Since they couldn't think of anything else to do, the two simply sat on a chair to the side and quietly watched the customers come and go in the store, enacting the various aspects of life as the New Year approached.
After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, enjoying the pleasant night breeze and their round bellies, families chatted and laughed as they entered and left in small groups.
During the event, a newlywed couple who were holding their wedding there came over to give Chen Bing and her husband some wedding candy as they were leaving.
Their joy gradually spread to Chen Bing and his companion. The two children leaned against each other, chatting and waiting for the New Year, the banquet, and their birthdays.
As the clock struck ten, the shop dwindled in number, marked by a sign outside indicating it was closed for the day. When the clock struck eleven, the cleaning was finished, and the employees left with their New Year's red envelopes from the boss. Only two families celebrating birthdays remained in the shop.
Chen Bing and Shang Yunmiao, hand in hand, had been waiting there for quite some time.
Once Chen Shichao closed the shop door and flipped the "Open for Business" sign, his busy day was over.
Business was indeed much busier on New Year's Day than usual, but at least the two children's birthdays weren't delayed. In fact, the atmosphere was even better after 11 o'clock, as the New Year drew closer.
Shang Yunmiao was already a little sleepy, partly because she rarely stayed up this late, and partly because she had been a little too excited earlier.
Noticing his weariness, Chen Bing immediately placed her cool, wet hand on the back of his neck. Because the girl had her hair in a bun, this action was easy to perform.
It must be said that physical stimulation is extremely effective. Shang Yunmiao's half-open eyes widened instantly. She giggled and tried to slip her hand inside Chen Bing's clothes. However, because her small hand was warm, her action didn't cause any harm to Chen Bing.
Watching the two children playfully fighting, Yunxuan chuckled and then told them to stop playing there and go to the room that had been prepared.
Upon hearing this, Shang Yunmiao took the initiative and grabbed Chen Bing's hand, leading him to go over together.
"Chen Bing, let's go, I'll show you the birthday present I prepared for you!"
After climbing the stairs and passing through a wide corridor, they pushed open a door at the far end of the third floor, and a cozy little room came into view.
Neither of the children had participated in decorating the birthday venue before, nor had they ever been inside the room. So, upon suddenly entering, their hearts were naturally filled with surprise and joy.
On the wall directly opposite the door, the two people's names were written in colorful cartoon font. On the large round table in the middle, there was a three-tiered cake, surrounded by various dishes and drinks.
In addition, there were many decorative helium balloons, ribbons, small lights, gift boxes, and murals on the corners, ceiling, and walls of the room.
"So, what do you think? Your parents spent a lot of time decorating this. Do you like it?"
When Liu Yue, who was in the room, saw the two enter, she looked up and asked them with a smile.
"I love it! Thank you, Aunt Yueyue!"
Shang Yunmiao happily hugged Liu Yue's leg, looked up and said happily.
Hearing the child's approval, Liu Yue felt very satisfied. She bent down, picked up the little girl, and kissed her on the cheek.
"Our Yunmiao is so cute! Can Auntie give me a kiss and a hug?" Liu Yue pecked her little mouth, and Shang Yunmiao's face was always beaming with smiles.
As they were talking, three other parents came in one after another, carrying a lot of things.
Seeing this, Liu Yue helped Shang Yunmiao sit down in a chair and then went to help her.
While the four parents were making their final preparations, Chen Bing raised the camera hanging around her neck and began taking pictures of the small house.
He brought his camera specifically for this moment.
Take a picture of the room's overall layout, a picture of the helium balloons floating on the ceiling, a picture of the gift boxes piled in the corner, a picture of the hanging ribbons, a picture of the big cake on the table, and a picture of the children making funny faces.
After taking a picture of Shang Yunmiao making a funny face, Chen Bing waved her hand, signaling her to change her expression and pose.
This time, the little girl looked much more serious and adorable than before, and Chen Bing couldn't resist taking a few more pictures.
After he put down his camera with satisfaction, the adults lit the candles and placed them on the cake. With a "I'm turning off the lights," the room was bathed in a warm, soft yellow candlelight.
The two children then put on birthday hats, made their wishes while singing the birthday song, and blew out the candles.
After all that was done, the lights in the room were turned back on, and the next step was to give out birthday presents.
Shang Zhengxin and Yun Xuan gave Chen Bing a beautiful Go set and a high-quality fountain pen. Liu Yue and Chen Shichao gave Shang Yunmiao a jade pendant engraved with Shang Yunmiao's name.
Then, Shang Yunmiao gave Chen Bing a scarf that she had spent a long time knitting, while Chen Bing gave her a watercolor painting of Shang Yunmiao that he had painted.
After the gifts were given out, it was time to cut the cake. Everyone shared a piece, and since we hadn't eaten anything all day, we quickly devoured most of the cake.
By the time we finished, it was already the last ten minutes of the year.
The adults ate their meals while chatting and exchanging New Year's greetings.
Regardless of the adults' toasting and drinking, after finishing her cake, Shang Yunmiao listened to the fireworks outside the window and couldn't help but want to go and see them.
After discerning her thoughts, Chen Bing greeted the adults first and, upon receiving permission, took a few helium balloons in one hand and held Shang Yunmiao's hand in the other, skipping and hopping downstairs to play in the open space in front of the store.
"Wow! Chen Bing! Chen Bing! Look, the fireworks outside are so beautiful!"
Xiao Shang was no longer tired. She held Chen Bing's hand tightly and pointed to the sky excitedly.
"Okay, okay, let me see."
After accompanying Shang Yunmiao to admire the display for a while, Chen Bing suddenly remembered that she seemed to have seen those fairy wands that people held in their hands in the store before.
"Do you want to set off fireworks yourself?" Thinking of this, Chen Bing turned to look at Shang Yunmiao beside her, whose eyes were constantly displaying fireworks, and whispered in her ear.
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