Chapter 80: I’ll Definitely Win Next Time
They didn’t care about their appearance, only about letting loose in that moment.
Their footsteps crisscrossed the snow, and their crisp laughter filled the air.
Before leaving, the kids clapped hands and made a promise.
"Next time it snows, we’ll do this again!"
They stood at the courtyard gate, their little faces flushed red from the cold, waving goodbye as they exhaled puffs of warm air.
"I’ll definitely win next time!"
"Hey, I’m sorry for picking on you before."
Shanshan grinned, revealing a gap where a tooth was missing.
"It’s okay! I’ll just get you back next time!"
That winter, Shanshan smiled the most.
From the first snow in the morning to the fireworks at dusk and the laughter at night, the corners of her mouth almost never turned down.
For the first time, she felt that winter could be this warm.
The New Year celebration was also the liveliest one she could remember.
The house was festooned with lights and decorations, and red lanterns swayed gently from the eaves in the wind.
The dining table was laden with steaming New Year’s dishes, their aroma filling the entire house.
Relatives sat gathered together, raising their glasses for toasts amid constant laughter.
The elders would stuff red envelopes into her hands the moment they saw her, picking her up to kiss her again and again.
And amidst this rich festive atmosphere, she was slowly filled to the brim with happiness.
She had a family who doted on her, friends who stuck to her side every day, and a pile of bright red envelopes.
As soon as the New Year’s Eve dinner was over, Shanshan slipped back to her room.
She was still little, so she didn’t have to stay up for the new year vigil.
While the adults were still chatting, she snuck away from the table, clutching the red envelopes she had just received.
Afraid she’d be stopped to talk with the elders, she tiptoed, hugging the wall as she scurried along.
Only when she shut the door with a THUD did she let out a sigh of relief and a little laugh.
She lay on her stomach on the bed, hugging the little metal box for her red envelopes, giggling as she counted.
Her grandmother had given her the little metal box last year.
On the rust-spotted box was a faded little sticker with a chubby bunny drawn on it.
She carefully tore open the red envelopes one by one, neatly folding the red paper.
Then she smoothed out the bills one by one and placed them in the metal box.
"Twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty-three..."
When she reached thirty, she stopped, rolled over, and lay on her back on the pillow.
She gazed at the ceiling, her eyes sparkling as if they were filled with stars.
’How much candy could this buy?’
Ling Anxun pushed the door open, carrying a glass of warm milk. He saw her curled up in her red pajamas like a little ball of fuzz, her back facing him.
He had pushed the door open just a crack, and a sliver of warm, yellow light spilled in.
He held the warm glass of milk in one hand and gently closed the door with the other.
His gaze fell upon the small figure by the bed.
She was hugging the metal box, her back slightly hunched.
The red pajamas made her little face look even pinker, and her jet-black hair fell over her shoulders.
The floor was littered with opened red envelope wrappers, and money was scattered everywhere.
But she was like a guard watching over her treasure, her eyes shining as she mumbled to herself.
A few hundred-yuan bills were scattered on the rug.
But she was completely oblivious, still focused on the metal box in her hands, muttering under her breath.
"Buy candy... buy books... buy pens for Brother..."
He bent down and gently ruffled her fluffy hair.
"You little money-lover, have you been so busy counting your money you forgot to drink your milk?"
The moment Shanshan heard him, she dropped low, ducking her head with her ears perked up alertly. Her hands shot out to cover the piles of red envelopes and scattered bills on the floor.
"Well now, Little God of Wealth, you certainly treasure this money, don’t you?"
Ling Anxun stood at the door, a smile in his eyes.
Ling Anxun couldn’t hold it in any longer. The corners of his eyes crinkled, and a gentle smile graced his lips. He reached out and lightly poked her chubby little forehead, his fingertip brushing against her soft hair. His amusement was impossible to contain, and his shoulders began to shake as if he was struggling to hold back his laughter.
"Uh-huh! Shanshan loves her little money!"
Shanshan looked up, her little face flushed, and spoke in a rapid-fire burst.
"I’m going to earn lots and lots of money in the future! I’ll buy Dad a new coat, a massage chair for Grandpa and Grandma, fresh fruit for Uncle and Aunt, and a limited-edition bag for Brother and Sister-in-law! And for my cousin, I have to buy lipstick! And Grandma Wang next door, she works so hard dancing every day, so Shanshan has to buy her knee pads!"
She rattled off a string of names.
No one would dare doubt she could actually do it.
"Alright, our Shanshan is so thoughtful."
Ling Anxun said with a gentle smile.
Her face was flushed, and her glossy black hair was tied into two lopsided pigtails.
"You got a room full of gifts before—cake, dolls, little dresses—and you were never this excited."
He tilted his head slightly, asking in a deliberately curious tone.
"So, what’s so different about red envelopes?"
"Of course they’re different!"
Shanshan immediately puffed out her cheeks, which looked like they were stuffed with two little rice balls, and pouted.
"Gifts are things people give Shanshan because they like me. But red envelopes are different! You only get red envelopes for the New Year, and they’re good luck for the new year that our relatives put into my hands themselves! That’s super important! With red envelopes, Shanshan can grow up safe and sound, be smart, get perfect scores on tests, and have all her wishes come true!"
Her words actually sounded quite reasonable, so much so that even Ling Anxun was momentarily stunned.
But no matter how reasonable she sounded, it wouldn’t change the fact that he was going to help her manage this money.
If she were really left to her own devices, he was afraid it would all be spent on candy and stickers by tomorrow.
"Be good, it’s getting late."
He glanced at the wall clock—the hour hand had already passed nine—and softened his tone even more.
"How about Dad helps you put the money away and lock it in the safe? I’ll get you a new piggy bank tomorrow. For now, drink your milk, and then go get a good night’s sleep, okay?"
"No!"
Shanshan immediately bristled like a protective kitten, sprawling over her pile of money and sweeping her arms around the bills to pull them in tighter.
"I can clean it up myself! I don’t need Dad’s help! I’m a big kid now! My teacher said we have to learn to manage our own finances!"
A smile touched Ling Anxun’s lips, but a trace of helplessness flashed in his eyes.
Earlier today, he had personally seen that kid, Ling Zhiwei, pulling Shanshan into a corner behind the living room sofa to whisper conspiratorially.
Their heads were huddled together secretively, and they wouldn’t let anyone get close.
"Dad, do you think Shanshan doesn’t like you anymore?"
The little girl suddenly turned her head, blinking her big eyes, her eyelashes trembling slightly.
"No, of course not!"
Ling Anxun put on a heartbroken expression. His brow furrowed, the rims of his eyes turned red, and his shoulders slumped.
Shanshan immediately grew anxious. She scrambled into his arms, nuzzling her head against his chest.
"Shanshan loves Dad the most! More than the universe! Deeper than the ocean! Sweeter than ice cream! Dad is the most important!"
Ling Anxun pretended to be consoled, gently patting her back.
"Really? But you were so fierce just now, you wouldn’t even let Dad touch your money..."
"It’s just... it’s just my New Year’s money. I can manage it myself, I really don’t need your help."
Shanshan looked up, sniffled, and said in a soft voice.
"I’ll save it up, I won’t spend it recklessly. When I’ve saved enough, I’ll buy Dad a gold watch..."
She gazed at the pile of bright red bills on the bed, her fingertips trembling slightly, her eyes filled with a complex mix of emotions.
She couldn’t even find a small, plausible excuse.