Chapter Nine: An Unrehearsed Performance

When the time was nearly up, the two of them returned to their rooms for a video call, handling their parents before coming back out to continue eating and watching TV.

“To be honest, I haven’t watched the Spring Festival Gala in years,” Tian Lei said, grabbing a handful of sunflower seeds and cracking them open as he spoke.

“My mom loves it, so I watch it with her every year,” Zhao Nannan replied, sipping red wine mixed with Sprite and picking at a cold dish.

“Your dad doesn’t like it?” Tian Lei remembered the middle-aged man who had just been reminding him to stay safe and couldn’t help but ask.

“Him? He’s almost always on duty at the hospital during the New Year. He says, as a Party member, he has to set an example.”

“Old Zhao, why are you home for the Spring Festival this year? Did you come back specially because your daughter wasn’t coming home?”

“Yes, I came to spend a good New Year with you!”

“No, come on, I know you too well. Out with it, what’s going on? Your brother needs to borrow money?”

“No! Don’t talk nonsense!” Zhao’s father was momentarily confused, then straightened his face and said, “I’m going to support the front lines!”

“The front lines?” Zhao’s mother muttered, then suddenly was shocked. “No way! Are you out of your mind? I’m telling you, you already went once when the raccoon virus hit. What, are you addicted now? Going again? Do you even know what’s happening? Do you know how dangerous it is? What happens to this family if something happens to you? I’m telling you, it won’t work!”

“You know the situation at our hospital. Xiao Li just got married, Xiao Zhao is more than five months pregnant, who do you think should go?”

“So what! Are there only three nurses at your hospital?”

“There are already few nurses in the infectious disease department. Another one just came two months ago—what can she do? Besides, I’m not going alone! Medical staff from all over the country have to go! At a time like this, you expect me to watch a bunch of young women step forward while I hide like a coward?”

“I don’t care what you want to be, do you even know the situation at home? Do you know what’s going on with your daughter? And you still want to go! What am I supposed to do alone at home?”

Zhao’s mother had already been frustrated because Nannan hadn’t come home, and now she finally had an outlet for her anger.

“It’s the way things are! If I don’t step up now, when will I? I always listen to you about small matters at home, but this time, you have to listen to me!”

“If you dare go, I’ll divorce you!”

“Stop it! If you want to divorce, we’ll talk about it when I get back. I’m leaving on the second day of the New Year. Let’s spend a good holiday together first.”

Zhao’s mother, usually quick with a retort, opened her mouth, then finally sighed and stared vacantly at the television.

On TV, the Spring Festival Gala was broadcasting a special segment.

Bai Yansong: “Tonight, none of us on this stage have had a proper rehearsal. This may be the shortest preparation time in the history of the Gala for its hosts. But the rapid development of the epidemic means that this brevity represents the long-held concern and longing so many people have for those fighting the epidemic.”

Kang Hui: “In just a few days, from the series of directives by General Secretary to the high attention of the Central Committee and the State Council, from the swift response of local departments to the wholehearted dedication of expert doctors, and the concerned gaze and warm support of every Chinese person—a battle without smoke has begun. Scientific prevention and unwavering confidence are the best vaccines against the epidemic. United as one, there is no obstacle we cannot overcome.”

Bai Yansong: “It’s New Year, so we must send New Year’s greetings! My surname is Bai, so I must first salute all the white-clad angels across the country, especially those fighting on the front lines of epidemic prevention. While we celebrate, you are helping us pass this trial. But no matter how busy or exhausted you are, when the clock strikes midnight, please take a few minutes for yourself. If possible, call your family to tell them you’re safe, make a wish for happiness. Then return to the battlefield and continue to protect our lives and health. But always remember, we love you—not just today, but every day in the future.”

Ouyang Xiadan: “I want to send New Year’s greetings to all the people of Hubei! You stopped your journeys, which means you helped halt the progress of the epidemic. In that moment, you may have felt lonely, but it was perhaps the least lonely time, because all of us are with you. Staying home is your greatest contribution and sacrifice in the fight against the epidemic.”

The Spring Festival arrived, and spring was not far behind. Let us meet again in the spring! We may isolate the virus, but never love. Let us cheer for them together, and give them the warmth they need most!

He Hongmei: “I want to send New Year’s greetings to friends who have left Wuhan in the past fourteen days! The epidemic has an incubation period, so wherever you go during this time, please take good care of yourself and never provide a chance for the virus to spread. A quiet New Year will help keep us all safe. For friends across the country, this year is more about being with family, with kinship, with love. Protecting yourself from infection is your greatest contribution to defeating the epidemic. If you are safe, 1.4 billion people are safe! And the epidemic will be crushed!”

Shui Junyi: “We must also thank friends from countries around the world for their concern and encouragement in China’s fight against the epidemic. Every greeting and word of encouragement helps us. The virus doesn’t need a passport, but we are a community of shared destiny. Love yourself and love people in every corner of the world. One world, same health. Please believe in China, everything will be well!”

Hai Xia: “Today, there was good news at the Australian Open—Wang Qiang defeated the formidable Serena Williams. See, as long as we are not afraid and dare to fight, we will win! With the strong leadership of the Central Committee, the unity of the people, the most transparent information, the most meticulous protection, the most scientific prevention and treatment, the strongest and most reasonable guarantees, and the greatest confidence to move forward, we will surely win on the battlefield of epidemic prevention!”

Kang Hui: “Tonight, let’s enjoy this New Year, and thank everyone who is working and sacrificing to make it possible. Celebrate well, recharge well, and we will have more energy, right? More energy to do everything better. New Year, overcoming challenges, love is the best bridge. We send our greetings to everyone, keep going! Wuhan!”

Everyone together: “Keep going! China!”

As she watched, tears streamed down Nannan’s mother’s face, unsure if she was moved by the program or thinking of her husband and daughter.