Amidst the pushing and pulling, Dad moved the wooden ladder out from the backyard, carrying a bucket and rags. He climbed up the steps, carefully wiping the dust off the shutters, disregarding his rheumatic legs and shoulders...…

      Even without looking at the calendar, I knew right away: the Lunar New Year is near!

      I had just cleaned up the flowerbed in the front yard when Mom, who doubles up as a “nanny” at my younger brother's house, came back for her New Year holiday. She carried a bag and said, “There’s no need to buy melon seeds. I bought some on the way.”

      In the evening, Mom, who is adept at handicrafts, cut red paper to make paper flowers while casually preparing the New Year's Eve dinner: “The little ones don't eat the stems of mushrooms, can't bite them open…...”

      I carefully responded, “I've already bought the yusheng ingredients from Kwong Cheong Thye. I just need to peel the carrots.”

      “Little kids don't eat raw fish.”

      “The fish can be vegetarian.”

      “Vegetarian?” Mom mumbled.

      “I'll also buy ready-made chicken and duck on the day.”

      “Have you made a reservation?”

      “Not yet.”

      “Do you know that everyone closes shop at noon on New Year's Eve?”

      “I'll see what happens then...…” Mom still nagged on.

      “Dad will also fry fish and make soup.” I tried to divert Mom's attention.

      “How can you not think clearly?” Mom chided.

      I don't like Mom's nagging. I don't like her lack of confidence in people, and I don't like her endless blaming of others for not doing things well.

      Mom blames not only others, but also often gets angry with herself. If there is too much cooked rice that cannot be finished, she would suspect that her cooking was not to people's tastes. If the food is too popular, she would complain to me, after everyone leaves, that she did not dare to eat vegetables or drink soup, and that the portion estimation was not right.

      Mom's neuroticism makes everyone uncomfortable. She can't control herself, and no one can do anything about it. Because it's New Year's Eve. Because we have to eat New Year's Eve dinner. So, everyone has to buck up and be careful, taking every step cautiously. From cleaning and decorating to buying groceries and cooking, we try to share Mom's work, reducing her stress and the anxiety it causes.

      Clink, clang, clang, plates and bowls are laid out all over the table.

      This year, Uncle didn't come for the New Year's Eve dinner. Ever since his divorce, Uncle has always had New Year's Eve dinner with us. This year, when we invited him, he hesitated and was indecisive. What exactly happened?

      Dad went to find out while being indirect, and after twists and turns, he came back to report: Uncle is worried that his child will follow in his footsteps and get divorced, so he is depressed and doesn't want to see anyone...…

      My younger brother finally arrived with his family. The three kids immediately rushed in front of Grandma, practicing their New Year's greetings. They argued about each other's rights and wrongs, and it seemed like there was too much to say. The whole house suddenly became lively.

      Dad asked my younger brother to offer incense, worship, and pray to the ancestors. My younger brother knelt obediently and piously on the ground, closing his eyes and praying silently. These days, my younger brother is always flying around Vietnam, Cambodia, India, and other places, and it's rare to see him a few times a year. When we meet, it's also rare to say a few words. Time has left its mark on each other's foreheads.

      My younger brother's family doesn't have an ancestral altar. Seeing his usually awe-inspiring and authoritative father suddenly kneeling on the ground humbly and respectfully, the nephews were stunned!            

       “What's wrong with Dad?” Everyone suddenly became quiet, and the atmosphere became solemn.

      I don't know what my younger brother is wishing for at this moment. What is he pondering? Is all the hard work of the year just to be able to go home for the New Year? The unavoidable responsibility, the rushing around, is it all for this moment of peace and stillness?

      The steaming dishes are served on the table.

    The eldest nephew greeted everyone like a tongue twister: “Grandpa please start, Grandma please, Dad please, Mom please, Uncle please.”

     The five-year-old second child, eloquent and imitative, recited from “Grandpa please start” to “Uncle please” without missing a word, and finally, didn't forget to greet “Brother please.”

      The youngest one, only three years old, is the most mischievous. Before picking up the chopsticks, everyone urged him to be polite. He caught everyone off guard, saying, “Everyone please.” Everyone was amused by his unconventional simplicity, laughing and protesting: “That doesn't count, that doesn't count...…”

      I took a meal box and picked up some dishes. I thought of Uncle, who was eating New Year's Eve dinner alone.

      After eating two bites of rice, the restless youngest one wandered around again, looking for someone to play hide-and-seek...…

      Dad said, “You can't run around while eating New Year's Eve dinner.”

         Mom said, “Good boys don't run around.”

      Younger brother said, “Quick, you'll be four years old after New Year's Eve dinner.”

        Sister-in-law said, “Don't run around, otherwise, when you go back to school, how will you tell your teacher about your reunion dinner?”

        So, the youngest one came back.

      We all squeezed together, sitting around a table to take New Year's Eve dinner. Those who sit around for the reunion dinner include me and my younger brother's father and mother, as well as the nephews' father and mother.

      Those who take New Year's Eve dinner include my younger brother, the nephews' siblings, and also should include Dad's younger brother. Dad's younger brother didn't come today, but later, I will send him food from the meal. Because, every year, we celebrate our family ties, rain or shine.