Martial Dao: Peace by Force

Chapter 296: Chapter 177: Racing Against Time! Nine Heavens Dragon Dance

Wan Ze snapped back to his senses and walked toward the courtyard gate.

The gate was ajar. Through the gap, he saw Xiaoyu. She was wearing a pink down jacket and had a scarf wrapped snugly around her, leaving only her eyes and the tip of her nose visible.

”What is it?” Wan Ze asked, pushing the gate open and stepping outside.

”I called your communicator, but you didn’t pick up, so I came over. Mom sent me to tell you to come home for dinner. She made braised pork, and it won’t be good if it gets cold!” Xiaoyu urged.

Wan Ze nodded. ”Got it. I’ll wash up and be right there.”

Xiaoyu bounded into the house after him, looking left and right.

Wan Ze paid her no mind, turning back inside to wash his face, change out of his training clothes, and put on a jacket.

Then he closed the door.

Turning his head, he found his little sister Xiaoyu squatting in a corner of the yard, digging in the mud. He felt a headache coming on. ”What are you playing at?”

The moment Xiaoyu heard Wan Ze’s voice, she quickly dropped the mud and rubbed her hands together. ”Brother, are you ready?”

Wan Ze peered over for a look. He had no idea what mischief the little girl was plotting now, so he just changed the subject. ”Let’s go.”

”Okay!”

After a few steps, Wan Ze took out his communicator.

Sure enough, there were several missed calls on the screen, all from Xiaoyu’s number.

Just as he was about to slip the communicator back into his pocket, it vibrated again.

It was a message from Zhao Henian.

”The items are being gathered. Estimated completion within five days. Read and burn.”

Wan Ze glanced at it, the corners of his mouth curving up slightly, and put the communicator away.

It was rare to have such good weather in December.

He quickened his pace.

Xiaoyu hurried to catch up from behind, stumbling as she shouted, ”Brother, wait for me!”

”I’m not waiting! That means all the pork ribs will be mine!”

”Brother!!!!!”

Xiaoyu ran even faster.

”Ah Ze? Ah Ze!” Suddenly, they heard Zhou Xianchuan’s voice from ahead.

Wan Ze stopped teasing his sister and looked over. Sun Fan was following behind Zhou Xianchuan. Xiaoyu, who had been running wildly just a moment ago, instantly became demure. ”Hello.”

”Hello. Xiaoyu, you’ve gotten even prettier,” Sun Fan praised generously.

Xiaoyu immediately lowered her head, the tips of her ears turning red.

Zhou Xianchuan blinked. ”Hey, Xiaoyu, I’m here too, you know?”

”Oh...”

”...”

Zhou Xianchuan gave a wry smile and looked at Wan Ze. ”Xiaoyu never used to be like this. You must have been a bad influence on her!”

”Get lost.” Wan Ze couldn’t be bothered with him and looked at Sun Fan. ”Have you two eaten? My mom’s cooking lunch. You should join us.”

”Ah?” Sun Fan’s face immediately flushed, the tips of her ears turning red just like Xiaoyu’s had. She subconsciously smoothed her hair. ”This... is it rude to just drop in so suddenly?”

”What’s rude about it?” Zhou Xianchuan immediately perked up. ”It’s rare for Auntie to show off her skills! Let me tell you, her braised pork is to die for. I’m not even someone who eats much fatty meat, but last time I ate five pieces in one go!”

As he spoke, he swallowed. ”I’m in! I’m in! Hehe, I definitely came at the right time today!”

Wan Ze shook his head, already used to his friend’s foodie antics.

Zhou Xianchuan then looked at Sun Fan and invited her enthusiastically, ”Sister Fan, come with us, won’t you?”

Sun Fan hesitated, her gaze lingering on Wan Ze’s face for a moment before she looked away.

”Come on. The more, the merrier,” Wan Ze said, extending the invitation himself.

Xiaoyu sidled up as well, poking her head out from behind Wan Ze and clutching the hem of her brother’s clothes. ”Sister Fan, please come! Please! My mom’s braised pork is super delicious! If you don’t come, Brother Chuan will eat it all!”

”Hey, how did I become the bad example here?” Zhou Xianchuan protested from behind them.

Sun Fan smiled, pursing her lips. After a moment’s hesitation, she shook her head. ”I really can’t today. I have things to do at home this afternoon. Next time, for sure.”

As she spoke, she took her phone out of her pocket and glanced at it. There was an unread message on the screen, but she didn’t open it and put the phone away.

Just as Zhou Xianchuan was about to say something else, his own phone rang.

He took it out and saw it was a call from home as well.

He scratched his head.

”Hello? Mom... Huh? Oh... Okay, I get it... Alright, alright, I’ll be right back.”

After hanging up, he looked disappointed. ”My mom said we have guests at home, so I have to go back for lunch. Well, so much for that braised pork today.”

Wan Ze shook his head and chuckled. ”Looks like it’s all for me today, then.”

”Brother, you’re not allowed to fight me for it.”

The group chuckled lightly.

The four of them had only taken a few steps out of the guesthouse gate when Xiaoyu suddenly stopped in her tracks.

A massive decorated float was parked on the side of the road.

The body of the vehicle was covered in colorful silk flowers and ribbons, a vibrant mix of red and green that was especially bright under the streetlights.

On the float stood several people in ancient-style costumes, both men and women, their clothes embroidered with gold and silver thread.

”Whoa—” Xiaoyu’s mouth formed an ”O,” her eyes shining like two little stars. She seemed to be nailed to the spot, completely motionless.

”It’s New Year’s Eve tonight. This is an event organized by the local chamber of commerce,” Sun Fan explained with a smile, standing next to Xiaoyu and following her gaze. ”It’s in the plaza by the Zhiye Building. They say there’ll be a parade of floats, dragon and lion dances, a fire-breathing show, and a fireworks display at the end.”

She paused, then turned to Wan Ze and Zhou Xianchuan and suggested, ”Since we don’t have time this afternoon, how about we all go see the fireworks together tonight?”

”Yay!” Xiaoyu was the first to jump up, throwing her hands above her head. The sleeves of her down jacket slid down, revealing her pale wrists.

”What about you, Ah Ze?” Zhou Xianchuan asked, looking over with anticipation.

Wan Ze looked down to see Xiaoyu gripping his cuffs tightly with both hands, staring up at him with an expression that clearly said, ’If you dare say no, I’ll cry right here and now.’