The silence lingered for a second as the torrential rain roared outside, as if it wanted to drown the entire world.
"Have you ever observed that child's life?"
Huai Yin suddenly asked.
Chen Bojun was taken aback.
"When he was very young, I glanced at him from afar once. It was during a New Year many years ago. A twelve-year-old boy wearing a padded jacket, sitting alone by the roadside, watching the brightly lit city and the empty streets. Every household had their lights on, red festive characters pasted on the doors, and lively noises ringing from inside."
Sipping hot tea, Huai Yin spoke softly: "While others celebrated New Year's Eve, he sat there by himself. Occasionally, someone would come out to set off firecrackers, and he'd watch from a distance. The sound of the explosions was loud, but it seemed to be so far away from him."
Chen Bojun didn't understand what she meant and waited in silence for her to continue.
