"Sis, don't be afraid. I'm holding your hand, you won't fall..."
The sound of firecrackers CRACKLED and POPPED by her ears, while the suonas and copper gongs blared deafeningly.
The neighbors cheered and shouted their approval. Children darted through the crowd. Everything was a flurry of excitement, yet Chen Wanqing's heart was utterly still.
She was helped onto a horse-drawn carriage.
She would later learn that this carriage had been specially prepared by Mr. Wang.
The horse pulling the carriage was tall and strong, with a flowing mane. A large red flower was tied around its neck, along with an exquisite brass bell. As the horse began to walk, the bell let out a light, pleasant JINGLE, JINGLE. The sound was lovely, yet it made one's thoughts drift away.
