On the eve of the New Year, Wutan City became more lively than ever before.
As the sun slowly disappeared beyond the distant mountains, countless lanterns illuminated the streets one after another, turning the entire city into a sea of light.
Merchants hung red decorations in front of their shops, street vendors loudly advertised their goods and the aroma of roasted meat, pastries, and various delicacies filled the air.
Children ran through the streets laughing and playing, while adults carried gifts and supplies back to their homes.
For ordinary people, the New Year was the most important festival of the year. It was a day to celebrate the past year's harvest and pray for a better future.
The usually peaceful Wutan City was bustling with activity.
The three great clans—the Xiao Clan, Jia Lie Clan, and Ao Ba Clan—had also decorated their residences with festive ornaments.
Bright lanterns hung from every corridor.
Servants moved busily throughout the compounds.
Even the normally stern guards wore faint smiles on their faces.
At the center of Wutan City, crowds flowed endlessly through the marketplace.
Some families purchased new clothes while others bought gifts for relatives and friends.
Many children clung to their parents while staring eagerly at the various toys displayed by street vendors.
Laughter and joy could be heard everywhere.
The entire city was immersed in a festive atmosphere.
Meanwhile, inside the Xiao Clan.
The large courtyard had been decorated since early morning.
Rows of red lanterns swayed gently in the winter breeze.
Tables filled with food and wine had already been prepared for the evening banquet.
Members of the clan gathered together in groups, chatting happily.
Even the younger generation, who usually spent most of their time training, had temporarily put aside cultivation to enjoy the festival.
After all, cultivation was important. But family reunions and new year were equally precious.
In one corner of the courtyard, Xiao Feng stood quietly beneath a tree.
His gaze swept across the bustling clan and the brightly lit city beyond the walls and he smiled faintly. .
As he was quietly enjoying the atmosphere, a few familiar voices suddenly rang out behind him.
"Brother Feng!" X2
"Xiao Feng!"
Three different voices sounded almost simultaneously.
Xiao Feng blinked and turned around.
What greeted his eyes were three girls who had somehow arrived at nearly the exact same moment.
At the front was Xiao Mei.
The little girl was wearing a beautiful new dress specially prepared for the New Year and her cheeks were rosy from the cold and her face was filled with excitement.
Beside her stood Xun'er.
She was dressed in an elegant pale-gold dress that perfectly matched her refined temperament. The warm lantern light illuminated her delicate features, making her appear even cuter than usual.
On the other side was Xiao Yu.
Unlike Xun'er's graceful appearance, Xiao Yu wore a fitted red outfit that highlighted her energetic personality. Although she was young, one could see how beautiful she would be in the future from her figure.
"Happy New Year!" X3
Three voices simultaneously greeted Xiao Feng.
"Happy New Year!" ×3
The three girls greeted Xiao Feng at almost the exact same moment.
For a brief second, all four children stared at each other.
Then Xiao Feng couldn't help laughing.
"Happy New Year to all of you too."
The moment he finished speaking, Xiao Mei immediately stretched out both hands toward him.
"Brother Feng!"
"Hm?"
"My red envelope!"
"..."
"Mother said children receive red envelopes during New Year."
Xiao Feng looked at her outstretched hands and couldn't help chuckling.
"So that's why you came looking for me."
"Hehe."
Xiao Mei grinned mischievously.
Beside her, Xun'er blinked before quietly extending her own small hands. Thigh she said nothing, her meaning was clear.
She also wanted a free envelope.
Xiao Feng: "..."
Before he could react, Xiao Yu hurriedly stepped forward.
"Wait! If everyone gets one, then I want one too!"
She immediately stretched out her hands as well
Xiao Feng's mouth twitched slightly.
Xiao Mei and Xun'er are fine since they are younger than him but what are you doing Sister Xiao Yu? Aren't you older than me, it should be you who gives me red envelope not the other way around.
Sigh, forget it!
Xiao Feng took out three red envelopes from the Space Ring which he had prepared in advance.
"Here."
He handed one to each girl.
Xiao Mei immediately opened hers.
A total of ten shiny gold coins lay inside.
"Waaah! So many! How did you get so much money Brother Feng. Did Second Elder give it to you."
To a child her age, this was practically a fortune.
Xun'er held her pouch and a smile appeared in her face.
"Thank you, Brother Feng."
Xiao Yu looked at him with wide eyes, "You're actually rich. Where did you get so much money from?
Unlike Xiao Mei and Xun'er, Xiao Yu knew Xiao Feng's family situation like a back of her hand. His grandfather would definitely not give him so much money.
So where did he get the money from?
"Secret..."
Xiao Feng winked playfully.
"What kind of secret brother Feng?"
Xiao Mei's big eyes shined brightly and she couldn't help but stare at Xiao Feng.
"A secret won't be a secret if I tell you!"
Xiao Feng tapped on her forehead. .
"Fine, don't tell me if you don't want to. But don't tap my head. I will become stupid." Xiao Mei pouted playfully
Xiao Yu curled up her lips but didn't ask further. Although she was also curious about it, she wouldn't ask if Xiao Feng didn't say it.
Just then, a sudden commotion erupted from the courtyard entrance.
"Clan Elder is here!"
"Head of the family is here!"
Xiao Zhan, together with a group of elders walked in while chatting with each other. They carried wine jars and greeted the younger generation.
The moment the children saw them, their eyes lit up instantly.
A few bold ones immediately rushed forward.
"Elder! Happy New Year!" ×N
The elders laughed heartily.
"Good, good! Here are some sweets for you."
The children happy took the sweets and thanked the elders. But then one child suddenly spoke up.
"Hahaha! Here you go, little brat. This is your red envelope." The elders burst into laughter and handed a red envelope to the child who spoke up.
Seeing this, more and more children gathered around the Elders, asking for Red Envelope.
The courtyard quickly turned into a sea of laughter and chaos.
"Elder! Me too!"
"Don't skip me!"
"Happy New Year, Elder!"
Children swarmed around the elders like sparrows chasing grain, their voices overlapping in excitement.
Xiao Zhan stood at the center of it all, laughing heartily as he distributed red envelopes one by one.
"Take it, take it! Don't fight!"
The elders beside him could only smile helplessly as they followed suit
"Brother Feng, let's go, time to get more red envelopes."
Xiao Mei said then pulled Xiao Feng along to the group of Elders.
Xiao Yu and Xun'er followed behind her.
At this moment, the Xiao Clan residence had completely lost its solemnity, replaced by warmth, noise, and joy.
Under the glowing lanterns, Xiao Feng stood with Xiao Mei, Xun'er, and Xiao Yu among the crowd.
Each of them now held a few more red envelopes, their faces bright with satisfaction.
Xiao Mei clutched hers tightly, "So many! I'm rich now!"
Xun'er only smiled softly, carefully folding her red envelope while Xiao Yu was also brimming with Happy smiles.
Xiao Feng looked at the scene and couldn't help but shake his head with a light laugh.
Above them, fireworks bloomed once again across the night sky of Wutan City and bright colors scattered like falling stars.
...