In the blink of an eye, it is the end of the year in China. Every household in China has begun to prepare supplies for the New Year, but in Country F, thousands of miles away, there is no New Year atmosphere at all.
This year, Gong Linglong and her family will not be returning to China for the New Year. They had told their elders about this before coming, but during her weekend break, she took the children to the mall for a big shopping spree, buying gifts for every elder and relative in the family. She also prepared two thick photo albums and a long letter of five to six thousand words, which had already been sent back to China by air.
"Teacher Yang, Teacher Meng, I've asked for leave for two physical education classes this afternoon, so I won't be going to school today. My dad is coming over today, so I'll pick him up at the airport."
"Chinese New Year's Eve is in two days. I don't think there will be any plans at school. I'm inviting all the Chinese teachers and classmates to my home to celebrate the New Year. Please tell them to come early on New Year's Day to help make dumplings and glutinous rice balls."
Gong Linglong occasionally invites classmates to her home for dinner to try the flavors of hometown food. This time, she organized a gathering for everyone on New Year's Eve. There were quite a few people, so she had to ask them to help with cooking.
Teacher Yang responded, "Okay, I'll let everyone know today. Gong Linglong, I'll leave the grocery shopping to you. Write a list and we'll split the cost later."
"Teacher Yang, there's no need to divide the money equally during the Chinese New Year. I'm treating everyone this year, so just come early and help me."
When classmates come to my house for dinner, we usually split the expenses equally and cook together, with everyone making their own specialty dish.
After the two teachers left, Gong Linglong took the four children, big and small, to the mall to buy groceries. There were enough supplies in the space, but there were many dishes that could not be taken out. She was surrounded by people with high IQs, and if she was not careful, she would be suspected, which would bring her endless troubles. Therefore, she usually went out to buy local dishes for dinner.
After purchasing the things, Gong Linglong drove to the airport to pick someone up. The four little kids followed and all squeezed into the back seat, each playing with a Rubik's Cube in their hands.
Cui Zhiyuan came to spend the New Year with them this time. He did not bring his assistant with him. He was wearing a down jacket and a coat, and was dragging two large suitcases when he came out.
"Dad (Grandpa)!"
Cui Zhiyuan smiled when he saw them and strode closer. "Have you been waiting for a long time?"
"Not long, about ten to twenty minutes."
Gong Linglong stepped forward to help him pull the suitcase. The car stopped outside and she called to the children, "Follow us."
Cui Zhiyuan had put some chocolate in his pocket and took it out for them to eat. Seeing that his son had gained weight after not seeing him for more than half a month, he chuckled and said, "Siwei, have you been eating too much and not exercising lately?"
"I exercised."
Cui Siwei accompanies the triplets skiing and playing tennis every day. They are outdoors regardless of wind or snow, and they exercise more than at school.
"Linglong makes delicious food for you every day. Do you eat it to your heart's content?" Cui Zhiyuan pouted the flesh on his face.
Cui Siwei gave an embarrassed smile. He had indeed eaten heartily. "Sister's cooking is delicious. She often makes us midnight snacks. I think I've gained a bit of weight."
He usually doesn't eat much at home, but his appetite has increased significantly after coming here. One reason is that the food his sister cooks is delicious, and the other is that he was inspired by the triplets. They eat a lot, so he followed suit without realizing it.
It was already past four o'clock when they got home. While Cui Zhiyuan went to take a shower, Gong Linglong immediately prepared dinner and cooked a few dishes that the father and son liked.
On New Year's Day, the invited guests arrived early. Teacher Yang is very good at calligraphy, so today's couplets were given to him. The male students helped to paste the couplets, the female students helped to cut window flowers, some helped to make dumplings and glutinous rice balls, and a few helped Gong Linglong in the kitchen.
At noon, a sumptuous reunion dinner was served on the table, all of which were Gong Linglong's specialties.
Everyone present was deeply moved by having a delicious New Year's Eve dinner in a distant foreign country. Two sentimental girls even wiped away their tears.
Cui Zhiyuan was also busy today. He took out two bottles of precious red wine and poured them for the guests personally. Before the meal, he said a few emotional words and gave all the guests a lucky New Year's gift.
The teachers and students were all very moved and grateful for the hospitality of Cui Zhiyuan and his daughter. They all stood up and raised their glasses to toast: "Mr. Cui, Gong Linglong, Happy New Year!"
"Happy New Year!"
Amidst the New Year greetings, everyone raised their glasses and enjoyed this sumptuous and delicious meal together.
Although they were abroad, they had a great time on New Year's Eve this year. After having a delicious reunion dinner, everyone organized their own entertainment activities, singing and dancing in the warm and comfortable living room, passionately showing off their talents.
Many, many years later, when this group of people get together, they will always recall what happened today and talk about the most memorable day in their lives.
At the same time, in a secret base far south of China, Lu Jingchuan, who had been lurking there for nearly two months, took out a family photo hidden deep in his clothes and kissed his wife and son in the photo over and over again.
"Captain Lu, today is New Year's Eve. Are you missing home too?"
The comrade next to him asked with a smile, and even leaned over to look at his photo, giggling: "Sister-in-law is so beautiful, she is like a fairy descending to earth."
"Captain Lu, let us take a look." A group of people nearby came over.
"You are not allowed to look."
Lu Jingchuan hid the photos, but he couldn't defeat them alone, and the photos were quickly snatched away by them.
"Wow, she's really a fairy. No wonder Captain Lu never lets us meet his sister-in-law."
"If I had such a beautiful wife, I would also hide her and never let outsiders know."
"Captain Lu, you should take care of yourself. Your current appearance is a bit embarrassing for your sister-in-law."
"Ha ha ha ha..."
Lu Jingchuan snatched the photo back, glared at the person who insulted him, and gritted his teeth: "Get lost."
They have been hiding in this primeval forest for two months. After living like savages for so long, they are all untidy and have no image at all. If he walks in front of Gong Linglong in this state, she probably won't recognize him.
Lu Jingchuan smoothed the photo, and his rough, calloused hands kept stroking the person in the photo. Now he finally understood the feeling of lovesickness.
Two years, and only two months have passed.
"Captain Lu, is your sister-in-law at home with the child?" a teammate next to him asked him.
"No, they are in Country F."
"Huh? In Country F? Why is it there?"
"My wife is studying abroad, and she's brought our three children with her to take care of them." Lu Jingchuan gazed westward and sighed, "Country F celebrates New Year differently than we do. Linglong definitely has classes today, so I guess we can only prepare a simple New Year's Eve dinner after class."
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