The day before the new year.
Neatly dressed, Loa entered Fenlai City after a long absence, carrying his pack and bringing Wangcai along.
The city gate was still the same gate, and the streets were still the same streets. But the city had been carefully decorated for tomorrow's Yulan Festival-every household had put up festive lanterns and decorations, and colorful magic lamps hung all along the eaves, lighting up the entire street. Stalls selling New Year goods crowded the roadside, vendors' cries rose one after another, and the smell of roast meat drifted through the air.
Loa took a deep breath.
It had been a long time since he had enjoyed this bustle of everyday life.
"Home, home, home!" Wangcai chattered in his mind, walking faster and faster.
"All right, all right, I know." Loa looked with amusement at the fellow, who was even more impatient than he was.
They passed through a familiar alley entrance. The Blacksmith Shop was still there, and the courtyard gate was still that old wooden gate. Loa pushed it open, and familiar sights greeted him-the old tree in the courtyard, the firewood piled in the corner.
Wangcai had already dashed inside and plunged into his bed, rubbing hard against the old cushion.
"Boss!" His voice rang out in Loa's mind, brimming with happiness. "There's no place like home!"
Loa smiled, shook his head, and followed him inside.
The room was exactly as it had been when he left. The table and chairs had been wiped clean, the bedding was neatly folded, and there was no musty smell in the air. Instead, it smelled of sunshine.
Uncle Bob had been coming over regularly to clean.
Warmth filled Loa's heart.
But he wasn't home-had that old rascal gone out enjoying himself again?
Loa was in no