Chapter 1000

The liveliest part of the New Year was, of course, the tradition of paying respects to elders. Leading the way, Briana and Lena’s father knelt first before the old master and madam, bowing their heads in reverence. The elders handed out red envelopes—an unchanging tradition in this family. No matter the age, as long as one knelt to pay their respects, a red envelope was given. Even though they were long past the age of caring about money, Briana and her husband still accepted the envelopes with childlike joy, grinning as they expressed their thanks.

After them, it was Aaron’s turn. Lena had seen him standing tall countless times but had never witnessed him kneeling. Especially in recent years, since he barely returned to the country, he had only ever sent his New Year’s greetings over the phone. Now, watching him kneel down, she realized that even though he did it the same way as everyone else, it felt… different. There was something regal about the way he moved, as if he were an ancient emperor performing a grand ritual, kneeling before the heavens and the earth. But he wasn’t kneeling before the heavens—he was kneeling before his adoptive parents. And yet, that air of nobility still lingered.

A mischievous thought suddenly popped into Lena’s mind. “That doesn’t count, Uncle Aaron,” she said. Everyone turned to look at her. Briana shot her a sharp glare, silently warning her not to stir up trouble. “Kowtows need to make a sound,” Lena said with a sly smile. “But if you do it on this floor, your forehead might end up bruised.” Saying that, she dashed off to the kitchen and returned with a metal basin. Before she could place it on the floor, Briana was already up, ready to swat her. “Are you still a child? Put that back!”

“She is a child,” Grandma chimed in, chuckling like an old mischief-maker. “She and Aaron used to do this all the time when they were little. Let them use it.” “Exactly! Just like when you were kids,” Lena’s father added, unexpectedly joining in on the fun. “Actually, get another basin—both of you should do it together.” Then, as if proving his commitment to the bit, he got up, fetched another basin from the kitchen, and placed it in front of Lena. He even gave her shoulder a squeeze. “Kowtow properly. Your grandparents will give more if they’re satisfied.”

“This is really my biological father, huh?” Lena gave him a deadpan look and muttered, “Next year, when it’s your turn to kneel, I’ll make sure you get an even bigger basin.” With the entire family egging her on, there was no escape. Lena had no choice but to kneel. But as soon as she did, something felt… off. She was kneeling beside Aaron.

Above them sat four elders, solemnly watching. This looked way too much like a wedding ceremony. The thought alone made her cheeks heat up. “Why are you blushing? You’re just bowing to your grandparents and parents. What’s there to be embarrassed about?” Briana teased, clearly enjoying her discomfort. Lena shot her a glare, then gritted her teeth and knocked her head against the basin—one, two, three times. The loud clang, clang, clang echoed through the room. It hurt like hell. “I totally just dug my own grave with this one.”

“That doesn’t count,” Grandma Deborah suddenly interjected. Lena’s eyes widened in shock. “You have to do it together with your Uncle Aaron,” she added with a smirk. Absolutely not. That would be exactly like a marriage ceremony. “Stop making a fuss. It’s just a New Year’s greeting, not a wedding,” Grandpa Edison, who hardly ever spoke, suddenly chimed in. Lena wished he’d stayed silent this time too. For a moment, the whole room went quiet. Then, all at once, laughter erupted.

Lena’s face burned hotter. She quickly shot to her feet. “Enough with the laughing! Hand over the red envelopes. I made enough noise—I want big ones.” Without hesitation, she snatched up four red envelopes before anyone could protest. Meanwhile, Aaron, who had been watching in silence, finally knelt and performed his kowtows. One by one. Each time, the sound rang clearly. Unlike the playful, chaotic energy of Lena’s antics, his kowtows carried a solemn weight. The mood shifted. The elders’ eyes glistened with emotion. Because no matter how much they loved him, the truth was undeniable—he was both part of this family, and… not. Even though, after the public statement, nothing had changed on the surface, deep down, a wound had been left in everyone’s hearts.

Briana, sensing the tension, forced a smile and decided to lighten the mood. “Aaron, next year, you’re not allowed to do this alone. You have to bring someone with you.”