Chuxia had intended to help, but she found she was of no use, only able to help with boiling water and adding firewood when they were killing chickens.

For lunch, they had dumplings.

Jiang Shengnan had prepared many dumplings in advance, and eating dumplings on New Year’s Eve was customary.

In addition to boiling the meat, Xiao Liu was responsible for chopping and mixing the filling.

Chuxia, with An’an, helped with the dumpling preparation.

Jiang Shengnan and Cen’s father couldn’t return, and the entire army was making dumplings at the mess hall.

Many families also went there to help.

Chuxia and An’an were unfamiliar with the army and the family quarters, and since Jiang Shengnan was too busy to pay attention to them, it would have been awkward for them to go.

So, they stayed home to eat.

In the evening, the army also had a New Year’s Eve performance, organized by the army’s cultural troupe to entertain the soldiers.

Jiang Shengnan had promised to take Chuxia and An’an to watch after dinner.

The performers were very professional, and the show included songs, dances, crosstalk, sketches, and operas.

Chuxia was okay with this as she had seen many performances on TV before and wasn’t too curious, but Cen Huai’an, who had never seen such performances, was very excited.

In the afternoon, they continued making dumplings, preparing some vegetables, and Xiao Liu left to celebrate the New Year with other soldiers.

Cen Huai’an sat on the sofa, propped his chin, and looked outside, feeling a bit unhappy.

“Mom, will Daddy come back today?”

Chuxia didn’t know.

Cen Zhengnian’s job was special, and she wouldn’t call him unless necessary.

Besides, she had already seen him when he came to the station to pick them up yesterday, so calling again would be inappropriate.

She patted Cen Huai’an’s head and sighed inwardly, wishing Cen Zhengnian could come back; having the family together for the New Year would be perfect.

“Let’s wait and see in the evening.”

Chuxia and An’an were supposed to stay in the northwest until near the Lantern Festival before returning.

Cen Zhengnian would always find time to come back.

In the mid-afternoon, Jiang Shengnan, looking tired, came home.

As soon as she arrived, she put on an apron and asked Chuxia, “Is there anything you want to eat? My cooking skills are quite good.”

Chuxia went to the kitchen with her.

The kitchen had a ground stove and a coal stove, with a pile of kindling, making it very convenient to cook.

For the New Year’s Eve dinner, a variety of chicken, duck, fish, and meat dishes were essential.

When Jiang Shengnan found out that Chuxia couldn’t cook what she described, she asked Chuxia for the recipes and took control of the seasoning.

They worked well together.

Cen Huai’an wanted to help too but was sent out by Chuxia and Jiang Shengnan to watch TV.

The kitchen was small, just enough for two people, and a third person would make it cramped.

Chuxia and Jiang Shengnan prepared ten dishes: cumin lamb, sauerkraut fish, braised chicken pieces, stewed goose with potatoes, stir-fried duck with garlic sprouts, and some vegetarian dishes.

The aroma was incredibly enticing, reaching the living room and making Cen Huai’an unable to stay seated while watching TV.

He stood at the kitchen door, watching them cook.

Chuxia was cooking stir-fried beef.

When it was ready, she smiled and gave him a piece of beef, which was hot enough to make him hiss, but he was reluctant to spit it out.

“Is it good?”

“So delicious.” He mumbled through the beef.

“Even if it’s delicious, we have to wait until dinner to eat together.”

After cooking, there was hot water in the ground stove, and some embers still burned at the bottom.

Jiang Shengnan put the dishes in the stove and took Chuxia and An’an to the army’s bathhouse for a wash.

An’an was left with Cen’s father, along with a change of clothes.

Washing on New Year’s Eve was a Chinese tradition, and it was essential to soak one’s feet to avoid cold feet in the coming year.

After bathing, the first day of the New Year was a clean start with new clothes.

The army bathhouse, like those in Liangzhou, didn’t have private rooms; everyone bathed together.

There weren’t many people at this time, but it was still a decent crowd.

Jiang Shengnan told Chuxia, “There will be more people in the evening.”

After the bath, Chuxia felt refreshed, wrapped her hair in a towel, and chatted with Jiang Shengnan on their way home.

Jiang Shengnan felt the highest level of guilt towards Chuxia and An’an, as it was getting dark, and Cen Zhengnian had still not returned.

It seemed he would not be back for New Year’s Eve.

The New Year’s Eve dinner should be enjoyed with the whole family together. Chuxia and An’an had come to the northwest specifically to spend the New Year with Cen Zhengnian, but now he might not be able to return.

Jiang Shengnan felt deeply sorry for Chuxia and An’an, but she did not show it on her face, instead treating Chuxia even better and planning to add more money to the prepared red envelopes.

