「The morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year.」
The smell of fireworks filled the village air. The sounds of New Year's greetings, firecrackers, and children playing rose and fell in a constant chorus.
Yang Qi didn't go out. He stayed home with his grandmother, greeting several groups of relatives and neighbors who came by to visit.
The visitors inevitably brought up the matter of the Jiang father and son, their words toward Yang Qi laced with newfound politeness, even a hint of flattery.
Yang Qi just smiled and played along without saying much, steering the conversation toward the holiday and other mundane topics.
His grandmother was all smiles.
Bai Wan, Hu Zi, and Leopard became the center of attention for the children gathered around them.
Xiaojiu, meanwhile, remained aloof, sunbathing atop a wall and pointedly ignoring the commotion below.
