The snow outside the small conservatory is beautiful, the sky is dark and dark, and the snow covers every corner of the field of vision. The branches of the dead trees on the edge of the artificial lake in the distance form a scene like "rime", which is quite desolate and far-reaching.

In the small sunshine room, Hall accompanied Helena to open the gift box, and the two were very quiet and did not speak, silently sorting the various items into large cardboard boxes.

These things are rarely used, and most of them will be piled up in the corners of the storage room, and perhaps the Hall family will pass them on for another hundred years, and these giveaways will become antiques.

When supporting the descendants to face the inquiries of the nouveau riche, they replied: I only need to inherit, I don't need to buy.

"Actually, we can sell these holiday gifts from luxury brands, and I've heard that they are very popular in the second-hand market." After opening the last gift box, Hall drank black tea and started the conversation.

Helena asked curiously: "If it is leather goods and jewelry, it is understandable, but why would anyone buy impractical second-hand goods such as crystal balls and music boxes?" ”

"Buy it back and give it as a gift." Hall couldn't help but laugh, "One of my classmates of Indian origin held a moving party some time ago and received 4 sets of exactly the same gift of water glasses. ”

"That water bottle from Hermès last Christmas?" Helena asked as she recalled.

"Yes," Holkop said. This kind of impractical second-hand luxury goods are cheap and handy, and for many people who don't allow it and want to look good, it can be called an excellent technique for spending a small amount of money, uh, spending a small amount of money to do a lot of things. @ ”

"It's a clever way to do it, and it saves a lot of social costs." Helena thought about it for a moment and said, "It's too busy this time, so I'll have time after Christmas, so I'll pick a batch and sell it." ”

Hall was stunned and asked, "Ah?!" What did you say, I didn't hear clearly? ”

"Do you want to see me with a serious face, and refute you with a straight face: Hugo, how can you think so, that a gift carries the heart of the giver; Or: Doing so will make people think that our Hall family is going bankrupt. ”

Helena's tone was narrow, and she paused and continued: "Hugo, every mother has the ability to adapt to the growth and change of her child, even if your growth includes liking to make me angry. ”

“…… So, in order to prevent me from succeeding, you agreed? But this can really make people think that our family is very unseemly. Hale was not willing to let one of his future pleasures go away, and raised his voice with wide eyes and emphasized.

Helena smiled: "We only selectively sell some of the luxury brands that give us, and the proceeds from the sale are donated to charities, the kind that really does things."

Hugo, not only are you changing, times are changing.

In the Middle Ages, it was unseemly for a nobleman to sell a gift, for whatever reason. But now, even the most traditional old money class applauds good virtues such as charity and frugality.

The gradual loneliness of the traditional aristocracy is the general trend. If we want to pass on the Hall family, we have to learn to let go of our bodies a little and adapt to the elite and the common people. ”

Hall retracted his expression and praised from the bottom of his heart: "It's really worthy of my mother, even teaching children can be so reasonable." ”

He once again felt the excellence of his old mother, this kind of vision is not available to everyone, and the vast number of aristocratic settlements is the best proof.

Helena shook her head, "No." I say this to tell you that your mother is not a noble lady who does not know anything, but only talks about elegance and modesty. If something bad happens to you at work, you can talk to your mom. ”

Hall blinked, yawned and replied, "I didn't, in fact this trip to New York went smoothly, just a little tired." It took seven or eight hours to fly, and then several hours to drive. You know, driving on a snowy day is exhausting......"

"Then let's go rest, tomorrow we have to go to Orange Manor." Helena replied softly.

Hall simply responded, "Okay, don't call me for dinner at night, good night." ”

The environment is always quiet after heavy snowfall, and you can get a good night's sleep.

The next morning, Hale came back to life, got up early and went to Orange Manor with Helena.

After a few months, the estate was turned into a small construction site, with abandoned water towers and power stations repaired.

In good condition, the hospital building has been built with two floors, and the cement and steel support structure is currently outside.

In the blueprints, the building will be used as a hotel room and restaurant when completed.

The Gothic-style annexes on both sides of the main building of the manor will be a high-end homestay, and some rooms will be opened in the main building to receive guests.

Other amusement facilities are also being remodeled a little bit, and it is worth mentioning that Hall saw that there is an airstrip here, and suggested a skydiving project to Helena, and I don't know if it will work now.

The mother and son hung candy and bells on the Christmas tree at the entrance of the main building of the manor, lit Christmas candles, and gave Christmas gifts to the old housekeeper and his wife who lived in the manor.

Then the old butler walked through all the buildings in the manor and listened to him explain the history of the Hall family, this time even Aunt Caroline was participating.

Standing in the chapel of the manor, watching the old butler and Helena praying sincerely, Hall suddenly felt as if the so-called inheritance was completed in a sense of ritual again and again. @

It took most of the day, and finally they took a set of cutlery from Orange Manor.

On Christmas Day, Hall arranges housework, gives gifts to the servants, and then declares a day off for everyone.

Helena was very pleased with this, but when she baked the Christmas cake and made a body of flour, she was anxious: "Hugo, you should at least leave Aunt Susan, I usually make pastries under her guidance." ”

"Yes, we should keep Uncle Kent as well." Hall stood in the large fireplace in the living room and pouted in agreement.

The folk custom that has been handed down by the devil knows when it is said that a piece of wood that burns for many days at Christmas means a good harvest. You can also pour wine over wood.

In previous years, this work was done by servants, but this year, Master Hall took a vacation with kindness, so he had to do it himself.

A bowl of wine was poured into it, and the flames in the fireplace quickly flared up, almost missing his eyebrows.

The mother and son were in a hurry, busy from noon to dark, and finally got everything done.

Roast turkey, smoked ham, salmon, a few traditional Christmas dishes, plus a few "creative stir-fries" made by Hall in a fusion of Chinese and Turkish styles.

Helena brought dinner to the table, and the whole person was tired and collapsed in her chair, not moving, not even wanting to speak.

Hall sat opposite him in the same position, and the two looked at each other in embarrassment, and after a long time, they looked at each other and smiled.

"This year's Christmas has been extra fulfilling." Helena said as she straightened her back.

Hall raised his head: "Hmm...... It was very lively......

"By the way, my mulled wine is still in the pot."

Helena suddenly remembered something, hurried to the kitchen, brought out a pot of hot red sprinkles, and poured a glass for each of them: "Chef Hugo has worked hard." What did you just say. ”

"I said, Merry Christmas."

"Thank you. Merry Christmas. ”

Snowflakes are falling outside, and the firewood burning in the fireplace, which symbolizes the rings of the next year's harvest, makes a faint noise.

When the two sprinkling glasses collide, the jerky, warm liquor flows into the stomach.

Christmas 1987 passed like this.