Fortune Across the World

Chapter 37: The New Year and Farewell Dreams (Part 1)

Ding Qiyu shared her decision with Lu Weiming, who was so excited he nearly burst into a dance on the spot. He immediately began making arrangements for Ding Qiyu: he assigned three female guards like those from Yaolu Residence to guard her home, available to Aunt He and Lian'er as needed. Aunt He and Lian'er received badges granting them protection under the General's Mansion and allowing free entry. Lu Weiming also had Steward Shan find a temporary replacement for Ding Qiyu's Inspector position in Xingcheng, and her stipend, already generous, was multiplied several times, delivered monthly to Aunt He. He even considered sending maids to Ding Qiyu's home, though Aunt He and Lian'er politely declined. With these arrangements, Ding Qiyu's worries were alleviated. Only then did Lu Weiming remember to introduce Ding Qiyu to General Lu as his chosen study companion.

Ding Qiyu was a bit speechless; what if the General disagreed? Wouldn't all these preparations be in vain? But Lu Weiming wasn't worried, confident his father would approve of Brother Yu as his study companion. As expected, General Lu gladly agreed when he heard Ding Qiyu was the chosen companion. Moreover, Lu Weixi was also confirmed to join Lu Weiming at Canghuan Academy.

In Daqian, girls from well-off families could attend academies. Ladies from prestigious families, backed by sufficient power and status, were also accepted into Canghuan Academy. However, the curriculum differed for girls and boys, and their accommodations and management were separate.

As Daqian's premier "talent cultivation base," Canghuan Academy didn't offer elementary education, accepting only students over fifteen. Lu Weiming and Lu Weixi, fraternal twins, had just turned sixteen. General Lu intended for them to attend last year, but Lu Weiming stalled it for a year with much pleading. Ding Qiyu, on the other hand, was almost fourteen, a bit too young for the academy. As a refugee orphan with no official registry, Lu Weiming arranged for her registration, listing her age as fifteen. Learning her true age, Lu Weiming was surprised, marveling at how she was already so tall at such a young age. Ding Qiyu herself was curious about her rapid growth, unaware that it was due to the miraculous underworld medicine from the ghostly agent Xie Bi'an.

Days passed, and Aunt He and Lian'er gradually came to terms with Ding Qiyu's half-year absence. As the year-end approached, the customs in this world mirrored those from her previous life, with traditions like New Year's Eve, New Year, and the Lantern Festival. The family busily prepared for the New Year, a significant time for all three of them. For Ding Qiyu, it marked her first year in this new world and her first year in their new home—a stark contrast to her life as a lab senior a year ago. For Aunt He, it meant gaining a son, transforming her and Lian'er's lives in ways she hadn't dared to dream. For Lian'er, meeting Ah Yu brought excitement and richness to her life, teaching her to write, enjoying her cooking, indulging her whims, and protecting her. This year, she learned what it meant to like someone.

Aunt He made new clothes for the children; Lian'er learned new recipes and prepared sausages and cured meats, hung enticingly in the courtyard; Ding Qiyu bought red lanterns for each doorway, adorning the courtyard with festive couplets and paper-cutting decorations. New Year treats like four-color candies were already stocked, and Ding Qiyu contemplated gifts for her loved ones. Aunt He and Lian'er were definite recipients, as was Lu Weiming. Though her relationship with Miss Lu was to be natural, doing nothing wasn't her style, so she decided to prepare gifts for Miss Lu and General Lu as well. After much brainstorming, she settled on unique gifts for each and threw herself into the preparations.

On New Year's Eve, Ding Qiyu completed the gifts for Aunt He, General Lu, and Lu Weiming. Lian'er and Miss Lu's gifts, due to their complexity, would be given during the Lantern Festival. After all, wouldn't the "fireworks illuminating the night" create a more romantic atmosphere for young girls?

Early on New Year's Eve, Ding Qiyu visited the General's Mansion to deliver gifts to Lu Weiming and General Lu. For Lu Weiming, she prepared a palm-sized cylindrical case. Curiosity piqued, Lu Weiming followed Ding Qiyu's instructions to open it, revealing a set of scholar's tools. Each item was cleverly designed to fold or shrink, like a brush that extended from finger-length sections, each engraved with patterns forming a complete image when fully extended. Lu Weiming's reaction mirrored Ding Qiyu's excitement as a first-grader discovering a multi-functional pencil case.

