Prince charming, your persona has collapsed!
Chapter 837 - 345: Past and Present, What's Lost and Gained (7000 words)_2

But Liu Yilin furrowed her brows. Her initial intention was to have Zhou Yuwen tutor her so she could spend more time with her cousin. She said, "Forget it, this is too much hassle for someone else."

"It's no trouble at all, she's my good friend. I'll arrange it for you," Zhou Yuwen replied.

Since Liu Yilin was his cousin and traditionally one prioritizes family connections, it was a given to support her if she showed potential. However, Li Shiqi needed money and would undoubtedly refuse outright offers of cash.

Zhou Yuwen planned to privately compensate Li Shiqi for tutoring fees, ensuring she could teach Liu Yilin well.

Eventually, Liu Yilin would study at Nanjing University, graduate, and join his company to help him.

A win-win situation.

What's wrong with that?

Still, it was clear that this wasn't the outcome Liu Yilin had hoped for, her expression somewhat sulky.

Before she could say anything, their little cousin, who had been sitting nearby listening intently with wide, round eyes, suddenly jumped into Zhou Yuwen's arms and exclaimed, "I'm going to study in Jinling for college too!"

Zhou Yuwen chuckled at his statement. "Finish first grade before talking about college!" he said.

The cousin giggled and caused a commotion, prompting the other kids to rush over to join the play.

On New Year's Eve, Zhou Yuwen's family home was lively. The men were drinking, while the women sat in the living room chatting and snacking on melon seeds.

Later in the evening, the second floor's game room hosted two tables of Mahjong.

Meanwhile, the children watched TV and played on the first floor.

Traditionally, at midnight, they would head up to the roof to set off fireworks.

Zhou Yuwen spent time accompanying his relatives' children until 8:00 pm, which coincided with the airing of the fourth act of that year's Spring Festival Gala.

It featured actor Huang Bo, dressed in an Hermès jumpsuit, singing "My demands aren't high" as he strutted across the stage.

An 80 square meter cozy home.

A loving and warm wife.

Kids smoothly getting into university,

graduating to secure good jobs.

As he listened to this song again, Zhou Yuwen suddenly remembered how, back in 2014 when the song first debuted, people began looking forward to the future.

In those days, the lyrics sounded perfectly ordinary, as though these aspirations were a given.

It wasn't until years later that people realized the song's promises were unattainable dreams.

Forget the 80 square meter cozy home.

A kind, loving wife?

Years down the road, even daring to dream of such things felt impossible.

The song had an infectious melody and simple rhythm; the kids only needed to hear it once before they started singing along.

Zhou Yuwen wasn't particularly interested in any of it. It was naturally a festive time, yet several girls simultaneously bombarded him with updates about their holiday lives.

Jiang Xinyi had already flown off to Hawaii.

She sent Zhou Yuwen a message asking, "Do you want to see me in my bikini?"

Zhou Yuwen replied, "How could I entertain thoughts like that toward my esteemed mentor?"

"😠😠😠"

Xinyi responded by sending a string of angry emojis and retorting that it's impossible to hide the murderous look in someone's eyes.

Zhou Yuwen sent back a few grinning teeth emojis.

Not waiting for his agreement, Xinyi already shared a photo of herself in her swimsuit.

The shot showed blue skies, white clouds, and golden sands.

Jiang Xinyi, clad in a blue one-piece bathing suit, revealed her snow-white, toned legs while striking a peace-sign pose.

Beside her was the naturally regal Liu Jing, wearing sunglasses and a straw hat paired with a black swimsuit.

Looking at the photo, Zhou Yuwen sent a message expressing envy.

He remarked, "The life of the wealthy is truly understated and nonchalant."

Jiang Xinyi chuckled behind her hand and replied, "You can join if you want to!"

"No, I refuse!"

"Hmph!"

The Capital city, while colder than Su Province, was already blanketed in snowfall by New Year's Eve. However, the heating had long been functional.

Zheng Yanyan joined her parents early on to visit her grandparents. She was dressed in a red knitted slim-fit dress, her pale, slender legs propped elegantly on the coffee table for Zhou Yuwen's photo.

Beside her was a little girl who seemed about four or five years old. According to Yanyan, the child was her immediate family's cousin. The Yanyan family didn't have as many relatives as Zhou Yuwen's—only one aunt who was already married and had this giggly little one.

Zheng Yanyan teased Zhou Yuwen by deliberately leaving her delicate feet bare on the coffee table.

The little cousin found it amusing and dove in for a playful bite.

This left Yanyan laughing hysterically, and she quickly sent a video to Zhou Yuwen.

If anyone was flirty, Yanyan definitely topped the list.

Her "battle attire," paired with her gorgeous legs and feet, made Zhou Yuwen feel something. He commented, "I want to take a bite too."

Yanyan laughed even harder at this and replied, "😏 Well then, come here and take a bite."

"I can't make it there, how about you come over, and I'll hold you while we sleep?"

"Hmph, I'm not your girlfriend; why let you hold me while I sleep?"

Zhou Yuwen sent a shrug emoji.

"Alright, fine, nevermind."

Apart from Zheng Yanyan, Qu Jing and Tao Tian also sent Zhou Yuwen their holiday "goodies."

Qu Jing shared a video of herself wearing a black choker, playfully jingling the bell attached to it while whining pitifully, "Jingjing missed her master even during New Year's!"

Tao Tian, on the other hand, sent photos of her family's New Year feast.

Lu Lin was the most boring one. Staying alone in Jinling, she spent her time lazing in Zhou Yuwen's spacious apartment. During the New Year, her table was cluttered with snacks and KFC takeaway.