I remember during the New Year when I was little, aside from meal times, you basically couldn't catch a glimpse of anyone.
Running around everywhere with the neighborhood kids, darting all over the entire small town.
Now it was the complete opposite of back then; after eating the New Year's Eve dinner, everyone stayed at home, either watching TV or scrolling on their phones.
Chen Ran was watching the Spring Festival Gala with his parents.
When he was young, he found the Gala incredibly boring, especially programs like comedy sketches and cross-talk; he didn't understand what was so interesting about a few people chattering away on stage.
But now, he found that the most interesting ones were actually the cross-talk and comedy sketches.
Approaching twelve o'clock, Chen Ran received quite a few New Year greeting messages, mostly mass texts from colleagues.
He went online, searched for one, and then also sent it out as a mass text.
Lin Fan replied with a "Happy New Year," and then said, "You even mass-texted me, you're way too perfunctory."
Chen Ran replied, "At least I sent a mass text. You didn't even send a mass text, so don't call me perfunctory."
Lin Fan: "......" Wasn't he just thinking of sending it exactly on the hour?
After bantering with Lin Fan for a few sentences, he called Director Zhang's phone.
Although it was already twelve o'clock, on New Year's Eve, unless they had too much to drink, no one slept this early.
The call connected, and the background noise on the other end was also the Spring Festival Gala.
"Uncle, Happy Spring Festival," Chen Ran said with a smile.
Director Zhang laughed, "You too, Happy Spring Festival."
As the uncle and nephew chatted, Chen Ran heard Zhang Ruyi's blustering voice in the background. It seemed Zhang Fanzhi had taken something of hers, and she was stomping her feet and making a fuss.
Aunt Yun scolded her a couple of times, and only then did it quiet down.
Chen Ran hung up the phone and saw his mother looking at him, hesitating to speak.
"Mom, what's wrong?" Chen Ran asked.
Song Hui asked, "Were you paying New Year greetings to your leader just now?"
Chen Ran nodded and said, "Uncle Zhang treats me quite well. Back when I wanted to go to the entertainment channel, and now wanting to go to the satellite TV channel, he has always been helping out."
"What's going on between you and his family's daughter?" Song Hui asked probingly.
Chen Ran played dumb: "Mom, what are you talking about?"
Song Hui knew her son didn't want to say. She shot him a glance and didn't press the issue, only saying:
"If you have a girlfriend, don't hide it from us. You've already graduated now; we're actually wishing for you to find one."
"I don't have one for the time being. If I do, I'll definitely tell you!" Chen Ran said with certainty.
However, Song Hui thought about this sentence. Chen Ran used the phrase 'for the time being'; did that mean he had a target?
But looking at Chen Ran's temper, even if she asked, he definitely wouldn't say.
……
After New Year's Eve passed, the next day, the surrounding neighbors began dropping in on each other. Quite a few people came to Chen Ran's house; some were relatives, some were his dad's friends.
He also had to go down and keep them company to chat, otherwise it would be very impolite, so he didn't have much time to calm down and consider his work.
In the blink of an eye, it was the third day of the lunar year, and Chen Ran had to return to the TV station.
Zhaonan TV Station's annual leave also had regulations. For someone like Chen Ran who had just joined for a year, the holiday was very short. With a longer working tenure, it would be a bit more, but still not by many days.
Compared to those who took over half a month off at once, his was definitely short. But there were still those holding down the fort on the front lines waiting for their shifts, who were much more miserable than him.
"You've only been back for a few days, and the New Year isn't even over yet. Are you that busy?" Chen Yao asked.
Chen Junhai said from the side, "Your brother doesn't want to leave either. Haven't you seen the TV programs broadcasting every day? He's definitely busy."
Chen Ran didn't explain too much, smiling as he said, "You'll know once you start working yourself, Yaoyao."
"I have to leave first. Yaoyao, remember to call my phone when you're heading back to school."
