According to custom, on Lunar New Year's Eve, an all-night lantern must be kept lit. As this lantern is a symbol of frugality, even the poorest of families will see to it that at least one lantern is left burning throughout the night.
This year, the Lian family had hung red lanterns in all of their courtyards, including the ones in front of the early-riser snack stall, with the inner courtyard boasting the most lanterns.
Lian Manman loved the festive red of the lanterns and the warm, glowing light they cast on the cold night.
With the arrival of nightfall, the pop and sizzle of firecrackers erupted intermittently outside. Xiao Qi and Wu Lang would occasionally run out to set off a string of firecrackers or a few fireworks. By the Hai Hour, Lady Zhang, alongside Lian Zhizhi and Lian Manman, got busy once again.
They were going to make dumplings.
