Which way to go is the road?

After Xiang Fei quit gaming, Qian Luomei brought a lot of books from home and stacked them on the bar counter. The covers of these books were more or less damaged, and the binding style was like that of the 90s or earlier; they should be Qian Ruofeng's collection.

Xiang Fei picked up one of the books, "The Gadfly," whose cover was badly worn, and began to read it carefully.

Reading such outdated books at the front desk of an internet cafe drew stares from many customers, who even found it strange. But Xiang Fei didn't care at all, immersing himself in the stories depicted in the book and enjoying himself immensely.

Xiang Fei wasn't the only one reading at the front desk of "Shuiyunjian"; Dong Lu was also there. She really didn't plan to go home for the New Year. While customers were working diligently, she would pick up a book and read whenever she had free time, just like Xiang Fei.

The two sat on either side of each other, never interrupting each other's reading unless absolutely necessary. They were engrossed in different stories within their respective books, yet their hearts remained equally calm. After a while, they would inevitably look up into the distance, glancing at each other's quiet, focused selves. Occasionally, their eyes would meet, a smile exchanged, before they would lower their heads again to continue what they had been reading.

Dong Lu wasn't going home for the New Year. Xiang Fei originally wanted to ask her the specific reason, but Qian Luomei's evasiveness that day made him hesitate, so he didn't ask. Yes, some things will eventually be said, so why ask? It's not just about being inappropriate; it's about hurting someone's feelings.

As the days passed and the Lunar New Year drew near, Xiangzi and Wang Haoming had already gone home for the holiday, but there was still no sign of Xiang Fei. This time, it was Dong Lu's turn to be curious.

"Xiang Fei, the day after tomorrow is Lunar New Year's Eve! Are you leaving tomorrow?" Dong Lu asked with concern, putting down Xiang Fei's book.

Xiang Fei turned the book upside down, stood up, stretched, and said with a grin, "I'm not leaving. I'm afraid you'll be lonely in the internet cafe. I'll keep you company for the New Year!"

Dong Lu shoved Xiang Fei: "Stop talking nonsense, do you think I need you to keep me company? Don't joke around, when are you actually going back?"

"Okay, no more joking, I really won't be going back! I've already called my parents and arranged to stay at 'Shuiyunjian' for the New Year and go home on the sixth day of the Lunar New Year!" Xiang Fei said seriously.

"So you can spend the New Year with me?"

"Whether I accompany you or not is secondary; the main thing is the triple salary, which I'd like to earn!" Xiang Fei chuckled.

"I can't be bothered with you!"

Dong Lu's face showed a hint of displeasure. She picked up the book in her hand, returned to the sofa, and continued reading.

New Year's Eve is just around the corner. We approach it step by step, and then slowly drift away. Isn't that also a way of getting closer? This day is the end, but also the beginning. It is the goal, and even more so, the day to set lofty ambitions! A year of hard work and countless drops of sweat seem to have been for this moment of reunion. Those who work and start businesses away from home are like spaceships traveling in the vast universe. On this day, they must return to base to refuel and regain the courage to continue their journey.

On New Year's Eve, the number of customers at "Shuiyunjian" was actually slightly higher than in previous days, with half of the 200+ seats occupied. However, the usual excitement was absent from everyone's faces; they appeared mechanical and numb. Although some tried to appear relaxed and indifferent, the thought of it being New Year's Eve made them seem even more forlorn and pitiful.

Fortunately, there's a place called "Shuiyunjian" to relax, so I'm not all alone.

Qian Luomei also went home for New Year's Eve and handed the attic key to Dong Lu so they could cook some meals up there. Xiang Fei went to the supermarket early to buy a lot of ingredients and stored them up, enough for the two of them to eat during the New Year holidays.

Dong Lu works at the front desk, and Xiang Fei prepares the meals and brings them down every day. The two of them devour the food at the coffee table. The meal isn't lavish, but it's still quite delicious.

