Jiangshui Tingyuan was located in the suburbs to begin with. Walking in the opposite direction of the downtown area led right out of the city, where the high-speed railway station and the horse farm happened to be situated, making transportation quite convenient, along with a park.
The group was walking right toward that area.
As it was the first day of the lunar new year, many people were out enjoying the spring scenery. Sweet families of three could be seen everywhere along the road, alongside middle school students out in groups of two or three, not to mention shy young couples holding hands. This season could not be called cool, but it was no longer cold either, especially with a thin layer of sunlight today that dispelled a bit of the chill.
The morning air was still very fresh, and the surroundings were permeated not just with the flavor of the new year, but also with that bursting vitality of all things at the beginning of a new year. New Year greetings and bright red oversized lanterns still hung on the bridge, merchants pulled taut banners, young men and women flew kites by the river, and tea vendors were just beginning to set up their stalls. Passersby always wore smiling faces, and scraps of paper left behind by exploding firecrackers could occasionally be seen by the roadside, also glowing a bright red.
The group wandered around everywhere, took a stroll through Zikushan Park, and then headed back, unexpectedly gathering together to discuss the matter of lunch.
Inspired by the wonderful atmosphere this morning, Head Chef Nie and Chef Ji decided to make dumplings, and they even obtained the nod of approval from Chef Hu. The remaining three good-for-nothings truly had no right to participate in the resolution, so they wisely