Just because I wrote "Zhu Xian," the school beauty sent me razor blades.

On New Year's Eve, the family started getting busy from the morning.

The aroma of stewing meat filled the kitchen, the pot was bubbling and steaming, and the cutting board was covered with washed vegetables and prepared ingredients.

This year's New Year's Eve dinner was prepared by Lin Yuan, with Gu Zhiwan volunteering to be her assistant.

"Just cut these potatoes into chunks, they don't need to be too small," Lin Yuan reminded him as he prepared the fish.

"Okay."

Gu Zhiwan responded, her movements swift and efficient.

Not long after, she quietly crept up to the freshly cooked braised meat and, taking advantage of Lin Yuan's inattention, picked up a small piece of braised beef and put it in her mouth.

"Is it tasty?"

Lin Yuan's voice suddenly came from behind.

Gu Zhiwan froze, then slowly turned her head.

Lin Yuan was looking at her with a half-smile.

"I'm just helping you taste the saltiness."

"Can you taste it?"

"Yes, it's fine."

"Would you like to try another piece?"

Lin Yuan picked up clean chopsticks, took a small piece of beef, and held it to her lips.

Gu Zhiwan glanced at him, but still obediently opened her mouth and ate.

"How is it?"

"tasty."

"Miss Gu, could you please wash that plate of vegetables over there?"

Gu Zhiwan then realized what he meant and lightly punched him: "You did that on purpose!"

Lin Yuan laughed and dodged away.

Jiang Wanqing passed by the kitchen door and happened to see the two of them bickering. She couldn't help but shake her head: "You two, you make such a fuss over cooking a meal. If you keep this up, the New Year's Eve dinner will turn into a midnight snack."

"Mom, it'll be ready soon!" Lin Yuan replied with a smile.

After a busy day, a sumptuous New Year's Eve dinner was finally served in the evening.

Steamed fish, braised pork belly, poached chicken, braised beef, sweet and sour pork ribs, and several refreshing home-style stir-fries were all steaming hot and arranged on the round table. In the center was a large fruit platter, and next to it were dumplings that Jiang Wanqing had specially prepared.

The family of four sat down together, and Ma Tuan squatted next to his little rice bowl, enjoying his special New Year's treat.

Lin Liguo raised his glass, smiling broadly, and said, "Come on, it's New Year's, let's have a toast as a family!"

"Happy New Year!"

The cups gently tapped together, making a crisp sound.

Jiang Wanqing looked at Lin Yuan and Gu Zhiwan with a gentle smile: "I wish you both a safe and peaceful new year. Don't work too hard; your health is the most important thing."

Gu Zhiwan nodded: "Thank you, Mom. I hope you and Dad stay healthy too."

Lin Yuan raised his glass as well: "Wishing Mom and Dad good health, happiness every day, and less worry."

Lin Liguo snorted: "As long as you don't cause me any trouble, I'll be happy every day."

"Dad, aren't I already causing you enough trouble?"

"It's less of a hassle at work, but as for other aspects..."

Lin Liguo deliberately dragged out his words, his gaze sweeping between the two men.

Gu Zhiwan immediately understood and lowered her head to suppress a laugh.

Lin Yuan quickly picked up a piece of braised pork and put it in his father's bowl: "Dad, eat some meat, it's your favorite."

"Don't try to fool me with a piece of meat."

"Would you like another one?"

Jiang Wanqing laughed and patted her husband: "Alright, even eating can't shut you up."

The whole table burst into laughter.

Occasionally, the sound of firecrackers could be heard from afar outside the window. Inside the house, the lights were bright, and the aroma of food mingled with the laughter of the family, making this ordinary New Year's Eve feel exceptionally warm.

After finishing their New Year's Eve dinner, Lin Yuan suddenly remembered something.

"Oh right, we haven't taken a family photo yet this year."

Jiang Wanqing's eyes lit up: "Yes, yes, I still have the one from last year. Let's take another one this year."

Lin Yuan took out his camera and tripod from his suitcase and found a good angle in the living room.

