Chapter 1150: New Year's Eve
Bian Ling seemed a bit surprised but didn't press further, replacing everything with a smile.
In the room, Bian Ling smiled without speaking. As her mother, Ms. Zhao was thoroughly satisfied with Xu Huo but didn't want to overstep her role.
Ms. Yu was the stepmother, and it was naturally difficult for her to speak freely with her adult stepchildren, especially with the biological mother present. So she could only shoot glances at Xu Huo's father.
Xu Huo's father was clearly not a man of many words, wisely using silence to mask his awkwardness while secretly glancing toward Ms. Fang.
As for Ms. Fang, sorry, she had no interest in anyone present, keeping her eyes fixed on the book in her hands without looking up.
The one who finally spoke was Tang Guangbo. With a fatherly glow in his eyes, he broke the ice by asking Bian Ling how old she was.
"I'm twenty-five this year," Bian Ling replied with a smile.
"Then you're about the same age as Xu Huo," Tang Guangbo continued. "Do you have a boyfriend?"
Bian Ling gave a shy smile. "Work at the Special Defense Department keeps me busy. Haven't had the chance."
"Young people all need to focus on their careers," Ms. Zhao picked up the thread, steering the conversation back to Xu Huo. "Young Xu is accomplished at a young age. He must have a girlfriend, right?"
"Not at all," Xu Huo said, proactively refilling Bian Ling's tea. "I've been very busy these past six months."
014 had only entered the game six months ago. Ms. Zhao nodded repeatedly. "That's how it is for young people, but no matter how busy, you still need to balance your personal life. Life needs variety to have flavor."
The atmosphere had eased somewhat. Ms. Zhao and Bian Ling stayed for a while before leaving. Since it was New Year's Eve, people generally didn't spend it at someone else's home.
"Let's have dinner early," Ms. Fang said after Bian Ling and her mother left. "I need to get back after we eat."
Because of Tang Guangbo, Ms. Fang didn't live in this neighborhood but in the Special Defense Department's family quarters.
"I'll help with the cooking," Tang Guangbo said, rolling up his sleeves. "I've learned a few new dishes recently. Time to show off."
Xu Huo's father called him into the kitchen, while Ms. Fang and Ms. Yu helped out on the side.
Tong Tong had already opened his New Year's gift early, pulling out a set of player figurines and inviting Xu Huo to play with him. Nowadays, some famous players who frequently used props in public had earned nicknames matching their prop effects, and this was reflected in the figurines.
"Brother, who's stronger—Little Ghost's invisibility or Golden Horn King's windstorm?" The child held up two dolls with a curious expression. Before getting an answer, he continued, "Are they stronger than you?"
"They have numbers on their side," Xu Huo said, putting down his communicator after reading the messages and casually picking up the remote. "Two against one—who do you think wins?"
Tong Tong looked unconvinced. "Don't think you can fool me just because I'm young. Strong players fight one against several."
Xu Huo smiled. "Fighting one against several isn't impressive. Killing one against several is."
In this age of information explosion, kids' minds were sometimes sharper than adults'. He leaned in and whispered, "Brother, I want to be a player when I grow up."
His whisper didn't escape Ms. Yu's sharp ears. She slammed the cleaned scallions into the basin.
Tong Tong flinched but still brazenly made a face at Xu Huo.
"You need to understand that not everyone can become a player," Xu Huo said, suddenly turning serious. "Even if you become one, there are strong and weak. Do you want to be weak or strong?"
"Strong!" Tong Tong puffed out his chest, his ambition soaring. "I want those bad guys to tremble just hearing my name!"
"Ambitious," Xu Huo praised, then added, "But becoming a strong player requires thorough preparation. First, you need to train your body, temper your will, and study all kinds of knowledge to arm your mind."
"I can do it!" the child said eagerly. "I'm always in the top ten of my class!"
"That's far from enough," Xu Huo shook his head seriously. "There are other requirements."
Tong Tong quickly asked, "What requirements?"
Xu Huo picked up a head of garlic, broke it in half, and placed one half in the child's hand. "Before becoming a powerful player, learn to do housework first."
His grand ambition now dashed by household chores, the child squatted by the trash can and began peeling garlic.
Xu Huo occasionally lent a hand, but Ms. Yu noticed he kept pulling out his communicator every few minutes. "If you have things to do, go ahead. There's not much left here anyway."
"Just replying to New Year's greetings," he said. "I wonder if anyone will come by tonight."
"Probably not," Ms. Yu said uncertainly. "The neighborhood sent out a notice in advance. Residents are to stay put for the New Year—no going back to hometowns, and no bringing relatives in."
"We'll find out soon enough," Xu Huo said with a faint smile.
Under Ms. Fang's urging, the family finally had their New Year's Eve dinner before dark. After the meal, Tang Guangbo left with Ms. Fang. Before leaving, he only told Xu Huo to visit Ms. Fang more often, saying nothing else and not mentioning Ting City.
Xu Huo saw them off to the underground parking lot, watching the car disappear into the distance before heading back upstairs.
In the living room, Xu Huo's father and Ms. Yu had already changed clothes, planning to take Tong Tong downstairs for a stroll. The neighborhood residents had set up a small lantern display for those who didn't want to watch TV programs to enjoy the festivities while it was still early.
"Don't go downstairs tonight," Xu Huo said. "Staying in and watching TV is fine."
The family had all been ready, exchanging glances. Finally, the old man spoke up, and they all settled in the living room to watch TV.
Tong Tong wanted to argue but saw Xu Huo's smile fade, so he obediently sat down on the sofa.
Xu Huo stayed in the living room too.
The TV played festive music as the sky outside was quickly swallowed by darkness. The damp, cold fog gradually encroached on the residential buildings, submerging everything above the fifth floor in thick moisture.
Visibility shrank rapidly. From upstairs, they could barely make out the scenery below the building, only a few dark tree shadows—and that was just nearby. Forget about farther away; even the lights were blurry and indistinct.
Downstairs, all human voices had faded. In many homes, even the sound of the TV had gone silent.
At the same time, messages on Xu Huo's communicator came more and more frequently.
"Is something wrong?" Xu Huo's father asked nervously.
"Nothing major," Xu Huo said, standing up. "Grandpa, Dad, stay home and watch TV. I'm going out for a bit."
The whole family tensed up. The old man tightened his grip on his water glass and said, "Be careful."
Xu Huo went back upstairs, opened his room door, and stepped through—arriving downstairs.
By now, some players who had returned to the neighborhood for the New Year had already come down. A few stood in the walkways, on trees, or atop streetlights. Special Defense Department players responsible for security had also appeared near the neighborhood's outer perimeter. The commanding team leader announced through the communicator to all players:
"Guard the gates! Don't let a single mouse slip through!"