When they got home, the small building was lit up.

Chuxia and Jiang Shengnan walked in and found Cen’s father and An’an already back, sitting in the living room playing chess.

Cen’s father had a very serious expression as he looked at the chessboard, while Cen Huai’an was also attentively watching, waiting for his move.

Hearing the noise, Cen’s father looked up at the two, relaxed his furrowed brows, and said to Cen Huai’an, “Your grandmother and mother are back. It’s time to eat. Let’s put this game aside.”

As he was about to put away the chess pieces, Cen Huai’an grabbed his hand and said, “Grandpa, can we finish the game after dinner?”

Cen’s father coughed and said, “Don’t you want to watch the New Year’s Eve performance after dinner?”

Cen Huai’an innocently replied, “We can finish the game and then watch.”

Chuxia thought Cen’s father’s face was turning dark and held back a laugh as she pulled Cen Huai’an up, saying, “Forget the chess for now. Come upstairs with me to tidy up, and we’ll have dinner soon.”

Upstairs, Chuxia mainly tidied her hair, put away the clothes she changed out of, and applied frostbite cream and baby lotion on Cen Huai’an.

With baby lotion available, families with conditions would buy it for their children, keeping their faces soft and rosy during winter.

Cen Huai’an’s face was free from frostbite and chapped, thanks to Chuxia’s daily application of frostbite cream and baby lotion.

After the two of them finished tidying up, Chuxia and Jiang Shengnan brought the dishes out.

They were all hot, kept in the earth stove.

Cen’s father made a phone call, and soon after, Xiao Liu arrived as well.

They all sat down together for the New Year’s Eve dinner.

Jiang Shengnan also brought a bottle of wine and a few bottles of Bingfeng soda. It’s the New Year, so it’s important to have something to drink.

Just as they were about to start eating, there was a sound of a door opening and voices coming from outside.

Everyone immediately put down their chopsticks.

Jiang Shengnan showed excitement on her face, and Chuxia looked at Cen Huai’an, who still looked confused.

Yet, she could feel her heart beating faster.

At this moment, the person coming home was likely Cen Zhengnian.

But it didn’t sound like just one person, and she didn’t hear Cen Zhengnian’s voice, so Chuxia wasn’t sure.

Jiang Shengnan couldn’t wait any longer and stood up to open the living room door. When she saw the person outside, a delighted smile instantly appeared on her face.

“Chuxia, An’an! Come and see who’s back!”

Chuxia’s heart settled as Jiang Shengnan’s reaction made it clear that the person outside was indeed Cen Zhengnian.

She took Cen Huai’an’s hand and walked to the door, raising her eyes to see Cen Zhengnian walking in front in the courtyard.

He was wearing the coat she had sent him, looking travel-worn yet exuding a distinct elegance and a subtle sense of aloofness.

When he looked up and met her gaze, a smile slowly spread across his face.

The sense of aloofness vanished, and he appeared once again as the gentle and refined man that Chuxia was familiar with.

“Chuxia, An’an.” His deep, magnetic voice sounded.

Chuxia’s calm heart began to race again, and she couldn’t help but smile, “You’re back.”

Cen Huai’an grabbed Chuxia’s hand, his joy very evident, “Daddy!”

Cen Zhengnian took a few steps forward, leaving the people accompanying him behind, and approached Chuxia and An’an.

He picked up An’an and held Chuxia’s hand.

“I’m back to celebrate the New Year with you.”

Seeing the family of three like this made Jiang Shengnan’s face blossom into a flower-like smile as she went to greet the others.

“You must be Zhengnian’s colleagues? I’m his mother. Please come in and have dinner. The dishes are just served.”

Indeed, Cen Zhengnian’s companions were his colleagues, four in total.

Among them were Yu Tian and a persistent addition, Fang Lingling, who had insisted on coming back to the base with them.

The four of them were stunned by Cen Zhengnian’s affectionate behavior, their eyes wide open.

They had never seen this gentle side of him before, and they couldn’t imagine him showing such emotions publicly, especially holding his wife’s hand.

What surprised them even more was Chuxia and Cen Huai’an’s appearance.

Particularly Chuxia, who was wearing a white fur coat, a berry-colored turtleneck sweater, tight jeans, and ankle boots.

Her hair was down, and she looked gentle and graceful.

Her smile seemed to make her glow under the light, stunning everyone.

So this is Engineer Cen’s wife?

The men thought, and their hearts were filled with astonishment.

No wonder Engineer Cen sent money and things home all the time.

If they had such a beautiful wife, they’d spoil her too.

Not to mention, she had given him such a cute and smart son, which was a bit frustrating.

