After Being Blackened All Over the Internet, I Ruled the Military Variety
Chapter 733 - 723: Well-Planned Strategy, New Year’s Eve Dinner

Chapter 733: Chapter 723: Well-Planned Strategy, New Year’s Eve Dinner

Lin Yi was absolutely furious, acting without any regard.

Zhang Anfeng, however, had to be cautious due to the little son clinging to his leg, shocked by his wife’s sudden charge. Naturally, he was restricted, and soon there were several blood marks on his face and neck from her fingernails.

Seeing how precious he held this little son he had been secretly hiding, Lin Yi’s anger boiled even more, "You cherish him so much, but our son is still in the hospital recovering from injuries. During the New Year, no one went to see Xiaoxuan, and you dare bring this little bastard’s son to the old house to acknowledge ancestors. Do you think you’re doing right by me and by Lingzhou?"

As she spoke, she cast a sinister glance at the little boy being protected by her husband, "He’s just a little bastard, not worthy!"

"Enough!" Zhang Anfeng couldn’t hold back and shouted, giving a strong push, "Yangyang is also my son, my biological son, you knew it a long time ago. Sooner or later, I have to bring him back."

"Fine, fine, fine," Lin Yi staggered from the push, almost sitting on the threshold, gritting her teeth in anger she laughed harshly, "If he ever steps into our house, I won’t be surnamed Lin! Raised outside, he will remain outside for life, acknowledging ancestors? As long as I am alive, dream on!"

"You shrew! Our Zhang family genealogy is none of your business!"

...

Zhang Lingzhou, forgotten at the doorway, watched his half-brother with a similarly sinister gaze. No one understood better than him why this child appeared at their Zhang family old house at this time.

He was ruined, no longer had the value to nurture, and now even his biological father had given up on him!

Watching his mother nearly go mad with anger, and his father never once glancing his way, listening to the two of them cursing each other like enemies, Zhang Lingzhou felt the demon in his heart expanding madly, every word and sentence tempting him.

Kill this brother!

He’s a curse, just get rid of him!

"Enough!"

The one who broke up the couple’s relentless quarreling was Zhang Nachuan, who had reached his limit; as soon as he spoke, the noisy hall went silent.

"All of you, get out!"

"Dad," Zhang Anfeng, face full of blood marks, turned to his father and forced a smile, "You see, Lin Yi is unwilling to let Yangyang enter the house, and he’s so young, you can’t let him live outside on his own. Why not let him stay with you? Yangyang is very obedient, he can dress, eat, and wash by himself. Now that An’an’s not here, you’re alone in the old house, it could bore you. You can teach him painting or something to pass the time."

Lin Yi couldn’t help but twitch her cheek muscles; his schemes were slapping her right in the face!

But the decision wasn’t in her hands. Even at this point, the old man was still the overriding authority.

Zhang Lingzhou moved his mouth, clutching the wheelchair armrest tightly.

The mother and son waited nervously for the old man’s response.

Fortunately, this time Zhang Nachuan didn’t disappoint them.

"Whoever gave birth takes responsibility. I have neither the time nor the duty at this age to help you watch a toddler, take him away!"

"Dad..."

Zhang Anfeng wanted to try one more time, but suddenly meeting the old man’s extremely impatient eyes, he swallowed back his words, dryly bidding farewell, "Dad, take care, I’ll bring Yangyang to visit you another day."

Lin Yi watched, eyes red, as he left hurriedly with that little bastard. After forcing herself to exchange some pleasantries with the old man, she too left in a hurry.

She needed to do something, absolutely couldn’t let that little bastard threaten Lingzhou’s position!

As soon as everyone left, the hall was quiet.

Zhang Ye entered with cleaning tools, looking up at the old man still sitting in the main seat.

He saw that the once-upright posture had unknowingly bent significantly.

"Uncle!"

"Clean first." Zhang Nachuan waved, his voice hoarse, "Bring paper and pencil after you’re done."

Zhang Ye was startled by his later instructions, not daring to ask why he suddenly wanted to write, only responding lowly with an affirmation.

