Winter skies are always gloomy, and the biting cold wind always urges pedestrians to go home early. Only the increasingly festive atmosphere can slightly hold people back.

The red decorations added a lively touch to the street. Cheng Qicai put her hands in her pockets and quickly walked towards the subway entrance.

Tomorrow is New Year's Day, and she's going back to Ms. Yun's place today. If it weren't for the holiday, she really wouldn't want to go out.

As soon as she exited the subway station, she saw a small shop selling candied hawthorns. She hadn't eaten them in a long time. Seeing the various fruits wrapped in the crystal-clear sugar, she wanted to recall the taste from her childhood.

Compared to the later popular fruits like strawberries and oranges, she still preferred the original hawthorn version and bought three skewers.

Back home, she shared the candied hawthorns with Ms. Yun and Mr. Cheng.

Ms. Yun refused, saying, "You're such a grown-up, why do you still like these children's things?"

Mr. Cheng readily accepted the comment and remarked, "It reminds me of my childhood, but the hawthorns in the candied hawthorns now seem to be bigger than they used to be."

Cheng Qicai nodded, "Of course, and the price is much more attractive than before."

"Oh, by the way, your uncle invited us to his house for dinner tomorrow," Ms. Yun told them as she brought out dishes from the kitchen.

Looking at the simple three dishes, compared to the lavish feasts she usually enjoyed when she returned home, Cheng Qicai felt a sudden sense of disappointment.

"Mom, it's almost New Year's Day, why are there only a few dishes? Is Dad's company not doing well?"

Ms. Yun rolled her eyes at her. "What are you talking about? We're going to your uncle's house for dinner tomorrow. Why are you leaving leftovers at home? Just make do with what you have."

"Alright." Cheng Qicai accepted this reason, glanced at Ms. Yun, and asked, "Are you and Lu Qi here?"

Ms. Yun did not answer the question, but Mr. Cheng, who was next to her, answered, "He should be here."

Seeing Cheng Qicai's mouth about to open, Ms. Yun said impatiently, "Alright, I know what you're going to say. I told you last time that if you don't want to talk about them, you don't have to."

Seeing that the atmosphere was a bit tense, Mr. Cheng picked up a chicken foot from each of their bowls and said, "Let's not talk about that. Qicai, have a chicken foot. Your mom specially braised it."

After the meal, Cheng Qicai comfortably lay down on the sofa. One of the advantages of being at home is that she doesn't have to wash the dishes herself.

However, she could only stay like this for two or three days; any longer and Ms. Yun would start to dislike her.

The TV was showing a not-so-funny New Year's Day Gala, and the familiar faces from my memories had somehow become strangers.

The remote control that everyone fought over when we were kids has now become the mobile phone that everyone owns.

She peeled a tangerine while scrolling through funny videos on her phone, which made her laugh out loud from time to time.

Ms. Yun found her too noisy and went back to her room with Mr. Cheng to watch TV in their own room.

Time ticked by, and then we heard the TV presenter begin the countdown.

Cheng Qicai immediately switched to her browser, copied a New Year's greeting, and sent it out as the "1" faded.

Then, she quickly switched to her WeChat Moments, took a picture of the candied hawthorns and snacks on her table, added some blessings, and posted it.

After sending the message, those who had also timed it perfectly quickly replied. The group chat of close friends immediately erupted in cheers. After exchanging a few jokes with them, Cheng Qicai opened her Moments to check out other people's updates.

This is when my WeChat Moments feed is at its liveliest.

Yun Su Ni's photo is a picture of a crowd releasing balloons, taken from a floor-to-ceiling window of a high-rise building, while Gu Li Ji's photo is of him drinking with a group of friends.

Upon seeing Wu Jieyu's post, Cheng Qicai sat up straight immediately because of the picture of two hands clasped together.

Well, he's got another boyfriend! No wonder he doesn't reply to her messages or the group chat.

She immediately saved the photo and went to the group chat to announce her crime.

A group of people in the group tagged Wu Jieyu, teasing her enthusiastically, when Wu Jieyu replied: [Sorry, I forgot to block all the single people /wink]

This arrogant attitude immediately aroused public outrage, and everyone passionately voiced their opinions. Wu Jieyu was so criticized that she admitted defeat: [I apologize to everyone. I shouldn't have shown off my affection in the group. Please stop calling me. / Kneeling and begging for forgiveness]

No, my heart is broken.

[If apologies were enough, what would we need the police for!]

[We'll forgive you if you send us a red envelope...]

[Send red envelopes!]

...

A string of people behind her were urging her to send red envelopes, and Cheng Qicai was just about to follow suit and send one too.

Then, Ms. Yun's voice came from her room, "Cheng Qicai, if you want to play on your phone, go to your room. You don't watch TV, and it's so noisy."

Not hearing Cheng Qicai's reply, she raised her voice and shouted again, "Did you hear me?"

"I heard you." She found the remote and turned it off, then unlocked her phone. She tapped the first message, selected an emoji, sent it, and went back to her room.

Sitting on the stool, I noticed that Wu Jieyu had actually sent me a red envelope. I wondered when she had become so savvy.

Having accepted her red envelope, I should at least say something nice to her: "Wishing you and your new boyfriend a long and happy marriage! May you love each other forever!"

Then he put his hand down and went into the bathroom to wash up.

Ms. Yun knew she was back, and the sheets and other items were still freshly changed. She lay down comfortably, took out her phone, and saw a red dot under the group message.

It was sent by Gu Rongqi, with a question mark.

Cheng Qicai paused for a moment, then clicked into her chat interface with Gu Rongqi.

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