Outside, the brilliant fireworks had long attracted the four elders playing mahjong inside.

They sat under the eaves, keeping a bit of distance from Lin Tian and the others, as if afraid of disturbing them.

Zhang Nianping had clearly seen earlier that the girl named Mei Ruyan had also given her son a peck.

Seeing this scene made Zhang Nianping’s heart tremble. Oh, how sinful, another girl has fallen into the clutches of her son.

She wasn’t sure whether to be happy or worried. So many girls—forget them causing an uproar later and lifting the roof, even her son alone can’t handle so many, and he’s not a donkey...

But she had to admit, her brat was indeed skilled at wooing girls. Three top-notch beauties, none other men can get even one, and look at her son, embracing them left and right, with seemingly nothing happening.

Zhang Nianping turned her face slightly, cautiously glanced at her in-laws, and found that they also had their heads raised, gazing at the dazzling fireworks in the sky. Her heart, which had been hanging, eased a bit.

After a while, more than just Lin Tian’s family was setting off fireworks at the farmhouse. Some other families joined in the fun.

Brilliant fireworks bloomed one after another in the sky, radiant and dazzling, overwhelming, leaving people unable to take in all the splendor.

But Liou Qingcheng and the others still enjoyed it, insisting on setting off all the fireworks placed in the yard. After all, doing it yourself feels different than watching others.

However, they dared not sit in the middle of the yard with their heads lifted now, because many firework fragments would fall. They could only retreat back under the eaves, merrily chirping and chattering while pointing at the fireworks in the sky, as happy as children.

After a long time, the fireworks at the farmhouse gradually ceased.

Fireworks are beautiful, beautiful in their momentary brightness, fleeting glory. Though everything returns to calm, they leave behind an abundant memory, and each loss is a rich gift.

Back inside the house, everyone’s excitement hadn’t waned, and those playing mahjong continued to do so. Lin Tian sneaked outside, crouched under the eaves, and returned calls one by one.

His phone had too many missed calls. He had set it to silent mode earlier, so now he could only redial them one by one.

Liou Qingcheng and the others also had calls to make, but it was just a few relatives and friends, unlike Lin Tian’s overwhelming amount.

Picking up the phone, only women’s names were displayed...

Lin Tian was about to call Miaoqiu back when Jiang Pandie’s call came through again; it was the eighth time she called.

Lin Tian answered the call, putting it to his ear, and heard her weary voice: "Hey, why did you take so long to answer the phone?"

Lin Tian replied, "I was setting off fireworks earlier, didn’t have my phone with me."

"Fireworks!" Jiang Pandie’s voice was slightly elevated, then she sullenly said, "You’re really having a happy New Year."

"What’s wrong? You sound tired," Lin Tian asked, "What happened?"

"Hey, aren’t you supposed to be a friend? Don’t you know I’m going to perform at the Spring Festival Gala? I was rehearsing this afternoon; I’ll be singing the finale later."

"Tsk, indeed a big star, quite busy. I’ll be glued to the TV waiting for you then." Lin Tian laughed, "Then why did you call me so many times? Aren’t you busy?"

"Stars have human rights too, okay? I just sneaked down from the audience and thought I’d make some calls." After a pause, Jiang Pandie said again, "By the way, I have good news for you."

"What good news?"

Jiang Pandie laughed, "I’m planning to hold a concert in Kanyue City soon, and I plan to invite you on stage to be part of my concert. Also, you promised to shoot my MV; here’s your chance to be on camera."

Lin Tian immediately rolled his eyes to the sky—this counts as good news?

"Hey, why aren’t you saying anything? Are you so happy you don’t know what to say?" Jiang Pandie laughed proudly.

"..."

"Alright, alright, I won’t chat with you anymore. I have to go back; I can’t be absent for too long. When I hold the concert, I’ll come look for you."

Beep beep beep...

The call was disconnected, and Lin Tian held his phone with a bitter smile, thoughts racing on how to decline Mr. Jiang’s invitation.

The rest of Lin Tian’s time was continued in making and receiving calls. First was Zhao Xuefeng, then his grandmother, and then two aunts and two uncles, followed by Zhou Mi, Miaoqiu, Xu Ning’an, and Zhao Qingtang. Only Chen Moxiang’s call couldn’t get through.

Lastly, it was Wu Yong, Meng Nan, and Li. It’s worth mentioning that Meng Nan, this fellow, unexpectedly brought Sisi back to his hometown for the New Year, which Lin Tian didn’t foresee.

Eventually, he called all relatives and friends one by one, Lin Tian’s phone was almost out of battery. He tightened the clothes he was wearing and returned inside the house, nestled on the sofa watching TV. There was still some time before twelve, and Jiang Pandie’s finale performance was not for a while.

Liou Qingcheng didn’t ask what Lin Tian had been doing, just waved at him and said, "Come play cards, Shishi and Ru Yan are too skilled, I can’t win!"

Lin Tian smiled wryly; those two used to hang out in the card games venue every day. If you win against them, it’s a miracle.

Lin Tian stood up, sat at the table, and played with them. As for Jiang Pandie’s program, Lin Tian planned to watch the replay later.

They played until one in the morning before everyone retired to sleep.

The next morning, breakfast was millet porridge with four plates of vegetables, symbolizing prosperity throughout the four seasons.

After breakfast, as usual, Zhang Nianping and Lin Hao would go to the temple to burn incense first, and Lin Tian naturally had to go along. Whatever it is, it’s always good to seek good fortune.

The Liou Family does not have the habit of burning incense and worshiping Buddha, but they have heard from Lin Tian about Shu Xuanyi helping Liou Qingcheng, so no matter what, they would visit this year.

Mei Ruyan and Bai Shishi joined; the two felt some ’sympathy’ for each other, as their fathers weren’t in good health, so they went to pray for blessings.

Five Pure Ones Temple is the biggest temple in Kanyue City, built at the top of Five Pure Peaks. From here, you can watch sunrises and sunsets and see clouds rolling. You can also hear the intricate Buddhist scriptures and see the 360 solemn and dignified Buddha statues adorned in golden robes.

It is said that this Five Pure Mountains was built during the Three Kingdoms Period and has a history of eighteen hundred years. It was built by five high monks who avoided worldly troubles, establishing the temple in a chaotic world to exceed those lost souls.

The road up the mountain is still primitive, made of stone slabs laid as steps, followed by a plank road encircling the cliff.

Now it’s winter, and the road is difficult to walk, so anti-slip measures have been made a long time ago. There are also many security personnel, standing two every segment, to ensure safety.

Worshiping Buddha emphasizes sincerity and devotion. Despite the difficulty in walking these stone steps and pathways, many people still enjoy doing so.