Mingchao: The Survival Journey of a Comedian

Chapter 78 Entering the New Year (End)

"Oh dear! The fireworks display is about to start..."

"I was so engrossed in our conversation that I almost didn't notice..."

"You young people should get ready to head out... I'm at home preparing the family reunion dinner."

"Don't be too late!"

Reminded by their mother, the group realized it was getting late, hurriedly packed their things, and rushed out of the room.

"The best viewing spots for the fireworks show were probably reserved for just the two of you..."

"We won't bother you any longer!"

"I took my two little girls for a stroll around..."

"Yeah yeah……"

We won't disturb your time alone.

"Grasp it..."

"Southern Hammer—"

"Stay...be careful...be safe!"

As soon as he stepped outside, he realized that the daytime excitement was nothing compared to the real nighttime chaos. Looking at the city of Jinzhou, now ablaze with color, Mo Wunian was truly stunned.

"Alas—looking north towards you..."

"I'll be going now! Contact me if needed."

"I'll help take these two children home—"

To his surprise, he turned around and saw Bei Wang and Nan Chui leading Xiang Yue and Xiang Yang, quickly disappearing into the crowd. Completely bewildered, he scratched his head in confusion, about to say something, when someone gently pulled his hand.

"Let's go, teacher."

"Brother Beiwang and the others will take good care of Xiangyue and Xiangyang."

"If we don't set off now, we'll miss the best time."

Looking into Ji Yan's somewhat pitiful eyes, his heart was pierced again. Without the slightest hesitation, he nodded and then gripped the other's hand tightly.

"it is good"

Sure enough, he admitted that he still preferred this one.

We hurried towards the agreed-upon location, looking around as we went, and the more we looked, the more familiar it seemed—

"What a coincidence..."

"It's right here!"

So Ji Yan went ahead to verify his identity, leaving the other man standing there alone. Although the area was far from the city center and less crowded, it was still bustling with people during the Spring Festival.

Looking towards the deserted alleyway on the other side, then glancing at the silent group still dealing with their business on the other side, he tilted his head back in thought for a moment, before finally fixing his gaze on the alleyway entrance—

"Okay, teacher."

"You can go up now!"

"Hmm, I think it's about time, perfect timing."

"set off!"

Following Ji Yan, we arrived at the top floor. Although the number of people was limited to prevent accidents, there were still quite a few people. We stood to one side with Ji Yan, and before long, the crowd became noisy.

"...Quick...fireworks..."

"I'm coming……"

I had just taken out my camera when the noise around me suddenly intensified. Looking up at the night sky, I saw fireworks bursting forth, vying to leap into the boundless horizon, exploding violently, transforming into a shower of fiery blossoms that adorned the earth.

May MWN be safe...

"Who's so extravagant as to set off such huge fireworks..."

"Wait a minute?! Why do the fireworks on the other side look so much like me?!"

Before I could even take a few pictures with my camera, my entire field of vision was captured by the enormous fireworks in the sky. I was just about to marvel at whoever had orchestrated this for their sweetheart when I spotted that adorable little chibi figure in the corner.

"...Avoid flames"

"It can't be you, can it?"

He turned his head and, by sheer coincidence, met those golden eyes. In an instant, his consciousness blurred once more: he seemed to see long, flowing blue hair, and the person's future appearance was unfolding before him.

Don't involve him.

Don't drag him into everything you should be bearing.

Damn it! Can't you please stop acting like this at a crucial moment?! It's really ruining the atmosphere!

【That makes sense】

At this point... don't be in such a hurry.

(But #...*# ≠ This timeline ##*... is the most suitable *# ≠...)

【【#…*I don’t care about all that…】】

Who do you think you are?! If all else fails, I'll take responsibility...

He could feel time slowing down at that moment. Before he could react, a warm hand quietly grasped his. Out of the corner of his eye, a pure white figure caught his eye again; the slightly gleaming back of the hand stood out particularly brightly in the interplay of light and shadow.

【【ink】】

【【Happy New Year】】

Have a sweet dream.

He couldn't hold on tight; he only saw the figure turn into specks of light and vanish, and that familiar, comforting feeling was gone forever.

He didn't even realize what was happening.

"..."

"Happy New Year"

Time resumed its normal flow once more, and Ji Huohuo could only shake his head helplessly as he looked at the still-childish Ji Huohuo.

"Don't spend so much money next time."

"I'll save my allowance to buy myself some nice things."

"No, no...it's not worth it."

"...It's alright."

"Oh~"

Ji Yan, who had practically emptied his savings in one go: (Feeling guilty)

Looking at Ji Yan, who was clearly lying, he felt a mix of emotions, unsure how to respond. However, a warm feeling quietly welled up inside him, as if something long missing was being slowly filled. Finally, he chose to close his eyes.

