THE BAD GUYS IN: raising princess

Chinese New Year at the Rue's

The scent of incense and delicious food filled the air as Kira prepared for one of the most important celebrations of the year—Chinese New Year. Her family's home was bustling with excitement, the walls decorated with red and gold banners symbolizing prosperity and good fortune. Lanterns hung from the ceilings, and a long dining table was set, ready for the grand family reunion dinner.

As she put the final touches on her outfit, her phone buzzed. She picked it up to see a message from Haida:

"Hey, Rue. Remind me again—what do you guys do for Chinese New Year? Wanna make sure I don't mess anything up."

Kira smiled, shaking her head fondly. She quickly typed back:

"It's a family tradition. We have a reunion dinner, my aunt and uncle give me and my cousins money in red envelopes, and we make lanterns with wishes written on them before releasing them into the sky."

After a moment, she added playfully:

"You should come! My moms are dying to meet you ever since we started dating."

Haida's reply came almost instantly.

"Hah, whatever you say, Rue. See you Thursday."

⸻

Thursday Evening

Haida stood in front of Kira's house, feeling slightly nervous. He had done his research—red was the lucky color, so he had dressed in a crisp red button-up with black slacks, hoping to make a good impression. Taking a deep breath, he knocked on the door.

It swung open to reveal Kira, looking absolutely stunning in a traditional red qipao dress with delicate golden embroidery. Her fur had a soft shimmer under the warm lights of the house, and her eyes lit up as she saw him.

"You clean up nice," she teased, stepping aside to let him in.

Haida chuckled. "Well, I had to. Your family would've eaten me alive if I showed up in jeans, right?"

Kira smirked. "You got that right. Now, come on, everyone's waiting."

She led him into the lively living room, where relatives were chatting, laughing, and greeting each other warmly. Kira's younger cousins were the first to notice him.

One of them, a teenage fox, leaned in close and whispered, "Isn't he the guy who was a jerk to you?"

Kira sighed but grinned. "Yeah, he was. But he's not a jerk anymore. We're dating now."

Her cousins exchanged looks before shrugging. "Well, as long as he treats you right."

Haida rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly but decided not to say anything. Winning over Kira's family was going to take more than just showing up in the right outfit.

Soon, the evening's traditions began. They gathered at the family altar, bowing their heads in respect as they prayed to their ancestors, thanking them for their guidance and seeking their blessings for the new year.

Then came the reunion dinner. The table was filled with an abundance of food—steamed fish, dumplings, noodles for longevity, sweet rice cakes, and a whole roast duck. Haida could barely keep up with all the different dishes being passed around, but he didn't complain. Every bite was delicious.

Between bites, Kira's family shared old stories, reminiscing about past celebrations, childhood memories, and funny moments from the year before. The warmth of the evening was undeniable, and Haida found himself relaxing into the atmosphere.

When dinner ended, Kira's aunt and uncle began handing out red envelopes to the younger family members, including Kira and her cousins. Haida watched as Kira accepted hers with a respectful bow, tucking it into her pocket with a smile.

Finally, it was time for the lanterns.

Everyone moved outside, carrying their handmade lanterns. Each person had written a message or wish on their lantern before lighting it. The sky was dark, but soon, it would be illuminated with glowing wishes soaring toward the heavens.

Kira and Haida worked on their lantern together, their fingers brushing against each other as they carefully wrote their message in neat strokes:

"I hope we'll always be together."

Haida glanced at Kira as she admired their work. "You really think it works? Making wishes like this?"

Kira smiled softly. "Maybe. But it's not about whether or not the wish comes true—it's about believing in it."

He looked at her for a long moment before nodding. "Then I believe it too."

Hand in hand, they released their lantern, watching as it floated up with the others, joining the sea of golden lights twinkling in the night sky.

As the family cheered and wished each other a happy new year, Haida turned to Kira, pulling her gently into his arms.

"Happy Chinese New Year, Rue," he murmured.

She grinned, leaning in and pressing a soft kiss to his lips. "Happy Chinese New Year, Haida."

And in that moment, as the lanterns continued to rise, so did the hope of new beginnings and a bright future together.