In the depths of winter, there's a saying:
"Children, children, don't you crave,
Once Laba's gone, it's New Year's wave;
Drink Laba porridge for a stretch,
Before you know, it's the twenty-third."
After Laba, families essentially entered the New Year atmosphere. Every household began cleaning and took measurements for their children's new clothes in advance, ensuring they would have them to wear on the first day of the new year.
Inside Chen Ku's large courtyard, his mother and sister-in-law were bustling about. Back when they lived in the countryside, they couldn't even dream of new clothes; even getting a patch mended for the New Year was a struggle. Life was truly much better now. Hu Zi played stone checkers with the maids in the yard. The courtyard was filled with a calm and warm atmosphere.
The Flower Fox Mink, quick as a phantom, arrived and departed without a trace, evading everyone's notice as it returned to Chen Ku's room.
"Flower Fox Mink, you're hurt..."
