Chapter 99: New Year's Eve Fireworks

The 29th day of the twelfth lunar month, evening.

Chen Jiaoshou and Wei Lvshi had not yet returned home; presumably, they were chatting happily with friends, or perhaps they were trapped by their friends' hospitality and would only return after dinner.

The four juniors were at home slurping hot and sour noodles.

The broth for the hot and sour noodles Chen Shu made was rich and fragrant, both sour and spicy; once served, the whole room was filled with the scent of vinegar. He added generous portions of pork intestine, paired with tender bean sprouts; slurping it down with the broth, it was incredibly satisfying.

Chen Banxia sighed while eating, saying her younger brother was truly too good at tinkering with food.

It was just a bit unfair to Qingqing and Xiaoxiao, who had come over during the New Year to accompany her in eating hot and sour noodles, when they should have been having a feast.

But there was no help for it, who told her to say she wanted to eat hot and sour noodles a few days ago.

Although she couldn't even remember when she had said it; perhaps it was something she said in her sleep?

At the same time, Chen Banxia had the most dramatic antics—

One moment she was burned, and despite being able to endure it with a Cultivator's constitution, she insisted on yelping a few times. The next moment she was choked, coughing incessantly. Then she asked her brother to pull a tissue for her, as her mouth was too precious to be stained by even a drop of oil.

Qingqing was very quiet, tasting it in small, slow bites.

The living room television was playing the evening news, describing the grand scenes of people everywhere joyfully welcoming the New Year.

Chen Shu turned a deaf ear, only scrolling through short videos.

Yujing Youth: "The Qingshan Ridge Sword pigs are flooding the area again and again. Do you, in Yujing, know about this? Recently, relevant departments have received over two hundred reports regarding 'Sword pigs destroying crops,' and in the last two months, there have been four incidents of Sword pigs injuring people near Qingshan Ridge. Now that the Hunting Week is approaching, are you prepared to come to Yujing to participate in a legal hunt and eliminate this pest for the people?"

Imperial Capital Broadcast: "As the New Year approaches, official reports state that His Majesty will go to Xinzheng Temple to offer the first incense of the New Year. So, Yuan'an Temple is now vacant; who will be able to seize the first incense of Yuan'an Temple this year?"

Yuanzhou Observer: "Bai City urban area has fully lifted the ban on large-scale Spirit Power Fireworks. Are you a Cultivator? Do you know the Fireworks Technique? Please feel free to show it off."

Why was it all stuff like this?

After Chen Shu scrolled down a few more, he finally found the kind he liked to watch in his spare time.

Old house renovations;

Refurbishing old items;

Senior matchmaking;

XX clam digging;

Other people's rural lives.

"Slurp!"

Chen Shu lifted his eyes to glance ahead.

The young girl held the bowl in one hand and chopsticks in the other, forcefully slurping the last few strands of noodles; the tails of the noodles whipped around, and a drop of oil splashed into her eye.

Just looking at it made one feel it would be very uncomfortable.

Yet she remained expressionless, blinking her eye hard, trying to alleviate the irritation. The effect was clearly not good, so she kept blinking, yet even so, she refused to reach out and rub it; it was strange.

Two hours later.

Chen Jiaoshou and Wei Lvshi returned, smelled the vinegar in the room, and asked what they had eaten for dinner. Chen Banxia said hot and sour noodles, and Wei Lvshi frowned, saying she didn't even know to take her younger brother and sister out to eat something good.

Chen Banxia felt very guilty.

Shortly after, Qingqing and Xiaoxiao left.

Chen Shu took a shower and lay on the bed.

He opened the Ancient Cultivation Group.

Qingcai Keke: Tomorrow is New Year's Eve, what is everyone doing?

Grandma Always Says: Just shaved my beard.

"?"

What kind of beard are you shaving!

Chen Shu scratched his head.

Qingcai Keke: People don't usually shave their beards at night, right?

Grandma Always Says: So what? I, your father, just love shaving my beard at night, who made the rule that you can't?

Grandma Always Says: My beard, my rules!

Grandma Always Says: What about you, what are you doing?

Chen Shu looked at the message and pondered, this person seems to want to compete with me.

How could I be tricked by you?

Qingcai Keke: Went out this afternoon to dye my hair, dyed it a gradient purple, the kind that looks black normally but turns purple in the sunlight. Then my best friend insisted on dragging me out to get my nails done, let you guys see the nails I got.

