Operation Draw Sword

The Chinese New Year is almost here.

Unfortunately, there was no festive atmosphere in the air.

Sometimes Li Yao would think about what the New Year's atmosphere really was. It seemed that people were looking forward to the New Year less and less, so the New Year was becoming less and less interesting.

Many years ago,

As the Lunar New Year approaches, parents would stock up on food at home, steaming baskets full of buns with both vegetable and meat fillings. In addition, there would be various kinds of rice cakes, fried sweet cakes, hawthorn cakes, and other snacks. The children would pester their parents for pocket money and get together with a few friends to buy all sorts of firecrackers, stuff them into ice or snow, and set them off for fun.

Some of the bolder ones even have a competition to light firecrackers in their hands... to see who throws them last!

Whoever throws the last one wins!

You can win snacks and more firecrackers from other friends.

It wasn't just about the firecrackers and snacks; it was a childish desire to prove that he was a man.

And it's really quite exciting.

As for the girls...

Oh, how could a real man want to play with girls! The boys thought so proudly back then, and then regretted it when they grew up, becoming a dog and remaining single forever... Their luck with girls reached its peak in those winters when the New Year was approaching.

It's really heartbreaking.

On New Year's Eve, every household brings out chives to offer as sacrifices to their ancestors, and the whole street or village is decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, making the cold winter night warm and cozy.

But now...

Li Yao glanced back and saw Lin Xiaoxi sprawled on the sofa, scrolling through Douyin) without any regard for her image, occasionally letting out a "hehehe" laugh.

Chen Xi was wiping glasses at the bar. With the Chinese New Year approaching, there weren't many people coming to the bar, especially in a place like the provincial capital... Every year during the Chinese New Year, after all sorts of migrant workers return to their hometowns, this place becomes quite deserted.

The festive atmosphere of the Spring Festival seems to be concentrated in WeChat Moments or the Five Blessings campaign.

Thinking about it,

I think the strongest festive atmosphere is actually found in the product development and programming departments of various programs... Every year during the Spring Festival, they drink Red Bull, work overtime, and have a lively and festive atmosphere! You could say they have a very strong festive spirit.

Looking out from the shop windows, many stores were decorated for the Chinese New Year, but the hurried pedestrians made it impossible to tell that it was a holiday.

It really was a hollow, paper-thin New Year.

It's so boring.

Li Yao withdrew his gaze and continued studying magical knowledge. After advancing to the third ring in Cairo, Egypt, his mental strength and soul continued to stabilize, and he also made certain breakthroughs in his research and interpretation of "Fireball Spell" and "Flash Spell".

I should be able to learn these two signature spells before the Lantern Festival after the New Year.

The specialization inscription should be completed around the end of the first lunar month.

The "Mental Will Detection Instrument" for the Phoenix Legion has been completed and was delivered to the camp around noon.

Li Yao arranged everything perfectly...

It just didn't feel quite right for Chinese New Year!

Just then, Li Yao received many pictures from his best friend. The pictures showed a vibrant red scene everywhere: dough figurines, sugar paintings, lion dances, Spring Festival couplets, and fireworks everywhere... Passersby wore eclectic Hanfu, their faces beaming with joy... Even through the screen...

Li Yao also felt the strong festive atmosphere of the New Year!

Lin Xiaowei said proudly, "How's my 'New Year'?"

Li Yao: "..."

Holy crap, how come you had a more enjoyable New Year in that other world than I did?!

These days, the businesses in the provincial capital are the most enthusiastic about putting up red decorations, such as pharmacies. In the past, pharmacies would have signs saying, "We only hope that people in the world are free from illness, and we are not afraid that the medicines on the shelves will gather dust." Now, pharmacies are all displaying signs saying, "Grand Spring Festival Sale: Spend 100 yuan and get 80 eggs free."

Standing on the street, all I see are gold and red "Chinese New Year Grand Sale" signs! Good heavens! How can there be any festive atmosphere here?!

And fireworks... Fireworks are not allowed in the city center; they can only be set off at designated locations.

