My seniority is extraordinary: I was only eight years old when the whole village came to wish me a H

As the giant "Nian beast" disappeared into the night carrying a red envelope, the atmosphere in the ancestral hall square instantly changed from tense and mysterious to incredibly joyful and festive.

"Thump! Thump! Thump!"

The large ceremonial band played even more enthusiastic and festive music.

The deafening sound of gongs and drums, and the resounding suonas.

Around the square, the Wu family villagers who had previously played the role of "terrified villagers" had all shed their pretenses and were now beaming with genuine, radiant smiles.

They spontaneously started performing long dragon dances and lion dances in the square.

A long, golden dragon danced and twirled among the crowd, its momentum magnificent.

The colorful lions, meandering and leaping on the plum blossom stakes, performed all sorts of difficult moves.

The entire square instantly transformed into a sea of ​​joy.

And just then...

"boom--"

A dull thud.

In the very center of the square, the huge bonfire platform built of bluestone was instantly ignited!

The raging flames shot skyward!

The intense flames illuminated the entire night sky in a fiery red glow!

It also captured the happy smiles on everyone's faces on the field with crystal clarity.

The warm air instantly dispelled the chill of the winter night.

The entire ancestral hall square was enveloped in a warm, peaceful, and vibrant atmosphere.

In the live broadcast room, hundreds of millions of viewers were completely stunned by the lively scene full of everyday life.

"I...I cried..."

"I'm a grown man, and seeing this scene, I don't know why, but tears just started falling."

"It's so...so warm..."

"This...this is what real Chinese New Year is like!"

"There were lively performances, a warm bonfire, the company of family, and heartfelt smiles... I felt that all my beautiful imaginations about the 'New Year' had come true at this moment."

"Waaaaah, I miss home so much, I miss my mom and dad so much..."

"Brother, don't cry! Tonight, we're all family!"

Countless viewers were deeply moved by this strong and warm festive atmosphere at that moment.

They felt that they were no longer lonely bystanders sitting in front of the screen.

Instead, they truly integrated into this grand New Year's Eve celebration that belongs to all Chinese people.

In the control room, Su Qinghuan looked at the happy smiling faces on the screen and the constantly scrolling, touching comments, and her eyes welled up with tears again.

She knew that Wu You had achieved his goal.

This seemingly simple yet profound performance, and this seemingly unpretentious yet warm bonfire, successfully evoked the deepest emotional resonance in every Chinese person regarding "home" and "New Year".

This is true simplicity and authenticity.

This is what it truly means to share this moment across the ends of the earth.

Su Qinghuan's gaze unconsciously fell once again on the small figure sitting in the armchair directly in front of the campfire.

A raging flame danced and burned not far in front of him.

His black down cloak and his delicate little face were illuminated by shifting light and shadow.

He remained sitting there quietly.

Unlike the other villagers, his face did not beam with the joyful smiles of others.

But Su Qinghuan could see a faint, satisfied smile in his dark eyes that reflected the flickering firelight.

He was like a kind patriarch watching his children play happily.

Even though he himself was the youngest child.

Just then, Su Qinghuan heard the excited yet nervous voice of her assistant, Xiao Li, coming through her earphones.

"Chairman! The first contact, Li Hu, is ready!"

"Signal is available anytime!"

Upon hearing this, Su Qinghuan felt a chill run down her spine.

She knew that the real star of tonight's New Year's Eve party was about to appear.

She took a deep breath and spoke slowly into the microphone in a warm and expectant tone.

"Dear viewers, please."

"The lively opening performance has ended."

"The warm bonfire for staying up all night has also been lit."

"Now, let's welcome our first special guest tonight."

"He is one of the most beloved people stationed on the northwestern border of our China."

"He is also a son who hasn't been home for the Chinese New Year for three years."

"Let's give a warm round of applause to the young soldiers from the border post in the Kunlun Mountains—"

"Li Hu!"

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