In the beginning season of spring, once the new moon has graced the night sky, it marks the start of a new Lunar cycle. The new spring is very much celebrated and are welcomed with great feast and celebrations. As the hibernation of winter has come to an end, new life sprouts and blossoms at this season of new beginnings. The new sun that brings warmth after many freezing days reinvigorates all life and spirits. Indeed, this surge of new breeze should be welcomed with great joy among all beings, humans and spirits of any kind.
Every member of the Qing Hun sect was busy preparing for the first day of new year. The junior disciples are told to dust and clean the residence compound. Some of them can be seen with brooms and sorts, sweeping up the endless piles of dried leaves that have drifted into the manor. Some of them with washed rags, going about rooms and halls, wiping off dust and polishing floors. The older disciples are entrusted to clean up the ancestral halls and grave tombs. Flowers and offerings can be seen decorating the usually sombre halls and headstones. The white and yellow chrysanthemums dotted about in the white manor.
The bustling scene is a rare sight in the Qing Hun sect, stark in contrast compared to its daily silence and quiet ambiance. The sounds of laughter and endless bickerings filled the compound, with the young ones playing and tugging about with the new year decorations and the others just catching up with a day off from all their year round trainings and cultivations.
"Bai Ling, it's time wake up." Hui Ci was seated on the edge of the bed, next to Bai Ling. He landed a soft pat on Bai Ling's head and tucked strands of his hair behind the ear to reveal the sleeping face. Hui Ci has been awake a few hours earlier and got himself dressed and ready for the new morning. He picked up the sound asleep furball from Bai Ling's arm and placed it into its usual woven basket lined with soft silk and blanket. He walked back to the side of the bed and gave a small pinch on Bai Ling's chin.
"We will be late to greet zhongzu if you insist to sleep in. You of all people know how well he will take it." Hui Ci still seating on the rear end, waited patiently for Bai Ling to make any sort of movements. He knew that Bai Ling has long been awake and was just pretending to be asleep. Instead of waking up, Bai Ling rolled on to his other side with his back facing Hui Ci.
"It's alright then, I will go ahead by myself." Hui Ci said as he walked towards the door. He slid open the door frame, paused for a moment before sliding them shut again, without even taking a step out of the room. Hui Ci stood quietly at the doorway, stealthily watching Bai Ling with his arms across his chest.
Bai Ling let out a yawn and mumbled to himself, "Da nian ju yi (first day or lunar new year), can I not sleep for a little longer." He lazily turned around in the bed, his arms half stretched above his head and choked when he was about to let out another yawn. His eyes met with a silent glare, staring at him all the way across the room. Bai Ling laughed sheepishly at Hui Ci, "I thought you have already left."
"And let you continue to sleep until noon arrives?" Hui Ci smirked, looking proud of himself for catching Bai Ling in his little mischief.
Bai Ling let out a little sigh and admitted defeat. "Alright, alright. I am getting up to get dressed. I will not get us both in trouble on the first day of new year." With his head now resting on his propped up hand, Bai Ling flashed a loving smile to Hui Ci. Before adjusting himself up, he managed to steal a full glance of the man standing in front of him, admiring his tall figure basking in the fresh morning sun. Bai Ling's eye filled with admiration of Hui Ci's effortless charm and grandeur.