Chapter 365 The First New Year of This Life
Ouyang had already said what he needed to say, and he could tell that he cared about his girl and was willing to travel a long distance to show respect.
"Alright, after the New Year, you guys come over. I'll see what kind of person you are that has stolen my girl away."
After hanging up the phone, Ouyang breathed a sigh of relief. But Chen Tangtang was truly unhappy. The situation just now had made her feel suffocated, and tears started to fall at that moment.
Seeing this, Ye Shengye quickly ushered the others out. She really wanted to say a few words.
"Ouyang, this matter, you handled it rather poorly."
Ouyang was busy wiping Chen Tangtang's tears, and he looked up in surprise when he heard Ye Shengye's words.
"I understand you're eager to settle things, but you didn't discuss it with Tangtang at all. A relationship is a shared endeavor between two people; it requires discussion. Your actions today can be considered dictatorial.
Interactions between people, whether friends, family, or lovers, all require communication. If you make decisions for the entire family by yourself, can I assume you are very overbearing and chauvinistic?"
Ouyang quickly turned to look at Chen Tangtang. He seemed to have truly failed to consult with Little Fatty. Even the simple act of buying clothes was done with a grand sweep of his hand.
What would it feel like if such behavior were directed at himself? It would surely be extremely off-putting.
"Tangtang, it's my fault. I didn't consider your feelings. I really wasn't thinking that much; it was my mistake. I will definitely change and discuss everything with you in the future."
Chen Tangtang's crying progressed from quiet sobs to outright wails. She felt incredibly stifled, with no joy from being in a relationship at all.
"Shengye, I don't know if my decision is right. I feel so suffocated. Is it possible that Ouyang and I are just not suited for each other?"
Ouyang was truly anxious now. How had he messed things up so badly? She was on the verge of running away.
"Tangtang, listen to me. I was indeed thoughtless about this matter. This is my first relationship, just like yours. When you agreed to be with me, I was so excited that my mind was muddled. I wanted to do whatever came to mind immediately and gain everyone's approval right away.
It's understandable that you're angry now. Please give me a chance to slowly learn how to be in a relationship, how to respect you. Will you wait and see?"
Ye Shengye didn't want her friend's newly found romance to crumble instantly, so she quickly advised.
"Tangtang, Ouyang's behavior today can be attributed to his work habits, causing him to unconsciously carry those traits into his personal life. But think about it, no one can deny Ouyang's kindness towards you. He'd move heaven and earth for you.
Besides, both of you are new to relationships, like two clueless youngsters. You'll bump into each other here and there, and as you bump and stumble, you'll eventually find your rhythm.
Since Ouyang made a mistake today, you should give him a chance and watch him change, because his future changes will be all because of you."
Ouyang felt like kneeling to Ye Shengye. His great benefactor truly knew how to speak.
Chen Tangtang was a girl with her own opinions. It was just that she had been bombarded with one blow after another today, leaving her no chance to think or resist. Now that she had time to think, she had her own ideas!
"Brother Ouyang, we're just starting our relationship today. Since this has already happened, it can't be undone. But from today onwards, you must discuss anything concerning me with me, or I will break up with you immediately.
I am also a person, an independently existing individual. Mutual respect is the most important thing. My father, for example, listens to my mother's opinions; that's respect."
Ouyang's mouth twitched. So, Little Fatty thought that a man listening to a woman was respect. That was simple enough. Just be obedient, right? Besides, Little Fatty wasn't someone who would make unreasonable demands.
"I promise. Please supervise me in the future, and I am willing to learn from Uncle and listen to you."
Seeing the conversation heading towards overly sentimental territory, Ye Shengye quickly left. She needed to go and show some public displays of affection with her own boyfriend.
"Shengye, is Tangtang alright?"
Chen Tonghua had been pacing anxiously outside, worried sick. He rarely saw Tangtang cry. Even when his mother spanked him at home, she never made him cry. He only cried when his favorite food was taken away.
But today, in just half a day, Ouyang, who claimed to treat his little sister well, had made her cry. What kind of relationship was this? It should end immediately.
"Tonghua, Ouyang was indeed wrong today, and he has realized his mistake. They have communicated, and we will correct our mistakes. You should give them a chance, and believe that Tangtang isn't foolish."
Ye Shengye didn't intend to explain much further. She would let Ouyang handle this himself. He was truly troublesome. It would be good for Chen Tonghua to stir things up a bit; otherwise, if things were too easy to get, they might not be cherished.
Ye Mu'en watched all of this unfold. He was glad that Shengye had the company of her family, supervision, and protection during this ordeal. Otherwise, Zi Yisheng would have been just as much of a scoundrel, equally overbearing and autocratic.
This was a grave injustice to Zi Yisheng. He didn't confess his feelings to Ye Shengye immediately; instead, he waited for a long time, carefully examined his heart, and only made his move after understanding Shengye's personality, preferences, and boundaries.
