Chapter 58: Happy New Year (Fourth Update)

December 30th. Most industries were already on holiday, with only a handful of public services still operating. For example, the trains—this was their busiest time of the year.

Gao Wu stood at the station’s exit. Banking on his strength, he parted the crowd of people waiting and the taxi drivers hustling for fares, positioning himself right at the front. Normally, he wouldn’t compete for such things, but today his sister Jun was coming home for the holidays—he wouldn’t hold back.

Shang Qingjun spotted Gao Wu from afar. Not only was her younger brother a head taller than most, but his slender, upright figure stood out in the crowd like a crane among chickens. His loose, casual blue-and-white school uniform made him even more conspicuous, and he was carrying a sword on his back.

“Jun!” Gao Wu saw her too. She wore a black, knee-length down coat, a white plush hat, pulled a large suitcase, and her face was partly hidden behind a black mask, revealing only her gentle, bright eyes.

As soon as she stepped out, Gao Wu wove through the crowd and took the suitcase from her hand. “Let me carry that.”

Shang Qingjun looked him up and down, measuring the height difference with her hand—nearly twenty centimeters now. Not only that, his features had become sharper and more defined; his brows exuded a spirited heroism, and his looks had improved considerably. Her little brother had truly grown up!

Her eyes sparkled with comfort and joy. “You’ve gotten taller, stronger, and even more handsome!”

He grinned sheepishly. “Just eating, sleeping, and not worrying about a thing—of course I’m healthy!”

Shang Qingjun did not laugh. Instead, she spoke gently, a touch of worry in her voice: “There is no luck in martial arts. You reap what you sow. You must have endured a lot…”

Gao Wu’s smile faltered for a moment. Others only saw his steady progress and growing strength, but only Shang Qingjun thought of the hardships behind it.

He quickly brightened again. “It’s not so bad, as long as you care about me, Jun!”

“You and your smart mouth.” She gave him a playful smack on the chest; her brother always joked at the most inappropriate times…

The station was six or seven kilometers from home. Shang Qingjun suggested they walk—it wasn’t far for advanced martial artists like them. But Gao Wu, now flush with cash, insisted on finding a taxi and even accepted the thirty-yuan fare without bartering.

It was the eve of the New Year, after all—no taxi was using the meter. The twenty days around the holiday were always like this.

Shang Qingjun, gentle by nature, didn’t approve of wasting money but wouldn’t refuse her brother’s good intentions—she didn’t want to spoil the mood.

Back at the family home, the old man was delighted to see Shang Qingjun; it had been several months since she’d last visited. Gao Wu had already bought a variety of ingredients. The red-scaled beef ribs had been simmering since morning, and everything else was prepped and ready.

He took charge in the kitchen while Shang Qingjun assisted, and soon they’d prepared a sumptuous feast.

“You must’ve come into some money,” Shang Qingjun remarked, eyeing the array of rare ingredients from other realms—this meal alone must have cost over ten thousand. The old man had always been frugal; no matter how happy he was, he would never be this extravagant.

It had to be Gao Wu’s money. She didn’t want to dampen the festive spirit, but still—he was at a critical stage, and this seemed wasteful.

“That’s right, I’ve struck it rich, haha…” Gao Wu couldn’t help but beam with pride.

Shang Qingjun knew he’d had a few tens of thousands, so she’d only asked out of habit. But from his expression, it seemed he’d come into quite a sum. She looked at him, concern growing.

“We’ll talk after dinner,” Gao Wu said. Good news like this was worth sharing in detail.

On Lunar New Year’s Eve, the old man was in high spirits, making an exception to have a couple of drinks, and insisted that Gao Wu and Shang Qingjun join him for a toast.

The old man’s health wasn’t great; a little wine made him dizzy, and he soon went to rest, leaving Gao Wu and Shang Qingjun to tidy up.

Once the table was cleared, they sat together on the sofa. On the big screen, festive music played, and the scenes showed celebrations from all over the country… This was the unique atmosphere of the New Year. Without it, the holiday would lose half its flavor.

At moments like this, Gao Wu always felt deeply relaxed—not just because of the break, or the food, or the reunion, but because the joy and peace of the New Year soothed his soul.

Lounging lazily on the sofa, Gao Wu showed Shang Qingjun the number in his bank account. She was startled: “How did you get so much money?”

Her main worry was that Gao Wu had been duped or gone astray. He was merely an advanced martial artist—under normal circumstances, there was no way he could have earned so much so quickly!

Gao Wu grinned. “I have a good friend from a wealthy family. Her father is willing to sponsor me.”

“Really?” Shang Qingjun was puzzled. “Why?”

