- The Ferris Wheel, Happy Valley Shenzhen -
In order for this plan of mine to work, it has to be planned and tid perfectly. i Gui and I were currently lined up at the back of the extrely long line...it seems many other people had the sa idea as , and as an aside, most of them were couples. I ran so ntal calculations in my head to figure out the best ti to enter. If necessary, I would let so other people go in front of us so that we can reach the highest possible spot on the Ferris Wheel right as the fireworks begin.
Let's see...there are currently exactly 30 people in front of us. If each compartnt on the Ferris wheel can take 2 people at once, and there are 16 compartnts in total, that ans one spin can take 32 people. According to my observations, one full spin takes exactly 20 minutes. That ans it will take 10 minutes for soone entering right now to reach the highest possible compartnt slot. Hence, in order for this plan to succeed, i Gui and I must enter the Ferris Whell at exactly 11:50 PM. It is currently 11:29:50 PM, and starting from when I started timing (11:10), this rotation is about to end.
The next rotation will last from 11:30 PM to 11:50. And right after that rotation ends, i Gui and I have to be the first to enter the vacant compartnt, thus starting our ride at exactly 11:50. Since the Ferris Wheel is not continuously moving but instead in a move, pause, move pattern that allows old passengers to get off and new passengers to get on, I do not have to factor in movent and machinery ti.
However, at the rate we are currently going, we are going to end up going on earlier, since there are only 30 people before us. In order for this plan to play out perfectly, there must be 32 people in front of us. Since there are still two more rotations before our turn, 16 tis 2 = 32.
I glanced behind us. There was a couple standing there - a handso man and an average-looking lady - deep in flirting, and they looked to be in university. I grinned.
"Excuse ," I interrupted their conversation politely.
The male of the two turned to . "Hm? Do you need sothing?"
I looked between them, and smiled. "Yeah...actually, I really need to use the washroom...could you save my spot for ? Don't worry, I'll give you sothing in return."
The female tilted her head. "Sure, but what do you an by giving us sothing in return...?"
I chuckled, and pulled i Gui over. "I an, I'm going to let you two go in front of us. Does that sound like a good deal?"
The couple looked at each other, then back at . The male laughed. "Sure, kid. Don't worry, I'll also keep an eye on your girlfriend there, to make sure no random pervert tries making a move on her. She's quite the beauty, I can already tell."
i Gui was currently wearing her mask, but it seed that didn't hide her beauty in the least. I, however, had my mask off since there was no need for to wear one.
I gave him a little wink. "Thank you, senior."
Then, I sent a telepathic ssage to i Gui.
[i Gui, move behind them.]
[Why, Master?]
[Just do it, you'll know why soon.]
[Understood, Master.]
After making sure she had indeed let the couple go in front of her, I appeared to have left the crowd. In reality, however, I was rely hiding behind a tree, observing the situation. After around 15 minutes, I decided enough ti had passed, and I walked my way back into the crowded line. Multiple people were displeased with my behaviour, which was to be expected.
"Hey! What are you doing, butting in line like that!" a man yelled at , and I made a little praying gesture.
"Sorry, sorry! My spot is actually way up there...I just had to go use the washroom. You can ask that couple over there, I asked them to save my spot."
"Oi, is it true?" the man hollered over to the young university couple from earlier.
The couple both gave the man a nod. "Yeah, he's telling the truth."
The man glanced at once more, before making a little 'shoo' gesture. I apologized with a bow once more, and headed back to my original spot in line...except we were now lined up perfectly for the highest spot possible, just as the fireworks begin. The young couple went on the compartnt before i Gui and I, and I waved them goodbye.
Soon enough, it was 11:50 PM. It was finally i Gui and I's turn to enter the Ferris Wheel. The two of us calmly strode in, and the compartnt doors clanked shut soon after. i Gui removed her mask, and let out a deep breath.
"Master, what was the aning of letting that couple go first, earlier?"
I grinned. "Just wait a bit longer, i Gui. You'll see."
Then, after a short while, the Ferris Wheel began moving. We moved up a slot, and remained in place once more. This pattern repeated for the next 10 minutes.
11:50 - Slot 0 (or 16).
11:51:15 - Slot 1.
11:52:30 - Slot 2.
11:53:45 - Slot 3.
11:55 - Slot 4.
11:56:15 - Slot 5.
11:57:30 - Slot 6.
11:58:45 - Slot 7.
