Luo Hongjuan bustled about for over two hours and finally prepared a lavish New Year's Eve dinner. Looking at the counter laden with dishes, she smiled. She couldn't recall the last time she cooked such an abundance of reunion dishes—it must have been when Old Han was still around, before his illness. Back then, their family's finances were better, and such days faded away afterward. Though things had slowly improved over the last two years, with only two of them left, and their son now grown and needing money for university and marriage, Luo Hongjuan hadn't felt the need to cook extravagantly. She never expected they would be sharing a reunion dinner with three people this time.

Thinking of Wang Qiqi, Luo Hongjuan sighed. This girl had endured quite a struggle on her journey. Outsiders might say Qiqi had struck it rich, or perhaps that she was cold-hearted, never offering a hand to relatives in need. But did they know that Qiqi had managed everything alone until the messy business with Wang Dajun and his wife was resolved? Because those relatives hadn't received their compensation, Xiao Tao often saw Qiqi’s eyes red the next morning, suggesting she had cried herself to sleep frequently.

Wang Qiqi and Han Tao returned, lugging several large bags, their laughter ringing all the way home. Anyone they met on the road, they greeted cheerfully, wishing them a Happy New Year. People didn't find it strange that Wang Qiqi and Han Tao were together anymore; they had often seen them exercising together early in the morning. Later, they learned that Han Tao was Qiqi’s tutor. This explained everything: even though Wang Dajun and his wife were gone, they had entrusted Han Tao with tutoring their daughter before they passed. Everyone marveled at how well the Wang couple had prepared for their daughter’s future, praising them as good people who would surely receive good fortune in return.

Luo Hongjuan spotted her son and Wang Qiqi approaching, laughing all the way, from the kitchen window. Timing it perfectly, she opened the front door just before they rang the bell, smoothly taking the bags. "Let me heat these up."

"Auntie, no need to heat them. The boss reheated everything for us before we left; they're absolutely warm," Han Tao said, placing the purchased food onto the already set dining table. "Auntie, Qiqi, let's eat."

Wang Qiqi helped Luo Hongjuan bring dishes out from the kitchen. Hearing Han Tao’s words, she suddenly felt a distinct sense that she, Han Tao, and his mother were truly like a family. Qiqi looked up at Han Tao inadvertently, and at that exact moment, Han Tao’s gaze swept over her. Though she had lived a whole lifetime, her heart pounded fiercely. She quickly lowered her head, and Han Tao just as swiftly looked away.

Luo Hongjuan was standing behind Qiqi and missed the exchange. Otherwise, she would have been extremely uneasy. "Qiqi, why aren't you moving?" Luo Hongjuan found it strange that Wang Qiqi was just standing frozen at the kitchen doorway.

Wang Qiqi murmured an "Oh," and quickly carried the dishes over. Luo Hongjuan dismissed the momentary pause, and the three of them worked together to set out the food. "Qiqi, I’ve already set aside some of today's cooking portions beforehand. Take out what you bought; this is reunion night, and it’s for your parents too."

Wang Qiqi hadn't expected Luo Hongjuan to bring it up herself. That reminded her: "What about Uncle Han?"

"I've prepared his portion too; Han Tao can take it over later." Luo Hongjuan wouldn't forget her man. She had mentioned it to her husband earlier, believing he would agree with her decision. Wang Dajun and his wife had helped her and Xiao Tao immensely. If she didn't step up to help their daughter now, Old Han would surely be unhappy in the afterlife.

Hearing Luo Hongjuan's words, Wang Qiqi carefully placed the dishes before her parents' memorial portraits. "Dad, Mom, this New Year's Eve dinner was cooked by Auntie Luo, and the cold cuts I bought. If it tastes good, you absolutely must tell your daughter; if it doesn't taste good, you must tell me too." After saying this, Wang Qiqi grabbed a box of apples and followed Han Tao to take them to Uncle Han.

Luo Hongjuan’s lips moved, but she held back what she wanted to say. Apples—'Ping An Guo' (safe apples)—a wonderful symbolism. Besides, if she refused them, the girl would likely demand to settle the exact cost of the groceries she bought today.

Han Tao watched Wang Qiqi place the apples before his father’s portrait, then clasp her hands together and speak quietly to his father’s spirit. He was stunned. None of the relatives who visited used to do such a thing. Qiqi had visited a few times before and would clasp her hands in a brief bow, but Han Tao hadn’t felt much then. But seeing Wang Qiqi now, combined with his own recent experiences, he wondered if they weren't kindred spirits in shared hardship.

"All right, let’s go," Wang Qiqi patted Han Tao’s shoulder. "I was just thanking your father, thanking him for giving birth to such a wonderful son, and, of course, for finding such a great wife. Otherwise, my New Year would have been terribly lonely." Even if she didn't know whether she would eat alone next year, at least this year she had enjoyed a lively, warm reunion.

