"What are you doing, Dean? It's me."
The Dean smiled.
"What else? It's New Year's Eve tomorrow. I'm cleaning up. Where are you planning to spend New Year's this year? Do you want to come back to the institute? I remember you haven't been back for years!"
Yes, it had been a long time since he had returned for New Year's.
"Dean, is there still a place for me at home?"
"There always has been, and there always will be. As long as you're willing to come back, there's a place any day!"
"Okay, then I'll be there tomorrow morning!"
"That's great! I'm so happy you can come. I'll have to prepare properly and make you a feast, all your favorite dishes!"
"Dean, you don't need to go to so much trouble. There are other children at the welfare home, you can't just focus on me!"
"Heh, it's fine. Those little guys will probably be happy to know you're coming back too!"
"Alright, I'll bring you a surprise tomorrow too!"
"Oh? Then I'll be waiting for your surprise!"
"Okay, Dean, you busy! See you tomorrow!"
"See you tomorrow!"
The Dean put down his phone, a smile never leaving his face. Knowing Zhang Pingfan was returning for New Year's, he couldn't be happier. If it weren't for Zhang Pingfan's investment this year, the welfare home might have had to close down.
"I wonder what surprise this child will bring me. If he brings a girlfriend home for New Year's, I'll be overjoyed. I wonder if Xiao Fan has a girlfriend."
Zhang Pingfan hung up the phone, reminiscing about past New Year's spent at the welfare home, his heart filled with anticipation.
For the past few years, he hadn't returned because he had no money and felt ashamed.
But it was different now. He wasn't short of money, and he had his girlfriend, Dou Youyou.
It was time to make the Dean happy. After all, the Dean had raised him with great hardship, a debt of gratitude greater than that of his birth mother. This immense kindness was something Zhang Pingfan could never repay in this lifetime.
With the cooperation of Dou Youyou and the nanny, the lunch was finally ready, though the colors were a far cry from before.
Looking at the dishes in front of him, Zhang Pingfan didn't know how to start.
"Master, why aren't you eating?"
Zhang Pingfan: "Did you make this today?"
"Yes, it's my first time cooking! Auntie taught me. Look at the color, and taste it. The flavor is definitely fine."
Zhang Pingfan was a bit hesitant about both the color and what she called flavor. Even with Auntie teaching her, for a beginner like her, the dishes looked at least burnt.
Under Dou Youyou's gaze, Zhang Pingfan carefully picked up a piece of meat. At least this piece of meat didn't look burnt.
Just as Zhang Pingfan was still worried about the taste, he found that, well, apart from the unappetizing appearance, the taste was actually fine.
"It's okay."
"Hehe, wasn't it? Auntie taught me step-by-step, how much to put, what to put, everything. How could it be unpalatable? It's just that the appearance is a bit ugly, not as good as Auntie's."
Zhang Pingfan breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed he had narrowly escaped disaster.
After working all morning, he was indeed a bit thirsty. Coincidentally, there was also stewed soup today, so Zhang Pingfan directly poured a large bowl.
Without any doubt, he gulped it down.
After all, with Auntie teaching her, there shouldn't be any problems.
As a result, Zhang Pingfan was so disgusted by his own action that he gagged.
"Ptooey, what kind of soup is this!"
Dou Youyou said confusedly, "Seafood soup!"
"How much salt did you put in the seafood soup?"
"I followed the proportion Auntie taught me!"
"No, didn't Auntie tell you not to put salt in seafood?"
"...I forgot to tell Auntie I was making seafood soup."
Saying that, Dou Youyou also curiously took a sip of the soup. Its bitter taste made her own face change.
"Why is it bitter?"
Zhang Pingfan said, "Seafood is naturally salty and basically doesn't need salt. It should have a fresh and sweet taste. This just tastes bitter!"
"What should we do?"
Zhang Pingfan shook his head. He really couldn't do anything about this, other than blanching it.
Zhang Pingfan called the nanny over.
"Boss, it's my fault. I didn't ask clearly. When I was making the soup, I received a call from home, so..."
Zhang Pingfan waved his hand, "It's fine. You can have the afternoon off. We won't be celebrating New Year's here anyway. Go home first!"
"Really?"
"Of course, it's true. New Year's is for reuniting with family. Youyou, give them their wages later!!"
"Mhm, Auntie, what should we do about this soup now?"
"Miss, come with me. I'll teach you how to fix it, though it might not taste as good."
"Okay, it's my first time anyway, it's fine!"
Dou Youyou happily followed to learn.
While he had nothing to do, Zhang Pingfan returned to his room to retrieve several red envelopes. After all, there were still a few household staff.
Zhang Pingfan felt that the domestic helpers he had hired over the past few months were quite good, so he planned to give them a red envelope.
When Dou Youyou and the nanny returned to the dining table again, Zhang Pingfan presented a large red envelope.
"Thank you for taking care of us these past few months. This is your New Year red envelope!"
Looking at the thick stack of red envelopes, the nanny beamed.
"Thank you, Boss!"
"Yes, go call the others. Everyone gets one. As long as you work hard, I won't mistreat you!"
"Thank you, Boss! I'll go call them now. This is the first time I've received such a generous red envelope. You are also the best boss I've ever seen!"
Zhang Pingfan smiled. It was because he had come from that stage himself.
After everyone else had received their red envelopes, Dou Youyou, pouting, extended her small hand.
"Master, what about mine? They all got such thick red envelopes, so mine must be even bigger!"
Zhang Pingfan gently patted Dou Youyou's hand.
"Yours will be tomorrow night. They're going home this afternoon. Are you going home too?"
"Hehe, I'm not going anywhere. I want to stick with my master!"
"That's right then. Hurry up and eat!"
"Mhm mhm!"
Just after lunch.
He saw Changsheng's family appear at the door of Zhang Pingfan's house.
"Master, will you celebrate New Year's with us tomorrow night!"
Zhang Pingfan shook his head and said, "I appreciate your kind invitation, but I have plans tomorrow, and I won't be celebrating New Year's here. Happy New Year in advance to you, Uncle and Auntie!"
Changsheng's parents also responded with smiles.
"You've helped our family so much. We wanted to thank you for celebrating New Year's tomorrow, so we'll do it next time!"
Zhang Pingfan smiled and said, "Yes, next time then!"