He''s not a child anymore!
Eugene was well aware of how much Jade disliked the Montgomery family. The fact that she allowed him to visit for the New Year''s celebration was already something he was immensely grateful for, and he wouldn''t dream ofing empty-handed.
M yfully tapped him on the forehead with a smile. "Have you eaten yet? How about I make you some beef pies?"
"Sure," Eugene nodded eagerly.
It was quitete, so M didn''t prepare too many.
Then she suddenly remembered something. She retrieved some leftover filling from the fridge and made one extra beef pie, slipping a sterilized coin inside.
Eugene was evidently hungry and devoured the food with gusto, repeatedlyplimenting the taste.
M was worried he might swallow the coin by ident, and just as she was about to caution him to eat more slowly, she heard a crunch. She fell silent.
Eugene froze mid-chew, then spat out the coin, his eyes watering.
"Sis," he said, a bit choked up.
M stifled augh and patted his head. "Finding a lucky quarters in a beef pie means good luck and prosperity in the new year."
Eugene blinked in surprise, his eyes unexpectedly turning red. He quickly lowered his head and continued eating his beef pies silently.
...
After they finished eating, the two stayed up a little longer to see in the New Year, and then M sent him off to sleep in the guest room.
Around six or seven in the morning, Eugene climbed out of bed. As he was about to change back into the clothes he had worn the night before, he noticed a set of bright red new clothesid out on the bedside table.
There was no need to guess; he knew his sister had prepared them for him.
Eugene touched the festive red outfit, unable to suppress the smile that spread across his face, his eyes slightly misty.
He got out of bed and changed into the new clothes.
After freshening up, he took out some newly acquired, more refined makeup products from his ck backpack, skillfully applied a light touch-up, put on ck contact lenses, and tidied his slightly wavy hair.
Having finished these preparations, he headed to the living room downstairs.
Jade was already up, dressed in red and watching TV in the living room. She looked up when she heard himing but showed no surprise.
M had informed her beforehand that Eugene would be visiting.
Jade cast him a fleeting nce and then returned her attention to the screen, saying nothing.
Eugene pretended not to notice his grandaunt''sck of enthusiasm. With a bright smile, he approached and offered a deep bow. "Grandaunt, your grand-nephew wishes you a Happy New Year!"
Jade: "..." You''re certainly not shy, are you?
M, also dressed in red, came out carrying breakfast and chuckled at the scene. She called out softly, "Grandaunt."
With a grudging expression, Jade pulled an envelope from her pocket and
pped it into Eugene''s hand, muttering, "Holiday gift!"
Eugene thanked her with a smile, "Thank you, Grandaunt!"
Though the envelope felt thin, it was heavy. Eugene immediately realized it must contain several gold bars.
What a tough-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside olddy.
Just as he was thinking this, Jade produced an evenrger envelope, the contents of which almost poked through the fabric. She handed it to M with a grin, either deliberately or identally.
Eugene: "..."
M was both amused and exasperated.
She had already given her New Year''s greetings and received her "lucky money" earlier. This sudden additional gold bar was likely Jade''s way of showing a little favoritism in front of Eugene. Grandaunt was acting a bit childishly.
Having made such a concession, M had no choice but to y along, offering another round of New Year''s greetings with a smile.
Only then did Jade''s mood lift, and she sat down to enjoy her food, urging them, "Eat up quickly; we''re going to the church today to light candles."
As she spoke, she couldn''t resist a jab at the Montgomery family member present. "If it weren''t for waiting on someone, we could have gone earlier and gotten the first candle lit."
Eugene, who had been thest to get up: "..."
M said nothing, silently eating her food.