Qingcai Keke: 【Image】

Qingcai Keke: It's the sugar-coated mirror style.

Grandma Always Says: Looks like a ghost's eyes.

Nameless Person: Pretty!

Zhaoyeqing: Nice hands.

Qingcai Keke: I think so too /shy

Zhaoyeqing: /smile

Qingcai Keke: /confused

Grandma Always Says: Let me translate for you, it means you're an idiot.

Qingcai Keke: /smile

Grandma Always Says: /smile

Qingcai Keke: New Year is coming soon, does anyone want to send me a red envelope? I'll trade it for Grandma's senior brother's surname /smile

Grandma Always Says:?

Grandma Always Says: /so bald (suddenly)

Grandma Always Says: How the hell did you know?

Grandma Always Says: Everyone don't believe it, it's definitely fake!

Green Vegetable Crunchy: Group Owner big shot, please help me verify this @Awe-Inspiring Righteousness

Awe-Inspiring Righteousness: Can do.

Grandma Always Says:???

Morning Dew Clear: It's a scam.

Zhong Miao Zhi Men: 【Exclusive Red Envelope: Happy New Year】

Nameless Person: 【Exclusive Red Envelope: Happy New Year】

Nine-Tailed Fox Luo Huaian Forget It: 【Exclusive Red Envelope: Happy New Year】

Green Lamp Lone Buddha: 【Exclusive Red Envelope: Happy New Year】

Grandma Always Says: You monk are joining in the fun too?

Green Lamp Lone Buddha: Amitabha, this poor monk just wants to wish Green Vegetable Crunchy a Happy New Year.

Qingcai Keke: Master, you gave the least.

Green Lamp Lone Buddha: Amitabha, Green Vegetable Crunchy, you have an affinity with my Buddha; for the New Year, I will burn a stick of incense for you at Xinzheng Temple.

Qingcai Keke: Master, I want the first stick of incense.

Green Lamp Lone Buddha: @Haoran Zhengqi

Green Lamp Lone Buddha: This poor monk reports, he is competing with His Majesty for the first stick of incense.

Qingcai Keke:...

Qingcai Keke: Is there more? Is there more?

Qingcai Keke: If not, I'm going to start a private chat?

Grandma Always Says: Damn, there are so many people, you're still opening a separate chat, is there even a need for that?

Grandma Always Says: What's the difference if you just say it in the group?

Qingcai Keke: Group Owner big shot, where is your red envelope?

Haoran Zhengqi: /eating melon seeds

Qingcai Keke: /what a pity

Qingcai Keke invited Mysterious Sect, Unknown Person, Jiu Jiao Luo Huaian Suanle, Green Lamp Lone Buddha, and Haoran Zhengqi to a private chat.

Grandma Always Says: Let me in.

Grandma Always Says applied to join.

Grandma Always Says applied to join.

Grandma Always Says: Let me see your faces.

Grandma Always Says applied to join.

Qingcai Keke: He is frantically applying to join.

Zhong Miao Zhi Men: Don't pay attention to him.

Green Lamp Lone Buddha: Amitabha, benefactor, do not dawdle.

Haoran Zhengqi: /eating melon seeds

Qingcai Keke: Zhang.

Haoran Zhengqi: /nodding

Exited the private chat.

Zhang Suannai outside was a bit lonely; others had exposed her identity and wouldn't even let her watch, so she could only wait outside for the result. This feeling was like a suspect waiting for a verdict but not even qualified to enter the courtroom; she didn't know what they were saying about her inside, it was unbearable.

She had no choice but to find "Night Clear" to chat.

Grandma Always Says: Everyone in this group is an idiot, don't you think? @Night Clear

Grandma Always Says: Their brains aren't clear.

Grandma Always Says: I didn't expect that besides me, there is actually a normal person in this group. Sigh, I can consider myself comforted. By the way, are you a man or a woman?

Grandma Always Says: Why aren't you talking?

Grandma Always Says: /going crazy/going crazy/going crazy

Zhong Miao Zhi Men: They are ignoring you.

Grandma Always Says: /complex expression

Chen Shu came out and saw this scene, unable to help but shake his head inwardly; truly pitiful.

He turned off his Mobile Phone and tinkered with the Fireworks Technique for a while.

