Because Qi Shejiang only shared videos on Weibo, and Zhang Yue was on holiday with no response, netizens guessed for a while, then dispersed; after all, everyone had to celebrate the New Year.
Qi Shejiang’s family ordered their New Year’s Eve dinner from a restaurant, while Xia Yiwei prepared a cold dish; she didn’t know how to make much else, though Qi Guangling could still make dumplings.
At the dining table of the Qi family, all kinds of dishes were served; their table had a diverse spread, ranging from steak and salad to dumplings and sweet osmanthus lotus roots.
Relatives of the Qi family were scattered from all over; since the elders were no longer around, it became difficult for this generation to gather. They only connected through video calls for New Year’s greetings, and the New Year’s Eve dinner was just the three of them. Qi Shejiang hadn’t had a “reunion dinner” in many years; it had become rather empty.
This year, though the numbers were few, watching Xia Yiwei humming or recording blessing videos while Qi Guangling prepared dishes and poured drinks felt brand new. Qi Shejiang, however, felt a long-lost warmth of reunion. “In the New Year, may our Jesse’s crosstalk career reach new heights and succeed in promoting Zidi Shu,” Xia Yiwei raised her glass in a toast.
“Also wishing you youthful vitality forever, and for Dad, may everything go smoothly,” Qi Shejiang drank warm water, clinking glasses with them, his face adorned with a naturally warm smile. They ate while watching TV. The Spring Festival Gala on New Year’s Eve felt rather mundane, yet for Qi Shejiang, it was an entirely fresh experience.
Xia Yiwei and Qi Guangling hadn’t watched the Spring Festival Gala for many years. Seeing their son so engrossed, they occasionally commented, without realizing they ended up watching it to the end together, although they inevitably got distracted to exchange New Year greetings with others.
As the clock struck midnight, the new year began.
