New Year's Special: Happy New Year, Everyone!

Aiseland Continent, Su Liya's residence.

Although Aetherland's current situation wasn't ideal, the house was decorated with lanterns and streamers today. A mysterious Eastern power called "New Year" was invading this otherworld.

"Pipi Axe, can't you even paste glue? Are you painting the wall or sticking couplets?"

Su Liya looked at Pipi Axe, who had gotten glue all over himself, and pressed her forehead in exasperation.

"That, Master, my hands are just too strong..." Mad Axe said aggrievedly, scratching his bare cervical vertebra.

"Forget it, Tina!" Su Liya turned to call the dragon girl who was wiping her Dragon Lance. "You help this guy stick the Spring Couplets. With his big, clumsy frame, he'll probably dismantle the door frame before he can even stick them properly."

"Yes, Master~" a clear and pleasant voice rang out. Dragon Girl Tina walked over with light steps.

She reached the main door and looked at Mad Axe, who was still struggling with the glue bucket. She politely called out, "Brother Mad Axe."

The soulfire on Mad Axe's cervical vertebra flickered. "Oh, it's Tina. Are you here to help me? That's great. As expected of Master, seeing my predicament at a glance."

The two began to divide the labor. Tina was responsible for sticking, and Mad Axe was responsible for brushing the glue.

"By the way, Brother Mad Axe," Tina asked curiously as she adjusted the position of the Spring Couplets, "Why does Master want us to stick these red papers? Is it a new type of Magic Array?"

"You wouldn't understand," Mad Axe said in a tone of someone with experience. "Master told me it's a custom from his hometown, called New Year. I don't know what level of expert this 'Year' is, but it sounds very powerful."

The two chatted idly, and the topic naturally turned to their master.

"Speaking of which, Master's majesty is truly growing by the day," Mad Axe sighed.

Tina's hand trembled slightly, and she whispered in agreement, "Yes, every time I see Master's serious eyes, my backside starts to ache."

"Who can say otherwise?" Mad Axe deeply agreed. "But my pain is different. I have a headache. Even though I don't have a head, I just feel the pain."

Tina looked around and lowered her voice. "I might know the reason for that. I heard Master came from Touch Head Village. People there like to pat heads. Perhaps Master persuaded you physically through this method."

"So that's how it is. Truly worthy of Master!"

As they were talking, a rumbling vibration came from a distance.

The two turned to look and saw Rosalia, riding a giant Pipi Finger, dust-covered as she hurried back.

"Greetings, Madam!" Mad Axe and Tina immediately stood at attention and greeted her in unison.

Rosalia had just dismounted from the Finger Bug, and her face instantly turned red. "I-I told you not to call me Madam! We're still just..."

She glanced curiously at the door. "What are you guys doing? Is this a newly developed Magic Array?"

"These are Spring Couplets. Master said they're used for celebrating festivals in his hometown," Tina explained. "Oh, and Madam, Miss will be here soon too."

"Eh? Yueyue is coming too?" Rosalia was a little surprised, then tidied her mage robe. "It seems today is indeed a very important day. You guys carry on, I'll go find Su Liya."

"Understood, Madam!"

Inside, the kitchen.

Su Liya, wearing an apron, was skillfully shaping dough with her hands.

"Su Liya, I'm back," Rosalia tiptoed in.

"Ah, you're back?" Su Liya didn't turn around, her hands still busy. "How was your magic class this week? Did the old woman give you a hard time?"

"It was alright. Although it was a bit obscure, I could adapt." Rosalia walked to the counter and curiously looked at the plump, white dough balls. "What are you making?"

"These are called Jiaozi. They're a must-eat food during New Year in my hometown, symbolizing reunion," Su Liya explained with a smile. "Of course, not everywhere eats them, but it's a tradition where I come from."

"I'll help too!" Rosalia eagerly rolled up her sleeves.

"Okay, I'll teach you."

Su Liya put down the flour in her hands and naturally moved behind Rosalia, taking her hands.

"See, you should hold the wrapper like this, then put in the filling, like this, and finally squeeze hard."

Su Liya taught very earnestly, completely unaware of how intimate their current posture was.

Her current height only reached Rosalia's chin, and she was almost pressed against Rosalia's chest.

