Spring Festival was China's grandest traditional holiday. Over its long history, it had accumulated countless layers of cultural heritage. These added cultural meanings gave Spring Festival an even more special significance for Chinese people, making it more than merely a holiday—it was a culture of the "New Year." Its many customs and festivities turned these few days each year into a uniquely Chinese carnival that drew the world's attention. Though the passage of time and changing attitudes had led many young people to pay less attention to the various formalities and rigid rules of the New Year, that did nothing to diminish the festive atmosphere.
Although Qian Qian and I had already agreed to travel during the New Year, we still had to spend New Year's Eve and the first day of the year with our families. As for transportation, there was no need to worry. With Lin Xue's all-powerful organization around, the so-called Spring Festival travel rush simply did not exist for us. And if all else failed, I still had the Pandora Legion. Traveling across planes with a Legion Teleporter would definitely be exciting—though of course, I would have a headache figuring out how to explain it to Qian Qian and my older sister.
Midnight on New Year's Eve marked the beginning of the Spring Festival's grand climax. When I was little, this was always the time I looked forward to most, just like Sandora now.
With a bang, a dazzling burst of fire shot into the sky, then exploded high above amid the crackling firecrackers that rang out around us like applause. Sandora, playing with such a novel thing for the first time, jumped and shouted with delight.
"Haha—Chen Jun!" Sandora excitedly rushed over and hung from my neck. "This is so much fun! I never expected you people to come up with such an interesting toy! Looks like I'll have to revise my opinion of Carbon-Based Lifeforms..."
At that moment, I heard a faint series of clicking sounds from nearby. Those subtle noises would have been difficult to notice amid the firecrackers, but Sandora had enhanced my body once in the other world, so hearing them was no trouble at all—this kind of modification technology really was good stuff. Given the chance, I had to make those Empire Commanders who spent all day with nothing better to do study Carbon-Based Lifeform enhancement properly. Maybe one day I really could become Superman... Ahem, though with Shilin Technology, I could already be considered one.
As for the source of those sounds, there was no need to guess. It was those dedicated reporters again. Ever since Sandora's shocking display at the banquet, she had become the focus of the media. "Cold," "noble," "beautiful," and "intelligent" were the words most often used to describe her. Of course, there were also some negative comments. Sandora had branded Ding Bai a political criminal with just a few words, earning herself a reputation for being "scheming" and "protective of her own." But hardly anyone paid attention to those judgments. As a public figure, negative reviews were practically unavoidable, and people had long since lost interest in believing such commentary. Besides, the person Sandora had messed with was Ding Bai. Ordinary people did not care what happened to some mega-rich man who had nothing to do with them. If Sandora had targeted an ordinary migrant worker instead, it might have shaken them more. Moreover, Sandora had consistently presented herself as close to the public during this time. She had even refused the luxurious residence arranged by the local government and insisted on staying with an ordinary family. This string of actions created an image of a radiant princess who showed no mercy to the wealthy but was kind and friendly toward ordinary people. As a result, Sandora's popularity among the Chinese public soared, and she became the media's center of attention.
Thanks to that troublesome princess, my older sister and I had also become prime targets for the reporter army. Especially me—Sandora clung to me all day, which was practically heaven-sent reporting material for them. All kinds of gossip could be mass-produced without even needing embellishment. Fortunately, because of Sandora's extreme behavior last time, none of those reporters dared approach us openly for interviews. They did not have Ding Bai's influence. If Sandora casually slapped a political criminal label on them, they would suffer for the rest of their lives. And under the joint operations of the Vengeance Legion and the Pandora Legion, not a single precious photo they took could be preserved. At least our lives would not be disrupted by reporters everywhere, but being watched by these people every day was still seriously irritating!
"Chen Jun, what's wrong?" Sandora asked curiously when she saw that I did not look too happy.
"Those reporters are driving me crazy!" I answered irritably. This girl really had no awareness that she was the culprit.
