ON the first day of the Spring Festival, the city woke up to the sound of firecrackers and the smell of incense. Families gathered together to exchange greetings, share meals, and give out red envelopes filled with money as a symbol of good fortune. The streets were decorated with red lanterns and banners with auspicious phrases, and people donned new clothes in red and gold, the traditional colors of luck and prosperity. It was a day filled with joy, excitement, and anticipation for the days of celebration to come.
But Shen Ji Yun was feeling the exact opposite. He was inside the car of his uncle, the both of them were on their way to the main house of the Shen family to celebrate Lunar New Year. Everyone he saw on the streets had a festive mood, but it was the complete opposite for him.
