Chapter 27

On the afternoon of New Year's Eve, the rare sunlight pierced through the clouds and shone into the courtyard of the Song family's old house. Song Mingye was climbing a ladder to paste Spring Festival couplets, while Song Linchuan stood below, holding the ladder, holding tape in his hand, occasionally handing him scissors, and muttering, "Brother, a little to the left, a little more to the left, yes, right here!"

Chu Xiaoche and Qi Zihao walked into the courtyard carrying large and small bags of New Year's goods. Qi Zihao was also holding a large "Fu" character in his hand and excitedly shouted, "We're here! Mingye, Achuan, come and see what we bought!" Chu Xiaoche followed behind, carrying fresh ingredients and several strings of red lanterns, and said with a smile, "I brought you Spring Festival couplets and 'Fu' characters, as well as ingredients for hot pot tonight."

Jiang Ziyu and Mu Nanjin arrived shortly after. Jiang Ziyu was carrying a painting, "The Three Friends of Winter," which he had specially painted to display in the living room. Mu Nanjin was carrying a food box containing rice cakes and pastries he had made himself. "Brother Nanjin, Brother Ziyu!" Song Linchuan greeted them with a smile, taking the things from their hands. "Come in and sit down, it's a bit cold outside."

With everyone working together, the old house was quickly decorated with festive cheer. Red lanterns hung under the eaves, Spring Festival couplets were pasted on both sides of the main door, and the character "福" (fortune) was pasted upside down on the windows. A painting by Jiang Ziyu was also displayed in the living room, and everywhere was filled with the atmosphere of the New Year.

Song Mingye and Chu Xiaoche were busy in the kitchen. Song Mingye was in charge of preparing the meat, while Chu Xiaoche was washing and chopping vegetables. Qi Zihao was peering at them curiously from the kitchen doorway: "Xiaoche, is there anything I can help you with?" Chu Xiaoche smiled and turned around: "No need, you go play with Achuan and the others, we can handle things here."

In the living room, Song Linchuan and Jiang Ziyu were putting up paper-cut window decorations. Mu Nanjin sat to the side, holding a book of poems, but not flipping through it; he simply watched them quietly. "Brother Ziyu, do you think this paper-cut window decoration looks good here?" Song Linchuan asked, pointing to a spot on the window. Jiang Ziyu nodded, his voice soft, "It looks very nice."

As evening approached, the ingredients for the New Year's Eve dinner were almost ready. Song Mingye brought out a plate of fruit salad and placed it on the table: "Dinner is ready!" Everyone gathered around the table, their eyes shining as they looked at the delicious food.

The steaming hot pot dispelled the winter chill. Song Mingye placed a piece of fatty beef on Song Linchuan's plate, saying, "Be careful, it's hot." Song Linchuan took it, his face beaming with happiness. Chu Xiaoche patiently peeled shrimp for Qi Zihao, placing the peeled shrimp into his bowl. Mu Nanjin ladled a bowl of soup for Jiang Ziyu, saying, "Drink some soup to warm your stomach."

At the dinner table, everyone chatted, sharing their interesting stories and achievements from the past year. Qi Zihao excitedly recounted the photos he had taken throughout the year, even showing them to everyone on his phone. Song Linchuan complained about how hard he had studied this past year, to which Song Mingye chuckled and ruffled his hair, saying, "You've worked hard. I'll enroll you in an extracurricular class next year to help you relax." Jiang Ziyu listened quietly, occasionally smiling, while Mu Nanjin watched him tenderly from the side.

After finishing their New Year's Eve dinner, everyone sat in the courtyard, waiting for the New Year's bell to ring. Song Mingye took out fireworks and placed them in the center of the courtyard: "Let's set off fireworks together at midnight." Qi Zihao clapped his hands excitedly: "Great! I love setting off fireworks!"

The clock struck midnight precisely, and Song Mingye lit the fireworks. The fireworks burst in the night sky, their colorful lights illuminating the entire courtyard and everyone's faces. Qi Zihao jumped up excitedly, and Chu Xiaoche hugged him from behind, whispering in his ear, "Happy New Year, Zihao." Qi Zihao turned around and smiled at him, "Happy New Year, Xiaoche."

Song Linchuan leaned against Song Mingye's chest, watching the fireworks in the night sky, and whispered, "Brother, Happy New Year." Song Mingye lowered his head and planted a kiss on his forehead: "Happy New Year, Achuan. I'll spend every New Year with you from now on."

Jiang Ziyu and Mu Nanjin stood side by side, hand in hand, watching the fireworks in the night sky. "Nanjin, Happy New Year," Jiang Ziyu said softly. Mu Nanjin smiled and pulled him into her arms: "Happy New Year, Ziyu. I will be by your side for every New Year to come."

Fireworks burst in the night sky, and the evening breeze kissed the old windowsill, bringing the atmosphere of the New Year and the sweetness between lovers. Three couples nestled together, feeling each other's warmth, their hearts filled with happiness. They knew that the new year, a new beginning, meant that as long as they held hands, they would surely usher in a brighter future. And those memories of the New Year would, like the fireworks in the night sky, forever shine brilliantly in their hearts.