Suddenly realizing this, Lin Chuan felt his life was too tragic.

"Do you think I'm a failure?" Lin Chuan asked.

"No, how can you say you're a failure?" Miss Lan hurriedly comforted him, "If even you are a failure, then there are no successful men in this world."

"How is that possible?" Lin Chuan said sarcastically, "I believe my mom was definitely disappointed in me before she died."

"No way." Miss Lan shook her head and said, "I believe your mom was certainly satisfied with you, trust me."

Miss Lan pulled Lin Chuan's head into her embrace.

Lin Chuan gently leaned against Miss Lan's chest and then softly said, "If possible, I would trade my life for my mom's."

"You're really foolish." Miss Lan laughed and said, "If your mom knew, she'd definitely be mad at you. Thoughts like that would really disappoint your mom."

Boom...

Suddenly, at the entrance of Changlin Community, a barrel of fireworks shot up into the sky. It exploded into a magnificent mushroom cloud shape mid-air. From Lin Chuan's house, he happened to be able to see the display of fireworks. Instantly, it felt overwhelmingly beautiful.

Lin Chuan lay in Miss Lan's arms, watching the fireworks outside, muttering, "I wonder if my mom can see these beautiful fireworks from heaven. She used to love watching fireworks the most. Every Chinese New Year's Eve, she always liked to drag me to People's Square to watch the fireworks."

"She certainly can see them." Miss Lan immediately nodded.

"I hope so too!" Lin Chuan nodded.

On Chinese New Year's Eve, it was originally a time for family bliss and happiness. However, Lin Chuan's eyes were always red. When abroad, during the holidays, Lin Chuan was always filled with longing for his mother. He always wanted to bring something to his mother, finding himself dreaming of returning home countless times. Yet now it's different, because he can no longer see his mother. Before, on Chinese New Year's Eve, at least there was something to look forward to, but now, even the slightest bit of hope has completely vanished.

Nuo Xiaoxi began tidying up the dining table, cleaning up the disarrayed bowls and chopsticks on the table. Most of the dishes had already been consumed. Because they drank this time, no one really ate much of the food. If it had been a regular meal, this table of dishes might have been completely finished.

The table was cleaned, and the bowls and chopsticks were also washed. The whole place seemed filled with corpses, with snoring sounds getting louder and louder.

With so many people, it seemed there might not even be a place to sleep at night. The sofa was filled with people lounging, and the Taishi Chair was occupied by Iron Bull, who squeezed his burly body inside, turning it into a child-like rocking chair. The Taishi Chair was really too small for him.

As it got closer to the evening, the sound of firecrackers became increasingly dense. The sound of fireworks also grew more intense. All the sounds seemed to concentrate at this moment.

New Year's Eve, staying up late.

The family gathered at home, everyone surrounding the stove, chatting, talking about work, talking about life...

Lin Chuan's house felt somewhat silent.

Lin Chuan stood alone in front of his mother's portrait, using his hand to wipe it clean, feeling sad and quite heartbroken. Next to him, Miss Lan gently comforted, "Lin Chuan, today is New Year's Eve, don't be sad. It's the New Year."

"Mm, I'm not sad." Lin Chuan shook his head.

"Then what's wrong?" Miss Lan asked.

"I'm just feeling it's unfortunate for my mom." Lin Chuan smiled a little, then said, "My mom worked hard all her life but never enjoyed a day of good fortune. Despite my career being relatively successful now, she didn't get to experience any of it."

"Even though your mom didn't enjoy good fortunes, she has seen your career rising steadily." Miss Lan said.

"This time, you all came to my home for the New Year because the old General arranged it, right?" Lin Chuan asked.

"How did you know?" Miss Lan looked at Lin Chuan in puzzlement and said, "You little guy can't be someone who predicts future events, can you?"

"Of course, I'm not someone who predicts future events." Lin Chuan smiled bitterly and said, "But based on my understanding of the old General, I guessed with about ninety percent certainty it's him who had you come. The old General probably worried I'd feel sad spending the New Year alone, so he had you come and keep me company."

"Haha, you really figured it out." Miss Lan laughed and said, "So you shouldn't feel sad. Even though you've lost your mom, there are still so many people who love and care about you, like the old General, and us..."

Lin Chuan smiled a little and then said, "Yes, what right do I have to be sad, what right do I have to be upset."

"Exactly." Miss Lan snorted lightly.

"Where are you all staying tonight?" Lin Chuan asked.

