- The Ferris Wheel, Happy Valley Shenzhen -

In order for this plan of mine to work, it has to be planned and timed perfectly. Mei Gui and I were currently lined up at the back of the extremely long line...it seems many other people had the same idea as me, and as an aside, most of them were couples. I ran some mental calculations in my head to figure out the best time to enter. If necessary, I would let some other people go in front of us so that we can reach the highest possible spot on the Ferris Wheel right as the fireworks begin.

Let's see...there are currently exactly 30 people in front of us. If each compartment on the Ferris wheel can take 2 people at once, and there are 16 compartments in total, that means one spin can take 32 people. According to my observations, one full spin takes exactly 20 minutes. That means it will take 10 minutes for someone entering right now to reach the highest possible compartment slot. Hence, in order for this plan to succeed, Mei Gui and I must enter the Ferris Whell at exactly 11:50 PM. It is currently 11:29:50 PM, and starting from when I started timing (11:10), this rotation is about to end.

The next rotation will last from 11:30 PM to 11:50. And right after that rotation ends, Mei Gui and I have to be the first to enter the vacant compartment, thus starting our ride at exactly 11:50. Since the Ferris Wheel is not continuously moving but instead in a move, pause, move pattern that allows old passengers to get off and new passengers to get on, I do not have to factor in movement and machinery time.

However, at the rate we are currently going, we are going to end up going on earlier, since there are only 30 people before us. In order for this plan to play out perfectly, there must be 32 people in front of us. Since there are still two more rotations before our turn, 16 times 2 = 32.

I glanced behind us. There was a couple standing there - a handsome man and an average-looking lady - deep in flirting, and they looked to be in university. I grinned.

"Excuse me," I interrupted their conversation politely.

The male of the two turned to me. "Hm? Do you need something?"

I looked between them, and smiled. "Yeah...actually, I really need to use the washroom...could you save my spot for me? Don't worry, I'll give you something in return."

The female tilted her head. "Sure, but what do you mean by giving us something in return...?"

I chuckled, and pulled Mei Gui over. "I mean, I'm going to let you two go in front of us. Does that sound like a good deal?"

The couple looked at each other, then back at me. The male laughed. "Sure, kid. Don't worry, I'll also keep an eye on your girlfriend there, to make sure no random pervert tries making a move on her. She's quite the beauty, I can already tell."

Mei Gui was currently wearing her mask, but it seemed that didn't hide her beauty in the least. I, however, had my mask off since there was no need for me to wear one.

I gave him a little wink. "Thank you, senior."

Then, I sent a telepathic message to Mei Gui.

[Mei Gui, move behind them.]

[Why, Master?]

[Just do it, you'll know why soon.]

[Understood, Master.]

After making sure she had indeed let the couple go in front of her, I appeared to have left the crowd. In reality, however, I was merely hiding behind a tree, observing the situation. After around 15 minutes, I decided enough time had passed, and I walked my way back into the crowded line. Multiple people were displeased with my behaviour, which was to be expected.

"Hey! What are you doing, butting in line like that!" a man yelled at me, and I made a little praying gesture.

"Sorry, sorry! My spot is actually way up there...I just had to go use the washroom. You can ask that couple over there, I asked them to save my spot."

"Oi, is it true?" the man hollered over to the young university couple from earlier.

The couple both gave the man a nod. "Yeah, he's telling the truth."

The man glanced at me once more, before making a little 'shoo' gesture. I apologized with a bow once more, and headed back to my original spot in line...except we were now lined up perfectly for the highest spot possible, just as the fireworks begin. The young couple went on the compartment before Mei Gui and I, and I waved them goodbye.

Soon enough, it was 11:50 PM. It was finally Mei Gui and I's turn to enter the Ferris Wheel. The two of us calmly strode in, and the compartment doors clanked shut soon after. Mei Gui removed her mask, and let out a deep breath.

"Master, what was the meaning of letting that couple go first, earlier?"

I grinned. "Just wait a bit longer, Mei Gui. You'll see."

Then, after a short while, the Ferris Wheel began moving. We moved up a slot, and remained in place once more. This pattern repeated for the next 10 minutes.

11:50 - Slot 0 (or 16).

11:51:15 - Slot 1.

11:52:30 - Slot 2.

11:53:45 - Slot 3.

11:55 - Slot 4.

11:56:15 - Slot 5.

11:57:30 - Slot 6.

11:58:45 - Slot 7.

