[Earth Era, January 22, 2012] [Western Calendar, Sunday] [Xia Calendar, Xinmao Year, twelfth month, twenty-ninth day, Lunar New Year's Eve. Auspicious for marriage, ancestral rites, prayers, consecration, moving house, and breaking ground. Inauspicious for digging wells, burials, travel, and opening businesses]
The New Year had come around again.
At this time last year, the great battle outside Sigma District had just ended, and Qin Siyang had put together a New Year's Eve dinner at his home in Sigma District.
This year, however, things were not so easy.
Every War Readiness Zone was holding its defenses tight, constantly on edge against Invaders who might attack at any moment. Everyone remained at their posts; there was no way they could drop their work and come to Sigma District for a New Year's Eve dinner.
They held a remote video conference, exchanging New Year's greetings while reporting on conditions in their respective War Readiness Zones. Everything seemed normal.
This year's New Year's Eve was spent with Gu Yunpeng, Shi Tao, and the other senior students from Southern Glory who worked at Qin Siyang's Shop.
The Southern Glory students each reminisced about their lives at the school and sighed over how difficult the world had become, bringing the New Year's Eve celebration to an end.
Afterward, Qin Siyang spoke privately with Gu Yunpeng for a while.
"Brother-in-law, have you gone outside the Safe Zone and passed the Sturgeon Crocodile's [Succession Trial]?"
Gu Yunpeng nodded. "I made time to visit the great river last week. I passed the trial and gained the skill [Fear]. But I'm not sure exactly how effective it is, and I'm afraid using it on someone else might leave lasting effects. Your strength is extraordinary, President Qin, so I'd like to try it on you."
Qin Siyang nodded. "Go