By this ti, i Gui and I were in the second top-most position, and we could see the entire city already from here. I noticed the skyscraper I had considered going to before, had a tir on a monitor built in to its walls. Indeed - it was counting down to 00:00 AM, January 1st, 2023.
11:59:50 - The Ferris Wheel resud moving, from Slot 7.
At the sa ti, the tir on the skyscraper zood in, and turned into just pure numbers. I doubted I could really hear it from all the way here, but I could've sworn I heard the cheers of the crowd below, within that skyscraper's plaza, counting down along with the tir on the massive monitor.
I stopped looking outside the window, and glanced at i Gui. "Get ready, i Gui. The fireworks, are about to start."
"Mm!" i Gui's eyes were sparkling with anticipation, and I chuckled, seeing her excitent.
"10! 9! 8! 7! 6! 5! 4!"
The Ferris Wheel began to slow down-
"3! 2! 1!"
Clank. The Ferris Wheel ca to a stop, right as the tir hit 0.
BOOM!
Brilliant fireworks shot out from the roof of the skyscraper, and blood into beautiful flowers that painted the dark night sky rainbow as they reached a certain altitude.
"Woah..." i Gui pressed her face even closer to the glass window, and gazed in wonder at the mystical fireworks of the new year.
"..." There was a lot I wanted to say in this mont, but in the end, I chose to kept quiet and just let her enjoy the view. I too, gazed out the window. I had witnessed fireworks before...but I had to admit, never from such a high place. The spectacular sight to behold were far beyond my expectations. Before I knew it, I was smiling gently, as a tear streaked down my cheek.
"H-Huh...?" I shook my head and brought a hand to my right cheek, softly caressing the skin that had been wet by the tear.
Why am I...crying? It's not like this is my first ti seeing fireworks...if i Gui cried tears of joy, I could understand, but what about ...? This isn't my first ti, this isn't my first ti...
...Ah, that's right. This isn't my first ti. The last ti I saw fireworks...was also the last fond mory I had of my father, mother, and I being all together outside the residency of the Xuan family. After that day, we had been confined to our tiny little house, unable to ever see fireworks, or make beautiful mories again...
I looked down at my palm, as a single tear dropped from my eye onto it. My hand slowly enclosed itself into a fist, and I closed my eyes.
Mother...Father...I love you.
And although I knew I wasn't ever going to get a response, I still spoke these words. Because I knew - I knew that while they were long gone from the real world, as long as I still rembered them, they will forever live on...within the lonely depths of my own heart.
Before I knew it, the Ferris Wheel began moving again as a light rain started pouring outside, and I snapped back to my senses. I quickly wiped away any traces of tears, and put a smile on my face.
"So? i Gui, how did you like the show?" I asked.
i Gui finally turned around, and gave a genuinely happy smile. "It was beautiful, Master...I loved it."
I patted her head gently. "I see...that's good. I have no complaints either..."
Then, rembering sothing, I chuckled and continued. "Oh, the only thing though? The next ti we're here, i Gui, you're going to have to go on that Leviathan ride by yourself, haha..."
Her eyes imdiately lit up even further. "There will be...a next ti?"
I smirked. "Of course. You had fun today, didn't you?"
She nodded. "Yes...I loved everything about today."
"Then, we'll have to work hard to get more money. Once we do that, we can co here whenever we want, yeah?"
"Yes, Master!" she exclaid, then latched onto my arm happily.
Hm...? Since when was she open with her emotions? Actually...it's not just her. Since when was I so doting on soone, apart from Qing Yue...? I don't know if this is thanks to our Chaos connection or whatever, but I feel inclined to protect i Gui, and I'm guessing she feels the sa about . We were like family, in a sense, despite having only t not even a month ago.
...Guess she's not the only one who changed, huh? Am I...opening up to people more? Am I...gradually understanding the word 'friends'? The word 'love'? I do not know...but there is one thing I can be certain of.
i Gui...I will forever treasure you, and will do anything to protect you. I know that ever since you were awakened, you have been the one protecting , but...I promise, I will get stronger very soon. And when I do...I will never let a single soul as much as touch a strand of your hair. Just wait for , i Gui...
The mood was nice and relaxing, as the fireworks continued to majestically explode in the sky. However, then, as if denying a single mont of peace for , another loud explosion ensued. It ca from the direction of the plaza, but there was just one thing off about it...
...It was not the sound of fireworks.
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