"Then I'll just kill all the reporters on Earth." Sandora flashed a brilliant smile, as if she were talking about swatting a few cockroaches.
I shuddered and quickly replied, "That won't be necessary. Just teach them a lesson. No need to go that far, right?"
Sandora adorably tapped her lips with one finger. "Teach them a lesson... Let me think... Ah! I've got it!"
Sandora cried out happily. Seeing the ill-intentioned smile on her face, I felt cold sweat run down my back.
What awful idea had this girl come up with?
Having helped me solve one troublesome problem, Sandora seemed very pleased. She carried off a huge bag of assorted fireworks to play by herself, leaving me standing there.
I looked around and saw my older sister sitting with Pandora in an open area not far away. I had no idea what they were doing.
When I walked over, I saw that my older sister was holding the calm-faced Pandora and quietly listening to the sounds of firecrackers around them.
"What's wrong, Older Sister?" I smiled and sat down beside them. "Isn't it boring just sitting here?"
"Lily can't see," my older sister said, seeming rather downcast. "She can only sit here and listen to people celebrating..."
...So that was it.
I did not know how to explain this to my older sister. Back then, to conceal Pandora's identity and the issue with her eyes, I had casually made up the story that she was a blind girl. Now it had really come back to cause trouble.
In fact, I was already preparing to tell my older sister and Qian Qian part of the truth. Even Lin Xue knew that I was the Shilin Emperor. As the people closest to me, my older sister and Qian Qian really should not continue being kept in the dark. Even if I did not tell them everything for now, I at least needed to let my older sister know that Espers existed. Otherwise, explaining Lin Xue's identity later would become another huge problem.
I bent down and pulled Pandora out of my older sister's arms. The little one had already grown impatient. The moment I pulled her over, she slipped away and darted to my side, tightly hugging my arm.
For now, it seemed my Docile Pandora Development Plan had achieved at least a little success. Though most of the time, this little one only stuck to me so she could listen to me talk about World War History or tell me about the history of cosmic wars...
"Older Sister," I said, stroking Pandora's smooth long hair. "There are some things about Lily and me that I've never told you..."
"Hm?" My older sister tilted her head curiously. "What is it? You look strange."
"Older Sister, do you believe Espers exist in this world?" I carefully chose my words.
My older sister had not expected me to bring up something like that. She froze for a moment, then said with unconcealed amusement, "Hehe, why did you suddenly start thinking about this? You're such an adult already... Wait, you didn't go looking for some quack to cure Lily's eyes, did you? Don't just believe people like that!"
Seeing her suddenly grow nervous, I felt both amused and touched. I hurriedly reassured her, "How could that be? How could an adult like me be so easily fooled? I was just asking."
"Espers..." My older sister fell into thought, then smiled brightly. "Even though I've never seen one, I think they should exist. The world is so big—who could possibly understand everything in it?"
At last, I made up my mind. "Older Sister, actually, I..."
A voice suddenly sounded in my mind, interrupting me.
Alaya requests connection.
At the same time, I felt a powerful psychic fluctuation coming from far away—another Shilin Apostle had arrived in this world!
"What's wrong?" My older sister found it strange that I had suddenly frozen.
"Nothing... I'm taking Lily to the little square for a walk..."
My older sister looked at me suspiciously. "The little square? Didn't we just come back from there?"
I gave an awkward laugh. "Just felt like it. I'm taking Lily over to play..."
"Me too!" Sandora's voice came from beside me. "I barely got to play before you dragged me back just now. I want to go watch people set off fireworks!"
I looked into Sandora's eyes, and her voice sounded in my mind. It seems one of your subordinates has arrived, but her situation is strange. I should go with you and take a look.
"Then I'll come too..." My older sister had just started to say she wanted to join us when we hurriedly cut her off. "Older Sister, just stay here and keep watch. We'll be back soon!"
"Ah—" My older sister was startled by us, then nodded hesitantly. "Then come back early. Be careful not to get hurt by the firecrackers..."
We hurriedly agreed, then quickly left.
Before you continue