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December 27th of the Lunar Calendar.
Farewelling the old and welcoming the new, the hope for a better year has always been the simplest and most common aspiration among the people of Huaxia.
With only a few days left until the Chinese New Year, perhaps due to the particularly numerous major events of '08, the festive atmosphere on the street corners as the year came to a close was even richer than in previous years.
Flower markets had sprung up in Licheng Square starting from the 25th, and by mid-morning, Xu Qingfan was driving a tricycle with five girls who had gathered, including Wu Lingyu who had returned from Hong Kong, to stroll through Flower Street.
In the past, going to the flower market was always with the adults, but this was the first time they were accompanied by friends rather than parents, and the girls felt an inexplicable sense of novelty.