Lin Liguo and Jiang Wanqing sat on the sofa in the front row, while Lin Yuan and Gu Zhiwan stood side by side behind them. Gu Zhiwan was holding Matuan in her arms; the little guy, wearing a red collar, was squirming impatiently.

"Ready? Three, two, one!"

Just as the shutter was about to close, Ma Tuan suddenly turned its head and reached out its paw to grab Gu Zhiwan's hair.

"Oh dear, a sesame ball!"

Click.

The photo freezes in time.

In the scene, Lin Liguo's eyes narrowed into slits with laughter, Jiang Wanqing was looking at the kitten with her head tilted, Gu Zhiwan smiled with her eyes crinkled, and Lin Yuan reached out to stop the restless little paw from reaching out.

Although no face is looking directly at the camera, the most natural moment was unexpectedly captured.

After looking at the photos, Gu Zhiwan smiled and said, "This one is good, let's keep this one."

Lin Yuan also thought it was good, so he simply posted the photos in the family group chat.

Afterwards, the two took a separate New Year's photo together.

Gu Zhiwan leaned on Lin Yuan's shoulder, and Lin Yuan turned slightly to put his arm around her waist. The red lanterns behind them emitted a warm glow, and the two in the video smiled naturally, their eyes filled with undisguised happiness.

"I'm going to set this as my phone wallpaper," Gu Zhiwan said with satisfaction.

Lin Yuan glanced down and said, "Then I'll change too."

"Isn't my picture your wallpaper right now?"

"Get a new one, keep up with the times."

Gu Zhiwan was amused and reached out to gently pinch his cheek.

At 8 p.m., the Spring Festival Gala started on time.

The coffee table in the living room was piled high with melon seeds, peanuts, candy, and oranges. Lin Liguo sat on the sofa watching a program, while Jiang Wanqing peeled oranges and occasionally offered her comments.

Lin Yuan and Gu Zhiwan squeezed onto the other side of the sofa, covered with the same blanket.

Gu Zhiwan leaned on his shoulder, holding a peeled orange in her hand, and casually offered it to his lips.

Lin Yuan opened his mouth and ate it, then looked down and asked, "Is it sweet?"

"I haven't tried it yet."

"It's quite sweet."

"Then peel one for me."

"Yes, ma'am."

The two ate and watched, occasionally laughing at the skits, and sometimes unable to help but mutter a few complaints under their breath.

As she watched, Gu Zhiwan gradually became restless.

"Lin Yuan".

"Um?"

Was this year's Spring Festival Gala a bit boring?

Lin Yuan glanced at the TV, then nodded with a smile: "It seems so."

"Shall we go out and play with fireworks?"

Lin Yuan looked down at her and saw that her eyes were sparkling, so he put down the orange in his hand.

"Walk."

The two put on their coats, said goodbye to their parents, and then took the sparklers and fireworks they had prepared in advance to the open space outside the yard.

This place is far from densely populated residential areas, and there are designated areas nearby where fireworks are allowed. Lin Yuan made sure there were no pedestrians or flammable materials around before taking out a lighter and lighting a sparkler for Gu Zhiwan.

Tiny golden sparks suddenly burst forth in the night.

"Wow!"

Gu Zhiwan happily raised her fairy wand and gently drew a circle in the air, the firelight illuminating her cheeks.

Lin Yuan stood beside her, watching her having so much fun like a little girl, and couldn't help but take out his phone to take pictures.

"Zhiwan, look here."

Gu Zhiwan turned around at the sound, just in time to meet the camera.

She smiled, her eyes crinkling, and called out, "Lin Yuan!"

"Um?"

"Happy New Year!"

Lin Yuan pressed the shutter, capturing the moment.

In the photo, Gu Zhiwan stands in the night, her sparkler scattering tiny golden lights, with dim lights behind her. Her smile is exceptionally radiant, and her eyes seem to hold stars.

Lin Yuan looked down at the photo, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up.

"How did the filming go?" Gu Zhiwan asked, leaning closer.

"It's really beautiful."

"show me."

"No."

"Lin Yuan!"

"Her moan is lovely."

