her father, asked Su Pingnan directly, “Can we drink?”

“Fill it up.” Su Pingnan paid no heed to Su Zhendong’s look and told Su Dingbei to go ahead.

Everyone filled their bowls. Su Pingnan lifted his bowl and said to his father, “Dad, the first cup I toast to you.” The old man looked at his most promising son, knowing he had something to say, and raised his cup too. Su Pingnan said, “No matter how I am outside, I am your son, your blood runs in my veins.” Saying that, he drained the bowl in one go.

Then he lifted a second bowl. “Here, everyone is my brothers and sisters, this is our home.” After two bowls of baijiu, even Su Pingnan’s tough body began to feel it, his face flushed red. Everyone understood what Su Pingnan meant.

Su Dingbei was the first to stand up, grabbed the bottle from the table and poured a full bowl. “Second Brother, I toast you.” With that, she really downed the whole bowl of baijiu. Despite the way the younger girl made that toast with the same tone and stance as Su Pingnan, nobody stopped her from downing that bowl.

Du Jiu and Su Wenwen naturally didn’t hesitate to switch to big bowls and drink as well. Su Zhendong’s expression fell, but under Su Dingbei’s pressing gaze, he too, switched to a big bowl. “Remember to carry me back to my room after this—I’ll, I’ll do it.”

That night the banquet was merry. Su Pingnan got very drunk. Su Zhendong squatted at the village entrance singing all night, beside him the foolishly-clapping Su Dingbei.