After the snowfall, the days grew quieter and noisier. Sometimes Han Cheng would sit by the window in a daze, feeling as if time had come to a standstill.

Of course, this was an illusion. Because when he looked back, in this seemingly frozen moment, many days had already passed.

Between the old and new walls, piles of stones had accumulated, and inside the emptied charcoal rooms, there were heaps of finished charcoal.

As these days passed by one after another, the people in the tribe unconsciously became more joyful.

Adults and children alike eagerly anticipated the arrival of the once-a-year, enchanting New Year’s festival.

Delicious food that dazzled the eyes, the lighting of firecrackers, brand new clothes… these were important reasons why the New Year was so deeply longed for.

As for the terrifying Nian beast, the tribe’s people were not worried, because under the leadership of the Divine Child (Shen Zi), and through their efforts, that fearsome creature had never dared to approach their tribe.

While everyone awaited the arrival of the New Year, Han Cheng called the trade team over, asking them to take some cured meat and other foods, to lead four sheep, and also bring two bundles of clothes sewn by the women of the tribe out to the Copper Mountain residential area.

The New Year was coming, and this group of people at Copper Mountain was destined to spend it there.

These were the individuals who had made significant contributions to the tribe. Han Cheng did not want them to feel any bitterness or sadness being far away during such a critical moment.

Inside the Copper Mountain residential area,

With the heavy snowfall, it had become much quieter.

In the past, after a day of labor, people would quickly fall asleep after dinner, not realizing that the day had been tough.

However, with a more leisurely pace, many found it difficult to adjust.

Days that once passed quickly now felt exceptionally long.

As the snow lasted longer and longer, more and more people remaining at Copper Mountain found themselves missing the warm and lively big tribe.

There was the Divine Child, and the things they fought for — that was truly their home, their roots.

Though they didn’t have a clear concept of “roots,” the feeling was real and deeply felt in their hearts.

As time passed, especially when thinking about the tribe’s annual New Year celebration, more people would go to the walls to look towards the tribe.

More and more would look out the windows at the Green Sparrow flag fluttering wildly in the cold wind.

They would not be able to celebrate the New Year here, because although food was not scarce, it was nowhere near as abundant as in the big tribe.

And here, there was no Divine Child. No…

Suddenly, amidst the slight sadness and gloom, someone standing atop the wall shouted while looking eastward:

“Look over there!”

“It’s the tribe’s people! The tribe’s people! The tribe’s people are coming!”

Seeing the flag fluttering at the front of the approaching group, along with some deer and dogs running in the snow, this person instantly burst out with excitement louder than a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

With the shout, the calm Copper Mountain area suddenly became lively.

People rushed quickly out of their homes, and after a brief pause, the newly built Copper Mountain gates swung wide open.

Many poured out, shouting happily as they ran towards the approaching group from the tribe, joyful like a 300-pound happy man…

With the trade team’s arrival, the long-silent Copper Mountain finally became bustling again.

Flames roared as the millet porridge, mixed with salted meat, simmered, warming the bodies of the travelers.

Those like Third Senior Brother who had been stationed in Copper Mountain for a long time saw familiar faces and felt an indescribable warmth.

“The Divine Child said, ‘Worried you wouldn’t have a good New Year here, so we sent people to bring things over…’”

Feeling a bit emotional, Shang held a warm tea bowl and took a couple of sips before speaking.

“…These are new clothes the Divine Child had made, one set per person.

This is salted meat from the tribe, and this is wine, to drink during the New Year…”

While talking, Mao pulled out more and more items from his bag like magic, and soon the house was filled with a pile of things, scattered yet full of care.

These things and such gestures warmed the hearts of those in Copper Mountain, led by Third Senior Brother.

Some even felt a bittersweet warmth rise from their stomachs to their heads.

The Divine Child and others in the tribe had not forgotten them.

In such harsh weather, they had sent a trade team through the heavy snow to bring New Year’s supplies…

Seeing the tribe people’s joy, along with Mao’s somewhat rambling narration as he laid out the items, warmed the hearts of all at Copper Mountain.

The tribe’s people had been thoughtful, even cutting some bamboo to bring along, so that Copper Mountain’s people could burn it during the New Year.

In this heartwarming atmosphere, Third Senior Brother suddenly realized something.

Even with all the things the Divine Child had sent, having a good New Year here would not be easy.

Not because the gifts were insufficient, but because Third Senior Brother suddenly recalled that the stones were not here.

Without the stones, they could not accurately determine the exact day the New Year (Nian) would arrive.

Without knowing exactly when the New Year came, they couldn’t plan a proper celebration.

So, they would have to wait for a roughly chosen day, then shout and beat drums afterward to ward off the Nian beast.

“Oh, right, here’s this too.”

Mao suddenly remembered something and said, pulling out a clay tablet from a package.

The tablet was carved with neat rows of small grids, each marked with the waxing and waning of the moons, and below the moons, numbers such as 1, 2, 3, and 4 were inscribed.

This was a calendar deduced by the stones — though there might still be some minor errors, as long as the tribe used the same calendar, it wouldn’t cause much trouble for now.

Some grids on the calendar already had slashes across them, marking the days since they had left the tribe.

“One grid per day, and when we reach here, it’ll be New Year…”

Mao said, pointing to a grid without a moon, recalling the Divine Child’s instructions as he spoke to Third Senior Brother.

Third Senior Brother’s eyes lit up instantly. This was a great idea!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay