The last batch of payments came through on the day before New Year’s Eve.

The streets were decorated with lanterns and festive ornaments. The construction site also had couplets posted, and I stood at the entrance looking at the battlefield where I’d toiled for a year.

Although some things still weren’t perfected, you could already tell it would be a very beautiful residential complex. Children would spend jubilant summer vacations in the swimming pool, elderly people would chat about everything under the sun in the fitness area, and when busy office workers returned home late at night, warm-colored lighting would illuminate beneath their feet.

I would grow old, but it would remain here far longer than me. Generation after generation would marry, have children, and spend their long years here.

I took a deep breath and walked into that office.

“As the saying goes, repaying debts makes for a good New Year. Now that the project is complete, let’s settle our debts too.”

My gaze swept over everyone present. Their eyes were either forthright or evasive.

Then I began reading names from the list.

“Sun Wenqing, as a fresh university graduate, you persevered on this construction site and proposed two documented work suggestions that effectively improved production efficiency. I said one suggestion was worth ten thousand—take your twenty thousand yuan home for New Year!”

The chubby young man jumped three feet high and came over clutching the cash, refusing to let go. “Thank you, Boss! Long live Boss!”

“Wang Yan, you promptly pointed out worker construction problems three times, saving the project from major losses. Ten thousand per instance, take your money.”

Wang Yan was getting on in years, and his hands trembled. “Manager Ren… you’re really giving this… don’t we already have year-end bonuses?”

“Year-end bonuses are year-end bonuses. This is the reward money I promised, so of course I have to give it.” I said.

At the very beginning of the project, I’d established a reward and punishment system. Penalties were real penalties, and rewards had to be real too.

“Next, Wang Le, Sun Feng, Zhao Kainan—you worked overtime to complete tasks, and during the project’s most difficult times, you held firm. I said I wouldn’t shortchange everyone. Twenty thousand each, take your money.”

The entire office was lively and bustling, just like a New Year’s market, filled with warm laughter and voices. I couldn’t help grinning foolishly too.

“When this project team was first formed, no one was optimistic about it, just like us people—for various reasons, no one was optimistic about us either.” I said loudly, “But look, it was precisely us who built this building, precisely us who created a miracle!”

Applause thundered like rolling waves. Li Gong, a reserved scholarly type, took the lead in cheering, and cheered the loudest.

I looked around at everyone, making this year’s final summary.

“There are all sorts of rumors about me. I’ve never explained them, nor do I need to explain.” I said, “I will use my capabilities to prove to everyone exactly what kind of person I am!”

Scene after scene from this past year appeared in my mind:

Being cursed at while someone pointed at my nose when the project first started.

Workers collapsing from exhaustion on the construction site to rush progress, while I was helpless to do anything.

Getting into trouble, finding all doors closed when seeking help everywhere, wanting to jump from the building.

…Every past moment had built these steel and concrete structures, and had also forged my indestructible golden body.

I suddenly didn’t want to say any grand words. I just used all my strength to show a huge smile and said, “So, go celebrate New Year. We’ll see each other on the next project!”

“Don’t talk about the next project!” Bao Long took the lead in standing up to applaud. “I’ll follow Manager Ren for the rest of my life!”

“Me too!”

“Boss, take me with you!”

For New Year, one must return home.

Actually, I didn’t really want to go back, since the old house had been sold anyway.

But Grandma was more traditional—she had to go back once a year. So we packed large and small bags and went home for New Year.

After sitting on a long-distance train for a day and night, we finally arrived home on New Year’s Eve. My dad was actually at the train station to pick us up, his eyebrows crusted with frost.

“What’s this about, Dad? Sudden burst of filial piety?” I was genuinely surprised.

“You brat, always talking nonsense. In this freezing weather, how could I not pick you up!” He draped a coat over Grandma. “Mom, must be frozen stiff. Your daughter-in-law has mutton dumplings all ready at home! Just waiting for you two!”

Grandma smiled and said, “Great! I’ll eat a ready-made meal for once.”

Actually, if he hadn’t picked us up, I would have just taken a taxi back. But since he came, we had to ride the drafty bus back.

This was the first time I’d come home since taking Grandma away.

Just as we reached the door, my stepmother was already coming out to greet us. “You’re back, Mom! Dongxue! Xiao Wei, get slippers for your sister and grandmother!”

My younger brother came running over. “Sis, why are you only getting here now! We’ve reheated the food several times!”

My grandmother couldn’t bend down, so while I helped her with her shoes, I replied, “The train was late, what could I do? Did you miss me?”

My brother drew out his tone. “Missed you! I almost forgot what you look like!”

At that moment, my grandmother suddenly pushed my hand away. “Don’t take them off. Just keep them on.”

She said to my stepmother, “Xiao Qin, I’ve gotten used to living in the south. My feet get cold, okay?”

Everyone froze for a moment, except me.

Many years ago, my grandmother had brought me to my father’s house to ask for living expenses.

As soon as we took off our shoes, my brother shrieked, “What’s that smell in here! It’s making me dizzy!”

My grandmother had no choice but to keep her shoes on, standing awkwardly in the living room while talking to my dad. “I collect scrap and have my pension. I can raise this child, but I got sick before New Year. Just give Mom two hundred yuan…”

My stepmother, with her head of curly hair, said nothing. She just viciously mopped around us, as if the floor were her mortal enemy.

But at this moment, my grandmother walked into the living room with her shoes still on. There was snow outside, and a row of black footprints marked the tile floor.

