They watched the fireworks on the balcony for about half an hour, until the celebrations gradually died down.
Around them, things quietened down again.
The festive atmosphere in Beijing was intense. The districts and the streets were completely decorated with Chinese knots.
Because Xia Yehua enjoyed the bustling atmosphere, the Shen family home was, too, decorated with Spring festival calligraphy characters symbolizing good fortune.
At one a.m., they both decided to go to bed.
They quickly checked on Xia Yehua to ensure she was sleeping well, and then returned to their bedroom.
Before getting into the shower, Shen Liangchuan said, "I'll watch over Mom tonight, just in case she feels unwell."
There were no other housekeepers around and Auntie Li herself was an elderly woman.
As she had been triggered over dinner, they feared that she might feel ill in the night.