As the faint chimes of a midnight bell drifted from the distance, Li Wen rose to his feet.
"Dad, Mom," he said, "I have to get back. I can't leave the city gate unattended for too long."
Li Hong and Wang Juan quickly stood to see him off, walking him all the way to the courtyard gate.
"You have to be careful! Stay safe!" Wang Juan squeezed Li Wen's hand tightly once more.
"I will. Don't worry." Li Wen nodded, giving his parents a reassuring look.
After leaving the courtyard, he didn't immediately transform into a streak of light. Instead, he walked through the New Year's Eve snow, slowly making his way out of the neighborhood.
Only when he reached a secluded spot did a purple streak of light erupt from the ground, piercing the night sky. He reached the familiar, deep-underground courtyard in an instant, his arrival almost perfectly timed with the New Year's Eve fireworks blooming over the distant city gate.
