In the Solis family living room, everyone was busy preparing food trays to worship their ancestors for the New Year. Mrs. Solis bustled back and forth, but she couldn't find her daughter anywhere. Frowning, she approached Quentin, who had just finished lighting incense.
"Where is your wife? I haven't seen her all morning."
Quentin, impeccably dressed and wearing a polite smile, replied, "We were a bit tired last night, so we slept in a little late."
"Why is that?" Mrs. Solis grumbled, rolling up her sleeves and marching aggressively toward the bedroom. Quentin thought about stopping her, but seeing it was already past 9:00 AM, he decided to let nature take its course.
Amanda had fallen into a deep sleep only at dawn after "finishing work" for the night. She was sleeping soundly when a series of thundering metallic clangs startled her awake.
"What! What's happening!"
Mrs. Solis stood at the head of the bed, a pot in one hand and a ladle in the other, smiling "kindly" at her. "Allow me to invite Miss Amanda downstairs for breakfast. It's almost noon, you know!"
Amanda groaned, scratching her "crow's nest" hair. "Mom... people are trying to sleep!"
"Sleep? On the first day of the New Year? You let your husband go down to help your mother-in-law while you sleep with your butt in the air?"
Mentioning Quentin silenced Amanda. she lay limply on the bed and mumbled, "You're the one promoting family traditions, yet I'm the one getting scolded."
Amused by her daughter's logic, Mrs. Solis raised the pan and gave her a playful swat on the backside. "That's my prerogative. Now, change your clothes and get downstairs!"
"Ugh, Mom!" Amanda grumbled, rubbing her butt and gritting her teeth. Damn Quentin. It's his greed that got me scolded on the first day of the year.
Amanda washed up at rocket speed and rushed downstairs. Quentin was standing in the hallway, silently admiring the decorations Diego had put up. When he saw her, he opened his arms wide. "Are you awake?"
Instead of a hug, Amanda lunged at him, grabbing his shoulders and shaking him vigorously. "You bastard! I got scolded and even got my butt kicked! It hurts, do you know that?"
Quentin chuckled, holding her by the waist to steady her. "I was wrong. Is this where it hurts? Let me rub it, the pain will go away."
Amanda's anger evaporated into pure embarrassment the moment his hand moved. She struggled to escape his grip. "Don't touch me!"
Quentin's laughter filled the hallway as he watched her cheeks turn bright red.
After breakfast, they headed toward the Harris family's side. In the car, Amanda happily opened her lucky money envelopes. "My brother is so stingy—he only gave me one million."
Quentin teased her, watching her tuck the money into a red silk bag embroidered with lotus flowers. "Lucky money is for fortune, Quentin. It's the heart of the giver and the wishes of the receiver that matter."
"True," Quentin nodded. "So I suppose you'll be reconsidering that lucky money you were going to give me?"
Amanda looked up, her eyes bright. "Well, between husband and wife, we don't need to worry about such formalities. You take care of the world, and leave the family and the money to me!"
Quentin laughed and handed her his wallet, containing all his cards except one. "Then I'll leave the family's future in your hands."
Amanda grinned, unceremoniously stashing the cards. "I wish you a year of hard work to support your family, Mr. Harris." She leaned her head on his shoulder, happily admiring her new "fortune."
They drove straight to a temple built with Harris family donations, where the family ancestors rested. A young monk met them at the entrance. "Greetings. Mr. Harris is burning incense in the main hall. Please, follow me."
This was Amanda's first time in a temple since her rebirth. Looking at the majestic Buddha statues through the hazy incense smoke, she felt an incredible sense of peace.
Inside the hall, Mr. Harris was kneeling, followed by Dylan, Tiffany, and Javier. Quentin and Amanda quietly joined them. Amanda closed her eyes and prayed fervently: Please bless the people I love in this life with peace and happiness.
Across the hall, Javier opened his eyes and glanced at Amanda. She looked different—mature, soft, and remarkably elegant. Sensing his gaze, Amanda opened her eyes and met his fake "spring breeze" smile with a cold, disgusted frown. She looked away immediately, feeling goosebumps crawl up her arms.
When Mr. Harris finally stood up, Amanda tried to follow, but her legs were leaden. "My legs are so numb!" she whispered pitifully to Quentin.
Quentin helped her up, letting her lean on him. Nearby, Tiffany—still bitter from being chased out of the house last time—sneered, "Hugging and cuddling in a sacred place like this? How tasteless."
Amanda, unfazed, leaned harder into Quentin. "I have a husband to help me when my feet are numb. Some people don't even get a second glance."
Tiffany turned pale, glancing at Dylan, who was busy ignoring her to help Mr. Harris. Amanda smirked and pulled Quentin toward the pavilion.
As they sat for tea, Mr. Harris waved Amanda over. "Amanda, come sit next to me."
Tiffany had been about to take that seat, but Amanda expertly maneuvered Quentin into the spot first, giving Tiffany a provocative tilt of her chin.
"Dad, Happy New Year! Good health, everything as you wish, a million surprises!" Amanda chirped.
Mr. Harris laughed heartily, handing her a lucky money envelope. "For such a good wish, you deserve this."
"She's already collected a fortune this morning, Dad," Quentin remarked, pouring the tea.
Amanda whispered into the old man's ear, "I've already collected all of Quentin's bank cards!"
Mr. Harris burst out laughing. "Good! Keep up the good work!"
Across from them, Dylan Harris looked at Amanda's face. She looked so much like Melina—her mother—that he became lost in a trance. He handed her an envelope. "Happy New Year from your Un—"
He stopped abruptly, catching a lethal glare from Quentin. He quickly corrected himself. "I wish my sister-in-law a peaceful New Year."
"Thank you," Amanda replied politely, but the warmth had left her eyes. She noticed Dylan staring at her with an intensity that felt "offensive," as if he were looking through her at someone else.
She tugged on Quentin's sleeve. Is anyone in your family normal?
Quentin's eyes turned to ice. He slammed his teacup onto the table to snap Dylan out of his trance. "Brother, don't let your wandering mind ruin the family's joy at the start of the year."
Dylan startled, looking embarrassed. "Ah, I'm just tired. My apologies."
Mr. Harris, sensing the tension, stood up with his cane. "Quentin, take Amanda to burn incense around the grounds. I'm going to see the abbot."
Dylan jumped up. "Let me help you, Father."
"No need," Mr. Harris replied with a cold snort. "You should stay here and listen to the Buddhist scriptures. You need to calm your heart."