It was Xiao Bao!
He was now dressed neatly, with a pair of bright black eyes. Except for the rosy, excited—or perhaps cold—little face, and seeming to have grown a bit taller, he looked exactly like a young star on the television.
Meanwhile, Yin Yue was almost unable to escape from the clutches of her creditors. She resembled an ugly duckling in distress, vividly contrasting with the beautiful swan in front of her. Yin Yue’s eyes were filled with envy, and she subconsciously ground her teeth, not having a chance to say anything yet.
The well-dressed young man next to Xiao Bao spoke up, “It’s cold with the wind blowing. Look at your face; it’s freezing. Hurry and close the window.”
The little one obediently responded with an “Okay.” Without waiting for Yin Yue’s reply, his small hand immediately pressed on the hand-cranked car window handle, slowly rolling it up.
As a result, that face, which made Yin Yue both jealous and envious, disappeared instantly. The child seemed entirely uninterested in conversing with her, nearly prompting Yin Yue to curse out loud. What’s so impressive about your success? Just a third-rate actor, and now your nose is in the air. With her pride, could she endure such neglect?
Yin Yue hastily shook off the clinging creditors, rushing to catch up with the car’s tail.
The village was lively along the way, adorned in a festive atmosphere, with many children setting off firecrackers, the crackling sounds filling the air.
The little one was about to be sent back to the Yin family. He leaned on the car window, constantly looking outside. His lively legs were kicking, and due to excitement, his face was rosy, and his emotions were extremely high. The young man found it amusing; he understood that the child hadn’t returned home for half a year and must be longing for his family and every detail of the village. However, he also hesitated to part with the child, returning alone to the desolate mansion.
From the accustomed noise and companionship of fireworks, returning to the calm and lonely emptiness was the contrast he couldn’t bear. Yet, he couldn’t selfishly keep the ignorant child by his side.
The young man stared at the child’s profile for a while, mentally prepared himself, and took a thick coat from the bodyguard to put on him. “Xiao Bao, I’m leaving. When I’m not around, you need to take care of yourself. You have a weak body and low resistance, so remember to dress warmly and avoid catching a cold.”
Hearing this, the little one habitually extended his arm to put on the coat and turned his head, surprised. “Brother Fu, are you leaving?” The astonishment seemed genuine. The young man paused for a few seconds before seeing the child drooping his little face and saying disappointedly, “I thought you were going to spend the New Year with me. My ads and TV series will be aired on TV one after another after New Year’s Eve. I wanted to watch them with you. Without your encouragement, I wouldn’t have been able to act in so many roles and take on so many advertisements.”
“I thought we could watch it together on the TV.” These straightforward and calm words were like a kitten’s paw, scratching at the young man’s heart, one after another.
After saying this, the little one stepped forward, using his warm little hand to hold the young man’s slightly cold hand. He shook it childishly and said, “Big hand holding a small hand, no fear of slipping while walking.” This was a line he used for an advertisement when shooting rain boots, and surprisingly, it fit the current situation quite well.
Like a warm little sun, breaking through the Milky Way, he came over, shining on the desolate heart of the young man. The young man unexpectedly couldn’t bear to let go, so he was led to the enthusiastic Yin family and stayed there.
Yin Yue arrived later, who could blame two legs for not being able to catch up with four wheels. Although she hadn’t contacted her natal family for half a year, she still stepped into the door of the Yin family as if it were routine. She was about to question the little one, saying, “Xiao Bao, what’s going on? You didn’t even say hello to your sister?” She even wanted to ask Xiao Bao why, after half a year, you bought so many things for Yin Yujiao—what high-end skincare products, what leather jackets and coats, and even some trendy jeans, wide-leg pants, knit hats, and more. Making Yin Yujiao look so stylish, even surpassing the village flower with her stunning outfit alone. She was also his sister, so why didn’t he get anything for her?
When she wanted to ask this question, she completely forgot about the money-swindling instigation incident from half a year ago.
She simply assumed that although she usually disliked Xiao Bao, even wishing he were dead to straighten out her family’s bias towards males, apart from that, she was still a part of the Yin family. Just like Yin Yujiao, she was Xiao Bao’s sister and should enjoy the same treatment as other members of the Yin family.
In essence, her demand was clear: you’ve become prosperous, you bought things for Yin Yujiao, so you should get me a set too. After all, I’m also a sister; how can you not buy things for me?
Before she could angrily question him, Yin Minglu raised his head as if his back had grown eyes, blinking his round eyes. In front of everyone, he preemptively said, “Sister, it’s the New Year. Where’s my red envelope?”
Suddenly being asked this question, Yin Yue was taken aback and actually forgot the lines she intended to use to vent her anger. She said, “Wh-what red envelope? We’re of the same generation. Why should I give you a red envelope?” They were of the same generation, and it was unreasonable for a younger brother to ask his sister for a red envelope.
“But, sister, you’re already married. Sister Li Hong just gave me one.” Xiao Bao pouted his small mouth and reminded her. Li Hong was the girl next door from the Li family. She didn’t go to college and started working directly, getting married just two months ago. Others also chimed in, “Yeah, Yue’er, have you forgotten that you’re already married and not a young maiden anymore?”
Amid the chatter of everyone, Yin Yue suddenly startled, remembering the customs of Wenshui Village. Married men and women automatically moved up one generation. When they met someone younger, they had to give a red envelope. Moreover, Xiao Bao was her blood brother, living under the same roof since the main and second families had not separated. Their relationship was naturally close. She couldn’t avoid giving a red envelope; otherwise, it would be talked about.
The problem was, she simply had no money. How could she give a red envelope for the Chinese New Year when she didn’t even have any red envelope paper prepared in advance, not to mention having a few coins in her pocket?
