1.17

Wushuang grumbled as Mrs. Bai tried to pull her from the warm cocoon of her blankets. "Mom, why so early? I barely got any sleep," she protested, her voice muffled by the pillow.

Mrs. Bai, her face lined with determination, adjusted her hold on Wushuang. "You've been sleeping in for too long. The New Year is approaching fast. We need to get out and buy the things for the festival."

Wushuang blinked, momentarily confused. "The New Year? It's already that close?"

Mrs. Bai's eyes twinkled with excitement. "Of course! The New Year is always lively. There are dragon and lion dances, firecrackers, jugglers—everything you can imagine. It's a big celebration that goes on until the Lantern Festival."

Wushuang's eyes widened with enthusiasm. She shot out of bed, her earlier drowsiness forgotten. "Really? That sounds amazing! I haven't experienced anything like that in years. Let's hurry up and get ready!"

The outside air was shockingly cold, biting at Wushuang's cheeks as they stepped out. The streets were bustling with people preparing for the festivities. Everywhere she looked, vendors were setting up colorful stalls selling Spring Festival couplets, lanterns, and all sorts of festive goods. The air was filled with the hum of excitement and anticipation.

Mrs. Bai maneuvered through the crowd with practiced ease, and Wushuang followed closely behind. Just as they were about to head towards the couplets, a commotion caught their attention. The sounds of shouting and clamor grew louder, drawing Wushuang's gaze toward a gathering crowd.

Curious, Wushuang pulled Mrs. Bai toward a nearby snack shop to get a better view. The shop owner, who knew Wushuang well, greeted her warmly. "Ah, Wushuang! Just in time. You can stand here and see everything clearly."

Wushuang and Mrs. Bai took their places on the stools that the shopkeeper provided, the height giving them a perfect vantage point. The shopkeeper then climbed onto a stool himself, ready to provide a live commentary.

"The government is making an arrest," the shopkeeper said excitedly. "Looks like they've caught some criminals. Oh, they're really getting it now. What did they do? Why are people throwing stones?"

Wushuang's eyes widened as she observed the scene. She saw a group of people—both men and women—being led away by constables. Among them was a middle-aged woman holding a child, and behind them were flatbed carriages crammed with children.

Great, human traffickers. No wonder everyone's so worked up.

Wushuang thought. The crowd was throwing stones, and even from a distance, she could see the hatred in their faces.

The shopkeeper was in his element, narrating the unfolding drama with gusto. "Look at that! People are throwing stones and garbage. They really hate human traffickers!"

Wushuang couldn't help but chuckle at the shopkeeper's enthusiasm. "Seems like they're taking things to the next level."

Suddenly, the shopkeeper dashed to the back of the store. Wushuang and Mrs. Bai exchanged curious glances as the shopkeeper reappeared with a basket full of what looked like garbage. He hurried back to the crowd and began throwing the refuse at the prisoners.

The sight was both hilarious and grotesque. Soon, more people joined in, returning with their own baskets of garbage. The air was filled with the smell of rotting vegetables, and Wushuang watched in a mixture of amusement and disgust as the scene became increasingly chaotic.

An elderly woman then appeared with a chamber pot. The crowd parted in disgust as she marched forward, her face set in grim determination. With a swift motion, she poured the contents over the human traffickers, causing a collective gasp from the onlookers.

Wow, that's... bold.

Wushuang thought, covering her nose as the stench grew unbearable. I guess everyone's really had it with these criminals.

The constables seemed at a loss, retreating from the filth and chaos. Wuyi and Tongze, the constables in charge, were left to deal with the mess. They exchanged glances of sheer discomfort, unsure of how to proceed.

Wushuang observed the scene with a sense of sympathy for the constables. Dealing with this mess in this weather? Not a fun job.

Mrs. Bai, who had initially been eager to see the spectacle, looked at Wushuang with a mix of amusement and concern. "Should we stay and watch?"

Wushuang shook her head, her face contorted in a grimace. "No, let's get out of here. This is more than I bargained for. Besides, we still have New Year's shopping to do. Let's not let this disgusting scene spoil our plans."

With that, they carefully made their way down from the stools and headed away from the commotion. The excitement of the New Year awaited them, and Wushuang was determined to focus on the festive preparations.

As they navigated through the lively streets, Mrs. Bai glanced at Wushuang. "You seem to have enjoyed the festival preparations more than the actual festival. What did you think of today's events?"

Wushuang laughed softly. "It was quite a show, but not exactly the kind of entertainment I was hoping for. I'd rather focus on the celebrations. The New Year's activities are supposed to be joyful, not... well, dirty."

Mrs. Bai chuckled. "I agree. The New Year should be a time for happiness and celebration. Let's find some nice couplets and decorations to brighten up our home."

They proceeded to various stalls, picking out vibrant red couplets, lanterns, and other festive items. The lively atmosphere of the market gradually lifted Wushuang's spirits. Despite the earlier chaos, she found herself immersed in the joy and anticipation of the upcoming New Year.

As they headed home, Wushuang looked at the bundles of decorations and New Year's goods they had collected. Maybe being poor means we don't have the luxury of extravagant celebrations, but we can still make the most of what we have.

She smiled at Mrs. Bai. "Mom, thank you for dragging me out of bed this morning. I'm really looking forward to celebrating the New Year now."

Mrs. Bai beamed. "I'm glad you're excited. It's going to be a wonderful time. Let's make sure we enjoy every bit of it."

With their New Year's preparations underway, Wushuang felt a renewed sense of anticipation and happiness. Despite the challenges and chaos of the day, she was ready to embrace the festive spirit and make the most of the celebrations to come.