Watching everyone love the gifts he gave, Jiangnan smiled happily.
“These are made from the blood-absorbing southern red agate obtained in Thousand Island Lake Spirit Ruins. They have a blood-absorbing effect, absorbing vibrations and converting them back into physical stamina.”
“Because it is spirit-containing material, spirit skills can also be attached. Wolf Extinction’s steel claws, Big One’s counter-damage armour, Come At Me If You Dare can all be attached and used.”
Everyone was extremely excited. Zhong Yingxue smiled sweetly. “Actually, we prepared gifts for you too.”
Saying that, she went to the room and brought out a small bag.
Jiangnan stunned. He had a gift too?
Little gifts and such.
Loved them most.
Zhong Yingxue blushing, took out a white scarf from the small bag and stuffed it into Jiangnan’s arms.
“I knitted it myself. Not pretty. Do not dislike it.”
Jiangnan stared blankly at the scarf in his arms. Only then noticed many band-aids on Zhong Yingxue’s fingers…
In an instant, his heart felt like soaking in warm water, so warm.
Xia Yao also grinned and came over. Took off a wolf tooth necklace from her neck.
Polished shiny, engraved with “Jiangnanෆ Peace”. Xia Yao put it on Jiangnan’s neck.
“Hehe. This is the peace talisman I made for you. You must always wear it, okay? I have one too.”
Wu Liang grinned. Took out an exquisite black steel dagger from his pocket and handed to Jiangnan. “Sharpened. Usable. Not much money. Nan ge, keep it.”
Xiong Er took out a large water-blue gem from his pocket and gave to Jiangnan. “Hehe. Picked in spirit ruin river. Pretty. For Nan ge.”
This was probably what Xiong Er considered most precious.
Jiangnan stared at the gifts in his arms. Eyes red. Pouting little mouth.
Touched the soft spot in his heart.
Big tears kept falling.
So this is the feeling of being cared for.
So this is the feeling of having family thinking of you.
Once, a rental room, a bowl of steaming instant noodles, listening to others’ firecrackers. Jiangnan thought that was New Year.
And now, he had so much.
Jiangnan felt this was the warmest New Year he had ever had.
Xia Yao quickly wiped Jiangnan’s tears. “Ya~ Why crying? No cry no cry.”
Zhong Yingxue just quietly hugged him from the side, gently patting Jiangnan’s back.
“You are no longer alone. You have us…”
Wu Liang scratched head. “Hey hey hey. Time to eat soon. If not eat, tangyuan buns and such will get cold…”
Xia Yao: (ꐦ^ᴗ^)
Zhong Yingxue: (⇀‸↼‶)
Jiangnan rubbed eyes, grinned. “Eat eat.”
At the dinner table, Jiangnan’s chopsticks fast as lightning. Even opening space wormholes, madly stealing marked dumplings to eat.
Ate 11 with coins in a row.
Everyone looked speechless. Do you have to be this absolute? How obsessed with getting rich are you.
And those with diamonds, Jiangnan sneakily ate none.
The group madly stuffing at the table. Suddenly Jiangnan’s phone rang.
Surprisingly a video call from Nightingale. Quickly answered.
On the phone screen appeared a delicate little face. Golden hair cute like a doll.
It was Mira.
“Jiangnan brother. Happy New Year. Mua.”
Saying that, leaned little face close, kissed the screen.
Jiangnan’s eyes lit up. Heart nearly melted. “Mira? Haha. How did you become small again?”
In the screen, Mira looked twelve or thirteen. Wearing floral little dress, giggling.
“I can freely become big or small now. Jiangnan brother. When will you come see me? Mira misses you so much.”
Jiangnan laughed nonstop. Wished to rush over immediately and dote on the little one.
“After New Year, when we finish things here, we come see you. Be good.”
Mira: “Hehe. Then I wait for you. Mira very good.”
Phone taken by Nightingale. “The research institute too quiet. I brought Mira to my home for New Year.”
Jiangnan grinned. “Rehab effect great. She can speak now.”
Nightingale: “Hmph. Mira can do many more things. Rehab course about a few more months to finish. Then you come pick her up.”
Jiangnan nodded nonstop. Mysteriously. “Then give you reward.”
Nightingale stunned. “What reward?”
“Let you experience broad-minded feeling.”
[Resentment value from Nightingale +1000.]
Could not help fiercely. “I bah.”
Saying that, hung the video.
Seeing Mira recovering well, Jiangnan’s heart also settled.
