On the afternoon of New Year's Eve, the once silent courtyard finally came to life.
Xiao Meier and Chen Cheng had cleaned the courtyard thoroughly in the morning, waiting for the invited guests to arrive.
Fresh couplets were pasted under the eaves, and a few pots of kumquats and New Year's flowers were placed in the courtyard, adding to the festive atmosphere.
But before that, the two of them did something they hadn't done in a long time.
"Xiao Cheng, does this lantern look straight?" Xiao Meier stood on the ladder, holding a lantern in her hand, and turned to ask Chen Cheng.
Chen Cheng stood below, looked up, and said with a smile, "It's straight, it's straight, a little to the left... good, just like that!"
Xiao Meier happily hung the lantern, came down from the ladder, and clapped her hands, "Now it really feels like the New Year!"
"I said I'd hang it up, but you insisted on doing it." Chen Cheng laughed.
