Chapter 594 Humiliation
At six in the evening, the New Year’s Eve dinner at Commoner Residence began. Nan Zhengde was exceptionally happy and insisted both children sit by his side.
After being mired in sickness for a while, Erbao was invigorated by the lively atmosphere and chatted non-stop. Ning Ran didn’t stop her, for all that mattered during the Lunar New Year was that she enjoyed herself.
“Come, let’s have a toast to wish everyone a happy new year and a wonderful year ahead!” Nan Zhengde raised his glass. “Happy new year, Grandpa. May you be in the best of health!”
“Happy new year, Grandma!” When Erbao saw everyone had a season greeting each, she didn’t want to feel left out and raised her glass of orange juice to join in. “I have something to wish everyone too!”
“All right then, let’s give Erbao a chance to bless us with her words. Since she embodies happiness, her blessings will definitely bring us good tidings!” Feng Wan proposed.
“Yes, yes! However, Mommy can’t scold me if I make a mistake.” Erbao stuck out her tongue.
“With me backing you up today, no one will dare say a word. So, go ahead now,” Feng Wan declared her support.
“It that case, I’ll start with Great-grandma, erm…”
As Erbao held up her glass of fruit juice and began to rack her brains, everyone held their breath in anticipation of her performance.
“I have it. I wish—”
“You had better start with Great-grandpa first since he is the most senior member of the family. Or I might be accused of stealing his thunder,” Feng Wan joked.
“Okay,” the girl acknowledged.
After that, she turned toward Nan Zhengde, “Great-grandpa, may you be blessed with eternal happiness and a healthy life.”
Everyone was tickled. Despite being a good greeting, it was usually reserved for birthdays.
“Erbao, that’s what people say on birthdays. Is that the only greeting you know?” Zheng Lunlun teased her.
“I think that’s the only one she knows too,” Nan Xing added.
Obviously, the whole point was for Erbao to cheer everyone up with her adorable actions.
She smacked her lips. “Don’t look down on me. I still know many more.”
“In that case, make a different greeting. That one doesn’t count, as it’s for birthdays,” Nan Xing suggested with a grin.
“Mm-hmm, let me think.”
“Let’s start eating to give her time to think.” Feng Wan was also amused.
“I have it! Great-grandpa, I wish you a Happy Lunar New Year and great health always!” Erbao exclaimed.
Feng Wan led the applause. “That’s a good one!”
Nan Zhengde gestured to Mdm. Hu, one of the servants. “Bring the red packets here. It’s time to give them out as blessings.”
Usually, the red packets were given out after dinner. Since Erbao had already made the season greetings, Nan Zhengde had to present them earlier as dictated by custom.
“Yes, Old Master.”
After Mdm. Hu handed the red packet to Nan Zhengde, he declared, “I wish my great-granddaughter an abundance of happiness and health!”
Erbao’s eyes lit up the moment she saw the red packet. “Thank you, Great-grandpa.”
However, it felt light to her. She was slightly disappointed and couldn’t resist dipping her hand into it to check.
Instead of finding money inside, she pulled out a bank card. Its surface was embossed with the Zodiac animal of that year, together with Erbao’s picture. Evidently, it was a custom-made card.
“There’s a million inside which is my blessing to you this year. You’re free to spend the money however you want,” Nan Zhengde explained in delight.
“Wow, Grandpa is biased! The red packets we received last time only contained a thousand. But now, he’s giving out a million!” Nan Xing exclaimed.
“Exactly. The most I received last time was three thousand. In fact, I never even saw ten thousand before. And now, someone is getting a million!” Zheng Lunlun cried out.
Even Ning Ran was shocked because she had never expected such a big amount.
It was common knowledge that the money the children received would be managed by their parents.
As CEO of a huge company, Nan Chen naturally didn’t need the money. By extension, the true beneficiary of the million was actually Ning Ran.
It symbolized Nan Zhengde’s attempt at making up for all that she suffered when she raised the children. Even though it wasn’t a meaningful sum to him, it was a massive amount to the Ning Ran who grew up poor.
“Thank you, Great-grandpa. I can buy tons of ice cream with this money!” Erbao giggled joyfully.
“I have to make it clear that I, too, have a share in the gift. Both your great-grandpa and I prepared it together. In fact, I was the one who came up with the design,” Feng Wan quickly asserted.
“Thank you, Great-grandma. I wish you boundless health and eternal beauty!” Erbao cried out.
“Haha, I like the idea of eternal beauty! You truly know me best. But isn’t calling me beautiful at my age pushing it a little? Haha…” Feng Wan was utterly amused.
“Not at all, Grandma. You have always been beautiful.” Nan Xing began to ingratiate himself.
Feng Wan couldn’t be happier. “Bring the red packet over.”
This time, she gave out another that also contained a card. It was Dabao’s photo emblazoned on the card.
“There is also one million here from me and your great-grandpa.”
“Thank you, Great-grandpa. Thank you, Great-grandma. I wish both of you a Happy Lunar New Year and to be in the pink of health always. When Erbao and I grow up, we will also give you red packets in return!”
Although Dabao seldom spoke, it didn’t mean that he wasn’t eloquent at all.
Both Nan Zhengde and Feng Wan were touched by how beautiful his response was.
“Oh my, another million! What about us?” Nan Xing cried out.
“There’s no place for you here!” Feng Wan snapped.
“Uncle Xing, you should hurry and have children. Once you have seven to eight of them, you will be able to collect up to ten million. This is how you strike it rich. Don’t say that I never told you so!” Zheng Lunlun suggested with a cheeky smile.
“Haha, you have a point. However, having children depends on fate. Until now, I still haven’t met the one,” Nan Xing replied.
“Stop your nonsense before you pollute the minds of my great-grandchildren,” Feng Wan admonished them.
“Grandma, you’re so biased that it makes Lunlun and me sad. All we can do is comfort each other,” Nan Xing replied.
“Uncle Xing, aren’t you giving out red packets, too?” Erbao put him in a spot suddenly.
“Exactly! As an uncle, are you going to let the matter slide just like that?” Feng Wan got on his case.
“Grandma, I’m still a child. You can’t treat me this way,” Nan Xing defended himself.
“Uncle Xing, only we qualify as children, while you have long become an adult.” Erbao focused her attention on Nan Xing.
“I have prepared your red packets, so don’t worry, you greedy kids. However, unlike Grandpa and Grandma’s generosity, I’m but a poor man. Therefore, please don’t resent me for giving you less,” Nan Xing answered with a grin.
“In that case, how much are you giving? Don’t tell me it’s just a hundred?” Feng Wan pressed on.
“Don’t worry, I’m not that stingy. Since I do not have any cash, I prepared a custom-built computer for Dabao. It has a massive memory capacity with the most advanced CPU chip. Together with its other components, it cost me about a hundred thousand and will soon be delivered here. I also got Erbao a high-end custom-made piano that also costs about a hundred thousand. I’m sure these presents are a good testament to my sincerity, aren’t they?” Nan Xing gloated.
“Not bad. I didn’t expect you to put in so much effort.” Nan Zhengde nodded.
As everyone made merry, no one asked Nan Zhiyuan and his wife whether they prepared any presents for the children.
This caused Bai Hua to feel disheartened. After all, she was the children’s grandmother.
When no one bothered to ask her, it was evident that they didn’t see her as someone important.
Even though Ning Ran sensed the disappointment in Bai Hua, she didn’t dare get Erbao to greet the latter. In the event Bai Hua didn’t prepare anything, she would end up in an awkward spot instead.
