Hey, Xiao Jun!
"Ah... its Uncle Deputy Commander Daqiang!"
"Hey! Youre back!"
"Um? Why is Uncle Qiang still outside the city?"
Hey! They told me to wait at home... But you, Uncle Qiang, a rough man, how could you sit still? I thought Id come to the city gate to wait for you!
Oh... Uncle Qiang, you must have waited a long time!
Oh! Youll be back soon. Lets go! Everyones waiting for you for the New Years Eve dinner!
"Um!"
Ah! Little Jun, my kids transferring to the academy to study. Hes absolutely crazy about you... You should keep an eye on him, Uncle Qiang. That kids just as rough as you, and his grades are terrible too. Luckily, he got a special admission!
"Um! Ok... So Xiaoqiang didnt come with us this time?"
Hi, Im still the same... Im spending the Spring Festival with his mother in his hometown. Nothing!
Oh! Uncle Qiang, youre still working overtime during the Spring Festival... Do you miss them?
"Ah! No problem... Its all good, all good! Look, youre still here! Uncles so happy to see you—way better than that kid from my family! Haha!"
Well, its time to go home and give an account!
"Um..."
"Whats wrong, Xiao Jun?"
Oh, no, Uncle Qiang, lets go back!
—Thank you! Ai Sister... Happy New Year!
—— happy new year !
After reaching the wilderness beyond the main city, Ah Jun bid farewell to his steed Chichi and encountered his deputy general uncle Daqiang waiting at the city gate. After exchanging pleasantries, the uncle and nephew prepared to return home for family reunions. Just as they entered the city, Ai, who had been waiting in the distance, was about to depart. The child seemed to sense the elder sisters emotions. Suddenly, Ah Jun turned his head toward the woods and greeted her with a warm voice.
After all, for so many years, Ai had been silently protecting him, and the sister had secretly helped him in many accidental incidents. How could Ah Jun forget her when he was so grateful? Of course, his sincerity was reciprocated by Ai, and they warmed each others hearts!
In an instant, a gust of air surged through the air... Then Ah Jun turned around and continued his journey, with Deputy Commander Daqiangs puzzled expression. After several minutes, he finally returned safely to his home. Now, in that retro-style detached house, everyone had been waiting for him. It had been ages—over a month, like three autumns and three springs, then three more autumns...
Tonight in the main city, the bustling laughter of people, the steaming New Years Eve dinner on the round table, and the dazzling fireworks and the sound of firecrackers in the sky... All these are the scenes that Ah Jun has long looked forward to and missed.
As the most significant festival in traditional culture, the Spring Festival marks the reunion of the Sola Continent and all its people, a time to bid farewell to the old and welcome the new... From ancient times to the present, this tradition has remained unchanged, with its original spirit preserved. It will continue to be passed down through generations, like the guardians will, becoming an unchanging spiritual core!
"Brother Jun!"
" brother ～"
" mew ..."
"Yay, Weiwei, be careful... Are you okay? Next time, dont run so fast, just in case..."
"Um! I know... I miss you so much."
"Um? Xiao Fei, its been ages since we last met. Ah, that itch is so unbearable..."
" mew ～"
"Yun er, come on, brother, take a look... Hmm, youve grown taller. How about your final exam results this time?"
Well... Im still a little less than him. Im not as good as my brother.
Haha, dont worry. If this doesnt work out, well try again next time. Dont lose heart, we Yun er are really strong! But it seems your opponent is quite formidable... Dont worry, keep up the good work! Come on, lets go inside with my brother. Ive brought you a gift!
—— all right !
As usual, when it was the Spring Festival, no one else had time to pay attention to Ah Jun, so the child arrived at the door of the house smoothly...
As for the main street in the city, when passing by the game store, the child encountered an elderly woman. The gift he brought was a set of exquisite tea ware... Since A Jun had long noticed the old ladys fondness for tea, though the tea ware was worn out, she happily accepted it and couldnt put it down, admiring it repeatedly.
At a nearby corner, the child encountered his homeroom teacher... Ah Jun had been searching for a rare literary manuscript—a treasure his teacher had been desperately seeking—until he finally found it. The boy truly had a heart of gold. But how did he get it? In the imperial palace, anything was possible, and if Ah Jun wanted it, he could have it.
As for Aunt Zhang, she didnt touch it—because at this time of year, this kind-hearted person would be at home with Ah Jun and his friends setting off fireworks, but this year... only saw the sisters playing at the door.
Oh, why are you setting off fireworks here? Its not safe... Where is Aunt Zhang? Shes not at home, is she?