Chen Yao said, "I'll be going to Lin City in a while."
She and Zhang Ruyi had agreed to meet in a while, so she definitely couldn't wait until school started to go back.
Besides, Chen Yao's new song was about to be released online. Being nervous all by herself at home wasn't the way to go; she had to drag Zhang Ruyi along with her.
Although she hadn't thought about developing along the singer route, and she didn't show her face when posting videos online, it was still her life's first song, after all. She would always hope for a good result.
Chen Ran knew she was going to look for Zhang Ruyi, and he wasn't surprised.
His father, Chen Junhai, pondered for a moment off to the side, then said to Chen Ran:
"We've kept all the money you sent back. It's inconvenient for you to travel back and forth like this. How about you go buy a car?"
The money Chen Ran sent back had been increasing over these past two months. The family had no debts, so this money wasn't needed.
The couple couldn't spend much at home, and they couldn't even finish spending what they earned themselves, so they saved it all for Chen Ran.
Chen Ran's trips back these few times had been quite troublesome. Although driving wasn't necessarily faster than the high-speed rail, it won on convenience; he could leave whenever he wanted, and come whenever he wanted.
Chen Ran said, "I will buy a car. You guys keep the money for now. This month's salary is about to be paid out, and when the program's profit share is settled, I'll have quite a bit of money."
Chen Junhai knew his son's temper and didn't urge him further, only saying:
"Alright, as long as you know what you're doing. We don't have a use for this money even if we save it, just take it whenever you need to use it."
……
Chen Ran packed his things. After saying goodbye to his mom and dad, he went straight back to Lin City.
He set off from home in the afternoon. By the time he arrived in Lin City, it was already past seven, and the evening lights were just being lit.
Exiting the high-speed rail station, Chen Ran saw the surroundings were somewhat deserted. Because it was the third day of the New Year and still during the holidays, people were reluctant to come out.
The weather was a bit cold. Chen Ran moved his fingers and let out a long breath.
He was just about to go over and hail a taxi when he was stunned to find a car ahead that looked very familiar.
"It couldn't... be, right?"
Chen Ran's heartbeat quickened a bit, and he hesitated for a moment.
Honk, honk.
The car horn sounded twice.
The car window rolled down. In the driver's seat sat a familiar figure.
Although she was wearing a mask and a hat, Chen Ran recognized her at a glance. He would never mistake those eyes that were as clear as water.
Chen Ran inhaled deeply, a little dazed.
When leaving home, he had told Zhang Fanzhi that he was returning to Lin City, and also mentioned it was an afternoon high-speed rail ticket.
But he only gave a rough idea and didn't state the specific time. He had even planned to buy some things later before going to the Zhang family home.
After all, it was the tail end of the New Year. Since he was already here, it would be good to pay a New Year's visit.
He had never thought that Zhang Fanzhi would pick him up at the high-speed rail station.
After all, he had only given a vague time. If she came late, wouldn't they have missed each other?
No, it was also possible she wouldn't come late.
Honk, honk.
Zhang Fanzhi waited for a while. Seeing Chen Ran still standing in place, she forcefully pressed the horn twice.
Chen Ran snapped back to reality and hurriedly jogged over.
Opening the car door and getting into the passenger seat, he asked with a face full of smiles:
"Why are you here? It's the New Year today, why aren't you at home? I was planning to go to your house in a little bit."
Zhang Fanzhi felt a bit uncomfortable under his gaze. Looking at the windshield, her earlobes turned slightly red.
"It was a bit stuffy at home, so I came out to get some fresh air. Don't misunderstand."
Who would be so bored as to come to the high-speed rail station just to get some fresh air?
In any case, Chen Ran had never heard of such a thing.
The smile at the corners of his mouth couldn't be suppressed. He nodded repeatedly and said:
"Mhm, mhm, I didn't misunderstand."
He definitely didn't misunderstand.