One person: Starting with the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, his grandmaster uncle emerges from seclusion.

"Master Wang, could you please stop shaking your hands? My ladder is swaying so much, it's scaring me half to death!"

Zhang Chulan was standing trembling on a tall ladder, holding a huge red lantern in his hand, trying his best to hang it on the beam.

Wang Ye, who was responsible for holding the ladder below, yawned perfunctorily, put one hand in the pocket of his down jacket, and symbolically rested the other hand on the edge of the ladder.

“Old Zhang, it’s only a few meters high. If you fall, you’ll just land on your butt at most. Your mental fortitude needs improvement.”

Wang Ye replied slowly, glancing at Zhuge Qing who was holding a cup of hot tea beside him.

Zhuge Qing leisurely sipped his tea, offering highly professional guidance:

"Chu Lan, the lantern is two centimeters to the left. The current axis and the carvings on the eaves are not symmetrical, which affects the overall aesthetics."

"You two young masters are all talk and no action. If you're so capable, come up here and switch places with me!"

Zhang Chulan was so angry that his teeth itched. After hanging the lantern, he climbed down the ladder and dusted off his hands.

The aroma of meat and dumplings was wafting from the kitchen.

The kitchen, which is usually quiet, has been completely turned into a battlefield without gunpowder smoke today.

Xia He, with a floral headscarf wrapped around her head and an apron tied around her waist, was directing her "helpers" as they busied themselves.

"Lingyu, the dumpling wrappers are rolled too thick. Let's start over."

The edges should be thinner, otherwise they will be tough after cooking.

A smear of white flour accidentally landed on Zhang Lingyu's handsome and otherworldly face.

He stood obediently in front of the cutting board, holding a small rolling pin, his movements meticulous.

"Okay, I'll try again."

This usually aloof junior uncle of the Celestial Master's Mansion, under Xia He's command, was so good-natured that he couldn't even muster the thought of arguing.

In front of the stove not far away.

Rongshan was chopping firewood with a large axe, muttering happily about how many dishes he could have for dinner.

Just as things were getting lively in the kitchen, a strange commotion came from the yard.

"Sister Bao'er, we agreed beforehand that when I come to visit, you would never look at me like that!"

Little Wu was wearing his signature red vest, his two long ears pressed nervously to the back of his head.

It held its two front paws tightly to its chest and retreated step by step.

Feng Baobao squatted on the steps, holding a freshly washed pure gold bowl in her hands, her big eyes staring intently at the plump white rabbit.

"Don't be afraid."

Feng Baobao explained very sincerely.

"I just think that if we could add a spicy cold rabbit to the New Year's Eve dinner tonight, it would taste really good."

"No way! Absolutely not! I'm a respected shaman from Northeast China, not some appetizer on a plate!"

Startled, Xiao Wu darted behind Bai Shoushan.

Old hedgehog Bai Shoushan was holding a hot roasted sweet potato and glared at Xiao Wu with annoyance:

"You're pathetic. That young girl was just joking, look how scared you are. You're not even half as brave as me, Lao Bai."

The noise, laughter, and shouts in the courtyard mingled together.

But beyond all this excitement.

A secluded viewing platform on the back mountain of the Celestial Master's Mansion.

The charcoal fire in the small red clay stove was burning brightly, and a purple clay teapot sat on top, the bubbling sound of boiling tea clearly audible.

Zhang Tianyi was wearing a loose white long shirt and comfortably leaning back in a recliner.

He turned his head slightly, his gaze falling on Liu Tianxian sitting next to him.

This renowned white jade dragon of Changbai Mountain is now dressed in a thick, snow-white fox fur cloak, the fur at the collar making her cool and beautiful face appear even more gentle.

She was holding a small, carved brazier in her hands, gazing absently at the sea of ​​clouds in the distance.

"Everyone says that Longhu Mountain is a blessed land for Taoism, but the winter wind still feels damp and cold when it blows on you."

Liu Tianxian parted her lips slightly, her tone carrying a hint of nonchalant complaint.

Zhang Tianyi couldn't help but chuckle upon hearing this.

He reached out and naturally tucked a strand of silver hair that had slipped off her shoulder behind her ear.

"You, a great white dragon that has been frozen in the ice and snow for thousands of years, actually came to the south to complain about the cold wind?"

Zhang Tianyi leaned back in his chair, a gentle smile in his eyes.

"Does she really think she's some delicate, pampered young lady?"

Liu Tianxian turned her head and gave him a reproachful look with her bright golden eyes.

