After breakfast, the brilliant sunlight illuminated the windows, and the women went upstairs, leaving only the charming and sweet Bai Jiao. Like a small bird clinging to someone, she softly stayed on the first floor accompanying Shen Qiang, wearing a pair of black fitted casual pants.

Not only did these pants accentuate her slender legs like the two legs of a compass, but paired with her charmingly efficient black high-heeled leather shoes, her graceful and lengthy figure unreservedly demonstrated what it meant to have a devil's body and an angel's face.

Especially when she spoke softly, her coy and gentle eyes, lips as beautiful as cherry blossoms, teeth glistening like jade, looked like the clean polished teeth of a high-gloss jade sculpture — as Shen Qiang's mother would describe, even the fairies in paintings couldn't compare.

So when those visiting friends and relatives praised her beauty, she would coyly flaunt with flowing eyes; when looking at Shen Qiang, occasionally revealing a touch of shyness, not only highlighting her tenderness and charm but also inexplicably adding an air of captivating, unparalleled beauty.

After all, Bai Jiao is the only young lady of Cheng Xinyi.

Since childhood, she received a high-standard education and later specialized in studying music, strategy, calligraphy, and painting at Baihua Palace. Though not outstanding in these fields, her vision, virtues, and temperament were unmatched by ordinary girls, especially in her social interactions — conversing fluently and exhibiting grace during New Year greetings with relatives and friends.

Not only did Shen Qiang's parents beam with joy, but Shen Qiang himself was also very satisfied with her performance.

Moreover, what's more important is.

Dad was right.

This New Year's Day is indeed different from previous years.

Early in the morning, the first wave of people to visit Shen Qiang's parents was the Village Chief, the Security Liaison Team Leader, the Village Women's Director, the Village Accountant, Aunt Xiu Lian, and Zhu Zi.

Right after them, there came a large group from the village.

Nearly everyone greeted with festive cheers, some lighting a cigarette, or eating a piece of candy, all joyfully wishing a Happy New Year.

And just after eight o'clock.

Relatives and friends near the Shen Family's home came over, especially those real kin with blood ties, like uncles, aunts, and cousins of Shen Qiang, including relatives from his mother's side, like uncles, aunties, and cousins, all visiting in succession.

Turning the Shen Family home livelier than a market.

No matter who came, Shen Qiang, like his parents, greeted everyone with a smile.

As more people came in, lighting cigarette after cigarette, the room soon became smoke-filled.

Shen Qiang opened the window, and the smoke whooshed out, just like a demon from Journey to the West about to appear.

But even so, throughout the entire morning, there was a continuous stream of visitors for New Year greetings at Shen Qiang's house.

His parents were grinning from ear to ear.

Shen Qiang himself also felt happy.

More than that.

Shen Qiang's mind was crystal clear.

To be a man means to fight, to venture out.

Last New Year's Day, they had only three visitors.

But now?

Throughout the entire morning, combining villagers and real relatives, over three hundred people visited Shen Qiang's parents to pay New Year respects.

They handed out over two boxes of cigarettes, one by one.

As for candies and such, there was no end to it; Dad had to go to the storeroom five times without meeting the demand for the visiting children's share.

Bai Jiao also handed out quite a few red envelopes to the kids.

Shen Qiang repeatedly instructed that every child entering the yard for New Year greetings, regardless of who they came with, should receive a New Year's Eve red envelope without leaving anyone out.

As for candies and other temporary things, they were even more at liberty.

Sincerely not minding such minor matters.

By noon, the stream of visitors continued without stopping.

At the street corner, Second Sister-in-law, Third Sister-in-law, Da Hua's Wife, Er Nao's Wife, and a large group of them were basking in the sun, chatting while watching the lively scene at Shen Qiang's home with envy.

"See that? That's what it means to get ahead. Take Shen Qiang, for example. Who used to visit Shen Lao Shi's home for New Year? Look now, that broad-shouldered Village Chief came over early and even stood around for a while, guessing that Shen Lao Shi's breakfast might have ended before going in to pay respects." Da Hua's wife snickered.

Second Sister-in-law laughed happily, saying, "This is definitely a first-time bride on the bridal sedan. In previous years, our Village Chief stayed home waiting for others to come to offer New Year's greetings on New Year's Day. I must say, these days are truly good times; one never knows who might prosper tomorrow."

Hearing their words, Er Nao's wife sneered, "I've seen many prosperous individuals, but it's rare to find someone as generous as Shen Lao Shi's family. My kid went to pay respects, and Shen Qiang's lovely young wife gave a red envelope, saying it was New Year's money. I thought it was just ten or eight bucks, but when we got home and opened it, it was three hundred! Tch tch, look at them. My kid's eldest aunt gives red envelopes like 5.88 yuan for New Year's." She scoffed.

Second Sister-in-law laughed, "My little one got one too, along with a bag full of candies, saying that Qiang Zi gave them. Let's not speak of how valuable these things are; now that living conditions are better, nobody's worried about that. But seeing how they handle these matters, you can tell who's capable and who's not."

"Absolutely," Third Sister-in-law chimed in with a curling of lips, "plenty have done well outside in recent years, but look at how boastful they are when they come back, nobody's nose or face looks right to them. Ha, you're capable, you're great, I'll just stay away from you."

Da Hua's wife nodded in agreement, "Exactly, look at Shen Qiang. It's comfortable to see him. Sure, he's got money, but he doesn't act arrogant around us, and he seems even more down-to-earth than before."

"Indeed, truly a good person." Aunt Liu from the Old Wu family, lying against the wall while sunbathing, also chimed in, "Originally, I thought that now Shen Qiang's wealthy, he might not recognize people. But earlier, I bumped into him while buying groceries at the market, and he was so friendly, just like before. He even offered me a ride home. But that child from my brother-in-law's side, sees me, and turns his head away as if he doesn't see anything. Ha, in terms of capability, he can't even match Shen Qiang's toenail."

Second Sister-in-law laughed, "Well, Aunt Liu, no place is perfect, right? I remember two years ago, you still said Shen Qiang couldn't do this or that, good girlfriend ran away, now how about it, jealous?"

Aunt Liu from the Old Wu family laughed, "I was just pushing him a bit; that Shen Qiang kid wasn't ordinary, smart since childhood, just quiet, always giggling with a book. Back then, I thought he went silly reading books, but turns out, all those books paid off."

Third Sister-in-law laughed, "Anyway, now I think that in our village, Shen Qiang is not only capable but also a person with good character, and you can't find faults with the entire Shen Lao Shi family. It's good to have more interactions with them in the future."

"Why not elect Shen Qiang as Village Chief next year? I think he's fitting." Aunt Liu from the Old Wu family chimed in.

Second Sister-in-law beamed, "I think he is fit."

Da Hua's wife nodded, "That indeed would be good."

At this moment, Er Nao's wife laughed, "Stop dreaming, with such a big boss like Shen Qiang, how would he be the Village Chief? Give it a rest."

She then looked up and spotted Aunt Xiu Lian walking by, and her expression chilled immediately. Rolling her eyes, she deliberately raised her voice, "But I think the Shen family's genuinely nice. If anyone dares to bully them, I won't hesitate."

Hearing that, Aunt Xiu Lian laughed, echoing loudly, "Oh my, a dog finally spoke some sense. Rest assured, in our village, whoever dares bully Shen Qiang won't get past me, Ma Xiulan."

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