Think about it, aren't those difficulties opportunities to make you stronger? Besides, there are many comrades in the army; you help each other and grow together—that kind of camaraderie is invaluable. But ultimately, the outcome and how far you go depend on your own efforts! As long as you're willing to work hard, Grandpa believes you can do it.”

"I'm willing, Grandpa." Xia Tao nodded vigorously, his expression full of excitement and anticipation. He seemed to already see himself wearing a military uniform, standing tall and straight, with firm eyes, striding confidently across the training field, shouting slogans and sweating with his comrades.

Xia Xiong nodded, his face full of satisfaction: "Okay, then go back and take care of your work after the New Year. We must do everything from beginning to end. Be careful when handing over your work, and make sure you explain everything clearly so as not to cause trouble for your colleagues."

In the days that followed, the house was filled with the festive atmosphere of the Lunar New Year. The streets and alleys were decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, and red lanterns hung high, swaying gently in the breeze, as if telling New Year's blessings. Each lantern carried people's beautiful expectations for the new year.

Spring Festival couplets are pasted all over the doors of every household. In the fragrance of ink, every stroke of the pen is filled with beautiful expectations for the future. Some couplets read "May your journey be smooth and prosperous every year, and may all your wishes come true and may you rise higher and higher." Others read "Spring returns to the earth and a hundred flowers bloom, and may blessings fill the world and all things prosper." They make the whole world look exceptionally lively.

Xia Wan and her two aunts were busy preparing for the New Year. They moved through the bustling market, which was crowded with people, and the sounds of vendors calling out their wares and bargaining filled the air.

They carefully selected the freshest ingredients, and looking at the tender fish, bright red apples, and plump peanuts, they could almost see the joyful scene of the family at the New Year's Eve dinner; they also picked out the most beautiful candies, and the colorful candies filled the stall, each one like a sweet blessing.

Back home, they swept the dust together, carefully cleaning every corner with brooms, sweeping away all the bad luck of the old year. Every movement was filled with anticipation for the new year. As they swept, they recalled the bits and pieces of the past year, and laughter echoed in the house.

Xia Jianguo also helped out. Although he was still not very mobile, he always had a happy smile on his face. He would help hand over tools or tell jokes to make everyone laugh, filling the whole room with laughter.

The whole family worked together to decorate their home in a warm and festive way. Exquisite paper-cut window decorations were pasted on the windows, and colorful streamers were hung in the living room, creating a strong festive atmosphere everywhere.

As the Spring Festival bells rang, fireworks burst outside the window, illuminating the night sky with colorful lights. The magnificent colors were like a dreamlike painting, captivating everyone's attention.

Some fireworks resembled blooming flowers, unfolding layer by layer, exquisitely beautiful; others resembled shooting stars streaking across the sky, fleeting yet leaving behind dazzling light; still others cascaded down from the sky like waterfalls, magnificent and awe-inspiring.

The family sat together for their New Year's Eve dinner, the table laden with delicious food that emitted an enticing aroma. Each dish was filled with the family's heartfelt wishes. There was braised fish, symbolizing abundance year after year, its body pan-fried to a golden brown and drizzled with a rich sauce, making it incredibly tempting. There were also dumplings, symbolizing reunion, their white and tender wrappers filled with savory fillings; one bite was a taste of pure happiness.

Looking at her family's smiling faces, Xia Wan felt a surge of warmth in her heart. She knew that no matter how rugged the road ahead might be, as long as the family was together, there was no difficulty that couldn't be overcome.

Xia Tao secretly vowed to perform well in the army and live up to his family's expectations.

He imagined himself training hard in the army, standing at attention under the scorching sun, his clothes soaked with sweat, yet remaining motionless; in tactical training, he was agile and quickly completed various tasks; finally, he was awarded for his merits and returned home in glory, making his family proud.

This Spring Festival is not only a time for family reunion for the Xia family, but also the starting point of a new journey, full of hope and infinite possibilities.