Her long, silvery-white hair swayed gently with her movements, the tips occasionally brushing against Rosalia's nose, carrying a faint, pleasant fragrance.

Rosalia's brain instantly crashed.

This, this is too close!

It would have been fine if she were still in her Skeleton form, but now Su Liya was a soft, adorable little lolita!

And our hands...

Rosalia's face turned red at a visible speed, and her mind began to play out uncontrollable little scenarios: fast-forwarding from making Jiaozi to holding hands, then fast-forwarding to walking down the aisle, and finally, the two had a cute daughter, whose name would be...

"Pfft." As a burst of steam emerged, Rosalia's eyes rolled back, and she fainted blissfully.

"Huh?!"

Su Liya was startled and quickly supported the slumping Rosalia. "Why did you faint? Could it be low blood sugar from studying too hard recently?"

She looked at the blushing girl in her arms and sighed helplessly.

"Never mind, I'll just make them myself."

Su Liya wiped her hands, picked up Rosalia, and carried her into her bedroom.

After a while, the teleportation array lit up.

"Big brother... no, big sister, I'm here!" Su Lin Yue entered, carrying bags and bags of snacks.

"Yue Yue is here? Come sit and rest," Su Li Ya poked her head out from the kitchen.

Su Lin Yue looked at the white-haired, red-eyed sister wearing an apron before her. Although she had accepted the premise, she still felt her worldview being reconstructed every time she saw her.

Not only had she turned into a loli with white hair and red eyes, but she also possessed that aloof aura of the undead that kept people at a distance. Yet, when she spoke, it was still that familiar, good-for-nothing big brother's voice.

This contrast was too deadly.

"Where's Sister Rosalia?" Su Lin Yue looked around.

"Oh, she's sleeping in the bedroom. She suddenly fainted earlier," Su Li Ya said casually.

"Fainted?" Su Lin Yue's eyes sharpened, but seeing her brother's innocent expression, she swallowed her retort. "Alright, I'll help you then."

Meanwhile, in Su Li Ya's bedroom.

Rosalia woke up groggily.

"Mmm... it smells like Su Li Ya... so comforting..." She subconsciously nuzzled the thing in her arms.

Wait! Rosalia suddenly jolted awake and looked around. This was Su Li Ya's room!

And what she was tightly hugging was actually a nightgown Su Li Ya usually wore!

"Wh-what did I do?!"

Rosalia looked at herself, burying her face in the nightgown like a pervert, and felt so ashamed she wanted to cast a bone spear on herself right then and there.

"Rosalia, wake up! How could you be so perverted!"

She fumbled to fold the nightgown and put it back in place. After taking a few deep breaths and confirming the scene of the crime was cleaned up, she pushed the door open with a red face.

In the living room, a large table laden with a sumptuous New Year's Eve dinner was already set.

"Ah, Rosalia, you're awake? We were just about to call you," Su Li Ya greeted her. "Come quickly, eat while it's hot."

On the table were steaming dumplings, braised pork ribs, steamed fish... all looking and smelling delicious.

"Wow... so abundant."

Even though she had eaten Su Li Ya's cooking many times, Rosalia was still amazed by the table full of exotic delicacies.

During the meal, they clinked glasses and chatted, the atmosphere so warm it didn't seem like the world was experiencing war.

After dinner, they played around for a while longer, and then Su Li Ya led everyone to the courtyard.

"Su Li Ya, what day is it today?" Rosalia asked curiously, watching Su Li Ya take out a pile of red cylindrical objects.

"Today is the thirtieth day of the twelfth lunar month, also known as New Year's Eve, a traditional festival from my hometown."

Su Li Ya held a lighter, the firelight reflecting on her face. "On this day, we stay up late to bid farewell to the old and welcome the new. It is said..."

She stuffed several red envelopes into their hands. "Here, this is your lucky money! Even though you're all grown up, you're still children to me." Even Pipi Dragon and the others received some.

Finally, Su Li Ya took out an alarm clock.

"It's almost time, ten seconds left!" They gathered around, watching the second hand tick by.

"Five, four, three, two, one!"

"Light it up!"

"Bang! Pop! Crackle--!"

Brilliant magical fireworks and specially made firecrackers shot into the sky, illuminating the dark night of Aetherland and the smiling faces of everyone present.

They all shouted to the sky in unison:

"Happy New Year, everyone!!!"