THE dining room of the Bai family mansion was filled with the aroma of various dishes, including fish, dumplings, and chicken, which were meticulously prepared by his aunt. The table was adorned with red tablecloths and a centerpiece of flowers, symbolizing good luck and prosperity.
Everyone had a smile on their face, showing that they were all in a pretty good mood. How could they not be when they're surrounded by family?
Luo Yan savored each bite of the reunion dinner dishes, marveling at how delicious they were. The fish, steamed to perfection, was tender and flaky, with just the right amount of seasoning to complement the delicate flavor. The dumplings, filled with savory pork and chives, were plump and juicy, bursting with flavor as he bit into them.
As he sampled the chicken, he couldn't help but exclaim at how moist and flavorful it was, perfectly marinated with a blend of aromatic spices. Each dish was prepared with such care and attention to detail that he felt like he was experiencing a culinary masterpiece with every bite.
The vegetables, stir-fried with garlic and ginger, were crisp and fresh, perfectly balancing out the richness of the meat dishes. And the rice, fragrant with the aroma of jasmine, provided a perfect base for the other flavors to shine.
"Aunt Xiulan, you outdid yourself," he couldn't help but praise his aunt. "These are all very delicious."
Luo Jin nodded while biting another dumpling, clearly agreeing with what Luo Yan had said.
"Thank you, Xiao Yan," Sun Xiulan beamed at him. "It's not just me. Everyone worked hard for this dinner. So, I'm really happy that you liked it."
"You truly have a gift for cooking, Lan-er," Bai Chen added, nodding in agreement. "I don't think I've ever tasted such succulent fish before."
"I want more of those dumplings!" exclaimed Bai Ye, his face smeared with soy sauce and a wide grin on his face.
"And the chicken!" chimed in Bai Ze. "It's so flavorful and tender."
"I must agree," said Luo Yan's father, taking a sip of his tea. "I've never tasted such a perfectly seasoned dish in my life."
"I second that," his older brother added with a smile. "This meal has truly exceeded all my expectations."
Sun Xiulan smiled with pride as she listened to the praise, feeling grateful for the chance to share her love of cooking with her family. It was moments like these that made all the hard work and preparation worth it.
"Oh, stop it, all of you. The praises might get to my head if you don't," she said in a joking tone.
The lively dinner continued.
Luo Yan, who was sitting next to his grandfather, kept giving the other food. Like deboning a fish and giving it to him or picking vegetables and putting it on his rice bowl. His grandfather would smile happily every time he did, saying 'thank you, Hua-er'.
Although the other was only seeing his mother through him, it didn't matter. If it could make his grandfather happy, then it's fine.
Conversations and laughter filled the room.
After dinner, everyone gathered in the garden to watch the fireworks. Bai Chen had bought special fireworks for this day. The house staff had already arranged the fireworks. Now, they only had to light it. After Bai Chen gave a signal, a slew of beautiful fireworks rose in the sky.
Red, gold, and blue sparks sizzled and fizzled, illuminating the darkness like shooting stars. The colors blended together and separated in mesmerizing patterns, creating an intricate display that left everyone in awe.
As more fireworks were lit, the sky became a canvas for a symphony of color and light. Waves of sparkling blue and green trailed across the sky, followed by bursts of crimson and gold that rained down like glittering confetti. Bright white sparks danced across the canvas, then dissolved into a shower of emerald and sapphire.
Each firework was more impressive than the last, and everyone cheered and gasped with delight as the sky was painted with intricate patterns and designs. Some fireworks shot up into the sky and exploded like flowers, sending petals of light cascading down in a graceful dance. Others sizzled and crackled, then exploded with a deafening boom that echoed off the surroundings.
The colors of the fireworks were so vivid and bright that they seemed to illuminate the night, casting a warm glow on the faces of the people below. The air was filled with the sound of laughter and cheers, and the sweet, lingering smell of burnt gunpowder.
Luo Yan was standing under such a colorful night sky and filming everything. As the last of the fireworks fizzled out, he sent the video he just filmed to Shen Ji Yun through WeChat.
[yanyan1213]: Happy Lunar New Year, Brother Ji Yun!
After that, he attached a rabbit sticker blowing kisses to the message.
Although he was very happy to spend this time with his family, he would be much happier if Shen Ji Yun was also here. But he knew that the other also had a family he should spend this time with. He's probably also having a wonderful time with Uncle Yi Mu and Uncle Yue.
And that's fine. Because there would definitely come a time in the future when the two of them would spend all the important holidays together. There might be some obstacles in the future they had to face before they reached that, but it didn't matter. Because the two of them would face it all together.
Even though they were not together at this moment, he felt a deep sense of contentment, knowing that he had Shen Ji Yun's love and support, no matter what.
Really, how lucky to be in love and be loved by such a man?
Just as he was thinking of the other, his WeChat notification rang. He checked and saw that it was from Shen Ji Yun. He couldn't help but smile as he read it.
[luckycloud]: Happy Lunar New Year as well! I hope we can spend more time together, not just this year but in more years to come. Being with you feels like the most natural thing in the world. I love you, my foxy rabbit.
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