Iris listened to Meimei rant about the Long family members. She wasn't really affected much about hearing the Longs trash talking her. To her, those people were strangers and not worth her time and energy.
When the call ended, Yi Mei called them to eat dinner.
The dinner was once again in buffet style like when they celebrated Christmas and New Year with the Chua family before. They liked its festive and informal vibe. Everyone ate and chatted together. While the penthouse staff was already used to Iris' casual and inclusive treatment of her employees, the mansion staff was still getting used to it.
After dinner, they continued to watch the Spring Festival Gala. Less than an hour before midnight, Jin Chonglin performed a mash-up of some of his greatest hits in a spectacular production. It was obvious that many of the live audience were from his army of fans with all the deafening screams, cheering and applause.
"Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. The paparazzo joined my Shadow Winds," Lu Zihao told her in a low voice.
"Hm?" It took Iris a few seconds before she understood what he meant. Her eyes widened in surprise. "Oh? You recruited him?"
"Not really. He asked to join. The guy has sharp intuition. He guessed correctly that we were the Shadow Winds. He practically sold himself to us, saying that he's extremely useful."
She tilted her head to the side. "I was wondering why the police didn't include him in the investigations regarding the tabloid case. So it was you. You must've done something to protect him, didn't you?"
"Something like that," he said in a nonchalant manner. "Well, he's still on a trial period to prove his loyalty to my group. He's not a full member yet. I put him in a surveillance team but he'll still continue his work as a paparazzo. It'll be useful to have someone from the media. We can get lots of insider information without spending too much time hacking or sending some spies."
Iris looked at him with a complicated expression. "Big Brother, please don't do anything dangerous."
She still looked like she wanted to ask him more but seeing his blatant change of subject, she decided to let it go. For now.
A few minutes before the midnight countdown, Jin Liwei initiated a video call. Although he couldn't leave the banquet as of yet, he still wanted to celebrate the Lunar New Year by seeing and talking to her.
Some of the household staff were already lighting up all the firecrackers outside. The loud noises frightened both Ice Cream and Popcorn. They squeezed themselves into tight balls on top of Iris and Lu Zihao's laps. Little Jun already fell asleep on the couch, while Dom and Jiang Ying Yue talked about the gala performances on TV.
Finally, the countdown started.
"3, 2, 1!"
"HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!"
Dom started jumping all around. He and his family also did this when they celebrated the January 1 New Year. They said that in the Philippines, it was believed that jumping during New Year would make a person grow taller. Fortunately, all the ruckus didn't wake up Little Jun. The little guy must've exhausted himself from playing so much earlier.
"Happy New Year, love," Jin Liwei greeted her in the video chat. "I'll come home soon. Wait for me."
"Happy New Year, darling. Yes, I'll wait for you. Be safe."
Iris and Lu Zihao also greeted each other, feeling a little weird doing so. They didn't really celebrate this occasion in their past life before. But they liked it.
Iris distributed red packets to everyone. As usual, she was very generous. They were all delighted and profusely thanked her. The one who got the most from his red packet was Little Jun. Iris gave it to Jiang Ying Yue.
About half an hour later, Jin Liwei finally came home. He arrived at the same time with Long Hui who he met at the village entrance. Long Hui was stopped by the guards. He was about to call Iris to let him in when Jin Liwei noticed him.
Jin Liwei headed straight to his baby girl, embracing and kissing her. Then he turned to Lu Zihao.
"Thanks for accompanying Xiulan, Fifth Brother."
"Xiulan is my sister. This is only natural."
Jin Liwei nodded.
Long Hui hurried to Jiang Ying Yue and his son. He gently stroked Little Jun's head.
"Happy New Year, son," he whispered to him.
"Happy New Year, Ying Yue," he greeted her next.
She cleared her throat before greeting him back. "Happy New Year. I didn't know that you were coming."
He kissed his son's forehead before sitting beside Jiang Ying Yue. She froze but forced herself to relax.
"I want to start this new year with my son…and with you," he told her in a soft voice.
She didn't know how to reply to his words.
"Did you watch the press conference?" he asked her.
"Yes."
"I meant everything that I said during the press conference. Ying Yue, I want to try again. Won't you give us another chance? Even if it's just for the sake of our son. Please?"
"Long Hui…" Her heart beat faster. Longing shone in her eyes, but then her brows scrunched together and she trembled. She frowned. "I don't…"
She gasped and her eyes widened in surprise. "Oh."
"I know that I never told you this before. It's only when I lost you that I realized how much I love you. Ying Yue, please. Give us another chance, okay? I love you. I want to be with you and of course our son. I want us to be a complete family. Our Little Jun deserves a complete and happy family."
Her eyes quickly filled up with tears. Her mind was telling her to reject him but her heart was telling her to jump in his arms.
"Long Hui…can I…can I ask you a question first?"
"Of course. What is it?"
She took a few deep breaths before speaking again. "If…if I ask you to give up on your position as the heir of the Long family, would you do it for me and our son?"
"What?" He was taken aback by her question.
"Well, can you do it?"
He frowned, confused that she was asking him this. "Is this your condition?"
"I'll choose you and our son," he said, looking at her directly in the eyes. "I've been groomed from a very young age to succeed my father as heir of the family and our business. It's also my life-long goal to continue my father's legacy and make the Longs prosper under my leadership. However, if it means losing my child and lover, I'd rather give it all up. If I lose you and our son, my life will lose its meaning."
Jiang Ying Yue couldn't stop the tears from falling down her eyes anymore. "Are you telling the truth?"
"Yes." He reached over and wiped her tears gently with his fingers. "Ying Yue, do you love me?"
Tears continued to fall down her face. Everyone was silent. It was not only Long Hui who was waiting for her answer. The others had been eavesdropping on their conversation since the beginning.
"Y-yes…"
Long Hui froze only for a moment before joy filled his face. "Say it, Ying Yue."
"Long Hui..."
"Call me Hui."
"H-hui…I l-love you…"
She stiffened when he hugged her, but then quickly melted as she felt his touch once again. Her arms wrapped around him, and she buried her face against his chest. She could hear Dom cheering and clapping in the background. She felt a little embarrassed but didn't want to care anymore.
"Thank you, Ying Yue. I promise I won't let you and our son down," Long Hui whispered to her.