NOVEL NEXT Chapter 42: Feast
The bustling at the Xiao Clan continued until noon.
The entire courtyard was filled with the aroma of various delicious dishes, making the hungry Xiao Clan members’ stomachs growl.
The younger generation of the Xiao Clan then placed the food on dozens of tables, while Xiao Yan and Xiao Yu arranged for everyone to sit down.
Well, to say that they were arranging was an exaggeration. After all, they were all family members. In other words, they just sat at a table if they wanted to drink and another table if they didn’t. That was all.
In the front of the Xiao Clan courtyard, there was a wooden platform that had been built throughout the morning. It was covered with a red carpet, and there was a red wall behind it, creating a festive atmosphere.
Xiao Yan sat at a table with his peers, including Xiao Ning, Xiao Xun’er, Xiao Yu, Xiao Mei, and the guest, Nalan Yanran.
As for Qing Lin, Xiao Yan had informed Xiao Yu and the others about her background. When they heard about it, sympathy surged in their hearts, and Xiao Mei even declared with tears in her eyes, “I’ll beat anyone who dares to harm little Qing Lin!” Qing Lin herself could feel the genuine emotions from Xiao Mei and the others, and she gradually opened up to them. Naturally, during the meal, she sat with Xiao Yan and the others.
Xiao Ying and Xiao Li, who had brought Qing Lin back, sat at a table with Xiao Zhan and the three elders of the Xiao Clan, drinking.
After everyone had taken their seats, Xiao Zhan, as the patriarch, stood up with a cup in his hand, stepped onto the platform laid with the red carpet, and looked down at the gradually quieting Xiao Clan members.
“Ahem!”
Xiao Zhan cleared his throat, and when the courtyard fell completely silent, he began to speak loudly.
“Today, once again, we gather for the annual tradition of our Xiao Clan. It should have been the usual practice, but before the Lunar New Year this year, two major joyous events occurred, and as the patriarch, I am here to share them with all of you.”
“First, the first matter: due to various reasons, the Xiao Clan has now become the largest family in Wutan City. The future of our family is several times more prosperous than last year!”
Clap clap clap~~~
As soon as Xiao Zhan’s words fell, thunderous applause erupted from the crowd. Everyone’s faces were filled with excited joy.
Their family had become even stronger. Why wouldn’t they be happy?
After Xiao Zhan gestured for silence, the applause gradually subsided, and he continued speaking.
“Now, for the second joyous event. Many of you have witnessed the coming-of-age ceremony yesterday. Many of the Xiao Clan members who usually conduct business outside might not be aware of it, so I am officially announcing it here.”
Xiao Zhan took a deep breath and shouted with a powerful voice, “All the new generation descendants of the Xiao Clan have been promoted to Dou Zhe! Let us warmly congratulate them!!!”
Clap clap clap clap clap!!!
This time, the applause was even more enthusiastic. Many Xiao Clan members who hadn’t been able to participate in yesterday’s coming-of-age ceremony looked at the younger generation of the Xiao Clan in astonishment, and more people’s gazes were fixed on Xiao Yan.
Xiao Zhan had just mentioned the new generation descendants, so it meant that Xiao Yan’s strength had also recovered, right?
What great news!
The younger generation of the Xiao Clan was showered with warm applause from their elders, and they couldn’t help feeling a little embarrassed. This was also true for Xiao Yan’s table.
“Well… how should I put it…” Xiao Ning covered his slightly blushing face. “Being praised by so many elders makes me feel a bit… you know…”
“I feel the same…”
For once, Xiao Mei didn’t retort to Xiao Ning. Her face also blushed with embarrassment.
“Hey hey hey, are you two really so unaccustomed to compliments? Is it that bad?” Xiao Yan smiled and waved his hand, his words tinged with a hint of mockery, causing Xiao Xun’er, who was sitting beside him, to cover her mouth and chuckle.
“Brother Xiao Yan only becomes a bit childish on this day. He even knows how to mock others.”
“This is not being childish; it’s my nature,” Xiao Yan lightly shook his finger, feeling particularly at ease in his heart.
