1979: The child's mother is a celestial being.

Chapter 229 Spring Festival Gala (Part Two)

Harbin, Northeast China.

Outside, the temperature was a frigid minus twenty degrees Celsius, and breath turned to frost, but inside Old Liu's house, it was as warm as springtime.

The brand-new 14-inch "Peony" brand television set, which the eldest son-in-law had recently bought for the elderly couple during his New Year's visit, was placed in the most prominent position in the living room, with the whole family sitting around the screen.

Chen Fusheng's mother-in-law and sister-in-law were bringing the last plate of steaming dumplings to the table, and the rich aroma of pork and sauerkraut instantly filled the entire room.

The father-in-law, wearing a thick sweater and reading glasses, leaned slightly forward, intently watching the screen. His little grandson excitedly wiggled around his knees, his delicate face flushed from the warmth of the room and his anticipation of the party.

When the countdown to the Spring Festival Gala came on TV, the whole family's attention was instantly captured, and even my mother-in-law, who was busy in the kitchen, wiped her hands and quickly came out.

"Has it started? When will Xiaoli and Fusheng come out?"

"Mom, don't worry, this is just the beginning. Xiaoli and the others' performances are definitely later!" the brother-in-law said with a smile, and then pulled his mischievous son into his arms.

Liu's mother looked at the television, just as a unified, expectant shout came from it: "30, 29, 28..."

Courtyard No. 48, Tongluo Ancient Lane, Beijing.

This is a large, crowded courtyard.

Eight households lived there, but only He Zhu's family, who lived in the middle courtyard, bought a television.

As the saying goes, a close neighbor is worse than a distant relative. We usually live in the same courtyard, and even if there are some minor conflicts, our relationship is generally quite good.

So at this moment, all eight households gathered at He Zhu's house with their own stools, eagerly anticipating the start of the Spring Festival Gala.

At the same time, they counted down along with the sounds coming from the television:

"20, 19, 18..."

Shanghai.

The winter night was damp and cold, and neon lights cast dappled shadows on the wet alleyway.

In a lane on Shimen Road, neighbors from the attic room, front building, and side room squeezed into Engineer Wang's home on the second floor, carrying their own roasted nuts and candies.

The Wang family's newly purchased "Venus" brand television, covered with a crocheted gauze cover, was solemnly placed on the chest of drawers.

"Hey, Wang, the channel you tuned today is really good!" Aunt Zhang from next door praised in Shanghainese, casually placing a plate of spiced beans she bought from the City God Temple on the table.

"Find a place to sit at home."

While greeting everyone, Wang's mother handed a hot water bottle to the old woman with bound feet next to her.

"10, 9, 8..."

The countdown started on the TV, the children quieted down, and the men stopped handing out cigarettes.

The sporadic sounds of firecrackers drifted from outside the alley, mingling with cheers from the television and the soft Wu dialect from inside the room, creating a unique Shanghai-style New Year's Eve scene in the air filled with the sweet aroma of osmanthus rice cakes and the faint scent of face cream.

Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Changsha, Chengdu, Gansu, Xinjiang...

At this moment, people all over the country are looking forward to this year's Spring Festival Gala.

Meanwhile, the influence of the Spring Festival Gala officially kicked off tonight.

...In CCTV's Studio One.

Chen Qian nestled in her mother's arms, joining in the shouts of the crowd:
"...3, 2, 1."

As the countdown reached zero, the lights in Studio One suddenly blazed on, and the lively and exuberant "Spring Festival Overture" began to play. The cheerful melody instantly filled the entire space like a warm current and was transmitted to thousands of households through the radio waves.

The camera pans across the stage, where the bright red curtain, vibrant ribbons, and simple "Spring Festival Gala" lettering create a simple yet sincere festive atmosphere.

Amidst enthusiastic applause, the four hosts of the evening—Ma Ji and Jiang Kun in Zhongshan suits, Wang Jingyu in khaki overalls who looked kind and approachable, and most eye-catching Li Sisi in a high-necked red sweater—walked briskly out from both sides of the stage with bright, genuine smiles on their faces.

"Comrades, friends!"

As the key figure, Ma Ji first greeted the national audience with his highly recognizable loud voice: "On this eve of the Lunar New Year, as we bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new, the staff of the CCTV Spring Festival Gala extend our warmest holiday greetings to you as you celebrate the festival with your families!"

Jiang Kun: "Wishing everyone a happy Chinese New Year and all the best!"

Wang Jingyu: "Wishing all the people of China a Happy New Year!"

Li Sisi: "I hope our party will accompany everyone through a pleasant and unforgettable evening!"

Although they had rehearsed many times before, perhaps because they knew that millions of families were watching behind the camera, a hint of nervousness could still be heard in their voices.

However, their nervousness only made this Spring Festival Gala, full of innovation and a rough-and-ready spirit, seem more real.

"...Next, please welcome the renowned director, writer, and actor, Comrade Chen Fusheng, to deliver the opening remarks for this evening's program."

After the host finished his introduction, the camera immediately cut to Chen Fusheng.

"Dad~"

Almost immediately after the camera focused on him, the little boy in the Chen family's apartment, who was just a month and a half shy of his first birthday, recognized his father's familiar face on the screen.

He immediately straightened up excitedly, pointing his chubby little finger at the TV, while his other hand tugged at his aunt's clothes as she hugged him. His big, dark eyes widened as if he were announcing his momentous discovery to everyone.

Seeing that his father didn't respond, he tried harder to call out several more times, but his father still ignored him. His little head gradually tilted to one side, and his bright eyes revealed a hint of confusion and grievance. His little mouth also pursed.

Seeing that tears were about to well up in his eyes, Liu Xiaowei quickly hugged him tightly and gently shook him. His grandparents also came over to comfort him, which finally calmed the little fat boy down.

Chen Fusheng was unaware that he had almost made his son cry through the screen. Dressed in a Zhongshan suit, he didn't waste any more words and went straight to delivering his opening remarks.

"Fellow countrymen of all ethnic groups, overseas Chinese compatriots around the world, comrades, friends, Happy Chinese New Year!"

With the sound of gongs and drums bidding farewell to the old year and laughter welcoming the new spring, on this joyous eve of the Lunar New Year, the first CCTV Spring Festival Gala officially meets you!
This is a grand gathering of reunions, where we use songs and smiles to connect the longings of people from all over the world.

This is a brand new attempt; we are sharing this joyful moment with you through a live broadcast.

We hope our efforts will bring a smile to your family's reunion dinner;
May our blessings accompany you as you welcome a hopeful New Year!

Now, please tune in to the channel, and let's begin this gala together!

At the Spring Festival Gala, Chen Qian watched her father speak under the spotlight on stage, her little eyes sparkling with admiration.

Turning to her mother quietly, she said, "Dad is so handsome!"

"Yup."

(End of this chapter)