Around three in the afternoon.
For most parts of Hua Nation, three in the afternoon was still a long way from nightfall. But in Stockholm, far to the north in Europe, the long winter night had already arrived early.
The snow swirling across the sky was like a furnace, swallowing everything in the world and smelting it into silver amid its rolling silver flames. Only scattered streetlights and the glow spilling from windows remained, sketching out the outlines of the streets.
Yet the heavy snow had not cooled people's enthusiasm.
On a street not far from the Blue Palace, people in thick down jackets carried handmade lanterns, as though using their faint light to keep watch over the ancient castle of red brick and black tiles in the distance.
Braving the goose-feather snow, a young reporter stood before the camera with a microphone bearing the CTV logo in her hand and spoke excitedly.
"The street where I am standing now is Östberg Street, not far from the Blue Palace. Behind me are local Chinese residents. Some have come from nearby communities, while others have traveled from cities over a hundred kilometers away. Hotels in the surrounding area are already fully booked... They are carrying paper lanterns and have gathered here of their own accord. Let's interview them..."
Making her way through the snow-covered street, the reporter approached one of the Chinese residents holding a lantern.
"Sir, may I interview you?"
"Sure, sure! No problem!"
Seeing the microphone marked CTV, the man in his forties wearing a down jacket looked extremely excited. He even waved at the camera behind her.
"How are you feeling right now?"
As she spoke, the reporter held the microphone toward him.
Looking at the microphone extended toward him, the man in the down jacket seemed afraid