Perhaps because he had passed the sleepy stage, Xu Tang was actually not very tired anymore. After taking a shower, he sat on the bed and browsed Weibo.
At this hour, the number one trending topic was the Spring Festival Gala, while the second was Yu Lun’s voice crack.
However, it was obvious that everyone’s enthusiasm for discussing the second topic was much higher than the first.
Some people felt that Yu Lun simply did not have the ability and was not qualified to sing the finale. There must have been some unknown behind-the-scenes dealings involved.
Some felt that the local television station had ended up embarrassing itself. They wanted to promote someone, but that person had not lived up to expectations and directly ruined the performance, leaving them with an awkward ending.
Some demanded that people dig into whether Yu Lun had some other connection that allowed him to overpower so many first-line singers.
Of course, there were also people who felt that Yu Lun had already worked very hard. Ruining a performance was not something he wanted either, and people should be more forgiving…
If Yu Lun had earned his position as a first-line artist through his own ability and obtained the finale spot, then even if he had failed during the performance, Xu Tang felt there was nothing to criticize. After all, who had never had a moment where they performed poorly?
But if he had obtained it through other means, then Xu Tang could only say that it was not something Yu Lun deserved. Fighting for it would be meaningless.
However, these were only thoughts in his own mind. It was impossible for him to actually make any public comments.
After closing Weibo, Xu Tang sent New Year red envelopes to Yuan Shang and Kang Duo.
Because Yuan Shang was injured this time, he had not returned to his hometown. Instead, his parents had come over to stay with him.
Xu Tang also gave Yuan Shang an additional bonus, telling him to take his parents out for a good meal and see if there was anything else he needed to buy.
Yuan Shang accepted it gratefully and said that once he recovered, he would immediately return to work and asked Xu Tang to wait for him.
After Zong Xuan finished showering, he got onto the bed and sent Xu Tang a 666-yuan red envelope from his phone.
Xu Tang looked at him, said “Thank you,” and accepted it.
Zong Xuan looked at him and asked, “Aren’t you going to send me one?”
Xu Tang slowly slid deeper into the blanket and said, “Sending red envelopes is expensive.”
“Huh?” Zong Xuan did not believe that Xu Tang could not even afford to send a red envelope.
Xu Tang said seriously, “You sent me 666. I definitely can’t send less than you. If we’re going for a lucky number, I’d at least have to send 888, right? Then I’d lose 222. Wouldn’t that make me look like an idiot?”
Zong Xuan looked at him. Xu Tang did not look like he was joking at all.
He felt that Xu Tang, who calculated money so carefully, was especially adorable.
Honestly, living together really did require careful calculations. It had nothing to do with earning more or less money. Being economical was what allowed life to continue steadily over a long period of time.
Zong Xuan smiled. “You can send me 520.”
“Who sends that amount during New Year?”
“Then send it on Valentine’s Day?”
Xu Tang blushed and did not say anything.
Zong Xuan leaned closer and looked at him, seemingly waiting for Xu Tang’s answer.
Xu Tang hesitated for a long time before saying, “Can I send you one hundred? When I was little, my New Year money was always one hundred yuan.”
Zong Xuan almost wanted to pull him into his arms and kiss him.
What one hundred yuan? He did not want that!
But although he and Xu Tang had become much closer and had done some intimate things, they were not at the stage where he could kiss him yet. So…
“Sure.”
A hundred yuan was still worth accepting!
Xu Tang moved his fingers and sent the red envelope over.
Zong Xuan accepted it and took a screenshot.
“First time receiving a red envelope from you. I’ll keep this as a memory.”
Xu Tang originally wanted to say that it was not even much money, so what was there to remember?
But after thinking about it again, no matter how much it was, it still had meaning.
At least this was the first Spring Festival they had spent together. Keeping a memory of it was only natural.
The next day, Xu Tang was awakened by the sound of firecrackers outside.
When he moved, Zong Xuan also woke up. Still carrying some sleepiness, he pulled Xu Tang, who had already sat up, back into his arms.
“Still early. Lie down a little longer.”
Xu Tang originally felt that sleeping in on the first day of the New Year was not very appropriate.
