[COD] Newbie's Rise to Power

My hand, which was hanging under the table, was suddenly grasped, bringing intense warmth.

Wang Zhiqiang immediately attacked Kruger like a hedgehog with its quills raised.

"Kruger, what do you mean? It's just a birth date. Do you think YN will hurt you?"

Kruger glanced indifferently at Wang Zhiqiang:

"I never thought she would hurt me, so why are you so agitated?"

"And what do you know, Zimo?"

The originally warm atmosphere was turned tense by your words.

You lowered your eyes, finally took Wang Zhiqiang's hand, and looked up at Kruger with a smile.

"Speculation, like astrology, can be roughly deduced by observing personality and behavioral reactions, because this kind of knowledge is widely available. Some very capable people in our country can even predict various things in your past and future."

You then apologize to him: "I'm sorry, Kruger, I shouldn't have speculated about your information out of curiosity. How about I give you this sticker as an apology gift?"

You hand him the paper-cut cow you made.

Although you were smiling, your eyes were looking at him indifferently.

Your words reveal that you want to know about him because you care about him. However, your apology also indicates that you are now somewhat distant from him.

It's not because you hate him, it's just that there are too many people around right now, and it's hard for you to comfort him.

I had to stop his confrontation with Wang Zhiqiang quickly, so I could only interrupt his questioning in a way that was both forceful and didn't disrupt the atmosphere.

But Kruger clenched his fists and refused in a deep voice because of your distant reaction.

"An apology? No need, I don't blame you."

You place the paper-cut in front of him and casually reply, "Then consider it a gift. 2021 is your birth year and it will be a bit unlucky. Giving you a red gift can ward off evil and bring good fortune."

Kruger raised his hand, wanting to take your hand in his.

You saw through his actions, but with so many eyes watching you, you could only avoid his advances and quickly move your hand away.

Your 'rejection' caused him to pause, his hand remaining suspended in the air for a few seconds before he shifted his focus, picking up the red paper cutout on the table...

"yn! Can you tell me my zodiac sign?"

Koenig suddenly spoke up, bringing the topic back to its original track.

You smiled and walked back to your seat, sitting down and looking at him.

People born in the Year of the Horse are optimistic, positive, and cheerful. They are quick-witted, have strong initiative, and will forge ahead once they have a goal.

Koenig immediately nodded proudly: "Yeah~ That's me! I'm starting to believe in this zodiac sign!"

You suddenly change the subject: "Your weakness is..."

Under Koenig's watchful gaze and waved gesture to stop you, you continued with a mischievous grin:

"Impulsive and impatient, sometimes ignoring reality and being overly idealistic, which makes it difficult to communicate with others."

Koenig suddenly stared at the ceiling in despair, muttering a resigned murmur:

“Scheisse, this is terrible. I feel like I’ve been stripped naked and thrown into the street.”

The ghost chimed in at the opportune moment: "Do you need me to lend you a bowl?"

You ignore their bickering and educate Blizzard and Soap about the characteristics of their zodiac signs.

Suddenly, Wang Zhiqiang glanced at the watch on his wrist.

"It's almost midnight, let's go."

ch.297: Happy New Year

Upon hearing this, you immediately stood up, took Blizzard's arm, and walked towards the door. Several men followed behind you, and together you walked to the open space outside the room.

Wang Zhiqiang, who was at the very back, excitedly ran over carrying a large red disc.

He disassembled the spiraling disc and tossed it a short distance in front of you! The disc slipped from his hand, transforming into a long, thin shape, and shot off like a red dragon!

Immediately afterwards, he reached into his pocket, pulled something out, and shouted at you:

"Ready!"

Under the questioning gazes of others, you quickly covered your ears, and the next second Wang Zhiqiang turned around and ran quickly towards you.

"Crackling! Crackling—"

A sudden burst of rapid and intense firecracker sounds erupted!

The sound was loud and piercing, like a thousand horses galloping in, and the firecrackers lit up the dark sky.

"what--"

Damn it

"Scheisse! My ears!"

A gasp of surprise rang out around you, and before you stood Wang Zhiqiang, smiling, running toward you.

You were infected by his smile and smiled happily in return.

He ran straight up to you, so close that he had to lower his head and look down to meet your gaze.

Happy New Year, baby.

