Zhou Li was right—
This year was particularly quiet, especially since Huai Xu had left.
At home, there was only Old Zhou, who loved to watch others fish in silence; Aunt Jiang, who wanted to hang out with Zhou Li but couldn't quite bridge the age gap (so the two of them often went out together); and also a Little Trash Cat, so frail the wind could knock it over by day, yet so elusive dogs couldn't catch it by night, which was Zhou Li's only remaining playmate.
Until New Year's Eve, Zhou Li's life was utterly dull—
During the day, he helped Aunt Jiang cook, teased the sleepy Tuanzi, played with his phone, read books, studied spell theory, and if he had spare time, he'd do some carving or watch variety shows...
All just ways to kill time.
At night, he endured Tuanzi's mischief.
Oh, right, Huai Xu would come back to sleep at night.
