By the time the Spring Festival Gala started, there were exactly four dishes and a soup on the table.

I steamed a fish, made sweet and sour pork ribs, and stir-fried pork with chili peppers. The cola chicken wings were a special treat for him. The soup was the most common tomato and egg soup, topped with scallions and eggs, which looked and smelled very appetizing.

Although it's a very ordinary thing, most people never value such things; as long as the people they care about are by their side, that's enough.

Before eating, Chen Lu made a point of turning on the TV. He wouldn't watch the Spring Festival Gala at all these days, but he felt uneasy eating New Year's Eve dinner without it playing in the background.

The room was warm, the TV was playing a familiar opening sequence, and firecrackers were going off outside, instantly creating a festive atmosphere for the Spring Festival at the dining table.

The three sat at the table, chatting and laughing. Liang Zhirou was quiet, occasionally whispering a few words to Chen Lu. It wasn't lively, but it was very warm.

Xiao Xunfang watched the two children with a smile, genuinely happy, as it had been many years since she had experienced such a lively atmosphere.

As the meal drew to a close, Chen Lu began to get restless, his hand, hidden under the table, would occasionally reach out and touch Liang Zhirou's small hand.

Each time it passed by, it would startle the silly boy so much that he would tremble all over.

Liang Zhirou was very dissatisfied, so when Chen Lu came to harass her again, she simply took matters into her own hands and grabbed his hand tightly, refusing to let go.

This time, Chen Lu was stunned.

Liang Zhirou snorted inwardly, feeling quite smug.

Do you realize you were wrong?

Just then, Chen Lu suddenly grabbed her hand tightly. She could even feel each of Chen Lu's fingers slipping between hers until their fingers were intertwined.

Liang Zhirou's cheeks flushed red, but no matter what she did, she couldn't break free. Chen Lu clearly didn't intend to let her go so easily.

How can this person be so unreasonable?

Chen Lu! My mom is sitting right across from me...

She communicated with Chen Lu with pleading eyes.

Chen Lu blinked innocently and blankly, as if it wasn't his hand causing the mischief below.

Liang Zhirou gave up struggling and could only turn her head away, pretending that nothing had happened.

Mom! Stop laughing...

Look down! Someone is bullying your daughter!

After an unknown amount of time, Chen Lu finally had his fill of teasing her before he was willing to let go of her hand.

Liang Zhirou immediately withdrew her hand, her palms already sweaty.

"Come, Xiaolu, Zhirou, I wish you all the best next year." Xiao Xunfang raised his water glass, "May all your wishes come true."

May all your wishes come true.

As Chen Lu pondered this, he couldn't help but steal a glance at Liang Zhirou beside him.

His wish for next year is to support this girl's world and protect her from the wind and rain.

He doesn't seem like a child struggling to grow up anymore; he's already grown up, isn't he?

Chen Lu silently complained about his father, then raised the corners of his mouth in a smile.

Turning his gaze away from Liang Zhirou's pretty face, Chen Lu raised his cup and clinked it against the two other people's cups.

Wishing you an even better year!

The faint smile on Chen Lu's face lingered for a long time. If nothing unexpected happens, next year should be the most important year of his life.

......

After dinner, Chen Lu sat on the sofa for a while longer before finally getting up to say goodbye.

The Spring Festival Gala is so boring these days, it's amazing that Aunt Xiao can still watch it.

"I'm going back now," he said softly.

"If your parents can't come back... you'll be sleeping alone all night during the Lunar New Year?"

Xiao Xunfang felt a little sorry for Chen Lu. Chen Lu came to eat this meal, and she and her son had a lively New Year. But after Chen Lu went back, he would be all alone during the New Year.

How can this kid be so kind-hearted?

Chen Lu smiled at her nonchalantly, "Hey, it's okay, I'm all grown up now. Besides, it's already past ten o'clock, I should go to bed soon after I get back and wash up."

Liang Zhirou looked at Chen Lu's profile, her hands clenching and unclenching repeatedly, wanting to stand up many times.

She was about to speak when her gaze met Chen Lu's as he turned around.

"Remember to save me some food tomorrow morning, I'll come over and eat it."

After saying that, Chen Lu slowly closed the door.

Liang Zhirou reached out and tugged hard at her clothes at her chest, feeling a sense of emptiness in her heart.

She knew that Chen Lu particularly disliked being alone.

"I'll go down and see him off."

She spoke softly, walking slowly to the door. She felt the doorknob was incredibly heavy, and despite her great effort, she couldn't press it down.

Liang Zhirou immediately turned around, looked at Xiao Xunfang who had just sat back down on the sofa, and finally couldn't help but speak:

"Mom... I might not be coming back tonight."

After she finished speaking, she lowered her head and clenched her fingers like a child who had broken something.

Xiao Xunfang's lips curled up slightly, and he looked at her with a teasing gaze, "Is Miaomiao sick again?"