Chapter 295: The Story of Little Mr. A Niu Ends

Gongs and drums filled the air.

Red silk fluttered in the wind.

A festive atmosphere permeated every corner.

In the outskirts of Yanshan City, within the residential area of the Qiuhuo Army's commoners.

On both sides of the streets, from the upturned eaves of the houses, rare red festive decorations were hung; the lanterns were large and eye-catching, swaying gently in the spring breeze.

"A-Niu, congratulations!"

"I knew from long ago that a lad like A-Niu would amount to something!"

"Exactly, exactly!"

When Xu Xi arrived at the outskirts of the city,

this was the scene he witnessed.

A simple and honest-looking man, dressed in clean cloth clothes and draped with a large red silk sash,

stood in the center of the crowd, accepting the blessings and laughter of his neighbors.

Every time he heard a joke about matters between men and women, his sun-darkened face, as tough as iron Ore, would become filled with bewilderment.

It was as if the sunlight was too intense, making his face burn hot.

Just then,

A-Niu noticed Xu Xi's arrival.

"Brother Xu, Brother Xu!" he waved excitedly like a child, expressing his welcome to Xu Xi.

All the unease and all the anxiety vanished at this moment.

The surrounding crowd left in a tacit understanding,

leaving space for Grand Master Xu and Little Mr. A Niu to speak.

"A-Niu, congratulations, congratulations."

Xu Xi smiled and sat down on two chairs with A-Niu.

"From now on, you are the head of a household, with your own family and a brand new life. You must take up your share of the responsibility."

"Hehehe…"

The honest and simple man appeared exceptionally shy at this moment, scratching his head in embarrassment at Xu Xi's blessings.

"My mother said that we are only where we are today because Brother Xu helped us."

"I think so too."

"I'm dumb, I'm stupid, all I know how to do is eat."

"It was you, Brother Xu, who let me and my mother survive."

"I will definitely listen to you and not let my mother or Cui'er suffer any grievances!"

Cui'er was the name of the girl A-Niu was betrothed to.

A-Niu's eyes were very bright, shining with light. He stood up from his chair and patted his chest to give Xu Xi his word.

His voice was loud and clear as he said he would absolutely not fail Xu Xi's expectations.

Under the sunlight,

that happily smiling, honest face gradually overlapped with the face in Xu Xi's memory, the one bathed in the blood of demons.

"I believe you, A-Niu."

"You will definitely be able to do it."

Xu Xi looked up.

He gazed toward where the sun hung high; everywhere the sunlight touched was flat land teeming with green life.

There were no Hundred Thousand Mountains, and no despair-inducing demons.

The people, including A-Niu, had ushered in a truly peaceful life.

Never again

would anyone have to sacrifice themselves…

"A-Niu, do you feel happy now?" As if time were repeating itself, Xu Xi asked this question.

A-Niu was stunned for a moment, then responded with an even more brilliant smile.

"I'm very happy!"

"Brother Xu, I'm so happy!"

I see…

Xu Xi smiled, stood up, and lightly patted A-Niu's shoulder. "As long as you're happy."

"A-Niu, as long as you feel happy, then it is meaningful."

"Yeah, I know!"

A-Niu responded simply.

That honest and dutiful face looked a bit flushed under the sunlight.

The rims of his eyes were the reddest of all.

"Brother Xu, the sand today is really getting in my eyes." He rubbed his eyes with his arm, as if clearing out dust that had flown in.

The more he rubbed, the redder they became; the more he rubbed, the slower he got. Even his throat seemed to have sand in it.

His voice became somewhat hoarse and halting.

In the end, A-Niu could only force a smile with those red and swollen eyes to bid Xu Xi farewell.

"Brother Xu, I'm going to marry Cui'er now. You must watch me; I've prepared a grand festive table for you."

"Yes, I will."

Xu Xi's expression was very gentle as he nodded lightly.

Having received the promise, the man

amidst the festive sounds of gongs and drums, took brave strides and began his new life.

Xu Xi saw that familiar figure running toward the sun, bathed in golden radiance, brave and determined, stepping onto a brand new path.

It was not the path of Little Mr. A Niu.

It was the path of Zhang Tieniu.

What would A-Niu experience in the future, and what would he become?

Xu Xi did not know.

Because that simple-minded man would never again suffer from cold or hunger; he had a new life and new goals—a beautiful future that was difficult for Xu Xi to predict.

How wonderful.

Watching A-Niu's receding back, Xu Xi could not help but let the corners of his mouth curl upward.

…

The wedding officially began.

The commoners of the Qiuhuo Army were mostly from poor backgrounds and couldn't bear to be extravagant or decorate with lanterns and streamers.

But today was an exception.

A-Niu's wedding was a great joyous occasion.

People acted spontaneously, contributing money and labor to hold a massive banquet and organize an entire, large wedding procession.

Even though it was only a few steps between the two houses,

every bit of necessary pomp and circumstance was fully provided.

Xu Xi watched, looked on, and observed A-Niu marrying his wife, offering greetings to his father-in-law with a brilliant, honest smile.

It was clumsy, simple, and funny.

"Sir, what are you doing?"

Someone was squeezing through the crowd toward Xu Xi, and as they squeezed, they pressed right up against him.

It was the late-arriving Wu Yingxue.

"Nothing, Yingxue. I was just thinking about A-Niu starting a family, and I felt a bit sentimental for a moment."

Xu Xi said.

He subconsciously looked to his side.

He was somewhat surprised; today, Wu Yingxue was no longer wearing her familiar red and white martial attire, but had changed into a light green dress he hadn't seen in a long time.

"Yingxue, why are you…"

"Sir, I'm not stupid."

Slender fingers pinched the collar, smoothing out a tiny wrinkle with a gentle touch.

She explained, "Today is a day of great joy; of course I cannot wear red clothing."

Red was the color representing festivity.

On the day of a wedding,

the groom and bride would both wear red clothes or wear red accessories.

The young girl knew this, so she had prepared her clothes early and changed into the light green dress today to avoid intruding on this important day.

"Sir, do I look good?"

Those lively eyes blinked.

"Yes, you look very good."

"Yingxue, I remember you wore this once before."

"So Sir still remembers…"

Hearing Xu Xi's answer, the girl was slightly surprised.

In fact, it was precisely because Xu Xi had once praised the Commandery Princess in this outfit during the third simulation that she had come wearing it today.

If Sir had praised it,

then it must be beautiful.

Wu Yingxue's thoughts were just that simple.

"Of course I remember," Xu Xi nodded. "How could I possibly forget such a beautiful appearance?"

Such an answer

made the Commandery Princess look extremely happy.

She grinned, maintaining restraint and dignity to prevent her usual large movements from tearing the beautiful dress.

She leaned affectionately toward Xu Xi. "As expected, Sir has good taste~~~"

(Only one update today; taking some time to organize the outline for the next simulation)

(In the plots currently envisioned, this is the last long-form simulation, though there is still a long way to go before the actual completion of the book)