"Okay, let's stop working. Here, have an apple." Liang Xinxing handed an apple to Dai Xingyun.
Dai Xingyun accepted the apple with a smile and took a big bite without hesitation. The sweet and crisp taste instantly filled his mouth, and he couldn't help but exclaim with satisfaction, "Mmm, so delicious!"
Watching her son wolf down his food, Liang Xinxing's eyes were full of love and expectation. She asked softly, "Is it delicious?"
Dai Xingyun, still chewing on an apple, nodded vaguely, then quickly swallowed the food in his mouth and said, "It's very sweet, Mom, you should try some too." As he spoke, he picked up another big, red apple from the fruit basket and handed it to his mother.
Liang Xinxing smiled as she took the apple, took a small bite, and savored its sweet taste.
As she ate, she carefully examined her son and suddenly noticed faint dark circles around his eyes. Her heart ached, and she said with concern, "Look at you, look at those dark circles under your eyes."
Dai Xingyun touched his face sheepishly, smiled, and said, "It's nothing, Mom. I probably just didn't get enough rest."
After saying that, he finished the rest of the apple in two or three bites, wiped his hands, and said to Liang Xinxing, "Mom, I'm going to sleep."
Liang Xinxing nodded and gently instructed, "Go on, get some sleep. I won't wake you up at noon, let you sleep a little longer. I'll wake you up for dinner when everyone comes back in the evening."
"Okay!" Dai Xingyun replied, turned around, and strode upstairs.
Back in his room, he collapsed onto the bed. The soft mattress made him feel incredibly comfortable, but strangely, despite being exhausted, he couldn't fall asleep no matter how much he tossed and turned.
The image of Shen Xiaoxiao involuntarily surfaced in my mind—her sweet and lovely face, her bright and lively eyes, and her radiant smile… As I thought about it…
Dai Xingyun's lips curled up slightly, carrying a hint of tenderness that was barely perceptible.
"I wonder how Xiaoxiao is doing? I haven't seen her for several days. Does she miss me?"
Dai Xingyun murmured softly, his gaze somewhat unfocused, his thoughts already drifting to the person in the distance who haunted his dreams.
Night had quietly fallen, and the streetlights were just coming on. An enticing aroma filled the room.
Liang Xinxing started preparing early, meticulously preparing a sumptuous and delicious feast.
Grandpa, Grandma, Dai Xingyu, and their father Dai Zhan—the whole family is about to gather together at this special moment to welcome the warm reunion on the eve of Chinese New Year's Eve.
"Mom, why isn't my brother up yet? Should I go upstairs and wake him?"
Dai Xingyu looked up at the building and asked impatiently.
Liang Xinxing smiled and nodded: "Okay, the food is almost ready. Go and call him down!"
After receiving her mother's permission, Dai Xingyu, like a cheerful little bird, quickly ran upstairs with light steps.
A short while later, she arrived at Dai Xingyun's door, raised her hand without any politeness, and knocked heavily on the door.
She shouted at the top of her lungs, "Brother, are you up or not? Grandpa, Grandma, and Dad are almost at the door, and Mom needs to prepare the meal!" Dai Xingyu stood at the door and said loudly.
"I'll get up now." Before the words were even finished, the person on the bed sprang up quickly, the closet door was pulled open, and the clothes inside swayed slightly with the movement.
He casually glanced at the clothes in the closet, pulled out a decent-looking outfit, and put it on.
Immediately afterwards, he rushed to the washbasin in the room, skillfully picked up a toothbrush, squeezed on toothpaste, and began to brush his teeth and rinse his mouth carefully.
In no time, he finished washing up and looked refreshed and radiant.
As he reached for the doorknob to open the door, he couldn't help but wonder if someone was waiting outside.
As the door slowly opened, he saw that Dai Xingyu was indeed still standing quietly at the door, with a sweet smile on her face.
"Why are you still here?" Dai Xingyun asked casually, somewhat surprised.
"I've been waiting for you! Brother, you haven't been back for years, haven't you missed me?"
As Dai Xingyu spoke, she flew to Dai Xingyun's side like a cheerful little bird, affectionately taking his arm with both hands and gently shaking it, her tone carrying a hint of reproach and coquetry.
Hearing his sister say that, Dai Xingyun smiled helplessly and replied, "Don't we communicate every month?"
“So what? We won’t see each other anyway,” Dai Xingyu continued to whine, seemingly not satisfied with her brother’s answer.
She tilted her head back, her big eyes fixed on Dai Xingyun.
"Alright, alright, what's on your mind? Just tell me. If it's something you like, I'll try to buy it for you, okay?"
"I'm not used to you being so coquettish!" Dai Xingyun said as he walked downstairs, a doting smile on his face.
"Hmph, you bad brother, I didn't do this because I wanted you to buy me anything. I just really, really miss you!"
Dai Xingyu pouted and pretended to be angry as she turned her head away, but her eyes sparkled with undisguised joy and dependence.
"Alright, alright, I guess I misunderstood you. Since you don't intend for me to spend any money, let's not dawdle any longer and hurry downstairs!" Dai Xingyun waved his hand and made as if to turn around and walk downstairs again.
"Hey, wait a minute, brother! Actually... actually, there's something I really want. I saw a super beautiful cashmere coat at the department store, it's so gorgeous, I love it!"
Seeing that her brother was really leaving, Dai Xingyu hurriedly grabbed his clothes and started to act coquettishly.
"Haha, I knew you wouldn't let my wallet go so easily. Alright, little brat, I'll take you shopping tomorrow. If that cashmere coat is really as good as you say, I'll definitely get it for you!"
Dai Xingyun shook his head helplessly. He had always doted on his only younger sister, so how could he refuse her small request?
Just then, their mother peeked out from the kitchen, her face beaming with smiles, and called out to them, "Xingyun, come and sit down quickly, the food is all ready, just waiting for you to eat!" Her eyes were full of love and tenderness.
Dai Xingyun responded and quickly walked to the dining table, greeting his grandparents and father in turn: "Grandpa, Grandma, Dad, I'm back!"
The family sat around the dinner table, and a warm and harmonious atmosphere filled the air.
"It's good that you're back!" Grandma Dai's voice trembled slightly with excitement, tears welling up in her eyes, which were slightly red with joy.
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