Celestial Night Emperor

The villas in the First-Grade Myriad Phenomena district were arranged side-by-side, and the yards, separated only by fences, were in plain sight of each other.

The neighbors had even hired a marching band and were holding up a banner. The scene was incredibly boisterous.

“Congratulations, Brother Zhao, on becoming the Vice President of the Celestial Brocade Financial Group! From now on, you’ll be unstoppable in Jin City!”

“It’s your son’s birthday today, Brother Zhao. A few of us brothers pitched in for a cash gift. We hope you’ll accept it.”

The voices were a chaotic, grating din.

Then, a woman’s exaggerated, squawking voice cut through the noise. “Whoa, eight hundred eighty-eight thousand, eight hundred! That’s a bit much for a child’s birthday gift, isn’t it?”

“Don’t say that, ma’am. A gift like this is the only kind worthy of Brother Zhao’s status.”

More and more people gathered. Eventually, they even hung up a string of firecrackers and wheeled out ceremonial cannons.

Qin Tianxuan’s expression darkened.

This beautiful, quiet evening was about to be ruined.

Setting off firecrackers was prohibited within First-Grade Myriad Phenomena, to say nothing of ceremonial cannons.

It seemed the neighbors were quite influential; even the property manager had brought his staff over to help them.

Han Biwei gently squeezed his hand. “Since we live here, we’re neighbors. Let’s just let it go and head back inside.”

Just as she said that, a sudden blast from a cannon rang out, startling Niannian so badly she fell off the swing.

Qin Tianxuan moved in a flash to catch his daughter. With a glint in his eye, he flicked a small stone into the air with the tip of his foot.

The stone whistled through the air, directly piercing the entire row of ceremonial cannons on the other side. Its momentum unabated, it even severed the hanging string of firecrackers.

The yard across the way was a complete mess.

“What happened? Fuck, the quality of these cannons is shit.”

Niannian rubbed her ears, startled by the noise.

Meanwhile, a chubby little boy came bouncing into view on the other side of the fence.

The chubby boy was dressed in a dapper little tuxedo, his mouth stuffed with KFC. He held a Transformer in his left hand and a toy gun in his right, which he immediately started firing at Niannian with a “PEW PEW PEW.”

Struggling to swallow a mouthful of chicken, the chubby boy said smugly, “My dad bought me all these toys. You’re jealous, right?”

Niannian shook her head. “I don’t like any of those.”

The chubby boy’s mouth twisted into a smirk. “It’s because your dad can’t afford them, right? One look at your family and I can tell you’re poor.”

Niannian just shook her head again. “My mom said it’s wrong to waste money demanding gifts. Ever since I was little, I’ve gone with my mom to work and earn money. Earning money through your own labor is the best way. Kids who waste money are bad kids.”

The chubby boy burst into tears with a loud “WAAAH!” “You called me a bad kid! Just you wait, I’m getting my mom!”

On the other side, Fatty Zhao appeared with a gaudily made-up woman, standing by the fence and looking annoyed. “What’s going on?”

Qin Tianxuan appeared, his voice calm. “Today is my daughter’s birthday. If you’re going to make such a scene, take it inside. I’d appreciate some quiet.”

Fatty Zhao, a cigar dangling from his lips, glanced over. “Oh? What a coincidence. It’s my son’s birthday too. But your celebration looks a little pathetic.”

The woman beside him sneered. “You’d think someone living in a First-Grade Myriad Phenomena Villa wouldn’t be so shabby. Celebrating a birthday with just one cake? You can afford the villa but you’re still this stingy?”

Behind them, a few men holding gifts appeared. “Ma’am, Brother Zhao, isn’t it obvious? They’re just renting. This villa was vacant until recently.”

Renting a villa just for a daughter’s birthday… how pathetic it sounded.

Fatty Zhao and the woman laughed together. “If you don’t have the money, don’t put on a front. What’s the point?”

