Silver Wolf and Firefly spent time together as best friends in the apartment.
Meanwhile, Silver Wolf's super admin Ying Xing was riding in the car of his friend Bai Heng on the way to his teacher's house during the holiday.
First day of Lunar New Year, 10 a.m.
A car that looked no different from a normal sedan stopped.
Ying Xing covered his mouth as he got out of the back seat, face pale: "Is your car seriously not illegally modified?"
The driver's window rolled down, Bai Heng leaned out:
"Illegal modification is against the law—we don't do illegal things."
"You've been speeding for days—if not for highway police and cameras, you'd be retaking your license again right now."
If Bai Heng's car wasn't illegally modified, Ying Xing really wanted to know how Bai Heng managed sharp turns while maintaining 200 km/h.
Good thing highway enforcement is strict these days—Bai Heng wasn't as reckless as on mountain roads.
Otherwise Ying Xing felt his soul would have left his body before even arriving.
"Hey, that's just being too arrogant when young~ I'm much more restrained now."
Bai Heng looked at Ying Xing's state, guiltily stepped out of the driver's seat. If she had slowed down during highway turns, her persuasiveness might have gone up a bit.
"You're happy—that's what matters. Leave the lecturing to Jing Yuan the normal student."
Ying Xing rolled his eyes, then took the gifts prepared for the teacher from the trunk: "Let's go in together. I already asked—Jing Yuan, Jingliu, Dan Feng are waiting."
(In this parallel world, Dan Feng and Dan Heng are two different people—Dan Feng is Dan Heng's blood brother.)
(Game's Dan Heng has always lived under Dan Feng's sins—at least in this world, let's make up for that regret~)
"Mm... huh?"
Bai Heng, who had been nodding, suddenly reacted—she was about to meet old friends, yet she had zero preparation.
"Ying Xing~ Let me help carry—share some of your gifts with me~"
"I knew you'd forget. No way. You can use the gift I gave you earlier as your meeting gift."
The two tugged back and forth until they reached Professor Huaiyan's doorstep. Ying Xing signaled Bai Heng to quiet down, then knocked.
"Coming."
A crisp voice sounded.
The door opened—revealing Yunli with puffed cheeks.
Seeing it was Ying Xing, the unhappy Yunli smiled: "Senior Brother, you're here. Grandpa has been waiting for you a long time."
"Who made our little Yunli unhappy again?"
Ying Xing smiled and handed Yunli a string of candied hawthorn.
"Thank you, Senior Brother!" Yunli happily accepted the candied hawthorn.
Ying Xing and Bai Heng walked in. As soon as they entered, they heard:
"Teacher Ying Xing, Teacher Bai Heng—Happy New Year."
Seeing Yanqing, Ying Xing immediately understood why Yunli's cheeks were puffed—this little pair of rivals would feel off if they didn't argue upon meeting.
"Grandpa—Ying Xing Senior Brother is here!"
"Teacher—Ying Xing Teacher and Bai Heng Teacher are here!"
The little rivals now raced to see who could notify their respective elders first.
In the end, Yunli arrived first with her elder.
"You—you! I already told you—no need to bring gifts when visiting for New Year. This old man doesn't need them."
Professor Huaiyan, leaning on his cane and supported by Yunli, walked over.
Ying Xing smiled: "Whether you need them is your business—the student has delivered the courtesy anyway."
"Then just put it down—leave it for Yunli as a toy."
"Thank you Grandpa, thank you Senior Brother."
Yunli took the gift Ying Xing prepared for Huaiyan.
At this moment, Yanqing arrived with the three adults.
Yunli gave Yanqing a smug smile, then stuck out her tongue in a playful grimace.
Yanqing got angry but could only helplessly accept Yunli's taunt.
"You guys sure took your time—I thought as Yan Lao's disciple, Ying Xing would be first." Jing Yuan said while yawning.
"It's New Year—I don't want to argue with you at the teacher's house."