Yin Yue panicked, regretting why she chose to confront Xiao Bao in front of so many people. Instead, her words were blocked by the red envelope, and with so many people staring at her, she couldn’t bluff her way through if she couldn’t produce money.
Due to face-saving concerns, she was unwilling to admit that she had no money. She could only stutter, “Ah, I’m usually busy and forgot about this. Xiao Bao, the money is usually managed by your brother-in-law. Since your brother-in-law is not around, wait a couple of days, and I’ll give you a big red envelope another day, okay?”
Once this group of relatives watching the excitement dispersed, she planned to privately give him a trivial amount, a mere one cent, to hoodwink Xiao Bao. Yin Yue was making elaborate calculations, not realizing that Yin Minglu had long been prepared.
“Okay!” Xiao Bao stuffed peanuts into his mouth, nodded understandingly at this statement, and then proudly announced to his little companions, puffing out his small chest, “My sister has been working in the city for half a year, she must have earned a lot of money. When she says a big red envelope, it’s definitely a big red envelope! Maybe even five yuan!!”
“Wow, five yuan!! My parents didn’t give me that much.”
“Really? Sister Li Hong just gave me fifty cents in New Year money. Will Sister Yue give more?”
“Wow, Sister Yue is amazing.”
These chattering children were either relatives or neighbors of the Yin family. Normally close to the Yin family, according to the relationship, Yin Yue was expected to give red envelopes to these children.
Children are innocent, unaware of Yin Yue owing the villagers a lot of debt. They only knew that Sister Yue had been working in the city for half a year and must have earned a lot. She could give them thick New Year’s money, allowing them to buy snacks and firecrackers at the store. Just thinking about it made them happy!
With one easily fooled Xiao Bao and a dozen children surrounding her, it was as noisy as a group of ducks quacking. Yin Yue was surrounded, looking terrified and almost unable to breathe. She wanted to cover her mouth and say, “I’ll give red envelopes,” but why did she have to say big red envelopes? Not only big red envelopes, but why say it in front of a group of children? Wasn’t this like lifting a stone to hit her own foot?
So these days, Yin Yue lived as if in a nightmare. Her pockets were already empty, and she was almost drained by this group of children who wanted to make a big scene during the New Year. Although the money she gave was only a few cents or a yuan, there were so many children that it added up!
The Yin family was in trouble, and there were also a group of children from the Qin family. Yin Yue was on the verge of despair. For the sake of face, to continue to maintain a decent image in front of relatives and friends, she gritted her teeth and had to give it away.
After giving out the red envelopes, she really had no money left. The tragedy continued because those creditors came knocking aggressively once again. Without waiting for Yin Yue to explain, they directly accused her, saying, “You can afford to give red envelopes to relatives’ children. It doesn’t look like you’re short of money. Pay up quickly!”
Yin Yue had no way to express her grievances and could only use Qin Mao as a shield, pushing him out to catch her breath.
As the New Year’s Eve dinner approached, the whole family happily gathered for the feast. The dining table was filled with an abundance of dishes, featuring a variety of large fish and meat dishes. There were over ten different courses, and the table was so full that it couldn’t accommodate any more. It was evident that life in the Yin family was genuinely improving.
Yin Yue, with a complex mindset, indulged in the festive meal with gusto.
Especially this year, many families in the village had installed 14-inch black-and-white televisions, including the Yin family. In households with televisions, many people gathered, and some families even placed their TVs outdoors for the whole village to enjoy.
Since it was the New Year, with nothing to do and no need for farming, what better way to spend time than watching TV? Apart from the essential Spring Festival Gala, there was also the anticipation of the TV series starring Yin family’s Xiao Bao!
Previously, with just a casual biscuit commercial, the whole village crowded around to watch! Now, with a TV series about to be broadcast, the excitement was palpable!
“Here he is, I see Xiao Bao, over there!”
“Where, where? Why don’t I see him?”
“The one in the red clothes, the most handsome one!”
The scene erupted in laughter and cheers as everyone watched the spirited child on the screen. The members of the Yin family were all smiles, brimming with pride.
After the initial excitement, everyone surrounded the little one at the forefront and earnestly began watching the TV series.
Yin Yue sat on a small stool, squeezed into the corner. She had no interest in this cliché TV drama. Nowadays, people found such dramas engaging because life was dull, and they hadn’t seen many plays. She was merely jealous of Xiao Bao’s good fortune. How did this child, who should have been neglected in the previous life, suddenly soar to success?
At such a young age, he had such experiences. Especially Xiao Bao, even if he played a supporting role, most of the TV series he participated in became classics. In the following two or three decades, there were various remakes, but many still considered the original version of the TV series to be the most classic and the best adaptation.
Xiao Bao managed to leave behind iconic characters in these classic productions, and how could Yin Yue not feel jealous? No one understood the importance of image rights better than her, a reborn individual.
Using money as a metaphor, Xiao Bao’s handsome face, when showcased in public, could easily translate into substantial income.
The more famous he became, the more valuable his image rights.
Just having that face featured in an unknown product could instantly turn it into a money-making venture. In the case of Yin’s sauce factory, as long as Xiao Bao’s face was associated with it, even before the product hit the market, it was destined to be a profitable venture. If Xiao Bao’s fame continued to rise and the sauce was genuinely delicious, it wasn’t a dream for it to become popular nationwide one day.
Yin Yue regretted it. She regretted not heeding Qin Mao’s advice six months ago to get involved in the family’s sauce business. Now, the factory was almost ready, and all the positions had been filled.
Whether it was in management or the technical roles responsible for production and processing, every position was occupied. There was no longer a place for her.
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