The eighteenth passed, and soon it was the twenty-third, the day to honor the Kitchen God.
Some families made a big deal of honoring the Kitchen God, while others didn't. In truth, there wasn't much to it. Most homes didn't even have a Kitchen God shrine anymore. People would just buy some malt candy, eat a nice meal, and that was enough to count as a celebration.
After honoring the Kitchen God, it was time for a flurry of washing and scrubbing, followed by a thorough house cleaning. Once everything was neat and tidy, the twenty-eighth arrived.
The family had bought plenty of New Year's goods, firecrackers, and even written couplets. It was all starting to feel very festive.
On New Year's Eve, everyone gathered at the Sun Family's home again. Anyone who could make it was there.