He only knew that the eldest’s maneuvering had thoroughly pushed the old man away!

*

That day, for some, the hours dragged like years, while others found time slipping by swiftly.

Chatting and drinking tea, sunbathing and playing games, before one knew it, the sun had set, the evening glow filled the sky, and the day was almost over.

Jiang Lingxi wandered into the guest house kitchen.

That afternoon, Jiang Wenhu and Gao Lan had taken over in preparation for the big family’s New Year’s Eve dinner.

Jiang Runcheng and Jiang Lingxu were also recruited for simple tasks like washing and cutting vegetables.

Shen Yunqing wanted to help too, but as soon as she stepped into the kitchen, she was pushed out.

In Jiang Wenhu’s words: Without the son-in-law present, she felt more comfortable commanding in the kitchen.

Jiang Lingxi was directly barred from the kitchen simply because she made tea intolerable to common taste.

But it was okay to stroll around the kitchen and taste the freshly cooked dishes without volunteering to help.

"Just out of the pot lotus root clips, careful they’re hot."

"Xixi, do you want the sweet and sour fish sweeter or more sour?"

"Add less shredded ginger to this dish, Xixi and Yunqing don’t like to eat it."

"Still some dumpling skins left? The durian for fried durian puffs isn’t finished, how about durian-filled ones?"

Jiang Wenhu, after hearing her daughter’s suggestion, reluctantly nodded after two seconds of silence, "Then make durian-filled ones."

As long as her daughter wanted it, they could always cook it separately if needed!

Jiang Lingxi circled the kitchen, got fed till she was three-quarters full, and also offered valuable opinions on various dishes, finally carrying a plate of freshly fried assorted meatballs out of the kitchen.

Returning to the hall, she called out to Shen Yunqing and Xu Ling’an, "Just fried, come try it."

When night fell, the busy New Year’s Eve dinner finally landed on the table.

Including Xia Zhi, eight people gathered around a rarely used large round table.

"Do we want some wine tonight?"

"Let’s have some red wine, a new year, red and prosperous!"

Xia Zhi fetched the red wine, thoughtfully bringing an extra bottle of low-alcohol fruit wine in case the two youngest at the table couldn’t handle stronger drinks.

With glasses filled, they turned on the TV.

Tonight there was no update of "Empress of Yuan Dynasty," every channel across Huazhou was broadcasting the same program, the Spring Festival Gala.

Jiang Lingxi looked at a New Year greeting message sent to her by Wei Minmin on her phone, replied with a New Year blessing, then reminded everyone at the table, "Minmin just sent me a message saying she also has a segment tonight."

"What segment?"

"A skit, and also a song."

"She’s in two segments herself, impressive!"

"This girl is Xixi’s good friend, I’ve even seen her in person, beautiful and dashing, need to watch her show well later."

They ate their New Year’s Eve dinner while the Spring Festival Gala programs started one after another.

Besides Wei Minmin, Jiang Lingxi saw many familiar faces on the Spring Festival stage.

There were people she had interacted with like Jiang Kaiyuan and Lin Yan, and many other artists and stars she had met a few times but wasn’t very familiar with.

As one fascinating and outstanding program after another was broadcast, the trending topics were lively, revealing continuous evaluations of each performance guest on this year’s Spring Festival Gala stage.

Midway through dinner, finally, it was time for Wei Minmin’s skit.

Jiang Lingxi paid particular attention to the program.

The others around the table also watched more intently.

After watching the skit, Jiang Wenhu rubbed her face, smiling until it was sore, "It was funny, better than the previous ones."

"This girl has some comedic talent!"

After a few more programs, everyone at the table watched as Wei Minmin wore an ethereal gown, with her hairstyle and makeup greatly altered, singing a popular song with three other female stars on the same stage.

"The one standing on the far left is Minmin, right?"

"Such a big transformation!"

Soon, Jiang Lingxi saw a new topic about Wei Minmin on the trending list: #Wei Minmin: Seamlessly Switching Between Goddess and Drama Queen#

Jiang Lingxi: "..."

One had to admit, this description was quite spot-on!