Chapter 142: The Demon Lord Junzhu's Slacking Daily Life Chapter 141: New Year Gift

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Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

Yan Xiner picked up one of the blue little garments and examined it carefully; she gently stroked the fabric of the clothing, feeling its soft and smooth texture.

The texture of this little garment was extremely fine, and the stitching was also sewn remarkably neatly; one look told you the maker had spent no small amount of thought on it. She then picked up the other few little garments one by one to inspect them, and whether in color or style, all made her unable to put them down.

After admiring all the gifts, Yan Xiner raised her head with a face full of joy and said sincerely to Qianqian: "Thank you, Qianqian, and Shuang'er too. This gift is truly too thoughtful; I think Zhouzhou will definitely like it very much!"

After speaking, she carefully fished out several red envelopes from her bosom; inside were the New Year's money she had long prepared meticulously. With a smile on her face, she slowly handed the New Year's money one by one into the hands of Qianqian, Yan Shuang'er, Yan Jie, and Yan Wang.

At this moment, Yan Shuang'er declined somewhat embarrassedly: "Elder Sister, how can this be acceptable!" However, Yan Xiner replied gently: "Silly younger sister, Elder Sister is already married now, so naturally I ought to give you all New Year's money. Besides, if not for my husband reminding me, I nearly forgot this matter. Don't stand on ceremony with Elder Sister; this bit of money isn't much, just accept it quickly!" Hearing these words, the several children thanked Elder Sister and brother-in-law in unison, then happily accepted the New Year's money.

Subsequently, everyone gathered around that round table laden with melon seeds, fruits, and other snacks. They cracked melon seeds, chatted and laughed, sometimes discussing household trifles, sometimes looking forward to beautiful visions for the new year. Everyone's face brimmed with happy and satisfied smiles; the whole room was filled with a warm and joyous atmosphere.

Just as everyone was chatting idly, time seemed to fly by; in the blink of an eye, the sky outside had already been completely shrouded in night, pitch black. And at this moment Qianqian could hardly contain her inner excitement, so excited she could barely control herself.

She couldn't wait to turn her head and say to Yan Shuang'er and the others: "Elder Brothers and Elder Sisters, let's set out quickly; it's dark, the activities are about to start!"

So everyone stood up and tidied their clothes and hats; Mantou even took two little hats and put them on Qianqian and Yan Jie; after everyone was ready, they set out together.

This group did not ride in that spacious and comfortable carriage, but instead leisurely chose to walk instead of ride, proceeding slowly through this bustling marketplace.

Looking out, the broad main street was already thronged with people; all were in high spirits surging toward the bustling market direction. And Qianqian and her companions naturally were no exception, merging into this joyful procession. They walked along talking and laughing, and unknowingly had already walked a long stretch of road.

As their steps advanced, the crowd ahead grew ever denser, clamor rising and falling, extraordinarily lively! Raising their eyes, they saw brilliant lights, all kinds of colored lanterns like stars adorning street ends and alley corners.

Some bloomed like delicate flowers about to drip; some leaped like lifelike animals; others twinkled like mysterious fantastical constellations. Not only that, there were also splendid performances too numerous to take in: on this side a thrilling fire-breathing performance, raging flames dancing in the air; on that side a majestic dragon dance and lion dance, dragons soaring tigers leaping, imposing momentum; and there were highly skilled performers displaying the jar-balancing stunt, drawing bursts of cheers from the audience.

Qianqian was instantly deeply drawn by the fire-breathing scene before her eyes. She couldn't wait to squeeze into the crowd, wanting to see more clearly.

Yan Shuang'er saw this, her heart tightened, and she hurriedly quickened her pace to follow, fearing a careless moment would let Qianqian get lost in the vast sea of people. By the time they managed to get closer, they saw a big man of sturdy build and rugged appearance standing in the center of the arena. His left hand tightly gripped a torch, his right hand steadily held a water kettle filled with liquid.

Only to see that big man tilt his head back and gulp a mouthful of the liquid from the kettle, then without hesitation aim it at the torch and spray forcefully. In an instant, a fire dragon roared out, rushing straight toward the sky, drawing thunderous applause and cheers from the surrounding crowd.

Qianqian was even more excited, her little hands clapping nonstop, her small face flushed red with excitement. Even the usually steady Yan Jie at this moment couldn't help but watch with surging emotion, not blinking an eye.

Just as everyone was immersed in this visual feast, suddenly someone began throwing copper coins into that iron basin placed before the big man. Seeing this, Qianqian pondered slightly, then reached into her own purse and took out six copper coins, carefully placing them into the basin.

The copper coins colliding with the iron basin emitted a crisp and pleasant sound, as if playing a beautiful accompaniment for this splendid performance. The several people watched for a while and then withdrew one after another; only to see Qianqian blinking her big eyes, her face full of curiosity, tugging Yan Shuang'er's sleeve and asking crisply: "Third Elder Sister, is what that person drank really just ordinary water?"

She pointed in the direction where the fire-breathing performer had been, her small face full of doubt, "But I clearly saw the flames not only not go out, but burn even more vigorously!"

Yan Shuang'er smiled faintly, gently stroked Qianqian's head, and explained patiently: "Silly girl, that's not water, but a thing called gasoline."

"Gasoline?" Qianqian stared wide-eyed, repeating this unfamiliar term incredulously, "Can that kind of thing be drunk? What if one accidentally swallows it into the stomach?"

Yan Shuang'er pursed her lips and smiled, saying softly: "Rest assured, little Qianqian. This big brother has presumably performed this kind of act many times already; he definitely can control himself well and won't easily swallow the gasoline down.

Moreover, these people who wander performing for a living are not as fortunate as us. We have been free from worries about food and clothing since birth, never needing to fret over a few silver notes. But in this world there are still very, very many people who spend their whole days toiling and exhausting themselves just to earn money. Even knowing this work is dangerous and arduous, for the sake of earning money to support their families, they have no choice but to brace themselves and do it."

Hearing this, Qianqian couldn't help but feel pity; her pair of watery big eyes flashed with sympathetic light, her little mouth grumbling: "Third Elder Sister, he's so pitiful... why don't we help him? I still have a silver note in my purse; might as well give it to him too." Saying this, she moved to reach into her own purse.

However, Yan Shuang'er hurriedly stopped her, saying with a stern face: "Qianqian, you must not do that."

Qianqian froze instantly, asking in puzzlement: "Why? Third Elder Sister, is helping others not good?"

Qianqian froze at once, asking in confusion, "Why? San Jie, isn't helping others a good thing?"