I have a wildlife zoo-Chapter 393: Going Home for the New Year

New Year’s Eve, just past 9 AM.

"Get up, get up!"

The bedroom door was knocked, and Fang Ye, hugging his quilt, was sound asleep, being called by a familiar voice. But the bed was so warm and comfortable, he didn’t want to get up and turned over again.

He had come back by plane yesterday afternoon.

He mumbled half-asleep, "Stop calling me, I’ll get up later..."

"Hurry up and get up to paste the couplets! Are you waiting for us to do it? Hurry and tidy up; we also need to go to your grandfather’s house later."

Mother Fang unceremoniously drew back the curtains, and the bedroom was instantly flooded with light before she left the room.

Fang Ye rubbed his eyes and reluctantly sat up, yawning and muttering, "Ah, I’m so sleepy..." Stay tuned for updates on novelbuddy

He checked his phone for the time—it was 9 o’clock, indeed not early! With so much to do for the New Year, he threw off the quilt and got out of bed.

After going to the bathroom to wash up and brush his teeth, the cold water splashed on his face, and he was immediately jolted awake, the sleepiness mostly swept away.

That water is so damn cold! The temperature difference between the north and south is too great; it’s already sub-zero temperatures here. After coming back, he hadn’t acclimated yet.

Although he had prepared a down jacket, he was still frozen stiff when he got off the plane, but thankfully, the heating at home was very strong.

He came to the living room to find the house clean and tidy.

On the chestnut wooden table where the television was placed, there was a potted Yushu with oval leaves—quite a common plant. However, the leaves of this Yushu seemed a bit droopy, and his mother was checking on its condition.

Father Fang sat on the sofa, holding a robot vacuum, and studying the manual.

Seeing this, Fang Ye couldn’t help but chuckle and said, "How is it? You can give it a try sometimes."

Father Fang muttered, "It’s not much use."

Mother Fang turned her head and glared at Father Fang. He quickly nodded, "Yes, yes! It’s good, the thing is great!"

Mother Fang then told Fang Ye, "Go have some breakfast. Once you’re done, hurry up and paste the couplets. They’re on top of the shoe cabinet. Also, there are red envelopes; put them in your pocket. When you go there, give one to Cousin Brother Fang and Cousin Sister Fang!"

"Oh! Actually, I’ve prepared red envelopes for them too."

Fang Ye agreed, "Mom, let me water the plants."

While watering, he casually tossed a clump of spiritual soil into the flower pot.

...

After taking care of things at home, they proceeded to Fang Ye’s grandfather’s house.

The entrance already had the blessed character ’fu’ and couplets pasted up, and as they entered, people from both sides greeted them warmly.

"Come in, come in, come in!"

"Happy New Year, Happy New Year!"

"Eh, you guys got here early!"

"Indeed we did!"

"Happy New Year! Oh, Fang Ye is back too!"

Wearing an apron, Second Aunt ran out of the kitchen, eagerly pulling Fang Ye and scrutinizing him, "Did you gain a little weight?"

Third Aunt, cracking sunflower seeds, said, "Hmm, he does seem a bit chubbier."

As the handyman, Fang Ye carried gifts, found a spot to place them, and cheerfully responded, "Yeah, it’s alright."

With over twenty family members gathered, it was quite noisy.

Fang Ye first went to his grandfather’s room to greet him. His grandfather lay in bed with his eyes closed, listening to the radio. He was getting on in years, and his health wasn’t great, his arms and face marked with age spots.

Seeing Fang Ye come in, the old man called him to his side, took his hand, asked a couple of simple questions, and Fang Ye also squatted down, inquired about the old man’s health, and told him to take care of himself by eating well and keeping warm.

Then he went to the kitchen to greet his grandmother, who was making dumplings.

Back in the living room, his eldest uncle and others were playing cards at the table, while his younger uncle and others chatted on the sofa. The little girl from his Fourth Aunt’s family looked unhappy, not sure why, as she was being scolded by her mother in the corner.

