Chapter 142: Discovery of an Item
Mu Lantu and Xu Huazhang wandered through the whole town, carefully inspecting the hospital, the water plant, and the river channels, but found nothing unusual. This was just an utterly ordinary little town, with everyone brimming with enthusiasm as they prepared for the New Year.
The main street bustled with traffic and people; every shopfront had festive red lanterns hanging at the entrance. The rich aroma of stewed chicken and duck, and the enticing fragrance of fried meatballs, lingered in the air, making mouths water.
Merchants displayed all kinds of snacks, candies, and toys outside their shops, and the children passing by could hardly move their feet.
A boy of about seven or eight suddenly squatted down. The motion made the old lady with him freeze, her expression stiffening.
“Grandma, I want Ultraman!”
“Don’t we already have one at home? Be good, sweetie, let’s not buy it, hmm?”
“I want it! Buy it for me now!”
“Sweetie, let’s go ahead. Grandma will buy you candy.”
“Stop talking nonsense! I want Ultraman! If you don’t buy it for me, I’ll make Dad throw you old hag out of the house!”
As soon as those words came out, everyone around was stunned.
Mu Lantu, holding a piece of fried chicken cutlet in one hand and a cup of milk tea labeled “Wishing You Prosperity” in the other, stopped in his tracks. His beautiful eyes gleamed with amusement as he muttered under his breath, “And she hasn’t smacked him yet?”
Xu Huazhang silently sipped from his own milk tea with “Hand Over the Red Packet” printed on it and nodded. Baby was right, as always.
“All right, all right, I’ll buy it for you!” The old lady wasn’t angry at all, patiently coaxing, “Sweetie, let’s let it go for now, okay? During New Year, you mustn’t say bad or unlucky words, got it?”
“Too much nonsense!” The boy puffed up his chest, feeling impressive under so many eyes, and declared imperiously, “I want two!”
The old lady looked troubled. “Sweetie, can we just buy one? Grandma doesn’t have enough money…”
“I want two!” The boy grew furious. “If you don’t buy them, I’ll throw a tantrum on the ground right here!”
“All right, all right, two. Do you want this one, or this one?”
The old lady compromised again. The onlookers’ anger and sympathy quickly faded into indifference before they dispersed. One willing to give in, one willing to take—it couldn’t be helped.
Mu Lantu took a bite of chicken and a sip of milk tea. “Let’s go home to eat. I’m hungry.”
Passersby: “……” Aren’t you already eating?
Xu Huazhang remained expressionless. He had long known that Baby had two stomachs—one for snacks, one for proper meals.
“What do you want to eat?”
“Hotpot?” Mu Lantu didn’t feel like fussing with complicated dishes. “There’s a vegetable market ahead, we can just pick up some fresh greens.”
“Baby, maybe I should learn to cook after all.” Xu Huazhang seriously considered the matter.
Mu Lantu shook his head so hard it nearly blurred. “No, no, no! Don’t!” Xu Huazhang had tried before—he’d even hired renowned teachers—but cooking simply wasn’t something he could master. For him, it seemed like there was just a missing wire when it came to cooking. Perhaps it was like people said: when God opens too many doors, He has to close at least one window.
Xu Huazhang frowned slightly, conflicted.
Mu Lantu wrapped an arm around his waist. “Enough, let’s leave it there. You do the prep work, I’ll handle the cooking. Haven’t we always worked well together?”
Xu Huazhang nodded. Fine. In their past life, they had collected plenty of lunch boxes; this time, if possible, they would continue collecting.
After dinner, Mu Lantu headed for the living room, wanting to see if this world had any decent movies or TV dramas.
“You clean up.”
Xu Huazhang followed him over and sat down close. “Baby.”
“Mm?” Mu Lantu flipped through the television menus, only to be disappointed that the films and shows were almost the same as reality.
“How about a bath?” Xu Huazhang’s rich, magnetic voice was filled with suggestion.
Mu Lantu froze, a flush of heat running through his body. Since reuniting with Xu Huazhang, they hadn’t found the chance to be intimate. A young body couldn’t resist even verbal teasing—of course he wanted it—but to come to Min’an Town and immediately think about that… was it a bit too much?
“Tonight.”
Mu Lantu decided he should at least be reserved.
Xu Huazhang didn’t argue. He cupped Mu Lantu’s face and kissed him—gentle yet fierce. The meaning was clear: he couldn’t wait.
Mu Lantu pushed him away, glaring helplessly with an expression of “what can I do with you?” But his steps toward the bathroom were light with eagerness.
Xu Huazhang chuckled lowly and tidied the dining table and kitchen with swift efficiency.
The two of them tangled in bed shamelessly all afternoon.
Dinner was instant boxed meals.
At night, they didn’t fool around again. Though lying in bed, they remained alert.
It was their first night in Min’an Town—they couldn’t afford to let their guard down.
But the night passed without incident.
Mu Lantu speculated, “Midnight on New Year’s Eve might be the turning point.”
Xu Huazhang thought so too.
“Baby, since we’re idle, I’ll give you lessons these few days.”
“What do you mean?” Mu Lantu didn’t understand.
“I’ll teach you geology.” Xu Huazhang explained.
