On the night of the Lantern Festival, the capital was ablaze with lights. Lanterns hung everywhere on the streets, and every passerby carried one—some purchased, some handmade.
Zhulan held a store-bought glass lantern, while Zhou Shuren carried a lotus-style paper lantern.
Zhulan muttered softly, "What a pity there's no camera. The beauty of today far surpasses anything I've seen on TV."
Zhou Shuren walked very slowly; he had dressed too warmly. Leading his wife, he avoided the crowd, "You could draw it."
"That's quite the undertaking."
"Take your time, no rush."
Zhulan was tempted, "Alright, I'll take my time and draw it then."
The streets were crowded with people, seemingly unaffected by the cold. Not only were there lanterns everywhere, but also an array of street snacks. The busiest spots, however, were the tangyuan stalls, with their colorful assortments that whetted the appetite.
Zhulan said, "Shall we go watch the lantern riddle contest?"
