Zhu Shun Yao also said, "Your aunt is right. To be honest on New Year's Eve, although I try hard to create better conditions for the children, they grow up too fast. It’s tiring to keep up with them. If it weren’t for you watching over them, I wouldn’t feel so at ease. Come, let’s eat and drink well today. Consider this my thanks for taking care of these children all year."
"Auntie, look at you saying that. Others envy us," Luo Gang spoke up as the eldest. "You don’t know, since we followed the young miss, we all know we’ve fallen into a nest of happiness. Who is as lucky as us? Our hidden illnesses are cured, we eat well every day, and our annual subsidies are generous. Not to mention, the tasks aren’t dangerous. Just for this, many of my former comrades envy me to death. They beg to swap places with me, but I beat them back."
"Boss Luo, did you really beat them back?" Niu Jiu asked curiously.
"Nonsense. If they want to swap jobs, they need to see if they can beat me in a fight," Luo Gang laughed heartily. "Actually, to stop them from coming, I lied on purpose. I said working for our young miss is extremely dangerous, with mysterious enemies appearing out of nowhere. Those without enough sensitivity shouldn’t come and stir up trouble. Don’t help if you can’t, and don’t add to the mess. Don’t let the cat out of the bag later."
"That’s a good trick," Niu Jiu gave a thumbs up. "I’ll say the same thing in the future."
"Is it okay to trick people like that? Careful, I might spill the beans," Zhang Haifeng said with a grin.
Luo Gang brought his wine glass over. "Haifeng, you’re considered a minor manager this year. Come, let me toast you. We brothers will take turns toasting you too." Luo Gang gave a subtle glance to Li Yang and the others. After Luo Gang finished pouring wine for Zhang Haifeng, the other bodyguards from different tables came over one by one to pour more. Even Li Zhi and his two companions joined in.
Zhang Haifeng pointed at Li Zhi and the other two. "You were sent by me, yet you’re pouring wine for me too?" He finished with a burp.
"Haifeng, leader, you can’t say that. We’re grateful to you. We’re grateful you sent us on missions, so this toast represents our respect, right, brothers?" Li Zhi smiled at Zhao Cong and Chen Da.
"That’s right. So, leader, drink up." The three joined forces, forcing a glass into Zhang Haifeng’s mouth each.
Xie Xinlian watched from the side and hurriedly said, "Don’t just pour wine. Eat some dishes. Drinking on an empty stomach is bad. Don’t get drunk."
"Auntie, don’t worry. They all came from the army. People from the army may not have other skills, but their drinking and eating capacity is trained. Rest assured, they won’t get drunk," Yan Aohan said, peeling peanuts with a smile on his face.
Zhu Shun Yao watched, stunned. "I didn’t expect Haifeng to have such a good tolerance for alcohol."
Yan Aohan smiled at Zhu Shun Yao. "Uncle, don’t compare yourself to him. He’s just a wine barrel. Come, let’s have a drink together."
Zhu Shun Yao chuckled and clinked glasses with Yan Aohan. After all, the task for New Year's Eve was simply to eat and drink, so everyone was happy. By the time they finished eating, it was nearly seven-thirty.
Zhu Yanyi helped Xie Xinlian clean up, then brought out the cut and washed fruit. Thus, the night watch began. Everyone gathered in the living room. Some played cards, while others watched the Spring Festival Gala.