Chapter 158: Chinese New Year (2)
“Meow meow meow.”
Milk Tea finished eating and wiped its mouth with its little white “gloves.” One of its principles in life was that even as a cat, one must be a cat who loves cleanliness.
Sigh, my fur was ruffled by the poop-scooper again. I need to groom myself.
After tidying its entire coat, Milk Tea walked toward Gu Wanrong with tiny steps. “Meow meow, human, you can tell me what you need now!”
Gu Wanrong scooped up Milk Tea, who was rubbing against her legs, and placed it on her lap belly-up. “Sweetheart, itâs the New Year. Letâs put on your new clothes.”
As she spoke, her hands moved incessantly, dressing Milk Tea in the newly bought little dress. Milk Tea was very well-behaved, allowing Gu Wanrong to pull its paws and legs.
The new dress featured a white and gold color scheme. Combined with a pearl necklace, it looked exactly like a princess of the cat world, instantly striking Gu Wanrongâs heart.
Gu Wanrong held a Polaroid camera, taking photos of Milk Tea without stopping. When the Polaroid wasn’t enough, she switched to her phone and kept snapping away.
After quite a while, Gu Wanrong realized she was still in her pajamas. She carried Milk Tea upstairs, running to change into the new outfit she had specifically bought a few days ago.
For her top, she wore a light coffee-colored knit cardigan over a cream-colored turtleneck base. For her bottom, she chose a brown knit midi skirt that reached her ankles. Around her waist, a pearl chain served as a belt, wrapped twice around the skirt and cardigan.
Gu Wanrongâs look was clearly a matching style with Milk Tea.
After changing, Gu Wanrong held Milk Tea in various poses, taking many photos before finally taking off the cat’s new dress.
Before going downstairs, Gu Wanrong swapped her knit cardigan for a silk embroidered top. The black and gold embroidery paired with a Chinese-style cut looked instantly elegant and luxurious.
To match it, she wore a headband primarily made of pearls, interspersed with red agate and gold beads. The red accents added a touch of New Year festivity to the outfit.
Checking the time, it was past ten o’clock.
Gu Wanrong stuffed a stack of red envelopes into her bag and headed downstairs.
In the kitchen, the head chef was busy preparing food for today and tomorrow, ensuring that everything would retain its full color, aroma, and taste even after a simple reheating.
The other servants were double-checking and cleaning every corner of the villa; they were all going home for the New Year today or tomorrow.
With a smile, Gu Wanrong waved lightly to the head of the staff and instructed softly, “Come here for a moment and gather everyone.”
Upon hearing the instruction, the leader clapped twice loudly and shouted, “Come, come, everyone put down what you’re doing for a moment!”
As the shout rang out, the servants busy in various corners stopped their work.
In a short time, the servants remaining in the villa today gathered in front of Gu Wanrong.
Gu Wanrong looked around, her kind gaze landing on everyone’s face. She cleared her throat and spoke succinctly, “Today is New Year’s Eve. We are about to welcome a new year. I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year!”
After she finished, the servants applauded in coordination.
Gu Wanrong turned sideways, opened the bag she had brought down, and took out all the prepared red envelopes, stacking them neatly on the table in front of her.
When the servants saw this, their eyes lit up instantly.
They stared fixedly at the stack of bright red envelopes, already understanding that Gu Wanrong was going to distribute New Year “red packets” to everyone!
“I have seen all the care you give me daily. This is a small token of my appreciation; everyone receives the same.” Gu Wanrong smiled, her voice gentle, and she didn’t give a long speech.
Next, she signaled everyone to line up and come forward one by one according to their order to receive their red envelopes.
One could see faces brimming with joy and expectation. Every personâs eyes sparkled with excitement as they took their red envelope.
Gu Wanrong maintained a warm and friendly smile, patiently handing them out to every single person.
Once everyone had received their red packet, Gu Wanrong nodded in satisfaction at the group of beaming, energetic servants.
“Alright! The red envelopes are in your hands. Now, please put in one last burst of effort to finish your work. Once everything is done, you can head home early to reunite with your families.”
“Thank you, Miss!”
“Miss, we wish you a prosperous New Year and a happy holiday!”
The servants offered their sincere blessings while thanking her, then dispersed to quickly return to their respective tasks.
For a time, the entire villa was filled with a bustling atmosphere of labor.
Time passed minute by minute. Before twelve o’clock, the last servant walked out of the villa gate with light steps.
As the gate slowly closed, the previously noisy villa instantly fell silent. At this moment, only Gu Wanrong and Milk Tea were left breathing in the spacious hall.
Suddenly, being alone felt a bit unfamiliar.
On the dining table, the freshly cooked dishes were still steaming. The head chef had been Gu Wanrongâs private chef for several months and had completely mastered her palate. Every dish had an auspicious meaning without sacrificing deliciousness.
“Meow~”
Today, Milk Tea seemed exceptionally clingy, following Gu Wanrong closely. Right now, it was draped over Gu Wanrongâs shoulders like a furry scarf.
Gu Wanrong raised her right hand to stroke Milk Teaâs little head, whispering softly, “Good boy, my fragrant and soft sweetheart, stay with me for dinner.”
Any slight sense of loss was swept away by Milk Tea.
Hadn’t she always been alone? This year, she had Milk Tea!
“Miss!”
Without any warning, several male and female voices rang out behind her. The shock made Gu Wanrongâs body tremble, nearly causing Milk Tea to slide off her shoulders.
Gu Wanrong turned around in disbelief to see Tong Shenyi, Tong Shen’er, Tong Shenwu, Butler Liu, Tong Shenqi, and Tong Shenba standing right there.
The six of them stood together against the light, watching her with smiles on their faces.
Gu Wanrong took several quick steps forward. Milk Tea, left with no choice, jumped into the steady and gentle arms of Butler Liu.
Gu Wanrong looked at them in amazement. Surprise and astonishment intertwined in her chest, making it feel tight, as if pressed by a sudden rush of emotion.
“You… why are you here?” Gu Wanrong asked blankly. “Didn’t I give you all a holiday?”
Butler Liu, the eldest and most respected by the group, looked at Gu Wanrong with a gentle and focused gaze. She spoke, “We are all people without a home. Can Miss take us in for the New Year this year?”
From the beginning, Gu Wanrong knew they were all orphans. However, for people as outstanding as them, how could they truly be “homeless”?
Thinking of this, Gu Wanrongâs eyes crinkled into a smile. Her long eyelashes fluttered, and the joy and gratitude in her heart flowed like a gentle stream.
“Exactly, Miss, have some pity on us.”
“I was all alone, so I had to come find Miss.”
“Missâs house is so big, there must be a room for me.”
Tong Shenyi and the others followed suit, pretending to be pitiful and staring at Gu Wanrong without blinking. Their mature and steady appearances at the company felt like a hallucination to Gu Wanrong.
Even the usually silent Tong Shenba joined in with such words, though the flush on her earlobes revealed her inner turmoil and shyness.
“Of course.”
“Quick, come in, come in! The wind outside is very strong!”
Gu Wanrong enthusiastically pulled them in from outside, feeling as though her entire being was surrounded by happiness, as warm as spring.
Translator’s Note: “Milk Tea” (ĺĽśčś – NÇichĂĄ) is the name of her cat. The “poop-scooper” (é˛ĺąç – chÇn shÇ de) is a humorous Chinese internet term for a cat owner.
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