Thanks to everyone's efforts, lunch was ready quickly. The plump and round dumplings, with their different flavors, made everyone feel happy and content.

But amidst this lively atmosphere, the person who just returned home today is not at the dinner table.

Miao Suzhen looked at the empty seat again and again, hesitating to speak several times.

Finally, Duan Jiancheng spoke up: "Let Xiao Kai spend more time with Sheng Xia; they haven't seen each other for many years."

Everyone's eyes pierced through the living room and looked directly up to the rooftop, where there was a small flower garden. In the height of summer, people always liked to tend to these flowers and plants.

He later died in the line of duty during the summer. In addition to a tombstone in the Martyrs' Park, a small memorial tablet was also erected in the flower bed on the rooftop.

Top floor.

Duan Kai sat there alone with two bowls of dumplings.

On the table in front of him was a memorial tablet that read: Tomb of my beloved wife, Shengxia.

This was carved by Duan Kai stroke by stroke with a knife back then. Now the wood has rotted a little, and the photo on the memorial tablet has become a bit blurry, but you can still see how dashing Sheng Xia was back then.

Duan Kai held a large bowl, eating dumplings while chatting and laughing with his wife.

“You used to say I had a bad memory, and I always argued with you. But now that I think about it carefully, I can’t even remember how long it’s been since we last saw each other.”

"In the height of summer, I really have a bad memory; I'm always forgetting things. You used to always scold me for it..."

"Also, we're expecting a grandson soon, Xiao Mo is pregnant."

As he spoke, Duan Kai himself laughed.

"Time flies! We used to think raising a son was difficult enough, but now we're about to have a grandson..."

"In the height of summer, I made these dumplings myself today."

"Shengxia, I'm so weak. I haven't been back for so long, and I haven't seen my two sons for so long either. Without you, this family... seems to have fallen apart..."

"Summer, will you blame me?"

"Then you should control me..."

Each word he uttered grew softer and softer, and by the end of the dumplings, he had lost all taste for them.

He doesn't know how to make dumplings; he was taught by Sheng Xia back then.

Even in winter, the flowerbed on the rooftop is still full of flowers; Mother has taken good care of the flowerbed you left behind.

Duan Kai wiped away his tears and said, "Mom always says that with the flower garden around, you won't be too lonely."

A light snow began to fall again on the horizon. By the time Duan Kai noticed, several snowflakes had already landed on his graying hair, and many more had fallen on the memorial tablet in the height of summer.

Duan Kai ignored himself and simply wiped the snowflakes off the memorial tablet in the middle of summer.

He wiped and wiped, mechanically repeating the same action.

Just like in the past few years when he was in the army, he held a photo of summer in his arms for many years. The edges of the photo have faded, but the person in the photo is always fresh and always young.

As he gets older and retires from his job, he has more and more free time, but he finds it increasingly difficult to fall asleep.

"Summer, I just...miss you a little."

At the corner, Duan Ye held Luo Qingyuan's hand tightly.

They originally came up just to check on Duan Kai, but now they can't even take one step out.

Duan Ye sighed, "Let's go back and give them some space."

So, Duan Ye took Luo Qingyuan downstairs again.

Luo Qingyuan asked in a low voice, "If you miss him so much, why hasn't your uncle returned for so many years?"

Duan Ye led Luo Qingyuan out the door, and the two of them strolled in the snow wrapped in coats.

“My uncle used to rarely come home because of his official duties. After my aunt married into the family, she would order him to come home on time every year. He was obedient and was always the first to arrive home during holidays or when he had time off.”

Luo Qingyuan blinked, seemingly understanding but not quite.

Duan Ye said, "He hasn't been home for so many years simply because he wants his aunt to come and keep an eye on him again."

"I was very young when Auntie Shengxia left, and my memory is hazy, but I remember that the snow was very heavy that day, and many, many cars came to our house, and there were many uncles wearing hats..."

“Since then, my uncle has been acting like a madman and has been undergoing psychological treatment for a long time.”

"My eldest and second eldest cousins' personalities gradually changed. After my uncle recovered, he left home, and he hasn't been gone for more than ten years..."

As Duan Ye spoke, his voice was filled with sorrow: "We all miss Auntie very much."

Luo Qingyuan grabbed him, and Duan Ye turned around: "What's wrong?"

Unexpectedly, Luo Qingyuan gently reached out and hugged him, resting her head against his chest, trying to comfort him in this way.

"Aunt Shengxia is a very great person."

Duan Ye hugged her back: "Yes, thank you."

Few people in the family mention Aunt Shengxia, but whether it's Qingming Festival, Ghost Festival, or Chinese New Year, the whole family always goes to the Martyrs' Park to sweep the tombs.

There, not only is Aunt Shengxia buried, but every time, Grandpa would bring a lot of wine. After each trip, he would lock himself in his room for several days and not see anyone.

This is the most unforgettable pain for the Duan family.

Even though Duan Ye is usually carefree and irresponsible, he still finds it hard to control his emotions at times like this.

They just missed their families.

Luo Qingyuan held him quietly until frost and snow covered their heads.

Duan Ye then let go of her: "Let's go back, it's so cold outside."

Luo Qingyuan stared at him with her innocent big eyes, speaking cautiously, "Are you still sad?"

Duan Ye couldn't help but smile and raised his hand to brush the snowflakes off her head.

"I am content with you by my side."

Luo Qingyuan sighed, "Tonight is New Year's Eve, shall we stay up together?"

Duan Ye put his arm around her shoulder, and the two walked back side by side.

"Of course I want to."

"Can we play mahjong while staying up late on New Year's Eve?"

"Yes, you can also play cards."

"Playing with money?"

"Can you afford to lose?"

Luo Qingyuan got really excited when this was mentioned.

"Of course I can afford to lose, but can you?"

Upon hearing this, Duan Ye found himself in a dilemma.

"I... your husband can't handle losing."

Luo Qingyuan was a little shocked: "What will you do if you lose?"

Thinking back to previous years, Duan Ye felt somewhat unconvinced: "They just cheated."

Luo Qingyuan was immediately speechless: "This works?"

Duan Ye immediately laughed: "It has to work, even if it doesn't work, I don't have any money."

Will you get beaten up?

That really could...

"But with you this year, even if I lose..."

"I don't care about you, you have to pay for your own losses."

Duan Ye immediately started wailing, "Hey, don't be like that, wife... husband and wife are like birds in the same forest..."

Luo Qingyuan slapped his hand away without hesitation: "When disaster strikes, everyone flies away."

"Honey, you can't be this heartless! It will make me sad!"

Luo Qingyuan walked even faster, her voice carrying over from afar.

"No, they are people with principles."