It was New Year.
Today was New Year's Eve, which people in the capital were used to calling the Thirtieth of the Lunar Year.
The crackling firecrackers outside were deafening, and the entire city was brimming with the festive joy of the Spring Festival. Dong Xuebin felt as though it was New Year in his heart too. Ever since learning yesterday that his appointment as deputy section chief had come through, he had practically been smiling in his sleep. He was overjoyed. After putting up a bright red couplet outside his door and straightening the upside-down blessing character on it, Dong Xuebin turned and went back inside. After washing his hands, he began kneading dough and preparing chive filling for dumplings in the living room.
The only regret was that this year's Spring Festival was still so quiet.
Aunt Xuan was not married yet, so naturally she had to spend the holiday with her parents, apparently at her grandparents' home. Since the family was rather large, Aunt Xuan had gone over yesterday morning to help prepare the meal and probably would not return until after the New Year. Mom was still on her way to the capital, and her train had not arrived yet, so Dong Xuebin could only labor away at kneading the dough by himself.
Ring, ring, ring. His phone rang. Dong Xuebin did not recognize the number, but he answered it anyway.
"Director Dong, it's Lao Yan. Haha, Happy New Year! May you rise step by step!"
Dong Xuebin froze. "...Happy New Year to you too."
Lao Yan said a few more words before hanging up. Only then did Dong Xuebin remember that he was no longer what he used to be. Not only would people call to wish him a happy New Year, but he also