By this time, Mei Gui and I were in the second top-most position, and we could see the entire city already from here. I noticed the skyscraper I had considered going to before, had a timer on a monitor built in to its walls. Indeed - it was counting down to 00:00 AM, January 1st, 2023.

11:59:50 - The Ferris Wheel resumed moving, from Slot 7.

At the same time, the timer on the skyscraper zoomed in, and turned into just pure numbers. I doubted I could really hear it from all the way here, but I could've sworn I heard the cheers of the crowd below, within that skyscraper's plaza, counting down along with the timer on the massive monitor.

I stopped looking outside the window, and glanced at Mei Gui. "Get ready, Mei Gui. The fireworks, are about to start."

"Mm!" Mei Gui's eyes were sparkling with anticipation, and I chuckled, seeing her excitement.

"10! 9! 8! 7! 6! 5! 4!"

The Ferris Wheel began to slow down-

"3! 2! 1!"

Clank. The Ferris Wheel came to a stop, right as the timer hit 0.

BOOM!

Brilliant fireworks shot out from the roof of the skyscraper, and bloomed into beautiful flowers that painted the dark night sky rainbow as they reached a certain altitude.

"Woah..." Mei Gui pressed her face even closer to the glass window, and gazed in wonder at the mystical fireworks of the new year.

"..." There was a lot I wanted to say in this moment, but in the end, I chose to kept quiet and just let her enjoy the view. I too, gazed out the window. I had witnessed fireworks before...but I had to admit, never from such a high place. The spectacular sight to behold were far beyond my expectations. Before I knew it, I was smiling gently, as a tear streaked down my cheek.

"H-Huh...?" I shook my head and brought a hand to my right cheek, softly caressing the skin that had been wet by the tear.

Why am I...crying? It's not like this is my first time seeing fireworks...if Mei Gui cried tears of joy, I could understand, but what about me...? This isn't my first time, this isn't my first time...

...Ah, that's right. This isn't my first time. The last time I saw fireworks...was also the last fond memory I had of my father, mother, and I being all together outside the residency of the Xuan family. After that day, we had been confined to our tiny little house, unable to ever see fireworks, or make beautiful memories again...

I looked down at my palm, as a single tear dropped from my eye onto it. My hand slowly enclosed itself into a fist, and I closed my eyes.

Mother...Father...I love you.

And although I knew I wasn't ever going to get a response, I still spoke these words. Because I knew - I knew that while they were long gone from the real world, as long as I still remembered them, they will forever live on...within the lonely depths of my own heart.

Before I knew it, the Ferris Wheel began moving again as a light rain started pouring outside, and I snapped back to my senses. I quickly wiped away any traces of tears, and put a smile on my face.

"So? Mei Gui, how did you like the show?" I asked.

Mei Gui finally turned around, and gave me a genuinely happy smile. "It was beautiful, Master...I loved it."

I patted her head gently. "I see...that's good. I have no complaints either..."

Then, remembering something, I chuckled and continued. "Oh, the only thing though? The next time we're here, Mei Gui, you're going to have to go on that Leviathan ride by yourself, haha..."

Her eyes immediately lit up even further. "There will be...a next time?"

I smirked. "Of course. You had fun today, didn't you?"

She nodded. "Yes...I loved everything about today."

"Then, we'll have to work hard to get more money. Once we do that, we can come here whenever we want, yeah?"

"Yes, Master!" she exclaimed, then latched onto my arm happily.

Hm...? Since when was she open with her emotions? Actually...it's not just her. Since when was I so doting on someone, apart from Qing Yue...? I don't know if this is thanks to our Chaos connection or whatever, but I feel inclined to protect Mei Gui, and I'm guessing she feels the same about me. We were like family, in a sense, despite having only met not even a month ago.

...Guess she's not the only one who changed, huh? Am I...opening up to people more? Am I...gradually understanding the word 'friends'? The word 'love'? I do not know...but there is one thing I can be certain of.

Mei Gui...I will forever treasure you, and will do anything to protect you. I know that ever since you were awakened, you have been the one protecting me, but...I promise, I will get stronger very soon. And when I do...I will never let a single soul as much as touch a strand of your hair. Just wait for me, Mei Gui...

The mood was nice and relaxing, as the fireworks continued to majestically explode in the sky. However, then, as if denying a single moment of peace for me, another loud explosion ensued. It came from the direction of the plaza, but there was just one thing off about it...

...It was not the sound of fireworks.