He cherished her with all his heart. It was evident that he had never made the little girl angry. Ouyang, on the other hand, hadn't truly understood Chen Tangtang yet. He acted solely based on his own feelings without even grasping her personality or preferences. He was too hasty.
The commotion today had truly exhausted Ye Shengye. Even unexpected windfalls couldn't sway her determination to lie down and rest.
Back in the space, she scrubbed herself vigorously. She fell asleep on the bed without even drying her hair. She slept soundly, only to realize it was two in the morning when she emerged from the space.
Her stomach growled painfully, and Ye Shengye returned to the space. She took out a spicy hot pot, something she hadn't eaten in a long, long time, and a bottle of soda. She hadn't experienced such a flavor even in her previous life.
The space actually had quite a few delivery orders saved. This was something her mother had prepared out of fear that she would transmigrate to a place where no one would cook for her.
She rarely had the opportunity to eat these since coming here. Most of the time, there were people at home, and she was supervised for every meal, so having too many prepared in the space was in vain.
It was New Year's Eve. This was their first New Year in this unfamiliar world. Ye's parents were very enthusiastic, hoping that by celebrating this year, everyone would feel a formal sense of belonging.
Lunch and dinner were spent at the Bai family's home, and the drinking started from noon. Not a single man abstained; the atmosphere was lively and boisterous throughout.
The women's activities were much simpler. Two tables of mahjong were set up, and even Ye Shengye and Chen Tangtang were pulled into the fray.
Chen Tangtang was genuinely bad at it, having never had the chance to play. Ye Shengye, however, knew how to play. She used to play a few rounds when she was bored in bed in her previous life.
Ouyang directly placed a stack of money in Chen Tangtang's hand, putting pressure on her when she had felt no stress before. Her face flushed red.
The four elders had started playing chess early on, completely detached from the young people's activities but still in the main hall, sharing in the children's lively atmosphere.
Little Sweetie was particularly clingy to Ye Shengye today. Perhaps sensing she would be leaving tomorrow, she leaned against Ye Shengye and refused to separate for even a moment.
Everyone stayed up to see the New Year in together. Ye Shengye and Little Sweetie received the most red envelopes, from young and old alike. Little Sweetie's eyes shone brightly.
Zi Yisheng also presented a gift as the New Year arrived.
"Not only red envelopes but also gifts! It's truly a good New Year."
Ye Shengye opened the box, revealing a small jade carving. Upon closer inspection, she realized it was a likeness of herself.
"Did you carve it?"
"Yes, I haven't carved in a long time. My skills might be a bit rusty."
Ye Shengye admired the people of this era, who seemed to possess so many talents.
"I like it very much. I'll put it on my desk from now on."
Ye Shengye carefully placed the jade carving on her desk and took out a red envelope and a gift box from a drawer.
Zi Yisheng looked at the two items before him with joy. How many years had it been since he received a red envelope and a gift?
"Thank you!"
This single "thank you" contained a great deal of emotion.
"Hurry and open it."
Zi Yisheng carefully opened it as if it were a priceless treasure. Inside was a watch. Ye Shengye had specifically asked her elder brother to bring it back from Mi Province, which had made him quite jealous at the time.
"A watch? This is the first token of our love you've given me."
In this era, giving a watch for marriage was essentially a token of love.
Zi Yisheng quickly took off the watch on his wrist and put on this full-diamond watch. This gift held a different significance.
"I'll only wear it today. I'll put it away for safekeeping when we get back."
"Why? Isn't it meant to be worn?"
Zi Yisheng tenderly caressed the watch.
"I can't bear to. What if it gets scratched?"
Ye Shengye almost rolled her eyes. A gift not used was meaningless.
"If it gets scratched, I'll buy you another one. I'll be responsible for all your watches from now on."
Zi Yisheng reached out and pulled her into his arms, then imprinted a kiss on her red lips.
"Then it's settled. From now on, you'll be responsible for all my watches, and I absolutely won't wear any others."
"Mm, from now on, everything of yours will be bought by me."
After a night of deep sleep, Ye Shengye went to the Bai family's home early in the morning to pay New Year's respects, kowtowing several times.
She also visited the village chief's house, the only family in the village they needed to pay respects to. Ye Shengye prepared several red envelopes of ten cents for the Gong family's children. Similarly, Ye Shengye received the smallest red envelope of her life, two cents.
Min Hang arrived at the Ye family's home early, as they had planned to travel today. They ate lunch together at home.
"How will you handle your identification for this trip?"
Ye's father was still worried. Min Hang was someone who traveled abroad frequently, so he surely had identification. But Mo Lin and Little Sweetie were different.
"We'll find someone in Mi Province to arrange new identities. We're all of East Asian descent, and no one will suspect anything with Mi Province identification."