CIATB Chapter 135 A Promise That Could Topple Cities!
Chapter 135 A Promise That Could Topple Cities!
Night falls.
The ancient town lit up, and red lanterns were reflected in the river, swaying gently with the ripples, adding a touch of enchanting charm compared to the daytime.
The two returned to the Yunshuiyao Inn, having long since changed out of their cumbersome ancient costumes.
Nie Qingcheng lazily leaned on the balconies of the second-floor balcony, still holding half a piece of osmanthus pastry in her hand.
Zhang Yan's words, "I want to eat the New Year's Eve dinner you made," were like a pebble thrown into the center of a lake, creating ripples in her heart.
New Year's Eve dinner.
For her, it was more like a business social event.
The Nie family's New Year's Eve dinner wasn't about kinship; it was about connections, exchanges of benefits, and strategic planning for the coming year.
She hadn't experienced the feeling of her family sitting together, watching the Spring Festival Gala, and eating steaming dumplings for many years.
"What are you thinking about?"
Zhang Yan's voice came from behind her, and a coat still warm from his body was gently draped over her shoulders.
"I'm thinking of adding Buddha Jumps Over the Wall to the menu for this year's New Year's Eve dinner."
Nie Qingcheng turned around, gave him a sly smile, and said, "I want you to do it yourself."
"no problem."
Zhang Yan sat down next to her and casually pulled her into his arms. "Don't even mention Buddha Jumps Over the Wall. If you want to eat dragon meat, I'll stew it for you too."
"loquacious."
Nie Qingcheng leaned against him, feeling incredibly safe and secure.
Just then.
"Chirp—Bang!"
In the distance, a dazzling firework suddenly exploded in the sky, and golden sparks rained down.
Then, the second one, the third one...
The night sky over the entire ancient town was instantly illuminated by colorful fireworks.
"Wow! It's a fireworks show!"
Nie Qingcheng's eyes lit up, like a little girl who had seen candy. She instantly jumped up from the chaise lounge and ran to the balcony.
Cheers from tourists echoed along the river.
The fireworks were beautiful, but they were just the usual fireworks show at the scenic spot, nothing more than words like "Wishing you prosperity" and "May all your wishes come true," accompanied by some peony and chrysanthemum patterns.
After watching for a few minutes, the excitement in Nie Qingcheng's eyes faded a bit.
She had seen even grander fireworks.
On her eighteenth birthday, her father booked the entire Victoria Harbour for a one-hour fireworks extravaganza.
But that feeling was completely different from now.
The fireworks back then were for the whole world to see, to showcase the Nie family's wealth.
And now...
She subconsciously glanced back at Zhang Yan.
Zhang Yan was leaning back in his chair, not looking at the fireworks in the sky, but just smiling at her.
That look in her eyes was gentler and more dazzling than fireworks in the sky.
Nie Qingcheng's heart stirred.
If only these fireworks were set off just for her.
The thought had barely crossed her mind when she gave a self-deprecating laugh.
When did I become so girlish?
"You don't like it?"
Zhang Yan seemed to have seen through her thoughts.
"No, it's fine."
Nie Qingcheng spoke, but her tone was somewhat insincere.
"Wait me a moment."
Zhang Yan smiled, took out his phone, and his fingers flew across the screen.
Nie Qingcheng looked at him curiously, wondering what he was up to now.
[Ding! Host requirements detected.]
[Temporary item: God-level electronic cigarette control program (one-time use), already issued.]
[Currently hacking into the fireworks display control system of Nanxun Ancient Town Scenic Area...]
[Intrusion successful!]
[Backend access granted. Please enter your custom fireworks command.]
A slight smile curved Zhang Yan's lips.
He typed two words on the virtual console.
……
At this time, the fireworks show in the ancient town was nearing its end.
Inside the control room, the staff member in charge of the operation was preparing to press the button with the last "goodbye" symbol.
Just then, the console screen flickered and turned into static.
"What happened?"
The staff were stunned.
Before he could react, the screen lit up again.
But all the preset programs disappeared, replaced by a line of complex code that he couldn't understand at all, flashing with a ghostly blue light.
And in the sky.
The night sky, which was about to go out, was suddenly lit up again!
This time, it's not those chaotic colors anymore.
Thousands upon thousands of silver sparks shot into the sky like a meteor shower, converging, weaving, and outlining across the night sky...
First, a lotus bud slowly blooms, pure and elegant.
Immediately afterwards, the lotus flowers dispersed, and silver light flowed.
A character “倾” with flowing strokes and outstanding style suddenly took shape in the night sky!
Holy crap!
"What character is that?"
"倾! It's the '倾' of '倾国' (qīng guó, meaning 'to topple
All the tourists were stunned and immediately raised their phones.
Before they could recover from the shock...
Another burst of golden fireworks rose into the sky, and next to the character "倾" (qīng), an equally magnificent character "城" (chéng) exploded out!
Stunning!
Two giant Chinese characters formed by fireworks hung in the sky above the ancient town, their dazzling light illuminating almost the entire night sky.
In that instant, all the noise disappeared.
Everyone looked up, watching this miraculous scene, forgetting to breathe.
On the balcony of Yunshuiyao Inn.
Nie Qingcheng also looked up, staring blankly at those two words.
She instinctively covered her mouth with her hand, and her eyes instantly reddened.
Those two words are her name.
It was the grandest confession, blooming before the whole world, just for her alone.
She turned her head sharply and looked at Zhang Yan.
Zhang Yan had already put away his phone and was standing behind her with a familiar, doting smile on his face.
Do you like it?
He asked softly.
Nie Qingcheng was speechless, but tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.
She didn't say anything, but suddenly threw herself into Zhang Yan's arms, hugging him tightly, as if she wanted to meld herself into his body.
"Zhang Yan...you bastard..."
She buried her face in his chest, her voice choked with sobs.
Zhang Yan gently patted her back, letting her tears soak his clothes.
"Okay, okay, stop crying."
"Mr. Nie, make a wish."
Nie Qingcheng raised her head, looking at him with teary eyes.
She silently made a wish in her heart.
—I hope that the man beside me will belong to me alone for all eternity.
Just then.
"Buzz...buzz..."
Zhang Yan's phone suddenly vibrated in his pocket.
He didn't want to pay attention, but the vibration kept ringing.
He took out his phone with a hint of helplessness and glanced at the caller ID.
Three words flashed on the screen—
Dean Wang
It is Director Wang of the Chengnan Orphanage.
Zhang Yan felt a warmth in his heart and swiped to answer the call.
An elderly yet gentle voice came from the other end of the phone.
"Feed? Is that Xiao Yan?"
"Dean, it's me."
Zhang Yan's voice unconsciously softened considerably.
"Hehe, did I disturb you?"
"No, please say so."
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, as if there was some hesitation, but the person on the other end still spoke.
"Little Yan..."
"The children in the orphanage... they're all asking..."
"When will their brother Zhang Yan come back to see them?"