Auntie pulled Fang Ye to sit down and asked enthusiastically, "Fang Ye, how’s it going, do you have a girlfriend now? Do you want me to introduce you to one?"

"Cough cough, I have one, I have one!"

Auntie curiously asked, "Tell me about her?"

Fang Ye felt a bit conflicted, but his uncle laughed and helped him out, "Love is a private matter. Fang Ye, here, have a red envelope from your uncle!"

Uncle had always doted on Fang Ye a lot!

Fang Ye remembered when he was little, one Chinese New Year, his uncle gave him a really cool LEGO set that had him so happy he was practically snorting bubbles, and he didn’t even watch the gala because he was so busy putting it together.

Feeling a bit embarrassed he said, "Ah, I’m already so grown up, do I still need red envelopes?"

Auntie laughed, "If you’re not married, you’re still a child!"

While pulling out a red envelope from her pocket, Fang Ye didn’t decline and accepted it, "Alright then, thank you, Auntie!"

He took the red envelope from his uncle.

His uncle said with satisfaction, "It’s great to have a girlfriend. Hey, I dated someone this year but we broke up, couldn’t get along personality-wise."

He flicked his hair nonchalantly.

After chatting with the adults for a while, Fang Ye called over his cousin sister who was in junior high at Auntie’s house and took her to the balcony, laughing heartily, "Haven’t seen you in so long, aren’t you happy to see your brother?"

Cousin Sister Fang pouted, "This morning I just wanted to sleep in a bit longer, but I kept getting nagged at. They complain that I don’t clean, nag and nag, so annoying."

"Alright, alright, it’s no big deal, don’t be upset. Here, have a red envelope."

Fang Ye took out two red envelopes, raised his eyebrows with a smile, and said, "This one’s from my mom, and this one is mine! If you’re ever short on cash just tell your brother, I’ll support you."

Cousin Sister Fang took the red envelopes, somewhat surprised, "Wow, bro, you’re so generous!"

She smiled happily, "Thanks, brother! By the way, brother, what are you doing now, I heard you opened an animal zoo?"

"Yeah, if you’re free during the holidays, you can come over to my place and play..."

Cousin Brother Fang from Uncle’s family was currently lying alone on a secluded sofa, tapping on his phone.

Fang Ye leaned over, "Playing Honor of Kings?"

Cousin Brother Fang’s eyes lit up, "Oh, you play too? Shall we play together?"

"Hehe, I don’t play that... Here, have a red envelope!"

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Waves of aromatic scents wafted from the kitchen as Auntie placed a plate of dumplings on the living room table, "Come on, time to eat dumplings!"

...

The sky gradually darkened!

Everyone had almost finished eating. Some adults were drinking and chatting, others were playing cards.

Mother Fang at the card table, looking at her hand, "Pair of sixes!"

Uncle pushed his cards and laughed heartily, "I win! Ah, I’m done playing. Fang Ye, why don’t you play a round?"

Fang Ye spread his hands, "I can’t!"

He never understood adults playing cards and had no interest in learning how to.

Currently, he sat on the sofa, checking his phone, glancing up occasionally if there was something interesting on TV.

During Chinese New Year, many people send festive greetings. Aside from his old classmates and friends, there were also various industry big shots related to animals with whom he often consulted professionally.

He also received New Year’s greetings from friends and staff, replying to each one.

Fang Ye didn’t like to send mass messages; they felt insincere, even though it was quite bothersome, but it was just once a year.

Lan Li sent a selfie with a dazzling display of fireworks in the background.

Then she sent a voice message; you could hear the crackling fireworks and the cheers of the crowd around her, "We’ve come out to watch the fireworks! Aren’t they pretty."

Her voice lowered, sounding a bit shy, "I really wish I could watch them with you."

Fang Ye, thinking of Lan Li speaking bashfully with a flushed face, felt his heartbeat unintentionally quicken. He took a deep breath, his tone gentle, "I feel the same way."