Chapter 645: Chapter 645: Fireworks

Liam Sterling, Ryan Rowe, and Rhys Chase also came into the kitchen to help. Once all the dishes were on the dining table, Zoe counted them. There were an incredible twenty-two dishes.

"Good things come in pairs! Let’s all eat and drink our fill tonight. We still have to stay up for the New Year’s vigil and set off fireworks."

At the mention of fireworks, Zoe and Annie were the most excited. After everyone sat down, tradition dictated that they all have a drink before picking up their chopsticks to eat.

"Annie and Zoe can only drink Coke for now. When you’re a little older, you can have alcohol too," Quincy said, pouring them two glasses of the soda. Zoe took a sip, and the carbonation made her burp, which made everyone laugh.

"This is gross. It’s not sweet."

Annie nodded in agreement. Quincy got them a bottle of juice instead, and only after tasting its sweetness did they put down their cups, satisfied.

"Come on! A toast! To another year together. From here on out, every year will be better than the last." Quincy raised his glass, and everyone stood up to join him, downing their drinks.

"I’m so happy I got to meet all of you this year. I’m just... incredibly happy. I hope you’ll all have me, and I promise I’ll work hard from now on," Liam Sterling said, then immediately downed his drink in one go.

"I mainly want to thank all of you. Especially for your help during the earthquake, sorting through all those chaotic supplies and even washing everything clean. I’m also very grateful to Evelyn Ford and Ronan Kendrick, who have been helping me for months. And finally, I want to say thank you to Liam Sterling and Ryan Rowe. All my gratitude is in this drink. My toast is to all of you." Rhys Chase finished and also drained his glass.

Ryan Rowe pressed his lips together. "I’d like to toast everyone as well." He also downed the alcohol in his glass. One by one, everyone shared their hopes for the coming year before they all sat down to eat.

"Things seem to be stabilizing now, which has put my mind at ease," Rhys Chase sighed. "To be honest, when I first arrived in Eldoria, I wasn’t very optimistic about our prospects here. But the plains and desert are safer than mountains or the ocean, so this was our only choice for a location."

"From what I’ve observed, I really have to admire the surveyors’ decision," Evelyn Ford said. "Eldoria is situated between the desert and the plains, a truly unique geographical location. It’s an oasis, after all. For one, it’s large enough and flat enough to accommodate over ten million people. We also have mines and the freshwater lake. I’m actually very optimistic. I think Eldoria is perfect."

"Do you all think things have really stabilized?"

To prevent another disaster, the buildings in the base weren’t built tall, and their foundations were laid very deep. With soldiers patrolling nearby, no one dared to cut corners on construction.

’But everyone still worried. Have things really stabilized for good?’

"I believe things have stabilized," Evelyn Ford said, her voice firm and resolute.

Her words were a great comfort, soothing everyone’s anxieties.

At ten o’clock, the table was cleared, and everyone headed out of the cabin, ready to set off fireworks in the open area out front.

"The base should be starting its own fireworks display around now. How about we set off a few here first, then go watch the main show?"

"Yeah! It’s bound to be a huge party tonight. Let’s go join in!" Quincy was visibly excited. Always the first to jump into a crowd, he even ran to his bedroom to change into a new outfit.

Evelyn Ford took a firework from the box. Ronan Kendrick lit the fuse for her, and it instantly shot into the sky and exploded with a deafening BOOM. Evelyn couldn’t help but jump in excitement.

"Wow, that was so pretty! Ronan, light another one! This is so much fun!"

Ronan Kendrick lit another one. Wendy, getting into the spirit, grabbed a lighter with Officer Graham and started setting off fireworks too.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa..."

"I’m amazing! I’m a genius! I can’t believe I made such beautiful fireworks!" Evelyn was so excited she leaped onto Ronan Kendrick’s back. He caught her, holding her by the thighs to keep her from falling.

"Ronan, aren’t I amazing?"

Ronan nodded. "The most amazing. The best in the world."

Evelyn Ford burst out laughing.

Ronan spun around in circles with her on his back. Wyatt Vaughn pinched Quincy’s side. "Look at Ronan."

Quincy, completely missing the point, said, "Why should I look at Ronan? I’m watching the fireworks. Do you want to light one? I can light it for you."

Wyatt Vaughn was speechless.

"I ought to just light *you* on fire."

"Light me on fire? Why? I won’t explode." Quincy was completely confused.

"Zoe, come here! Daddy will light a Fairy Stick for you. We’re little fairies, so we should play with these sparkly little fireworks."

Zoe tilted her head. "I’m not a little fairy. I’m a sword-wielding heroine."

Quincy nodded. "Right, you’re a heroine. But heroines can play with Fairy Sticks, too. Here, take them. One for each hand. Dad will light them for you."

Joelle Finch wanted to play with a Fairy Stick, too. In the past, she never would have dared to dream of a day like this—a peaceful life without having to worry about her next meal. She had become much more cheerful over the past two years. Being younger, she was doted on by Miles Vaughn, who was so considerate that he knew what she wanted with just a single glance.

Miles Vaughn watched her with a smile, then handed Joelle Finch an entire box of fireworks.

"This whole box is for you."

Joelle Finch smiled shyly. After Miles Vaughn lit the fuse, she held it high, watching the firework soar into the sky and burst.

The explosion was beautiful, like tens of millions of stars twinkling in the sky. It only lasted an instant, but that was enough.

Evelyn Ford was getting a little drunk. She had a very low tolerance for alcohol; just one cup of strong liquor was enough to make her face as red as a tomato.

Draped over Ronan Kendrick’s back, she was so happy she started waving her arms and kicking her legs, squealing with delight.

"Ronan, light another one! I want to see more!"

The acrid smell of gunpowder after the fireworks burst was sharp, but Evelyn Ford loved it. She sniffed the air, trying to inhale as much of it as she could, as if addicted. A satisfied smile spread across her face.

"Celebrating the New Year is the best."

At eleven o’clock, everyone exited the space and reappeared inside a spacious vehicle compartment. Outside, the sound of fireworks was deafening. Evelyn Ford couldn’t wait to join the festivities. With her still on his back, Ronan Kendrick opened the vehicle’s door and jumped right out.

A large crowd had gathered outside. Evelyn Ford straightened up, placing her hands on Ronan Kendrick’s shoulders and craning her neck to see.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

FWOOSH! FWOOSH! FWOOSH!

As the explosions echoed and the fireworks burst in the sky, the crowd erupted in cheers.

Evelyn’s ego took a hit. The base’s fireworks were gorgeous. They came in so many colors, the bursts were huge, and they seemed to hang in the air forever before fading.

"Ronan... I want that kind of firework..."

Ronan nodded. "Alright. I’ll go get some for you."

Ronan Kendrick walked over to Rhys Chase and made the request as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Evelyn, still a bit drunk, kept urging him to hurry up and light the fireworks.

Rhys Chase didn’t waste any time, sending Ryan Rowe on an errand. Half an hour later, a few people drove up in a three-wheeled vehicle. In the back were several extra-large Gatlings.

Evelyn Ford hopped off Ronan Kendrick’s back and grabbed Wendy to light the fireworks with her. People from the crowd gathered around to watch. Evelyn personally lit one of the extra-large Gatlings. As the fireworks shot into the sky and exploded, the air filled with cheers and applause.

"Happy New Year, everyone!" Evelyn shouted.

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