"……Thanks"

Happy New Year, and avoid inflammation.

Happy New Year, teacher!

The last firework faded into the sky, but the world remained ablaze with red, its twinkling lights illuminating a world consumed by lamentations. Ultimately, however, it could not destroy people's will.

"...Perfect timing, your mother also sent a message."

They asked us when we were going back for dinner.

"Are you leaving now?"

Listen to the teacher.

"...Then let's go."

"Don't keep her waiting."

After checking the communication, he looked at Ji Yan beside him. After receiving a reply, the two of them took each other's hands and started their journey back.

"..."

You'll have sweet dreams tonight.

Although he didn't know why, he inexplicably trusted that person, even though the other person was highly suspicious, he just couldn't bring himself to dislike them at all.

That's strange.

----------

"...What will I dream about this time?"

"Sigh, why worry so much? I won't remember anything when I wake up anyway..."

"At most, they'll kill me a few times..."

Sitting on a rock, he faced a vast expanse of shimmering blue sea, surrounded by a hazy mist. Although the scene he saw upon opening his eyes this time was relatively ordinary, based on his reactions after each awakening, he could guess that what followed would likely be anything but simple.

"What kind of creature is this?"

"...Weren't they coming for me?"

Sure enough, the next instant, a group of purplish-blue, fish-like creatures appeared on the surface of the sea in his vision. He instinctively wanted to stand up and back away, but just then, an arm gently rested on his shoulder.

"It's a fish that swims upstream, don't be afraid."

They are putting on a unique "fireworks" show for you.

Looking towards the sea, sure enough, one could see those creatures called "narrow-dwelling fish" gathered in the center, then leaped into the air and dispersed.

It really does look like fireworks.

Happy New Year, Nian.

"...Happy New Year, Trendy!"

Sitting on the rocks with that person, turning his head to look at the not-so-familiar emperor beside him, neither of them spoke for a moment, just quietly watching the magnificent "fireworks" on the sea.

"……tide"

"Was this a dream or did it actually happen...?"

"Or is it happening right now?"

He gazed at Chao beside him, who was looking into the distance: these were questions he had wanted to ask her for a long time.

However, the previous dream gave him no respite, pressing down on his nerves in a way that seemed to disregard his mental limits. Even though he struggled to break free from the dream, the unforgettable feeling upon waking still lingered, leaving him unable to calm down for a long time.

It's rare to have such a soothing dream these days. Even if he doesn't remember anything when he wakes up, he still wants to touch upon the truth that everyone has concealed.

"...You hope that everything you're seeing is fake..."

"Or is it real?"

"...What happens in dreams is unreal, but reality may not be."

Meeting those golden eyes, the other person seemed to have anticipated his question, yet a deep, indescribable sorrow lingered in their eyes as they silently gazed back at him.

"But can you tell the difference between dreams and reality?"

"What do you mean?"

He had fallen into the riddler's trap again, but he didn't want to think about it anymore. He frowned, tilted his head, and looked at Chao.

Whether it's true or false... the decision is entirely in your hands.

Whether they happen or not is entirely up to you.

"...Mo Wunian"

We all desperately hope you survive.

"Don't confront the truth."

Don't expect your destined moment to arrive.

"..."

"You and that guy are definitely opposites..."

"But the more you act like this, the more certain I become of my suspicions..."

I need to know everything.

From those fragmented memories, he seemed to be able to guess that his identity might not be as simple as it appeared on the surface.

The gaze of global consciousness, the advice of the mysterious hooded man, and now the attitude of His Majesty who knows everything…

His connection with the world may have deepened to a degree he himself dares not fathom.

Turning his head to gaze at the silent Chao, he was momentarily at a loss for words. He knew he was the one who had made the atmosphere so heavy, yet he felt no remorse whatsoever: after all, no matter how painful, it was an undeniable fact.

He didn't want to live in a false dream.

"You're still like this on this day..."

"I still remember when you first came to the Black Coast, you were a little hesitant to speak..."

"...That's true, after going through so much, I really don't dare to speak up again."

"...come a little closer."

As he moved closer, even leaning in close as if about to hear some earth-shattering secret, he was suddenly pulled into a tight embrace. His wrist was gripped firmly, and an unexpected yet forceful kiss landed on his lips.

"...?!"

Unlike his initial shock when Ge Shulin forcibly kissed him last time, this time he recovered almost instantly, struggling to push the other away. However, a cold hand had already quietly moved to his neck, ruthlessly pressing him back into place, forcing the kiss to continue.

