Chapter 100: It Has Nothing to Do With Me, Ow

The sounds did not cease, the fireworks did not stop.

The sky remained bright and unextinguished, the clouds were dyed in color, the sound of explosions rolled in, and the massive, complex fluctuations of Spirit Power were suffocating.

When Chen Shu first saw this as a child, he felt as if the end of the world had arrived.

There are mainly two types of these fireworks.

One type is the bucket-style or tube-style fireworks purchased and set off by ordinary citizens; they are actually Spirit Power Fireworks as well, as this world has no gunpowder fireworks.

The other type is set off by Cultivators themselves—

Generally, large-scale fireworks require at least a Third Tier Cultivator to cast, but if the Spell is sufficiently excellent, the Spirit Power requirement can be appropriately lowered. Furthermore, the development of modern Rune principles has allowed people to control Spirit Power more precisely, resulting in a great variety of firework patterns.

Chen Shu used to design custom firework Spells for people online; the typical client's request was a combination of text and simple patterns.

"XX I love you" and heart-shaped patterns were the most common.

Chen Shu actually met the conditions to release such Spells last year, but because he had to hide his Cultivation Rank, he bought bucket-style fireworks from outside to set off. But this year, he had specifically created two custom firework Spells.

However, Chen Banxia beat him to it.

"My turn!"

The big sister held one hand in a Sword finger gesture, circulated her Spirit Power, and pointed excitedly toward the sky—

"Whoosh!"

A streak of Spirit Power shot straight into the sky.

"Bang!"

A flower that could be called enormous bloomed.

Qingqing looked up and watched quietly.

The little girl also tilted her head back, her expression a bit blank, much like the Taozi she held in her arms.

"Impressive, right?"

Chen Banxia withdrew her hand and asked, while simultaneously circulating her Spirit Power again.

"Whoosh!"

"Whoosh, whoosh..."

Successive streaks of Spirit Power shot into the sky; half exploded into complex lotus flowers, while the other half were the common round shape, resembling the flower heads of a dandelion.

They were all common firework Spells.

The only thing special was that they were exceptionally large, bigger than 80% of the fireworks tonight.

As an amateur firework designer, Chen Shu quickly saw the issue:

"You're Fifth Stage?"

"How did you know?"

"Guessed."

"Isn't your big sister amazing?" Chen Banxia said while continuing to set off fireworks. "Oh, actually, I'm not really pursuing Cultivation Rank, it's just that the potions I've always dealt with are related to Cultivators or Martial Artists, and the higher the Cultivation Rank, the easier they are to handle, so that's that."

"I just asked casually, I don't care about you that much, you really don't need to explain so much..."

"You're so annoying!"

"Watch mine!"

"Hm? You have some too?"

"I designed them myself."

"Really?"

Chen Banxia immediately stopped her movements and turned to look at her younger brother with wide eyes.

The sisters and Taozi on the side also lowered their heads; Xiaoxiao and Taozi only took one look before aiming their gazes back at the sky, waiting for the fireworks to bloom.

Only Ning Qing kept her gaze fixed on Chen Shu.

Chen Shu circulated his Spirit Power and activated the fireworks.

"Whoosh!"

A streak of firelight shot straight into the sky.

This was the first firework Spell.

"Bang!"

The firelight exploded into the two characters "Qingqing".

Chen Banxia's eyes lit up, and she revealed a knowing smile.

The little girl and the Taozi in her arms remained in their head-tilted posture, concentrating on waiting for the second one.

Ning Qing pursed her lips.

Not far away, a few locals had also found this spot. They first set off two buckets of fireworks, and later, while playing with the small fireworks they had bought, they quietly admired the beautiful scenery of the fireworks from the city and the ancient town reflecting in the lake. The Spell Chen Banxia had just set off made them very excited, and now that Chen Shu's fireworks were set off, their hearts, which loved to watch the excitement, were instantly ignited, and they all looked over here.

Someone even raised their Mobile Phone.

"Whoosh!"

This was the second firework Spell.

"Bang!"

The firelight exploded into the two characters "Fool".

"Pfft!"

Chen Banxia suddenly bent over, clutching her stomach and laughing out loud.

Qingqing pursed her lips, as expected.

The little girl also smiled, which was rare.

Only the Taozi in the little girl's arms was completely confused—it had never been to school and didn't recognize the characters; it only felt that this flower wasn't as pretty as the previous one.