Yes, yes, yes... Oh, Xiao Jun, youre finally back! Grandmas here!
Suddenly, the child heard a familiar call from a distance. Ah Jun followed his sisters hand and looked closely. It was Aunt Zhang, who was in the yard watching Ah Jun waving his hand!
"Grandma Zhang... Im back! Heres the gift I brought you!"
Oh, good boy, so well-behaved! Oh, Auntie, look... Hmm, your face looks much better. Come on, hurry into the house! Your master, wait until now!
--Hello, Im back!
"Staff Officer... Its been a long time! Heres a gift for you!"
"Hey, didnt we just see that? ——Oh, how did you know I wanted that thing... Haha, Xiao Jun, come on! Hey! Oh, my old waist!"
"Sister... Sisters husband, Im back! Heres a gift for you!"
"Ah... Xiao Jun, why does she have it, what about your brother-in-law?"
"Cant you hear me?"
Oh... hahaha—oh, its been so long! Come on, let me give you a hug, sister-in-law!
"Ok, you wait a minute... No, Xiao Jun, go!"
"Ah!"
"Ah, hey... how did you get to me? The treatment has changed!"
"Ha ha, who made Xiao Jun your brother? I raised him!"
"Ah! This is all about winning favor!"
--Haha...
After Aunt Zhangs reminder, Ah Jun rushed through the curtain into the living room. Before him stood familiar faces all smiling warmly to welcome the child home—except for his brother-in-law Yi, whose twitching lips and tears streaming down his face made him wipe them repeatedly. This left his elder sister Qing, who was both delighted and exasperated, struggling to balance her joy at the childs arrival with her concern for the older sibling. As for the staff officer, accustomed to his brothers reactions, he calmly approached the child with a smile, greeting them warmly.
Of course, for Ah Jun, the first thing he looked for when he came home was his master. But when he saw the old man, the child was surrounded by others. The familys enthusiasm made him unable to refuse, so he had to communicate with the old man through the gap with his eyes... and the old man nodded in approval.
"Master, I have lived up to your expectations and completed the training!"
"Um... good... good, cough cough cough!"
Are you okay?
"No harm done, come, Juner, sit down! Come, everyone sit down!"
Come, come, come... Cheers!
The New Years Eve feast, celebrated on the 30th day of the lunar calendar, marks the reunion dinner when families gather around a round table for a sumptuous meal. The menu features the "Eight Treasures Duck" with its richly seasoned sauce, tender meat, and glutinous rice dumplings—a specialty of the young waitress. The menu also includes braised eggs with pork belly, slow-cooked to perfection with their savory aroma and chewy texture. The chef himself was so captivated by the dish that he could have eaten several pieces if not for the supervisors watchful eye, calling it "like a yuanbao (ancient Chinese ingot) -the more, the better." The main course also includes traditional dishes like "Year of the Fish," home-style side dishes, cold appetizers, and other delicacies, along with the long-braised...
Oh no! My mothers chicken soup is still on the stove... Dont burn it!
"Ah, brother, I forget all this--look at your man, he has less memory than I, an old man..."
"Look at you, go!"
Oh, Xiao Jun, eat slowly... Today your brother-in-law will give you a good meal!
"Brother Jun, this glutinous rice in the eight-treasure duck is really delicious... Come on, have some!"
"Um! Come, Yuner, eat more. And Xiao Fei..."
"Thanks, brother!"
" mew ～"
Hey, my favorite is the yuanbao sauce braised eggs... Wow, oh—so hot!!
Come... Xiao Jun, taste this, my sister bought it specially for you!
This is... chocolate cream strawberry cake—eh? And... wheres that cake?
Oh... Well, I was thinking of changing this year. Now that youre stable, you didnt dare to eat so much before. Here, here, here!
Oh... Thank you, sister. Master, you eat first!
"Well... this boy is a good boy!"
— Look, the Spring Festival Gala has begun!
Besides, how could we do without the Spring Festival Gala on New Years Eve? Ah Jun and his family are now watching the show while eating dinner, with laughter and warmth filling the room!
"Happy New Year, Grandma!"
"Well, good! Come, Yuner, red envelope!"
"Grandma, Happy New Year, hehe!"
"Ah! Vivie, how could you call me grandmother too..."
Oh, Aunt Zhang! Im the future girlfriend of my handsome brother. Why not?
"Well, its all right, were all family. Come on, kid, red envelope!"
"Happy New Year, Master!"
"Well, good! Come, Juner, red envelope!"
"...Master, Jun er has grown up and is no longer a child. You dont need to give me red envelopes anymore!"