She had managed the household finances since she was fifteen and knew how hard it was to make money. Studying in Anjing University, she’d seen the city’s splendor and the power of wealth. This wasn’t a few thousand or tens of thousands—it was several million. No matter how rich, no one would casually hand out that kind of money.

“It’s actually for being a sparring partner…” Gao Wu briefly explained, leaving out the part about his and Song Mingyue’s little scheme.

“So that’s how rich people behave?” Shang Qingjun was amazed, but she trusted him. Since the other party was from the Song family—the top clan in North Province—it made sense. She just couldn’t understand the logic.

She was about to say more when her phone chimed. Glancing at the screen, she saw someone had just transferred her half a million.

She looked at Gao Wu helplessly. “What, do you have more money than you know what to do with?”

Gao Wu smiled. “We share both blessings and hardships, you and I.”

“I’m not on the martial path. My scholarships are more than enough for me. Giving me this money is pointless.” Shang Qingjun shook her head. She liked beautiful accessories, fine clothes, and good food, but she didn’t pursue material things. For her, learning was the true way to improve herself. As long as she kept progressing, everything else would follow naturally. Gao Wu, on the other hand, needed all kinds of nutrients and resources; even millions wouldn’t be enough for his path.

“Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. I’m in a bit of trouble right now…” Gao Wu’s smile faded. With people like Huang Hai and other cultists watching him, even with Song Mingyue’s help, he had to be cautious.

He and his sister were close—he couldn’t hide something this big from her. If she didn’t know the situation, she might make a dangerous decision. Even the old man had been told everything.

The old man had served in the Aurora Legion—not on Song Chunqiu’s level, but he understood the man’s strength. Since Song Chunqiu was involved, he could relax.

Shang Qingjun was silent. She already knew about Gao Wu’s slaying of the cultists and had been worried sick. She hadn’t realized the situation was so complicated and perilous…

Gao Wu didn’t want to dwell on such troubling matters. He retrieved a beautifully wrapped box from beneath the sofa cushion and handed it to Shang Qingjun. “A gift!”

It was the latest Panda White Mist edition, top of the line, over ten thousand. There was also a matching high-end laptop, costing over twenty thousand. If not for Song Yunhe’s sponsorship, Gao Wu would never have splurged on gifts this expensive.

Shang Qingjun smiled, gently brushed his cheek, and spoke softly, “Thank you. I love it.”

She then pulled out a watch and fastened it to his wrist. “I got you something too.”

The watch had a round face with an octagonal bezel and a wide, woven fiber strap. A green dragon moved restlessly across the dial—it was quite striking. The Green Dragon sports watch was over ten thousand as well. Shang Qingjun had scrimped and saved, adding the five thousand Gao Wu gave her, just to afford it.

“Thank you, Jun!” Gao Wu was delighted and hugged her tightly.

Her soft, fragrant embrace brought back memories. Back then, after his life had turned upside down, even though he’d awakened his past wisdom and gained the Infinite Merit Book, he’d felt hopeless and desolate.

Shang Qingjun had been by his side throughout, holding his hand, wrapping him in her slender arms, comforting him with the gentlest words. She had lost her father in that same upheaval, was grieving herself, yet still cared for him with all her kindness and warmth. She gave him solace, and through her, he found a true connection to this world.

Whenever he thought of these things, Gao Wu felt both childish and deeply grateful for her gentle care.

He respected the old man, but always felt a little distant. Shang Qingjun was the one he was closest to. Song Mingyue—well, she was his best friend. It wasn’t the same.

At midnight, the television rang in the New Year. Outside, firecrackers exploded, fireworks soared, their light illuminating the deep winter night. The clamor broke the cold silence, and the scent of gunpowder drifted through every home.

Gao Wu and Shang Qingjun set off a long string of firecrackers in the courtyard, while the old man stood quietly on the steps, watching.

Shang Qingjun gazed at the thousands of sparks lighting up the sky and said, “May we all be healthy and safe in the new year, and may everything go smoothly.”

Gao Wu followed suit, making his wish: “May peace reign across the land, may the world be beautiful, and may we all be well…”

At that moment, a brilliant firework burst in the sky, turning the world a dazzling white. Shang Qingjun turned her head and saw Gao Wu’s handsome profile, the earnestness on his face.

Her heart ached for him, and she took his hand. Gao Wu squeezed her hand back, holding it tightly.

In the villa at Yun Lake Manor, Song Mingyue watched the fireworks alone through her window. For some reason, she suddenly thought of Gao Wu—imagined him watching fireworks too—and her mood brightened.

She picked up her phone and sent him a message: Happy New Year…