After New Year’s Eve dinner, Xia Yao face excited, started madly carrying fireworks out from storage room.
Filled the open space in front of villa. Zhong Yingxue became igniter tool person. Lit all fireworks at once.
The group stood in front of villa, heads up watching night sky. Clusters of sparks rose, then burst brilliantly.
Gorgeous fireworks painted the entire night sky. Beautiful to tears.
Zhong Yingxue: “Wow. Too beautiful. Perfect day.”
Xia Yao: “Hehe. Told you pretty, right? If we could watch in the middle of those fireworks, must be very beautiful.”
Jiangnan grinned. “The moon in the sky I may not pick. But this wish I can fulfil.”
“Hold tight.”
Saying that, flung void chains, wrapped around everyone’s waists. A teleport in Zhong Yingxue’s scream, straight rushing high into sky.
Heading for that cluster of brocade fireworks.
High in the sky, Jiangnan raised hand, constructed space barrier. Formed viewing platform.
At this moment, everyone amidst blooming fireworks.
Before eyes unparalleled gorgeousness.
Xia Yao big eyes sparkling, excitedly jumping. “Really in the middle. Bursting right before eyes. So beautiful. Quick look.”
Zhong Yingxue gripping space barrier. Little mouth open. Big eyes reflecting gorgeous fireworks.
“Xiaonan. You can even do this? Too amazing.”
At this moment, everyone truly mesmerised by fireworks before eyes. Jiangnan grinned brightly.
Everyone stood together high in sky. With gorgeous fireworks as background, took a photo.
Soon fireworks finished. Everyone reluctant to part.
Though fireworks fleeting, deeply etched in memory. Remember for life.
Jiangnan smiled. “Want to go higher to see?”
Xia Yao nodded madly. “Want want want. Want to go.”
Jiangnan stuffed Dudu milk nipples on everyone. Again took all rushing high into sky.
Upward. Further upward.
In thin air night sky, group stood on space barrier, overlooking earth below.
Myriad homes lights bright. Formed unforgettable scene. Everyone’s faces deep shock.
Not everyone can personally see such view. Truly too beautiful.
Jiangnan smiled. Myriad homes lights bright. Yet one belongs solely to me. Really… very good.
This an unforgettable night.
Xia Yao suddenly excitedly grabbed Jiangnan’s arm, pointing at sky. “Eh? Look. That star running so fast. Swoosh. Meteor? Quick wish.”
Jiangnan: …
“That is a communications satellite.”
Xia Yao: ???
Group back to villa. Guarded by TV watching Spring Festival Gala, stayed up. Then all back to rooms to sleep.
Jiangnan pillowed arm, could not sleep. Phone suddenly lit. Message from Mountain Cat.
Luo Tianhong: I arrived at academy gate.
Jiangnan teleport to Zhong Yingxue’s room door. Wanted to knock, hand froze…
Just then, voice from inside. “Go. I will tell Xiaoyao. Come back safe.”
Jiangnan stunned. Then bitter smile. “Nothing hides from you. I going to Metropolis for a stroll. Back in a while.”
Saying that, back to room, shouldered small backpack. Egg inside backpack. Went to kitchen, packed a pocket of dumplings. Teleport vanished.
In room, Zhong Yingxue sat on bed. Big eyes burning with fighting spirit.
I must become strong.
Strong enough next time to follow you to every corner of the world.
Academy gate. Jiangnan with small backpack appeared abruptly.
Mountain Cat in white trench coat standing in snow. Head already covered in snowflakes.
“What backpack?”
Jiangnan grinned. “Treasure. Na~ For you to eat. Still hot.”
Mountain Cat always busy with Bose particles. This year probably no peaceful celebration.
Taking dumplings Jiangnan handed. Mountain Cat stood in snow, grabbed one with hand, stuffed in mouth.
“Mmm~ Fragrant. But why your family’s dumplings look so like tangyuan and buns?”
Jiangnan: “Do not mind those details. Just say delicious or not.”
Mountain Cat mouth curved in smile. Grabbed another dumpling, stuffed in mouth.
“Mm, fragrant… Crunch.”
Her smile suddenly froze.
[Resentment value from Luo Tianhong +1000.]
Jiangnan: (٥•́ヮ•̀)
PS: Actually this chapter Qingfeng always wanted to write. May among myriad homes lights, one belongs solely to you. Vast sea of books. Hope little friends can find home’s warmth here in Dali.
Hehe~
(ૢ⁼̴̤̆ᴗ⁼̴̤̆ૢ)~ෆ
