Rebooting 60, let's go on a rampage with the orange cat!

In J City, the Little New Year is generally celebrated on the 24th day of the 12th lunar month, but it can also be celebrated on the 23rd or later. As the residents of the city come from all over the country and have different customs, the Little New Year can be celebrated from the 23rd to the 27th.

On the day before the Lunar New Year, it is customary to sweep away dust (sometimes on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month) and clean the house. Every household is busy washing and scrubbing, giving their homes a thorough cleaning. Some even drag out the bamboo cabinets in the kitchen where dishes are kept, wash them, and hang them to dry in the sun. In the evening, wine and dishes are prepared to celebrate.

After the Little New Year, every household begins to prepare for the New Year. Some families with many members will roast dozens of kilograms of peanuts and melon seeds and still not have enough to eat. Some skillful women will make their own sachima and frozen rice candy.

In the past, resources were scarce, and we were poor, but the festive atmosphere of the New Year was still strong.

No matter how poor a family is, they will still paint the walls white lime or paste white paper on them. If they don't have money, they will tear off the paper on the walls and paste old newspapers all over the walls, which will make them look brand new.

People also prepare new clothes for the Chinese New Year. Families with better financial means will hire a tailor with a sewing machine to come to their home more than a month in advance. The tailor will usually bring an apprentice with him. The family will prepare the fabric in advance, as well as good cigarettes and alcohol, and provide three meals and two snacks a day.

Xiuzhi is skillful and has a sewing machine at home. She made all of Huai'an's new clothes in her spare time this year. She meticulously prepared everything for her, from a hair clip to a pair of new socks and a new handkerchief in her pocket.

Night fell deep, as if thick ink had been painted across the sky, shrouding the entire world in darkness. Thousands of lights twinkled in the darkness, like scattered stars, bringing a touch of warmth and life to the cold night. The occasional, sporadic sound of firecrackers from afar seemed to hint at the approaching New Year.

Xiuzhi was holding up a red sweater that was not yet finished and measuring its length against Huai'an. She said lovingly, "There's just one more stitch to tighten at the cuff. I'll let you wear it for the New Year. Does it look good? I think red is festive and suits your skin tone very well."

Huai'an smiled and said, "It looks beautiful... It's really well woven."

Just then, from the depths of the narrow, quiet alley, came a sound of crying and arguing. The crying was mournful and desolate, mixed with angry quarrels, and sounded particularly jarring in the silent night.

Immediately following, a man's rough roar echoed through the alley: "You're still running? Let's see where you can run to!" The roar was like a thunderclap.

Then came a series of hurried footsteps, accompanied by increasingly loud barking dogs. With a loud bang, someone suddenly kicked open the half-closed gate of the courtyard.

The sudden impact was like a heavy hammer blow to people's hearts, making their hearts race.

The previously quiet households in the courtyard were instantly awakened, and they curiously opened their doors and peeked out to see what had happened.

A woman was seen huddled in the corner of the Yu family's house, trembling.

She was only wearing socks; her shoes were nowhere to be seen, and her bare feet were on the cold ground. Her thinly clothed body trembled incessantly, like a candle flickering in the wind, ready to be extinguished at any moment.

Her eyes were filled with boundless fear, as if she had seen something utterly terrifying. Those eyes stared intently at the crowd, revealing a deep helplessness and a desperate longing for assistance.

Just then, a burly man burst into the courtyard from outside. He roared like an enraged lion: "I've seen it all, who dares to meddle? Even your family won't take care of you anymore, and you still dare to run away. If you've got the guts, then don't come back."

The area outside the door was already crowded with neighbors. Zhong Hanzhe had just returned from having dinner at his parents' house. He was taken aback by the scene and immediately understood what was going on.

In this day and age, beating one's wife is not uncommon; it's even commonplace. Some men are cowardly and useless outside, but act like kings at home, and will punch their wives if they don't serve them well enough.

The man's face was contorted with rage, veins bulging, making him look like a malevolent spirit from the underworld. He rushed forward, raising his steel-like fist and slamming it down on the woman's body like cold raindrops.

"You useless thing! You spendthrift woman, you even dare to steal money for your family. When you're in trouble, do your family care about you?" the husband roared, approaching her step by step.

Her back pressed tightly against the cold wall, trying to find a sense of security, but it was all in vain. His large hand suddenly grabbed her hair and pulled hard, she felt as if her scalp was being torn apart, the pain almost making her faint.

"Please, don't hit me... My mom is sick..." she pleaded weakly, her voice trembling with sobs, tears already blurring her vision.

Seeing that the man was about to throw another punch, Lao Yu couldn't bear it. He rushed forward and hugged the man around the waist, saying, "Let's talk this out. Don't fight. It's almost Chinese New Year, and this is bad luck."

The man glared angrily and said, "This is my family matter, and it's none of the business of outsiders. I can hit my wife however I want."