Gu Zhiwan narrowed her eyes: "Are you sure?"

Seeing that things were not going well, Lin Yuan immediately handed over the phone: "Just kidding, Miss Gu, please take a look."

After looking at the photos, Gu Zhiwan nodded in satisfaction and handed the phone back to him.

"This one is not allowed to be deleted."

"Don't worry, we'll keep it to show our children later."

As soon as she spoke, Gu Zhiwan paused slightly, and then a blush rose on her cheeks.

She looked up at Lin Yuan and deliberately asked, "Didn't you say at the dinner table that you weren't in a hurry?"

Lin Yuan smiled and put his arm around her shoulder: "There's no rush, but that day will come eventually."

Gu Zhiwan gently leaned into his arms, saying nothing more, but a smile remained on her lips.

Time passed second by second, and the sound of fireworks rising into the sky could be heard in the distance.

As midnight approached, more and more fireworks appeared in the night sky.

Clusters of dazzling light bloomed in the sky, red, gold, and purple, illuminating the rooftops in the distance and also highlighting the profiles of the two people.

Gu Zhiwan looked up at the fireworks filling the sky and suddenly whispered, "Lin Yuan."

"I am here."

"Actually, although this year's Spring Festival Gala was a bit boring, I still felt very happy."

Lin Yuan turned to look at her: "Because of the fireworks?"

Gu Zhiwan shook her head, turned around, and looked at him earnestly.

"Because of you."

Her voice wasn't loud, and though it was mixed in with the distant sounds of fireworks, it clearly reached Lin Yuan's ears.

"I used to think that Chinese New Year was just about having a New Year's Eve dinner, watching the Spring Festival Gala, and waiting for the midnight countdown. But it's different now. Shopping for New Year's goods, putting up Spring Festival couplets, cooking together, or even just sitting on the sofa eating sunflower seeds, I find it all very enjoyable."

She couldn't help but smile as she said this.

"I never thought I would enjoy these little things so much."

Lin Yuan looked at her, his gaze gradually softening.

He reached out and tidied her wind-blown hair, saying with a smile, "Then let's do this every year from now on."

"each year?"

"Yes, every year."

Gu Zhiwan blinked: "What if you get busy later?"

"Then let's finish the work ahead of schedule."

"What if something particularly important happens?"

"Nothing is more important than spending the New Year with you."

Gu Zhiwan's lips curled slightly upward, and she deliberately pressed on, "You mean it?"

Lin Yuan held up his little finger: "Want to make a pinky promise?"

"childish."

Despite saying that, Gu Zhiwan still reached out her hand.

The two little fingers are gently hooked together.

Lin Yuan looked down at her, his voice gentle and earnest: "Zhiwan, from now on, I will spend every year with you."

Gu Zhiwan looked at him, the smile in her eyes gradually turning into tender affection.

"it is good."

She responded softly, then tiptoed and placed a kiss on Lin Yuan's lips.

Just then, the countdown to the New Year came from afar.

"three!"

"two!"

"one!"

"Happy New Year!"

As the clock struck midnight, a spectacular display of fireworks burst across the night sky.

Lin Yuan reached out and pulled Gu Zhiwan into his arms, then lowered his head and kissed her forehead.

Happy New Year, Gu Zhiwan.

Gu Zhiwan wrapped her arms around his waist, pressed her cheek against his chest, listened to the familiar and steady heartbeat, and responded softly:

Happy New Year, Lin Yuan.

Fireworks lit up the distance, while the lights in the house behind me remained bright.

Inside the house, Lin Liguo and Jiang Wanqing were watching the New Year countdown on TV. The fruit on the coffee table was still unfinished, and Ma Tuan was curled up on the soft sofa cushions, fast asleep.

Outside, Lin Yuan and Gu Zhiwan stood embracing, quietly watching the first fireworks of the new year.

This year, they experienced much excitement and received countless rounds of applause. But as the year draws to a close, what truly lingers in their hearts are these ordinary yet heartwarming moments.

There is a home to return to, people to accompany you, hot meals to enjoy, and a tomorrow to look forward to.