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A family sat around a dining table filled with delicious home-cooked dishes, each plate brimming with warmth and love that Lu Zean had longed for. As they ate and chatted, Lu Zean animatedly recounted the fresh experiences he had encountered abroad, describing the peculiar and diverse buildings, as well as the enthusiastic locals, in vivid detail. His parents listened intently, their eyes widening in surprise as they eagerly asked what happened next. His grandmother, with her eyes narrowed into slits from smiling, kept piling his bowl with tasty food, reminding him to eat well and nourish himself. With his mouth full of food, Lu Zean nodded vigorously, feeling a deep sense of familial affection. This reunion after such a long separation felt warm and comforting, like basking in the winter sun, washing away all the fatigue and hardships he had endured while away.
As the festive season approached, red lanterns hung in every street and alley, creating a vibrant atmosphere. Early in the morning, Lu Zean hurried to Lin Xiao Yu's house and knocked on the door. When it opened, Lin Xiao Yu greeted him with a bright smile that lit up her face like a blooming flower in spring. Seeing her made Lu Zean feel at ease. "Let’s go to the temple fair and get everything we need," he suggested cheerfully. Lin Xiao Yu readily agreed, and the two of them walked side by side towards the fair.
Just as they reached the street corner, they ran into Lin Dongzhe, who was idly kicking small stones to pass the time. Upon seeing Lu Zean and Lin Xiao Yu, his eyes widened with excitement. "Hey! Are you guys going to the temple fair? I've been cooped up at home! Let me join you!" Lu Zean felt a bit helpless but didn’t want to refuse him, so the three of them headed into the bustling crowd of the fair together.
At the fair, big red lanterns hung high above while colorful ribbons fluttered in the breeze. Stalls lined up one after another, filled with various goods: couplets for the new year, lucky characters, candies, cured meats—you name it. Lu Zean was focused on picking out a festive couplet with good meanings for his elders when he noticed Lin Dongzhe closely following him. He occasionally chimed in and playfully bumped shoulders with Lu Zean, jokingly saying, "You’re such a big light bulb today; you’re making it hard for me and Lin Xiao Yu to enjoy ourselves!" Lin Dongzhe scratched his head and chuckled but didn’t move away from them.
After wandering around for a while, feeling a bit tired, they found a quieter spot to sit down and enjoy some soft and sweet rice cakes. Lin Xiao Yu excitedly shared stories about her dance performances in Beijing: "There was this one dance routine that was really difficult; there was a move where you had to jump and spin at the same time! I always got my hands and feet mixed up; my coach was so frustrated he kept stomping his feet while my teammates were laughing so hard they couldn’t stand up straight. But when we finally performed on stage, it was amazing! We got a standing ovation!" Lu Zean listened intently, imagining how graceful Lin Xiao Yu must have looked while dancing.
However, as their conversation shifted topics, Lin Xiao Yu's expression turned serious as she spoke about her future: "A friend of mine started a company in Beijing. I went over there; their platform is quite impressive with good connections and resources. But I feel uncertain about it; I’m really worried." Hearing this made Lu Zean furrow his brow tightly in confusion as he rubbed his palms together nervously. After a moment of silence, he replied thoughtfully, "It’s not easy here; I don’t know how to navigate things moving forward either. I need to go home and discuss it with my parents and think it over some more." With that said, he gazed into the distance as if seeking inspiration or guidance from the lively fair around them.
After wandering through the fair for a while longer amidst the crowd's hustle and bustle, both Lu Zean and Lin Xiao Yu began to feel tired and decided to head home. Just then, Lin Xiao Yu suddenly suggested, "Lu Zean, why don’t we stop by my house for a bit? My parents have been asking about you! Since New Year is coming up soon, it would be nice to pay them an early visit." Thinking this was a good idea, Lu Zean followed her home.
At Lin Xiao Yu's house, she knocked on the door, which was quickly opened by her mother Song Ying with a warm smile on her face. "Oh! You two are here! Come in!" The house was cozy and warm as her father Lin Wufeng came out from another room to greet them both. Lu Zean hurried over with a slight bow and a big smile on his face. With both hands clasped together politely he said, "Aunt Song! Uncle Lin! Since New Year is approaching soon, Lin Xiao Yu and I just came back from the temple fair and thought we’d come by to wish you an early greeting. I hope this new year brings you both good health and happiness!"
Upon hearing this, Song Ying’s eyes crinkled into slits from smiling as she took Lu Zean’s hand enthusiastically praising him for being so thoughtful while bustling about to serve tea and fruit for them to enjoy. They all sat together chatting about amusing things from the fair. As evening began to fall slowly outside, Lu Zean stood up to take his leave feeling warm inside from the care and blessings of Lin Xiao Yu's family as he happily headed home looking forward to what lay ahead.
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