Aunt Yu and Grandma Zhang both stepped forward to help the poor woman up and comforted her, saying, "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid..." The woman was still shivering from the cold and fear. When she saw someone come out to protect her, she burst into tears.

Yu Zhong suddenly jumped out in a rage, threw the man away, and roared, "Go home and fight if you want! What kind of skill is it to hit a woman? You're a useless piece of trash, all you know how to do is bully women."

The man flew into a rage, scrambled to his feet, and was about to rush forward to fight Yu Zhong when he saw Yu Liang and Yu Tao, both looking fierce and clenching their fists, step forward and block him.

He immediately retreated a few steps like a coward, his eyes scanning the surroundings like a hungry wolf, then spat angrily and said, "You can protect someone for a while, but not forever. If you're so capable, then don't go home." With that, he shoved the crowd of onlookers away and left.

At that moment, three little girls pushed their way out of the crowd and rushed to the woman's side. The oldest was only seven or eight years old, and the youngest was about three or four. They clung to the woman's clothes, crying and screaming, "Mommy! I'm scared, let's go home..."

The woman's face was ravaged by violence, covered in bruises and weeping, a look of utter despair on her face. She clutched her three daughters tightly, sobbing uncontrollably. Grandma Zhang sighed deeply, saying, "Alas, a woman's marriage is like a second reincarnation; whether she marries well or not is all determined by fate..."

Aunt Yu asked sympathetically, "What are your plans now? Is your family home far away?"

The woman shook her head and said, "I have no family to rely on anymore. My brother and sister-in-law won't take us in because of the small house, and they don't have any extra money or food. My mother is also sick. I wanted to go visit her, but my in-laws disagreed... saying it's unlucky during the New Year..."

Just then, an elderly woman in her fifties or sixties with bound feet swayed over and scolded the woman, "Aren't you going back to clean up? Are you looking for death by staying here? You unruly brat, you think you can turn the world upside down now? You dare to run away? Go, go, go, aren't you afraid of making a fool of yourself?"

The woman lowered her head, suppressing her tears, not daring to argue. She pulled her three daughters and walked out of the courtyard. The old woman was still muttering curses: "Useless things, giving birth to so many money-losing daughters, how can you face my ancestors? You have disgraced all men..."

The onlookers shook their heads and sighed, gradually dispersing. Huai'an slowly raised her head, her gaze meeting Zhong Hanzhe's. Her pupils contracted, and she couldn't help but tremble.

Immediately, her smooth face regained its composure, her heart as still as a stagnant pool. Then, she coldly turned away, leaving Zhong Hanzhe with a resolute back view.

This scene was all too familiar to Shi Huai'an. In his previous life, similar scenes had played out countless times.

It was the same every time, so many times that her heart had long since become numb, as if she had lost all feeling.

Meanwhile, Chung Han-cheol silently returned to his room, his emotions still difficult to calm down.

He sat quietly in the chair, the moment he had just locked eyes with Huai'an replaying in his mind.

Recalling his past life's treatment of his wife, he couldn't help but feel a deep sense of self-reproach and regret. He had been so cruel back then, treating his wife with more ferocity and ruthlessness than an enemy, resorting to physical violence and verbal abuse.

Looking back now, those actions were simply inhuman and outrageous!

Today, this man's behavior is like a mirror, reflecting his past self—so despicable, so unbearable! He feels ashamed and remorseful for his past cruelty!

Huai'an, oh, my Huai'an, can you forgive me? Can you give me one chance to make amends in this lifetime...?

Who would have thought that such a powerful figure like him would be plagued by nightmares in the dead of night?

That night, the moonlight shone like water through the window, but he was caught in a terrifying dream:

He saw that Huai'an was stuck in a huge, bottomless, muddy swamp.

Huai'an's body sank down little by little, as if being held back by an invisible force.

He was frantic and shouted, "Huai'an! Don't be afraid, I'm here to save you, I'm coming..." But he couldn't make a sound. He felt as if an invisible hand was gripping his throat, and he could only let out a panting sound.

He desperately reached out his hands, trying to grab Huai'an's hand.

However, no matter how hard he tried, Huai'an seemed to ignore him completely. Huai'an simply looked at him coldly and indifferently, completely disregarding his outstretched hand, and instead reached out to another man…

The man's face was blurry. Zhong Hanzhe tried desperately to see clearly, but all he saw was a tall figure who seemed to effortlessly and easily pull Huai'an out of the mud. Then, the two turned and left, walking further and further away, without anyone glancing at him.

Watching their departing figures, his heart sank to the bottom.

He waved his hands frantically, shouting at the top of his lungs, "Huai'an, come back! Don't go! Don't leave me!" But it was all in vain. His hoarse voice gradually faded into the air, and he received no response.

Extreme panic made him lose his mind, and he rushed forward recklessly, trying to catch up with the two people.

