Going home for the Chinese New Year with a year-end bonus of 100 million

The car was quiet for a while, with only the hum of the engine.

Yang Ya looked at the scenery rushing past the window, then suddenly spoke again, her tone somewhat displeased:

"Brother, didn't my cousin say he'd return the car today?"

"It's already noon, and there's still no news. Not even a phone call."

Yang Fan had actually noticed it as well.

Yesterday, Wang De confidently promised to return the car by this afternoon at the latest, but now it's almost noon and there's still no sign of it.

He glanced at his phone; there were no missed calls or messages on WeChat.

"Maybe... he was delayed on the way? Or maybe he stayed at his mother-in-law's house a little longer?" Yang Fan said, though he was actually a little unsure himself.

"What's the delay!" Yang Ya pouted.

"I said yesterday, it's easy to lend this car out, but difficult to get it back."

"See, I was right!"

"He just wants to drive our new car a couple more days to show it off because he thinks it's nice!"

Yang Fan smiled helplessly: "Never mind, Xiaoya, it's the New Year."

"Anyway, we're not going anywhere today, so this car will do."

"Maybe he'll drive it back later."

"You're always like this, such a nice guy!" Yang Ya muttered, but seeing that her brother didn't want to say more, she stopped complaining and just hugged the photo frame, whispering:

"I hope he can be more self-aware."

When the brother and sister returned home, they showed the family photo to their parents and their third uncle and aunt.

Everyone gathered around, looking at the happy family in the photo, and couldn't stop praising them.

"It's so beautiful! It should be hung up!" Wang Xiuying touched the photo frame, her eyes a little red.

"Our family hasn't taken such a complete family photo in many years."

Yang Jianguo nodded, his face beaming with undisguised satisfaction.

Yang Ya proudly placed the photo frame on the most conspicuous cabinet in the main room, looking at it from left to right, extremely satisfied.

"..."

The afternoon flew by.

The kitchen was always bustling with heat, and the sounds and aromas of frying and stir-frying constantly wafted out.

The men prepared the main dishes, the women did the delicate work, and the children ran in and out, passing things around and sneaking bites of the freshly cooked food.

In the middle of the trip, Wang Xiuying realized that she hadn't bought enough drinks, so Yang Fan drove his old Volkswagen to the convenience store and brought back several large bottles of cola, orange juice, and coconut milk.

Before we knew it, the sky began to darken.

Around 5 p.m., the sound of firecrackers in the distance began to intensify. At first, there were only a few sporadic firecrackers, but then, as if by prior arrangement, they rose and fell in waves, becoming louder and more frequent.

The entire village seemed to be awakened and ignited by the deafening sound, and the air was filled with the strong smell of gunpowder, a unique and exciting smell that belongs to the Chinese New Year.

In Yang Fan's kitchen, the last few dishes were about to be cooked.

Yang Jianguo glanced at the sky and said to his son, "Xiaofan, prepare to burn paper money and set off firecrackers! After we pay respects to our ancestors, we'll have dinner!"

This is the usual practice.

Before the New Year's Eve dinner, we must offer sacrifices to our ancestors and invite them to "eat" first before the whole family sits down to enjoy the meal.

Yang Fan responded and, together with his cousin Yang Hao, took out the yellow paper and incense that they had prepared beforehand. They then set up a small offering table at the entrance of the courtyard and placed several exquisite dishes and drinks on it.

Yang Jianguo personally lit incense and led all the male members of his family (Yang Fan and Yang Hao) in a respectful worship ceremony.

The women prepared bowls and chopsticks inside the house.

After the worship is completed, the offerings are taken away.

The main event is here—setting off firecrackers!

Yang Fan brought out the "Earth Red" thousand-shot firecrackers that he had bought long ago, as well as several tubes of combination fireworks.

He hung the whip on a bamboo pole in the yard, lit the fuse with incense, and ran away quickly.

"Crackling and popping—bang! Crash—!"

The deafening sound of firecrackers exploded instantly. The two siblings covered their ears, but their eyes never left the firecrackers.

Red confetti flew everywhere amidst the noise and smoke, covering the ground in front of the door as if a thick red carpet had been laid out, creating an extremely festive atmosphere.

After setting off the firecrackers, Yang Hao couldn't wait to light the fireworks.

"Whoosh—Bang!"

A dazzling golden beam shot into the sky, bursting forth in the darkening night sky and transforming into a sky full of glittering golden willows.

"Wow! That's beautiful!" Yang Ya clapped her hands and jumped up.

Immediately afterwards, the second and third tubes of fireworks went up into the sky.

Red, green, purple, silver... all kinds of flowers bloomed in the night sky, illuminating everyone's smiling faces, as well as this little courtyard and countless other homes that were similarly lit up and filled with laughter.

The air was filled with the smell of gunpowder mixed with the aroma of food, and the sounds of firecrackers and family laughter filled the air.

Yang Fan stood in the courtyard, watching the dazzling colors of the sky bloom and fade away, looking at the satisfied smiles on his parents' faces and his sister's flushed cheeks with excitement. His heart was filled with a burning emotion called "reunion" and "happiness".

All the running around and all the troubles were worth it at this moment.

Perhaps, this is the meaning of going home for the Chinese New Year!

Yang Ya moved closer to her brother, her eyes still fixed on the lingering light and shadows in the sky, and suddenly whispered:

"Happy New Year, brother!"

Yang Fan turned his head, looked into his sister's bright eyes, and a smile spread across his face: "Happy New Year, Xiaoya."

"Come on in!" Yang Jianguo waved his hand. "Let's eat!"

Inside the main room, a large round table had already been set up.

Cold dishes and hot stir-fries, chicken, duck, fish, meat, soups and desserts—a dazzling array, plentiful and fragrant.

In the center is a steaming hot pot, with bubbling red oil, symbolizing a prosperous and thriving year to come.

Yang Jianguo took out the bottle of Moutai that Yang Fan had brought back and filled it for his third brother, himself, Yang Fan, and Yang Hao.

The women poured drinks.

Everyone took their seats. Yang Jianguo, as the head of the family, raised his glass and looked around at his relatives sitting around the table—his wife, children, younger brother, sister-in-law, and nephew.

The lights were warm, the food was plentiful, and everyone's face was beaming with smiles.

He cleared his throat, his voice loud and full of emotion:

"This year is different for our family! Xiao Fan has become successful, and Xiao Ya is sensible! My third brother's family is also living in harmony!"

"It's rare for our whole family to get together like this, and we're all so happy!"

"This glass is a toast to my whole family—Happy New Year! Good health! All the best! May all your wishes come true in the new year!"

"Happy New Year!"

"Cheers!"

All the wine glasses and beverage glasses clinked together, making a crisp, pleasant sound.

Laughter and cheerful voices instantly filled the room, spilling out the window and blending into the sounds of firecrackers and the lights of countless homes on New Year's Eve.

The true flavor of the New Year lies in the aroma of the reunion dinner, in the intertwined blessings, and in the softest part of everyone's heart, quietly taking root and becoming so rich and intense.

The only downside is that my cousin, Wang De, didn't return the car.