My stepmother said nothing about it being improper, and accommodatingly said, “Then don’t take them off. Dongxue, you don’t need to take yours off either. The heating isn’t enough in the house—watch out for cold feet.”

I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. I still changed into slippers and walked to Grandma’s side, whispering, “Old lady, that’s going too far!”

Grandma shook her head like a child. “She’s disgusted me for half a lifetime. I’m going to disgust her right back!”

My stepmother was famously petty far and wide. I was afraid she’d lose face soon, so I gave out the red envelopes in advance. “Mom, Dad, Happy New Year. You worked hard preparing this whole table of food.”

“Oh, what are you doing!” She immediately shrieked, “Isn’t this insulting us! How could we as parents take your money!”

“I only show filial piety once a year. Please don’t refuse.” I said, “Just consider it from Grandma.”

I really didn’t want to go through the whole performance with her. Without waiting for her to speak, I cut off the conversation and called out loudly, “Xiao Wei! Xiao Wei!”

My brother came out while playing games. “What!”

“What do you mean ‘what’? Do you want a red envelope or not? If not, I’ll give it to someone else!”

“Who would you give it to!” He grinned and snatched it. “You only have one real brother—me!”

“Such behavior!” My stepmother scolded with a laugh. “This kid just gets along with his sister. Can’t help it.”

We finally sat down to eat.

Grandma was very happy. At the dinner table, she had the loudest voice. “The house we live in—just the living room is as big as this whole place! Though it’s kind of scary being so empty!”

“So warm! Not even a bit weird! Just two steps and you’re at the seaside, and it’s not cold at all.”

“I really don’t like eating these greasy dishes. Dongxue says elderly people should eat healthy food. She buys it all for me from the supermarket.”

Then with quick eyes and hands, she tore off the chicken leg and put it in my bowl, as if afraid Xiao Wei would snatch it.

My dad said, “Of course. Everyone knows your eldest granddaughter is successful and took you to enjoy the good life. When will I get to enjoy having filial children!”

Grandma said, “You don’t have that fate. You don’t know how to raise children!”

My dad laughed awkwardly. My stepmother served me food and said, “How much does Dongxue make in a month? For people like you, it must be calculated by annual salary, right?”

I said, “Not much.”

“You must be making big money. Xiao Wei is about to graduate and is worried about work. I said what are you worried about? Your sister is a manager at a big company!”

My brother Ren Xiaowei used to study pretty well, but he wasted his three high school years badly and only got into a vocational college. Apparently even that was difficult for him—he skipped classes all the time, saying he wanted to make TikTok videos and become an internet celebrity.

The dinner table fell into brief silence, leaving only my stepmother’s laughter ringing out awkwardly.

I said with a smile, “Sure, Xiao Wei. Are you willing to work in construction engineering with your sister? My industry is really exhausting.”

Xiao Wei pouted. “Depends on my mood!”

The dinner table was immediately filled with a joyful atmosphere again.

Of course I wouldn’t help him.

Empty words at the dinner table weren’t a signed contract, just like sweet talk didn’t cost money.

In fact, I had no feelings whatsoever for my dad, “my mom,” or my brother. This wasn’t my home at all.

I could sit here only to make Grandma happy.

She was a vain, shortsighted, even bitter and mean old lady.

But she had spent half her life living meekly under her son and daughter-in-law, collecting trash until she was seventy years old.

All for her granddaughter.

After New Year’s Eve dinner, my dad made arrangements for us to sleep there.

I said, “No need. I booked a hotel. Grandma and I will sleep there these couple of days.”

“Why spend that money! Just squeeze in here!” My dad said, slurring his words.

My stepmother laughed. “Once you’re used to living in a big house, how could our pigeon cage fit you!”

I remembered when I was young, Grandma and I had also celebrated New Year with them. After New Year’s Eve dinner, no matter how heavy the snow, we still had to go home.

Back then I didn’t understand and asked Grandma, couldn’t we sleep with Xiao Wei? Couldn’t we sleep on the floor?

Grandma just smiled. That’s their home. We have to go back to our own home… It’s okay. When you’re tired from walking, Grandma will carry you on her back.

I didn’t argue, just said, “My friend is picking me up. Dad, Mom, I’m leaving.”

Outside, snow was falling from the sky.

Cheng Xia stood beside the car. In such cold weather, he still stood upright, like a pine or cypress covered with accumulated snow.

“Over here!”

Hearing me, he jogged over to help with the luggage.

“Oh my, thank you, Xiaxia. Making you come out so late at night.” Grandma kept thanking him.

“It’s nothing, Grandma. It’s what I should do.”

The car probably once held sugar oranges—there was a sweet citrus scent.

Cheng Xia said, “I originally told Dongxue to just celebrate New Year at my house, but she didn’t agree.”

“That wouldn’t be proper. It would trouble your family too much.”

“What trouble would that be?” He looked at me through the rearview mirror and smiled. “It’s what I should do.”

He took us to the hotel room, sat down to chat with Grandma for a bit before leaving.

I walked him to the door. “It’s midnight. Hurry back and eat dumplings.”

“Don’t forget tomorrow I’m picking you up to eat at my house.” He said, “My dad is waiting for you.”

That Dad Cheng who frequently appeared in the news, serious-looking, ready to lecture you about studying national politics the next second.

I sighed and said, “Okay.”

But Cheng Xia didn’t leave. He looked at me, the heavy snow behind him silent and tranquil.

“We haven’t seen each other for seven days.” He said, opening his arms toward me. “Won’t you give me a hug?”