Chapter 289 New Year (Part 3)

Xie Tu looked up and glanced around.

Her home had many more items than when I last visited.

The living room sofa was replaced with a soft, thick cotton-linen fabric, and several hand-knitted cushions were added, the colorful balls of yarn clustered together.

On top of the cabinet were various small ornaments, similar to cartoon figurines, which were probably the trinkets I bought from the group of sentries in Dongcha Town last time.

Subtle changes are not just about adding material things, but also about reflecting a lifestyle.

Xie Tu's gaze finally landed on the room opposite.

The door was open.

The previously empty room has been completely transformed.

The little bluebird and the fire phoenix are playing inside.

As usual, the Fire Phoenix abandoned its true form and came early today, perching on the old shelf that the Little Bluebird no longer wanted.

Noticing Xie Tu's gaze, the little guy pretended not to see it and tilted his head back to catch the colorful ball that the little bluebird threw to him.

They were having a great time.

Xie Tu ignored it and placed the New Year's gifts he was carrying on the table. "What are you planning to do this afternoon?"

Yun Zhao was pouring water for them when he heard this and replied, "He Xiang and the others are roasting sweet potatoes with the children in the back. They're the ones you gave me last time. Do you want to go take a look?"

Qi Ling tightened her grip and remained silent.

Those people must be sentries.

They'll definitely recognize him...

Xie Tu noticed his reaction and turned to help Yun Zhao bring water. "The children aren't over there. I saw them playing in the stairwell downstairs when I came over."

Yun Zhao paused, and naturally saw Qi Ling's nervous look, and understood the meaning behind Xie Tu's words.

She nodded gently and said to Qi Ling directly, "When they see you, they will only think you are sick and will not realize anything else, so you don't need to be nervous."

The black slime on Qi Ling's body was completely suppressed.

He could communicate normally, there was no black aura emanating from his body, and he was wrapped up tightly, moving around like a normal person.

No one has ever seen a mutant that retains its sanity.

The people in town wouldn't think of that.

"Yeah?"

Qi Ling heard her say this, but her tone still carried a hint of uncertainty.

I sat there awkwardly, glancing down at my feet every now and then, afraid that black slime would suddenly ooze out.

Yun Zhao hummed in agreement and said softly, "There will be even more people during the New Year's Eve dinner later. Just treat it like you're celebrating the New Year in the past, and they won't notice."

She paused, then asked, "Were there always a lot of people during Chinese New Year in the past?"

Qi Ling was silent for a moment, then said, "More than that."

People will go out into the streets to celebrate the New Year together.

The streets back then were a vibrant, surging ocean of joy.

Some people went to temple fairs, some went to the movies, and some drove to the suburbs to set off fireworks. If they really didn't want to go out, they would stay at home and watch the Spring Festival Gala with their families.

And in the year before the end times.

On New Year's Eve that year, after having a reunion dinner with his family, Qi Ling invited a few friends to a bar and partied all night.

Who could have imagined that it would be his last New Year?

Recalling those scenes, the memories seem to become blurred, like a distant dream.

Yun Zhao said no more; she was never good at comforting people.

Rabbit said, "The captain is willing to vouch for you, and Minister Duan agrees, which means everyone is willing to believe in you. Don't keep focusing on your so-called 'monster' label."

"Relax, don't think too much. Let's have a lively New Year first. Things won't be so easy after the New Year."

Xie Tu remained silent, his back to them as he arranged the New Year's goods he had brought to the table.

Put things in the refrigerator where they should be, and put things in the cabinets where they should be.

That familiar movement.

He acted as if he were the master of this place.

Yun Zhao ignored him, thought for a moment, and said, "I have a deck of cards here, how about we play cards?"

She also bought the playing cards from Li Guo and others.

Qi Ling has been away from people for too long and may need an adjustment period. Out of consideration for him, I simply stayed indoors in the afternoon.

"But I don't know how to play. How do I play this?" Yun Zhao asked.

Rabbit: "I don't know either."

Xie Tu turned to look at Qi Ling.

Qi Ling weakly raised her hand: "I will..."

He was very familiar with the old-fashioned forms of entertainment and gave a simple explanation of the rules.

Yun Zhao, Rabbit, and Qi Ling started playing Dou Dizhu (a card game) on the coffee table.

The King Chameleon appeared out of nowhere and ran into the little bluebird's playroom, joining the two phoenixes in their play.

Firecrackers occasionally went off outside the window, bringing with them a noisy commotion.

Xie Tu stood by the window for a while, then his communicator vibrated, indicating he had received a message from Qi Shiqi.

*

Around six o'clock, the four of them went downstairs to have their New Year's Eve dinner.

It gets dark early in winter.

The shed was lit by a dim yellow light, making the view hazy, but still enough to see the surrounding scenery clearly.

The people in town were overly enthusiastic.

Since it's a rare occasion for guests to visit, everyone treated them with the utmost hospitality.

Especially for Xie Tu.

The aunties asked him about his well-being and subtly inquired about him, "Where do you work? Are you in the same department as Zhaozhao?"

How old are you?

Can you cook and do housework?

Xie Tu patiently answered each question.

"Twenty-six? Six years older than Zhaozhao, that's good..."

"It's good to be able to do housework. Men should learn to cook and do housework. There's a saying that goes something like, 'The way to win a woman's heart is through her stomach.'"

Zhao Yan, who was helping to serve the dishes, stopped and listened attentively upon hearing this.

As for Xie Tu's family situation, everyone tactfully refrained from asking.

Everyone's come to their place for the New Year, so it's obvious there's no one left at home.

Why rub salt into someone else's wounds during the Lunar New Year?

The sentries in the town all knew Xie Tu's identity, so they obediently helped carry water and move things, and didn't dare to come any closer.

Qi Ling hid himself under his cloak and silently moved his stool away from Captain Xie.

When someone asked him a question, he answered honestly.

At the same time, I breathed a sigh of relief; sure enough, no one recognized me.

The long-lost warmth of home cooking allowed him to experience a different atmosphere.

Rabbit whispered to Yun Zhao, "I didn't expect the captain to be so popular."

Yun Zhao lowered his head and peeled the candy. "That's right."

The aunties were so enthusiastic.

I thought the captain would be overwhelmed, but he handled it with ease.

The dishes were quickly served one by one.

There were some drinks on the table.

As Zhao Yan was serving the dishes, she remembered something and mustered up her courage to ask Xie Tu again, "Do you usually drink alcohol?"

Xie Tu paused noticeably, glanced at Yun Zhao, and replied calmly, "No, I don't drink at all."

Relieved, Zhao Yan turned around and went back to her work.

At the entrance.

He Xiang stood there, shouting loudly for those upstairs who hadn't come down yet to hurry up and come out.

"Dinner's ready!"

The children rushed in, playing and laughing, and each found their own spot.

Laughter and cheerful voices echoed in the shed, creating a strong festive atmosphere for the Chinese New Year.

*

After the meal.

The townspeople went to the lantern festival in groups.

Yun Zhao was eager to see a Sichuan opera performance first.

The four of them didn't drive, but walked to Central Street, enjoying the festive atmosphere along the way.

A large crowd had already gathered at the performance venue on Central Street.

They finally found a suitable spot to stand, but before the performance even started, the sound of gongs and drums could be heard from backstage.

When the familiar face appeared on stage, the audience erupted in excited shouts.

It feels like a lifetime ago.