Spend Money on Goddess, Use more! Gain more!-Chapter 331 - 209: Firing the Last Shot, Ringing in the New Year with My Sister-in-law (Part 3)

Chapter 331: Chapter 209: Firing the Last Shot, Ringing in the New Year with My Sister-in-law (Part 3)

When it came time for the final tally, the total price of the ice cream and chocolate exceeded ten thousand yuan.

The store clerk smiled as they packaged everything, their demeanor becoming noticeably more respectful.

Other parents nearby, who had also brought their children to buy ice cream, looked at Wu Wei’s "splurge" with surprise and even a touch of shock.

It was as if they were saying: What kind of family is this? Spending over ten thousand on chocolates? Truly an eye-opener.

After leaving Henglong, Wu Wei placed the exquisite shopping bags of various sizes into the back of the Panamera, and the three continued to stroll leisurely around the square.

Zhou Yujie checked the time and said to Wu Wei, "The shop shouldn’t be too busy now, right? Why don’t we ask Yuyan to join us? She’s been so busy lately, working non-stop. Since today is New Year’s Eve, she should come out to relax, and we can all ring in the new year together."

Wu Wei naturally had no objection and nodded, "Sure, ask her to come over. The more, the merrier."

Zhou Yujie immediately took out her phone and sent a WeChat message to her sister.

Zhou Yuyan had just finished handling the early evening rush at her store and returned to her office, feeling a bit fatigued.

Because of the conversation with her sister last night, she had barely slept a wink.

Unable to hold out until midday, she curled up on the office sofa and napped for an hour, just enough to muster the energy for the afternoon.

After seeing the message from her sister, she frowned slightly and replied: [Is brother-in-law with you now]

Zhou Yujie replied promptly: [Yes]

Upon receiving her sister’s confirmation, Zhou Yuyan held her phone, caught in a prolonged period of indecision.

Go, or not go?

The shocking things her sister said last night still echoed in her ears, and today she’d face Wu Wei again... Her mind was in turmoil, filled with an impulse to avoid this.

But on the other hand, a deeper yet concealed longing seemed to stir within her.

She vaguely felt that if she didn’t go today, she might deeply regret it later.

So just go, after all, her sister and Xuanxuan would be there.

Thinking of this, she exhaled softly and replied: [Okay, I’ll be there soon]

About half an hour later, Zhou Yuyan found the three of them waiting at the rest area by the square.

She was wearing an off-white down jacket, wrapped in a plaid scarf, her face showing some weariness from work. But upon seeing her sister and Xuanxuan, she still broke into a bright smile.

"Brother-in-law."

Zhou Yuyan greeted softly as she walked over, then stood by Zhou Yujie’s side.

For the rest of the shopping trip, she mostly stayed close to Zhou Yujie, rarely initiating conversation or eye contact with Wu Wei.

The group continued to meander with the crowd, absorbing the festive atmosphere.

Time unknowingly slipped into the late night.

By around eleven, Xuanxuan, having played all evening and eaten her fill, finally ran out of energy and fell deeply asleep in Zhou Yujie’s arms.

"Xuanxuan is asleep, and the night air is cold; it wouldn’t be good if she catches a chill."

Zhou Yujie, holding her daughter and feeling the chilly night wind, fretted, "How about... I drive and take her home to sleep? Once she’s settled, I’ll come back to find you?"

"That sounds good."

Wu Wei glanced at the sleeping Xuanxuan and nodded, "Drive safely."

After Zhou Yujie left with Xuanxuan, the air between Wu Wei and Zhou Yuyan seemed to stagnate.

Zhou Yuyan stood with her hands tucked in her down jacket pockets, her head down, eyes fixed on her shoes, silent.

Aware of her unease, Wu Wei broke the silence, steering the conversation towards her most familiar and safe subject: "By the way, Yuyan, about the specific location criteria for the hot pot restaurant expansion after the New Year, I’ve had some new thoughts lately..."

Sure enough, at the mention of work, Zhou Yuyan immediately looked up, and her eyes filled with focus.

Gradually, the atmosphere between them became much more at ease.

As midnight approached, the central area of Quancheng Square was already packed with a dense crowd, heads moving up and down.

Many were holding various types of balloons, eagerly awaiting the moment to release them together at the stroke of midnight.

Wu Wei and Zhou Yuyan also followed the flow of people, slowly moving towards the center of the square.

But considering Zhou Yujie would be coming back to meet them, they stopped at a spot relatively close to the edge, yet with a good view.

Wu Wei even went to a nearby stall to buy three balloons, handing one to Zhou Yuyan and holding two himself.

"It’s almost midnight; why isn’t your sister here yet?"

Wu Wei checked the time, a bit concerned, and sent WeChat to Zhou Yujie.

Shortly, Zhou Yujie replied: [The traffic is too bad. I just got back and settled Xuanxuan, but there’s no way I can get there in time now. Don’t wait for me.]

Wu Wei relayed the message to Zhou Yuyan.

"Then... it’s just us celebrating the New Year together."

Zhou Yuyan said softly, unsure if she felt disappointed or some other subtle emotion.

She took out her phone, "I’ll record a video to show my sister later."

The square’s loudspeakers began broadcasting the emcee’s passionate voice, guiding everyone to prepare for the countdown. The crowd started to stir, as people lifted their gaze towards the digital clock on the square’s big screen or raised their phones. The air was thick with anticipation.

"Ten!"

"Nine!"

"Eight!"

The immense roar erupted from thousands of voices simultaneously, deafening and filled with the immense power of bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new. It was Zhou Yuyan’s first time experiencing an outdoor New Year’s countdown amidst such a vast sea of people. Feeling the shared anticipation of the strangers around her and hearing the uniform, increasingly excited countdown, her heart involuntarily sped up, her blood seemingly heating up.