Chapter 188: No Matter How Good It Is Outside, You Still Have to Go Home for the New Year

“This… who cleaned up all the firecracker debris on the street?!”

“Who’s so kind-hearted?!”

Staring at the now spotless street and the firecracker remnants neatly gathered into small mounds, Lei Ben exclaimed in astonishment.

Beside him, the Tiao Lang Clan worker clapped a hand on his shoulder. “You still can’t figure it out?”

“Mr. Gu!”

“Auntie, I wouldn’t have realized if you hadn’t said it!”

“In such a short time, no one but Mr. Gu could’ve cleaned up all this firecracker debris so quickly!”

Clicking his tongue in admiration, Lei Ben added, “Mr. Gu really knows how to be considerate.”

“Alright then, since he’s already helped us pile it up, we should be able to finish sweeping everything in just half a day.”

“Let’s hurry up and get it done. In the afternoon, we’ll change into clean clothes, and I’ll take you to meet the Guo family!”

Swish!

At those words, Lei Ben didn’t bother responding—he simply sprang into action. In a flash, he charged toward the mounds of firecracker debris with the force of a thunderbolt.

At that moment, those piles of firecracker remnants were no longer just scraps of paper in his eyes… They had become the symbol of his beloved “plumpness.”

Meanwhile, Gu Ning’an had already arrived at the entrance of the alley leading to his courtyard.

Even from a distance, he could see that the old wooden gate of his home had been decorated with a pair of bright red Spring Festival couplets.

Right couplet: The dragon soars across the nine provinces, joyfully welcoming the new year.
Left couplet: Spring fills the four seas, celebrating a bountiful harvest.
Top inscription: A prosperous Year of the Dragon.

The calligraphy was neat, but the strokes were somewhat immature—clearly written by a child.

There was no need to guess. The only one who would take the time to put up Spring Festival couplets at An Si Courtyard was probably that rascal, Hu Shi.

Creak.

The courtyard gate suddenly swung open, and a thick cloud of white smoke, carrying the scent of dry tobacco, billowed out.

Moments later, Butcher Liu emerged, a tobacco pipe clenched between his teeth, eyes squinting as he walked out. Puffing away leisurely, he looked utterly content.

“Happy New Year, Butcher Liu,” Gu Ning’an greeted with a cupped-fist salute.

Hearing the voice, the recently awakened Butcher Liu rubbed his eyes. Once he was sure he wasn’t seeing things, he burst into laughter. “Happy New Year! Mr. Gu, happy New Year!”

“I thought you weren’t coming back for the New Year!”

“You’ve been gone quite a while!”

Gu Ning’an chuckled. “No matter where you are, you still have to come home for the New Year. I rushed back as fast as I could.”

“Exactly, exactly!” Butcher Liu wedged his tobacco pipe into his belt and took a few steps forward, grinning. “No matter how good life is elsewhere, if you don’t spend the New Year at home, it always feels like something’s missing.”

“A few days ago, my son and daughter-in-law took me on a trip to Xiangzhou Prefecture.”

“The city is great—delicious food, comfortable lodging, street performers, opera shows—everything you could want.”

“They wanted me to stay there and celebrate the New Year with them in Xiangzhou Prefecture…”

“But as soon as I heard that, I turned around and headed straight back home.”

“For something as important as the New Year, how could I be so far from home?”

“Wouldn’t you say so, Mr. Gu?”

Hearing this, Gu Ning’an smiled and said, “That’s right. No matter how good it is outside, it can’t compare to home… But, Butcher Liu, you’re getting on in years. Without younger family members around, don’t you feel lonely?”

Butcher Liu chuckled and countered, “Aren’t you alone too, sir? Do you feel lonely?”

Gu Ning’an shook his head. “Not at all.”

“Then there you have it… With all the hustle and bustle of the neighbors, I let the young ones live their lives while I enjoy staying at home.”

As he spoke, Butcher Liu seemed to remember something and suddenly changed the subject. “Mr. Gu, let me tell you—just a few days ago, a gang of roaming thieves came to Lexiang County.”

“A lot of our neighbors suffered at their hands!”

“They were cunning, and the county yamen constables couldn’t catch them…”

“In the end, they even set their sights on your courtyard!”

Gu Ning’an smiled. “And then what happened?”

“I saw them and immediately went to report it to the authorities!”

“And guess what?”

“By the time I brought the constables over, those four thieves were already lying neatly outside your courtyard—completely knocked out!”

“Every single one of them had passed out…”

“Later, the constable told me that when they woke up, they confessed that they hadn’t stolen anything. They just saw the golden kumquats in your yard looking delicious and wanted to pick some. But the moment they touched the tree, it sent them flying!”

Hearing this, Gu Ning’an glanced at the kumquat tree peeking over the courtyard wall and chuckled. “Thanks for reporting it for me, Butcher Liu.”

“No need to thank me. We’re neighbors—it’s just what we should do.” Butcher Liu waved a hand dismissively before adding, “Oh, by the way, that rascal Hu Shi climbed over the wall yesterday to clean up some dust in your courtyard. He also put up the Spring Festival couplets.”

“Old Master Hu told me that if I saw you, I should pass the message along so you wouldn’t misunderstand.”

“Got it. I’ll go check on my home first. I’ll drop by for a chat when I have time.” With that, Gu Ning’an strode toward An Si Courtyard.

“Alright! Come by anytime if you want to chat!”

Butcher Liu laughed and resumed smoking his pipe, humming a tune as he wandered off.

Entering the courtyard, Gu Ning’an first walked over to the kumquat tree, examining it from top to bottom.

After several months, its branches had grown even lusher. A gentle breeze stirred its leaves, making them sway lightly, as if greeting him.

“I heard you chased away some thieves… Good job guarding the house.” Smiling, Gu Ning’an fetched a bucket of well water and poured it generously at the tree’s roots. Then, setting the bucket down, he praised it once more.

Running his hand over its smooth trunk, he closed his eyes and focused. He could feel vibrant energy surging within the tree’s branches—full of life, brimming with spiritual essence.

Plop.

A golden kumquat detached from a branch and landed precisely on the sleeve of his robe.

Catching it in one fluid motion, Gu Ning’an observed the fruit—it was the size of an egg, glowing with a faint golden light. Amused, he remarked, “This season’s fruit is quite plump.”

A refreshing fragrance wafted from the kumquat, making his mouth water.

Taking a bite, he was instantly met with a burst of sweet and tangy juice that danced on his taste buds.

In just a few bites, he had devoured the entire fruit.

“Here’s the Hongchen Sword—see if you can learn anything from the Worldly Qi…” Extending his hand, Gu Ning’an summoned a peachwood sword, which landed beneath the kumquat tree.

The tree rustled its branches in response, producing a soft “shaa-shaa” sound, as if expressing its joy.