柯少政急切地为胡的母亲组织了一个小型的新年宴会，邀请了附近别墅的十几个人，或者那些不喜欢在家里过年的人。这群人围坐在一张桌子旁打麻将。

After having dinner with Hu Li on the eve of the New Year, Hu's mother grabbed her bag and headed to the banquet. Hu Li called Hua Yan and heard they were eating some meat and drinking a bit, with cheerful laughter in the background. Envious, Hu Li put on his coat, got in his car, and drove straight to the capital.

After hanging up, Hua Yan couldn't help but mutter to herself, wondering what had made Hu Li so urgent. They hadn't talked for long before he mentioned he had something to do. The men drinking nearby noticed her somber expression and exchanged worried glances. Lao Yang, the eldest among them, was the first to ask, "Xiao Yan, did Hu Li upset you?"

"Huh? Not really. Ah, it's nothing. Who knows what he's busy with?" Hua Yan replied, though her tone carried a hint of resentment.

Hearing this, Lao Yang, Lao Hei, and Da Pang all relaxed, their eyes glimmering with smiles. They interpreted Hua Yan's demeanor as a sign of missing Hu Li.

"Don't pout anymore, or you'll become ugly. Here, have some crispy chicken skin," Lao Yang teased.

Da Pang and Lao Hei also served Hua Yan some of her favorite dishes, suggesting that after dinner, they could set up a mahjong game. Da Pang was the first to raise both hands in agreement, planning to win some money from Hua Yan and the others since he was quite good at mahjong.

Lao Hei, seeing Da Pang's greedy look, challenged him to a game of finger-guessing. After a few rounds, Da Pang had downed several large glasses of alcohol. Feeling a bit tipsy, he noticed the calculative glint in Lao Hei's narrow eyes, prompting another playful scuffle between the two.

With all this commotion, Hua Yan's earlier discomfort had largely faded. Watching Lao Hei and Da Pang's amusing finger-guessing game, she pulled Lao Hei and Lao Yang in to play with her.

Initially unfamiliar with the game, Hua Yan lost several rounds, quickly filling her stomach with alcohol. Concerned about her drinking too much, Lao Yang suggested switching to another activity, but Hua Yan refused.

In her past life, she had often seen workers and vendors in small restaurants playing finger-guessing games, drinking, and eating heartily together. Though it was rough, she felt that was the true spirit of drinking—bold and hearty.

Tonight, she wasn't going to miss the chance to experience it herself. Despite the modern setting, she exhibited a chivalrous spirit akin to a heroic woman from ancient times, loudly playing the finger-guessing game while watching the Spring Festival Gala.

The guards, hearing the noise, felt a pang of jealousy but dared not enter the house. With Cheng Xiang present, the security of the courtyard couldn't be relaxed. Any mishap, and they wouldn't be able to atone, even with their lives.

They played crazily until eleven o'clock. The heavily drunk men sprawled on the large sofa to sleep. Though they usually didn't show it, tonight they drank several cases of alcohol. An hour later, they gradually woke up.

Seeing the leftovers and empty bottles on the table, Da Pang frowned, rolled up his sleeves, and quickly cleaned up. He also swiftly cooked some hangover soup for everyone to drink.

After drinking the hangover soup, Lao Hei felt warm and sober. At that moment, he remembered the rabbits in the backyard and went to feed them some hay. When he returned, his coat and hair were covered in white flakes.

Seeing Lao Hei's appearance, Hua Yan and the others asked in unison, "What's going on? Is it snowing?" But their tone was one of delight.

A new year with new weather; a timely snow promises a good harvest. Such auspicious events made everyone happy. Hua Yan even put on a coat to go outside and enjoy the snowy scenery.

Snowflakes the size of fingernails fell in a tangled mess. It wasn't long before the courtyard was blanketed in white. Stepping on it made a crunching sound, like countless snow spirits joyfully singing together. Watching Hua Yan play in the snow like a child, everyone smiled.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

"Xiao Yan, stop playing now, or you'll catch a cold." Lao Yang said, stepping forward to pull her back inside. Lao Hei also chuckled as he handed her a towel to dry her hair. Once everything was settled, the four of them started a mahjong game.

Throughout, Da Pang and Lao Hei bantered and competed, creating a lively atmosphere. Even Hua Yan, usually sleepy, felt full of energy tonight.

"Are we staying up all night?" Lao Yang asked Hua Yan with concern. Being older, he needed less sleep. Lao Hei and Da Pang, being young and energetic, had no issues staying awake. They were only worried about Hua Yan.

"No need, I still have to win money for tomorrow's outing, and I have to collect red envelopes early in the morning. You guys can't skip out," Hua Yan said, looking at Lao Yang, Lao Hei, and Da Pang one by one.