"Let's go," Han Tao said habitually as he walked to the door. "Dad, I’m going out for dinner. Take your time eating." His mother would be back to keep him company soon.

Wang Qiqi waited by the doorway for Han Tao to lock up, and then they headed back together. Luo Hongjuan had already poured drinks. "Let's eat. You must both be hungry."

"Thank you for the meal, Auntie Luo, and thank you for spending the New Year with me." As the host of this gathering, Wang Qiqi first thanked Auntie Luo for her hard work and for agreeing to share the New Year's Eve dinner; otherwise, Qiqi would have just eaten something simple alone.

Luo Hongjuan took a sip of her drink. "It's just Han Tao and me at home, and he isn't much of a talker. New Year's Eve dinners used to be very quiet." It was good to have a daughter around, someone who would chat and help out. Although her son helped too, he wouldn't initiate conversation; he’d only answer if asked, then retreat into silence. It felt quiet at home even with two people.

"Then, Auntie Luo, feel free to come over and chat with me whenever you’re free," Wang Qiqi said, seizing the opportunity.

Luo Hongjuan shook her head. "You two are in your final high school year, focused on the college entrance exams. I won't disturb you. Besides, I work the evening shift; when would I have time?" She had to work until late every afternoon, returning home near midnight, exchanging a few words with her son before needing sleep. "I plan to ask my supervisor in a couple of days to switch to the day shift." The evening shift paid better, but she had too little time with her son. She only had six months left where they could be together day in and day out before he left for college to start his own journey. Luo Hongjuan truly didn't want to miss these six months.

Han Tao made an "Mm-hmm" sound. "That sounds good, Mom. You’re always on the evening shift, coming home so late; it’s bad for your sleep." Han Tao had also considered persuading his mother to quit the night shift; it was too draining. Ever since she started working late, her complexion hadn't been as good.

Hearing Luo Hongjuan mention switching shifts, Wang Qiqi felt a brief pang of disappointment. After all, if his mother wasn't on the evening shift, she’d have time to cook for Han Tao. "That’s good too, Auntie Luo can cook loving meals for Han Tao every day now. That’s so fortunate," she remarked.

Although the reunion dinner had only three attendees, the meal was quite lively. However, most of the conversation flowed between Luo Hongjuan and Wang Qiqi, with Han Tao occasionally chiming in with a brief comment. Luo Hongjuan was speechless at his quiet demeanor. Outside, people claimed her son was so skilled at charming Wang Qiqi, which made Luo Hongjuan indignant. Her son was definitely not that type; he never knew how to coax girls. She truly worried how he would ever bring a daughter-in-law home in the future.

Wang Qiqi noticed Luo Hongjuan eyeing Han Tao with a rather peculiar expression. She found it strange; Han Tao usually behaved perfectly well. Why would his mother look at him like that?

Han Tao ate steadily, occasionally picking up a piece of food for Luo Hongjuan. "Mom, eat more. Don't just focus on talking." He wondered if it was because his mother was alone at work all day that she and Qiqi could chat so happily. People said there was a three-year generation gap, yet his mother and Qiqi, separated by so many years, were getting along so well. Han Tao couldn't comprehend it.

Luo Hongjuan looked at the food her son had served her and paused. Her son was actually quite considerate, remembering to serve her. Compared to the mischievous sons her colleagues complained about, her son never caused her any worry. Well, as long as her son was outstanding, he would eventually find a wife.

Han Tao was relieved when he saw his mother’s gaze toward him lose its strangeness. Though he didn't know why his mother had acted so oddly, the alert was over.

The group ate merrily until past seven. Luo Hongjuan helped Wang Qiqi clear the dishes. "Xiao Tao, stay here with Qiqi for a bit; I'm heading back now."

Wang Qiqi was slicing fruit in the kitchen when she heard Luo Hongjuan, rushing out immediately. "Auntie Luo, aren't you staying to watch the Spring Festival Gala?"

Luo Hongjuan shook her head. "No, I'm going to keep Xiao Tao's father company." She would tell him about the year's events.

"Mom, I'll be back soon to keep you company," Han Tao said, knowing his mother always held an annual debriefing with his father. Han Tao always excused himself during this time, leaving space for his mother and father.

Seeing their determined attitudes, Wang Qiqi didn't press the matter. She returned to the kitchen to finish cutting the fruit. When she brought the fruit platter out, she found Han Tao sitting at the dining table reviewing his schoolwork and asked curiously, "You aren't watching the Gala?"

"I don't really enjoy watching it. What about you?" Han Tao thought: it’s just a jumpy variety show, and it gets worse every year. He used to watch it to keep his mother company, but now that she wasn't here, Han Tao preferred studying to that boring show.

Wang Qiqi pulled out a chair and placed her review materials on the table. "Me neither."

And so, Wang Qiqi and Han Tao spent their first Lunar New Year's Eve together reviewing schoolwork. Later, whenever Wang Qiqi brought up this night, she would always lament wasting such a perfect opportunity.