"That's up to you." Miss Lan glanced at Lin Chuan and said, "You can't possibly have us sleep on the floor, can you?"

"Well..." Lin Chuan hesitated for a moment and then said awkwardly, "Stay at a hotel then, I'll have someone book a room for you."

"Alright." Miss Lan nodded.

Then Lin Chuan immediately called to book several rooms at the Golden Shield Hotel.

............

Beijing City.

The New Year atmosphere in Beijing was even more pronounced, after all, this is the political center of the country. The leaders of the Republic had practically redecorated the entire city in anticipation of the New Year. Moreover, at Tiananmen Square, they had set up several gigantic baskets and New Year mascots. The square was packed with people. Many were celebrating the arrival of the New Year, while even more were waiting for the massive fireworks display at Tiananmen.

Although the authorities had banned fireworks and firecrackers throughout the city, every year they still held an official fireworks display.

8 PM sharp.

The fireworks at Tiananmen began, and several massive fireworks soared into the sky. They exploded into gigantic colorful spheres in mid-air, dazzling and breathtakingly beautiful, quickly becoming the focal point for countless onlookers gazing skyward.

The General's residence.

Two guards stood at the door, both standing upright and vigilant. Giant lanterns were hung at the entrance, with the word 'auspicious' pasted on them. A couplet was also pasted at the entrance.

Inside the General's residence, there was a bustling atmosphere. A group of people were brimming with excitement.

Several young generals were spending New Year's Eve with the old General in his estate. The old General, his face rosy with drink, slapped his belly and said, "None of you can handle your liquor like one man I know."

"Who?" a tipsy young general asked, "I'll challenge him to a drink-off."

"You?" The old General laughed heartily, "Even three of you wouldn't be his match."

At that moment, someone asked, "General, you wouldn't be talking about that crazy Lin Chuan, would you?"

The old General burst into laughter and nodded, "Yes, it's that kid. His drinking prowess is extraordinary. I'm getting weaker by the day, but I've got someone to follow in my footsteps. If any of you want to drink with me, you'll have to outdrink Lin Chuan first."

The crowd fell silent, no one daring to speak up.

"General, I heard there's been some trouble in Lin Chuan's family?" someone asked.

"Yes!" the old General nodded. "There has indeed been an issue, and it has affected him. I hope he can move past it quickly and throw himself back into the fight."

"Yes!" the young major general nodded. "This guy is just in his twenties, and he's got a bright future ahead of him. He shouldn't let this incident knock him down. After all, he's a sharp blade in our hands."

The old General nodded, "Mm."

The old General stood up from his chair and walked slowly to the door. Outside, he could see the display of fireworks on the square. Those massive fireworks blooms looked like multicolored flowers, mesmerizing and splendid. The old General said with a sense of nostalgia, "Losing a Lin Chuan would be like losing an entire mechanized unit. It costs much more to maintain a mechanized unit than a Lin Chuan."

"Indeed." Everyone nodded in agreement.

"Tomorrow's New Year, and I wonder when that kid will come to pay his respects," the old General muttered, "I've got a big red envelope waiting for him."

"Big red envelope?" The crowd was stunned.

"Yes!" the old General smiled and said, "A big red envelope."

"What's in it?" Everyone was curious. Since the old General referred to it as a big red envelope, it was evidently something special, at least not just money. They speculated it might be some advanced weaponry or something else entirely.

The old General replied leisurely, "It's just a big red envelope."

Amidst the crowd's astonished gazes, the old General slowly pulled out a red envelope from his pocket, stuffed to the brim.

"Uh..." The crowd was taken aback.

"Ten thousand yuan," the old General chuckled.

"Ten thousand... yuan?!" Everyone's jaws dropped, not because of the amount, but because they found it unbelievable. The old General actually planned to give Lin Chuan a ten-thousand-yuan red envelope?

Lin Chuan wasn't short of money, and the old General certainly wasn't. So why give a red envelope? The crowd was puzzled. After all, it's not like anyone needed the money. If it was a high-end weapon, they might understand, but... this red envelope was beyond their comprehension.

"Yes!" the old General nodded, then laughed heartily and said, "When I was a kid, I also received red envelopes, but back then, it was just red paper wrapped around a few silver coins. I would happily spend it on candy."

"Haha..." Everyone laughed.

"Since it's from a regular family, a red envelope is a must," the old General chuckled. "I've always considered Lin Chuan as my grandson. Now that his mother passed away, I formally acknowledge him as my grandson. Haha..."

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