"Ah! Little Jun, these red envelopes with lucky money for the New Year are part of our traditional culture. And no matter how grown-up you become, youre still a child in our eyes! Take this quickly..."
"Well, you Aunt Zhang is right. Come!"
"Oh, thank you, Master!"
"Happy New Year, Aunt Zhang! Happy New Year, Big Sister! Happy New Year, Big Sisters husband! Happy New Year, Uncle Daqiang! And Happy New Year, Staff Sergeant!"
"Your uncle... Oh, Xiao Jun, Im so old!"
"Exactly!"
Hey, Daqiang, your... your brother, Im a post-90s kid.
"—— Oh ?"
Well... 90 years of college!
"Hey, thats not small!"
—— laughing and joking
"Wow, Xiao Fei, look, so many red envelopes..."
" mew !"
"Tomorrow, Ill go to the bank and deposit it, plus all these years--there are so many... well, if I get a chance to see her, Id like to invite her to have roast duck with me!"
On New Years Eve, when families gather, how can they do without lucky money? The elders blessings for the younger generation are placed in the red envelope, a symbol of good fortune. Children receive these envelopes during New Years greetings and, as a long-standing tradition, keep them under their pillows before bed.
Though he thought hed never be able to take red envelopes again, Ah Jun still felt elated when he saw the New Years red envelopes from his elders. What mattered wasnt the amount, but the thoughtfulness. As he counted the money and chatted with the kitten, he couldnt help but think of that friend hed never met.
" mew ..."
"Um? You want to eat too? Isnt there... No!"
" mew ～"
"Would you like to go to the store to eat with me? Well, lets take Xiao Fei with us..."
"Brother Jun, what are you going to eat? Im going to go!"
"Ok, then, lets go and taste it together!"
"Good! Oh, who is she? Sister Laner!"
-Yes, Laner!
"Ah! Well, that..."
"Hi, I know, its ok, I dont mind, Laner sister is so good!"
" mew ?"
Yet when the petite sweethearts reminder struck, Ah Jun felt a pang of anxiety—Ah, right... I havent forgotten! Tonight, he planned to pour out all the pent-up words hed kept buried for years to Lan er. Their bond would surely mend, not just through that promise, but through the weight of shared memories.
"Jun, why hasnt Lan er come yet? What time did you make an appointment with them?"
Well... Lan er said she had something important to do, so lets stay late—around 8 oclock. After all, its still early before the New Years Eve. Lets have a good meal and then set off some fireworks!
—— good !
...
Oh dear, Xiao Jun, whats wrong? Come on, children, come in—Vivie, whats going on? Youre supposed to be celebrating the New Year with friends, arent you? Hey, kid, dont run! Come eat dumplings...
"Baby, feeling better now... Yeah, its okay! Come on, come on... Lets start the countdown! Nineteen, eighteen... three, two, one! Happy New Year!"
—Boom... Splash... Crack!
That night, the whole city was immersed in the bustling atmosphere of the New Years Eve... And Ah Jun finally returned to his hometown as he wished. On New Years Eve, he ate dinner with his family, watched the Spring Festival Gala, and talked about his journey of spiritual practice.
Although this ordeal was extremely challenging and might seem like an impossible mission to those in the know, as the Guardians chosen heir, Ah Jun ultimately fulfilled his destiny... Not only did he successfully complete the task, but he also met the Elders expectations and even turned the tide!
Now he is no longer alone, no need to be strong alone; no need to be depressed, no need to be sad; no need to be weak, no need to worry...
For this child chosen by fate has finally emerged from the cocoon as a butterfly, with wings already formed. Of course, as the son of destiny, Ah Jun will still face various hardships in the future... But dont forget, those invisible wings will carry this poor child through despair... to meet new hope!
And Ajun has always held firm to his belief: as long as he stays true to his original aspirations, dedicates himself to learning, and keeps pushing forward... one day, he will surely become an outstanding guardian. Like his predecessors, he will climb toward the legendary peak of the Suoluo Continent in the future!
This is not only his personal belief, but also the original will of the guardian world, and the original dream of all people—as the second half of the ancient saying taught by the staff officer that day goes... When you succeed, you will benefit the world!
As the saying goes, the greatest hero should serve his country and people—oh, yes, thats right! In fact, Ah Jun has always dreamed of becoming a great hero since childhood, but...
— But when will the college admission letter arrive? Oh... Whats wrong with me? My heart is so heavy, I dont want to think about it anymore... Hmm! Ill listen to her and wait a bit longer!