1:20 AM. The clamor of the celebration banquet was locked behind the hotel doors.

Lu Zhixian stood by the roadside.

Brother Zhao drove the car over, leaned across, and pushed open the passenger door. "Get in."

Lu Zhixian tossed his suitcase into the back seat, climbed into the passenger seat, and fastened his seatbelt.

The lights of the highway entrance swept past the car window.

Brother Zhao didn't start the car immediately; instead, he pulled a thermos from the storage compartment.

"Drink something hot. You only drank alcohol at the banquet."

Lu Zhixian took it and unscrewed the lid.

It was warm honey water. He took a sip; it was sweet.

"Brother Zhao, how did you know I was thirsty?"

"I've been with you for over half a year."

Brother Zhao started the car, turned the steering wheel, and the car merged onto the ring road.

"Take the highway? Or the national road?"

"Let's take the highway. Get home faster."

"Alright."

Lu Zhixian leaned back against the seat, looking out the window.

Brother Zhao drove for half an hour before speaking.

"Tired?"

"Not tired."

Lu Zhixian turned his head back.

"I just feel like it's time to go home."

"It is time to go back." Brother Zhao nodded. "You can't not go home after performing at the Spring Festival Gala."

"Brother Zhao, aren't you going home?"

"I had them go to my mother-in-law's place first," Brother Zhao said. "I'll drop you off at home and then head back."

Lu Zhixian looked at him.

"You don't need to drive me."

"During the New Year, is it right to let you take a taxi home by yourself?" Brother Zhao glared at him. "Besides, you have so much luggage, a taxi won't fit it all."

Lu Zhixian didn't say anything more. He knew what kind of person Brother Zhao was; if he said he would drive him, he would definitely do it. To keep arguing would be pretentious.

He turned his head back to look out the window. His black phone vibrated; he took it out to check.

It was a WeChat message from Lin Shiya.

"Finished performing?"

"Finished," he replied.

"How do you feel?"

"It was alright."

"Liar. It must have felt amazing."

Lu Zhixian smiled. "It was okay. Just pretty tired."

"Almost home?"

"On the way."

"Stay safe. Say hello to your aunt and uncle for me."

"Okay."

He put his phone down. Brother Zhao glanced at it.

"Lin Shiya?"

"Yeah."

"She really cares about you."

"Just a friend," Lu Zhixian said.

Brother Zhao didn't respond. The car fell silent again.

After twenty minutes, Brother Zhao suddenly said.

"Zhixian, do you know what Director Fang said to me at the celebration banquet just now?"

"What did he say?"

"He said if there's a suitable song for next year's Spring Festival Gala, he'll come to you first." Brother Zhao's voice carried a smile. "He also said your performance was one of the best received in all his years directing the Spring Festival Gala."

Lu Zhixian nodded. "He's being polite."

"It's not politeness," Brother Zhao said. "I can tell he genuinely thinks you're awesome. And Zheng Weiyuan, do you know what he said to me when the event ended?"

"What?"

"He said, 'This kid really understands the stage.'" Brother Zhao mimicked Zheng Weiyuan's deep, serious tone. "Coming from him, that's worth more than any other praise."

Lu Zhixian smiled. "Got it."

The car stopped at a service area.

Brother Zhao said he was going to use the restroom and asked if Lu Zhixian wanted anything to drink. Lu Zhixian shook his head.

Brother Zhao returned with two cans of coffee.

"Want a can? Perk up."

"I'm not sleepy."

"I am." Brother Zhao cracked open a can and took a sip. "Been driving for two hours."

Lu Zhixian took the other can.

"Brother Zhao, where are you spending the New Year this year?"

"I agreed with my wife that I'd go to my mother-in-law's place as soon as I drop you off," Brother Zhao said. "They're already asleep; I just need to arrive by tomorrow morning."

"Aren't you going to spend time with your kids?"

"The kid is having a blast at her grandma's place," Brother Zhao smiled. "Besides, my daughter's head is full of her 'Uncle Lu' right now; she was just messaging in our family group chat earlier, asking if you'd arrived home yet."

Lu Zhixian was stunned.

"Your daughter knows me?"

"How could she not? She watches TV every day." Brother Zhao started the car, and Lu Zhixian laughed.

"How old is she?"

"Twelve," Brother Zhao said. "A young girl, just at the age for chasing idols."

The car merged back onto the highway. Lu Zhixian opened the coffee and took a sip.

"Brother Zhao, what's your daughter's name?"

"Zhao Xiaoyu," Brother Zhao said. "Like the rain. Her mom named her, hoping she'd be gentle like a light rain."

"And?"

"Turns out she's a tomboy," Brother Zhao shook his head. "Running wild in the yard every day, hanging out with her male classmates. Her mom has a massive headache over it."

Lu Zhixian listened to Brother Zhao talk about his daughter and found it interesting. It turned out Brother Zhao had this side to him outside of work.

"Zhixian." Brother Zhao suddenly called him.

"Yeah?"

"Have you thought about what you're going to do in the future?"

"What future?"

"I mean…" Brother Zhao carefully chose his words. "You've performed at the Spring Festival Gala, you've sung, you've got popularity points. What's next?"

Lu Zhixian looked at the road signs whizzing past.

"I'll just keep going as I've been going."

"That's not what I mean," Brother Zhao said. "I mean, with your current level of buzz, you need to strike while the iron is hot. After the New Year, there will definitely be a lot of work coming your way, all sorts of things. You need to think clearly about what to accept and what to decline."

