Lunch was at home.

Xu Ye helped Old Xu get the New Year couplets up on the doors, then went back to his room for the car keys and hurried off to Red Leaf Estate.

His parents both knew where he was going, and they knew he would be back by evening, so neither of them said anything about it. They went on getting ready for the New Year's Eve dinner.

Over at Red Leaf Estate.

Chen Hansong had come over first thing in the morning too, and Jiang Meilin had him running errands from the moment he walked in. He was thoroughly enjoying it. At least it meant he could stay for the New Year's Eve dinner tonight.

When Xu Ye arrived the courtyard gate stood wide open. He parked and went straight in.

"You're here~"

Chen Qingqing had been sitting on the couch with her phone. The moment she saw him she tossed it down onto the cushions.

"Where's our mom?"

She pointed at the kitchen.

Xu Ye went to the kitchen door and looked in. "Auntie, can you manage all this on your own? Where's Uncle Chen?"

Jiang Meilin laughed. "He showed up at the crack of dawn, so I sent him to the supermarket."

"Why not get Qingqing to help?"

"She can't do anything. What would she help with?"

Chen Qingqing was standing right there. She pushed her lip out. "You never asked me to."

"Xiao Xu, go put the couplets up at the front door, would you? The supermarket will be packed today. There's no telling when your uncle will be back."

"Where are the couplets?"

"I know where!" Chen Qingqing grabbed his hand, picked up the couplets, hauled out a stepladder, and the two of them went out to the door together.

Xu Ye taped the corners, climbed the stepladder, and Chen Qingqing backed off a few steps and started directing from below.

"Crooked, it's crooked."

"The right side's a bit high."

"That's about right."

"Hold on, let me look again."

"Okay, stick it down."

Putting up the couplets had always been Xu Ye's…