Then there's Qi Si's side. People in the 1980s didn't have the habit of going to hotels to celebrate holidays, so all the hotels were closed on New Year's Eve. All the staff and younger brothers were on holiday, and Qi Si was all alone again. Only Zhu Bao and Cheng Fuxing couldn't go back because their homes were too far away. The three grown men huddled together to stay up all night, which was embarrassing to talk about.

"Let's celebrate the New Year together. We can cook in your kitchen, find a big private room, and eat together." As soon as Qin Xiaoyu said this, Qi Si had no reason to object. The kitchen was ready, the ingredients were ready, and even the chef was ready.

Grandpa Hanhan had already gone over to help. The eldest sister-in-law and her family of three were originally going to leave, but when they heard that they were going to the hotel, they immediately became enthusiastic and rushed over early as well.

Qin Xiaoyu took Zhou Yue home, picked up Hanhan and her younger sister, then went to pick up his wife before heading to the hotel.

My cousin's family also came over. Tang Long rode a tricycle, and my cousin's wife and Fengqin sat on it, wearing thick cotton-padded coats and holding water bags, which kept them warm.

The wife was initially reluctant to eat out, but seeing the lively atmosphere at the hotel, she became happy. Leaning on her cane, she had Hanhan take her to visit the various private rooms, just to broaden her horizons.

Qi Si had spent so many lonely years, and this was the first time it was so lively. This person called him "Uncle," that person called him "Fourth Brother," and everyone was stumbling around. It was troublesome, but also warm, as if he had a family now.

He had bought a lot of firecrackers and took Hanhan out to set them off. Tang Hu eagerly followed, and he also got two big handfuls. He was so happy that his little eyes narrowed into slits with laughter.

Qin Xiaoyu dropped off her wife and then went out again; no one knew where she went. When she returned, it was Aunt Wang who got out of the car. Upon seeing Qi Si, she said with a displeased look, "I don't want to move, but you have to make me suffer."

"Hehe, I can't control this girl, don't tell me, you can figure it out yourself." Qi Si was quite happy, watching these two women, whom he couldn't afford to offend, fight each other, he was happy no matter who lost.

The banquet was held in the largest private room, with two square tables joined together to form a long row. The elders took their seats, and the tables were arranged in order. Qin Xiaoyu led Fengqin and her sister-in-law to serve the dishes, which were brought out one after another. Qi Si had also spared no expense, as this large table of dishes included all kinds of delicacies.

The people at this table are all honest and simple folks who have never seen anything like this before. They keep asking questions while they eat, but luckily, Hanhan and her younger sister are there. They are knowledgeable and can answer all their questions.

"These two little ones are quite something," Aunt Wang nodded with a smile.

"Come on! This is my shop, so I'll be the host and do my part. I'll raise a glass first." Qi Si stood up and picked up his glass when everyone was there, and the others echoed him and raised their glasses as well.

"Respect to my sister!" Qi Si turned to Qin Xiaoyu.

"Brother, are you causing trouble? There are so many elderly people here. We should respect the elderly. What am I to them?"

“Yes, we should toast Xiaoyu.” The eldest wife spoke first.

"Don't joke with me, I can't take that!" Qin Xiaoyu covered the wine glass to prevent it from being poured, but Tang Fengqin snatched it away. She tried to take it back, but her cousin-in-law pressed her down to sit. When the wine glass was returned, it was filled to the brim with persimmon wine, which was blood red.

"This year has been tough for my sister. I wish her all the best next year, and that all her wishes come true." Qi Si finished speaking and downed his glass of wine.

"Good, well said. Little Fish will have a smooth year ahead. All the bad things will be left behind this year and put behind us." The lady also picked up her small cup and drank it all in one gulp.

Grandma Hanhan picked up her cup, stood up shakily, and said to Qin Xiaoyu, "Xiaoyu, if Mom is wrong, don't take it to heart. From now on, you are my own daughter."

"Mom, you're exaggerating."

"Alright, goddaughter, I think it's my turn to speak. Just hold on, the good days are yet to come," Aunt Wang said, interjecting.

