Chapter 2040

Elaine Ma, on crutches, excitedly shouted, "Happy New Year!" Jacob Wilson looked up at the fireworks; their splendor reflected on his already wrinkled face, filling it with happiness. At that moment, his thoughts inevitably turned to Matilda. This was her first Spring Festival in the country after more than twenty years. He quietly pulled out his cell phone and sent Matilda a four-word WeChat message: "Matilda, Happy New Year!"

Charlie Wade's phone buzzed with WeChat messages. Overwhelmed by New Year's greetings, he responded to his friends with a single text: "Happy New Year to all my family and friends!"

That night, Aurouss Hill was ablaze with thousands of lights. Charlie Wade's family of four played by the river until one in the morning before driving home. While most people basked in the joy of the New Year, the Wilson family struggled with hunger.

Gena and her family, however, found contentment in their old, worn-out television. They watched the entire Spring Festival Gala, savoring the experience as they finished their New Year's Eve dinner, leaving not even a drop of vegetable soup. Afterward, they carefully returned the TV to Gena's room, wary of the Wilson family.

Lady Wilson and Wendy, obsessed with the rice in the incense burner, waited until one o'clock before putting Gena and her family to sleep. Then, they prepared porridge. Though some ashes had fallen on the rice, their hunger overrode any concern. Silently and swiftly, they brought the incense burner to the kitchen, rinsed the rice, and cooked a large pot of porridge.

Lady Wilson and Wendy each drank two bowls, finding it bland, they then pilfered Gena's salt and soy sauce to season it.

Later, upon discovering the theft, [Character name needed here - likely Gena or a similar character] was furious. She shouted, "That wretched old woman Wilson! How dare she steal the rice from my mother's incense burner?!"