Susan blinked, looking at her phone with a touch of exasperation. The picture showed a person wearing the same cotton jacket as her, with both hands tucked inside the sleeves of the other.
"Can we not do this?" Susan asked, a hint of helplessness in her voice.
Lin Feng remained silent, gazing at her with expectant eyes until Susan started to feel uncomfortable.
"Alright, alright, just this once," Susan conceded, mimicking the pose in the photo.
Lin Feng's eyes lit up. "That's the spirit!" The rustic appearance reminded him exactly of how the orphanage director used to stand during New Year's celebrations, with her hands tucked in her sleeves, watching the children chatter excitedly.
*Click!*
Lin Feng snatched the phone, took the picture, and dashed away, leaving Susan shaking her head in the kitchen.
"Lin Jili, Lin Jili! Where did you go?"
"Never mind, I'll find you later. Let's get the two little darkies photographed first!"
Lin Feng's receding voice, accompanied by the faint screams of cats, echoed from the living room. Susan sighed, knowing Lin Jili and the others were surely cornered.
She pulled her hands out, exchanging a helpless smile with Wanda. Lin Feng seemed as excited as a child. Shaking her head, Susan's eyes softened with affection. It seemed this was the only time of year Lin Feng truly came alive. Therefore, she felt indulging his peculiar requests, like posing for photos with tucked-in hands, was perfectly acceptable.
"Indeed, sometimes he really is like a child," Susan murmured with a smile.
Wanda couldn't help but chuckle. "Yes, he always comes up with such strange things. Lin Jili has been hiding from him these past few days."
*Hahahaha.*
Susan also laughed, recalling Lin Feng's recent antics. Lin Jili was now entirely swathed in red, looking comically plump. Even the two black cats hadn't escaped Lin Feng's enthusiastic styling. They used to blend seamlessly into the shadows, but now, adorned in vibrant red with only their black heads peeking out, they were impossible to ignore. Lin Feng's actions had truly brought the festive spirit to life.
Finally, Lin Jili and Martina also fell prey to Lin Feng's 'decorating spree.' The family's overwhelmingly red portraits were now immortalized on Lin Feng's phone. Lin Jili felt a profound sense of resignation, though the lavish feast thankfully compensated for her wounded feelings.
Dishes of every kind filled the grand dining table. Most striking were the two towering lobsters in the center, each as tall as a person. At least half of the ingredients were sourced from extraterrestrial origins, courtesy of Lin Feng. The Lin family gathered around the table, beginning their culinary conquest. There was no fear of leftovers; Lin Jili alone could devour one of the giant lobsters single-handedly. The meal concluded with everyone thoroughly satisfied.
After dinner, Lin Feng stood by the window, gazing at the starry night sky. His phone held photos from the day, even capturing the magnificent feast. He imagined the orphanage director would be very pleased to see them. He wondered how the director was spending her New Year, whether she was still as cheerful with the children. Thinking too much, he mused, not knowing when he could return. He shook his head, a self-deprecating smile playing on his lips.
"Lin, what are you thinking about? Come watch the show!" Susan's voice from the living room broke his reverie.
"Coming!" Lin Feng replied with a smile and walked into the living room. The television displayed a New Year's Eve gala from his homeland. The cheerful music instantly evoked the familiar feeling. Combined with the window decorations and the 'Fu' characters pasted on every door, the atmosphere was not just right, but intensely palpable.
Sitting on the sofa, the cushions from the Garnier transfer star felt like resting on soft clouds. Lin Feng settled in to enjoy the performance. On the table, snacks were laid out on festive red plates. Lin Jili and Martina were once again pestering the two black cats. Wanda was happily chatting on the phone with Pietro. Pietro wasn't present, celebrating the festival with the symbiote legions and the warehouse guards. Tony, never one to skimp, had arranged everything properly for them.
As he watched, Lin Feng turned his head to look at Susan. She was engrossed in the show and, noticing his gaze, turned back.
"What is it?"
Lin Feng chuckled, casually slinging an arm around her shoulder. "It's the New Year. Do you have any wishes for this year?"
Wishes? Susan tilted her head, contemplating. As she tilted, her head rested against Lin Feng's shoulder.
"As for wishes, let me think..." Susan felt she lacked nothing, so being asked about wishes caught her off guard. Her gaze drifted to the two boisterous children on the other sofa, a smile gradually appearing on her face.
"I hope these two little ones will give me less trouble in the new year... And, in the new year, I wish my big boy fewer enemies and that he achieves his own aspirations!" She met Lin Feng's eyes with a smile. "So, Lin, what are your wishes?"
Lin Feng was taken aback; the question had been thrown back at him. His own wishes? He didn't have many. His greatest hope was to quickly resolve the troublemaking organizations, gain even more power, and return to the realm beyond the fourth wall!
Just as he was about to speak, the sound of fireworks erupted outside. Lin Feng instinctively looked towards the window. All across New York City, fireworks were lighting up the night sky. Unbeknownst to him, the clock had already ticked past midnight, marking the official start of the new year.
"Happy New Year, Lin Feng!" Susan's voice, filled with laughter, came from behind him.
"Happy New Year! Brother Lin Feng! I wish you get even stronger this year!"
"Happy New Year! Be happy in the new year too!"
Lin Feng turned back. The entire family was looking at him. Susan's gaze was as tender as ever. Lin Jili, raising her small, not-so-muscular arms, was winking at him. Martina, holding a toy Transformer, was also offering her blessings. Wanda's eyes were nearly squeezed shut with laughter. Lin Feng smiled, a broad, happy smile. Outside, firecrackers popped incessantly, and the villa glowed with light. Lin Feng walked towards them.
"Ah, everyone, Happy New Year!"