Her words made everyone laugh. Lao Yang laughed so hard that tears came to his eyes, pointing at her and jokingly scolding, "Little money-grubber, you're so old but still want red envelopes."

Hua Yan didn't care about any of this. Since there were no kids at home, it wasn't a bad idea for her to act a bit younger. Besides, she had prepared thick red envelopes for Lao Hei, Da Pang, and the guards.

Although Mu Yun Pavilion was closed, Hua Yan still had a few million in her account. Additionally, the money from the exceptional purple jade and the raw jade materials transferred to Feise Carnival gave her a small share in their profits.

When the clock struck two, the front gate of the courtyard sounded, followed by the voices of the guards. The four people at the mahjong table, all with sharp ears, exchanged puzzled glances, wondering who could be arriving so late.

It shouldn't be Old Qiao; if he were coming, he would have asked Da Pang in advance to prepare his favorite dishes. Hua Yan thought it might be Jiu Cheng. He had been clamoring to visit just the other day but had canceled due to some early commitments. Perhaps he changed his mind and came after all.

Lao Hei, already receiving a signal from Lao Yang, went to check. But before he could reach the door, it swung open. Standing there, covered in snow from his high-collared coat to his hair, was Hu Li. Everyone was bewildered by his appearance.

Lao Hei took his coat to shake off the snow outside, while Hua Yan, snapping out of her surprise, fetched a dry towel to dry his hair. She asked with both concern and curiosity, "Why are you here? Weren't you supposed to spend New Year's with your mother? Did you drive here yourself?"

Hu Li sat on a chair by the door, allowing Hua Yan to dry his hair. Enjoying himself, he explained, "Mother went to a small banquet with Ke Shaozheng. The villa was empty and lonely, so I decided to come here. It only started snowing after I entered the city, so the drive was smooth. Don't worry."

Hua Yan rolled her eyes at him, amused and exasperated. Lao Yang had already instructed Da Pang to make some ginger tea to ward off the cold. After changing his clothes upstairs, Hu Li was pulled by Lao Yang to play chess.

Claiming he was hungry, Hu Li was catered to by Da Pang, who immediately went to his battlefield-like kitchen to cook. Lao Hei sat on a stool to watch the chess game, while Hua Yan, deeply concerned and happy to see Hu Li, was filled with warmth for his late-night drive to see her.

She occasionally helped Da Pang in the kitchen, and sometimes sat behind Hu Li, watching him intently as he focused on the game, his hair still damp and his face serious.

Under Hua Yan's frequent gazes, Hu Li felt increasingly unsettled. Abandoning his usual meticulous style, he hurriedly placed his chess pieces, sneakily taking Hua Yan's soft hand in his.

Despite his distraction, Lao Yang still couldn't beat Hu Li. Frustrated, Lao Yang stepped out into the courtyard for fresh air, then returned for another round.

After drinking the ginger tea Hua Yan brought him, the cold dissipated, and Hu Li felt much better. He received a few more of Hua Yan's playful glares, then fully concentrated on the game with Lao Yang.

Though his mind was on Hua Yan, Hu Li reluctantly engaged in the game due to Lao Yang's enthusiasm. Switching between games with Lao Yang and Lao Hei, he found no time for a private moment with Hua Yan, his frustration manifesting in his aggressive chess moves.

"Geez, it's New Year's, you brat! Why are you so aggressive, taking my pieces like that?" Lao Yang exclaimed.

Expressionless, Hu Li said nothing, only intensifying Lao Yang and Lao Hei's competitive spirits. Hua Yan, sensing Hu Li's thoughts, mischievously kept quiet.

It was Da Pang, who, despite his usual rough manner, keenly observed Hu Li's intentions. Feeling sympathetic, Da Pang remarked, "The guy came to see his sweetheart, and you're making him play chess. No wonder he's frustrated!"

This comment made everyone except Hu Li laugh. The other three stared curiously at Da Pang, who, feeling their gazes, quickly played it off and stopped speaking.

But they were all perceptive. Lao Yang and Lao Hei exchanged knowing looks and immediately declared the night over. Their glances towards Hu Li and Hua Yan were mischievous.

Feeling a chill, Hua Yan was pulled upstairs by Hu Li, ignoring the others' looks.

Once in Hua Yan's bedroom, Hu Li pressed her onto the bed. Before she could react, Hu Li's warm breath enveloped her. His kiss transmitted a heat that quickly blurred Hua Yan's mind. Her body started to heat up, growing increasingly warmer.

Hu Li, intoxicated by Hua Yan's scent, felt the same discomfort. His passionate desires were challenging his rationality. The person beneath him, with eyes half-closed and body soft, made Hu Li's breathing heavier.

The room grew hotter, filled with a thick atmosphere of intimacy, blurring the lines for the two entangled on the bed.