At that moment, Lin Yixue and Fan Qianqian both turned their gazes toward Su Ming.
Going home for the New Year meant meeting the parents—a big deal.
Lin Yixue's eyes were deep and thoughtful as she glanced at Fan Qianqian.
Fan Qianqian, in turn, looked back at Lin Yixue, her eyes flashing with a hint of defiance.
Su Ming immediately sensed an incredibly awkward atmosphere.
The system's option—Su Ming didn't dare make a rash choice.
This was, without a doubt, an absolute nightmare.
"Mom! You've really thrown me into hot water!"
"Damn system, you're such a trap!"
Su Ming inwardly groaned.
Finally, after a few seconds of eerie tension, Lin Yixue spoke up, breaking the silence.
"Su Ming, take Qianqian home for the New Year. I've got a lot on my plate here, and I need to keep an eye on this massive business of yours!"
Lin Yixue said with a smile.
"Sister Yixue!"
Fan Qianqian's eyes sparkled with barely contained joy, though she felt a bit nervous inside.
"Oh! By the way, Qianqian, you should have time, right?"
Lin Yixue nodded and then asked.
"I do, but I'll need to go home first!" Fan Qianqian replied.
"That's fine. Su Ming can accompany you home first, and then you can head to his place. It's settled then!"
Lin Yixue declared.
Fan Qianqian nodded vigorously, then turned her gaze toward Su Ming.
"System, I choose option two!"
Su Ming didn't hesitate and made his decision.
Then he said, "Alright, tomorrow I'll go help out at Xiangzi's place, and I'll call Qianqian when it's time to head back!"
"Great!"
Fan Qianqian agreed happily.
Lin Yixue also nodded with a smile.
"Ding! Congratulations, Host, for completing the option. You've received a rare blue diamond necklace, which has been stored in your personal space."
Su Ming glanced at it briefly, already deciding in his mind who the necklace would belong to.
Then he found a seat and sat down.
Lin Yixue and Fan Qianqian continued with their work.
Soon, it was time to leave work. Fan Qianqian made an excuse and left, while Su Ming and Lin Yixue drove to Bai Xian Lou.
"Su Ming, Qianqian is a good girl. You mustn't let her down!"
Lin Yixue casually remarked during the meal.
"Mhm."
Su Ming nodded gently.
Lin Yixue was understanding and knew how to yield, and Fan Qianqian was naturally the same.
Su Ming cherished both women deeply.
Thinking this, Su Ming took out a box from his personal space and, like a magician, slid it over to Lin Yixue.
"For you."
"What's thi…"
Lin Yixue was momentarily stunned but quickly filled with joy.
She reached out and opened it.
The dreamy blue color instantly caught her attention.
"It's so beautiful!"
Lin Yixue praised sincerely.
"Let me help you put it on."
Su Ming picked up the necklace, and Lin Yixue leaned in closer.
Soon, the necklace was draped around Lin Yixue's neck.
Instantly, her aura was elevated.
"Not bad, not bad. Looks like we'll have to unlock a couple of new positions to celebrate!"
Su Ming nodded in satisfaction.
Lin Yixue's cheeks flushed as she lightly scolded, "You're so annoying, always thinking about such nonsense!"
After that, Lin Yixue ignored Su Ming and quickly resumed eating.
Su Ming didn't tease her further and also ate quickly.
Twenty minutes later, the two left Bai Xian Lou and headed straight to Yunshang Yuefu.
Needless to say, a fierce battle ensued!
The next day, Su Ming didn't go to Hongda but instead went straight to find Gao Xiang and the others.
He helped them with odd jobs.
For the next half month, Su Ming's life revolved around three places: the food court, the villa, and Hongda.
Soon, the New Year approached.
The food court was almost on track, and as soon as the merchants signed contracts after the New Year, it would officially open.
The timing was just right, as Liu Xing had already returned to his hometown for the New Year.
Li Gao, on the other hand, had been summoned by his mother-in-law, but he left his car with Gao Xiang.
"Brother Ming, let's go. We'll buy some New Year's goods first, then head home!"
Gao Xiang said to Su Ming.
"Alright! You go ahead and buy. I'll go pick someone up!"
Su Ming got into the car and drove toward Hongda.
Soon, he arrived at Hongda.
After bidding farewell to Lin Yixue, Su Ming took Fan Qianqian to the mall.
After a round of shopping, the BMW 7 Series Gao Xiang was driving was packed to the brim with New Year's goods.
Then the three of them left the mall and headed straight for Xiyuan Village.
After dropping off some of the goods, the three had lunch at Fan Qianqian's house.
Then they drove off again, heading toward Xiaolin Village.
Xiaolin Village, of course, was where Su Ming and Gao Xiang were from.
Thanks to favorable national policies and the village's proximity to the city, the roads in Xiaolin Village had long been paved with cement. Su Ming's Lamborghini had no trouble entering the village.
The sleek, stylish car naturally drew exclamations from the many young people who had returned to the village.
When they saw it was Su Ming, they all came over to greet him.
Similarly, Gao Xiang also received praise from everyone.
As for Fan Qianqian, her face was red the entire time.
After all, the young men kept calling her "sister-in-law" over and over.
Though she secretly felt pleased, her face was completely flushed with embarrassment.
Soon, the two cars arrived at the entrance of Su Ming's house.
Su Ming's family wasn't doing too badly—by village standards, they were fairly well-off.
They had built a two-story brick house, though it wasn't heavily decorated.
The house was spacious, with a large iron gate that was three meters wide.
"Mom! Open the door!"
Su Ming got out of the car and called out, then opened the Lamborghini's trunk to start unloading the New Year's goods.
Gao Xiang also jumped out of the car and began carrying some of the goods inside.
"Clang!"
The iron gate opened, and Su Ming's mother, Zhang Sumei, walked out with a stern expression.
Su Ming immediately felt a chill run down his spine.
"Oh! Xiangzi's back too!"
Seeing Gao Xiang carrying things into the house, Zhang Sumei's face lit up with a smile.
"Yes! Auntie, I'll just put these down first!"
Gao Xiang replied and hurried inside.
But Zhang Sumei's face fell again.
However, at that moment, Fan Qianqian's figure appeared from behind Gao Xiang.
Zhang Sumei's expression instantly changed, and she smiled. "Oh! What a pretty young lady!"
"Hello, Auntie! I'm Su Ming's girlfriend, Fan Qianqian. You can call me Qianqian!"
Fan Qianqian immediately introduced herself.
"Ah! Qianqian, what a lovely name! Come on in, Auntie will take care of you—it's a bit nippy out there!" Zhang Sumei warmly pulled Fan Qianqian toward the house.
Su Ming glanced up at the sun, still high in the sky, and thought to himself, "Nippy? It doesn't feel that way at all." But he had to admit, the strange chill from earlier had vanished.
In a few quick strides, he gathered the New Year's goods and stepped inside.
"Ming, I'm heading back to visit Grandpa for a bit!" Gao Xiang called out as he emerged from the house.
"Alright, be sure to bring your dad over for dinner later. I'll have Mom make her famous braised pork ribs!" Su Ming replied with a grin.
"Perfect! It's been far too long since I've had Auntie's braised pork ribs!" Gao Xiang said, climbing into his car and driving off.
After setting down the New Year's goods, Su Ming opened the gate and parked his car in the yard.
He then settled into the living room, chatting casually with his father, Su Changhe.
Meanwhile, his mother, Zhang Sumei, headed to the kitchen to start cooking, with Fan Qianqian tagging along to help. The two women laughed and chatted now and then, prompting Su Ming and his father to exchange amused glances and shake their heads with a chuckle.