Mysterious Assistant of the Washed-Up Queen-Chapter 485 - 319: Handing Out Knives for the New Year
The audience in front of their TVs had initially lowered their expectations for this year’s Spring Festival Gala to rock bottom, so most were watching absentmindedly. However, when the background video appeared, it suddenly captured most people’s attention. It wasn’t that programs with video stories had never appeared at the Spring Festival Gala before; this time, the video was just noticeably different. Previously, it might have been a mere backdrop, but this time, it felt more like a story, or perhaps even the core of the entire stage. It gave the audience the sensation of watching a movie on the Spring Festival Gala stage. This unique approach naturally piqued the viewers’ curiosity, so most of them shifted their attention back. And when Xu Qingqiu began to sing, the lyrics, combined with the video, immediately doubled its impact.
"The old tree in front of the door sprouts new buds"
"The withered wood in the courtyard blooms again"
"Many words saved over a lifetime"
"Are hidden in a head full of white hair"
"The little feet in memories"
"The chubby little lips"
...
The lyrics seemed plain, but they struck like thunder in silence, hitting straight to the heart.
And just then, a voice filled with childlike innocence mixed in.
"Daddy, Mommy, when I grow up, I will be good to you, just like you are good to me..."
In that instant, the convergence of lyrics and speech was like a chemical reaction. It suddenly unleashed a tremendous wave, moving everyone watching to tears.
"Damn, damn, it’s the New Year, why are you twisting the knife like that..."
"I said the same thing when I was little: that I would always be good to my parents. But now, I can only come back for a few days during the New Year. If it weren’t for this program, I would have forgotten those childhood promises."
"I was just talking to my parents. I had never noticed until now, but their hair has turned white. I hadn’t even realized..."
"But you still have your parents, while I’m all alone now, without even a home." 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖
"This year, I also went back to my old home. It was empty. I made a New Year’s Eve dinner just like when my parents were still around. It took so long to get used to this life, and now a song has made me cry. I miss them so much."
"With parents, there’s always a place to return to; once they’re gone, the way back is lost."
"Suddenly I remembered a video I saw before: when a girl’s parents died, she knelt on the ground crying, screaming that her home was gone..."
"Sigh, time flies by too quickly year after year. I hope everyone cherishes these days and spends more time with their parents and relatives."
"Cherish the present. Since it’s the New Year, put down your phones, spend more time with your parents, and don’t leave regrets for the future."
"Shit, I’m not doing this damn overtime anymore! I’m going home. I miss my Mom and Dad!"
"My dad likes to drink, and nobody at home approves. I never drank at home either. But now, I’ve come to terms with it. Let him have his drink. Enough said. I’m going to heat up some dishes, have a drink with my dad, and chat with him some more."
"BOO HOO HOO, stop talking, please stop talking! It’s the New Year, why are you doing this?"
"Exactly! Why make such a scene during the New Year?"
A song and a video, as if dropping a nuclear bomb into the hearts of the viewers, instantly demolished many people’s defenses and stirred up another surge of emotions.
Not just the audience in front of the TV, even the people at the live scene couldn’t handle it.
Most of the audience members were family of the staff. Many had been coming for several years, which meant their family members hadn’t been home for New Year’s Eve for many years.
And these people were also ordinary folks, who had grown up with parents, just like everyone else.
At that moment, the song and video completely broke everyone’s defenses. The previously joyful and laughter-filled scene vanished.
Below the stage, people were all secretly wiping their tears. This was especially true for Xu Qingqiu’s parents. They had been happily watching the program. When their daughter took the stage, they became even more excited, their faces creasing with smiles twice as wide as usual.
But after listening to this song, they cried more miserably than anyone, especially Liang Yuehong, who kept muttering:
"Xu, how did they grow up so fast? I still remember when they were little—chubby, tender little babies, so adorable. And now, in the blink of an eye, they’re all grown up.
"Back then they were so small and cute. Even our neighbors and friends would say how beautiful the children were, and you always loved to pinch their tiny hands and feet.
"And those little shoes our parents made for Qiuqiu and Mingming, so lovely! It feels like I blinked, and they were all grown up.
"Especially Qiuqiu. She was always so sensible from a young age—never mischievous, always obedient, and such a comfort to us. Even now that she’s grown, she’s still considerate. But my heart aches because she never really got a proper education.
"I’ve failed Qiuqiu. As her mother, I didn’t do well enough; I’ve held her back..."
As Liang Yuehong sobbed uncontrollably, Xu Jiacheng, in silent tears, held her without saying a word.
This was hard on Xu Xiaohan and Xu Ruyan nearby.
Xu Xiaohan was somewhat okay. He was older, had experienced many things, and had also been the main one to take care of his two younger sisters in childhood. He was also familiar with his grandparents.
But Xu Ruyan was different. Her grandparents were already gone by the time she could remember things, so naturally, she didn’t have the same feelings. Hearing her parents talk, she couldn’t help but wonder, Why do I feel like such an outsider?
Aside from their family, although others didn’t react as strongly, one by one their eyes reddened too, as they hastily wiped away tears.
