After visiting her maternal grandparents, Lin Qing and Gu Nanxun had some free time, and fortunately, it was also the Lunar New Year.
Lin Qing and Gu Nanxun had already discussed it with the Chen family. They would stay at the courtyard house on New Year's Eve to have a reunion dinner with Dong Xiulan and Lin Jianguo, and then have a reunion dinner at the Chen family's place on New Year's Day.
On Lunar New Year's Eve, at noon, Lin Qing and Gu Nanxun had a reunion dinner with Dong Xiulan and Lin Jianguo in the courtyard with the children.
This reunion dinner was prepared by Lin Qing, Zhao Xi, and Dong Xiulan together. They started preparing for the lunch in the morning.
Lin Qing even prepared many dishes that Dong Xiulan and Lin Jianguo had never eaten before.
Lin Qing had carefully prepared some special dishes, such as her signature sweet and sour pork ribs and steamed sea bass, as well as Western-style roasted chicken and salad that Dong Xiulan and Lin Jianguo had never tried before. The enticing aroma wafted from the kitchen, distracting the children playing in the yard.
Later, Gu Nanxun also became interested. He personally cooked several traditional home-style dishes, such as braised pork, braised prawns, and Lin Qing's favorite four-happiness meatballs. These dishes were Lin Qing's favorites and also the children's favorites.
Although Lin Jianguo didn't cook, he had been grinning from ear to ear since he woke up in the morning, which made Lin Yunfeng laugh at him incessantly.
At noon, sunlight streamed through the eaves of the courtyard house, illuminating the table laden with delicious food. Lin Qing, Zhao Xi, and Dong Xiulan had been busy all morning, finally preparing a sumptuous family reunion dinner. The children ran excitedly around the yard, peeking into the kitchen every now and then, eagerly anticipating their tasty lunch.
As the last dish was served, the whole family sat together. Dong Xiulan and Lin Jianguo looked at the table full of delicious food, their faces beaming with satisfaction and pride.
Lin Jianguo raised his glass, his face filled with emotion, and said, "It's such a blessing to be able to celebrate the New Year with everyone this year. If your eldest and second eldest brothers can be transferred back next year, that will be a true family reunion. Come on, let's toast to this family, to our reunion!"
After finishing his sentence, Lin Jianguo downed the wine in his glass in one gulp.
Dong Xiulan patted his shoulder with a smile, drank the wine in her glass, and then said with a laugh, "You old geezer, if you want to drink, just drink it. Why all the fancy talk!"
"Dad, don't worry! My eldest brother's paperwork is almost done. Now it's just my second brother's turn. After the New Year, I'll think of a way to make sure we can have a family reunion dinner next year!"
Gu Nanxun finished his drink and said with a smile.
"Good...good...Nanxun really knows how to do things, he's much better than my third son. Come on, Nanxun, let's have another one!"
Lin Jianguo was beaming with joy, not only because Gu Nanxun said he would find a way to have a family reunion dinner next year, but also because of his son-in-law's thoughtfulness and his love for his daughter. Now it seemed that his three sons and one daughter were all doing well, and he felt that his life had been worthwhile.
"Dad, how can you do this! Praising one while belittling the other, am I not your own son?!"
Lin Yunfeng couldn't help but complain when his father belittled him.
"What's wrong? You're upset because I'm talking to you? Think about it yourself, what do you have that compares to Nan Xun? You're not as tall as Nan Xun, you're not as good-looking as Nan Xun, you're not as capable, you're not as good at your job, you're not as good with money, tell me, what makes you so great..."
Lin Jianguo rolled his eyes at his third son and said nonchalantly, "But my third son isn't without his merits. At least he married a good wife. But I won't say anything more, lest he become arrogant."
"Dad, you can't compare me to Nanxun!"
When Lin Yunfeng saw Lin Jianguo comparing him to Gu Nanxun, he said with dissatisfaction, "Can this brother-in-law be compared to ordinary people? Don't say I can't compare. Look at all the young talents in the country, how many can compare? But then again, my sister is amazing. She can find a one-in-a-million good man after going to the countryside, and she can also help her brother solve his life's major event."
After Lin Yunfeng finished speaking, he looked at Zhao Xi with pride, which prompted Zhao Xi to pinch him hard on the waist.
Upon hearing this, Lin Qing proudly puffed out her chest and said with a smug look, "Of course! My taste isn't just for show; it's exceptionally good. Back then, I spotted Nanxun at first glance. I could tell he was no ordinary person the first time we met..."
Gu Nanxun smiled sheepishly to the side, picked up a piece of braised pork and put it in Lin Qing's bowl, then gave Lin Qing a bright smile.
Lin Qing was proudly recounting her first impression of Gu Nanxun, telling her story with Gu Nanxun amidst the children's admiring gazes. When she saw Gu Lanxun serving her food, she couldn't help but smile, and when their eyes met, they exchanged a knowing smile.
"And then what happened? What happened next?"
Gu Ziyao was listening attentively to Lin Qing's story about her father when she suddenly noticed that her mother had stopped talking. She couldn't help but shake Lin Qing's arm and eagerly asked her what was wrong.
"And then..."
Later, Lin Qing continued telling the story, and the children would occasionally exclaim in amazement. They would also applaud in admiration and, imitating the adults, raise their glasses of juice and shout excitedly, "Cheers!" The crisp sound of clinking glasses echoed in the courtyard, and everyone's face was filled with a happy smile.
After lunch, the children set off firecrackers and fireworks in the yard. The colorful fireworks bloomed in the sky, reflecting the children's excited smiles. Lin Qing and Gu Nanxun chatted with Dong Xiulan and Lin Jianguo in the living room, talking about the past year and their hopes and dreams for the future.
As night fell, red lanterns were hung in the courtyard, adding to the festive atmosphere. That evening, the whole family gathered together to make dumplings. Although the children's dumplings came in all sorts of shapes, each one was filled with joy and warmth. Dong Xiulan and Lin Jianguo taught the children how to make dumplings, telling them traditional New Year customs and stories as they did so.
When the steaming dumplings were served, the whole family sat together again, enjoying the dumplings they had made themselves. Lin Qing and Gu Nanxun watched this heartwarming scene, their hearts filled with gratitude. They knew that no matter how the outside world changed, the warmth of home and the companionship of loved ones would always be the most precious things.
As the New Year's bells rang, Lin Qing and Gu Nanxun counted down with the children to welcome the new year. The children cheered excitedly, while the adults hugged each other, wishing each other a happy new year and good health.
This Lunar New Year's Eve was a day filled with laughter and warmth for Lin Qing's family. They knew that in the new year, no matter what difficulties and challenges they encountered, as long as the family was together, there was nothing they couldn't overcome.
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