"Accept what should be accepted, decline what shouldn't."

"It's not that simple," Brother Zhao said.

Lu Zhixian turned his head, looking at Brother Zhao's profile. The light from the streetlamps flickered across his face, revealing fine lines at the corners of his eyes.

"Brother Zhao," he said.

"Yeah?"

"I know you're doing this for my own good," Lu Zhixian said. "But some things can't be rushed."

Brother Zhao didn't say anything.

"I want to take it slow," Lu Zhixian said. "Walking step by step is better than anything else."

Brother Zhao nodded. "Alright. I'll listen to you."

The car continued forward. The navigation showed eighty kilometers to home. Lu Zhixian checked the time: 3:40 AM.

He took out his phone and opened the system panel. The number for popularity points had stabilized, stopping at a height he had never seen before.

"Sleep for a bit if you're tired," Brother Zhao said. "Still a while until we arrive."

"Not tired," Lu Zhixian said. "I'll keep you company."

"Chat about what?"

"Anything. Let's talk about your daughter, your wife, how you got into the industry as an agent."

Brother Zhao laughed. "Sure."

He began to talk about his younger days. How he started as a small assistant, how he learned to be an agent from his mentor, and how he walked step by step to where he is today.

When the sky began to turn white, the car drove into the province where his hometown was located.

"Almost there," Brother Zhao said. "Forty more minutes."

Lu Zhixian sat up straight, looking out the window. Familiar sights began to appear.

"What's wrong?" Brother Zhao noticed something off.

"Nothing," Lu Zhixian shook his head. "Just… a bit of 'returning home with trepidation.'"

Brother Zhao laughed. "How long have you been away from home?"

"It's different," Lu Zhixian said. "Coming back this time, my status is different."

"How is it different?"

The car drove off the highway. The streets at 6:00 AM were already starting to get busy. Everything looked familiar.

The car turned into the residential complex where he lived. Brother Zhao drove very slowly, afraid of waking people still sleeping.

The car stopped in front of a residential building. Lu Zhixian unbuckled his seatbelt and pushed open the car door. He got out, opened the back door, and dragged out his suitcase.

Brother Zhao also got out. "Need me to help you carry it up?"

"No," Lu Zhixian said. "It's just one suitcase."

He stood by the car, looking at Brother Zhao. "Brother Zhao, you should go back. Drive carefully."

"Alright," Brother Zhao nodded. "Then I'm off. Let's connect after the New Year."

"Okay."

Brother Zhao got in the car, the car reversed slowly, then turned around and drove out of the complex.

He turned around and looked up at his building. On the fourth floor, the window on the left was lit.

He walked to the fourth floor and stood in front of his door. He took a deep breath, then raised his hand and knocked.

The door opened almost immediately. Song Min stood at the doorway, wearing loungewear, her hair neatly tied back.

She saw her son, said nothing, just reached out to take the suitcase from his hand, and turned to walk into the house.

"Your dad is in the kitchen; he insisted on making you breakfast."

Her voice was very calm, as if he had just stepped out to buy breakfast and returned.

Lu Zhixian stood at the doorway, watching his mother's back. The living room lights were on, and bowls and chopsticks were set on the dining table.

The sound of the range hood came from the kitchen, along with a little tune Lu Jianguo was humming.

He walked in and closed the door.

Lu Jianguo poked his head out of the kitchen, still holding a spatula. Seeing his son, he grinned: "You're back! Sit down, it'll be ready in a second!"

Four dishes and a soup were laid out on the dining table, steaming hot.

Lu Zhixian sat down, and Song Min served him a bowl of porridge.

"Watched it last night," Song Min sat opposite him and picked up her chopsticks. "You sang very well."

Lu Jianguo brought out the last dish of pan-fried dumplings, set them on the table, and rubbed his hands together.

"Better than just 'very well'! Let me tell you, last night your Second Uncle and Third Aunt all called! And your classmates, my WeChat was blowing up!"

He picked up his chopsticks and placed a pan-fried dumpling into his son's bowl.

"That line, 'Happy New Year to all the people of the country'—your mom was in tears at the time, but she was too stubborn to admit it."

Song Min glanced at him. "Eat your food."

Lu Zhixian lowered his head to drink the porridge, a smile on his lips.

"Eat slowly, no one is going to take it from you," Lu Jianguo sat opposite him and served himself a bowl of porridge, "There's more in the pot."

Lu Zhixian looked up. "Dad, you eat too."

"I've already eaten," Lu Jianguo said. "Your mom and I got up at four to prepare breakfast for you."

Lu Zhixian looked at his mother. Song Min was drinking soup, her movements elegant, taking small sips.

"Mom, you didn't sleep well either?"

"I slept," Song Min put down her spoon. "When people get old, they don't need as much sleep."

Lu Zhixian knew she was lying. His mother never used to get up this early.

"I'm full."

"Then go get some rest," Song Min stood up. "I've tidied up your room; the bedding has all been freshly sunned."

He went into his room. He sat on the edge of the bed, looking out the window. He suddenly felt a bit tired.

The system notification chimed: [During the Spring Festival holiday, popularity points will fluctuate. It is recommended that the host arrange their rest time reasonably.]

He looked at the text and smiled.

He lay down and closed his eyes. It was very quiet. Very secure.