"Here it comes, here it comes!"
As Lu Yan and Yu Su flew over, everyone could see from afar. Someone exclaimed:
"Hurry, extinguish the bonfire first."
A chuckle.
The bonfire in the center of the square went out, plunging the entire area into darkness.
Lu Yan descended with Yu Su, stopping in the square.
After receiving a nod from Chi Nan in the shadows, Lu Yan released the hand covering Yu Su's eyes, saying, "You can open your eyes now."
Curious, Yu Su opened his eyes and saw, in that instant, a succession of bright red lotus flowers lighting up on the square. Each was as big as a basin, scattered around the square in an artful arrangement, incredibly beautiful.
When the last bright red lotus flower lit up, magical bursts ascended around the square, exploding in the air into dazzling fireworks.
These fireworks lingered in the sky, resembling brightly lit stars.
The entire square was illuminated.
Villagers gathered on the square, joyously looking at Yu Su, congratulating him in unison:
"Lord Yu Su, happy birthday!"
Yu Su expressed that he was genuinely surprised.
These bright red lotus flowers and magical bursts were condensed with magical power. It was evident that Lu Yan and the others couldn't have come up with this on their own; someone must have guided them.
No wonder Lu Yan and the others returned home late for two consecutive nights. After all, condensing spiritual power is not an easy task; it requires practice and a significant output of spiritual energy.
And the villagers, surprisingly, were all there.
Yu Su's mood was as jubilant as the bursting fireworks, suddenly becoming extremely happy.
Lu Yan let the flying sword land, and the two stood on the square.
Yu Su expressed his gratitude, saying, "Thank you all; this surprise is truly amazing."
He was genuinely moved.
"Turns out, everyone prepared such a big surprise behind his back."
Yu Meng and the others whistled as they surrounded and embraced Yu Su in his position.
"Brother Yu Su, we've been preparing today's surprise for several days."
"Look at those magical bursts; we made them with all our might. I almost doubted life while making them, but luckily, everything succeeded."
"And those bright red lotus flowers, all made by Leader Lu alone."
"Yeah, Mr. Chi said the 18th birthday is essential and should be grand. If it weren't for him, we wouldn't have thought of this method."
Everyone surrounded Yu Su, enthusiastically discussing the celebration feast.
Yu Su glanced at Chi Nan, thanking him.
Chi Nan: "As long as you like it."
He just came up with the idea; it was the earnest folks of Yu Village who poured in the spiritual energy to create the magical bursts and flame lotus flowers.
Yu Su looked at Yu Meng and the others. "Thank you for your hard work."
Yu Meng and the others: "Not hard at all. As long as you like it, it's not hard at all."
Yu Su's eyes were slightly red.
This birthday celebration, combined with his two lifetimes, was the most surprising one he ever had. Not to mention that it represented the significance of an adult ceremony in his heart.
"Thank you all. I really like this 18th birthday celebration."
Seeing Yu Su's slightly red eyes, laughter immediately subdued.
"Lord Yu Su..."
"Lord Yu Su, why are you crying?"
People became a bit uneasy, worried they might have done something wrong.
Yu Su quickly lowered his head, and after a while, when he raised it again, there was no sign of anything unusual. He smiled and said, "I didn't cry; I'm just too excited."
Everyone sighed in relief and laughed again.
"Lord Yu Su has done so much for us. This is the least we can do for you."
"Yeah, we all hope you're happy."
"Tonight, we've also prepared fine wine and dishes. We won't go home until we're drunk!"
"Yeah, today is Lord Yu Su's 18th birthday, a joyous day. We won't go home until we're drunk!"
Yu Su also nodded with a smile, "Alright, we won't go home until we're drunk."
"Hurrah!"
Everyone cheered.
"Quick, bring the fine wine and dishes."
"Here they come!"
Soon, the fine wine and dishes were placed on the table, especially exquisite in front of Yu Su.
All of it was his favorite.
Yu Su turned to look at Lu Yan. "Making an exception today."
Lu Yan knew what he meant. Since Yu Su promised not to eat ordinary food last time, he had truly refrained from it. But today was a special day, and Lu Yan and Yu Zhou certainly wouldn't insist on him keeping the agreement.
"Okay, today is your birthday; you can do whatever you want."
Approved to make an exception, Yu Su's face immediately lit up, almost shaking his head and dancing.
Seeing him so happy, Lu Yan felt like patting his head.
At this moment, Yu Meng jumped into the center of the square, whistled, and immediately, other guys ran out, stood by the bonfire, and started dancing around it.
After a while, the women also stood up to join.
Everyone clapped and cheered, and the lively atmosphere ignited in an instant.
Yu Meng and the others wanted to invite Yu Su to join the dance, but he declined.
Jokingly, he couldn't dance such a lively and unrestrained dance.
It would ruin his image.
After all, he was the aloof witch doctor.
Yu Meng wanted to insist, but a glance from Lu Yan made him quickly give up.
Yu Su turned to Lu Yan and said, "Don't scare them."
