Chapter 536: Extra: Happy New Year (Part 2)

[Interview was a success, Qingli stans are eating well! (deleting this in a bit)]

After the interview recording wrapped up, an intern backstage secretly pulled out her phone and made a post on a forum.

The main post spent thousands of words describing how perfect Jiang Qingli’s makeup and styling were that day, how elegant and sophisticated she sounded, and how much the goddess had clearly grown over the years. The intern even wrote that making eye contact with her was the blessing of a lifetime.

A little while later, she added with no small amount of glee, “But those guys from the Yuan Family are in for it. Our queen didn’t give them the time of day. Looks like they’re really getting dumped~”

The thread erupted in shock.

Shippers despaired while the solo stans cheered wildly. For a moment, the atmosphere was electric.

Before the post could go viral, the intern deleted it and headed out.

It was almost the end of the workday. Most of the staff had already gone home early for the New Year holiday, leaving just a few producers to monitor the automated systems and wait for the final edit to finish before the evening broadcast.

The elevators were crowded, so the intern went to the stairwell, planning to walk down one floor to catch one there.

But then she heard a voice. “…I won’t dare to next time.”

After a few seconds, someone laughed, though it sounded more exasperated than amused. “You think there’s going to be a ‘next time’?”

That voice!

The intern recognized it—it was Jiang Qingli!

As a die-hard solo stan, she could recognize it in her sleep.

The intern’s Superpower was invisibility. She held her breath and peered down the stairwell.

Three people were standing in the stairwell.

The black-haired young man, who had just been speaking so eloquently on the show, now stood with his head bowed. “I won’t dare. There won’t be a next time. If there is… you can punish me however you like…”

“…Don’t stand there trying to bargain for perks,” Jiang Qingli said, speechless for a moment. She then glanced at the silent young man beside her, who was holding her other hand.

“I’m sorry.” Yuan Shimo kept his eyes lowered, his voice apologetic. “I… I just really wanted to know the answer.”

‘He wanted to know who she liked more.’

“Brother, why don’t you stop making things difficult for our female master?” Yuan Shiyao said in a placating tone, as if being magnanimous and considerate.

Hearing the two words “female master,” Yuan Shimo’s expression darkened again. “Are you scared?”

“Yes, I’m not like you,” Yuan Shiyao sighed. “I don’t ask for much. As long as I can stay by our female master’s side…”

Yuan Shimo: “…”

Seeing the shadow at Yuan Shimo’s feet begin to tremble, Jiang Qingli raised her hands and ruffled both of their heads. “Alright, I like you both. Stop fighting, you two. It’s the New Year.”

The intern, who was concentrating on eavesdropping, almost laughed out loud when Jiang Qingli suddenly delivered the line with such solemnity, like a classic motherly platitude.

‘How can she be so cute in private?’

Just as the thought crossed her mind, Jiang Qingli suddenly looked up.

Their eyes met. The intern jumped in surprise as the door right next to her suddenly opened.

A red-haired young man poked his head out from the doorway and grinned when he saw them. “There you are. I’ve been looking all over for you.”

“Alright, everyone’s here now,” Jiang Qingli said, withdrawing her hands. “Let’s go.”

She glanced in the intern’s direction, raised an eyebrow, and was the first to leave.

The three Beast Husbands followed her. Que Feiling was the first to loop his arm through hers, whispering, “Someone’s watching you.”

“Just a young girl, a little curious,” Jiang Qingli said, quite forgivingly. “It’s the New Year, after all.”

Since the person hadn’t done anything, Que Feiling let it go. He quickly moved to take credit, “I decorated the dining room today! It’s super festive!”

Everyone was celebrating the New Year together at the Jiang family home today.

Jiang Yi and three of the Beast Husbands were off on their own, leaving just this group in the villa.

Since early that morning, Baili Jing, Gu Nian, and Yi Nuo had been in the kitchen, pulling out all the stops for a culinary showdown.

Que Feiling couldn’t compete with their cooking, so he had to resort to his “money power” and decorate the dining table instead.

He seized the moment while he had Jiang Qingli to himself to ask for praise, knowing he wouldn’t get another chance later.

Downstairs, a car was parked at the entrance.

The rear window rolled down.

A young man sat inside, having just finished a meeting. He wore a crisp military uniform, his expression stern, but the coldness in his eyes melted into tenderness the moment he saw Jiang Qingli.

Jiang Qingli called out, “Youchen,” and slid into the car.

The moment she sat down, the door shut.

Without a single thought for the others left outside.

