The mother and daughter were working warmly in the kitchen, while Su Guomin diligently cleared the snow outside in the yard. The family of three was busy preparing for the arrival of the new year.
Around 5 p.m., the Su family's dining table was set with the prepared New Year's Eve dinner dishes. "Chicken stew with mushrooms, fried meatballs, pork and cabbage dumplings, braised fish, and smashed cucumber."
The Su family of three washed their hands and sat down at the dining table. Su Guomin smiled and said to the mother and daughter, "Thank you for cooking. Our New Year's Eve dinner has begun. You two should eat more."
Looking at her smiling parents, Su Xingran smiled too. She served food to her parents before starting to eat herself.
Su Guomin and Zeng Huilan also served Su Xingran food, urging her to eat more. The three of them had a less lively New Year's Eve dinner than in previous years, but it was still filled with joy and warmth. Su Guomin had no one to drink with, but he still poured himself a glass and drank it. Su Xingran and Zeng Huilan didn't drink alcohol, but drank beverages that Su Xingran had taken from her spatial storage. Finally, the three glasses containing alcohol and soft drinks clinked together, ending the New Year's Eve dinner on the last day of the year.
As usual, they stayed up all night to celebrate the New Year, setting off firecrackers as the new year arrived. Su Xingran stayed up to chat with her parents, waiting for the New Year to arrive.
At exactly midnight, Su Xingran checked the time on her watch. She quickly reminded Su Guomin, who was sitting next to her, "Dad, it's time."
Upon hearing Su Xingran's words, Su Guomin picked up the firecrackers placed beside him and walked to the front door. Su Xingran followed him out. Su Guomin lit the firecrackers, and they crackled and popped.
Su Xingran quietly watched the flames of the firecrackers, thinking to herself that at this time last year, she was still waiting for her university acceptance letter, and everything was still fresh in her mind. How wonderful, now she was welcoming a new year of true rebirth.
After the firecrackers finished burning, Su Xingran said to her parents who were standing beside her, "Happy New Year, Dad and Mom. I wish you good health."
Su Guomin smiled and said to Su Xingran, "Happy New Year, Ranran. Dad wishes you peace, safety, and good health."
Zeng Huilan smiled and said to Su Xingran, "Happy New Year, Ranran. I wish you peace and good health."
Su Xingran had the New Year's money her parents had given her in her pocket after dinner. She lay in bed, covered with a warm, thick quilt, and drifted off to sleep, accompanied by the occasional sound of firecrackers.
Gu Moli, in the military base, listened to the sound of firecrackers coming from the family compound. In his hand was a photo of Su Xingran, the one he had given her for her coming-of-age birthday.
Gu Moli called home yesterday and learned from Liang Yun that Su Xingran had gone home for the Chinese New Year. Before Gu Moli could ask, Liang Yun spoke first.
"Don't worry, Tai'an picked Xingran up the day she returned. Tai'an called your uncle that same day to let him know that Xingran had returned home safely."
As the saying goes, only one's own child knows best, and Liang Yun knew exactly what Gu Moli wanted to know. Gu Moli was relieved to know the answer.
Looking at Su Xingran in the photo, Gu Moli whispered, "Xingran, Happy New Year!"
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