CIATB Chapter 145 White Tiger Blueprints!
Chapter 145 White Tiger Blueprints!
The old lady's voice, like a warm current, instantly dispelled the cold, suffocating atmosphere at the dinner table.
Looking at the glistening shrimp in the bowl, glistening with broth, Zhang Yan felt a soft spot in his heart gently touched.
He looked up and gave the old lady a genuine, radiant smile.
"Thank you, Grandma."
He didn't say much, he just picked up the shrimp and put it in his mouth.
It was as if the vicious attack that had just targeted him had never happened.
This composure and magnanimity made Nie Zhenbang, sitting opposite him, once again show a hint of admiration in his eyes.
Remain unmoved by favor or disgrace; keep a heart as vast as mountains and rivers.
This kid is definitely not someone to be underestimated.
The aunties who were publicly reprimanded seemed to have lost all their strength and became listless.
They lowered their heads, shoveling rice into their bowls, not daring to utter another word.
They finally realized that in this home, at this dinner table, they didn't even have the right to say anything.
This seemingly ordinary young man has already received the most unreserved protection from the two highest-ranking members of the Nie family.
A war without gunfire was resolved effortlessly by the old lady.
Seeing this scene, Nie Qingcheng finally felt completely relieved, her heart, which had been hanging in suspense for Zhang Yan.
She knew that from this day forward, no one in this house would dare to easily hurt her man anymore.
She secretly reached out from under the table and hooked her hand around Zhang Yan's little finger.
Zhang Yan turned around and held her small hand tightly.
Both of their palms were warm.
The latter half of the New Year's Eve dinner took place in an extremely harmonious and congenial atmosphere.
Grandpa Nie pulled Zhang Yan aside and chatted about everything from poetry and songs to the general situation of the world.
With the vast knowledge base provided by the system, Zhang Yan answered questions fluently and even offered some unique insights that impressed the old man.
The two hit it off immediately, feeling as if they had known each other for a long time.
Grandma Nie watched with a smile, constantly serving food to Zhang Yan and Nie Qingcheng.
The other members of the Nie family, watching this harmonious scene, had different thoughts.
But everyone understands one fact.
This young man named Zhang Yan has completely integrated into the core of this family.
He was no longer an outsider.
Instead, he was stamped with the seal of "Nie family grandson-in-law," one of their own.
After the meal.
According to the Nie family's tradition, it is the younger generation who pay New Year's greetings to the elders, and the elders give out red envelopes.
The Nie family children lined up and kowtowed to the old man and woman one by one, saying auspicious words.
Wishing Grandpa and Grandma boundless happiness and longevity!
The old man and woman smiled broadly as they took out the red envelopes they had prepared beforehand and handed them out one by one.
When it was Zhang Yan and Nie Qingcheng's turn, they exchanged a glance.
With a touch of shyness on her face, Nie Qingcheng pulled Zhang Yan along and knelt together on the prayer mat in front of the two elders.
"Grandpa, Grandma, we'd like to wish you a Happy New Year."
"Okay, okay!"
The old man couldn't stop smiling.
The old lady even took off a jade bracelet from her wrist, which was entirely green and had excellent translucency.
"Qingcheng, this is for you."
She put the bracelet on Nie Qingcheng's wrist.
"Xiao Yan..."
The old lady looked at Zhang Yan again, a hint of apology on her face, "Grandma doesn't have anything good to give you."
As she spoke, she took out a red brocade pouch that looked quite old from her bosom.
"This is the most precious thing my mother gave me when I married into the Nie family."
She said it was passed down in our family and could bring peace and safety.
"Now, Grandma will give it to you."
"I hope that you and Xiaocheng will be safe and sound in the future."
Zhang Yan accepted the brocade pouch with both hands.
It feels warm and heavy when you hold it.
He could sense that it contained something resembling a jade pendant.
He didn't open it to look.
He simply kowtowed solemnly to the old lady.
"Thank you, Grandma."
The value of this brocade pouch may not be as great as that imperial green jade bracelet.
But its significance is far beyond what money can measure.
This is... a legacy.
It is a most sincere recognition that completely regards him as family.
【Ding! 】
[Main Quest 'True Family' is now 100% complete!]
[Judgment: Perfectly Achieved!]
