Chapter Thirty-Seven: The Spring Festival Arrives

Nana had left. She would return home to spend the Spring Festival with her parents, then go back to the headquarters of Jade Butterfly Company in Yanjing, officially becoming a trainee there.

She was on holiday, but others weren’t so lucky. The bar would remain open during the Spring Festival. Except for a handful of staff taking turns for their rest days, everyone else worked as usual, including the band.

Hellfire Band was busy with its new member, adjusting to the changes. If they hadn't prepared ahead of time, things would have been chaotic now. Fortunately, Ah Hui had anticipated this, and their adaptation was swift, hardly affecting their performances.

Lin Qihua, too, had to perform during the Spring Festival. His home was nearby, so he could eat New Year’s dinner with his family and return to work without a problem. The bar delayed its opening hours to nine o’clock during the holiday, so the timing was just right.

Ah Hui and the others lived farther away, and this year they had decided not to go home.

“Going back is exhausting. I’d rather use the holiday to earn a bit more, send it home to my parents, and feel better about it,” Ah Hui said calmly. “The bar treats us well, and these holidays are the busiest times. It wouldn’t be right to leave now.”

Lin Qihua could only remain silent. Everyone had their own story. It wasn’t right to intrude.

On the morning of New Year’s Eve, Lin Qihua took a large bag and boarded the train home. Over the past few days, he’d bought some New Year’s goods in town. Though he knew his family lacked nothing, returning empty-handed just didn’t feel right.

At home, his parents had already cleaned up. The kitchen was bubbling with fragrant steam, promising a sumptuous New Year’s dinner.

“Will you have to go back after dinner?” His father already knew about Lin Qihua’s recent work and life. Lin Qihua was now used to updating his parents, easing their worries while seeking their advice—wisdom borne of many years’ experience, always relevant.

The New Year’s goods Lin Qihua brought weren’t many, but each was carefully chosen: a beauty kit recommended by Little Muddle for his mother, a set of rare books for his father. Both parents were delighted, feeling their son had matured.

“It seems your contract termination brought more good than bad,” Lin Yilun sighed. “In the past, you wouldn’t have thought to buy these things—maybe just some delicacies. Now, you’ve grown a lot. Not only in your career, but in how you conduct yourself. Your recent progress is obvious.”

“People have to grow after experiencing things. I’m not a child anymore,” Lin Qihua smiled. “The bar went through a big transformation. It’s less like a bar now and more like a concert venue, a proper small stage. I’ve gained a lot—performing on bigger stages won’t intimidate me anymore.”

“Yes, you chose well,” Lin Yilun said, gratified. “Don’t mind others’ slander. Know what you’re doing. But when you return to the scene, you’ll need to manage your public relations. This time, you were targeted, so you could ignore it. But you must learn to use publicity wisely—don’t let yourself become the subject of negative news, but also don’t disappear from the news altogether. This balance is essential for public figures.”

“I understand.”

After discussing work and future plans, the New Year’s dinner was ready. The three of them ate together, lively and warm.

“When will we have another person at the table for New Year?” his mother suddenly sighed.

“Mom, why do you say that?” Lin Qihua nearly choked.

“You’re not getting any younger. I’m not saying you must rush to marry, but it’s time you started dating. You can’t throw yourself into work all the time,” his mother laughed.

“Alright, I’ll keep an eye out,” Lin Qihua promised.

“Don’t brush me off,” his mother threatened him with her chopsticks. “I know your mind’s on your comeback, and you don’t want any matchmaking nonsense. With your qualities, plenty of girls would jump at the chance. Just choose someone suitable to date—it’s not like you need to marry right away.”

“Well, I’ll wait for the girls to come crying and shouting, then pick one, right?” Lin Qihua joked, placing a piece of meat in his mother’s bowl. “Don’t worry, everything will end up in your bowl.”

“Cheeky boy,” his mother laughed, eating the meat with satisfaction.

After dinner, Lin Qihua formally updated his parents about recent events and his plans for the coming year. As for the recent storm of news, he wouldn’t let it affect him. Aside from the bar’s measures, he’d take his own actions after the holiday, focusing on finding a new company. The two goals were intertwined, not contradictory, and would take time.

The rest was simply to sing well, hone himself at the bar’s stage, and wait for his moment to return.