For General Lu, Ding Qiyu crafted a meticulously carved "Galloping Horse" wooden sculpture, inspired by the Eastern Han bronze galloping horse. She carved a majestic general on its back, with features resembling General Lu, delighting him. He placed it on his desk for daily enjoyment, further elevating his impression of Ding Qiyu.

In the afternoon, Ding Qiyu presented Aunt He with a handmade rocking chair, sturdy and comfortable, foldable for easy storage and mobility. Aunt He could use it to relax in the courtyard or indoors. Touched by the gesture, Aunt He praised Ding Qiyu's filial piety. Not to be outdone, Lian'er brought out her gift for Aunt He—a pair of silver bracelets with dragon and phoenix motifs, bought with her saved wages. Aunt He beamed with joy, feeling blessed with such loving children. She gave them new clothes she'd sewn and a red envelope each as New Year's money, filling their home with happiness.

Leaving Aunt He's room, Ding Qiyu nudged Lian'er with her elbow, teasingly asking, "Hey, Lian'er, don't I get a gift?"

"Hmph! As if! Even if I had one, you wouldn't get it," Lian'er retorted, pouting and turning away, annoyed by Ding Qiyu's playful grin. She mumbled, "You didn't prepare one for me, so why should I give you anything?"

Catching the last part, Ding Qiyu protested, "Who said I didn't prepare a gift for you? Yours is a bit complicated; I've been working on it for a while! I'll give it to you during the Lantern Festival."

Lian'er, half-believing, asked, "Really?"

Ding Qiyu nodded earnestly, "Of course! Why would I lie to you?"

Lian'er pushed her away, heading back to her room, "Hmph, follow me."

Smiling happily, Ding Qiyu followed. In her room, Lian'er retrieved Ding Qiyu's gift—a handmade cloth bag, far more intricate than her old one. Delighted, Ding Qiyu examined it closely. The bag featured compartments tailored to her tools, eliminating the need for haphazard storage. The outer corner bore a delicate embroidered feather, Ding Qiyu's signature mark, representing her creations. Touching the feather, Ding Qiyu smiled, unaware of the hidden bud of a lotus in its inner layer.

Seeing Ding Qiyu's joy, Lian'er felt her efforts worthwhile, softly asking, "Do you like it?" Her tone suggested she was asking another question: "Do you... like me?"

"Yes! I really like it!" Ding Qiyu replied, engrossed in her new tool bag, oblivious to Lian'er's expression and unthinking of any deeper meaning. She genuinely loved the gift.

Hearing the answer, Lian'er's eyes moistened with happiness, thinking, "I might never have the courage to confess, and you'll never notice... As long as I can stay by your side, I'm already very happy..."

...

As fireworks welcomed the New Year, Ding Qiyu spent the festive days visiting friends with Aunt He, preparing gifts in the evenings—a fulfilling routine. On the Lantern Festival, she set out early with Miss Lu's gift. At Yaolu Residence, red silk adorned every tree, and the corridors and pavilion glowed with warm light from small red lanterns.

At the corridor entrance, Ding Qiyu encountered the same two guards! She grimaced, hoping to avoid a repeat of her previous shout. Just as she hesitated, one guard spoke up, "Are you here to see Miss Lu, young master?"

"Yes?! I have a gift for Miss Lu. If it's convenient, could you deliver it for me?" Ding Qiyu chuckled inwardly, thinking they'd surely been retrained.

The guard pondered briefly, then nodded, "I can do that."

Handing over the large, silk-wrapped package, Ding Qiyu bowed, "Thank you! Please tell Miss Lu to open it tonight." Watching the guard carry the gift inside, Ding Qiyu felt assured and headed home.

Inside the pavilion, Lu Weixi eyed the mysterious, silk-wrapped gift on her table. Its shape revealed nothing, leaving her curious and eager for nightfall. Even Qing'er, intrigued, circled the gift several times before muttering, "So mysterious," and returning to her tasks.