Chapter 78: New Year's Eve (Part Three)

As the New Year approached, the flow of customers in Su Yan’s shop surged dramatically. Counting the bills, Su Yan couldn’t keep the smile off her face.

Ming Han was exhausted, having spent the entire day sitting at the counter balancing the accounts.

Ever since Ming Han could remember, he had helped out in the shop every New Year. As a result, his family never had the tradition of eating a New Year’s Eve dinner together—business would only wind down in the early hours of the morning, the atmosphere far too lively for a quiet family meal.

Not that Ming Han ever complained. His mother worked tirelessly all year round, after all, and it was all for his sake.

“Ming Han, I need to earn more money so I can support your future harem,” his mother would joke.

Ming Han knew she must have watched too many palace dramas again, and could only shake his head in exasperation.

On New Year’s Eve, the chef and two waiters at the shop would all ask for leave to go home, leaving only Ming Han, his mother, and his grandparents, who would come in from the countryside to help out. Only after everything was done would they sit down for a meal together.

Every time Chen Li called Ming Han during this busy season, she’d barely get a word in before Ming Han would hurriedly say, “A customer just came in, let’s talk later!” The sound of Chen Li’s teeth grinding in frustration was practically audible through the phone.

New Year’s Eve arrived in no time, and the whole county was awash in the colorful glow of fireworks. The night was as bright as day.

But Ming Han’s family had no time to enjoy the spectacle, for many customers came to eat their New Year’s Eve dinner at the shop.

Su Yan’s culinary skills were renowned far and wide.

Ming Han was busy collecting payments and calculating the day’s inventory costs.

The regulars began to arrive one after another.

“Su Yan, is this your son? Such a handsome young man! He must be very popular with the girls at school, isn’t he?”

Su Yan beamed as the customer praised her son. “He’s all right, I suppose. But I’ve heard there really are quite a few girls who like him. Haha...”

Seeing his mother’s smug expression, Ming Han felt a touch of helplessness. Sometimes he really couldn’t tell if she was just open-minded or a little simple-minded.

The customer smiled kindly and patted Ming Han on the shoulder. “Remember, your studies come first!”

Before he knew it, it was already nine o’clock. Ming Han’s hands were sore, so he cracked open a bottle of Red Bull and took a long swig.

“Boss, I want some late-night snacks.” The voice was sweet, and Ming Han recognized it instantly.

“Chen Li, what are you doing here?”

Chen Li pointed to the girl beside her. “My little pig here was hungry, so I brought her to feed her.”

Only then did Ming Han notice the girl next to Chen Li. She was about 165 centimeters tall, with large eyes and a warm, easy smile. Her hair was tied in a ponytail, slightly curled, and a light shade of brown. Unlike Chen Li, whose first impression was always cool and distant, this girl seemed approachable and friendly.

The girl pouted and lightly punched Chen Li on the arm. “You’re the one who said you were starving and wanted to eat here.”

Ming Han politely introduced himself. “I’m Ming Han, Chen Li’s classmate.”

“I’m Chen Nuo, Chen Li’s elementary school classmate—and her cousin, too.”

All one family! Good genes clearly ran in the family. He thought he might just introduce this girl to some of his own friends one day, and chuckled to himself.

He led them to a table. “What would you like to eat?”

“You decide, Ming Han!”

Ming Han nodded, chose four dishes, and took the order to his mother in the kitchen.

Then he returned to the counter to continue with the accounts, while Chen Li and Chen Nuo whispered to each other, glancing at him and giggling from time to time, which made Ming Han feel a bit uneasy.

“Big sis, you like him, don’t you?” Chen Nuo asked bluntly.

Chen Li didn’t deny it, simply nodded.

“He’s really handsome, but sis, you know Dad would never agree to the two of you. You’re destined to walk very different paths.”

Chen Li replied earnestly, “I won’t leave him.”

Her voice was firm and full of confidence, which surprised Chen Nuo. Her cousin had always been the cool beauty, avoiding boys as if they were the plague, yet now it was clear her feelings for this boy ran deep.

“What about him? Is he as determined as you are?”

Chen Li was silent for a moment, then whispered, “I don’t know.”

No wonder Chen Li wasn’t so sure of herself. Ming Han was extremely self-disciplined. He obviously liked her, but he believed that investing too much energy in a fledgling relationship was a waste of time. So he restrained his feelings, keeping their relationship safely within the bounds of friendship.

Now Chen Nuo found herself interested in Ming Han. Her cousin, who was a goddess in the eyes of so many, had actually been turned down by a boy who refused to date her now.

“Sis, you’re too naive,” Chen Nuo huffed. “He doesn’t get to have you as his girlfriend so easily. I’m going to keep an eye on him.”

By eleven, the customers had mostly left.

Su Yan finally emerged from the kitchen.

Her eyes lit up when she saw Chen Li. “Pretty girl, did you enjoy the food I made?”

Chen Li blushed instantly, turning as red as a ripe apple. “It was delicious,” she managed.

Su Yan guffawed in delight.

Watching Chen Li’s reaction, Chen Nuo thought, Goodness, this is just like a nervous bride meeting her mother-in-law for the first time.

Su Yan sat down to chat, clearly fond of this gentle, beautiful girl.

When Chen Li mentioned she had gone to study in the United States half a year ago and had only just returned, Su Yan seemed thoughtful. Then she leaned in to whisper, “That rascal of mine was absolutely miserable after you left for America—scared me half to death.”

Su Yan’s meaning was plain: So you’re the one who left my son pining and lovesick.

Chen Li felt so embarrassed she couldn’t even lift her head.

Sensing things were getting out of hand and knowing his mother could be a handful, Ming Han hurried over. “Mom, my classmate just came here to eat. If you keep acting like a villain, you’ll scare them off.”

Su Yan touched her own face. “Villain?”

“Brat, already starting to defend other girls, huh!”

Listening to Su Yan, Chen Nuo thought this mom was really something else. The way Su Yan looked at Chen Li, it was almost as if she were eyeing a prize pig ready to be offered the best cabbage in the patch.

Chen Li was too embarrassed to even look up, her ears red, but her heart felt sweet at the same time.

“When you girls finish eating, make sure he gets you home safely,” Su Yan said with a satisfied grin before returning to the kitchen.

Chen Nuo gaped at Su Yan’s retreating figure. “Chen Li, your future mother-in-law is something else.”

Mother-in-law?

Ming Han just grinned sheepishly.

Chen Li pinched him hard. “I want to go home.”

Ming Han snapped out of his daze. “Oh, right! I’ll walk you back.”

Watching the two of them, Chen Nuo couldn’t help but think they were a truly hilarious pair.