Just as they were jeering, the chubby boy came over, crying and sniffling, to tattle on Niannian.

“Your daughter dared to make my son cry? It’s his birthday today!” Fatty Zhao slammed his foot against the fence and jabbed a finger toward Qin Tianxuan’s face. “What kind of job are you doing raising your kid?”

The woman hugged her son, cooing “my baby, my baby,” before turning to screech, “You uncultured peasant! Get that damn brat over here to apologize to my baby in person!”

SPLAT!

A piece of cake hit the woman square in the face.

Han Biwei strode forward, her expression cold. She had been the one to act.

She usually seemed so gentle, but if anyone bullied Niannian, the fury Han Biwei unleashed was terrifying.

“How dare you say my daughter has no manners? Are you trying to get yourself killed?”

Even Qin Tianxuan was taken aback by Han Biwei’s outburst.

The woman across the fence frantically wiped at her face, screaming hysterically.

Fatty Zhao and a few of his friends started to climb over the fence.

Just then, a rumbling sound came from outside.

It was the roar of large trucks.

On the access road outside the First-Grade Myriad Phenomena villas, one truck after another pulled to a stop.

Several men in suits appeared, holding a gift list from a distance. They bowed in unison. “The Jinling Chu Family congratulates Patriarch Miss Niannian on her eighth birthday! By order of President Chu, we have prepared sixteen hundred gifts!”

Ah!

The couple in the neighboring villa was utterly dumbfounded.

They rubbed their eyes, looking in disbelief at the sixteen large trucks.

‘This… this is all for one child?’

Meanwhile, the men from the Chu Family had already begun to read from the gift list.

“‘The Chu Family’s profits for the current year, seven hundred sixty-eight million, are presented for Patriarch Niannian to use!’”

“‘In southwest Jinling, a newly constructed children’s amusement park with a ‘Her Royal Highness’ theme, built exclusively for Patriarch Niannian!’”

“‘Twenty-six properties, namely…’”

“‘A total of sixty-seven crates of nutritional supplements, including ginseng and deer antler!’”

“‘A total of three hundred seventy-two crates of imported fruits and various snacks!’”

“‘Three thousand, six hundred and twenty-seven sets of limited edition ‘Princess Series’ stationery!’”

“‘Cell phones, tablets, bicycles…’”

“‘The complete collection of Barbie dolls…’”

…

Qin Tianxuan gently raised a hand. “That’s enough. If you keep reading, you won’t be done by morning. We don’t have space for all the Chu Family’s gifts here. I’ll let Niannian choose a few things, and you can ship the rest to Su City.”

Niannian walked over and, like a little adult, signed seven or eight documents in a row.

The men from the Chu Family bowed respectfully, quietly explaining the contents of the documents to their young Patriarch.

Niannian was very happy. “Thank you all. I really miss Aunt Chuchu. I’ll visit her again soon.”

The Chu Family subordinate quickly bowed again. “Patriarch, you must study hard and grow up fast. The family business is doing better and better, and we’re all waiting for you to take charge.”

Next door, the neighboring couple was completely and utterly stunned.

‘A little girl is the Patriarch of a family?’

Before they could even process this, a dozen more luxury cars pulled up.

“The presidents of the Dongshen Financial Group from Su City congratulate Young Master Niannian on her happy birthday.”

“Here is the gift list. We’ve compiled it into a video. Young Master Niannian, whatever you like, just tap on it, and our professional staff will deliver it to you.”

It had to be said that the Dongshen Financial Group understood Qin Tianxuan’s temperament better; they weren’t as ostentatious as the Chu Family.

A video gift list—just tap on what you liked. It was much more efficient and direct.

The Dongshen Financial Group’s gift list had just been presented when more cars pulled in.

This time, the license plates were from the Imperial Capital.

“The Twelve War Gods of the Battle Department congratulate Student Niannian on her birthday! We have specially prepared a pair of battle sabers, ten crates of weapon models, four armored combat vehicles…”