When Chu Molin and the others returned to the Qins' village, it was already early morning. The village was covered in darkness and utterly still. The trio used their flashlights to guide them home. If it wasn't so terribly cold, they would have preferred to wait outside until dawn rather than disturb the slumbering family. However, the cold was unbearable and they risked falling sick if they stayed outside till morning.
So, despite the guilt of waking the family, they decided to knock on the door. After all, falling sick probably wouldn't allow them to enjoy the festive season either. The New Year should be a joyous celebration, and to be ill and cause everyone else to worry wouldn't be a good start.
"Knock, knock." Qin Xue helplessly tapped on the door. She hated to disturb anyone's sleep in such late hours, but she also didn't want to freeze outside. So she decided, guiltily, to disturb them.
"Who's there? At this ungodly hour," Nangong Shulan was awoken by the door knocking.
