Chapter 999 

Hayden gave her an unwavering sense of security and endless emotional support. If depression ever tried to knock on her door, he wouldn’t even let it in. 

He carefully laid out the couplet paper and prepared the ink for her. He even set up a camera on the side, ready to document the moment. 

“What should I write?” Keira asked, staring at the blank red banners in front of her. 

“Whatever you want. Anything is fine,” Hayden replied easily, the picture of a doting husband, fully embracing her freedom to decide. 

Keira glanced around the courtyard, at the people sitting alone, lost in thought. A wave of emotion washed over her, and inspiration struck. 

She picked up the brush and wrote the couplet: 

“Though the courtyard holds no feast, it warms the heart. 

As long as the heart seeks the sun, warmth is everywhere.” 

The horizontal inscription: “You and I Welcome Spring.” 

When Keira finished, she looked up at Hayden. He was smiling. 

Keira frowned instantly. “You’re not allowed to laugh at me.” 

“I’m not. It’s really good. I didn’t know my wife had a poet’s soul,” he said as he gently took the brush from her hand. “And your calligraphy–it’s surprisingly impressive. 

Hearing that, Keira thought of her parents. When they were alive, they had nurtured her in every way possible. Later, when she lived with the Johnston family, they asked if she wanted to continue learning, but back then, she was just a guest in their house. She knew her place and had turned down many things, claiming she had no interest. 

But knowledge leaves its mark. The books she had read, the skills she had learned–all those traces remained. Even now, when she picked up a brush again, her hand still remembered. It wasn’t professional–level, but it was good enough. 

Hayden helped her sit down, then picked up the camera and handed it to her. She realized he had recorded the entire process of decorating the courtyard. 

“I didn’t want you to feel like you missed out,” he said simply. 

He really understood her. 

Once the ink dried, they stepped outside to put up the couplets. 

Maybe it was the sight of her large belly making an effort, or maybe they just wanted to be part of something, but the courtyard guests, who had been sitting in solitude moments ago, suddenly stood up to help. 

What had started as just Hayden and Keira quickly turned into a lively group effort. A young girl even mentioned that she knew how to cut traditional window decorations. 

Hayden immediately fetched the tools for her, and she got to work. Her hands were skilled, and the patterns she cut were intricate and beautiful. The most surprising piece was a silhouette of Keira, pregnant, leaning against Hayden. 

BON 

Keira was absolutely delighted, falling in love with it instantly. 

With everyone pitching in, the mood shifted completely. The loneliness and melancholy from before were swept away, replaced by laughter and warmth. 

An idea suddenly struck her. 

“If you all have time, why don’t we make dumplings together for New Year’s?” Keira suggested. 

Some of them hesitated, exchanging uncertain glances. 

Hayden gave them a little push. “My wife loves dumplings. Just think of it as helping her out.” 

With that, everyone agreed. 

Some kneaded the dough, some prepared the filling, others rolled the wrappers, and some folded the dumplings. 

As they worked, people started sharing bits of their lives–hardships they hadn’t spoken about before, the struggles of spending the New Year away from home. But as they spoke, their burdens seemed to lighten. 

By the time they finished, evening had arrived. 

Together, they set off fireworks, filling the night sky with bursts of color. Then they sat down to enjoy the dumplings. Some had hidden surprises inside–sugar for sweetness, coins for prosperity, and blessings for good fortune. Every time someone found one, they cheered like they had won the lottery. 

They all exchanged well wishes, and Hayden and Keira even handed out New Year’s red envelopes. 

They were reluctant to accept them at first, but the couple insisted, saying it was for good luck 

But later, after they had left, Hayden and Keira discovered that the guests had secretly left red envelopes under the couch cushions–gifts for their baby. 

When Keira left the Johnston family, she thought she would never experience a truly festive New Year again. 

But this… this was livelier than any she had ever known. 

Perhaps life was always full of surprises. When you lost something, you gained something else in return. 

As the clock struck midnight, Keira gazed at the dazzling fireworks and whispered her New Year’s blessings to those who were no longer with her. 

I’m doing well now. 

Just as she was lost in her thoughts, a loud explosion burst in the sky. A massive, breathtaking firework bloomed overhead. 

At the same moment, she clutched Hayden’s arm tightly. 

“My water just broke. It’s happening… I’m going into labor.“”