"Sister, all these things that have happened this year are thanks to you. Our whole family thanks you." The cousin also drank his drink.

Qin Xiaoyu suddenly felt that all the suffering and grievances she had endured this year had been worth it.

She only drank a little persimmon wine, and she knew she couldn't hold her liquor well, as she had to drive her wife home later.

Qi Si was in a great mood and soon drank too much. Qin Xiaoyu asked Cheng Fuxing and Zhu Bao to help him back to his room to sleep.

"If Fourth Brother wakes up in the middle of the night, cook him some dumplings. Make sure he doesn't go out and keep an eye on him."

Qin Xiaoyu gave repeated instructions before returning to the private room.

"If you want to watch the Spring Festival Gala, you can stay and watch. There's also a karaoke room next door. I'll take your wife home first. She's getting old and will get tired if she's out for too long." Qin Xiaoyu helped his wife out the door.

Hanhan's grandparents, one holding Hanhan and the other holding her little sister, sat in the back row.

Fearing that Aunt Wang would find it noisy, Qin Xiaoyu gave her a ride in the car as well.

"Little Fish Godmother, can you tell me how many more years I have to live?" The lady had a good chat with Granny Wang and learned about her relationship with Qin Xiaoyu. Now she had accepted this godparent relationship.

"You, just live your life slowly, you have plenty of time ahead of you. With such a good granddaughter-in-law as Xiaoyu, wouldn't it be a shame if you didn't live a few more years?" Aunt Wang's words were sharp and cutting. Qin Xiaoyu wondered, how could her business possibly be doing well?

"Don't look at me, my business is doing great." Aunt Wang's words startled Qin Xiaoyu, who stuck out her tongue and quickly looked away from the rearview mirror.

"Godmother, don't scare me."

"Why would I scare you? Just drive carefully." Aunt Wang pointed to the road, and a dog darted past, startling Qin Xiaoyu.

Aunt Wang's face turned somewhat gloomy.

When Qin Xiaoyu picked up his wife, he left a light on. Upon entering the courtyard, he saw only one light; the west room was pitch black.

"I'm worried my wife might get hungry tonight, so let's cook some dumplings in the middle of the night."

“I’ve prepared everything, it’s frozen. Do you want me to get you some sauerkraut dumplings? They’re your favorite,” Grandma Hanhan asked.

"No, thank you. They've already booked everything over there."

"I felt sorry for the people in that house, so I brought them a plate of dumplings." Grandma Hanhan glanced at Qin Xiaoyu's face.

"Send it to her; it's the Lunar New Year, and she's pitiful too."

"Don't worry, Xiaoyu, I just delivered dumplings. I didn't say a word more and I won't have anything to do with them again," Grandma Hanhan quickly assured her.

"Mom, I know, it's okay."

This was Qin Xiaoyu's plan. Since there were elderly people here who couldn't stay up late, she ate the reunion dinner with them first. Later that evening, she would bring Hanhan and her younger sister back to celebrate the New Year.

The Zhou family had already eaten and were all listening intently for the car. As soon as Qin Xiaoyu arrived at the door, Zhou Xing's mother came to open it.

To be honest, the 1984 Spring Festival Gala was very interesting, and Qin Xiaoyu was even looking forward to the 1985 Spring Festival Gala.

But when I sat down in front of the TV, I was a little dumbfounded. This Spring Festival Gala wasn't being broadcast in a studio; it had been moved to the Beijing Workers' Stadium.

You have to understand that in those days, there was no technological support whatsoever. There wasn't even a walkie-talkie, and there was no coordination between departments. They relied entirely on eye contact. But no, they couldn't even see each other; it was like blind and deaf people performing together.

Despite the participation of many big stars, the Spring Festival Gala was still a failure.

Amidst their regret, the Zhou family cooked New Year's Eve dumplings. Zhou Xing and Xiao Chen ran outside to set off firecrackers, watching through the window.

The firecrackers were deafening. Qin Xiaoyu covered her face as Zhou Xing looked up and met her gaze. For a moment, they were both dazed. The scene by the river was still vivid in their minds, but everything had changed.