But just then, his footing suddenly gave way, and he plummeted straight down like a kite with a broken string. Below him lay an unfathomable abyss, darkness rapidly engulfing his body. He felt himself falling, falling... until he completely vanished into the boundless darkness...

January 27, 1960, was Lunar New Year's Eve. White snowflakes fell from the sky. Although the weather was a bit damp and cold, it couldn't stop the children from longing for the New Year. There's an old saying that children look forward to the New Year, while adults look forward to the harvest. This is true.

On New Year's Eve, every household decorates their main room, hangs lanterns and colorful decorations, and makes paste to paste Spring Festival couplets and door gods.

There are also rules for pasting couplets. Generally, they are red; if blue couplets are pasted, it means that someone in the family has passed away in the past year. They are commonly known as "filial piety couplets" and are used to express remembrance of deceased relatives.

In the evening, offerings are first laid out to worship heaven, earth, and ancestors, followed by a family feast and reunion dinner. The reunion dinner usually includes two braised fish, one of which must be left uneaten, symbolizing abundance year after year. If there are children or grandchildren in the family who are studying, a red carp will be left, symbolizing the carp leaping over the dragon gate, bringing good luck.

After dinner, lanterns are lit everywhere, children carry lanterns and set off firecrackers, while adults give younger generations lucky money. They gather around the stove to drink tea and eat snacks, waiting for dawn, a custom called "keeping watch over the year." A long green garlic leaf is placed on the cabinets and tables in each room, symbolizing welcoming spring. The lights in the house must be kept on all night and cannot be turned off. Children cannot say anything carelessly; for example, if something is broken, they must say "May you have peace and safety every year" or "May your fortune be broken..."

Firecrackers are usually set off during the reunion dinner. A string of firecrackers is set off before midnight on New Year's Eve to signify sealing the door, and another string of firecrackers is set off on the first day of the Lunar New Year to signify opening the door to wealth. A third string of firecrackers is set off on the Lantern Festival to signify the end of the Spring Festival. A total of four strings of large firecrackers are required.

Here, the custom is that when visiting relatives during the first month of the lunar calendar, firecrackers are not allowed, with one exception: if a family that has pasted blue couplets has an elderly relative who has passed away a year ago or within the same year, relatives and friends will set off firecrackers on the fourth day of the first lunar month to offer incense and burn New Year's paper money for the deceased, which is equivalent to celebrating the New Year. In some other provinces, the opposite is true; when visiting relatives, a string of firecrackers is set off at the door beforehand. The customs vary greatly.

In the past, people in J City attached great importance to the period from midnight to dawn on the first day of the Lunar New Year. Families would burn incense and candles, set off firecrackers, open their doors and go out, and neighbors would visit each other, a custom known as "celebrating the New Year" or "paying New Year's visits."

Some people used to burn the first incense at temples, but now that the "Four Olds" have been destroyed, many social activities have been canceled.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, sweeping and cleaning are forbidden, lest you sweep away good fortune; washing clothes is also forbidden, as it foretells a year of toil; and taking medicine is prohibited, lest you suffer from illness for the rest of the year…

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, younger generations pay respects to their elders, wishing them boundless happiness and longevity. On the evening of the first day, children carry paper dragon lanterns and visit the homes of potters, pottery makers, and porcelain shop owners, offering cheers and greetings such as, "The dragon enters the door, all smiles; take a pair of scissors and cut the dragon's whiskers; cut the dragon's whiskers and a noble son will be born, a noble son will wear a fine robe!" They also ask for red envelopes...

That year, the Shi family did not return to their hometown for the Spring Festival. The reason was that they had moved into a new house the previous year and wanted to spend the New Year in the new house to ward off evil spirits and increase good fortune so that the coming year would be prosperous and lucky.

Shi Huai'an was eager for some peace and quiet; she didn't want to go back to the countryside to see her uncle and aunt's family.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Shi Huai'an brought the city's must-have candy (also called Dongtang) and two bottles of Site liquor, along with Duoduo Pangju, to visit Master Liu's house to offer New Year's greetings.

Pushing open the courtyard gate, one is greeted by a young man of about twenty years old, who is practicing a horse stance with a pained expression. Master Liu, standing beside him, sighs repeatedly and says helplessly, "If you keep going like this, you'll become a spineless coward. All you do is slack off."

Moving your gaze further to the side, you can see Liu Qingshu standing there watching the commotion, a mocking smile on his face. Meanwhile, Mrs. Liu and an elegant middle-aged woman are sitting in the courtyard, leisurely drinking tea. On the tea table are some nuts and snacks, and at her feet, a kitten is playing with a ball made of hemp rope.

Upon seeing this, Huai'an quickly stepped forward and respectfully bowed, saying with a smile, "Happy New Year, Master, Mistress, and Senior Brother! I've come to wish you a Happy New Year."