Chapter 408.3: "Wanna Watch Fireworks With Me?"

All of Boulder Town's upper echelons were in chaos.

Meanwhile, 10 kilometers away in Dawn City, it was as festive as New Year's. In fact, it was even a little more lively.

Young girls holding flower baskets tossed fresh flowers into the air, dancing along with streamers hanging from the eaves.

To the rousing beats and music, the airship gradually lowered its altitude, shut off its engines, and dropped its anchor.

A square concrete platform was covered with a red carpet.

Rifle-toting guards stood in a line, maintaining the order of the event.

As the elevator slowly descended, it landed on the carpet-covered platform.

As the azure exoframe stepped onto the carpet, it was followed by tall and majestic figures. The second their foot landed, the atmosphere reached its peak.

The people cheered, shouted, and vented their excitement and joy.

"Long live the administrator!"

"Long live the New Alliance!"

"For the great alliance!"

Amidst the cheers, Chu Guang smiled and waved his hand.

Those pairs of eyes, filled with respect and admiration, were his most shining treasures.

After the noise briefly subsided, Chu Guang surveyed those familiar faces before clearing his throat. He switched on the speakers and spoke in a stern yet clear voice.

"Today, we have made history. We have defeated an enemy thought unbeatable! We have liberated our oppressed friends!"

"This hard-won victory and honor belong to all of us!"

"Whether it's the soldiers who bravely fought at the frontline, the farmers in the fields, or the workers sweating in factories and construction sites... Everyone contributed in their own ways.”

"This is a victory we have won together. Unity has brought us from nothing to today, and the names that should be celebrated are not just mine.”

“Cheer for victory!”

"For our future..."

"For all of us!"

Thunderous applause and cheers once again resounded across the square.

Chu Guang signaled the mayor of Dawn City waiting nearby to announce the schedule for the celebrations and the start of the award ceremony.

Thanks to prior notifications, the players were all decently dressed, including the usually unruly Tail and Mosquito.

The burial ceremony would be held the next day. Today, they only need to drink heartily, sing loudly, and cheer, not letting sorrow spoil their hard-won peace.

In a corner of the crowd.

Watching the figures descending from the airship, Frost Snow's tranquil face showed a faint blush, her eyes fixed in that direction.

Standing beside her, Frost River the look in her eyes and while she was clapping, she couldn't help but tease her simple little sister.

"Spotted a young man you like? Do you need me to buy a bouquet for you?"

Her cheeks instantly flushed...

Glaring at her sister, Frost Snow hurriedly looked around. Seeing no one paying attention, she then whispered timidly. "I'm not worthy of him..."

It wasn't out of insecurity or modesty. She was very clear in her heart that that gentleman belonged to everyone, including her brothers, sisters, relatives, and grandparents...

She didn't dare to hope that those intensely passionate eyes would linger on her.

It was enough for her to watch him safely return while standing silently in the crowd.

Seeing the expression on her face, Frost River guessed that the little girl was still dreaming of her impractical dream, so she sighed softly. "Let it go."

Everyone had an age where they would dream of unrealistic goals. Including herself.

It was human nature.

Some things couldn’t be conveyed with words, and as one got older, met more people, and matured a bit, they would naturally understand.

In the center of the square.

One by one, the heroes with outstanding achievements walked up to the azure exoframe, received their special medals from the administrator which were placed on their body.

𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Among them were residents of the shelter and the natives of the wasteland.

If they were players, in addition to the physical medals, they would receive digital medals displayed on their forum account pages, along with additional contribution points as rewards.

After receiving their medals, under the gaze of adoring eyes, they walked towards the crowd below the platform. It was just like when they had set out, coming from the crowd.

Affected by the festive atmosphere and the gleaming honor, not only the residents of Dawn City were moved.

But also those from Daybreak City, Boulder Town, and even the slightly more distant Red River Alliance, Garbage City, and other survivor settlements. There were also travelers and merchants passing east and west.

Looking at the Heart of Steel bathed in the harsh sunlight, Zhou Nan, standing in a corner of the crowd, said with a sense of awe. "This thing is really freaking huge."