“Don’t aim too high. Find the path that suits you best. I’m glad you think this way,” his father said. “You’ve matured a lot. It’s good. Be cautious when choosing a new company—think carefully before signing. Of course, you need someone to want you first, but I believe you’re confident about that.”

“I have some confidence,” Lin Qihua nodded. “In the end, it’s about ability. The key is whether you have skills others can’t let go of.”

“Now that you see it this way, we can rest easy,” his parents agreed.

After the conversation, Lin Qihua bid farewell and returned to Yanjing. His parents approved, believing one should be loyal to their employer, and since he worked at the bar, working during the Spring Festival was only right—not something to complain about.

The bar wouldn’t shortchange its staff. A generous red envelope was given to everyone, the amount bringing smiles to every face. Dissatisfaction vanished, and everyone was motivated for work.

Tonight, the number of customers hadn’t dropped much. Yanjing, after years of development, was no longer the city that emptied out during the Spring Festival. More and more people had rooted themselves here, becoming part of Yanjing. During the New Year, many chose to stay and celebrate with this ancient city. So tonight, the bar was packed as usual, with many families celebrating in this unique way.

At midnight, the bell tolled, and the crowd cheered, welcoming the New Year.

“With this song, I dedicate my wishes to all friends present. Happy Spring Festival!” Lin Qihua bowed to the audience, offering his blessings.

The lively, lighthearted prelude rang out, with firecrackers woven in, instantly transporting everyone to the joyful, peaceful atmosphere of the Spring Festival.

“Congratulations on your prosperity, congratulations on your brilliance
Invite the best, send the worst away
Oh, no one minds too many courtesies”

Everyone laughed and applauded in response.

“I wish every girl in the world
To marry a good man
May the couple always be together”

The single girls in the audience blushed, accepting the best New Year’s blessing. The elders nodded, for this was their hearts’ wish—a song that struck home.

“I wish every child in the world
To be smarter than scholars
May intelligence fill your mind”

Everyone applauded enthusiastically. Children, though unable to understand, danced more joyfully than anyone.

“I wish our respected grandaunt
Wins every thirty-six lap race
Without losing breath, face unchanged
I wish third uncle’s business
To be famous across four seas
May fortune bring mansions”

The elderly laughed heartily. Health, longevity, prosperity—who wouldn’t love it? They immediately liked this lovable young man.

“Stride boldly, happiness dispels disaster for you

Congratulations on prosperity, shout it strong
Congratulations on prosperity
Congratulations on your prosperity, congratulations on your brilliance
Invite the best, send the worst away
Oh, no one minds too many courtesies
May everyone always smile wide
Water love with all your heart
Tomorrow, we will be even stronger
I wish on the world stage
To run faster than the fastest
Year after year, new talents arise
Stride boldly, happiness dispels disaster for you
Congratulations on prosperity, shout it strong
Congratulations on your prosperity, congratulations on your brilliance
Invite the best, send the worst away
Oh, no one minds too many courtesies (once more)
Congratulations on your prosperity, congratulations on your brilliance
Invite the best, send the worst away
Oh, no one minds too many courtesies
Congratulations on prosperity”

A festive rendition of “Congratulations on Prosperity” brought smiles to everyone’s faces. People came here simply to seek joy, and Lin Qihua’s timely performance of “Congratulations on Prosperity” was both pleasant and auspicious—how could it not be loved?

Tonight, all three bands coincidentally chose a similar style—lighthearted and cheerful. Later, they even mingled with the audience, singing among them. Such friendly gestures won unanimous approval, with the venue filled with happiness. Everyone enjoyed the rare New Year’s atmosphere. Compared to sitting at home watching TV, coming here and reveling together became the preferred choice.

After a night of merriment, when the crowd dispersed, everyone at the bar gathered for a lively, belated New Year’s dinner, exchanging greetings and wishing each other happiness.

When Lin Qihua returned to his lodging, it was already after four in the morning. After a shower, he collapsed into bed, and when he woke, the sun was high.

He turned on his smart terminal, the shrill notification sound blaring for ages before stopping. He couldn’t help but smile wryly. Just as he sang, no one minds too many courtesies; people always like to send New Year’s wishes during the festival, and exchanging red envelopes remained popular, keeping many companies in business—a true hallmark of Chinese tradition.