The car drove straight off.

Xie Youchen pulled her into his embrace. “Did the interview go well?” he asked.

Jiang Qingli glanced back. The Que family’s car, carrying the other three, was in pursuit.

He turned her face back toward him.

“It looks like it went very smoothly,” the young man murmured, gently tracing her lips with his thumb. Before she could argue, he lowered his head and captured her mouth in a kiss.

Half an hour later, the car stopped at the Jiang family home.

Xie Youchen pushed open the car door. He had just stepped out and was about to turn back to take Jiang Qingli’s hand, but the back seat was already empty.

Only a few wisps of black mist lingered.

It swirled in the air, as if mocking him.

A cold smirk touched Xie Youchen’s lips as he took the elevator upstairs.

The doors opened to the sight of Yi Nuo and Qin Muye arguing.

The Prince had just escaped a banquet. Dressed in a dazzling suit, he carried himself with an extraordinary air as he arrogantly ordered Gu Nian to make way.

Yi Nuo, of course, was defiant.

The two rivals were at a standoff. One was fuming with rage, while the other was being passive-aggressively polite.

After a few more sentences were exchanged, Jiang Qingli made her belated entrance. “Both of you, shut up. It’s the New Year. You’re not allowed to annoy me!”

Qin Muye was about to respond when his gaze landed on Jiang Qingli’s glistening lips. He then glanced at Ye Linyuan, who was standing casually behind her, and his anger erupted. “Ye Linyuan! You son of a bitch, you’re courting death!”

Ye Linyuan barely lifted his eyelids. “I’m at your service.”

Qin Muye was so furious he could have spit blood.

‘They had clearly agreed that no one was allowed to meet with Jiang Qingli privately on New Year’s Day!’

‘These bastards! Not a single one of them follows the rules!’

Baili Jing heard the commotion and came out wearing an apron. He smiled and said, “We’re all family here. Don’t fight. It’s the New Year.”

Qin Muye squeezed his eyes shut, forcing his temper down. But then he turned his head and saw the elevator doors open again, revealing a black-haired young man. His anger flared right back up. “Why is this kept man here too?!”

“Calm down,” Baili Jing said with a smile. “He’s already here.”

Qin Muye couldn’t take it anymore. He whipped his head around, but couldn’t find Jiang Qingli.

The master of keeping everyone happy had already made her escape.

But not alone.

Jiang Qingli walked into the dressing room and changed into some casual clothes.

Gu Nian was squatting at her feet, helping her put on her socks, while muttering, “Qingli, these old guys are so much trouble. They’re always making things difficult for you.”

Jiang Qingli was leaning against the sofa. Before she could even nod, a pair of rabbit ears popped out from the top of the young man’s head.

He tilted his handsome face up, his eyes curving into a smile. His fingers trailed up her calf, his breath warm and soft against her skin. “Not like me… I would only ever dote on you…”

“It’s still early… Won’t you show me some affection, my love…?”

…

The fact that Gu Nian had snuck away to find Jiang Qingli didn’t stay a secret for long.

After dinner, as they were all staying up to welcome the New Year, Qin Muye started rehashing the day’s events, which inevitably led to him bringing up old grievances and denouncing those he despised—especially Gu Nian.

Gu Nian, not to be outdone, hugged Jiang Qingli’s arm and fired back with his signature passive-aggressive innocence.

The last time the two of them had seen each other was at the Mid-Autumn Festival, but they argued just as fiercely as ever.

Jiang Qingli was used to it. She snuggled into the sofa and watched the New Year’s program on the screen.

Just then, her terminal vibrated.

It was a call from Lin Xiyue.

Jiang Qingli answered.

Lin Xiyue was on vacation at a beach in the Third District with several of her own Beast Husbands. She was currently lounging on one of their abs, grinning as she waved at the camera. “I’m not late, am I? The timing should be perfect!”

The bickering Beast Husbands had fallen silent at some point.

On the projection before them, the New Year’s program was reaching its finale as the hosts began the countdown together.

“Three—”

“Two—”

“One—!”

Midnight.

The hosts took turns offering blessings before passing the microphone to the audience.

Someone in the audience faced the camera and said, “To all our readers, I wish you success in all your endeavors, great wealth, and a year full of blessings!”

Thunderous applause.

Fireworks bloomed in the sky, as dazzling and brilliant as starlight.

Jiang Qingli’s eyes curved into a smile as she spoke to the person on the other side of the screen—

“Happy New Year!”

“May this new year, and every year after, be filled with happiness.”