[Task rewards are being distributed...]
[Congratulations, host, you have acquired the passive skill: God-level Social Skills (You will find it easier to gain the favor and trust of elders and superiors).]
[Congratulations, host, you have obtained a one-time item: 'Harmony Brings Prosperity' Aura (After use, it can forcibly quell an internal family dispute and increase the harmony level of all family members).]
[Congratulations, host, you have obtained: Mysterious Blueprint Fragment *1 (Mo Family Technology - White Tiger Chapter)!]
A series of system notifications rang in Zhang Yan's mind.
He was overjoyed.
He was particularly concerned about the last piece of blueprints, the "White Tiger Chapter".
Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, Black Tortoise.
He has already gathered the clues for the Black Tortoise and the White Tiger in the Mo Family's Four Symbols Mechanism.
It seems we are one step closer to uncovering all the secrets of the Mohist mechanical arts.
……
Late at night.
The night sky over Beijing was illuminated by clusters of dazzling fireworks.
The crackling sound of firecrackers rose and fell, filled with the joy of bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming the new.
The courtyard prepared by the Nie family for Zhang Yan and Nie Qingcheng is the best-located and quietest independent courtyard in the old house, named "Tingyuxuan".
In the courtyard, there are several green bamboos and a small plum grove.
At this moment, red plum blossoms reflect in the snow, their subtle fragrance wafting in the air, creating a serene and tranquil atmosphere.
After taking a bath, Nie Qingcheng, wearing a wine-red silk robe, leaned against the soft couch by the window.
She looked out the window at the swirling snowflakes and the distant, dazzling fireworks, a languid satisfaction on her face.
Zhang Yan walked out of the bathroom, wearing only a bath towel, with glistening water droplets still clinging to his muscular chest.
He walked behind Nie Qingcheng, bent down, and embraced her from behind.
"What are you looking at?"
His voice was slightly hoarse from showering.
"Watching the snow, watching the fireworks, watching you." Nie Qingcheng turned her head, her peach blossom eyes, under the lamplight, were alluring.
She stretched out her slender fingers and gently traced them across Zhang Yan's chest.
"Are you happy today?" she asked.
"It's alright," Zhang Yan smiled. "Just a little tired."
"Tired?" Nie Qingcheng raised an eyebrow. "Is it the writing that's tiring, or dealing with my relatives?"
"Neither."
Zhang Yan shook his head, picked her up from the soft couch, and carried her to the large bed covered with a soft wool blanket.
"It's because I miss you, I'm tired of missing you."
His voice, in the quiet room, was like the richest cello.
Nie Qingcheng's breathing became erratic instantly.
She felt like a piece of butter thrown into a fire, melting away quickly.
Outside the window, the fireworks continued.
A huge, golden firework exploded in the night sky, illuminating the entire Tingyuxuan Pavilion as bright as day.
It also illuminated the two figures on the bed, tightly intertwined and entwined.
……
The next day was the first day of the Lunar New Year.
Zhang Yan was awakened by a series of chattering noises.
He opened his eyes and found that his arms were empty.
But the courtyard was bustling with activity.
He put on his clothes, walked to the window, and was immediately stunned.
On the snowy ground in the courtyard, Nie Qingcheng was leading a group of the Nie family's teenagers in... building a snowman?
No, it's not about building a snowman.
They're laying bricks!
They used special molds to press the snow into neat "snow bricks," and then carefully built something in the center of the yard.
That was clearly... the beginnings of a castle!
"Sister-in-law, this way, this way is higher!"
"Sister Qingcheng, how wide should our moat be?"
The children surrounded Nie Qingcheng, their little faces flushed with excitement.
Meanwhile, Nie Qingcheng, dressed in a fiery red down jacket, wearing a fluffy hat and gloves, looked like a true queen, calmly directing her "construction team".
Her face radiated a pure, childlike joy that Zhang Yan had never seen before.
Upon seeing Zhang Yan emerge, she immediately waved to him like a child eager for praise.
"Zhang Yan! Come quick!"
"This is what we agreed on last night—to build a castle for the children at the orphanage!"
She pointed to the snow model, which was only half a meter tall, her eyes sparkling.
"This is the first brick!"
In the sunlight, her smile was more dazzling than snow and more radiant than fireworks.