Spring Festival was the grandest traditional festival in China. Over its long history, it accumulated countless cultural significances. These added cultural meanings made the Spring Festival especially significant to the Chinese people, turning it into more than just a festival but a form of "New Year" culture. Various customs and activities made these days a unique Chinese-style carnival that attracted the world's attention. Even though many young people no longer cared much about the strict rules and traditions of the New Year due to changing times and perspectives, this did not affect the atmosphere of the Spring Festival at all.
Although Qianqian and I had planned to travel during the New Year, I still had to be with my family on New Year's Eve and the first day of the new year. As for travel arrangements, we didn't have to worry at all. With Lin Xue's all-powerful organization, the so-called Spring Festival travel peak didn't exist for us. If worse came to worst, I still had the Pandora Army. I believed using the Legion Transmitter for cross-dimensional travel would be very exciting—of course, by then I'd have a headache explaining the Xyrin Empire to Qianqian and my sister.
The climax of the Spring Festival began at midnight on New Year's Eve. I remembered that when I was a child, this time of year was the most exciting, just like Sandora now.
"Bang—" A burst of dazzling flames shot towards the sky and exploded amidst the surrounding firecracker sounds, making Sandora, who was playing with such a novelty for the first time, jump and shout with joy.
"Haha—Chen Jun!" Sandora excitedly jumped up and hung around my neck, "These things are so fun! I didn't expect you guys to come up with such interesting toys! I think I need to revise my opinion on carbon-based life forms..."
At this moment, I heard a faint "click-click" sound around me. Although these sounds were difficult to notice amid the firecracker sounds, my body had been enhanced by Sandora last time in the otherworld, so hearing these sounds was more than enough for me—speaking of which, this modification technology was really something. I must get the constantly idle Imperial Commanders to study the modification technology of carbon-based life forms. Maybe one day I could become a superhuman... cough, cough, although I could already be considered a superhuman with the help of Xyrin Technology.
As for the source of these sounds, needless to say, it was those diligent journalists again. Since Sandora's astonishing act at the last banquet, she had become the focus of media attention. The words most often used to describe her were "cold," "noble," "beautiful," and "smart." Of course, there were also some negative comments. Sandora's few words condemned Ding Bai as a political criminal, giving her the reputation of being "devious" and "protective." However, not many people paid attention to these comments. As a public figure, negative comments were almost inevitable. People had long lost interest in believing these comments. Besides, the person Sandora had targeted was Ding Bai, and the general public could not care less about a wealthy person who had nothing to do with them. Had Sandora targeted an ordinary migrant worker, it might have caused a bigger stir among them. Moreover, Sandora had consistently shown a close affinity with the public during this period. (In fact, she just followed the principle of not offending others unless provoked. Naturally, the common people wouldn't dare to offend her, and she was happy to get along with everyone.) She even refused the high-end accommodation arranged for her by the local government, insisting on staying in an ordinary citizen's home (this girl just wanted to stick with me...), which created an image of a sunny princess who was merciless to the wealthy but kind and friendly to the common people. As a result, Sandora's popularity among the Chinese public soared, making her a media focus.
Thanks to this troublesome princess, my sister and I also became primary targets of the press, especially me. Sandora sticking to me all day made us perfect material for their reports. Various gossip columns didn't even need editing to be mass-produced. Fortunately, due to Sandora's extreme actions last time, these journalists didn't dare to brazenly approach for interviews. They lacked Ding Bai's power; being casually branded as political criminals by Sandora would ruin them for a lifetime. Moreover, under the combined actions of the Revenge Army and the Pandora Army, none of the precious photos taken by these journalists could be preserved, so our lives were not completely disrupted by their presence. Nonetheless, being watched by them all the time was really annoying!
"Chen Jun, what's wrong?" Seeing my unpleasant expression, Sandora asked curiously.
"It's those journalists bothering me!" I replied irritably. This girl had no awareness of being the main culprit.