It is also called Flame Technique or other such names.

Daily Cultivation.

Waking up, it was already New Year's Eve.

After eating breakfast, it was time to get busy. Chen Shu dared not hand over the cooking duties for the "New Year's Eve dinner" to Wei Lvshi, so he had to handle it himself—after listing the dishes to prepare, he had to go out early in the morning to buy groceries.

Chen Banxia was a very good laborer.

After returning, he began to get busy in the kitchen.

The entire morning was spent on it.

After finishing lunch, there was a moment of leisure in the afternoon, and Chen Shu was dragged out by Chen Banxia to fly a kite.

There were many parks or deserted meadows by Jinghai, and all year round there were many people flying kites and fishing, which was very suitable for outings.

With the New Year arriving, there were more and more people on the streets, and snack stalls were set up everywhere, with smoke swirling and the fragrance filling the streets—a scene rarely seen on ordinary days.

The siblings played until mid-afternoon, and then they had to return to prepare dinner.

Exhausting yet fulfilling.

Seven o'clock in the evening, after dinner.

When they arrived on the street again, places that usually only had a slightly larger flow of people could now be called packed with a sea of people. Almost every snack stall had a large number of citizens queuing to buy things; those selling lanterns, toys, glowing headwear, and fake medicine made for a bustling scene. Colorful lights flashed everywhere, and every shop entrance had bright red lanterns hanging; in contrast, the streetlights had dimmed slightly, and the atmosphere of the Lunar New Year was perfectly set.

Chen Shu held his Mobile Phone and found Ning Qing, Xiaoxiao, and Taozi waiting at the entrance of the shopping mall.

"Let's go!"

Chen Shu called for Chen Banxia to cross the road and head over.

The four people and one cat met up, but they did not go to the bustling square, nor did they go to the popular Commercial Street, nor did they go to the ancient city; instead, they walked in the opposite direction of the ancient city.

That is to say, they walked in the direction of the Square Body.

They chatted while walking, enjoying the night view.

Tonight, the brightness of the streetlights was only half of what it usually was, but the lakeside was filled with all kinds of colorful lanterns, including plants and flowers, cartoon characters, modern creations, as well as images of famous historical figures and large exotic beast lanterns. Compared to last year, this year also featured shapes of artifacts unearthed from the Square Body, as well as many colorful lanterns with lantern riddles, word puzzles, or cultural allusions, which also attracted many citizens to stop, watch, and discuss.

Added to the bright red lanterns on the streetlights and shop entrances, the road along the lake was illuminated as bright as day.

Chen Shu walked and watched, and even bought four handheld lanterns by the roadside; they were colorful with beautiful pictures on them, and each person carried one in their hand. Qingqing was actually completely uninterested in these things, but she could only be forced to play along.

The sky grew darker and darker.

Before they knew it, the first firework shot into the night sky and exploded with a boom.

The sound was like thunder.

Taozi was startled.

The dense, colorful light that exploded overhead looked like a complete dandelion, illuminating the entire sky, and it lasted for several seconds before gradually fading away.

This was a Spirit Power Fireworks.

A chaotic sound of Surprise came from those around them.

Immediately, this firework seemed to trigger a chain reaction, and the entire city suddenly boiled over—countless streaks of fire shot straight into the sky; as a Cultivator, Chen Shu could feel the Spirit Power contained within them, and after flying a certain distance, they exploded one after another in the sky.

"Boom, boom, boom..."

The sound of explosions was incessant.

The sky was instantly dyed in various colors, and there was no longer any need for any lights on the ground.

"Hurry up!"

Chen Shu shouted and quickened his pace.

The other three people and one cat hurriedly followed.

Walking along the lake, it didn't take long to leave the city limits; they walked past a bay of Jinghai, and the surroundings gradually became quiet.

The sound of the city's fireworks also became a bit more distant.

Yet this place was opposite the ancient city and also at a distance from the busy downtown area; when they crossed the plank road and arrived at the lakeside, the fireworks exploding over the distant city and the ancient city merged into one, clearly captured in their eyes.

The fireworks were incomparably brilliant, blooming in the night sky and also blooming in the quiet surface of Jinghai; if one were to drink two more glasses of wine at night, one would likely be unable to distinguish the sky from the water.

Without fireworks, how could it be called the Lunar New Year?