Soon, Jiang Cheng received messages from Zhao Linger and the others.
Zhao Linger: "Chairman Jiang, Happy New Year's Eve!! I didn't expect you to think of me? I was starting to suspect my phone was broken..."
Jiang Cheng: "What do you mean?? I'm not allowed to think of you??"
Seeing Jiang Cheng's reply, Zhao Linger let out a silly giggle.
She even uncontrollably buried her face in her pillow, laughing shyly.
Zhao Xin and Chen Xi, who were staying up with Zhao Linger for the New Year's Eve vigil nearby,
had been focused on the TV program, but were drawn by Zhao Linger's sudden laughter.
They exchanged looks, both seeing doubt and surprise in each other's eyes.
Zhao Xin's gaze first moved from the TV to Zhao Linger.
Then, following her hand, he saw the phone she was holding.
Seemingly realizing something, he immediately nudged Chen Xi's wrist with his own and gave her a look.
Chen Xi understood immediately, cleared her throat, and asked, "What's wrong? Why are you laughing like that? Is it a message from your boyfriend?"
Zhao Linger was naturally someone who couldn't keep a secret.
At Chen Xi's question, her face turned red instantly.
She hurriedly waved her hands in denial: "No... it's not. Um... I have a friend, and she has a male friend. They work at the same company. Usually, they don't contact each other often, but when they meet occasionally, the guy likes to tease her and make her happy. They get along quite well, and the Girl has a good impression of him."
After saying this, Zhao Linger seemed to find it difficult to continue.
Seeing her hesitating, Chen Xi couldn't help but urge, "And then??"
Zhao Linger hesitated for a moment before continuing, "And then, just now at midnight, the guy suddenly sent her a countdown video and said Happy New Year. What do you think he means by that?"
Hearing this, Chen Xi was stunned for a moment, then seemed to understand something.
She covered her mouth and laughed: "Haha, what else could it mean? It's obvious—he likes you!"
Zhao Xin nodded in agreement from the side: "Your mom is right, the lad likes you."
Hearing this, Zhao Linger immediately denied it: "It's not me! Didn't I say it's a friend?? Maybe I'm overthinking it. He didn't send much, just a simple 'Happy New Year'."
Zhao Xin and Chen Xi were already grinning from ear to ear.
They didn't take their daughter's 'guilty conscience' behavior seriously at all.
They said dismissively, "Right, right, it's your friend, it's your friend. But isn't it often said online? You should spend the countdown with the one you love. Every New Year, the couples hugging and watching the fireworks at The Bund are like that. That young man definitely wanted to count down with you."
This was where Jiang Cheng was clever.
If he had only sent those three short words, an average person wouldn't have thought much of it.
But adding a countdown video made it quite suggestive.
The most crucial part was that he didn't take the initiative to say anything more.
He let these Girls speculate on their own.
As soon as Chen Xi finished speaking, Zhao Xin followed up with a question: "Could it be that boss from your company who dropped you off last time?"
Seeing her parents' half-doubting, half-believing expressions, Zhao Linger suddenly stood up, her face flushed crimson.
She tossed the pillow in her hands onto the sofa like a hot potato.
Pouting her lips, she mumbled shyly, "Oh, I'm not talking to you guys anymore. I'm going upstairs to sleep!"
Watching Zhao Linger flee the scene, the two elders looked at each other, their hearts already blooming with joy.
"Haha, it looks like our daughter is finally starting to catch on. This is wonderful!"
"Yes, yes. Now that our daughter is dating, I can finally stop worrying!"
Just as midnight arrived,
the system rang with a "ding".
"Ding! Congratulations to the Host for completing the New Year's Eve vigil and entering the Lunar New Year. The dream come true system will gift the Host a special blessing gift pack."
Special Note: "On the first day of the New Year, please have the Host complete one meaningful task. Once completed, you may claim the New Year Vigil Gift Pack."
Looking at this prompt, Jiang Cheng raised an eyebrow.
During the solar New Year's Eve, the system had also issued a task for him to complete a meaningful deed.
At that time, Jiang Cheng had originally planned to find Zhao Anning and go to the orphanage together to bring some warmth and care to the children there.
However, when he actually saw Zhao Anning, his thoughts suddenly changed.
To be honest, Jiang Cheng hadn't been very serious about that system task back then, and he had even considered giving up on it.
If he hadn't happened to encounter that Girl with leukemia who desperately needed treatment, he might have missed that task entirely.
Thinking back now, it was lucky that Jiang Cheng completed the task, as it allowed him to get that healing card for Jiang Chenhong.
Without that healing card, Jiang Cheng wouldn't have discovered that Jiang Chenhong had cancer.
It all seemed like a coincidence, yet it felt like it was predestined.
If he hadn't completed that system task,
Jiang Cheng might never have discovered Jiang Chenhong's condition, let alone taken timely measures for treatment.
With that experience, Jiang Cheng felt he had to treat these system tasks with care.
The next day, when he woke up,
Jiang Cheng found that his phone had many unread messages.
After receiving the system task last night, Jiang Cheng had gone to his room to rest.
When he arrived at the dining room, only his mother was there.
Supposedly, after finishing breakfast, his grandfather had taken Jiang Chenhong to start receiving guests. Jiang Cheng ate his breakfast while replying to the messages he hadn't had time to get to last night.
Jiang Churan: "Thank you, Jiang Cheng. Happy New Year!"
Jiang Churan: "I was backstage just now and my phone was in the locker. I didn't see the message. I've just finished removing my makeup and am preparing to head back."