If you want to set off fireworks during the Lunar New Year, you have to drive and take a taxi all that way... However, setting off fireworks in concentrated areas of urban buildings not only disturbs residents but also easily causes danger, so the introduction of this policy is understandable.

In comparison, the countryside is better; at least the festive atmosphere is stronger there than in the city.

Li Yao felt a pang of jealousy.

However, considering that my best friend and Jiang Zhiying are having a tough time over there, and it's the Lunar New Year, I decided not to tease her.

Li Yao sincerely wished, "That's great! With the New Year approaching, may you have great fortune and prosperity!"

Then Li Yao transferred "8888" to Lin Xiaowei via his QQ Account.

He knew that the other world couldn't use this money; he was just hoping for a lucky draw.

Unexpectedly, Lin Xiaowei replied, "Good luck! Chicken Dinner tonight! And duck and fish too!"

Soon Li Yao received another picture of a dining table—a long table covered with a snow-white tablecloth, with luxurious and exquisite silver candlesticks on it, the candlelight flickering and creating a hazy and beautiful atmosphere. On the table were various delicacies made from ingredients other than chicken, duck, fish, and meat, as well as other ingredients that he couldn't quite name... The golden oil and the emerald green and crimson side dishes looked delicious!

Li Yao: "!"

He typed, "That's enough! Everyone has money! I'm having my New Year's Eve dinner at Hai Hongchang! A seafood feast!"

Lin Xiaowei: "Okay! Eat well!"

Take care of yourself and wait for me to come back.

Li Yao's hand holding the phone suddenly froze, the cursor jumping in the input box like a heartbeat.

After a long pause, he replied, "Absolutely!"

Everyone is doing well.

Looking forward to the day we can come back together for New Year's Eve dinner.

After chatting for a few more minutes, my best friend logged off, saying her teacher was coming and she had to go do something for a while, like introducing her teacher to steamed buns, Spring Festival couplets, and such...

Li Yao couldn't concentrate on the magical knowledge anymore, so he put away his phone and stared blankly into space.

Not long after,

The roar of Big Sis Feng Li Li's cool motorcycle came from next door. Li Yao got up and called out from the doorway, "You're back? Want to have New Year's Eve dinner together? I've booked a table at Hai Hongchang."

Feng Li took off his helmet and hung it up. "The camp has been quite busy lately, so we won't be going out for New Year's Eve dinner."

Li Yao advised, "Are you really pushing yourselves this hard? The soldiers need to celebrate the New Year too!"

Feng Li: "We can just stay at the camp! I think it's more lively there for the New Year. Besides, while everyone is working overtime to get the Sharp Knife Battalion up and running, we'll have a mission after the third day of the Lunar New Year." At this point, Feng Li's tone lowered. "This is Bright Sword Operation, it's very important."

Li Yao frowned. "So urgent?"

Feng Li laughed, "It's alright. There are soldiers out on missions on New Year's Eve. It's already pretty good that we can celebrate the New Year together at home, have New Year's Eve dinner, and eat dumplings and grab gold ingots together on the morning of the first day of the New Year."

Li Yao remained silent.

yes,

Even on New Year's Eve, many soldiers are on guard duty at the border, and many unsung heroes are carrying out missions overseas.

It is because of them that everyone can celebrate the Spring Festival in peace and happiness in the country.

Li Yao pursed his lips and said, "Please leave me a bowl and chopsticks at the camp. I'd like to go there and get some food too."

Big Sis Feng Li smiled happily, "Okay, little brother! I'll arrange it for you!"

After saying Big Sis Feng Li went into the bar, probably because she had something else to do.

Li Yao turned back to the bar and saw Lin Xiaoxi sprawled on the sofa holding her phone. He was furious and flicked her forehead. "Playing, playing, playing! All you do all day is play on your phone!"

Lin Xiaoxi: "Σ(;`Д)???"

Li Da Yao!

Do you want to die?!

First update. My hand still hurts... it feels sore and weak. I kept forgetting to thank "Enjoy Sleeping" for the kickboxing, thank you! Tomorrow is Lunar New Year's Eve, wishing everyone a Happy New Year! Hope you enjoy reading!