25: Chapter 25 New Year's Eve

Chen Youhua pushed open the door to his home, and a gust of air mixed with the smell of firecracker smoke and home-cooked meals rushed toward him.

In the street, the brand-new Spring Festival couplets were a striking red, and several children in new padded jackets were throwing firecrackers, their playful shouts exploding in the air.

He was just clearing his mind and wandering aimlessly when the phone in his down jacket pocket suddenly vibrated frantically.

He pulled it out to look, and the screen was filled with message pop-ups.

Pinned at the top was Professor Zhang Zhenhua:

Zhang Zhenhua: Youhua, it's good that you've reached home. Rest easy and Happy New Year.

It was concise but carried a rare warmth.

The laboratory's small group chat was also lively:

Wang Zhe: "Xiao Chen, are you home yet? Happy New Year! I'm watching over the laboratory's babies (microscope.jpg), so feel free to enjoy yourself!"

Senior Sister Li: "Junior Brother Chen, Happy New Year! Recharging complete, I'll be back to fight again! (fighting.jpg)"

The corners of Chen Youhua's mouth curled up slightly. His fingers tapped quickly:

Replying to Zhang Zhenhua: "Thank you, Professor. I've arrived home. Wishing you and your family a Happy New Year and good health."

Replying to the laboratory group: "Thanks, Senior Brother and Senior Sister! Happy New Year! Hard work, Senior Brother Wang (OK gesture), and the same to you, Senior Sister Li!"

Xiao Wen's messages were jumping the most excitedly:

Xiao Wen: "Chen Youhua! Happy New Year! Are you home? Have you had your big feast yet? My family's New Year's Eve dinner is about to turn me into a ball! (a table of blurry dishes.jpg)"

Chen Youhua paused for a moment and typed a few more words:

Replying to Xiao Wen: "Yeah, just arrived. Happy New Year. The dishes look good, looks filling."

The liveliest was the high school group chat, which had been silent for a long time.

The Class Monitor was spamming messages:

Class Monitor: "All members! Fifth day of the first lunar month in the afternoon, Mixiang Tea House! The old place, everyone who can come, come! @Everyone"

A: "Received! Will definitely be there!"

B: "+1! Finally getting to meet in person!"

C: "Can I bring family? Haha!"

D: "@Chen Youhua academic god! The missing person has returned! You must come!"

Looking at the message tagging him, Chen Youhua took a deep breath and replied in the group:

Chen Youhua: "@Class Monitor Received, thanks for organizing. However, I have to rush back to school after the New Year for a project, so I can't make it this time, what a pity. Wishing everyone a great time, Happy New Year!"

As soon as the message was sent, the group immediately exploded:

Class Monitor: "Ah? The academic god is that busy?"

D: "No way! The project is important, but take care of your health too!"

E: "Sigh, without the academic god, it feels like the class of the gathering has dropped..."

F: "Understandable, understandable! Take care, academic god!"

Watching the flood of regrets, Chen Youhua felt a sense of relief instead, as if a weight had been lifted.

He tucked his phone away, his steps becoming a bit lighter, and he even uncharacteristically bought a stick of Tanghulu from a street stall, the sweet and sour taste melting in his mouth.

...

In the evening, the kitchen was a symphony of pots, pans, bowls, and plates.

Mother Chen's voice pierced through the cooking fumes: "Youhua! Stop nesting in there, come out and serve the dishes!"

Chen Youhua came out at the call.

The small dining table was already fully laid out.

Shiny braised pork ribs, steaming steamed fish, golden fried meatballs, bright green vegetables, soft and glutinous eight-treasure rice, and fragrant chicken soup.

On the TV, the Spring Festival Gala was lively starting up.

Father Chen was still in the kitchen watching the clay pot.

"The soup will be ready in a moment!"

Mother Chen directed while wiping her hands.

"Bowls and chopsticks! Youhua, set the bowls and chopsticks! Old Chen, hurry up!"

They finally sat down.

Mother Chen was quick with her hands, and a large piece of rib landed in Chen Youhua's bowl.

"Quick, try it! Mom stewed it all afternoon, is it flavorful enough?"

Father Chen was not to be outdone, and a large piece of fish was placed in the bowl.

"Right, right, fish! May you have abundance every year!"

A small mountain instantly piled up in the bowl.

Looking at his parents' earnest smiling faces, Chen Youhua felt a warm glow in his heart.

"Mhm."

He picked up the rib and took a bite.

"It's delicious, very tender." He then tasted the fish, "The fish is also fresh."

"That's good! Eat more!" Mother Chen beamed.

On the TV, a skit was being funny; Father Chen laughed heartily and turned to ask.

"Youhua, you're eating well at school, right? Don't just focus on experiments, you have to eat on time."

"It's fine, the cafeteria."

Chen Youhua replied and, for once, took the initiative to ask.

"Is Second Uncle's back pain any better? I heard my little cousin is taking the Gaokao this year?"

"Oh, your Second Uncle is still the same! Your cousin is quite promising, her first mock exam results were good..."

Mother Chen immediately took up the conversation, rambling on about family matters.

Outside the window, the sound of firecrackers gradually grew denser.

On the TV, the host's impassioned voice rang out.

"...Five! Four! Three! Two! One! Happy New Year—!"

"Bang! Shooo~~ Boom!!"

The night sky outside was instantly lit up by brilliant fireworks, casting changing lights and shadows in the room, as the deafening wave of firecrackers swept through the small town.

"Happy New Year! Youhua!"

His parents shouted with laughter at the same time, their faces reflecting the colorful light of the fireworks.

Chen Youhua looked at his parents' smiling faces and listened to the roar outside, the savory taste of the ribs and the sweet and sour flavor of the Tanghulu still lingering in his mouth.

"Dad, Mom, Happy New Year!"

He responded with a smile, a pure and solid sense of warmth enveloping his whole body.