"Brother-in-law!"

"Hm?"

"Connect the two together!"

"You got it!"

"Whoosh, whoosh..."

"Bang, bang!"

Ning Qing had no expression, just quietly raised her head, looking at the four large characters blooming in the sky.

Naturally, they were also reflected in Jinghai.

People in the urban area and the ancient city could see them too, right? They would probably be distorted due to the different viewing angles, but regardless, these four dazzling, eye-catching characters would be seen by tens of thousands of people tonight at the very least.

Ning Qing glanced at the others not far away.

Some people had already raised their Mobile Phone to capture this scene; she didn't know if they would post it online or share it with a loved one far away. She didn't know if this would be their last source of Joy for this year, but perhaps it could become the first good mood of the New Year after today.

"You—"

After Chen Banxia finished laughing, she began to lecture her younger brother; perhaps she wanted to vent for her, or show her stance?

Actually, there was no need.

Ning Qing lowered her head slightly; in Jinghai, countless fireworks were still blooming one after another, only to extinguish in an instant, then reflecting the city lights, seeming even more beautiful and dreamlike than the sky overhead.

She wondered what the water temperature was like tonight.

"Are you done setting them off?"

"Done."

"Are you setting off more?"

"Do you still want to watch?"

"I prepared some too..." Ning Qing pursed her lips, revealing a faint smile, gentle and quiet, "Look up at the sky."

"Yeah!"

Chen Shu and the little girl both raised their heads.

"Whoosh!"

A spark of fire shot straight into the sky.

"Splash!"

"Splash!"

"Bang!"

Water splashed, ripples spread out, and the fireworks that had just bloomed were torn into fragments, shimmering in the water as they drifted with the waves.

A clean start to the New Year.

The family was watching the New Year's Eve gala.

When the siblings returned home, the old couple had no reaction at all, focusing intently on the New Year's Eve gala.

On stage was a young girl with a youthful, hot figure and a sweet voice and appearance, singing a song called "Time Thief." Her voice was clear and sweet yet rich in variation, interpreting this song with a very nice flavor.

"Time is a journey with no return

"The good and the bad are all scenery..."

When Chen Shu was carrying his clothes to take a shower, he happened to hear this line; it was a line he liked very much, and after transmigrating, he became particularly appreciative of it.

Walking into the bathroom, taking off his clothes, the hot water poured over him with a splash, while the familiar singing echoed in his ears.

The emotions were hard to describe—comfortable, yet somewhat moved.

After showering and coming out, Chen Shu sat on the sofa, watching the New Year's Eve gala with the old couple and that someone, but most of the time it was quite boring.

Although the New Year's Eve gala in this world didn't have so much insane positive energy, it still tried to cater to the aesthetics of different groups; even if the program director worked very hard to find some program formats suitable for all ages and refined and popular tastes, people had seen too much of it, and everyone's tastes had long since become picky.

Chen Shu could only play with his Mobile Phone while watching, worrying about whether the little girl had finished her shower or caught a cold, and then discussing the program with Qingqing.

The Royal Song and Dance Troupe is the eternal god.

Until the gala ended, the host and the entire audience kept shouting the countdown to the New Year.

The bell rang.

"Dong!"

The new year had arrived.

Calculated by the Xia calendar, it was the year 5021.

Chen Jiaoshou stood up silently and went to wash up.

Chen Shu remained sitting cross-legged on the sofa, pondered for a moment, and glanced at Chen Banxia, who had been staring at the TV intently from start to finish, and couldn't help but sigh: "How pitiful, not even touching a Mobile Phone on New Year's Eve, tsk tsk tsk..."

The elder sister turned her head instantly:

"Talking about who?"

"You..."

"What did you say?"

"I said some people can only watch the Spring Festival Gala on New Year's Eve, without even a person to discuss the plot or complain together." Chen Shu shook his head repeatedly, "And those photos of so many fireworks can only be stored in the phone to gather dust, with no one to share them with."

"Despicable!!"

Chen Banxia clenched her hand into a fist.

Chen Shu laughed out loud and lowered his head to type.

Chen Shu: It's over

Qingqing: Mm

Chen Shu: Not bad, looks better than last year.

Qingqing: Mm.

Chen Shu: What day of the Lunar New Year is it today?

Qingqing: Happy New Year.