Ying Xing chose to ignore Jing Yuan's words. Unlike Jing Yuan—who worked in the same city, even the same unit as Huaiyan.
Bai Heng immediately gave Jingliu a big hug upon arrival.
"Let's talk light topics. Like Ying Xing said—it's New Year, at Professor Huaiyan's house, the five of us rarely gather. Better to keep it happy."
Dan Feng stepped in to smooth things over.
"Young people are great." Huaiyan watched the five long-socialized friends reunite and couldn't help sighing.
"Speaking of which—there are still some dumpling wrappers left from last night. We can have dumplings for lunch today. Anyone willing to help?"
"Me!" ×7
In the same city—Aha Bar.
(Aha: Aha! Parallel world needs an Aha too for maximum joy!)
"Oh? It's already daytime?" Sparkle woke from her dream and said, full of regret: "Too bad Firework Director prepared this whole box of fireworks for New Year's Eve."
"Sis—you really are my sis."
Store manager Sampo ran over and pressed down on Sparkle's hand on the fireworks: "Our city strictly bans fireworks and firecrackers."
"If you really want to see a fireworks show, find a proper place—don't drag Old Sampo's store into it."
"Store manager~ Look at you, getting anxious again."
Sparkle smiled brightly as she pulled her hand free: "Firework Director wanted to see New Year's Eve fireworks. New Year's Eve is already over—you can relax~"
"I'm just worried you'll suddenly change your mind."
Sampo smiled awkwardly.
"Relax—Sparkle is not the type to go back on her word." Sparkle walked out of the bar with cheerful steps.
"By the way, boss—I'm very satisfied with your bar's alcohol. Sparkle will patronize again tonight."
Sampo looked at the box of fireworks Sparkle left behind:
"Sigh—this shareholder lady is really hard to serve. Tonight I still have to watch her—better prepare more of that strong aftertaste alcohol from last night."
Suburbs.
"Shangshang, ready?"
Little Gui stood by the firecracker fuse, lighter in hand ready to ignite.
"Ready."
Sushang also held a lighter, standing by the fuse, waiting for Little Gui's signal.
"Little Gui, Sushang—Huohuo is ready here too." Huohuo held up her phone and started streaming.
First day of Lunar New Year—must set off firecrackers for the real New Year vibe. But cities strictly ban fireworks and firecrackers—most people feel regretful but obey the rules.
So Little Gui decided to bring her family to experience the vibe. Fortunately, her city allows fireworks in the suburbs.
So—live stream!
She even brought along same-city Sushang and Huohuo.
Huohuo doesn't know how Little Gui convinced Lord Tail—but since Lord Tail agreed, Huohuo came along.
"Three, two, one—run!"
At Little Gui's command, she and Sushang lit the fuses and ran toward Huohuo's position.
"Crackle-pop—crackle-pop—" The firecrackers rang out, sparks flying—that familiar feeling returned.
Little Gui and Sushang cheered.
While Huohuo was clearly a bit uncomfortable from the noise.
But having been with Lord Tail year-round, Huohuo had developed the habit of carrying earplugs everywhere.
She put them in—the world became quiet.
Huohuo watched the firecrackers exploding not far ahead and felt like she was back in childhood.
She found it quite nostalgic.
Suddenly, Huohuo looked at the cheering Little Gui and remembered yesterday's Genshin Impact event story update.
Seems Little Gui is a Jun Bai fan...
So Huohuo tentatively asked: "Little Gui, you didn't finish yesterday's Genshin story?"
"Huohuo what? Firecrackers too loud—can't hear!"
Little Gui looked blank.
Even with earplugs blocking Little Gui's voice, seeing her blank expression, Huohuo still understood.
Better not tell Little Gui.
About Jun Bai saying "everyone sitting with me is family I recognize" and "of course, you're not."
Those two lines in the event story are max-level lethal to Jun Bai fans—just one positive, one negative.
—note
Tomorrow—Inazuma plot, start!