Mu Lantu sat up straight, staring at him incredulously. “Big Baby, are you serious? You want to teach me professional geology classes inside an infinite-flow instance world?”
Xu Huazhang nodded. “Is there a problem?”
Mu Lantu’s lips twitched. “Isn’t that the problem?”
Xu Huazhang’s expression was solemn. “Since Infinite University still divides us according to our original majors, there must be a reason. We can’t underestimate it. Be good, listen.”
Mu Lantu wasn’t truly resistant—just surprised. He nestled into Xu Huazhang’s arms. “Fine, Teacher Xu. But when you teach, you have to be gentle, not fierce.”
Xu Huazhang embraced him, a bit aggrieved. “Baby, when have I ever been fierce with you?”
Mu Lantu thought carefully. Actually, never.
“That’s because I’ve always been good.”
Xu Huazhang curved his lips. “Yes, you’re the best.”
Mu Lantu buried his face in Xu Huazhang’s chest. Don’t keep praising me—it’s embarrassing!
The next day, and the day after… nothing happened.
On New Year’s Eve, red lanterns were hung across the town—rows upon rows, tens of thousands, covering every corner!
By three or four in the afternoon, neighbors began pasting New Year prints and Spring Festival couplets.
Hearing the commotion, Mu Lantu and Xu Huazhang joined in. Mu Lantu brushed paste onto doors and walls, while Xu Huazhang stuck the prints and couplets on.
The neighbors greeted Mu Lantu warmly, calling him “Xiao Hua,” as though he had grown up there.
Mu Lantu responded naturally, even asking if they would be going out that evening to watch the midnight “lighting.”
“Of course! That’s our Min’an Town’s annual tradition. Our whole family will go!” Uncle Yang looked puzzled. “Xiao Hua, you’re not going?”
“Of course I am!” Mu Lantu hurried to answer.
Uncle Yang smiled. “That’s right! No matter what times we live in, tradition must never be lost.”
“You’re absolutely right.” Mu Lantu mused aloud. “We’re even planning to set up a little stall. Uncle Yang, Uncle Li, Uncle Zhang—are you putting up stalls too?”
“Of course!” Uncle Chen boomed. “Your aunt is making fried spring rolls. She’s a great cook—you must all come and try them!”
“Since it’s Auntie’s cooking, of course we’ll try.” Mu Lantu grinned.
Uncle Yang’s family prepared skewers, Uncle Zhang’s family prepared fried rice cakes.
Mu Lantu promised he’d come taste everything.
After finishing the decorations, everyone went home for their reunion dinners.
Mu Lantu and Xu Huazhang also prepared a lavish meal, eating while listening for any unusual sounds outside. Aside from neighbors chatting and laughing, the TV noises, and distant fireworks and firecrackers, there was nothing strange.
Dinner ended early. They brought out a chessboard to play while waiting.
At 11:50, noises sounded again outside.
Both men rose quickly.
Xu Huazhang pushed a shopping cart filled with six small bundles of straw tied up like miniature haystacks, bristling with candied haw skewers. Mu Lantu locked the door behind them.
Auntie Yang greeted them warmly. “Xiao Hua, Xiao Ming, perfect timing—let’s go together.”
“Sure!”
Several children’s eyes were glued to the candied haws. Mu Lantu smiled and handed each of them one.
“Thank you, Brother Xiao Hua!”
“You’re welcome.”
The Yangs, Chens, and Zhangs all came out with their families—nearly twenty people in total. Since everyone had carts, one elevator wasn’t enough, so the younger folks and kids took the stairs.
Auntie Chen offered to help with the cart, but Mu Lantu declined politely, saying the elevator was too crowded. Xu Huazhang cooperated seamlessly, hefting the cart onto his shoulder with ease.
Auntie Chen didn’t insist.
Downstairs, those who had gone ahead were waiting.
The group gathered, chatting and laughing as they headed out of the neighborhood.
The courtyard was also strung with lanterns, not yet lit, but already glowing festively in the streetlights.
The children skipped and hopped under the net of lanterns, brimming with excitement.
Xu Huazhang noticed the others occasionally glancing at their watches. He checked his own: 23:57.
23:58. 23:59… 00:00!
The bells turned!
The world above them grew suddenly brighter. Outside came waves of jubilant cheering as every lantern lit up!
Buildings donned a veil of red silk, and beneath the festivity lurked a faint trace of eeriness.
Mu Lantu had no time to think further. He cupped his fists and bowed, offering New Year’s greetings.
“Uncle Yang, Auntie Yang, Uncle Chen, Auntie Chen, Uncle Zhang, Auntie Zhang—Happy New Year to you all! Wishing you happiness and prosperity!”
Xu Huazhang, always in perfect sync with him, echoed the words exactly.
The uncles and aunts laughed with joy.
“Happy New Year, Happy New Year! Here, take your red envelopes!”
Several hands extended red packets to Mu Lantu and Xu Huazhang.
Mu Lantu hadn’t expected them to be so formal—after all, his ID said he was already in his twenties.
“Thank you, uncles and aunties!”
Just as he accepted Uncle Yang’s red envelope, a line of text appeared out of nowhere:
[Item Discovered!]
Mu Lantu’s eyes flickered. An item?
