As the clock ticked toward 11:59, messages started pouring in.
Countless people were sending "Happy New Year," and every so often, someone would send a few red envelopes.
The Jiang family had long since stopped watching the Spring Festival Gala on TV. The more they watched, the duller it got.
Jiang Zhiyao ran out into the courtyard, lighter in hand, and stood by the fireworks.
Yu Songsong stood beside her, shielding her from the wind.
"Is it midnight yet?"
Jiang Zhiyao looked toward Jiang Linyuan, who was holding his phone, and asked eagerly.
"You can light them now."
Jiang Linyuan said.
The flame caught. Jiang Zhiyao and Yu Songsong covered their ears and ran over to Jiang Linyuan.
A ball of fire rose into the night sky, its long tail streaming behind it. With a loud crack, it burst into a shower of starlight that drifted down with the snowflakes.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
After that brief instant of brilliance, the fireworks began going off one after another.
"Senior! Happy New Year!"
Yu Songsong looped her arm around Jiang Linyuan's, the corners of her mouth curving up as she shouted loudly, as if trying to drown out the fireworks.
"Don't get so close!"
Jiang Zhiyao pulled her away, exasperated.
The new year had begun.
Jiang Linyuan's phone rang. It was the Department Head calling.
He answered calmly and said with a smile,
"Happy New Year, Department Head."
"It's not Sister Wanyu! It's me!"
Shen Guoguo's excited voice came through the phone:
"Brother Jiang, Happy New Year! Are you setting off fireworks over there? It sounds so lively!"
No wonder she'd called right on the dot. I thought the Department Head was finally being proactive. Turns out Guoguo had taken over her account.
"Then Happy New Year to you too, Guoguo!"
"Give