New Year's Eve finally arrived, a day anticipated for a whole year.
Early in the morning, after breakfast, Dad Qiu and Mom Qiu began preparing for the New Year's Eve dinner.
"Xiao Xi, come help. We're making dumplings this afternoon."
"Okay, coming!" Qiu Xi, just about to go in and complete her in-game tasks, was called by her mother before she could move.
"Wash these chives and leave them aside to cool." Mom Qiu, busy as a spinning top, pulled her daughter to help as soon as she saw her.
"Where's Xiao Ge? I haven't seen him." After breakfast, Qiu Xi looked around but couldn't find her younger brother, curious where he could be in the cold weather.
"He went out for a walk with Grandpa."
"Okay." It seemed that no matter how cold it was, there were always adventurers, especially retired grandpas and clueless children.
By the time all the preparations were done, it was lunchtime.
Shortly after lunch, Mom Qiu started preparing to make dumplings, while Dad Qiu went to sort out the chickens, ducks, fish, and meat.
"Mom, let's put two coins in the dumplings later for good luck next year, what do you think?"
"Alright, I'll listen to you."
After finishing her chores, Qiu Xi slipped back into her room to complete her tasks.
During this few days of New Year's holiday, there were no daily plans. Qiu Xi only needed to complete today's recitation.
The reason for rushing was that the reward for today's recitation was unusual: it was displayed as a Qingyan Pill.
Xiao Hua said it could beautify the complexion and make the skin fair and flawless.
The specifics would only be known through practice, so Qiu Xi wanted to finish today's recitation task as soon as possible.
"Xiao Hua, enter the daily classroom."
"Okay."
"Beep!"
"Today's task is complete, reward issued."
"Nice, I'll try it out later." Looking at the pink pill in her hand, Qiu Xi felt eager to try it.
"Xiao Xi, come down and help, don't be lazy."
Qiu Xi could hear her mother's loud voice even through the door.
There was no choice. She could only try the Qingyan Pill later that night.
"Coming."
She said this, closed the door, and ran out.
As soon as she came down, she saw everyone gathered around, busy with preparations.
"Xiao Xi, hurry up and help." Grandma sat there, her eyes squinted. Although her face was full of wrinkles, her smile was kind.
"Okay, Grandma, I'm here."
She hurriedly washed and dried her hands, joining the dumpling-making battle.
"Mom, where are the coins? Let me wrap them in."
"Here, these are the last few. Your brother has already put some in." Mom Qiu gestured towards a bowl nearby.
Indeed, there were a few cleaned coins inside.
"Okay, then I'll start wrapping."
Her movements were skilled, her hands nimble. Anyone could tell at a glance that this was practiced work.
"Alright, alright, there's not much left. Dad, you go prepare the dishes first." Seeing that there weren't many left, Mom Qiu decided to ask Dad Qiu to prepare the New Year's Eve dinner dishes first.
"Okay."
After a while.
"Finally done wrapping." Holding up her hands and looking at the pile of plump, white dumplings that looked like little girls in floral clothes, Qiu Xi felt a great sense of accomplishment.
"Alright, alright, you guys clean up and then go wait for food."
Mom Qiu efficiently tidied up and prepared to put the dumplings into the pot.
While waiting, the four grandparents and grandchildren sat in the living room watching TV, chatting intermittently.
"Here, dinner's ready!"
"Xiao Ge, go get the drinks."
The New Year's Eve dinner couldn't be complete without drinks. Whether eating meat or vegetables, a drink was essential, adding to the sense of ritual and festive atmosphere.
The dishes were served, everyone was seated, drinks were poured, and the New Year's Eve dinner began.
"Come, come, let's our family have a toast. May the coming year be smooth and healthy." Saying this, Dad Qiu raised his glass, ready for everyone to clink glasses.
"Come, together."
Clink... clink... clink...
"Eat more..."
"Haha, Sis, you look like a little kitten."
"You say that about me, but look at your own oily little face."
"Hahahaha!"
Amidst laughter and joy, the old year was bid farewell and the new year welcomed.
"Grandpa, Grandma, Happy New Year." As soon as the Qiu siblings finished eating, they started offering New Year's greetings to get red envelopes.
"Here, here, this is the lucky money from Grandpa and Grandma, keep it well." Grandma Qiu took out the red envelopes she had prepared earlier and handed them to the two children.
"In the new year, you must study hard." Grandpa Qiu sat aside, not forgetting to nag them a bit.
"Mhm mhm." Qiu Ge, holding his red envelope, pursed his lips and nodded repeatedly.
"We will, Grandpa." Taking Grandpa's hand, Qiu Xi finally showed a bit of girlishness, obediently responding.
"Mom, Dad, Happy New Year." Seeing their parents walk over, they said their greetings again, and more lucky money was received.
After sitting in the living room for a long time, the family prepared to engage in their own free activities.
"Alright, bye-bye."
As soon as Qiu Xi went upstairs, she initiated a group video call. After wishing her sisters a Happy New Year, she thought,
"Now it's time to use my New Year's gift."
That's right, the Qingyan Pill Qiu Xi had been thinking about. She was going to start using it.
"Ugh~"
After a period of uncomfortable sensation, Qiu Xi still disliked the dark, foul-smelling liquid that flowed out of her body.
After bathing.
"It really works! My pores are gone. I never thought I'd have skin as smooth as a baby's."
Touching her soft, smooth face, and her body too, she felt she had become a whole shade fairer.
It was truly amazing.
"Shout out to Xiao Hua, Happy New Year." Thinking this, she didn't forget to praise Xiao Hua and send her New Year's wishes, wondering if the system celebrated holidays.
"Thank you too, Xiao Xi." The sudden address from Xiao Hua surprised Qiu Xi. Since binding with the system, it had always referred to the host.
"Xiao Hua, could you call me Xiao Xi from now on, please?"
Although they hadn't known each other long, Qiu Xi was truly grateful to Xiao Hua. Meeting her was a stroke of luck.
"Okay, Xiao Xi."
"Good, from now on, we are family."
"It's snowing."
Just as she was about to lie down, she heard cheers from outside the window.
She quickly got up and opened the window. A gust of cold wind blew in, but her eyes were captivated by the falling snow.
In wisps, it drifted, glowing in the cold winter night.
"A timely snow promises a good harvest. Let's continue to chase our dreams among the stars." Looking at the snow outside the window, Qiu Xi murmured.
After a while, she closed the window and drifted off to sleep.