New Year's Eve.
The city had become much quieter.
Pedestrians filled the streets, and even the usually congested roads were now clear.
In contrast to the city's quietness,
The countryside was filled with festive cheer.
Elders in the village showed smiles, and children gathered around playing with firecrackers.
As night fell, every household hung lanterns and decorations, preparing for the New Year's Eve dinner.
The tradition ingrained in the hearts of Chinese people designated Spring Festival as the most important holiday. Even families that were not well-off would prepare a lavish New Year's Eve feast.
Spring Festival.
Besides the reunion dinner and lucky money, the Spring Festival Gala was naturally indispensable.
After the family finished eating, they would gather to watch the Gala, chat, and have a good time, which was also a pleasant affair.
However, as times progressed, people's entertainment options increased. Mobile games, short video platforms, and similar activities gradually replaced the Gala's position.
The popularity of the Spring Festival Gala had been declining in recent years.
"Come on, it's finally a holiday for the New Year, let's go for a five-player match tonight!"
"Forget it, I want to watch the Spring Festival Gala."
"What's so good about that thing? It's better to play a few games."
"What do you know? Ting Yu is performing on the Gala tonight, I really want to hear Ting Yu sing!"
"Holy crap, Ting Yu is really performing?"
"Didn't you see the program list? Ting Yu will sing 'Blue and White Porcelain,' and his mother-in-law will sing her new song 'As Desired.'"
"Then I won't play games either, you guys go ahead."
"What's the point of playing? I'm watching the Gala with my parents!"
In the past, during the New Year.
After the New Year's Eve dinner, many young people would return to their rooms to play games.
But this year, such scenes were much fewer.
More often, after dinner, people would gather around the television, accompanying their parents to watch the Spring Festival Gala.
After all, in the eyes of fans, Ting Yu, the music deity, had not sung for three months.
Everyone was very much looking forward to him singing on the Gala.
And it was heard that because traditional culture was very popular online, this year's Spring Festival Gala had incorporated many traditional cultural programs.
Opera, acrobatics, calligraphy, martial arts, and so on.
There was also a performance of ceramic culture.
In the past, these were often associated with terms like old-fashioned and uncool.
But now, thanks to Ting Yu's songs and the efforts of the authorities, these traditional cultures had formed something like a "Guochao" (national trend).
Many people involved in related industries had opened accounts on short video platforms, gaining numerous followers by showcasing traditional culture.
"Dear audience, Happy New Year!!"
As the familiar faces of the Spring Festival Gala hosts took the stage,
The festive atmosphere of the New Year instantly arrived!
"This is a joyful, auspicious, and festive New Year's Eve..."
Just like the previous year, the Spring Festival Gala was not only broadcast live on all satellite TV stations but also streamed on video platforms.
And the choice for many young people was naturally to open video platforms and watch the live broadcast, as they could send bullet comments and interact with netizens across the country through them.
"Haha, Happy New Year everyone, I can't remember how many years it's been since I last watched the Spring Festival Gala."
"That's right, it feels like the New Year spirit is fading. In the past, I looked forward to the New Year because there were many friends to play with and I could get lucky money, but after growing up, I found that the New Year is just endless visits to relatives."
"After a tiring year working outside, I thought I could rest when I returned home for the New Year, but I can't even sleep in..."
"Haha, that's too real, but I envy you guys who have holidays for Spring Festival, we're still watching the Gala at work."
Many netizens shared their feelings about the New Year in the bullet comments.
Indeed, people's lives were better than before, but the New Year spirit seemed to be weakening.
Especially as one grew older, the joy of receiving lucky money and setting off firecrackers like in childhood was gone.
...
Chen Village.
It was a small mountain village.
At this moment, the joyous sounds of the Spring Festival Gala could be heard from the televisions in every household.
However, one family was different from the rest, who were busy with decorations.
Inside the house, the TV displayed the Spring Festival Gala, and a mother and daughter sat at the table.
The girl was named Chen Jing, about eighteen or nineteen years old, with short hair, giving her a slightly heroic and spirited look.
However, the atmosphere in the room was somewhat subdued.
The atmosphere was somewhat subdued.
"Eat quickly, and go to sleep after you're done, so we can wake up early tomorrow to sweep your father's grave."
There was a custom in Chen Village to sweep graves on the afternoon of New Year's Eve and again on the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year.
However, Chen Jing had just returned from the city today, and by the time she arrived back, it was already evening, so she could only go tomorrow.
"Okay," Chen Jing nodded.
She kept glancing at the Spring Festival Gala programs on the television.
Her mother did not urge her further.
Instead, she lowered her head and continued eating.
...
As the program continued.
The skit segment ended.
Next was the traditional culture segment.
A segment that used to be considered boring was now receiving very high praise.
Especially the opera performances, which, despite lasting twenty minutes, the audience still felt was too short.
"Is that it? Sing a few more songs!"
"I must say, the skits were a bit awkward. It was good that we finally got to see the opera segment, but it ended so quickly."
"Indeed, the current skits have become formulaic, always ending with forced sentimentality. Songs, dances, and operas are much more enjoyable to watch."
"Haha, I used to fall asleep listening to opera, but now my grandpa falls asleep, and I listen with great enthusiasm."
The old president, backstage, held a tablet computer. He was so happy that his hands were trembling uncontrollably.
"Good! So good!"
Seeing so many loving comments about opera, he was moved to tears.
Opera had truly become popular and was accepted by the younger generation.
His wish had been fulfilled.
"President Zhou, please don't get too excited..." Su Yu, not knowing many others, had stayed in the opera association's lounge.
Lin Yanyu and Lin Zhaoyang had gone to the audience seats to watch the program. Su Yu and Chen Rong had to stay backstage because they were scheduled to perform.
"I'm so happy, Xiao Yu, you are the person our Opera Association should thank the most!" The old president held Su Yu's hand in gratitude.
He was truly very grateful to Su Yu.
In just over a year, Su Yu's ancient-style songs with opera elements had played a crucial role in making opera accepted by the younger generation.
"President Zhou, if you continue like this, I'll have to leave..." Su Yu couldn't stand being praised to his face, especially by an elder like the old president.
"Alright, I won't say anymore, we'll keep it in our hearts." Seeing this, the old president finally relaxed.
Chen Rong smiled as she watched the elder and the younger man. Naturally, she was happy to see her son-in-law being praised by an elder.
And at this moment.
A staff member entered to remind them: "Teacher Ting Yu, after the calligraphy performance, it will be the porcelain segment. Please prepare, you'll be on stage soon."
Su Yu nodded upon hearing this, then bid farewell to Chen Rong and the members of the Opera Association.
He then followed the staff towards the preparation area.
Indeed, for the first time participating in such a large-scale live broadcast, Su Yu felt a little nervous...
...