Chapter 1829

In the blink of an eye, New Year’s Eve arrived.

Early in the morning, after hastily finishing breakfast, Baili Xia began directing the servants to decorate the entire Sihai Residence.

Where to hang lanterns, where to place the light strips, and what kind of couplets to stick on the door arches.

For a moment, the whole Sihai Residence was bustling; even Mu Xiaoyao came out to help.

Many hands make light work; by the end of the morning, the entire Sihai Residence took on a festive New Year’s atmosphere.

After lunch, Baili Xia gave the servants a break because they wanted to prepare this New Year’s Eve dinner themselves.

She asked Ye Hua to inform Zimo, while she went to inform Nangong Xu, asking them to come over and help.

Soon, everyone arrived in the kitchen.

Even Xiaoxiao didn’t want to lie in bed alone and insisted on coming down to lend a hand.

According to Ye Hua, her words were, what can this bunch of men do?

Can they make dumplings better than us women?

So many people were standing in the kitchen at once, with no servants; it was the first time in so many years at the Mu Mansion.

Baili Xia thought it was important to let everyone have a true New Year, their own New Year, an unforgettable New Year.

Once everyone was gathered, she began assigning tasks.

“Big brother, prepare the water for boiling dumplings in a bit.”

“Second brother, prepare the bowls and plates, wash them all clean first.”

“Ye Hua will be in charge of kneading the dough, and then, with the master, you’ll roll out the dumpling skins.

Zimo and Xiaoxiao will be responsible for wrapping the dumplings.”

Mu Lingchuan gave her a sideways glance and said, “You’ve only given us tasks, what about you?”

“Of course, I have a task too; I have to lead you all and oversee everything.”

Mu Lingchuan’s forehead suddenly creased; do we, the elite, really need your lead?

Though that’s what he thought, with Zimo present, he didn’t say it out loud.

In fact, likely all the men present were thinking similarly, even if they didn’t show it.

But Baili Xia had already guessed their thoughts and laughed, “Of course, I was teasing you, I still have to cook dishes for you to eat.”

Mu Lingchuan chuckled, thinking this girl’s New Year’s appetizer isn’t too bad.

He turned his head to look at Zimo and softened his voice, “I’ll go prepare the dough, you sit down and rest first.”

After speaking, he shouted at Ye Hua, “Let’s go, hurry and get to work.”

Ye Hua acknowledged with a sound but turned around to glance at Xiaoxiao.

Mr.

Xiaojiu’s order was to take care of Xiaoxiao; if he went to work, what about Xiaoxiao?

Xiaoxiao saw right through his thoughts, “Don’t think of finding reasons to slack, go get to work.”

Ye Hua’s face slightly reddened, refuting, “What slacking?

Isn’t it because of Mr.

Xiaojiu’s order.”

He thought for a moment and said to Baili Xia, “Miss Xiaxia, can you please look after Xiaoxiao for a while.”

Once Baili Xia agreed, he raised his eyebrows to Xiaoxiao and ran over to join Mu Lingchuan in getting things.

Mu Xiaoyao glanced at them indifferently, obediently fetching some bowls himself, and started washing them by the vegetable sink.

The men were busy, and Baili Xia said to Zimo and Xiaoxiao, “I don’t know if they can manage, we better keep an eye on them to prevent any mishaps.”

Just as she finished speaking, there was a sudden clatter and the sound of something breaking came over.

She glanced over to see Mu Xiaoyao looking awkwardly in their direction.

Baili Xia immediately laughed and said, “It’s okay, it’s okay, breaking a bowl means peace and safety every year.”

She walked over, reaching to pick the broken porcelain pieces out of the sink.

Mu Xiaoyao grabbed her hand and pulled it back.

“Be careful, I’ll handle it.”