Chapter 1152: Chapter 1152: Are You So Nervous Because You Think I’m Going to Kiss You?

When Richard Shaw returned to Shaw Mansion, Leah was looking up at the centuries-old ginkgo tree in front of the main house, talking on the phone, her voice gentle and cheerful, with laughter in her jet-black eyes.

It was only when the man got closer that he realized she was on the phone with Delphine Carter.

"This year is New Year’s Eve, don’t forget to take Nicholas out for a big meal. Come back early in the evening, many French people adore your kind of Oriental women," Leah rambled on, only putting away her smile and ending the call after seeing Richard Shaw return.

Richard Shaw had just come back from seeing Ignatius Leclair, and Leah was on the phone with Delphine Carter. Both were people to worry about.

"Why are you outside wearing so little?" Richard Shaw stepped forward, holding her hands to warm them, noticing she was only wearing a thin knitted dress, frowning, and said lowly, "The winter in the Imperial City is still no joke, you’ll feel terrible if you catch a chill."

He remembered that New Year’s Eve when she also caught a cold and spent the entire Spring Festival recuperating. Thinking about those past events, Richard Shaw’s heart felt heavy. He was conflicted, hoping she would remember yet simultaneously wishing she would never recall the past.

"I just came out, and after the call with Delphine, I’ll head back inside." She leaned slightly, looking at the man’s warm, large hands tightly enveloping her tiny hands. She moved a bit closer, admiring his increasingly gentle and handsome face, so close that Richard Shaw sat up straighter, thinking she might kiss him.

Leah’s enchanting almond eyes roved over him, then she chuckled lightly and playfully said, "Are you so nervous because you think I’ll kiss you?"

Richard Shaw, with nearly no romantic experience and a disastrous marriage, choked abruptly, coughed lightly a few times, and looked away. Leah, seeing this, stopped teasing him and withdrew her hand.

In these past two years, even if the man concealed well, she could sense it—Richard Shaw had always desired her but was self-controlled to an astonishing degree. Though not a very open person, she was not a conservative nun either. If he made a move forward, she might agree.

Since he said nothing, she was curious to see how long he would endure.

"How is Delphine Carter doing these days?" Richard Shaw, embarrassed by her question, was reluctant to stop talking to her and found a topic she was interested in, saying, "I just saw Benjamin Leclair, a three-year-old girl, pink and cute like a little princess, playing with a Samoyed. She looks a lot like Delphine."

Leah was momentarily stunned, the mini version of Delphine must be adorably cute.

"Leaving Ignatius Leclair, she’s definitely better off than before," Leah said faintly, "Don’t mention him in front of me again."

Richard Shaw rubbed his forehead, thinking he had only mentioned three-year-old Benjamin.

"Oh, Richard, why did you come back so late? We’ve already finished making the dumplings; you’re slacking off." The old lady of the Shaw family came out shakily, hearing the voices, looking at her grandson with great comfort, and smiled, "What are you doing standing in the yard? It’s cold outside; come inside and warm up by the fire."

The accident back then not only significantly impacted Richard Shaw’s life but also dimmed the old lady’s joy over the years, often waking up calling for Crystal Landon. Now that everyone was safe and her grandson actively sought treatment for his legs, aiming to return to the Military District, this New Year felt more solid than ever for the old lady.

Richard Shaw returned just in time to help paste the Spring Festival couplets; the old lady entrusted this task to him and Leah, while she busily prepared the New Year’s Eve dinner with Aunt Zhao.

This year, the old lady didn’t celebrate with the collateral relatives but planned to have a lively New Year with just the few members at Shaw Mansion.

Casimir Shaw came out, hopping with the blessing characters and couplets, his face flushed as he called out, "Old Richard, let me help paste the Spring Festival couplets. I’ve grown up."

Casimir Shaw’s height had surpassed Richard Shaw’s wheelchair, naturally assuming he was already an adult.

The man watched as he eagerly hopped around, nodding slightly, following behind the mother and son, watching them paste the couplets.

Ultimately, the man gave instructions, Casimir Shaw helped with odds and ends, and Leah used her height advantage to paste the couplets. The division of labor was clear. After making a round in Shaw Mansion, ensuring all couplets were placed without missing any, Leah smiled and gave Casimir a smooch. Meanwhile, the man who had been instructing until he was parched waited a long time only to find his efforts unrewarded with a smooch, feeling somewhat gloomy.

As fireworks were not allowed in the Imperial City, post-pasting the Spring Festival couplets, everyone could only snack on seeds awaiting the New Year’s Eve dinner. Leah, finding herself idle, spotted star-shaped lights in the storage room, her eyes gleaming. She beckoned Casimir Shaw, and taking advantage of everyone’s distraction, they took the star lights to the yard.

Richard Shaw was called away by the old lady for a face-to-face conversation before dinner; upon returning, he saw Leah and Casimir Shaw sneakily entering the living room, their expressions mischievous like foxes that stole chickens, clearly having done something naughty.

The man pretended not to notice, a slight curve forming on his lips.

New Year’s Eve dinner was personally prepared by Aunt Zhao and the old lady, with Richard Shaw also making two dishes, filling the table with home-cooked dishes and fragrant, simmering broth. The last staple dish was the morning made dumplings, not too many but delicately made, allowing everyone five or six each.

Leah, when eating the final one, bit into something hard, discovering she got the king dumpling containing a little golden monkey.

"Wow, Mommy, you’re the luckiest!" Casimir Shaw’s bright black eyes were shining, his face full of admiration.

"Indeed, Leah’s luck for the year ahead is bound to be fantastic," the old lady laughed alongside.

Richard Shaw smiled without speaking. The king dumpling was so distinct, with the old lady intentionally placing it in Leah’s bowl; only Leah and Casimir Shaw could be fooled. He had grown up being deceived this way, believing himself to be the luckiest.

Leah, slightly surprised, smiled and quietly cleaned the little golden monkey, secretly handing it to Casimir Shaw to play with.

After finishing the dumplings, it was time for giving New Year’s money. Every year, this was Casimir Shaw’s favorite moment, with many red envelopes and gifts coming his way.

The old lady prepared thick red envelopes and New Year gifts for everyone, wrapped in fortune pouches embroidered with words. Witnessing this scene, Leah inexplicably felt a sense of familiarity. The pouch in her hand felt weighty, heavy.

Richard Shaw also prepared red envelopes for Casimir Shaw, the old lady, and others.

Leah, in the festive spirit, gave everyone red envelopes as well. Observing Casimir Shaw clutching his abundant envelopes, grinning ear to ear, she couldn’t help but smile lightly.

New Year’s Eve at the Shaw family wasn’t what she imagined; devoid of class distinctions and high walls, she initially thought Richard Shaw’s reserved nature was a product of his environment and that the Shaw family matriarch would be a stringent woman. Yet, upon meeting, she realized this was far from accurate.

The old lady of the Shaw family was kind and gentle, speaking softly, making others feel refreshed, a broad-minded and insightful elder.