He held an ice pop bought from a vendor which was surprisingly cola-flavored. He had to admit, the creativity of those in blue coats was increasingly surprising.

Every time he came from Brocade River Province, he saw different fascinating gadgets. And those fascinating gadgets often helped him make a decent profit.

Standing beside him, Sun Shiqi squinted his eyes before speaking suddenly. "The New Alliance controls the southern corridor of the River Valley Province, the western gateway to the Sunset Province, and the commercial routes are expected to be more prosperous. According to their usual practice, they should repair the old highways and lay railroads. By then, the demand for steel and cement will be very high."

He paused, then continued. "I plan to invest in a steel plant in Bluestone County."

Zhou Nan looked at him in surprise.

He knew that this drinking buddy had bought a house there and started some businesses, but he didn't expect him to also plan to open a steel plant.

That was a heavy asset that wasn’t easily moved! If anything went wrong, it could mean years wasted.

"Aren't you afraid of getting burned if the Army and the New Alliance clash?"

"What's there to be afraid of?"

Looking at the azure exoframe and the flying steel fortress above, Sun Shiqi's lips curled up in a confident smile... "I've been to so many places, and no survivor settlement feels safer than this place... I didn't expect I'd be part of this."

Returning from the bustling square to the northern business street, Teng Teng curled her lips up for the third time while touching the shiny medal on her chest.

The medal's center featured a gear, like the door of a shelter, engraved with the significant number 79. It represented the newly included Shelter 79 in the New Alliance.

The digital version of the medal was also synchronized in the VM, selected to show the same description as when offline. "This is where we set off."

Though she hadn't been on the front lines for a long time, occasionally teaming up with the gang for a raid was still quite fun.

Unknowingly, she reached the elegantly decorated boutique's entrance. Just as she saw the open door, a stunning figure rushed out. "Teng Teng!”

"

Wuuuuuuuuu...

"

Teng Teng couldn’t even speak when the figure grabbed her into her mighty bosom.

Damn this height.

Damn this height.

Damn it!!!

Teng Teng's eyes rolled back as she was about to disconnect from the suffocation from the massive melons smothering her. Fortunately, Yaya noticed and came to help. She grabbed the teary-eyed clerk Teng Teng hired some time ago.

"Quick, let go! Teng Teng can't breathe!"

Damn it! So you know I can’t breath when you do it too!

Finally freeing herself from her employee's embrace, Teng Teng cleared her throat before grumbling, "Are you trying to kill me?"

Come on! The three days respawn time isn’t fun... It’s hard to endure doing nothing those days!

The scolded clerk bowed her head as she continued to apologize.

She was called Hua Hua, with jet-black hair and wheat-colored skin. She wore a British-style classical maid's long dress.

It was a uniform Teng Teng designed for her out of personal interest as she felt it suited her slightly shy temperament.

As for other players complaining that the skirt was too long and impractical... Teng Teng didn’t give a shit about those old perverts who didn't understand her art.

Like many residents of Dawn City, Hua Hua was also a refugee from another region. She was called and her original name was Caterland Hua.

Because translating it into Chinese would make it sound odd, Teng Teng gave her a nickname.

The situation wasn't uncommon in the wasteland. Homeless refugees were often happy to accept names given by members of a settlement as it usually signified a parental-style acceptance.

It was especially so for names given by shelter residents.

"Yes, sorry! I just got too excited. You left a note and then left, I was worried you might encounter danger!” The tears hanging on her eyelashes made it difficult for Teng Teng to be angry, so she sighed and a gentle smile spread across her face.

"I made you worry, but it's okay. No matter what, I...”

Before she could finish speaking, Yaya patted her ample chest and interrupted, “That’s right! Hua Hua, there’s no need to worry! I’m here! Although Teng Teng is a little weak, I’ll protect her!”

Unaware of the truth, Hua Hua quickly bowed. "Thank you for bringing our boss back."

“...” Teng Teng glared at Yaya with her eyelids twitching slightly.

This fella... She really has no shame!

...