Chapter 157 - 156: The Sunset Red Combination

The first day of the Lunar New Year.

For prominent families at the top of the pyramid like the Grant and Lowell Families, who only had a main branch and no collateral lines, there was naturally no need to make the rounds visiting relatives like other families.

They only needed to stay home and receive friends and business partners who had scheduled New Year’s visits in advance.

And since the ladies of the family wouldn’t visit their own parents until the second day of the New Year, everyone in the Lowell family was still present today.

So, bright and early, the entire Grant family, young and old, showed up at their door laden with bags big and small.

Before they even stepped inside, the two elders of the Lowell family in the main house heard Old Master Grant’s booming voice. "Old Man Lowell! My dear! Happy New Year!!"

It startled Grandpa Lowell so much his hand trembled, nearly spilling scalding tea on himself. ’This old coot showing up so early in the morning definitely means trouble.’

Considering it was the New Year, he didn’t give him a dirty look. He just calmly placed his teacup on the table, a stiff smile twitching at his lips.

"Ah, Old Man Grant. Happy New Year, happy New Year. What brings you over so early this year? Aren’t you busy today?"

Old Master Grant waved his hand dismissively. "Bah, I was just thinking I’d come keep you company first. That’s why our family isn’t receiving any guests today. I told anyone with an appointment to come back after the second. How’s that for a friend, huh? Where are the kids? How come I don’t see a single one of them?"

Mr. and Mrs. Grant, along with Leo Grant, also greeted the two elders politely.

’Heh, no need to make it sound so nice,’ Grandpa Lowell thought. ’My family is large and prosperous, do I look like I need you to keep me company!? You think everyone is like your family, with a single heir each generation, and every single one of them shameless to boot!’

A sharp glint flashed in Grandma Lowell’s eyes as she poured him a cup of tea. "We’ve had a few waves of guests, so the kids are receiving them in the side building. Since you don’t have anything else planned today, why don’t you just stay for a meal? Our house is a bit quiet today anyway, so stay and liven things up."

"This... is this appropriate?" Old Master Grant looked hesitant on the surface, but he was gloating inside.

"Listen to you, what’s not appropriate about it? We’re practically one family, aren’t we? Besides, it’s just a matter of adding a few more pairs of chopsticks. It’s settled then, you’re staying for dinner." Grandma Lowell made the decision right then and there.

"Alright then! Our family only has a few people, so it does get a bit quiet. We’ll shamelessly impose on you for a meal today." Old Master Grant agreed, feigning reluctance, and shot a subtle glare at Leo Grant.

’Grandson, for your sake, your grandpa is putting his old face on the line! Not even your own father could do this much for you! If you still can’t win a wife after all this, I wouldn’t be against striking your name from the Grant family’s genealogy.’

Leo Grant: ’My grandpa is the GOAT! My generation won’t be the one to end the family line!!’

Grandpa Lowell shot him a look. "Hmph, alright, stop pretending. I’ve known you for more than half my life. You think I don’t know what you’re scheming?"

Old Master Grant played dumb, pulling Grandpa Lowell to his feet. "Hehe, I’m not an accountant, I don’t know how to use an abacus. C’mon, c’mon, we’re just sitting around idle anyway. Let’s go play a game of chess, just the two of us."

Not long after the two old masters went upstairs, the group that had been entertaining guests in the side hall returned one after another.

Yvonne Lowell, walking in last, saw that her father and brothers hadn’t taken the seat next to Leo Grant. She thought they might have had a change of heart and were saving it for her.

But the next second, her eldest brother pushed her down into the seat right next to Leo, his tone unreadable.

"You sit here. Besides you, no one else in our family is willing to sit next to him anyway."

Yvonne Lowell was stunned for a moment, then forced a smile. "Thanks, big brother. You’re a real saint."

The group sat in the living room chatting. Mr. and Mrs. Grant were especially fond of Yvonne Lowell, showering her with praise. In addition to the New Year’s money they gave to all the younger generation, Mrs. Grant had also brought a set of jewelry specifically for Yvonne.

Leo Grant found it amusing to watch his girlfriend, who appeared composed and generous on the surface, but whose ears were secretly turning red.

In the Lowell family, cooking wasn’t just a woman’s job, so when it was nearly time to eat, Charles Lowell and his brothers got up to prepare the meal.

Seeing this, Mrs. Grant glanced sideways at her two "chefs." The father-son duo immediately understood and got up to help.

Grandma Lowell was about to refuse, but Mrs. Grant linked her arm and said, "Aunt Vivian, you said it yourself, we’re practically one family, aren’t we? Besides, the culinary skills of these two from my family are passable. Just let them go help."

"Alright, then I’ll have to properly sample the craftsmanship of this father-son pair later." Grandma Lowell patted her hand affectionately.

...

The Lowell family had no guests scheduled for the afternoon, so the elders of both families put their heads together and organized their respective recreational activities.

Yvonne Lowell couldn’t help but twitch her lips at the sight, whispering to Leo Grant,

"Hey, do you think we can call their three groups: the Hopeless Chess Addicts, the Three-Legged Cats of Mahjong, and the Empty-Handed Anglers’ Club?"

Leo Grant suppressed a smile and patted her head. "A very apt description. If there were a ’Golden Years’ talent show, they might just debut as the center group."

"Who’s debuting as the center? Is someone trying to steal my job?!" Harrison Lowell, who had been sneakily eavesdropping, couldn’t help but chime in.

Yvonne Lowell gestured with her chin toward the three groups. "Them. The three Golden Years groups."

"PFFT-HAHAHAHAHA, I’m in! Count me in, we’ll be three generations—old, middle-aged, and young—taking Aurelian Entertainment by storm." Harrison Lowell nearly choked on his laughter.

Grandma Lowell started shooing them away. "Eh? Why are you all still here? Shoo, shoo. You kids, stop being eyesores around the house. Go out and have some fun. Just remember to be back in time for dinner."

’Alright, fine. Being disdained is our destiny in this life.’

So the younger generation decided to go to Comet, under the noble pretext of "crashing the party and eating that Grant guy out of house and home."

And so, the five Lowell brothers, along with Nina Jennings and Zachary Jacobs, set off first, driving toward Comet.

Yvonne Lowell and Leo Grant were left behind, along with the pitiful Ian Lynch, who had been summoned to be their driver on the first day of the New Year.

After getting in the car, Yvonne Lowell noticed they were heading in the opposite direction of Comet. She raised an eyebrow. "This isn’t the right way. Are you planning to ditch them and elope with me?"

Leo Grant toyed with Yvonne Lowell’s fingers and said nonchalantly,

"How can you call it ditching them? I’m just worried our happiness might disturb them. I’m doing this for their own good. As for eloping... that’s certainly something to consider."

’Do you even hear yourself right now?! And are you serious with that righteous, ’I’m doing this for everyone’s sake’ act?!’

Three black lines appeared on Yvonne Lowell’s forehead. She decided not to pursue the topic and looked at Ian Lynch, who was driving. "Did you call all four of them back to Aurelia for the New Year?"

"He’s not as good-looking as me. Don’t look at him, look at me." Leo Grant turned her head back to face him before answering, "Warren Lynch and William Lynch are still abroad and haven’t returned. Only he and Silas Lynch are here."

In the front, the eavesdropping Ian Lynch couldn’t help but twitch his lips. ’Miss Lowell can’t even spare me a glance? My master’s possessiveness is truly off the charts...’

The roads were wide and clear today, with not much traffic.

While making a left turn at a traffic light, Ian Lynch casually glanced at the rearview mirror, and his expression suddenly turned grim.

"Master, we’ve got a tail."