A song from Chengdu revived a closed-down pub.

Aunt Liu touched the empty sleeve, tears falling to the ground one by one, her voice trembling as she said, "How did this happen... how did this happen..."

Everyone started wiping away tears.

Su Fan took a deep breath, suppressing the soreness rising in his throat, and said, "Everyone, let's go inside first and let Brother Jie rest. It's cold outside."

The crowd then came to their senses and escorted Zhao Jie into the house.

Once inside, Aunt Liu asked again, "Ah Jie, what exactly happened? Tell Auntie the truth."

Zhao Jie said calmly, "Aunt Liu, it's alright. This was done at the construction site two years ago. The machine malfunctioned, and I didn't have time to get out of the way."

After saying that, he added, "This is considered a work injury. The construction site has paid compensation, and everything that should be paid has been paid."

Aunt Liu paused for a moment, then suddenly remembered something. She looked up at Zhao Jie, her voice changing: "Was that money you transferred to the yard two years ago your compensation?"

Zhao Jie didn't answer, he just smiled.

There was no resentment or embarrassment in that smile; it was as if to say, "Don't ask anymore, it's all in the past."

Aunt Liu's tears started falling again.

Zhao Jie quickly pulled over his suitcase, unzipped it, and started rummaging through his belongings.

He took out a massager and handed it to Aunt Liu: "You have a bad neck. I've inquired about it, and this brand works well. You can use it for a while every day."

He continued rummaging through the boxes, then took out another one. Inside was a scarf: "Xiao Hong, this is for you. You're afraid of the cold, so wear it when you go out in winter."

"Fangcheng, this is for you." Zhao Jie took out a thermos. "It'll be convenient for you to have a drink of hot water while you're out doing business."

"Shanshan, this is for you!"

"Xiao Fan, this is for you!"

……

Everyone received a gift, even the little children had toys and food.

Everyone's eyes welled up with tears as they looked at the gifts in their hands.

Zhao Jie smiled and said, "Stop crying, everyone. It's the New Year, why are you crying?"

Aunt Liu wiped her eyes and stood up: "The dumplings haven't been cooked yet. I'll go cook them now. You all wait here."

Soon, steaming hot dumplings were served.

The Spring Festival Gala was being broadcast on television in a lively and bustling manner.

The crosstalk made the children giggle.

The dance was so beautiful that it was impossible to look away.

But the atmosphere at the table remained somewhat subdued.

Zhao Jie sat there, picking up dumplings with his right hand, his movements a little clumsy.

Fang Cheng poured him a glass of wine: "Brother Jie, have a drink."

With wine, the atmosphere is set.

At this moment, Yuan Shanshan said, "Xiao Fan, haven't you written several songs? Why don't you sing one for us right now?"

Su Fan was chewing on dumplings when he heard this. He looked up, wiped his mouth, and said with a smile, "No problem, what do you want to hear?"

Sitting across from her, Zhou Rou immediately chimed in, "Brother Fan, have you written any new songs lately? We've already heard those online, and we're looking for something new."

Su Fan said generously, "What do you want to hear? Just pick anything, I'll sing it for you."

Xiang Hong said, "Wow, Xiao Fan is amazing! He even lets us request songs on the spot?"

Yuan Shanshan's eyes darted around, and she suddenly patted Zhao Jie on the shoulder: "Let Brother Jie choose this song, we'll all listen to Brother Jie."

Zhao Jie waved his hands repeatedly: "How would I know about this? You guys do it, you guys do it."

"Hey, Brother Jie, just pick one," Yuan Shanshan suggested. "Pick one that's difficult and see if Xiao Fan can sing it. If he can't, it'll be a good way to teach him a lesson for talking big."

The others chimed in, "Yeah, Brother Jie, tell me something difficult. If Xiao Fan (Brother Fan) can't sing it, let him sing 'Chengdu'."

Su Fan put on a pained expression: "Is it really necessary? You guys are deliberately trying to embarrass me."

Everyone laughed.

Even Zhao Jie couldn't help but grin.

Just then, a song came on TV, with a soothing melody; it was about mothers.

Zhao Jie's gaze was drawn to the singing, and he turned his head to look at Aunt Liu.

Then, casually, he said, "Then let's write a song for Aunt Liu."

No one had any objections to this proposal.

However, the way everyone looked at Su Fan carried a hint of pity.

Xiang Hong tried to help Su Fan out of the predicament: "Xiao Fan, if that doesn't work, how about 'Chengdu'? We all really like that song."

Su Fan said, "Sister Hong, that won't do. Sister Shan is looking forward to seeing me make a fool of myself. How can we let her succeed?"

Yuan Shanshan raised an eyebrow and said, "Oh, you've gotten quite capable? If you can sing a song that everyone agrees on, I'll treat you to all your meals for the entire holiday."

Su Fan laughed and said, "Okay! You said it yourself, so everyone can start thinking about what to eat during the New Year period. I'm really looking forward to Sister Shan cooking."

Yuan Shanshan raised her chin and said, "Tch, anyone can talk big. You sing first."

Su Fan stood up and called out to Hao Hao, who was gnawing on a chicken leg in the corner, "Hao Hao, go to the car and get the guitar."

The little boy named Hao Hao ran out in a flash.

Taking this opportunity, Su Fan pondered which song to choose.

In fact, in everyone's mind, Aunt Liu plays the role of a mother more.

Therefore, the song can be conceived by following the mother's line of thought.

Su Fan thought to himself, "Should I bring out 'Where Has the Time Gone'? No, this song is too powerful; I can barely handle it..."

Su Fan thought of many related songs.

Then he thought of a song.

"That's it, one meat dish and one vegetable dish!"

This song, "On Earth," was written and composed by Mao Buyi, arranged by Zhao Zhao and Song Tao, and sung by Mao Buyi.

Compared to "Where Has the Time Gone?", this song "One Meat and One Vegetable" is relatively milder.

Just then, Hao Hao came in carrying his guitar.

Su Fan took the guitar and said, "This next song is for Aunt Liu."

Yuan Shanshan picked up her phone and said, "Wait, let me record it for you."

Once the phone was set up, Su Fan took a deep breath and began to pluck the strings of the piano.

The prelude begins, very softly and slowly.

"Sunrise and sunset, deeper and deeper"

A small square table with one meat dish and one vegetable dish.

……

Su Fan's voice was not loud, as if he were talking to himself, or as if he were talking to someone far away.

When Su Fan sang, what came to mind wasn't the lyrics, but scenes from her childhood.

The orphanage's kitchen was small, with a brick stove, iron pots, and enamel bowls, the edges of which were chipped in several places.

Aunt Liu stood in front of the stove, stir-frying vegetables, steaming buns, and cooking porridge. The fumes made her cough.

But she never lets the children help in the kitchen.

One meat dish and one vegetable dish.

Back then, conditions in the compound were poor; a meat dish and a vegetable dish were only served during the Lunar New Year.

Normally, we eat vegetarian dishes with steamed buns.

But during holidays and festivals, Aunt Liu would always prepare one meat dish and one vegetable dish.

Sometimes it's a few small fish, sometimes it's a few pieces of braised pork.

She sat at the table, watching them eat with gusto, while she picked up a piece of green vegetable and ate it with her steamed bun.