It was already late autumn, and winter solstice was approaching.
The weather was cold, so fires had already been lit around the area before midnight.
Various seafood was roasting over the fire, including fish and shrimp, making for a lavish feast.
Everyone had eaten their fill and sat around the fire, no longer feeling the cold, enjoying the warmth and bustle.
They chatted together, sharing family news and talking about interesting happenings in the village.
Uncle Zhang mentioned that the New Year pig was fattening up, just waiting to be slaughtered in the twelfth month; Auntie Wang said she planned to make extra sausage this year because it tasted so good when smoked; a few children clung to their parents, expressing their wishes to set off fireworks during the New Year...
Luo Xingchen was among the crowd, feeling as if he were in a dream.
He had entered such a place and encountered so many indescribable beings...
