Sage’s brothers arrived at Rosa Garden the next day.
Everyone dressed up for the festive season and carried bags and bags of gifts. Rosa Garden’s yard
was full of cars, and the living room was filled with goods.
Sage had more sisters-in-law this year, so it felt more crowded than usual. It would be livelier in a year
or two after the birth of her future nephews and nieces.
She also had a new brother-in-law.
Hunter and Leah also returned from their hometown. Leah followed Hunter to his hometown this year to
meet his family and relatives. They could start planning on their marriage after the New Year.
Hunter’s hometown was a coastal city in the north. He brought back a bunch of seafood from the trip.
Sage opened a pack of squid snacks and asked Leah, “How was meeting your future in-laws?” Leah
was now working as a designer at Norah Jewel. Sage and Hunter had trained her well this year. She
was no longer her former timid and immature self. She had grown, and her appearance and demeanor
were very different from before. She became prettier, but she still got shy easily as before. She nodded.
“They’re nice.” “That’s great.” Sage was worried and talked to her with motherly love. “If there’s no
problem on the in-laws’ side, you can marry him soon.” Leah blushed and glanced at Hunter. Then, she
answered with a soft voice, “Yeah.”
Gee. What a face full of happiness.
Sage refused to tire herself for the luncheon this afternoon. It had been a long year. She wanted to take
a break from working long hours during the New Year.
With the little princess’ refusal to work, the Rosa Garden’s chefs finally got a chance to show off their
cooking skills. They were busy in the kitchen preparing all kinds of dishes for the feast.
“Sage, come here.” Kane sat on the sofa with his cigarette in his hand and waved to Sage. Sage was
chatting with Laura and Suki when Kane summoned her. She looked at him but did not move. “Are you
calling a god?” Kane pulled out gift money from his leather jacket pocket. Sage immediately walked
toward him and changed her tune, “Kane!”
“Good girl.” Kane looked up at her. “Say something nice to me for New Year.”
Sage put her hands together and said nicely, “Kane, Happy New Year! I wish you another year of
staying fit and slim. I hope you marry your sister-in-law soon!”
Kane was satisfied with the last half of the sentence. He nodded with pleasure and gave the gift money
to Sage. “Sage, be a good girl this year. Don’t make your brothers angry at all times.” He sounded like
he was lecturing a child. Everyone laughed at them. Then, the other brothers all went over to Sage with
gift money. Sage paid her respects to each of them and collected more and more gift money in her
hand. “Seth, Happy New Year! I hope your movies will be a big hit this year! Come back with a few best
actor trophies again! I wish you a happy and prosperous life with Suki!” “Nigel, Happy New Year! I wish
you another good year! Enjoy a good and happy life with Sean!
“Luther, Happy New Year! I wish you a good year ahead and be taken soon!” Laura could not help but
laugh at Sage’s variations of greetings. She asked, “Is this an annual thing?”
“That’s enough.” Kane came over and put his arms around Laura’s shoulder. He looked at Sage and
said, “This is the only time of the year I feel happy as her brother.”
Laura glanced at him. “Because you finally regained your pride as her brother, I guess.” Suki nodded
quietly, “I think so too.”
Kane and Seth looked at each other in silence and coughed once. What about their pride?
Sage paid her respects to everyone and happily counted the envelopes. Then, she noticed that one
person was left out.
“Tim, what about you?”
Sage looked over at Tim and paid her respects. Tim faintly said, “I didn’t prepare any.”
That was a bit outrageous.
“Tim, you’re the eldest brother. How can you skip this?”
Sage said, “Besides, this might be my last year to receive it. When Laura and Suki have babies, it’ll be
my turn to give them the gift money.”
62fb1bb41dcb31934bd49bda