On New Year's Eve, Xiang Fei had just finished preparing the New Year's Eve dinner and was about to take it downstairs when Dong Lu's voice came through the walkie-talkie: "Don't take it downstairs today, let's eat upstairs!"

A little while later, Dong Lu came to the attic, her face lighting up at the aroma, just like a child who had just returned home. Without washing her hands, she grabbed a piece of rib and ate it, savoring the fragrance as she ate!

"Why are you eating already? Go wash your hands! How can a girl be less hygienic than a grown man like me? Go now!" Xiang Fei brought out a plate of mushrooms and bok choy and saw Dong Lu eating with great relish!

"You're so fussy! I'm a girl and I don't mind, but you, a grown man, are dawdling like this! Let me finish this rib!"

"No, hurry up and go! Or you can go downstairs and eat instant noodles, I don't care about you!" Xiang Fei urged Dong Lu to put down the ribs and pushed her into the bathroom.

After washing her hands, Dong Lu returned to the dining table. Xiang Fei had already set out the bowls and chopsticks, and the four dishes he had prepared were neatly arranged: braised pork ribs, stir-fried bok choy with mushrooms, stewed fish, and hot and sour shredded potatoes. He had also poured two glasses of red wine.

"Xiang Fei, did you do all this?" Dong Lu asked incredulously.

"Did you make this again? Hurry up and eat! It's a bit late, it's already 8 o'clock, you must be hungry!"

Dong Lu picked up her glass of red wine, a sweet smile revealing two shallow dimples: "Xiang Fei, come, let me toast you! Chef, you've worked so hard; I can't imagine how I would have gotten through the New Year without you!"

"That's right! Say some nice things to me. I'm the head chef, so you'd better suck up to me these next few days, or I might go on strike and you'll be starving!"

"Stop showing off. You really think you're something just because you heard a few nice words. Hurry up and drink!" Dong Lu forcefully clinked her wine glass together and downed all the red wine in one gulp. After finishing, she even closed her eyes to savor the taste.

"Hey, Dong Lu! You're up here. What if no one's on the first floor? If someone comes in and causes trouble, we'll be in big trouble!" Xiang Fei took a bite of food and suddenly thought of this.

"I've locked the front door! Besides, it's New Year's Eve, who would want to come out and cause trouble for no reason!"

"That's true, everyone needs to celebrate the New Year, right?"

Dong Lu picked up the wine bottle and poured herself a drink: "That's not necessarily true. Do you think those internet addicts spending the whole night in an internet cafe counts as celebrating the New Year? Do you know why I told you not to take the food downstairs earlier?"

"Why?" Xiang Fei asked, puzzled.

"Think about it, restaurants and supermarkets are all closed, and those internet addicts downstairs can only eat instant noodles to fill their stomachs. Meanwhile, the two of us are out there eating ribs and drinking red wine. Isn't that just asking for trouble? Even if they don't mind, can we really enjoy our meal?"

"Yes! You did the right thing, I didn't expect that!"

"Xiang Fei, do you think it's meaningful for these internet addicts to spend the New Year staring at a computer screen?"

"I don't know, I've never been like that! But I've been a net addict, addicted to online games. When you're completely immersed in it, you ignore everything, including your own reason, morality, family and friends, your ideals, pursuits, and so on!"

"When did you realize all this? While playing games?"

"I guess so! Remember that time you upgraded your divine weapon? Even though I knew the chances were slim, I still couldn't control my enthusiasm and excitement! I thought I would be the luckiest one!"

"Didn't you eventually give up on upgrading?"

"Yes! Thanks to you, otherwise I would have gotten even deeper into this mess, and I would have felt even more lost and frustrated, and I might still be recovering from it!"

Dong Lu thought about the situation at the time and asked in return, "Thanks to me? But I remember I didn't say a word back then!"

Xiang Fei clinked glasses with Dong Lu and downed his drink in one gulp. "But you said before, 'It's okay to play games, but don't let the game play you.' The moment I clicked the mouse to level up, I remembered those words, so I let go—let go of the mouse, let go of the game, let go of my obsession!"