But then he remembered that his hand was still wrapped up. He could not really help with anything, so it was better to stay lying down rather than cause trouble for the family.
The Zong family also did not have any rule about what time everyone had to wake up for breakfast, so everyone could just do whatever they wanted.
After becoming fully awake, Zong Xuan took his phone.
With one arm around Xu Tang, he stretched out the other arm and took a photo of the two of them together.
Although neither of them had washed up yet after waking in the morning, their bare faces were visible, their hair was messy and sticking up, and both of them looked lazy and sleepy, the photo had a very realistic feeling of everyday life.
Zong Xuan was very satisfied.
“Can I post this on Weibo?”
“Post it.” Xu Tang said.
During the Spring Festival, he would definitely need to post a New Year greeting anyway. He had already planned to do it later.
Zong Xuan smiled and edited the Weibo post, wishing his fans a Happy New Year and adding the photo of the two of them.
After the post was uploaded, Xu Tang immediately reposted it as well, adding his own New Year greetings and blessings.
“Wow, my two male gods, Happy New Year!”
“Happy Spring Festival! Our Tang Tang looks so young and tender!”
“Picking Tang Tang up and running away! Emperor Zong won’t be able to catch me~”
“Happy Spring Festival, Emperor Zong! You’re getting more and more handsome!”
“Happy New Year! Even without makeup they look this good. Jealousy has transformed me.”
…
The two of them stayed lying on the bed for a while longer before finally changing clothes and going downstairs.
In the dining room, only Xu Wan was sitting there eating breakfast.
The four elders had plans today. After breakfast, they had all gone out together.
“Big Brother and Second Brother aren’t awake yet?” Xu Tang looked around but did not see them.
“No. I didn’t go wake them either.” Xu Wan smiled while eating dumplings.
Xu Tang sat down beside her.
Zong Xuan was in the kitchen boiling dumplings. Dumplings tasted better when they were cooked fresh before eating.
“Big Brother isn’t awake either?” Xu Tang was not very familiar with what time Zong Huang usually woke up, but he always felt that Big Brother should be someone who was extremely punctual. However, everyone had gone to bed late yesterday, so waking up later today was normal.
“Mm. I haven’t seen him either.” Xu Wan replied. Then she leaned closer to Xu Tang and lowered her voice. “You slept in Zong Xuan’s room last night?”
“Mm.” Xu Tang smiled.
The Weibo post Zong Xuan had made that morning with their photo had put him in a good mood. It was also the first time since they had known each other that Zong Xuan had personally posted something containing both of them together.
Seeing that her younger brother looked so energetic, Xu Wan guessed that nothing had happened between them last night. She did not pry and simply said, “Your own life is yours to handle. No matter what happens, Big Brother and I will definitely support you.”
“Okay.” Xu Tang smiled with his eyes curved.
If his hand had not been inconvenient, he definitely would have gone over and hugged his sister.
The steaming hot dumplings were brought out, and Xu Tang’s phone rang at the same time.
It was He Xin calling.
Xu Tang answered. “Happy New Year. Why are you awake so early?”
He Xin replied energetically, “Happy New Year. The firecrackers are so loud. Even if I didn’t want to wake up, I couldn’t.”
“Same here.”
“Do you have any plans tonight? If not, come out for dinner.”
“I don’t have any plans. Where are we eating?”
“Let me tell you, every time it’s New Year, I especially want to eat something simple. How about hot pot?”
Xu Tang had not eaten hot pot in quite a while either, so he happily agreed. “Sure, but isn’t it difficult to reserve a table?”
“Don’t worry. I have a VIP membership. During the New Year period, that restaurant keeps private rooms specifically for members.” He Xin’s tone was extremely proud.
…
Being able to turn eating hot pot into a VIP experience, Xu Tang felt that there really was no one else like him.
“Alright.”
“Bring Zong Xuan? Or should I pick you up?” He Xin knew that Xu Tang could not drive right now because of his hand.
“If you bring Brother Yue, then I’ll bring Zong Xuan.”
“Of course, bring him. Saves those two from having to arrange another time to meet separately.”
“Okay. Send me the address later. See you tonight.”
“Alright.”
After Xu Tang hung up the phone, a cooled-down dumpling was immediately placed into his mouth.
