February 16th, New Year's Eve.
Just as Mother Su set the final dish of steamed fish on the table, a cluster of fireworks rose outside the window.
Golden-red light filtered through the glass into the living room, drawing everyone at the table to glance outside.
"It's still so early, and people are already setting them off."
Mother Su wiped her hands on her apron, then added more food to Su Qingxue's bowl. "Eat first. Later tonight, there'll be an official display by the river."
Su Qingxue looked helplessly at the bowl already piled high with food.
"Mom, that's enough."
"You haven't eaten at home for over twenty years. Eat more."
As Mother Su spoke, she reached for the braised pork ribs beside her.
"What do you mean, enough? You haven't had a proper hot meal at home for more than twenty years. Look how thin you are." Mother Su kept muttering as her chopsticks reached for the fried meatballs.
Father Su, seated opposite them, finally could not stand it any longer. He reached out and moved the plate of meatballs closer to himself, saying gently, "That's enough. Now that our daughter has come back safe and sound, will there ever be a day when she can't eat your cooking? Keep feeding her like this, and Qingxue won't even be able to get off her chair tonight."
Mother Su shot her husband a glare. Though there was some reproach in her eyes, she finally put down her chopsticks.
"Ever since she was little, she never knew how to take care of herself. She was the same when she studied at the academy, putting all her heart into meditation and theory until she could even forget mealtimes."
"If I didn't keep an eye on her, who knows how much hunger and cold