Beauty and the Beasts

In the blink of an eye, Chinese New Year Eve came. As Bai Qingqing’s boyfriend, Winston came to the Bai family’s house and practically did labor work for the entire day. Daddy Bai and Mommy Bai had also gotten used to his existence. Although they still didn’t like him, they could get along pleasantly if they pretended as if they hadn’t seen him.

Bai Qingqing had her fill of sleep in the day and then said that she wasn’t going to keep vigil[1] and retired to her room to rest very early.

She then climbed down from the window and headed for the Splendid Villa together with Winston.

The streets were quiet on Chinese New Year’s Eve. There wasn’t any trash, crowd, or cars. It was so quiet that one would feel that they were the only one left in the world.

Bai Qingqing and Winston walked on the road alongside each other, becoming the only passersby on the streets.

“You didn’t drive?” Bai Qingqing was so cold that she kept on hopping, staying close to his body.

Winston shielded Bai Qingqing with his coat and said, “Everyone went back to celebrate the new year. I informed Curtis earlier. He should be here soon.”

“Mm.”

As expected, it wasn’t long before a black sedan drove over and stopped next to them.

The door opened and Parker immediately dashed out. Three little eagles who had turned completely black quickly followed after him.

“Screech screech screech~”

“Qingqing, hurry up and get in the car. We’ll go home and watch the Chinese New Year Gala[2].” Parker pulled her and headed for the car.

Bai Qingqing stroked the little eagles’ bodies and then caught them to get in the car too.

“Did little eagles miss Mommy? Oh my, who is this? Let Mommy guess.” Bai Qingqing carried a little eagle and held onto his wings to take a look. However, the moment she did so, the pair of wings filled up all the space in the car and even went into Parker’s face, making him very irritated.

Bai Qingqing quickly drew his wings back and stuck out her tongue.

“Screech screech~” The little eagle nestled happily against his mommy’s face, blinking his eyes and looking at her with anticipation.

Bai Qingqing pretended to be deep in thought and stayed silent for a moment before saying, “You’re Mu Tian, right?”

“Screech!” The little eagle whom Bai Qingqing was holding onto didn’t make a sound. However, the little eagle next to him squeezed over excitedly, using his chubby body to squeeze away the one on their mommy’s legs.

However, none of the little eagles were to be trifled with. Mu Tian didn’t succeed, and the one standing on Bai Qingqing’s legs remained there.

Bai Qingqing stroked Mu Tian and continued to say, “You’re Mu Ya, right?”

The third little eagle squeezed his way over, chattering away to say that he was Mu Ya.

Bai Qingqing looked like she was struck by a realization. “Oh, so you’re Mu Hai! Come, let Mommy give you a kiss.”

Mu Hai was angry and turned his head away, dodging his mommy’s kiss.

Bai Qingqing suddenly held onto her stomach and laughed away. “Hahaha… so adorable.”

Seated on the front passenger seat, Muir turned and looked at her with a doting yet helpless gaze. He then said to the children, “Mommy is playing with you guys.”

However, Mu Hai was still very angry. He stood on Bai Qingqing’s legs and kept on jumping.

Thankfully, Bai Qingqing’s pants were thick during the winter and thus wasn’t hurt. However, her legs still hurt from his weight.

In the end, Muir could only grab Mu Hai to the front, saving her.

The family went back to the villa. The big table was filled with food, and their fragrance filled up the entire house.

“I finally understand why you always have to cook up a great feast on a certain day in the cold season.” Parker switched on the television, saying as the Chinese New Year Gala played, “So it’s to celebrate the new year.”

Even though Bai Qingqing just had her meal, when she saw the table filled with food she liked, she felt hungry again. She leaned on the table and grabbed onto a piece of barbecued meat. “I’m used to it. If I don’t have a feast, I’ll feel that the year isn’t over.”

[1] Traditionally, people will light up the house and keep vigil at night on Chinese New Year’s Eve to drive away plague and wish for wealth and prosperity. There’s also a saying that keeping vigil will bring longevity to one’s parents.

[2] Also known as the CCTV New Year’s Gala, it is a live TV program broadcasted on CCTV to celebrate the turn of the Lunar New Year.