I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Qingdeng felt every hair on his body stand on end! His heart pounded rapidly, sounding a warning signal, and a chill rose from the soles of his feet, shooting straight to the top of his head.

In the blink of an eye, his body acted before his consciousness—he instinctively stepped back.

However... in the blink of an eye! As soon as Qing Deng retreated, he suddenly felt a fragrant breeze rushing towards him—Zanako pounced on him like a hungry tiger and grabbed his shoulders.

Then, with a muffled "thud," she slammed Qing Deng down onto the tatami mat.

Immediately afterwards, she plopped down on Qingdeng's stomach.

The two formed a "woman on top, man on bottom" position.

"Don't be nervous, Mr. Orange."

Sanako smiled sweetly and said, "It feels so refreshing and sunny, without a trace of the coldness I felt just now."

Thanks to the dazzling fireworks outside the window, Qing Deng was able to see clearly the expression that Sanako had etched.

She pursed her lips and tightened her facial features... It was easy to see that she was trying hard to appear calm and composed.

What a pity... No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't hide the vibrant pink color and the intense shyness.

Qingdeng wondered if it was just his imagination.

He always felt... there seemed to be a strange "flame" burning in Sanako's beautiful eyes...

She narrowed her eyes as if suppressing shyness, hiding them, and while staring directly at the still dazed Qingdeng beneath her, she spoke gently:

"After all, I'm not some kind of devil, so I wouldn't do anything rude."

"Since you've always been secretly having fun with Xiao Si behind my and A Wu's backs, the solution is quite simple."

"Make up for everything you owe us tonight...!"

The instant she finished speaking, Sanako slowly lowered her upper body...

Under the dazzling light of fireworks, two figures merged into one...

……

……

January 1, 1864, early morning—

The golden sun peeked out from behind the dark blue mountains in the distance.

In an instant, the warmth of the morning sun dispelled the chill of the night.

Sunlight streamed across the earth, casting shimmering golden rays that stained the clouds in the sky a deep, glistening red.

Everything on earth is enveloped in its brilliant golden-red radiance.

Qingdeng felt his face getting hot.

He looked up and saw a ray of sunlight shining through the window, landing squarely on his face.

He crawled weakly out of bed, rubbing his tired eyes as he turned to look at the scenery outside the window.

"Hmm...it's dawn..."

Due to excessive fatigue, Qingdeng's sense of time has become somewhat strange, and he can't tell what time it is.

I felt dizzy and lightheaded, as if stars were flying in front of my eyes, and my vision was obscured by a faint "green film".

He didn't even know if he had slept last night.

He slowly dressed, moved to the window, and quietly watched the New Year's sunrise—before getting up, he casually tucked the three women into bed.

The sun first appeared as a faint golden edge, then gradually spread across the sky, eventually becoming a gleaming golden circle.

The sky was clear and blue, the air was crisp and refreshing, and a gentle breeze was blowing... This was truly a good omen for the New Year's sun.

This refreshing weather is so pleasant to look at, it's sure to lift your spirits.

—I need to keep working hard this year!

As Qingdeng gazed at the New Year's sun, he secretly made up his mind.

From this day forward, he was no longer alone.

From now on, he will have three more close family members by his side!

Thinking of this, Qingdeng felt a warmth in his chest, as if an inexhaustible strength had been ignited within him.

Suddenly, a weak voice sounded behind Qingdeng:

"Good morning, Tachibana-kun..."

Qingdeng raised an eyebrow and looked back.

"Zanako, good morning! You're awake so early?"

"I didn't sleep at all... We only just stopped to rest, how could we have had time to sleep...?"

As she spoke, she put on her clothes and struggled to get up.

Before she could even regain her balance, she stumbled and fell straight onto the tatami mat.

Upon seeing this, Qing Deng immediately rushed forward and caught Sanako at the last moment.

"Zanako, what's wrong? Are you alright?"

Sanako rubbed her head, looking exhausted, and said:

"I'm fine... I'm just... a little weak..."

"Um... how should I put it, Sanako, you... surprised me."

After thinking for a long time, Qing Deng finally managed to utter the words, "You surprised me."

Indeed, just as Aoto said, Sanako had greatly surprised him over the past few hours.

Upon hearing this, Sanako glared at him fiercely, then said irritably:

"I want to see the sunrise... Help me to the window..."

Qingdeng nodded hurriedly and carefully helped her back to the window.

Looking at the bright sun in the distance, Sanako smiled faintly, and some color returned to her face.

"So beautiful..."

As if realizing something, she paused for a moment and then adopted a philosophical tone.

"The first day of the new year comes right after the wedding night... I have a strange, mixed feeling..."

"Just like the arrival of a 'new year,' I, Sanako, have also become 'completely renewed'..."

At this moment, a rustling sound came from behind Qingdeng again.

"Hmm...? Tachibana-kun, Sanako-san, you're awake already...?"

"Mmm... Ah... It's dawn..."

Souji and Amai both threw off their blankets and sat up.

Souji was alright; after waking up, she was completely captivated by the sunrise outside her window.

"Wow! What a beautiful sunrise!"

She casually wrapped herself in her clothes, skipped and hopped to the window, grabbed the window frame with both hands, and gazed intently at the view.

On the other hand, A-Mai—she had barely woken up when she immediately cast a reproachful glance at Sanako.

"Miss Sanako... how should I even begin to describe you?"

“Last night, I was secretly pleased to learn that you were not willing to let Qingdeng off easily.”

"I was thinking of teaming up with you to give Qingdeng a good beating."

"I never imagined... that the revenge you envisioned would take this form..."

"I got dragged into this without even realizing it..."

She stopped abruptly—the next moment, she curled her lips into a mischievous grin.

"Well... I didn't expect you to make this decision."

"After all, not long ago, I saw you secretly using the corner of the Tang cabinet..."

When she got to this point, Kinoshita Mai paused, leaving the rest to the imagination.

However... even so, Sanako was still very excited.

"Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah!"

Sanako suddenly made a loud noise.

She had just been so weak that she could barely move, but now, as if divinely inspired, she suddenly regained her strength, opened her eyes wide, and lunged at Kinoshita Mai, forcefully covering her mouth.

Qingdeng also perked up.

Hey! Don't just say half the story! 'The corner of the Tang cabinet,' and then what?' — Qing Deng really wanted to ask this loudly, but after seeing the intense reaction Sanako had made, he wisely buried the question in his heart.

—I'll ask A-Wu when I have the chance...

He thought to himself.

It was noisy and chaotic.

The first day of the new year was exceptionally lively at the Orange Mansion... which can be considered a good thing!

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I deleted about a thousand words and it's finally unblocked... Waaaaah... Please vote for me! Please recommend me! (Like a leopard crying.jpg)

Chapter 798

Six months later—

The first year of Yuanzhi (1864), December 15th——

Qinjin Fan, Dajin——

It is early summer right now.