Yu Tian felt like he had swallowed a bottle of vinegar, extremely envious and jealous of Cen Zhengnian’s good fortune.

He knew more than others, such as how Cen Zhengnian’s wife often sent him things, like the coat he was wearing.

Fang Lingling, who had come along, felt a different kind of jealousy.

She thought she should be better than Cen Zhengnian’s wife in every way.

She had been to university, worked at the Heavenly Palace base, and was in the same unit as Cen Zhengnian—what great conditions.

Chuxia, on the other hand, was just a factory worker’s daughter, hadn’t attended university, and was far in Liangzhou—clearly an unsophisticated woman.

But standing together now, Fang Lingling felt completely overshadowed by Chuxia, unable to compare in terms of looks or demeanor, let alone Cen Zhengnian’s attitude towards Chuxia.

This made Fang Lingling’s heart feel like it was soaked in sour water, full of pain and jealousy.

Her expression was unpleasant, and her eyes seemed to stab at Chuxia with a murderous glare.

Jiang Shengnan noticed Fang Lingling’s discomfort and understood her feelings.

While letting others into the house, she stood in front of Fang Lingling to block her view.

“Lingling.” Jiang Shengnan said with a polite smile, “Your parents are waiting for you at home. You should go back now.”

Fang Lingling snapped back to her senses, her face turning pale.

She had been so focused on coming along that she forgot her own home was nearby.

There was no reason for her to stay and have New Year’s dinner at Cen Zhengnian’s house like other colleagues.

She forced a stiff smile, gripping the strap of her bag tightly, and wanted to look at Cen Zhengnian and Chuxia one more time, only to find they had already gone inside with Yu Tian and the others.

Reluctantly, Fang Lingling gritted her teeth, met Jiang Shengnan’s sharp gaze, and could only nod, “Okay, thank you for the reminder, Auntie Jiang. I’ll leave now.”

She turned around slowly, walking away while glancing back, hoping Jiang Shengnan would call her to stay.

Unfortunately, Fang Lingling’s hopes were in vain.

As soon as she stepped out the door, she heard a loud “bang” as the door closed.

Her heart sank, and she looked at the tightly closed door with a gloomy expression.

After staring for a while, she left unwillingly.

Meanwhile, inside the Cen family’s house, it was bustling with activity.

With four more men added, worried there might not be enough food, Jiang Shengnan prepared to make two more dishes but was stopped by Yu Tian and the others.

“Auntie, there’s enough food.”

Cen Zhengnian turned to Jiang Shengnan and asked, “Mom, are there any dumplings left at home?”

“Yes, plenty.”

Cen Zhengnian said, “Then let’s eat the dishes first. If we’re still hungry later, we can make dumplings.”

“Yes, yes!” Yu Tian and the others quickly agreed.

Since Cen Zhengnian’s colleagues were not familiar with everyone, he introduced them after they were seated.

The people who came with him were all core researchers on the project.

Yu Tian had heard of them from Cen Zhengnian’s letters.

Besides Yu Tian, the other two were named Xu Liang and Wen Anguo.

Being invited to the family dinner on New Year’s Eve meant these people were of good character.

They showed great respect to Chuxia, each calling her “sister-in-law,” and greeted An’an warmly.

They also treated Xiao Liu with friendliness, making the entire dinner table lively.

Yu Tian, who was more outgoing, praised the dishes non-stop, which made Jiang Shengnan very happy.

Though several of the dishes were taught to her by Chuxia, it felt wonderful to be complimented.

Chuxia was pleased to hear the compliments.

Xu Liang and Wen Anguo were quieter but also enjoyed the food and praised it.

Cen Zhengnian knew his mother’s cooking skills, and many of the dishes were ones he had never tasted before.

He leaned towards Chuxia and asked softly with a smile, “Did you teach Mom how to cook these dishes?”

Chuxia raised an eyebrow, spat out a chicken bone, and asked, “How did you know?”

“My mom only knows how to cook one type of fish,” Cen Zhengnian said.

“What kind of fish?” Chuxia asked.

Cen Zhengnian’s lips curved upward, “The kind that’s fried and then boiled.”

He spoke with a hint of helplessness, almost making Chuxia laugh out loud.

She quickly covered her mouth and shot Cen Zhengnian a look: “Don’t make me laugh.”

Though it was a glare, her eyes were even more enchanting, carrying a playful charm typical of a girl.

Seeing her like this, Cen Zhengnian’s smile grew wider.

Even though their actions and voices were low, they didn’t escape the notice of the people at the table, especially Yu Tian and his colleagues who were particularly attentive to Cen Zhengnian.