Struggling to lift my eyes, I saw a look of slight dissatisfaction in them—

She even lightly bit his lower lip, as if issuing a silent warning.

"..."

Such a strong sense of oppression, truly worthy of His Majesty.

怂了

His defenses were easily breached and he was forcefully penetrated. His mind was in complete chaos, his thoughts churning like a raging storm: Who could tell him why both of his kisses were forced upon him by men?!

Suddenly I realize that the dreams I had before weren't really anything special.

And how could he dream of being forcibly kissed by His Majesty?! It's fake! It must be fake!

What's going on here during the Lunar New Year?!

He didn't know how much time had passed before the other person finally released him, allowing him to feel the fresh air again. His gaze fell upon a faint, almost imperceptible, silver thread still connecting them: he felt as if the sky had fallen.

Another section collapsed.

"Not buddy..."

"If you won't talk, then don't... Why make such a fuss..."

"I admit I was wrong, okay..."

"This must be a dream, it must be a dream..."

"..."

Although he didn't know why His Majesty had this hobby, he felt it was best to back down now—the person he knew now probably wouldn't be like the His Majesty he was dealing with now, right?

She was held tightly in his arms, nestled against his shoulder. Though she couldn't see his face, she could clearly feel his slightly trembling body, and his rapid, strong heartbeat and breathing.

"...Alright then."

Let's treat all of this as a dream.

"Everything……"

"It was all a dream."

He closed his eyes, and his restless heart gradually calmed down; all he could hear was the sound of the waves.

Indeed... it was quite an absurd dream.

----------

Since his return, Geshu Lin has not gone out. As a general who returns at night, he should be at the front line guarding the border, but this unexpected event has forced him to return to report on the situation.

As luck would have it, it happened to be Chinese New Year, and they were forced to stay there.

They even euphemistically call it: a balance between work and rest.

"...Ha, those guys don't even think about it."

"If no one had been constantly guarding the borders against the remnants... would Jinzhou City still be as peaceful as it is now...?"

Though his body was in Jinzhou, his heart was at the frontier. Having finished processing the intelligence he was delivering, Geshu Lin finally enjoyed a moment of leisure. He put down his pen, looked out the window at the already bustling street scene, slowly lowered his head, closed his weary eyes, and let his thoughts drift.

His dwelling was far from the town center, nestled in a quiet place rarely visited. Unless someone was being inconsiderate, very few people would come…

The knocking interrupted his thoughts. He opened his eyes and looked at the door. Although he felt pain somewhere, he was mostly filled with doubt and wariness.

Who would come looking for him at this time?

After hesitating for a moment, he finally pushed open the door, but there was no one outside. He frowned and sensed his surroundings, but for a moment he couldn't detect anyone having been there.

Looking down, he saw the box and the note placed by the door:

[Presented to General Geshu Lin, who returned to Jinzhou at night]

"..."

Who would be so bored as to send him a gift? Everyone in the military knows he never accepts any gifts.

Is she trying to please him... or does she have some other purpose?

But judging from the amount of money he received, it didn't seem like something those old folks would do, nor did it resemble the style of people he knew...

After a moment's thought, the general bent down, picked up the box from the ground, and turned to go back inside.

He placed the box on the table, not rushing to open it, but first examining the slip of paper closely—the handwriting was very neat, elegant yet strong. None of his subordinates wrote in this style.

"...Was it him?"

Suddenly, a silly person popped into his mind. Although he felt a little confused, his intuition was always very accurate.

"..."

He paused for a moment, then chuckled self-deprecatingly, and finally opened the box—

It is a bright red sword tassel.

Holding it in his hand, he only needed a little assessment to notice that the material was unusual, as if it had been specially modified.

With an expressionless face, he ignited a purple flame in his hand. The sword tassel, instead of turning to ashes in the flames, appeared even more vivid and dazzling under the flickering firelight.

"...Even the purple flames can't burn it all away?"

Something that even his Purple Flame, created specifically to destroy frequencies, couldn't destroy... Could that person really pull off something like this?

He withdrew the purple flame, then glanced at the bottom of the box, where there was still a note.

【Happy New Year】

Wishing you peace.

"..."

The fireworks suddenly went off, and looking up at the window, I saw a firework displaying a chibi-style image of that person: though brief, it was dazzling enough.

"...What an idiot."

Leaning back in her chair, she stopped gazing at the scenery outside the window, slowly closed her eyes, and a faint smile played on her lips.

"……Happy New Year"

Wishing you peace.

The black knife leaning against the wall was hidden in the shadows, seemingly about to merge with the night, but then...

The red tassel on the hilt was so striking.