"After being underwater for so long, and finally someone has promised to protect me for life, I naturally want to learn how to enjoy the warmth of human kindness."

She spoke frankly, without the slightest hint of girlish coyness.

Zhang Tianyi did not refute.

He bent down, took a freshly roasted orange from the small table next to him, peeled off the warm orange peel, and offered the flesh to Liu Tianxian's lips.

"Try it. It's a folk remedy taught by the old man. He says that roasted oranges can moisturize the lungs and dispel cold."

Liu Tianxian didn't stand on ceremony and ate the orange from his hand.

The warm, sweet and sour flavor melted on the tip of the tongue, dispelling the last trace of coolness in the surroundings.

"good."

She made a comment, then her lips curled up slightly, revealing a smile that made even the snow-covered mountains pale in comparison.

The two sat there quietly, without saying a word, yet they shared a tacit understanding that transcended time and death.

"Master! Fairy Sister! Dinner's ready!"

Chen Duo's cheerful voice came from afar.

The little girl was wearing a bright red new cotton-padded jacket today, and she was holding an unlit sparkler in her hand. She ran over like a cheerful little red bird.

"Let's go."

Zhang Tianyi stood up, grabbed Liu Tianxian's wrist, and pulled her up from the chair.

"Go try Xia He's cooking. If we go any later, Chu Lan and his gang will have snatched all the meat."

in the hall.

A huge round table, large enough to accommodate everyone, was already fully occupied.

The old Celestial Master sat in the main seat, wearing a new Taoist robe today, his face beaming with smiles.

Tian Jinzhong sat beside him, happily pouring juice into a glass.

Once Zhang Tianyi and Liu Tianxian were seated, this unprecedented New Year's Eve dinner officially began.

"Come on, everyone, raise your cups."

The old master did not put on airs like an elder and give a long speech. He raised the wine glass in front of him and his eyes swept over the vivid faces on the table.

From his own promising younger generation, to Wang Ye of Wudang, the young master of the Zhuge family, to the immortals of the Northeast, and Feng Baobao who was secretly stuffing a meatball into her mouth.

"Over the past year, our group has done everything that could be done in the world."

The old master's voice was loud and clear.

"We've weathered all the storms, and the days ahead will only become more and more secure."

"It's fate that we've all gathered here. I wish you all peace and prosperity year after year, and that your hearts remain steadfast in your faith. Cheers!"

"Dry!"

Everyone stood up in unison, and dozens of cups clinked together in the center of the table, making a pleasant sound.

After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became completely relaxed.

Zhang Chulan, holding a wine cup, insisted on having a contest with Wang Ye, but was persuaded by Zhuge Qing to drink three large cups in a few words. Now he is hugging Xiao Wuye's neck and calling him brother.

"Brother Wu! Hiccup... From now on, we're sworn brothers! If anyone bullies you, just say my name!" Zhang Chulan shouted with a thick tongue.

Little Wu rolled his eyes as he munched on a large cabbage: "Forget it, if I mention your name, I'm afraid I'll get beaten up even more times."

Zhang Lingyu blushed and silently placed a piece of fish meat, with the bones removed, on Xia He's plate.

Xia He smiled, her eyes crinkling, and secretly squeezed his palm under the table, causing this junior uncle to almost drop his chopsticks.

Chen Duo sat next to Zhang Tianyi, obediently eating the food in her bowl.

She would occasionally look up at the lively dining table, her big eyes sparkling with anticipation for the future.

After eating and drinking their fill, everyone moved out into the courtyard in twos and threes.

Zhang Chulan carried out several large boxes of fireworks that he had prepared in advance from the corner and quickly arranged them on the open ground.

"Cover your ears! I'm going to light the fire!"

He held a lighter, carefully brought it close to the fuse, lit it, and then darted back into the crowd like a rabbit.

"call out--"

With a sharp whooshing sound, the first firework shot into the sky, blooming into a magnificent golden peony in the dark night sky.

Immediately afterwards, colorful fireworks rose into the sky one after another.

The night sky over Longhu Mountain was illuminated as if it were daytime, a dazzling and breathtaking sight.

Everyone looked up at the dazzling lights filling the sky, their faces beaming with genuine smiles.

Zhang Tianyi stood at the very back of the crowd, not looking at the fireworks in the sky.

He turned his head and looked at Liu Tianxian beside him.

Bathed in the vibrant light and shadow, her profile looked almost unreal.

Those golden eyes reflected the starry sky and the glow of fireworks.

Zhang Tianyi reached out and naturally enveloped her hand in his palm.