After warming up by the fireplace, the group moved into the main hall. Inside the heat-filled room, everyone had clearly been waiting for a while.
This time, the banquet was well-attended, but most of the guests were people close to Zhong Yan.
Members of the Cunning Hares and Victoria Housekeeping Co., the Phaethon siblings, Zhong Yan and his three children, plus the Mistress—this was essentially the guest list for the event.
"So extravagant—looks like your Victoria Housekeeping Co. has made quite a bit lately," Zhong Yan said as he sat down in the seat prepared especially for him. He looked up at the Mistress of the Victoria Household sitting in the main chair.
Hearing this, the Mistress couldn't help but laugh. "Not at all! It's only fitting to host something grand for the most honored guest of the Victoria Household."
Then, she shifted the tone slightly and added, "From what I know, Mr. Zhong Yan, you must have made a rather sizable income recently as well, haven't you? The most popular online novelist in all of New Eridu isn't exactly an average person."
Indeed, over the past three years, Zhong Yan had made a huge leap in the online fiction world—rising from a rookie writer to New Eridu's most celebrated author.
His monthly income had gone from one million Denny to fifty million Denny. And that was just in royalties—not counting the licensing fees from adaptations.
If those were included, the number would be astounding.
Zhong Yan didn't deny it. He nodded and said, "I've been eyeing a small island in the city center. In about a year or so, I should be able to buy it outright. When that time comes, I'll move Ellen and Xixi there. I suppose you won't object to that?"
"Of course not," the woman nodded. "Xixi is your child, and Ellen is your wife. Logically and emotionally, I have no reason to keep them here. If I could, I'd buy the island for you myself. But I imagine you wouldn't accept it."
Indeed, Zhong Yan's greatest goal in life was to fulfill his dreams through his own effort. Now, with just a year left before achieving it, there was no way he'd let anyone else intervene.
"In fact, not just Ellen and Xixi—Anby and Belle, along with Ling and Lan, I plan to bring them all. I've told you this a long time ago," Zhong Yan said as he turned to look at Nicole and Belle.
The two women exchanged a glance, then nodded in perfect sync.
"Are we going to live with Daddy?" Suddenly, a small hand tugged at Zhong Yan's pant leg. Looking down, he saw three-year-old Zhong Lan gazing up at him curiously.
Among the three kids, Zhong Lan had the least presence—but that didn't mean Zhong Yan paid him any less attention.
"You don't want to live with your old man?" Zhong Yan bent down and asked in a mock-serious tone.
Zhong Lan's expression immediately shifted to panic. "No, no! Of course I want to live with Daddy!"
Seeing this, Zhong Yan couldn't help but laugh. He reached out and gently patted the boy's little head—his hair, inherited from his mother, was soft and pleasant to the touch.
"Stop teasing him already," Belle suddenly said. "He's been pestering to see you for days—you wouldn't believe how much he missed you." Her words made Zhong Yan pause.
At the same moment, Zhong Ling and Zhong Xi, noticing the commotion, rushed over and positioned themselves in front of Zhong Lan. As the older sibling, Zhong Ling pointed at Zhong Yan and said, "You're not allowed to bully Xiao Lan!"
Zhong Yan: "???"
"Do you two want to be wrestled too?" he said with a fake fierce look as he approached them, causing the three little ones to retreat in fear.
As it turns out, no matter how brave children may seem, they're never brave enough to take on their own dad—especially when they're only three or four years old.
After the playful scuffle between father and children, the banquet officially began.
Everyone in the hall wore joyful expressions, welcoming the new year with delight.
The adults raised their glasses and toasted around the table, while the three little ones, under Lina's watchful care, ran off to play in a corner of the hall.
…
Meanwhile, in Blazewood Town on the outskirts of New Eridu—
Three members of the Akatsuki Organization and Sons of Calydon were gathered inside the newly built [Cheesetopia], sipping Nitro-Fuel-mixed drinks personally prepared by Burnice. The scene was warm and peaceful.
At Hollow Affairs & Neutralization Department, Hollow Special Operations Section 6, having finished their daily work, were enjoying a rare meal together.
Other groups—such as Belobog Heavy Industries, the Public Security Bureau, and the Nin-Village—were all preparing to celebrate the arrival of the new year.
Finally, at exactly midnight, the New Year's chime echoed across New Eridu. A moment later, brilliant fireworks exploded in the sky—drawing everyone's attention.
After the celebration, the lights gradually dimmed and people began to drift off to sleep.
Inside the Victoria Housekeeping Estate, Zhong Yan stood at the top of a tall tower, gazing over all of New Eridu.
This tower had been built specifically for Zhong Xi. When she was two, she had once said she wanted to see the view from high up.
So, the tower—complete with elevator, rooms, heating systems, and more—was constructed.
As for the Denny it took to build? That was hardly a concern for the Victoria Housekeeping.
This space had since become the private residence of Zhong Yan's family. No outsiders were permitted entry.
"All the children are asleep. You're not planning to sleep yet?" A gentle voice came from behind. Zhong Yan turned to see that Anby had arrived.
Tonight, only Anby, Zhong Yan, and the three little ones were staying here. The others had been arranged to sleep in rooms below.
"Not really sleepy. If you're tired, go ahead and rest," Zhong Yan replied. After so many years with Anby, he no longer felt the need to speak with restraint.
"If you're not sleeping, I can't sleep either. After all… I'm still waiting for you." As she spoke, Anby walked up and slowly undid the top two buttons of her nightgown.
The move immediately caught Zhong Yan's attention—but he knew it wasn't the right time yet.
Still, he didn't plan on doing nothing. He reached out and pulled Anby into his arms.
The two of them embraced, gazing at the scenery in the distance, overcome with a sense of dreamlike peace.
"How long do you think this peaceful life will last?" Anby suddenly asked.
Zhong Yan was puzzled. "Why do you ask that?"
"I just feel like this kind of life is really hard-earned. I want to protect it with everything I have… but I'm scared it might slip away," she murmured, resting her head against his chest.
Zhong Yan didn't respond right away. After a moment of silence, he said, "As long as I'm here, this kind of life will never end. Don't worry—there's no one left who can challenge me."
Hearing that, Anby said nothing more. She simply let out a soft "Mm."
And that—was her answer.
The name Uchiha had long echoed across all of New Eridu. He was known as the strongest human alive. As long as he was there, New Eridu would never fall.
His story—the story of the name Uchiha—would never end.