While eating, Xu Tang told Zong Xuan about his dinner plans with He Xin.
Zong Xuan had no objections at all. As long as Xu Tang was willing to bring him along, that was enough.
Xu Tang used a spoon to eat the dumplings and also needed dipping sauce, which was inconvenient. So Zong Xuan simply pulled the plate over, fed Xu Tang one dumpling, then ate one himself, not delaying anything at all.
Xu Wan watched them and became slightly more satisfied with Zong Xuan.
At the same time, she thought that perhaps it was time for her to find someone too. After being forced to eat so much couple affection from others, she wanted to give some back as well!
In the evening, Zong Xuan drove Xu Tang to the restaurant He Xin had booked.
After entering the private room, the four of them exchanged New Year greetings.
Zong Xuan helped Xu Tang hang up his coat and wipe his hands before going outside with Yue Yan to get the food.
This hot pot restaurant used a self-service format. The selection was abundant, fresh, and reasonably priced.
Since it was the first day of the New Year, many people were probably eating at home, so there were actually not many customers in the restaurant.
With Zong Xuan wearing a mask, there was no need to worry about him being recognized.
“So you two made up?” He Xin raised an eyebrow and asked.
Xu Tang smiled. “We’re still in the observation period.”
“Hahaha. I never thought even Emperor Zong would have a time when he needed to be evaluated.”
Seeing that Zong Xuan seemed quite attentive toward Xu Tang, He Xin felt a little more reassured. Then he lowered his voice and asked:
“How is it? Is he good?”
Xu Tang still had not gotten used to He Xin’s habit of suddenly making inappropriate jokes after acting serious.
“I don’t know…” Xu Tang replied awkwardly.
“Tsk. Let me tell you. If he’s not good, kick him out. This is not a small matter. A harmonious sex life is also one of the key factors in maintaining a stable and happy family. Someone who is incapable in that area will become twisted after a long time.”
He Xin spoke with a completely serious expression.
Xu Tang really wanted to cover his face.
What kind of conversation was this?
“Don’t doubt me. This is advice from someone who has been married for many years.” He Xin raised his chin proudly, as if saying: My married life is incredibly harmonious!
“Alright, I know.” Xu Tang had no idea what else he could say, so he could only agree.
After that, shameless He Xin began giving him a detailed guide to maintaining a harmonious sex life and knowledge about physical care.
Xu Tang awkwardly interrupted him several times, but every time he was suppressed by He Xin’s educational line:
“If you don’t listen to the advice of experienced people, you’ll suffer later.”
When Zong Xuan returned after bringing back several rounds of food, he asked Xu Tang what kind of sauce he wanted.
Xu Tang immediately stood up and followed Zong Xuan outside.
This was probably the only way he could escape Teacher He’s lecture.
At the sauce station, Xu Tang gave instructions while Zong Xuan prepared the sauce according to his requests.
“What inappropriate things did He Xin tell you?” Zong Xuan asked with a quiet laugh.
He had noticed that Xu Tang’s ears were completely red, while He Xin had a mysterious expression on his face. Based on Xu Tang’s personality, he guessed what had happened.
“N-no, nothing…” Xu Tang quickly denied.
“If nothing happened, why are you stuttering?” Zong Xuan laughed.
“Who’s stuttering…” Xu Tang refused to admit it.
Zong Xuan chuckled.
He could not do anything to Xu Tang here, but there was no rush. At worst, he could just have Yue Yan ask He Xin later.
After returning to the private room, the four of them sat down and began eating.
Zong Xuan took care of Xu Tang, so their eating speed was relatively slow. He Xin also helped cook some meatballs and other things Xu Tang liked.
This was the first time the four of them had gathered for a meal together, and it was also a private gathering.
The atmosphere was very good. They chatted about things both inside and outside the entertainment industry.
By the time dinner ended, it was already past nine at night.
When they returned home, the four elders had already come back as well.
The two of them sat with their parents for a while before returning to their room to rest.
Xu Tang lay on the bed.
For some reason, he suddenly remembered what He Xin had said.
He thought to himself:
Zong Xuan claims that he’s very skilled… so he probably won’t become twisted, right…?