Lu Yan replied, "I didn't scare them; I just told him not to bother you."
Yu Meng hastily added, "Exactly, Leader, you didn't scare me, hahaha."
After saying that, Yu Meng quickly returned to the group.
That stern look from the leader just now almost scared the soul out of him.
Really intimidating.
...
Halfway through the banquet, Yu Su suddenly remembered something.
He looked at Lu Yan, "The snow suddenly stopped. What's going on?"
Lu Yan: "It's Lord Mountain God."
Yu Su had already guessed it and felt it confirmed.
At this moment, the sky above Yu Village seemed like a vacuum; snowflakes couldn't fall here.
But the snow around Yu Village continued to flutter down.
Only Yu Village was warm.
Yu Su decided to go into the mountains tomorrow to thank Lord Mountain God.
"Chirp chirp." Little Xuan Bird jumped onto Yu Su's shoulder from somewhere, then hopped onto the table in front of him, proudly puffing out its chest, "Chirp chirp can make the snow stop too."
Yu Su reached out and patted it, "Is that so? Next time, I'll ask for your help."
The little Xuan Bird proudly said, "Leave it to Chirp chirp."
Yu Su smiled, "Where were you this afternoon?"
This little guy was nowhere to be found this afternoon, off playing somewhere.
The proudly puffed-up chest of the little Xuan Bird shrank back.
Lu Yan glanced at it and said, "It went out with the Desert Leopard King, Mountain-Crossing Beast, and Snow Wolf to play, came back covered in mud."
If not for cleaning up after these guys, he could have returned earlier to accompany Yu Su.
Yu Su raised an eyebrow at the little Xuan Bird. This guy, taking advantage of its bloodline, unified all the beasts in Yu Village, big and small, becoming the big boss, often making the Desert Leopard King and others play in the mud.
Poor Desert Leopard King, a dignified and mature leopard king, had to play in the mud at its command.
"Did you bully them again?"
"Chirp chirp, I didn't!"
The little Xuan Bird strongly emphasized that those activities were all voluntary for the Desert Leopard King and others.
The Desert Leopard King lying on the empty space in front of the table: "..."
Meow, dares to be angry but not speak.
...
The banquet lasted until very late. The effects created by the flame lotus flowers and magical bursts would only dissipate tomorrow morning, so they remained there.
When the banquet ended, everyone, slightly intoxicated, went back to their homes. Snowflakes began to fall again, shining beautifully alongside the splendid flame lotus flowers and magical bursts.
Yu Su stood in the square in front of his house, gazing at it, reluctant to withdraw his gaze.
This was his 18th birthday gift.
Made with so much effort by Lu Yan and the others.
If only it could be preserved forever.
Lu Yan walked out, saw that he had been staring at those flame lotus flowers and magical bursts, and knew he was reluctant. He said, "I've learned how to condense them. I'll make one for you every day from now on."
Yu Su shook his head, "Too troublesome. I'm not a child to be cajoled."
He just felt a bit reluctant to part with the excitement of tonight.
Lu Yan: "Next year, I'll make it for your birthday again."
Yu Su: "Next year, it should be different."
Lu Yan: "Alright."
Yu Su looked for a while longer and then turned to walk back.
"Let's go back; don't freeze here."
The two went back inside together.
Yu Zhou and Jian Yunchuan had already fallen into a deep sleep.
At this moment, only the two of them hadn't slept.
Neither had the desire to sleep.
One was still excited and hadn't settled down; he didn't want to sleep yet.
The other was, "If you don't sleep, I won't sleep."
Yu Su and Lu Yan stared at each other with big eyes. Yu Su said, "You're not sleeping?"
Lu Yan: "Don't feel like it."
Then the two fell into silence.
And the atmosphere became a bit strange.
After a while, Yu Su spoke, "I misunderstood you that night."
He was referring to the incident where Lu Yan left him alone at home. Now he knew that Lu Yan was preparing those flame lotus flowers.
Lu Yan: "Next time, I won't do that. I'll tell you what I'm up to."
Yu Su cleared his throat, "Actually, it's not necessary."
At that moment, he was just feeling a bit wronged and couldn't control his emotions for a moment.
But Lu Yan didn't see it that way. He regretted it and knew he wouldn't make such a misplaced decision again. While surprises were important, Yu Su was more important.
Lu Yan didn't plan to continue arguing with Yu Su. Anyway, he wouldn't make the same mistake again.
Seeing the awkwardness between the two, Yu Su couldn't help but want to scratch his head.
It was strange. He and Lu Yan were so familiar, always getting along naturally. Why did it suddenly become awkward?
It seemed like something became odd from the moment he complained about Lu Yan.
"Um, why don't you go get some sleep? I'm heading inside too."
Yu Su had to break this strange atmosphere, getting up to go back inside.
Seeing this, Lu Yan said, "Sure, you go inside first."
Yu Su acknowledged and, after entering the room and closing the door, couldn't help but scratch his head.
Oh my, that was so strange!
What kind of conversation did he just have with Lu Yan!