After Bankruptcy, the Billionaire Asked Me to Marry Him!
Chapter 306: Where you are, home is!

Chapter 306: Chapter 306: Where you are, home is!

Ye Li had lunch at the Fu Mansion and even played a few rounds of mahjong with Old Mrs. Fu.

The sun had just begun to tilt westward when Old Mrs. Fu spoke up to send her away, "You’d better head home. Once more people arrive, you won’t be able to leave."

The Fu Family was vast and prestigious.

On regular days, the mansion only housed Old Mrs. Fu and Xiao Bao.

But during the holidays, everyone—from the older generation to the younger—would return.

Add to that the fresh year-end bonus distributions, with everyone receiving a hefty amount, and the rare occasion of Fu Yanci being present—it became a prime opportunity for some flattering and schmoozing, especially at the family’s New Year’s Eve banquet.

"Grandmother..."

"Off you go now!"

Old Mrs. Fu smiled warmly and pulled two thick red envelopes from her pocket like magic, handing them to Ye Li. "One is for you, and the other is for your little Xiao Cao... Tomorrow, don’t bother worrying about coming back for New Year’s Day, Day Two, or Day Three either. Just make sure you return on the fifteenth for dumplings and Xiao Bao’s birthday."

"Grandmother, you’re too wonderful!"

Ye Li threw herself into Old Mrs. Fu’s arms, acting endearingly spoiled. "No way! Next time Fu Yanci goes to Wanfu Temple to copy Buddhist scriptures, I want to go too. Living to 112 is not enough—Grandmother has to live to 199!"

She was clearly joking to make the old lady happy, but Old Mrs. Fu couldn’t help laughing so much her face was full of wrinkles.

Who doesn’t adore soft, sweet girls?

But the children in the family? They were either mischievous or overly reserved.

Being adorably spoiled?

Oh, it had been years since there was a girl this likable.

Once again, she felt her decision to pick Xiao Li Zi during that matchmaking dinner was indeed wise and gratifying.

Old Mrs. Fu glanced at Fu Yanci, who was sipping tea with a slight smile at the corner of his lips, and let out a breath. "Tomorrow morning, when I offer incense at the ancestral hall in front of your grandfather and father, I’ll finally have something proper to tell them! This whole year, this is the one decent thing you’ve done."

???

He looked at Ye Li, who was being embraced by his grandmother.

Then thought about the remark his grandmother had just made.

Fu Yanci smiled faintly, "Grandmother, I don’t mind if you praise Ah Li, but isn’t dragging down your own grandson in comparison a bit inappropriate?"

Her response was a loving reminder for Ah Li to enjoy the New Year, instructions to bring greetings to Li Xueqing, and repeated orders to the housekeeper to load the year-end gifts into the car, all fully ignoring him.

Fu Yanci: ...!!!

The Maybach rolled out of the alleyway, and Ye Li first called her driver before dialing Lu Xiaoxiao’s number.

After Fu Yanci stayed for a brief moment and then left, Ye Li stood outside the villa for a while until she spotted the Ye Family’s Mercedes arriving.

"Lizi, you’re too thoughtful!"

Lu Xiaoxiao jumped out of the car and gave Ye Li a big hug, laughing, "You’re so considerate—I’ll feel bad coming here again in the future!"

"Well, it’s the first time. Familiarize yourself with the place, so next time you can take a cab here!"

Ye Li smiled as she turned her gaze to Xie Yunkai, who followed her.

Because of the holiday, both of them were dressed in new clothes.

Xie Yunkai was sporting a sharp suit, exuding less youthful naïveté and more of a young man’s confident charm.

He was holding a gift brought for the visit.

Facing Ye Li, Xie Yunkai still wore the same bright smile he had when she lived at Fanxing Apartment, "Ye Li, long time no see!"

From his demeanor to his aura, and even the feeling he gave her, he was still the same Xie Yunkai as before.

The memory of the photo from the bar flashed in her mind as Ye Li smiled and greeted him, "Long time no see! Come on in!"

While she had sweaty palms from nervousness before getting in the car, almost all of her unease vanished as soon as she walked through the door.

