New Year's Eve.
Su Yu's parents had returned to their hometown.
His second uncle's relatives were also celebrating the New Year in their hometown.
Perhaps this was the tradition in China. No matter how much money one earned or where one lived, the hometown was the most cherished place during the New Year.
Returning to one's roots was a concept passed down through thousands of years in China.
In Aunt's courtyard.
The family chatted livelily.
"Time flies so fast. In the blink of an eye, Qianqian has become a renowned director," the second uncle said, glancing at Gu Qianqian, who was sitting on a stool cracking melon seeds, and smiling. Da Feng Novel Network.
"She has achieved all this thanks to Xiaoyu's help. Without Xiaoyu, she wouldn't even be able to find a job now," Aunt said, though her tone was complaining, the proud smile on her lips was undeniable.
People in the countryside had simple ideas. Their lifelong wish was to see their children succeed.
Gu Qianqian's current achievements were heights many people could not reach in their lifetime.
Aunt was naturally delighted.
"Indeed, our noodle shop is getting more and more popular now. The life we have now is all thanks to Xiaoyu's contribution," Second Aunt nodded in agreement.
Zhang Guizhi waved her hands repeatedly, "We are family, so let's not stand on ceremony. When our family was in such difficulty, you all helped us. My Xiaoyu naturally cannot forget your kindness."
Previously, Su Yu was in poor health, and all the income of Su Zhengguo and his wife was spent on his medical treatment. At that time, it was only with the help of loans from relatives that Su Zhengguo and his wife managed to get through.
Although Zhang Guizhi liked to show off, she knew what gratitude meant. Since her family had prospered because of Su Yu, she naturally wanted to help the relatives who had helped them before.
So, she led everyone to open a noodle shop. In the past two years, everyone had earned quite a bit of money, and their lives had gotten better and better.
"Haha, the dishes are ready! Everyone, quickly sit down for the New Year's Eve dinner!"
Just then, Su Zhengguo and the other men came out of the kitchen with the prepared dishes.
Upon seeing this, everyone quickly tidied up the table.
Preparing to welcome the sumptuous New Year's Eve dinner.
In Shuangqing City, perhaps due to tradition, women mostly cooked during normal times. However, during gatherings, men usually took charge, and the red checkered aprons had become a standard for men in Shuangqing.
"It's a pity that Xiaoyu and Xiaolinger didn't come back."
"Xiaoyu and the others are going to be on the Spring Festival Gala. Let's eat quickly, and then we can watch the Gala together!"
"Xiaolinger, with her brother Xiaoyu taking care of her, her achievements in the music industry will be no less than Qianqian's in the future."
Everyone was laughing and talking, the atmosphere was warm and joyful.
...
This year's Spring Festival Gala was even more outrageous than last year because, from the program list released by the official organizers, everyone saw eleven songs by Ting Yu!
And the singers were all veteran national-level singers.
Ting Yu's identity as the "official favorite son" was once again confirmed.
In addition to these old songs by Ting Yu, the program list also featured two new works by Ting Yu: a pure instrumental piece titled "Jiuzhou Tong" and Chen Rong's finale song "Lü Bing Hua."
Last year, Chen Rong's song "Ru Yuan" brought everyone to tears. This year, the song "Lü Bing Hua" also piqued the interest of many.
Everyone was speculating about what kind of song it would be.
Backstage at the Spring Festival Gala.
In the resting area for participants.
Many performers preparing to go on stage were practicing their acts nervously. Some were warming up their voices, others were stretching in preparation for dancing. The backstage was even more bustling than the front stage.
Staff members were meticulously arranging the order of performances.
Chen Rong and Su Xiaolinger's acts were scheduled towards the end, so they were sitting in the lounge area's tea corner.
Su Xiaolinger, abandoning her usual lively and energetic demeanor, sat quietly beside Chen Rong, her eyes darting around, a clear look of nervousness on her face.
It was her first time participating in such a nationally-watched program, and it was natural for a child like her to be a bit nervous.
"Brother Xiaoyu!"
Seeing Su Yu arrive at the resting area, Su Xiaolinger's face lit up, and she ran over excitedly.
"What's wrong, are you very nervous?" Su Yu asked, smiling and ruffling her hair.
"Y-yes, a little." Even with Su Xiaolinger's bold nature, she was still just a child. This was the Spring Festival Gala, a stage watched by the entire nation, and it was a live broadcast. Su Xiaolinger was indeed a bit stage-frightened.
"You performed wonderfully during yesterday's rehearsal. Just perform as you normally would," Su Yu encouraged her.
"I'm afraid I'll perform poorly and be laughed at by Xiaohua and the others," Su Xiaolinger said timidly.
"Has Xiaolinger forgotten your motto?" Su Yu looked at her seriously and said word for word, "Su Xiaolinger will never be inferior to anyone. Look, everyone else isn't nervous, so why are you?"
"That's right, I, Su Xiaolinger, will never be inferior to anyone! I'm not nervous!" Su Xiaolinger clenched her small fists, cheering herself on.
For this kind of chuunibyou girl, chuunibyou quotes were indeed effective...
Su Yu muttered to himself.
Seeing that Su Xiaolinger's nervousness had subsided a bit, Su Yu took her hand and walked towards Chen Rong.
Su Yu only had an instrumental performance in this Spring Festival Gala. As for the singing, he had given the songs to Chen Rong and Su Xiaolinger to perform.
Chen Rong was very fond of the mischievous and clever girl, Su Xiaolinger. During the rehearsal, she had been teaching Su Xiaolinger how to sing.
It was worth mentioning that Su Xiaolinger was not very talented in her studies, but her talent for singing was off the charts, making Chen Rong want to take her into the opera association so she could learn traditional opera from a young age.
"It really takes you to do it," Chen Rong said with a smile, looking at Su Xiaolinger, who was no longer as nervous.
She had also comforted Su Xiaolinger earlier, but it had been completely ineffective.
Seeing that Su Yu had dispelled the child's nervousness with just a few words, she was naturally very happy.
"Xiaolinger is actually very brave, she just lacks stage experience," Su Yu explained with a smile.
Just then.
A few more people walked in from outside the resting area.
"Teacher Ting Yu," Liu Qingxue scanned the area and spotted Su Yu with Chen Rong.
Behind her followed Xiao Yifeng, a master of flute and dizi techniques, and a middle-aged man in a long gown holding a suona, smiling at Su Yu.
Su Yu greeted the group.
During yesterday's rehearsal, Su Yu had become familiar with these people.
Xiao Yifeng had collaborated with him on the song "Shui Long Yin" before, and the middle-aged man holding the suona was Wu Miao, a very famous suona master in China.
"Everyone's here. We'll be going on in two more acts, right?" Su Yu checked the time. According to the program list, their segment was approaching.
"That's right, we need to get ready to go on stage," Liu Qingxue said with a smile.
"Then let's go. We'll head to the waiting area first." Su Yu stood up and then looked at Chen Rong, "Mom, we're leaving now. I'll leave Xiaolinger with you."
He called her "Mom" exceptionally sweetly, and Chen Rong's face lit up with joy.
"Mhm, mhm, good luck to you all," Chen Rong made a cheering gesture to Su Yu.
"Go, Brother Xiaoyu!" Su Xiaolinger said in a childlike voice.
Su Yu ruffled her hair again before leaving with Liu Qingxue and the others.
...