"Son, happy New Year!"
Early that morning, Su Ping groggily answered the phone, and Su Anyong's voice came through from the other end.
"Mm, happy New Year."
Su Ping mumbled a reply, still bleary with sleep.
"Your dad's wishing you a happy New Year! Get up already!"
Su Anyong's voice suddenly exploded over the phone.
It blasted away every last trace of Su Ping's muddled sleepiness.
"You little brat! I've been waiting all morning for you to call and wish me a happy New Year, but you actually made me call you?"
Somewhat disgruntled, Su Ping yawned before replying:
"Su Anyong, I know you're feeling bad. You feel guilty because you can't come home for the New Year this year.
"But first, New Year's greetings start after New Year's Eve, on New Year's Day tomorrow and the days after that.
"Second, I haven't blamed you for not being able to come home this year. Can't you let me get some proper sleep?"
Su Anyong was stunned by Su Ping's words, but the little brat really had hit the nail on the head.
He spat.
"Are you the dad, or am I? I'm reminding you not to forget to light incense before your grandfather's and mother's memorial tablets after midnight tonight."
"Mm-hmm, mm-hmm. Anything else?"
"No. Damn it, I shouldn't have called you."
After hanging up, Su Ping glanced disdainfully at Su Anyong's contact name on his phone.
If you feel guilty, just say so. Why drag in all this nonsense?
Still, after Su Anyong's call woke him, Su Ping no longer felt sleepy.
It was New Year's Eve. Although this was his first time spending the holiday home alone, compared with previous years, Su Anyong's presence or absence didn't seem to make much difference.
This year might even be livelier.