Chapter 137: The Invitation from Friends

Chapter 137: The Invitation from Friends

However, besides Lin Pinzhang...

"Teacher Qingshan."

Ito Ayumi suddenly said at the dinner table, "Would you like to come with me to my hometown for the New Year? And... spend the New Year together."

"Huh?"

Lin Qingshan was caught off guard.

Ito Ayumi looked directly into Lin Qingshan's eyes, seriously saying, "Teacher, you spent last New Year alone, right? It's not ideal to spend such an important holiday alone."

"And didn't you mention before that you wanted to travel to Japan? It would be a great opportunity to visit Japan together."

She felt it was too pitiful for Lin Qingshan to be alone during the New Year, which is a family reunion holiday in the Republic. To others, spending it alone seemed a bit sad.

So she tried to invite Lin Qingshan to spend the New Year with her family. Although her family was small, consisting only of her parents and older brother, they were very warm and welcoming. She had asked her family about bringing a friend for the holiday, and they had no objections; in fact, they were quite enthusiastic.

Lin Qingshan scratched his face and said, "Actually, this year my... uncle invited me to spend the New Year at his place."

Ito Ayumi was momentarily stunned, as she was unaware of Lin Pinzhang's visit to Lin Qingshan. She had thought Lin Qingshan lived a solitary life.

"Oh, I see..."

Ito Ayumi lowered her head, looking a bit disappointed as she continued eating.

"Well, this year might be tight. Maybe next year or the year after," Lin Qingshan said quickly, smiling. "I plan to travel then—Japan, Europe, the Americas!"

"Alright."

Ito Ayumi smiled at Lin Qingshan, "It's good for Teacher Qingshan to travel a bit."

Indeed, he did want to travel. After all, he had earned enough money and deserved to enjoy it. However, he still hoped to bring some of the excellent works from his previous life into this world, so more people could see them.

For now, Lin Qingshan didn't seem to have any other desires.

If not for Lin Pinzhang's invitation, going to Japan with Ito Ayumi would have been fine. But given his cheap uncle's invitation, it was hard for Lin Qingshan to refuse...

Ito Ayumi's invitation was also unexpected. It was kind of her to invite him to spend the New Year in Japan...

After all, he only had two friends in this world—Ito Ayumi and Gu Qianli. Gu Qianli probably wouldn't invite him for the New Year.

However, ten days before New Year's Eve...

"Qingshan, would you like to come home with me for the New Year?"

Gu Qianli, mustering up her courage, asked Lin Qingshan, who was walking Pochita.

"Huh?"

Lin Qingshan suddenly stopped, blinking his eyes.

His sudden halt caused Pochita, who was trotting ahead at a moderate pace, to be abruptly stopped, choking a bit.

"Woof woof woof!"

Pochita barked in displeasure at Lin Qingshan.

"Sorry, Pochita."

Lin Qingshan quickly apologized, then turned to Gu Qianli, asking, "Qianli, did you just... invite me to spend the New Year at your place?"

Gu Qianli's ears flushed with a rosy hue, like the evening clouds on the horizon.

She bit her lip but still looked at Lin Qingshan and said, "Yes... it's not good for you to be alone at home during the New Year. It should be a bit lively."

"But don't worry. My family isn't very large, just my parents. And they are quite quiet people, so you don't have to worry."

Lin Qingshan scratched his face again. "But... my uncle invited me to his place for the New Year..."

"Oh, is that so?"

Gu Qianli looked a bit disappointed.

But soon she smiled at Lin Qingshan, "Then you should go and spend the New Year with your family! That's good too!"

Lin Qingshan nodded with a smile, "Yes, yes! But if there's another opportunity in the future, I'll definitely visit your home for the New Year!"

Gu Qianli's eyelashes fluttered slightly in the breeze, her eyes full of smiles.

[Translator: sauron]

...

As New Year's approached, people in the Republic were gradually starting their holiday.

In this parallel world, the people of the Republic enjoyed good treatment. Apart from essential services like hospitals, server maintenance, highways, and high-speed rail, which required work even during the holiday, it was generally not necessary to work on New Year's Eve. For those required to work, the minimum requirement was a five-times overtime pay.

It just goes to show that even parallel worlds have their differences!

Ito Ayumi and Gu Qianli went home for the holidays in the past few days, saying goodbye to Lin Qingshan before leaving.

Lin Qingshan was in no rush. He planned to visit Lin Pinzhang's house for three or four days starting from the 28th day of the lunar year.

However...

"Bro!"

Lin Youan stood at the door of Lin Qingshan's apartment with a big smile.

"Huh? Youan... What are you doing here?"

Lin Qingshan asked curiously.

His relationship with Lin Youan had improved recently. They often went out for meals together, and Lin Youan's sweet talk had made Lin Qingshan accept him as his younger brother.

"Don't mention it. You never came to my house early, so Dad got anxious."

Lin Youan feigned a sad look, "He even gave me a stern order to bring a driver to pick you up."

"Oh..."

Lin Qingshan felt embarrassed, scratching the back of his head.

"Alright, no time to explain."

Lin Youan quickly pulled Lin Qingshan and said, "Bro, get in the car. We're going home to celebrate the minor New Year!"

"Wait!"

Lin Qingshan stopped him, "I haven't packed my things yet, and Pochita... I can't just leave it here."

He would be away for about a week, and Pochita couldn't be left alone without food. Unlike Lin Qingshan's previous life's cat, Lu Shui, which was smart enough to find food on its own, Pochita couldn't do that.

"Woof woof woof!"

At this moment, Lin Youan noticed Pochita behind Lin Qingshan.

"Oh right, I forgot you have a dog."

He slapped his forehead and said.

"Let's get ready quickly, and we'll take Pochita home for the New Year!"

Lin Qingshan had no choice but to agree.

He quickly packed his luggage and Pochita's food and bed, preparing to take the elevator down. Meanwhile, Lin Youan clapped his hands, and two burly men arrived to help with the luggage and Pochita's belongings.

They quickly went downstairs.

**(End of Chapter)**