The New Year is here, but the city feels much more subdued than the village; everything is still chaotic, and people are anxious.
Li Huai Ren sits at the kitchen table, looking at the newspapers that Qin Xi brought back a few days ago, as well as a letter from his old buddy Lan Xinmin.
The old buddy has gone to the Jinan Military Region, with his eldest son there, who took his grandson with him last October, perhaps out of concern that his father would be in danger due to the unstable situation.
After reading the letter, Mr. Li's face was smiling. At this moment, Li Xianglu was packing dumplings, Qin Xi was rolling out the dough, and Qin Zhen was stoking the fire at the cookstove.
Today is already the first day of the Lunar New Year, and just like last year, Grandpa Li gave each of the three children a big red envelope, hoping for new hopes for each child this year. But unexpectedly, hope came so quickly.