Chen Shu: Sensible.

Chen Shu: Happy New Year.

Chen Shu: Mua~

Qingqing: ……

Chen Shu: You send me one too.

Qingqing: No.

Chen Shu: Send it, send it quickly.

Qingqing: No.

Chen Shu: Hurry up, don't dawdle.

Qingqing: I am just a fool.

Chen Shu: Sigh, you really can't tell a lie; if you go out into society like this, you're going to suffer a great loss.

Qingqing:?

Chen Shu: /Angry

Qingqing: You're actually angry.

Chen Shu: That's right.

Chen Shu: Hurry up!!!

Qingqing: ……

Qingqing: 【Image】

It was a screenshot of the chat bubble where Chen Shu sent "mua".

Let's just pretend she said it.

Chen Shu: Send me a red envelope.

Qingqing: 【Red envelope: Happy New Year】

Chen Shu: /Kiss

Chen Shu: 【Red envelope: Happy New Year】

Chen Shu: Sending you a small one back.

Qingqing: I'm going to take a shower, then go to sleep.

Chen Shu: Video call!!!

Qingqing: Goodnight.

Chen Shu: Play, huh.

You recalled a message.

Chen Shu: Goodnight.

Chen Shu exited the chat window, ignored the dense wall of unread messages and New Year blessings sent by various people, and found the little girl's profile picture.

Xiaoxiao: Brother-in-law, Happy New Year!

Xiaoxiao: Wishing you all the best!

Chen Shu: 【Red envelope: Happy New Year】

Xiaoxiao claimed your red envelope.

Xiaoxiao sent you a video call invitation.

Chen Shu tapped to accept.

The little girl's face appeared on the screen, delicate and quiet; it was clear she had already gotten into bed, but now she was getting back out, saying as she climbed down:

"Thank you, brother-in-law!"

"Why did you start a video call?"

"The red envelope is so big!"

"How is it big..."

"I want to thank you, brother-in-law!" The little girl had already put on her slippers and was walking out while talking, her expression extremely serious: "Sister is taking a shower right now, I'll take you to see her right away!!"

"……"

Chen Shu was a bit surprised by her actions, and immediately felt that this wasn't right, but he chose to remain silent.

Because he really wanted to see.

By this time, the little girl had already opened the door and gone out; she switched the view to the rear camera and started jogging.

She arrived at the door of her sister's room.

She gripped the doorknob and gave it a light twist.

"Click!"

The little girl knew her sister's habits well; she never locked the door when at home.

The door was pushed open slowly and gently.

Right inside the door was the bathroom.

The frosted glass door had light shining from within.

The sound of water splashing rang out.

The little girl flipped the Mobile Phone over, and so Chen Shu saw her determined expression; Chen Shu couldn't help but nod at her, offering thanks and respect, as the image was turned back around to face the bathroom door.

A small hand grasped the doorknob.

"Click!"

The Mobile Phone was the first thing to be extended inside.

Inside, the lights were dazzling, and water mist was rising.

Chen Shu saw Qingqing.

Qingqing was standing right by the door, wrapped in a bath towel, and one of her hands reached toward the Mobile Phone.

The first-person immersion was truly too strong; for a moment, Chen Shu felt that what she was grabbing wasn't the Mobile Phone, but him.

The Mobile Phone was snatched away just like that.

In the shaking image, Chen Shu also saw Qingqing's other hand grab the little girl's wrist; the little girl struggled hard and retreated, but because of the disparity in strength, she was still pulled into the bathroom by her sister.

Immediately after, the Mobile Phone was placed on a storage shelf, and with the camera facing down, he could see nothing, only hearing the crisp sounds of *pa-pa-pa*.

He could imagine the little girl silently enduring the beating.

Chen Shu gritted his teeth in front of the Mobile Phone—

Come at me if you have a problem!!

What kind of skill is it to bully my underage sister-in-law!!

Eh? No more sound?

Seems like it's over?

Chen Shu immediately ended the video call.

"..."

At this moment, dense fireworks exploded one after another outside the window, with booming sounds ringing in his ears.

There are many Cultivators in Bai City who have nothing better to do and are bored; since it's not against the rules during the New Year, when they see others setting off fireworks, they simply follow suit and set off a few themselves.

Anyway, they were just idling.

Chen Shu leaned out the window and also set off a few.