Without hiding anything, revealing one’s true self is undoubtedly the most comfortable thing to do.
Xiao Yan was not a god, and he usually kept himself in check. He only had this one day each year to relax without any reservations. Of course, he had to enjoy it to the fullest.
(His true nature…)
Nalan Yanran looked at Xiao Yan, her beautiful eyes narrowing slightly.
This was something she hadn’t known about before, Xiao Yan’s other side.
Nalan Yanran couldn’t help but feel relieved in her heart.
If she hadn’t been here today, she would never have known Xiao Yan’s true personality in her lifetime.
It seems… I came at the right time.
At this moment, Xiao Zhan, standing on the platform, raised his cup high and shouted.
“Today is the Lunar New Year, so let’s not waste time with unnecessary words. Cheers to the new year!”
“Cheers!!!”
Those who could drink raised their cups, while those who couldn’t drink raised their water cups. Following the lead of Xiao Zhan, they all drank in one go.
“Well, everyone, dig in! Enjoy the food and drinks!”
As Xiao Zhan’s words fell, the people who had been hungry since morning immediately started eating and enjoying the mouth watering delicacies before them.
“Come on, Qing Lin.”
Xiao Mei hadn’t even started eating herself, but she enthusiastically piled a heap of meat from various dishes onto Qing Lin’s plate. There was beef, fish, lamb, but no vegetables. She didn’t care whether Qing Lin could finish it all, and the entire plate was stacked like a small mountain.
Qing Lin clearly had a troubled expression but didn’t want to interrupt the well-intentioned Xiao Mei. The delicate porcelain-like face was filled with distress, and she didn’t know how to proceed with her own meal.
“Mei’er, be a bit more restrained.”
Xiao Yu, sitting on Qing Lin’s other side, couldn’t bear to watch any longer. She reached out and took the plate of piled food in front of Qing Lin, replacing it with her own empty plate. She looked at Qing Lin softly.
“Qing Lin, you pick the dishes you want to eat first. If there’s something you can’t reach, let me know, and I’ll help you.”
“Yes! Thank you, Sister Xiao Yu!”
Qing Lin nodded heavily, and the distress on her face disappeared. She smiled and thanked Xiao Yu before turning her head to the slightly dejected Xiao Mei.
“Thank you, Sister Xiao Mei, for picking the dishes for Qing Lin.”
“Mm… You’re such a good kid!”
Xiao Mei was moved and hugged Qing Lin, rubbing her little face against hers.
Among the younger generation of the Xiao Clan, she was the youngest, and Xiao Mei had always hoped to have a well-behaved and sensible younger sister to take care of. It was no wonder she was so enthusiastic towards Qing Lin.
Bang!
At this moment, Xiao Ning suddenly slammed a jug of wine on the table, grinning as he looked at Xiao Yan.
“Hey, Xiao Yan, since we’re all adults now, isn’t drinking water too boring? Let’s have a jug of wine?”
Upon hearing Xiao Ning’s words, Xiao Xun’er immediately furrowed her brows and looked at Xiao Ning.
“Xiao Ning, this…”
“Hey hey hey~~~ Xun’er, don’t try to stop me this time.” Xiao Ning interrupted Xiao Xun’er, “Xiao Yan doesn’t drink now, but sooner or later, he will. Since the whole family is here today, it’s a good chance to test Xiao Yan’s capacity. Even if something happens, we’ll have each other’s backs, right?”
“…”
Xiao Xun’er fell silent. Xiao Ning’s words were indeed persuasive, leaving her with no counterarguments.
At this moment, the medicinal voice within the ring, Yao Chen, spoke to Xiao Yan.
(He’s right. Eventually, you’ll have to drink alcohol. It’s not a bad thing to check your tolerance in advance, so you won’t be completely clueless if someone tries to get you drunk in the future.)
“Well…”
Xiao Yan pondered for a moment, then drank the water in his cup in one gulp and placed the cup in front of Xiao Ning.
“Alright, let’s do it! It’s just for today! Let’s relax to the fullest!”
“Alright! Today, let’s drink our hearts out, cousin!”