A song from Chengdu revived a closed-down pub.

After discussing the Tengfei Group, Ye Sicheng picked up his teacup and casually asked, "What are your plans for the future?"

Su Fan leaned back on the sofa, his tone relaxed: "Back to Qin Province tomorrow."

"Leaving tomorrow?" Ye Sicheng asked, somewhat surprised. "Aren't you going to stay in Kyoto a few more days?"

Su Fan smiled and looked at him: "Second Uncle, I spend most of my time in Kyoto."

Ye Sicheng paused for a moment, then patted his forehead: "Right, right, I was confused. You've been running around all this time, and I forgot that your company is in Kyoto. You should go back, you should go back."

Zhao Ling sat to the side, and although she was a little reluctant, she nodded and said, "The orphanage must be looking forward to your return."

Ye Wangcheng sat down beside him and asked, "What time are we leaving tomorrow? Have you booked the tickets?"

"It's booked, the flight is this afternoon."

"That's good, we don't have to rush early in the morning." Zhao Ling seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, but then earnestly instructed, "When you get back, please wish Aunt Liu a Happy New Year for us. It wasn't easy for her to raise all of you children by herself."

Su Fan nodded: "Okay, I will definitely deliver it."

……

As everyone chatted about everyday things, the TV presenter began reminding everyone to welcome the New Year.

Only then did everyone realize that it was almost midnight.

The countdown sounded from the TV, and Ye Yao started counting along with it.

As the last bang faded, a burst of firecrackers suddenly erupted outside the window, and fireworks rose one after another in the distance, illuminating the glass window.

Ye Beichen smiled and picked up his teacup: "Happy New Year, I hope everyone is well."

Everyone responded and wished each other a Happy New Year again.

Su Fan watched the fireworks with everyone for a while, glanced at the time, and then stood up: "Grandpa, it's getting late, I'll head back now. You should get some rest too."

Ye Beichen looked up at him: "What are you doing so late? Don't go back tonight, just stay here."

Su Fan subconsciously said, "No need, it's not far for me to go back."

Ye Yun put down her cup and replied with a smile, "You don't live that far, but I still have to take you there. Let me save myself some trouble tonight."

"Then I'll call a car myself..."

Before he could finish speaking, Ye Sicheng waved his hand and said, "There are so many rooms in the house, surely there's a place for you to stay? Go back and pack your things tomorrow."

Su Fan wanted to explain further, but Zhao Ling spoke up: "The room has been cleaned, the bedding is clean, and toiletries are prepared. See if there's anything you need, and I'll go get it."

Su Fan looked at her, but the words he was about to say stopped in his tracks.

She had clearly been prepared for this for a long time, but she just hadn't mentioned it.

Having said that, she didn't try to persuade him further, but simply looked at him, waiting for his reply.

Su Fan smiled and put his coat down again: "Okay, then I won't be going back tonight."

Zhao Ling's smile immediately brightened: "Okay, I'll show you the room."

Ye Beichen nodded in satisfaction before putting down his teacup and telling everyone to take a break.

The room was upstairs, simply and neatly furnished, with a small lamp lit by the bedside.

Zhao Ling opened the wardrobe for him, pointed to the neatly folded pajamas inside, and told him where the bathroom was.

After giving her instructions, she walked to the door, still a little worried: "If the blanket is too thin, there's another one in the closet. Don't rush to get up in the morning, sleep a little longer."

Su Fan nodded: "Okay, Mom, you should get some rest too."

Zhao Ling held the doorknob, responded softly, and then closed the door for him.

The footsteps outside the door gradually faded away. Su Fan put his phone on the bedside table, looked at the room he was staying in for the first time, and slowly breathed a sigh of relief.

After washing up, Su Fan lay in bed, but couldn't fall asleep for a while.

He exhaled softly, thinking to himself.

"It turns out that saying 'Mom and Dad' isn't as hard as I thought."

"Before, I always felt that I wasn't ready. Even after I learned about the blood relationship, I was used to keeping a distance from the Ye family. It was as if as long as I didn't move forward, I wouldn't have to face the things I had missed for more than 20 years."

"Just accept it. There's nothing to regret. I've seen how they've treated me these past few days. If they come back a few more times and we have a few more meals together, we'll gradually get to know each other. There's no need to make everyone stay with me and relive the pain of the past."

The thought of going back to see Aunt Liu tomorrow made him feel a little more at ease.

"Aunt Liu is still Aunt Liu, and the orphanage is still my home. I will never forget the care and support I received over the years. Now that I have more family members, I will not push out the original family members."

A few more firecrackers went off outside the window.

Su Fan reached out and turned off the bedside lamp, then closed his eyes.

"When I get back tomorrow, I'll tell Aunt Liu about this."

……

Lost in thought, Su Fan fell asleep.

He slept very soundly.

No one came to wake him in the morning. When he woke up, bright sunlight was already streaming through the gaps in the curtains.

He reached for his phone on the bedside table and glanced at the time.

It's nine o'clock.

Su Fan sat up, rubbed his face, and muttered to himself, "I overslept. Anyway, I don't have to visit any relatives today. I can go back and pack my things and go home in a bit."

After washing up and changing his clothes, he went downstairs.

Before I even got downstairs, I could hear voices coming from the living room.

Ye Beichen was having tea with Xu Wenshan, while Xu Meng and several members of the Xu family sat nearby.

Everyone was chatting and laughing, creating a lively atmosphere.

Zhao Ling was the first to see Su Fan.

She immediately put down what she was holding, went to the stairs to greet him, and asked with a smile, "You're awake? How did you sleep last night?"

"It's great, I slept soundly until now."

"You were busy all day yesterday, you should get some more sleep." Zhao Ling glanced at the kitchen. "I'll get you some dumplings. Eat something first, don't go hungry."

Upon hearing these words, the conversation in the living room stopped.

Xu Wenshan held his teacup and looked up at the stairs.

Xu Meng also turned her head and saw Su Fan coming down from upstairs.

There was a noticeable hint of surprise in everyone's eyes.

Su Fan actually stayed here last night?

The Spring Festival Gala ended so late last night, and he looks like he just woke up today, so it's clear he didn't come to offer New Year's greetings this morning.

Xu Wenshan looked at Ye Beichen, as if trying to confirm something with him.

Before he could even speak, Su Fan had already stepped down the last step and smiled at Zhao Ling.

"Thank you, Mom."

Xu Wenshan stopped moving.

Xu Meng sat up straight immediately, her gaze shifting back and forth between Su Fan and Zhao Ling twice.

If what happened just now was an accident, then this moment is truly astonishing.

What does Su Fan call Zhao Ling?

mom?

Moreover, he called it so naturally.

Zhao Ling's smile deepened, and she gently instructed, "Please sit down, it will be ready soon."

After saying that, she turned and went to the kitchen.

Su Fan then recognized the guest in the living room and greeted him with a smile: "Uncle Xu, Happy New Year."

Xu Wenshan snapped out of his reverie and gently put down his teacup: "Happy New Year, Xiao Fan."

He paused, his gaze still holding a hint of surprise: "You stayed here last night?"

"Yes." Su Fan nodded. "After the show ended, Sister Yun picked me up. We had dinner and chatted for a while. It was getting late, so I stayed at the hotel."