CIATB Chapter 148 I'm relieved!
Chapter 148 I'm relieved!
On the huge television screen, lights shone brightly, and songs and dances filled the air.
The familiar yet grand opening music heralded the official start of this annual national celebration.
The living room of the Nie family was warm and cozy.
The elders leaned back on the soft sofa, holding hot tea in their hands, with peaceful smiles on their faces, watching familiar or unfamiliar faces on the television.
Grandpa Nie and Grandma Nie sat side by side, occasionally exchanging a few words in hushed tones while watching a particular program.
"This little girl sings quite well."
"Yeah, they're just not dressed warmly enough. It's so cold, aren't they afraid of getting cold?"
Nie Zhenbang sat upright with a serious expression, as if he were reviewing a confidential document, his eyes revealing no emotion.
The younger generation, on the other hand, completely let loose and embraced their newfound freedom.
Nie Xiaorou, who had just been carried to victory by Zhang Yan in the game, and a group of cousins were sitting on the carpet, each with a tablet in hand, watching the gala while venting their frustrations in the family group chat.
Nie Xiaorou: "The first program is always the same old large-scale song and dance performance, such as 'Flowers Bloom in Wealth and Prosperity,' which is just a change of form and not the same thing. It's boring."
A cousin remarked, "The backup dancers' costumes look like the curtains from my grandma's house."
Another cousin said, "Look at that male host, his face is covered in makeup thicker than a wall, and his smile looks so fake. I feel like his mouth is about to cramp up."
Seeing the hilarious rants in the group chat, Zhang Yan couldn't resist joining in.
Zhang Yan: "This skit isn't funny."
The moment the message was sent out, the group chat exploded.
Nie Xiaorou: "Wow! My brother-in-law is here too!"
Cousin A: "Brother-in-law! What don't you find funny?"
Zhang Yan typed slowly: "The jokes are too old, the logic is flawed, and the emotional appeal is forced."
"You see, in three minutes, they're definitely going to start crying, and then the background music starts, and the main character kneels down and calls out 'Mom'."
Nie Qingcheng leaned over to look at his phone, and when she saw his message, she couldn't help but burst out laughing.
She reached out her finger and gently poked his waist.
"You talk too much."
As soon as he finished speaking, the plot of the skit on TV took a sharp turn for the worse, just as Zhang Yan had predicted.
The actors began to weep, and the heart-wrenching background music started playing right on time.
Finally, amidst cries of "Mom, I was wrong," the theme was forcibly elevated.
The group chat was instantly flooded with "Holy crap" and "Brother-in-law's prophecy" comments.
Nie Xiaorou even sent a "I kneel down to the big boss" emoji.
Nie Qingcheng looked at the man beside her, her eyes filled with smiles and doting affection.
She found herself increasingly enjoying watching him, his seemingly casual yet always spot-on critiques.
This made her feel that he was no longer the high and mighty, omnipotent "god".
Instead, she is a mortal who can laugh, make a fuss, and has flesh and blood, belonging to her.
The gala continued with one performance after another.
The atmosphere in the living room gradually changed from lively at the beginning to peaceful and lazy.
The children, tired from playing, slumped against the sofa and began to doze off.
Nie Qingcheng also felt her eyelids getting heavier and heavier.
Today, she was so happy and relaxed.
From building sandcastles in the snow in the morning to watching Zhang Yan dominate in chess and games.
Her mood was like a rollercoaster ride, constantly at the peak of excitement.
At this moment, a wave of fatigue washed over me.
She leaned on Zhang Yan's shoulder, feeling the familiar and reassuring aura emanating from him, and her consciousness gradually blurred.
It seems like it's been a very, very long time since she's had a moment where she could be completely unguarded and relaxed like this.
Since taking over the Qingcheng Group, she has been like a taut string, never daring to relax.
She has to deal with the infighting within the board of directors, the deceit and treachery in the business world, and the omnipresent scheming and betrayal around her.
She dared not sleep too soundly, and dared not easily trust anyone.
She lived her life as an isolated island.
Until this man appeared.
He was like a ray of light, forcefully entering her world.
He cooked for her, played the piano for her, sheltered her from the wind and rain, and solved all her troubles.
He showed her what it feels like to be protected.
It turns out that relying on someone can be such an addictive kind of happiness.
When she was by his side, she could finally let down her guard and become that little girl again—someone who could cry, laugh, and be spoiled.
so good……
Before Nie Qingcheng completely drifted off to sleep, a satisfied, sweet smile appeared on her lips.
Zhang Yan felt a weight on his shoulder.
He lowered his head and met Nie Qingcheng's peaceful and serene sleeping face.
Long eyelashes, like two small fans, cast a faint shadow under the eyelids.
Her breathing was steady and long.
In his sleep, he seemed to be savoring some pleasant memory, a slight smile playing on his lips.
Zhang Yan's heart was instantly filled with an indescribable tenderness.
He carefully adjusted his posture so that she could lean back more comfortably.
Then, he reached out and gently tucked a strand of hair that had fallen across her cheek behind her ear.
His movements were so gentle, as if he were handling a rare treasure.
The living room was quiet, with only the announcer's voice coming from the television.
This sound, however, became the best lullaby at this moment.
Zhang Yan did not watch TV again.
His entire attention was focused on the woman in his arms, the woman who had entrusted her whole world to him.
He gazed at her quietly, his eyes filled with unwavering doting affection.
Just then, he felt a gaze fall upon him.
He looked up and met Old Master Nie's deep eyes not far away.
The old man stopped watching TV sometime during the day.
He simply watched Zhang Yan quietly, and Nie Qingcheng sleeping soundly in Zhang Yan's arms.
The light flowing in the living room reflected on the old man's wrinkled face, creating dappled light and shadow.
His usually serious and unsmiling face was surprisingly gentle at this moment.
Zhang Yan met his gaze.
The grandfather and grandson did not speak, but it seemed as if they were communicating silently with their eyes.
a long time.
Old Master Nie slowly withdrew his gaze.
He glanced at the television, then at his wife who had also fallen asleep beside him, and a kind smile appeared on his face.
He turned slightly to the side, lowered his voice, and spoke slowly in a whisper, a volume that only he and Zhang Yan could hear.
The voice was old, yet full of power.
"I feel at ease leaving her in your care."
One sentence, seven words.
But it carries more weight than any promise.
That was the most sincere entrustment from an old man who had spent his life on the battlefield and managed his family for half a century to his most beloved granddaughter.
This is also the highest level of recognition for Zhang Yan.
Zhang Yan's heart skipped a beat.
He looked into the old man's eyes, which were full of trust and expectation, and said nothing.
He simply reached out and hugged Nie Qingcheng even tighter.
It was as if this silent gesture was a response to the old man's entrustment.
Outside the window, the New Year's bells are about to ring.
A dazzling firework exploded in the night sky.
The entire Nie family mansion was illuminated as brightly as day.
It also illuminated the living room, creating an incredibly warm and peaceful scene.