Amidst the deafening roar of firecrackers, he smiled and spoke to you in Chinese.

The sense of security and belonging you felt made your eyes crinkle as you responded to him.

Happy New Year, brother.

Faced with your sudden affectionate address, his eyes widened with joy! Just as he was about to lean down, a hand grabbed the back of his collar and pulled him back, creating distance between you.

You looked over in confusion, only to see a pair of sharp brown eyes.

Those eyes, which were usually haughty or indifferent, now revealed a rare hint of jealousy.

Kruger...

You subconsciously look at the others, and sure enough, Koenig and Ghost are both silently watching you.

"Little squirrel, don't upset us."

The close atmosphere between you and Wang Zhiqiang is very bothersome to him. Your gaze towards Wang Zhiqiang is always filled with trust and dependence, but just now you were distant towards him!

Unfair treatment shattered my patience and desire for balance, and bitterness and jealousy surged from the bottom of my heart, instantly spreading throughout my body!

This was intolerable to Kruger! His treasures could be coveted by others, and he was free to choose others, but they could not alienate him, could not exclude him!

You were startled by his unusual attitude and were about to speak up to comfort him when Wang Zhiqiang, who had been pulled away, turned around and shoved Kruger, then pulled you behind him in a protective manner.

“You need to calm down, Kruger.”

The firecrackers stopped after Wang Zhiqiang said that. After he finished speaking, he pulled you toward the other people who could only see your actions but could not hear your conversation.

Happy New Year!

Wang Zhiqiang greeted them with a smile, and you echoed his greeting.

Blizzard was the first to respond, beaming with a smile: "Happy Chinese New Year!"

Others responded one after another. You smiled and turned to look at the somewhat lonely Kruger behind you, just as you were about to sneak up on him.

"There it is!"

A voice rang out.

Then a group of people rushed out. Some were wearing only a coat, and some weren't even wearing a coat, but almost everyone was holding a gun!

Upon seeing you, one of the male soldiers ran up to you breathlessly and asked Ghost in a panic.

"Lieutenant! Has someone attacked the base?"

You were taken aback by what you heard, followed by Blizzard's wild laughter.

"They're setting off firecrackers! We're celebrating the Chinese New Year, and we're setting off firecrackers to drive away a monster."

Blizzard's novel explanation immediately piqued their interest.

Then, amidst a chorus of cheerful "Happy Chinese New Year" voices, Wang Zhiqiang and his men brought out the prepared fireworks and set them off in the open space to drive away the "Nian monster".

"Chirp—Bang!"

Gunpowder shot into the air, blooming into golden threads in the dark blue night sky. Scattered sparks fell with the smoke, like thousands of letters sent to their homeland.

Under the fireworks, you, Blizzard, and Lina held sparklers, their crackling sparks illuminating your smiling faces, all captured by Vita Records holding up their phones.

The warm and joyful atmosphere suddenly reminds you of the two people who are absent, so you take out your phone and turn on the camera...

Keegan, who was still working on a report late at night, heard a crisp sound from his cell phone next to his computer, and a familiar profile picture popped up on the screen.

Keegan caught a glimpse of it out of the corner of his eye, paused his typing, and then picked up his phone.

Kid: [Keigo, it's Chinese New Year today. I wanted to share some beautiful fireworks with you.]

Kid: [Video]

Keegan tapped the screen with his finger, poking at the minimized frame of the video.

The video zooms in to fill the entire screen, showing fireworks blooming in the night sky. After about ten seconds, the camera moves to reveal the girl's gentle face.

Just as Keegan was lamenting that the environment in the video was too dark to clearly capture the girl's face, a glowing fairy wand suddenly entered, its flickering light illuminating the girl's face with a hazy, warm glow.

The girl smiled, her eyes crinkling, and said softly, "Happy New Year."

Keegan smiled slightly as he tapped his fingers on the screen.

Thank you for sharing; it gave my tired eyes a visual feast.

The girl quickly replied: 【Tired? What are you doing?】

Keegan tapped the back of his phone twice with his fingers, then reached up and unzipped his collar completely before picking up the useless blue light blocking glasses that had been sitting on the table and putting them on.

"Click!"

A soft clicking sound rang out, and then a picture was sent to the chat box.

The heavy snow reached up to Nicoto's knees.