Dad Shen became a little reserved at this moment, surrounded by big shots.

"Dad, eat up. Eat more now to fill your stomach."

Mr. Shen glanced at the nearby tables; no one had touched their food, yet he dared not move. Shen Fang, on the other hand, didn't care; he just wanted to fill his stomach first. After all, he had paid for it.

Half an hour later, Liu Yue'e and the others returned.

"Phew, the restrooms are packed, and the queue's been so long. And they haven't even served the food yet?" Liu Yue'e looked at the melon seeds and snacks on the table, which had already been almost completely devoured by Shen Fang, Shen Kun, Little Ma, and Zeng Liqing.

Shen Fang glanced at his watch; it was almost 6 o'clock.

"Almost there, Mom. Didn't you bring some snacks? Have some first."

Shen Lanlan took out the prepared snack gift pack, which was a nut snack gift box from Liangpin Shop this year.

Liu Qianqian's eyes lit up.

"Do you have any baby fish, Lanlan?"

Shen Lanlan opened the gift box and poured the contents directly onto the table: dried mango, dried white peach, dried strawberry, raisins, small fish, pork jerky, bayberries, sour plums, almonds, macadamia nuts, cashews, and sunflower seeds—it had everything.

Direct excavation.

Manshen tore open the packaging of the preserved plum seeds and put them in her mouth.

"This is quite delicious; it has a plum flavor and is sweet."

Liu Qianqian tore open the small fish and showed it off, recommending it while eating.

"This is especially delicious, Sister Manyu, you should try it."

10 minutes later.

Shen Lanlan pouted: "I'm already tired of eating this. It's almost time, why isn't the food served yet?"

Shen Fang glanced over and saw that the dishes had already started to be served.

"Almost there, are you hungry?"

"I'm not hungry, I'm just bored. I wish I hadn't come. We can't even move around, and we have to queue to go to the toilet."

Liu Yue'e nodded: "I won't come again next time. There are so many rules and regulations here. It's better to stay at home, where I can do whatever I want and even play mahjong."

Shen's father rolled his eyes at Liu Yue'e.

"What's wrong? This is a symbol of status. We're already honored to be here. Let's keep quiet."

Shen Fang laughed: "You were so excited when Mom came, why are you so annoyed now that she's here?"

Liu Yue'e rolled her eyes at Chen Fang: "Isn't the novelty worn off? It's better to sit in the back. No one cares what you do in the back. Sitting in the front is closer, but look at the people there. They're sitting so formally, not eating anything, and they don't even dare to talk loudly. It's boring. It's not lively at all, and it doesn't feel like New Year's."

Little Ma agreed, "Auntie is right, but it's the Spring Festival Gala after all. If it's like a restaurant, too noisy and chaotic, it's a bit inappropriate. After all, it's broadcast globally. A lot of people are watching."

"Mom, I just wanted you to experience it. Just imagine, when your face appears on TV, you can brag about it when you get home, wouldn't that be great?"

Liu Yue'e rolled her eyes at Chen Fang.

"Am I that kind of person? Your dad is."

Mr. Shen was speechless upon hearing this.

"I......"

Ten minutes later, the food was finally served. There were drinks and beverages, 12 dishes including fish and meat, and a soup.

Chen's mother was immediately unhappy when she saw the dishes on the table.

"Is this all you're going to eat? That's so stingy."

Father Shen was also a little dissatisfied. Normally, in Shenjia Village, the New Year's Eve feast would have at least 30 dishes, including abalone, lobster, and sea cucumber. These seafood dishes were a must, as were turbot and pomfret.

Shen Fang opened the tableware: "Eat up, we're already here, and we didn't come here to eat anyway. Mom, if you're not satisfied, how about this: after we finish watching the Spring Festival Gala, we'll cook another meal at home tomorrow, okay?"

"It's not because of that. Sisi, Xiaopang, Xiaoli, Xiaoma, and Xiaozeng are all meeting for the first time. It's the New Year, and this is too shabby. I'll cook for you tomorrow and make it up to you."

Liu Qianqian smiled as she looked at Liu Yue'e.

"Auntie, I love your cooking the most."

Upon hearing this, Liu Yue'e pinched Liu Qianqian's cheek.

"Really? If you like it, come more often. I'll stay in Beijing for a while longer."

Liu Xiaoli was very happy to see her daughter so close to Liu Yue'e, but at the same time she was also a little jealous. Her favorite dish wasn't made by her. She had raised her for so many years for nothing.

Although the food wasn't great, it was Chinese New Year, a reunion dinner for the family. We didn't drink alcohol, but we did have a soft drink – Very Cola – which is quite impressive considering it was featured in a Spring Festival Gala commercial. Very Cola will definitely be included this year; it'll be the official cola served at the Spring Festival Gala.

Time flies, and before we knew it, it was 8 o'clock.

The party begins.

Music started playing immediately. It was very fast-paced. The audience clapped and cheered along. Although it was a bit cheesy, it was quite lively. Chen Fang also stood up and applauded.

On stage appeared a group of young dancers, dressed in red and yellow outfits adorned with sequins, creating a lively scene. They performed the song and dance "Coming with Spring."

Ni Ping, Zhu Jun, Zhou Tao, Li Yong, Cao Ying, Wang Xiaoya, Wen Qing, and Zhang Zheng come on stage.

They said auspicious words to each of them.

Shen's father stared wide-eyed at Ni Ping on stage, who was wearing a yellow dress; Ni Ping was his idol. Liu Yue'e glanced at Shen's father's lecherous look and immediately became furious. "I'm right here!" she thought.

Just unscrew it.

"Ouch."

Shen's father clutched his waist and looked at Liu Yue'e.

"Your eyes are practically popping out, and you think it's that good-looking? Wow!!!"

Upon hearing this, Mr. Shen felt a little embarrassed.

"Isn't this my idol? Honey, give me some face, there are so many people here."

Shen Fang laughed. Ni Ping was quite good-looking when he was young, but now he's quite old and his figure has changed a bit. Because it was close by, it was very clear, and the signs of aging on his face were obvious.

She was taken advantage of by Chen Kaige for seven years and then dumped, and now her son is seriously ill. Being a single mother isn't easy.

However, Ni Ping's elderly male fans are not genuine. In 2000, there was hardly any entertainment industry, and domestic film and television dramas were basically in a lull. Even Gong Li, a relatively famous female artist in China, might not have as many fans as Ni Ping. Over the years of hosting the Spring Festival Gala, he has accumulated a large number of fans.

"Mom, she's not as pretty as you. Her figure is all out of shape. She can't compare to you or Aunt Liu at all. My dad is a bit ungrateful. You're so beautiful, yet he's looking at other people. Dad, you're wrong."

Liu Yue'e was overjoyed to hear her son's words. This son of hers, he always speaks so pleasingly! It's just that his mother isn't pretty enough!

Liu Xiaoli was also very happy. Women, no matter how old, will be happy as long as they are praised for their looks. Besides, Liu Xiaoli is truly beautiful now. She is a dancer with outstanding temperament and is absolutely gorgeous. Ni Ping is really no match for her.

Shen's father also seized the opportunity to say, "Yes, yes, you look much prettier, wife. I was just wondering how Ni Ping has aged so much. It's only been a few years, but she looks like a middle-aged woman."

Liu Yue'e was also a little surprised when she heard this.

Wenqing: "Yeah, you look so much older. How did you age so quickly? You looked quite young just a few years ago."

There must be a reason why Shen Fang smiles as she gets older: "Everyone gets old eventually. Just watch the show, watch the show."