Yu Tian, looking down at his fish, exchanged glances with Xu Liang and Wen Anguo, signaling them to look at Cen Zhengnian.

Xu Liang and Wen Anguo also nodded towards him, showing their surprise.

The three shared a look of astonishment and exchanged ambiguous smiles.

Jiang Shengnan was happy to see Chuxia and Cen Zhengnian getting along so well.

She was delighted that her son and daughter-in-law had a good relationship.

Even though they had finished a table full of food, it was still not enough.

After all, there were several men at the table, all in their prime eating years.

Moreover, Cen Zhengnian and his colleagues had worked all afternoon without eating, and with such delicious food, they naturally wanted more.

Xiao Liu, who had been busy all afternoon, also needed to fill his stomach.

Cen Zhengnian had learned how to make dumplings from Chuxia and did not let Jiang Shengnan and Chuxia enter the kitchen.

He went in to cook for everyone.

This surprised Yu Tian and his colleagues.

“Zhengnian, you can cook?!”

Cen Zhengnian casually replied, “Just making dumplings.”

Yu Tian and the others couldn’t believe it and followed him into the kitchen.

Cen Huai’an also waddled in after Cen Zhengnian.

Cen Zhengnian held his hand and asked if he was full and if he wanted some dumplings.

Cen Huai’an shook his head, “I’m full, I don’t want any more.”

The dining table was large, and to ensure Cen Huai’an could reach the dishes, Jiang Shengnan had placed a bowl in front of him and served him dishes he couldn’t reach.

Not only Jiang Shengnan but also Chuxia, Cen Zhengnian, and Cen’s father served him.

No one was fuller than him.

Cen Zhengnian asked Yu Tian to help him with the fire, while the others watched him pour water into the pot and skillfully cook the dumplings.

His expression remained calm, and he looked as if he was conducting research rather than cooking dumplings.

However, the dumplings turned out perfectly, well-cooked and not overdone.

“Delicious!” Yu Tian gave a thumbs-up. “Zhengnian, I didn’t expect your dumpling-making skills to be so good. I underestimated you before.”

He used to think Cen Zhengnian was only good at research and lacked other life skills, even being somewhat indifferent emotionally.

Today, Cen Zhengnian had shattered all of Yu Tian’s previous perceptions, from his entrance to now cooking dumplings.

Cen Zhengnian glanced at him, “The dumplings are good because the filling is well-seasoned, not because of my cooking.”

After the meal, Chuxia and Jiang Shengnan didn’t move. The men, including Cen Huai’an, cleaned up the dishes.

Seeing Cen Zhengnian and Cen’s father washing dishes with normal expressions, while little Cen Huai’an put away his bowl, Yu Tian and the others were already numb to the situation.

Next, Yu Tian and his group were staying at Cen’s house.

Chuxia helped Jiang Shengnan set up the beds.

The quilts had been aired out a few days ago, so there was no worry about dampness.

The house had guest rooms downstairs with two-meter beds, enough for the three men.

Yu Tian and the others said they were not picky and were fine with any place to stay, having experienced all kinds of environments at the base.

Before bed, Cen Zhengnian took the three men to the army’s bathhouse for a wash.

When they returned, Chuxia was already lying in bed but wasn’t asleep yet, reading a medical book.

Cen Huai’an was sleeping by himself tonight. His room was next to Chuxia’s, with a 1.5-meter bed and walls decorated with child-friendly pictures.

Chuxia read him a bedtime story and returned to her room after he fell asleep.

Seeing Cen Zhengnian enter, Chuxia put down her book and asked curiously, “You all took the day off today. How did the leader agree to it?”

Cen Zhengnian walked towards the bed, took off his coat, and hung it up. He said, “Our base leader also wants to celebrate the New Year. For work that can’t be finished, everyone gets time off for the New Year.”

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have brought Yu Tian and the others over.

Although the holiday only started on New Year’s Eve and lasted for only two days, it made everyone at the base happy.

Many people couldn’t return home and spent the New Year at the base, including the leaders.

Cen Zhengnian happened to meet Yu Tian and the others when he returned to the base, seeing their longing looks towards the outside of the base.

He asked if they wanted to spend the New Year at his house.

That’s how they came over. Fang Lingling’s presence was a surprise; she insisted on coming back to a base, and since her leader also asked him to take her along, he had to bring her.

Chuxia nodded, indicating she understood.

However, thinking of Fang Lingling, Chuxia remembered the look she had given her at the door, which clearly showed she had feelings for Cen Zhengnian.

She looked at Cen Zhengnian and smiled, “Fang Lingling seems to have special feelings for you. You’re quite popular at the base, aren’t you?”