To the surprise of Charlie wade’s family, outside the restaurant hosting the New Year’s Eve dinner for Chinese tourists, there was a professional lion dance team performing energetically.
Charlie wade couldn’t help but wonder, in a place like Baima Island, where all external supplies rely on off-island procurement, where did they get all these Chinese New Year materials?
While pondering, he saw an old man in a red Tang suit standing at the restaurant entrance, constantly greeting every guest and handing out red envelopes with “Happy New Year” written on them.
Charlie wade looked closely, it was Bernard Elnor, who’d donned a bright red Tang suit, paired with his silver hair, looking like a mascot.
Elaine recognised him at once and quickly said, “The luxury group boss is handing out red envelopes! Let’s see how much this old guy’s giving!”
With that, she strode ahead.
Bernard Elnor spotted Charlie wade too, but to avoid arousing suspicion from Charlie wade’s family, he only smiled and signalled with his eyes, then handed a red envelope to Elaine, who’d reached him, “Ms. Elaine, Happy Chinese New Year! Wishing you prosperity!”
As he spoke, he gave her a red envelope.
Elaine felt the envelope’s thickness and was a bit disappointed, muttering to herself, “Feels like there’s only two notes in here, even if they’re hundred-dollar bills, that’s just $200, this guy’s not generous enough, should’ve given at least a thousand bucks!”
Because the envelope wasn’t thick, she lost the urge to check it immediately, stuffed it in her pocket, and smiled, “Oh, happy prosperity, Mr. Elnor! Wishing you booming business and good health in the new year!”
Bernard Elnor was delighted, smiling, “Thank you for your blessings, Ms. Elaine, I’ll take your kind words!”
Elaine whispered, “In China, if someone gives you lots of blessings, you should give more in return, it’s called reciprocity, got it?”
Bernard Elnor was momentarily puzzled, but his sharp mind quickly caught on, he laughed heartily, “Thanks for the tip, Ms. Elaine, I’ve learned another Chinese custom!”
With that, he quickly pulled out another red envelope, handed it to Elaine, and smiled, “Ms. Elaine, wishing you health and all the best in the new year!”
Elaine gleefully took the envelope, then added, “Mr. Elnor, you’re a big boss, I won’t embarrass myself by giving you a red envelope in return.”
Bernard Elnor thought to himself, “Using ‘showing off in front of an expert’ like that? That’s a new one.”
At that moment, Charlie wade, Claire Wilson, and Jacob Wilson approached.
Bernard Elnor quickly handed out three more red envelopes, wishing each a happy new year.
Jacob Wilson took the envelope, happily thanking him, but Claire Wilson didn’t accept, politely saying, “Thank you for your blessings, Mr. Elnor, happy new year to you too, but no need for the red envelope.”
Elaine hurriedly said, “Oh, Claire, it’s just for good luck, it’s no expense for Mr. Elnor, if you’re shy, I’ll hold it for you.”
As she spoke, Elaine’s hand reached out, grabbing the envelope.
Claire Wilson, a bit annoyed, chided, “Mum, can you stop being so money-obsessed…”
Bernard Elnor quickly smoothed things over, “Mrs. Wade, no need to be so serious, there’s not much in the envelope, just a mere thousand euros, it’s mainly for good fortune.”
Elaine’s eyes lit up, thinking, “Blimey, such a thin envelope has a thousand euros, euros are worth more than dollars, this guy’s really generous!”
Bernard Elnor then looked at Charlie wade, handed him an envelope, and smiled, “Mr. Wade, happy new year!”
Charlie wade smiled, nodded, took the envelope, and handed it to Elaine, saying, “Mum, keep it as a memento.”
Elaine, eyes squinting with joy, chuckled, “If my good son-in-law says so, I’ll keep it for you.”
Charlie wade, intrigued, asked Bernard Elnor, “Mr. Elnor, where did you get all these Lunar New Year materials and the lion dance team?”
Bernard Elnor smiled, “The Maldives is short on resources, and there aren’t many Chinese residents here, so I had everything sourced from Dubai, airlifted this morning, the lion dance team was also brought from Dubai, hoping to give our Chinese guests a taste of home.”
He added, “By the way, Mr. Wade, I’ve specially hired professional Chinese chefs from Dubai, they’re cooking tonight’s dinner, I hope you and your family will enjoy it.”
Charlie wade nodded, smiling, “Mr. Elnor, you’ve gone to great lengths.”
Praised, Bernard Elnor’s face wrinkled with smiles, then he whispered to Charlie wade, “Mr. Wade, to make you and your family happy, I’ve arranged a lucky draw, the grand prize is $100 million, we can rig it so your family wins, what do you think?”
Charlie wade, furious, lowered his voice and snapped, “If you come up with another daft idea like that, I’ll raise the experience points for redeeming the Rejuvenation Pill to five hundred billion!”
