The days on the calendar were drawing to a close. New Year's Eve had arrived. That night the whole city came alive as fireworks exploded across the dark sky and loud, cheerful noise rang out endlessly.
A table full of delicious dishes sent up curls of steam—plenty of meat and vegetables, big fish and hearty portions. The rich, savory aromas filled the air, making everyone's mouth water.
Evelyn placed a large bowl of rice piled high in front of Noah and poured him a glass of soda.
Laura watched the two of them acting like an old married couple and couldn't help saying, "Eve, you spoil Nate way too much. He's not some young master who needs serving."
"I've always taken care of him this way. It's just habit now." Evelyn affectionately stroked Noah's hair. "Besides, he's been so well-behaved lately. Spoiling him a little is fine."
"This silly boy really has all the luck, ending up with such a good sister."
"Well, that's all thanks to you bringing my sister home, Mom. Otherwise I wouldn't…" Noah suddenly paused, realizing the words might sound wrong. He tugged Evelyn's sleeve with an apologetic expression. "Sorry, Eve."
"No wonder Mom calls you silly. If your sister were that fragile, how could I have raised you?"
"I was just worried that maybe…"
Noah had read comments online about similar situations. Someone mentioned their uncle staying with their family when they were young. Because of one sentence—"Don't touch my family's stuff, this isn't your house"—the uncle cried and walked more than twenty miles home on foot. The person still regretted it every time they thought about it.
Luckily he had never said anything like that to Evelyn. That uncle at least had somewhere to go. If it were her, where could she even go?
"Worried about what?" Evelyn smiled gently. "Worried your sister might cry if you said it? Nate, you're really too cute."
As she spoke she reached out to pinch his cheek again. Laura waved her hand, urging them, "Alright, alright. Let's eat first before the food gets cold."
A comfortable, warm atmosphere spread under the soft lighting. The air was filled with the temperature of happiness. The food was hot and fragrant, creating a beautiful scene.
"This stir-fried meat smells incredible. Eve, how did you make it taste so good?"
"I learned it from a video online. High heat first, then low. It's actually not that hard. If you like it, Mom, I can teach you tomorrow."
"No need. Mom doesn't usually have time to cook anyway."
"Mom, I can support myself and Nate now. I can even send some money home from time to time. You don't have to work so hard anymore." Evelyn placed a piece of meat into Laura's bowl, her voice warm and dutiful.
"There will be lots of expenses later—your dowry, Nate buying a car and house, and the wedding gifts. The Vales said it doesn't matter, but we can't actually give too little, can we?"
She gave Noah a meaningful glance. The boy kept his head down eating his rice, pretending not to hear. "I'll save up for Nate. You don't have to worry about it."
"You silly child, what are you saying? How can we let the sister pay for that?"
"I don't mind at all. Mom, just don't worry about it."
"I'll earn the money myself," Noah looked up, speaking earnestly. "I'll work hard and make money in the future. Stop always thinking I'm so useless."
"Fine, fine. You earn it yourself."
Laughter and cheerful conversation filled the dinner table, but they didn't finish much of the food. Some was thrown away, some wrapped up and put in the fridge.
After washing the dishes, Laura asked, "Do you want to come with Mom to visit the neighbors? It's New Year's—good to join in the fun."
"Sure…" Noah started to reply but then thought of something. He glanced at Evelyn's blank face and changed his mind. "I think I'll stay home and watch TV with my sister. You go ahead, Mom. Say hi to everyone for us."
"Alright, whatever you two want. Mom will go by myself."
Laura left the house. With only Noah and Evelyn left, she wiped her hands. The smile on her lips seemed to carry hidden meaning. "It's just the two of us now, Nate. What do you feel like doing?"
"We said we were going to watch TV." Seeing the crafty, teasing look on his sister's face, he suddenly had a bad feeling. "Mom could come back any minute. Eve, you're not thinking about…"
"Thinking about what? Do you want to, Nate? Your sister isn't scared." She stepped closer, cupping Noah's face with both hands as her smile turned ambiguous and alluring. "Want to?"
"No, no way. We'd definitely get caught. Let's just watch TV."
"Alright. Whatever Nate says. We'll watch TV."
The two of them leaned back on the sofa, sharing a thick blanket. Their cold feet tucked inside, bodies nestled close together as they stared at the television screen.
A shot of a middle-aged man smoking crossed the screen. It reminded Noah of something and he said softly, "Eve, do you remember when I was in junior high and brought a cigarette home from somewhere?"
"Of course I remember. That day your sister came home from school and as soon as I walked in I saw you lounging comfortably on the sofa, legs crossed, holding a cigarette in one hand and a beer bottle in the other, calling out all relaxed, 'Eve's back! Go fry up a couple dishes.' I almost wanted to pin you down right there and spank you until your butt was blooming. Good thing that cigarette wasn't lit."
"I was just copying something I saw on TV. I was joking with you. Who knew you'd want to beat me the second you saw it."
"Smoking, drinking, calling your sister by her full name. Only if your sister had no brain would I not want to smack you."
"Hehe." Noah gave her a goofy smile. "You hardly ever hit me when I was little. Feels like the older I got, the more it happened."
"That's because when you were small your sister was afraid of leaving you with psychological scars. Now that you've grown up and your skin is thicker, I don't have to hold back anymore."
"Too violent. That's no way to raise a younger brother."
"But your sister feels like she raised you pretty well. You study hard, you're polite and kind to others, and you're handsome. Isn't that great?"
"Well…" He thought for a moment but couldn't find anything to say. Evelyn had basically raised him by herself. He wouldn't be who he was today without her careful upbringing.
"Out of words?" Evelyn smiled proudly. Whether it was the joy of winning the argument or the satisfaction of having taught him well, she tilted her head and rested it on Noah's shoulder. "By the way, how did that case of soda disappear so fast?"
"I… I don't know."
"Your sister hasn't drunk a single can. If Nate doesn't know, then it must have been Mom who finished them."
Noah's gaze dodged away, unable to meet Evelyn's eyes. It only took a moment before he gave in. "Eve, you already knew everything. Why are you still asking me?"
"Drinking too much isn't good for your health, you little glutton. Next time I won't buy any for you." Even as she scolded him, she pulled a envelope from her pocket and slipped it into Noah's hand. "Here. New Year's Gift for you."
"I'm not a little kid anymore. You already give me plenty of spending money."
"It's about having the proper tradition. No matter how big you grow, you'll always be your sister's little fool, won't you?" She wrapped her arms around his, her palm sliding through to interlock their fingers tightly.