Time slipped by quietly amidst the noise and a faint sense of anticipation.
Shen Yuan played cards with Yang Yishui and the others while texting with Li Zhi on his phone.
The adults had the TV on, chatting idly around the coffee table or busying themselves in the kitchen.
Shen Yuan could occasionally hear Zhang Yuyan's voice telling Old Shen to grab her all sorts of things.
As the lively commotion continued, the afternoon sun slanted lower, stretching the shadows inside the house.
At four in the afternoon, Shen Ming and Shen Yuan were summoned.
"Shen Ming! Shen Yuan! Go close the main doors!"
Shen Yuan immediately put down his cards and sent a message to Li Zhi.
Shen Yuan: "Time for New Year's Eve dinner~"
After closing the doors and windows, Shen Yuan turned on all the lights in the house.
A loud voice called out from the dining room: "Come and eat!"
"Coming, coming."
Yang Yishui, nestled in the sofa peeling a satsuma mandarin, answered without looking up.
