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Chapter 45: New Year's Party
After a long period of selection, the program for the New Year's party was finally decided. Amid the intense discussion among the Xiao family's younger generation, Xiao Yan was sitting on a chair, sweating heavily and panting.
"Good job~"
Xiao Yu smiled as she handed Xiao Yan a towel. Xiao Yan took it and wiped the sweat from his forehead, looking at the Xiao family's younger generation who were cheering loudly, and a helpless smile appeared on his face.
"The enthusiasm every year is much greater than I imagined."
Xiao Yan had originally thought that this kind of event didn't fit the general tone of Dou Qi Continent. After the novelty wore off, everyone would stop caring about it as much.
But to his surprise, over the years, everyone's enthusiasm for this party had only increased, leaving Xiao Yan, the initiator, quite surprised.
"After all, it's the only day in the year when everyone can truly relax~"
Xiao Yu looked at the Xiao family's younger generation gathered together, discussing enthusiastically, and a faint smile appeared on her face.
This day was brought by Xiao Yan.
If Xiao Yan had not proposed celebrating the New Year, the Xiao family would probably have spent the year just like any other ordinary day.
No, not just the New Year.
Xiao Yu glanced at Xiao Yan, her eyes narrowing slightly, filled with deep affection.
The changes Xiao Yan brought to the Xiao family were truly countless, and everyone in the family felt fortunate for it.
Especially those of Xiao Yan's generation, they were even more grateful.
It was Xiao Yan who made everyone realize that what is needed and what is pursued in this world should not be just strength.
It was also Xiao Yan who showed through his actions what family truly means—how warm that word is.
As the one revered as the head of the Xiao family's younger generation, Xiao Yan was truly deserving of that title.
At this moment, Xiao Yan's gaze turned to the two people lying dejectedly on the ground next to him—Xiao Mei and Xiao Ning.
"My work."
"My glorious moment."
Hearing their murmured words, Xiao Yan, with a look of helplessness, scratched his face and asked Xiao Yu.
"Are they the same this year?"
"Ah." Xiao Yu, holding her head in pain, responded softly, "I don't know if they'll feel embarrassed after their program, but anyway, I can't stand it."
"If they get on stage and others from the Xiao family see them, I'm afraid they'll all start wondering what the younger generation has been doing all this time."
"Xiao Yan ge ge, it's about time, right?"
Xiao Xun'er reminded from the side. Xiao Yan looked up at the starry sky, then slapped his thigh, gripping the towel in his hand, and stood up, calling out loudly.
"Everyone! Start preparing! The party is about to begin!"
"Oh!!!"
The Xiao family's younger generation responded in unison. Xiao Yan smiled and then looked at Xiao Xun'er.
"Xun'er, go notify the elders. We'll set up the venue."
"Mm~"
Xiao Xun'er nodded, walking gracefully out of the Xiao family's courtyard, while Xiao Yan clapped his hands at Xiao Mei and Xiao Ning, who were still in low spirits.
"Alright, alright~ stop sulking. There will be another chance next year~ Get up and prepare for the final touch!"
"You say that every year, but every time my sister shuts me down."
Xiao Ning muttered, and Xiao Yu shot him a stern look.
"If you can just come up with a program within human limits, I'll pretend I didn't see it."
"Ugh."
Hearing his sister's words, Xiao Ning's mood grew even darker, while Nalan Yanran, who was beside him, furrowed her brows more tightly.
She was really curious about what Xiao Ning actually wanted to perform.
At Xiao Yan's call, Xiao Yu, Xiao Mei, and others who were not performing began preparing snacks, drinks, and of course, essential appetizers and fine wine at each table. Nalan Yanran and Qing Lin also volunteered to help.
Once the preparations were almost done, the Xiao family elders arrived one by one under the guidance of Xiao Xun'er. Xiao Yu, together with Xiao Mei and Xiao Ning, arranged seats for everyone, while Xiao Yan went to do a final check with the younger generation performing.
When everything was set, and all the elders were in their seats, Xiao Yan stepped onto the stage, cleared his throat twice, and flashed a sunny smile as he loudly announced.
"Welcome to the New Year's party, hosted by the younger generation of our Xiao family."
"I, Xiao Yan, the host of this year's New Year's party, hereby declare."
"The annual New Year's party officially begins!"
Clap clap clap~~
The Xiao family members in the audience applauded. Among them were Xiao family members from Wutan City and those who worked outside the city all year round for the family business.
However, no matter who they were, at this moment, on this day, everyone was equally joyful!
"Now, let's enjoy the first program of the evening, a language performance by Xiao Ke and Xiao Xing."
In the following time, the performances prepared by the Xiao family's younger generation took the stage one by one, with Xiao Yan introducing each act.
For these young members' performances, the Xiao family members in the audience either laughed heartily or were touched and pleased. Even when a few performances had mistakes, it still made the audience cheer and laugh.
As for Yao Chen in the ring, watching the Xiao family's younger generation perform on stage, she felt a unique sense of amusement. Seeing the genuine smiles on the faces of the Xiao family elders, Yao Chen couldn't help but feel a ripple in her heart.
She had thought that after falling into slumber, she had completely closed off her emotions and would never feel joy or sorrow again.
But now she realized, she was wrong.
When she saw something that truly touched her heart, she couldn't suppress the emotions welling up inside.
Yao Chen gazed at Xiao Yan, whose eyes still radiated dazzling brilliance even in the night. The door to her heart, which had always been closed, seemed to be slowly knocked open.
Xiao Yan, however, was unaware of what Yao Chen was thinking. After announcing the last performance, he came off the stage and looked at Xiao Ning.
"Cousin Xiao Ning, after this program finishes, get ready to light the fire."
"Oh! I've been waiting for this!!"
Xiao Ning waved his fist excitedly, the depression from not being able to perform already forgotten.
On the side, Nalan Yanran, hearing this, looked at Xiao Xun'er with a puzzled expression.
"Is there another event after the party?"
"There's one final activity." Xiao Xun'er softly replied, rarely showing a smile to Nalan Yanran. "Look forward to it~ This activity is exclusive to the Xiao family. It's not something you can see casually~"
"Mm?"
Nalan Yanran raised an eyebrow, looking at the Xiao family's younger generation performing on stage.
These programs were indeed fun, and she was genuinely enjoying them, but it didn't seem like something so "exclusive."
In response to Nalan Yanran's confusion, Xiao Xun'er only smiled mysteriously, not explaining.
Some things could not be described in words.
Only when witnessed firsthand would one understand how precious it truly was.
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End of Chapter
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