It was the Spring Festival. It was noisy and lively in the Southern Suburbs as men and women who had left to work in other parts of the country, or migrated had come back for their reunion. The streets were thronged with familiar faces, which were almost never seen at other times of the year. People were wishing and greeting one another with auspicious words, and lanterns were hung abundantly in front of houses to mark one of the biggest festivals.