"Then I'll kill all the journalists on Earth." Sandora flashed a bright smile as if she was talking about squishing a few cockroaches.
I shivered and quickly replied, "No need for that. Giving them a little lesson would be enough. Don't go overboard, okay?"
Sandora adorably pointed her index finger at her lips and said, "Give them a lesson... let me think... Ah! Got it!"
Sandora shouted excitedly. Seeing her mischievous smile, I felt a cold sweat on my back.
What evil trick did this girl come up with?
After solving a troublesome matter for me, Sandora seemed very happy. She hugged a big bag of various fireworks and played on her own, leaving me standing there.
I looked around and saw my sister sitting with Pandora on a vacant spot nearby. I didn't know what they were doing.
When I approached, I found my sister holding a calm-faced Pandora, quietly listening to the surrounding firecracker sounds.
"What's up, sis," I sat down next to them with a smile, "Sitting here is so boring."
"Lili can't see," my sister didn't seem too interested. "She can only listen to the sound of people celebrating..."
...So that's how it was.
I didn't know how to explain this to my sister. To conceal Pandora's identity and the issue with her eyes, I randomly came up with the story of a blind girl, and now it was causing trouble.
In fact, I was ready to tell some of the truth to my sister and Qianqian. Even Lin Xue knew my identity as the Xyrin Emperor. Given that my sister and Qianqian were the closest people to me, I shouldn't keep it a secret from them any longer. Even if I didn't tell them about the Xyrin Empire for now (it wasn't necessarily a good thing for ordinary people to know about it), I at least had to let my sister know about the existence of Superpower Users. Otherwise, explaining Lin Xue's identity would be tricky.
I bent down, pulling Pandora out of my sister's arms. The little kid had already become somewhat impatient. The moment I pulled her, she immediately slipped to my side and tightly held my arm.
It seemed that my obedient Pandora cultivation plan had some effect. Though, most of the time, this little one clung to me just to listen to me talk about World War History or for her to tell me about Universe War History...
"Sis," I petted Pandora's smooth hair, "I have some things about Lili and me that I haven't told you..."
"Mm?" My sister tilted her head curiously, asking, "What's up? You look a bit strange."
"Sis, do you believe in the existence of Superpower Users in this world?" I cautiously organized my words.
My sister didn't expect me to bring up such a topic. She was stunned for a moment, then couldn't hide her smile, "Haha, why did you suddenly think of such things? You're all grown up now... Wait, you're not looking for those charlatans to cure Lili's eyes, are you? Don't believe those people easily!"
Seeing my sister suddenly getting worried, I felt both amused and touched. I quickly reassured her, "No way! How could I, an adult, be so easily deceived? I was just asking."
"Superpower Users, huh," my sister fell into contemplation, then smiled, "Although I've never seen them, I do believe they might exist. The world is so big, who can say for sure about everything?"
I finally made up my mind and said, "Sis, actually I..."
A voice suddenly interrupted my thoughts, "Alaya is requesting a connection."
At the same time, I sensed a strong spiritual wave coming from afar—another Xyrin Apostle had arrived in this world!
"What's wrong?" My sudden pause puzzled my sister.
"Nothing... I'll take Lili to the small square for a walk..."
My sister looked at me suspiciously, "To the small square? Didn't we just come back from there?"
I laughed dryly, "Just a sudden whim. I'll take Lili there to play..."
"And me!" Sandora's voice came from beside me, "I haven't had enough fun yet before you pulled me back. Now I want to see people setting off fireworks!"
I looked into Sandora's eyes, her voice sounded in my head, "It seems one of your subordinates has arrived, but her situation is strange. I should go with you to check."
"I'll also..." My sister wanted to join, but we hurriedly interrupted, "Sis, you stay here and watch the house, we'll be back soon!"
"Ah—" My sister was startled, then hesitantly nodded, "Okay, come back early. Be careful not to get hurt by fireworks..."
We hastily agreed and then quickly left.