Damn it, I'm surrounded by childhood sweethearts

At twenty-seven years old, the six of them gathered at the secret base as they had agreed last year.

Xiao Ruawen seemed exceptionally happy today, smiling radiantly since she was at the flower market in the morning, and still beaming while cleaning up.

Xu Qingfan curiously asked, "Ruan Wen, did you win the lottery or something? Why do you seem to be in such a good mood today?"

The rest paused their work and looked up at Xiao Ruawen.

The girl, suddenly the center of everyone’s attention, paused for a couple of seconds before explaining with a smile, "Not at all, it’s just that it’s my dad’s turn to take his annual leave this year. He called yesterday and told mom about it."

Apart from two years of mandatory service, soldiers get twenty days of leave each year, but not every soldier can come home during the Chinese New Year as everyone wants to go back, so they have to take turns.

Xiao Ruawen’s dad hadn’t been home for the New Year for three years, so this year it was his turn.

"You guys must come to my house this year; my dad has wanted to meet you for a long time, especially you, Brother Fan!" she added.

"Sure, sure!"

"We’ll have to get Ruan Wen’s dad’s autograph then; soldiers are so cool!"

The four girls enthusiastically responded, happy for their good friend Ruan Wen that her family would be together this New Year.

Xu Qingfan, slightly puzzled, scratched his head: "Ruan Wen, what exactly have you told your uncle about me for him to be particularly eager to meet me?"

"Hehe, I’ve told him everything! Basically every time during winter or summer break, I tell my dad all about what Brother Fan did during the year, like publishing comics, writing songs, topping the exams, and a lot more." Xiao Ruawen counted on her fingers as she listed them to him.

"Heh... really..." Xu Qingfan swallowed, suddenly feeling a bit guilty.

Imagine, if you had a cute, pretty daughter, but every time you visited her from afar, she kept praising some sly lad to you, and it’s been like that from when they were young; what would an old father feel?

"Brother Fan, why do I get the feeling you’re a bit guilty?"

"Nonsense, I’m thinking about what auspicious words to say later when we pray to the gods!"

"Brother Qing Fan should say that we’ll all be fine and never be apart!" Lin Wanning said, leaning on her broom handle.

"Silly dog, it won’t come true if you say it out loud." Xu Qingfan lightly tapped the girl’s head.

"Wu~ I’m not a silly dog!"

"Ahahaha..."

It didn’t take long for the six of them to finish cleaning the living room, and Xu Qingfan began positioning the chicken, fatty pork, and fruits for the ritual in the courtyard.

Half of the incense burner was filled with ash and the other half with raw rice, and after lighting two red candles and three sticks of incense, he was the first to pick up a cup and pour wine on the ground.

[May the gods of the Earth and Tai Sui bless everyone with health, and to always remain as good as now.] Xu Qingfan silently prayed; he didn’t ask for much, as a reborn person he could strive for many things himself, except for love and health.

"Okay, who wants to go next?" He earnestly poured three cups of wine, refilled the cup with white liquor, then turned to ask the five girls.

"Me, me, Brother Qing Fan, I’ll go first!" Lin Wanning hurried over, as if the faster she came, the more the gods would bless her.

The girl mimicked Xu Qingfan’s actions, sprinkling the wine on the ground while silently praying: May Tai Sui protect Wanning from falling far behind Brother Qing Fan in grades next term, keep everyone healthy, and ensure Brother Qing Fan always likes Wanning!

[And like Yiyi, forever!] Lin Wanning added silently at the end.

"Hehe, all done!" After pouring the three cups of wine, she glanced at Xu Qingfan, then happily returned to Zhang Yiyi’s side.

[I hope dad recovers soon, that everyone stays healthy, and that I can always be with Fan... everyone.]

[I hope that silly dog annoys me less in the new year, that mom stays forever young, and that everyone remain healthy.]

[I hope everyone’s friendship lasts forever, and of course, everyone should take good care of themselves. I also wish Dad and Grandpa could support my singing...]

It was finally Zhang Yiyi’s turn. It was her first encounter with such feudal superstitions, and curiously, she picked up the wine glass to sprinkle the wine, "If there are really gods, then please bless the people Yiyi cares about to be happy every day!"

"Yiyi, Yiyi, what wish did you make?" After everyone made their wish, Lin Wanning excitedly hugged her and asked.

Zhang Yiyi just shook her head, but seeing the smile on the face in front of her, she smiled too.

"Wanning, what’s the matter with you? We said if you talk about it, it won’t come true, and you still asked Yiyi."

"Ow~ Brother Qingfan, don’t hit me." Lin Wanning instinctively covered her head with her hands.

"Hahaha!" Everyone was amused by her comical motion.

Looking at the smiles on everyone’s faces, Zhang Yiyi thought to herself, [Maybe there really are gods after all.]

The last ritual was burning paper money and setting off firecrackers, which had explosive fuse cords just a few centimeters long and practically burst as soon as touched by the lighter.

"Cover your ears!" Xu Qingfan stretched his hand out far, and the second after lighting the firecrackers, he immediately threw them away.

The firecrackers burst into fragments in the air, and a breeze made them resemble blooming red peonies.

Every time they set off these firecrackers, although Xu Qingfan was always mentally prepared, he still ended up breaking into a cold sweat.

He waved his hand and shouted, "Let’s go, time to head back home and prepare the New Year’s Eve dinner!"

"Okay!" The five girls got up, nodded, and followed him back home.

Little White in the courtyard peeked out again after the firecrackers stopped, only to find the yard empty.

The big rooster used for the ceremony was still on the table, squatting on the ground, drooling but too scared to eat.

A dog knows that it shouldn’t eat too much, so it sadly turned away, ’out of sight, out of mind.’

At seven in the evening, dinner was served on time in the living room.

Last year at this time they watched "Infernal Affairs"; this year, it was "The Founding of a Great Country."

The dishes were still the familiar ones, and the people were still the familiar faces. A year had passed, and aside from height and age, what remained unchanged was always their friendship.

"Happy 2010, cheers everyone!"

"Cheers!!!"

After dinner, they tidied up, and Xiao Ruawen asked, "What are we playing this year, still Truth or Dare?"

As soon as Xu Qingfan heard this, his face changed instantly. He still vividly remembered what happened this night last year. Now that little Qingfan was 15, he was really afraid of doing something only a beast would do, even though all five girls had already turned fourteen.

"What’s fun about Truth or Dare? Of course, it’s playing ranked games, my invincible Sword Master will carry you all!"

"League of Legends? Great, I’ve been practicing a lot as a Weapon Master at home!"

"What are we waiting for then!"

"Let’s go!"

...

Extra chapter for monthly ticket (3/4)