Li Xueqing and Aunt Lan greeted her kindly, "Xiaoxiao, do you know how to make dumplings?"

Lan Lan and her boyfriend also seemed very friendly, saying, "Xiaoxiao, you and your boyfriend are so good-looking together! You make me feel like I can eat an extra bowl of rice tonight."

And Ye Li, of course.

Just one glance exchanged was enough to convey a reassuring look. From taking off their coats and changing into slippers to rolling up their sleeves and joining preparations for the New Year’s Eve feast, Lu Xiaoxiao and Xie Yunkai transitioned seamlessly.

By 7 p.m., the group had gathered noisily in the living room.

Eating.

Drinking.

Chatting.

Joking around.

When the gala on TV began, the atmosphere in the living room alternated seamlessly between raucous laughter and playful critique.

The doorbell rang, and the group paused, startled.

Li Xueqing was the first to react, "Ah Li, go answer the door."

Standing outside the door, Fu Yanci smiled softly, tall and poised.

"Why are you here?"

Taking his arm as they stepped into the garden, Ye Li’s eyes sparkled with excitement, "You’re the head of the family; is it alright for you not to be here?"

"Precisely because I’m the head, it’s okay for me not to be here."

Leaning closer to the girl, his breaths carried a faint hint of wine.

Holding Ye Li’s hand, Fu Yanci looked into her eyes and said, "Ah Li, this is the first Lunar New Year we’re spending together. From now on, every New Year’s Eve, every holiday, I’ll be by your side. Wherever you are, that’s where our home is."

"Isn’t it supposed to be wherever you are, that’s home?"

"No, Ah Li—it’s you!"

Her head felt clouded, not knowing whether it was from the wine or from his sweet words that had swept her off her feet.

Ye Li blinked in daze, staring at Fu Yanci, thinking he looked especially handsome today.

When the clock struck midnight, everyone gathered outside in the spacious backyard.

Firecrackers roared.

Fireworks lit up the sky.

The air was filled with joy and laughter everywhere.

After setting off the fireworks, everyone returned to the living room as the gala wrapped up.

Li Xueqing and Aunt Lan waved, saying they couldn’t stay awake any longer.

The living room briefly quieted before the lively chatter resumed.

This year was imperfect because Ye Mushen wasn’t around.

But it was also the liveliest year, with Ye Li bringing Fu Yanci, Lan Lan bringing Jyang Che, and Lu Xiaoxiao and Xie Yunkai, the good-looking, perfectly matched couple.

The festive energy lasted until the sixth day of the year before winding down.

"Mom, Lan Lan and I are heading off now. Take care of yourself and Aunt Xue!"

Just after lunch, Jyang Che arrived, pushing a suitcase out the door while calling back to the reluctant Aunt Lan and Lan Lan.

Not only Aunt Lan and Lan Lan froze.

Li Xueqing and Ye Li stared blankly too.

Lan Lan blushed and scolded Jyang Che for being shameless.

Aunt Lan, Li Xueqing, and Ye Li erupted into laughter, their eyes curving into crescents.

The originally bittersweet atmosphere was instantly dissipated.

Facing Lan Lan’s teasing scorn, Jyang Che responded with righteous confidence, "It’s only a matter of time to change how I address her. I’m doing it early to help Mom get used to it first."

Turning to Aunt Lan, Jyang Che said, "Mom, I promise to take good care of Lan Lan. Don’t worry! Next time she comes back, if she’s thin or worn out, hold me accountable!"

Saying "yes" felt impossible.

Not saying "yes" felt equally impossible.

Aunt Lan laughed so much she started tearing up.

She glanced at Lan Lan, whose ears were red, still pinching Jyang Che through his coat.

Then turned back to see Ye Li on the phone with Fu Yanci, repeating promises to return home after dinner.

Aunt Lan and Li Xueqing exchanged knowing smiles, their hearts filled with quiet satisfaction.

The shrill ringtone broke the serenity, and Ye Li answered the call, only to hear Wan Mingyi’s near-explosive voice on the other end: "Ye Li, the work studio is in trouble!"