No pork intestines. I’ll make pig’s ears instead.

The texture of the ears is fantastic. I’ll also make a pork rib soup. I’ve already made all the usual kinds, so this time I’ll stew them with daikon radish. It’s back to basics, and the flavor won’t be too overpowering.

Then there’s braised pig’s trotters with soybeans—soft, fragrant, and perfect for the elderly.

Poached fresh shrimp, and of course, I need a chicken dish. A spicy hand-shredded chicken should do. I’ll need a duck dish, too. I made beer duck before, so for a bit of New Year’s luck, I’ll make an eight-treasure duck this time. I’m starting to crave some sticky rice. And I’ll have to make a portion of four-joy meatballs, too.

That should be more than enough meat dishes. The rest can be vegetarian. Eggs are a must. Instead of anything too fancy—someone might bring children—I’ll just make a steamed egg custard. Tofu is also a holiday staple; pan-frying it with some scallions would be delicious.

Then I’ll get some shiitake mushrooms, eggplant, and everyone’s favorite, tomatoes.

Scrolling through the screen, Jiang Qiuqiu browsed a bit more and spotted some corn. Okay, I’ll make a sweet pine nut corn dish, and some fried potato balls in tomato sauce. That way, the kids will have something they like.

The final dish—

Back in her hometown, for any family, the last dish of the New Year’s Eve dinner would never be a vegetable or meat dish.

The people in the Yangtze River Basin region loved their rice noodles. The grand finale of the New Year’s Eve feast was always a noodle dish: stir-fried with greens, shredded pork, and bean sprouts in lard until it took on a perfect, glossy brown color. It was dry but not greasy, with a texture that was just right—the taste of everyone’s childhood.

Unfortunately, she hadn’t seen those thicker, round rice noodles on Taotao Fresh yet. She had only seen thin vermicelli at the agricultural research institute. ’Oh well, noodles are noodles.’

So, the last dish will be stir-fried rice noodles with greens and shredded pork.

And just like that, the 18-dish menu was tentatively set. Jiang Qiuqiu figured she might add some pastries or a sweet soup later. By now, it was almost midnight. Another day had passed.

It was now the 28th. Her terminal chimed, and Jiang Qiuqiu saw that Mo Si had sent her another message.

Only then did she tap it open to take a look.

But after reading it, she was utterly speechless.

The messages read:

Black Hole: What’s wrong? You seemed a little tired during your stream.

Black Hole: You should sleep early.

’Why does he always end with "sleep early"?!’

Jiang Qiuqiu didn’t reply. She simply closed her eyes, ready for bed.

As long as she completed her training during the day, Jiang Qiuqiu always slept well at night. It wasn’t long before she drifted off to dreamland.

On the 28th, while Jiang Qiuqiu was at home receiving her groceries, Mrs. Ai’er paid her a visit. She said she would be away for the next couple of days and wanted to wish Jiang Qiuqiu a happy New Year in advance.

When she arrived, she peeked her head in and looked around. "Are you the only one left here, Qiuqiu?"

"Yeah," Jiang Qiuqiu said, inviting Mrs. Ai’er inside. "Everyone’s gone home for the New Year."

"Isn’t Little Mo keeping you company?"

"Black Hole has his own family. He’s obviously going to spend the New Year with them."

So oblivious.

...

"Well, Qiuqiu, are you scared being here all by yourself? Why don’t you come over to my place and celebrate New Year’s Eve with me?" Mrs. Ai’er invited.

Jiang Qiuqiu shook her head. "No, thank you. I have to do my New Year’s Eve dinner livestream here. It’d be inconvenient to go anywhere else."

"That’s true," Mrs. Ai’er said. "In that case, I’ll come see you on New Year’s Day."

"Okay! I’ll be waiting to wish you a happy New Year on New Year’s Day, too!"

She waved her hand as Mrs. Ai’er turned and walked back to her own home.

’She had wanted to stay...’

’But if she stayed to keep Qiuqiu company, her late husband would be left home alone.’

’She couldn’t bear the thought of him spending the New Year alone.’