Chapter 007: The Evening Bell (Part Two)

Old Master Qiu waited for them to settle down before continuing to ask: "Is it that fifteen-year-old Major of the Alliance, Xiao Chunshui? I have heard that his mental strength has already reached 85, and that he is unmatched in commanding mecha battles among the younger generation, known as the number one genius?"

Knock knock knock

The autumn snow brightened her eyes, shimmering like flowing water, and she exclaimed: "Really? Has Xiao Chun arrived in Nier City? Why didn't you tell me earlier, Second Brother? And what about Xiao Ci? Why didn't you tell me either? Were you planning to go alone?"

As soon as Qiuwen opened his mouth, even Qiuxue lost the desire to speak, mimicking Qiuci as he lowered his head and slowly ate the cheese bread

Oh? Is she even more beautiful than our Xiaoxue?" Old Master Qiu asked kindly

Fortunately, those around are naturally familiar with the Qiu family and understand that the old master Qiu's little granddaughter has been withdrawn since childhood, so no one pays attention to her demeanor. After all, can one expect a withdrawn child to greet everyone with charm and grace?

Qiu Wen nodded at him again, which elicited a gleeful laugh from Qiu Xue beside her.

The capital city of Nira Star, Nier City, is a city surrounded by red roses, and the towering clock tower standing proudly in the steel forest is the second symbol of Nira Star. This clock tower reaches a height of 300 meters and is entirely constructed from durable, corrosion-resistant alloy steel. Four large swinging bells are suspended on all four sides of the clock and book tower, and when the bells toll, their sound can resonate for hundreds of miles.

Qiu Ci sat on the platform, meticulously counting the soldiers dressed in the uniforms of the Allied forces, concluding that there were approximately over 3,000 of them. The city guard could not possibly have such a large number; it seems that most of this army was borrowed from various nearby confidential departments to assist, and it was evident that there was also a regiment from the vegetable cultivation base among them

The ten-meter-high platform was crowded with civilians, and the clamor rose like a mountain roar or a tidal wave. Wang Liang stood at the front of the crowd with Qiu Wen and Qiu Wu, carefully ensuring that the throng behind them did not separate the two. In front of the platform stood a full contingent of troops dispatched from the military district, temporarily assembled to maintain order at the bell tower.

At this moment, Old Master Qiu is sitting at the front desk of the bell tower with his granddaughters Qiu Xue and Qiu Ci, surrounded by prominent figures from Nina Star who are wealthy and influential. Old Master Qiu greets those around him with a smile, occasionally introducing his two granddaughters. Qiu Xue is exceptionally well-behaved, calling out to the uncles and elders around her, while Qiu Ci sits motionless in her chair, seemingly indifferent to the proceedings.

Qiu Wu, with a gloomy expression, buried his head in the food on his plate, feeling utterly disinclined to converse with his twin brother. The two were not on the same wavelength, and their differing paths made it impossible for them to collaborate.

Well, there is a place for grandpa on the bell tower platform. With Xiaoxue and Xiaoci accompanying, it should be able to accommodate us.

Swallowing the bread in hand, Qiu Ci replied vaguely: "You already know, why ask?"

I heard that you were climbing the wall last night in preparation to go out

Qiu Wu scratched his head and said anxiously, "What about us? Grandpa, my elder brother and I also want to watch the military exercise"

Hmm. Qiuci nodded, her gaze affirming.

"Grandfather, have you received the invitation?" Qiu Wen asked again

The audience below ceased the last trace of unrest and quietly looked up at the Chief Executive Officer of Ninas Star on the stage

Qiu Wen picked up the snow-white napkin on the table to wipe his mouth and asked seriously, "Grandfather, how do you know? There hasn't been any report on this news?"

Old Master Qiu smiled, glanced at Qiu Wen's serious expression, the bright eyes of Qiu Wu and Qiu Xue, and at Qiu Ci, who was engrossed in eating and seemed unaware of their conversation, and then said: "I suppose this news should be available on the quantum brain now, yes, and on the television station as well"

Qiu Wen and Qiu Wu nodded slightly and smiled, as a gesture of commendation

A minute after Qiu Wen was born, Qiu Wu came into the world, and it was this very minute that determined he would be subjected to Qiu Wen's unyielding lessons for the rest of his life. Qiu Wu's personality closely resembles that of his second uncle, Qiu Feng, both being carefree and exuberant, unconcerned with trivialities. Being a child, he is inevitably lively, playful, and boisterous. However, just when he is engaged in a joyful conversation or having fun, Qiu Wen unexpectedly douses him with cold water, leaving him feeling frustrated and regretting that he hadn't been born a minute or two earlier.

"Little Ci, what are you doing out in the middle of the night?" The curious young girl Qiu Xue, sitting beside her, blinked her eyes, her emerald green gaze resembling a pool of clear water, fixed intently on Qiu Ci

Since Xiaoxue and Xiaoci both want to see this person... Old Master Qiu hesitated, and after a moment, continued: "Then I will take you two to the Bell Tower Square today to have a seat, so you can see more clearly up close"

It is somewhat amusing that the eldest son of the Qiu family, Qiu Yun, has twin sons. The elder, Qiu Wenxue, embodies Qiu Yun's serious and solemn character, always appearing mature beyond his years. His favorite pastime is to adopt a stern expression and act as a parent in front of his younger siblings

As Qiu Ci was about to speak, Qiu Wu, sitting beside the two, could not contain his excitement and said: "What else could it be? The number one genius of the Alliance Military Academy, Xiao Chunshui, arrived at our Nina Star yesterday with the patrol fleet. Last night, he personally rang the bell in the clock tower, causing all the women in the city to rush out in a frenzy to see him. I’m sure Qiu Ci also went to see Xiao Chunshui, didn’t she?

In the silence of autumn, she continued to eat the cheese on her plate. She was quite satisfied with the excuse that Qiu Wu had automatically and willingly found for her, even though it carried the suspicion of being infatuated. However, as the saying goes, youth is wasted if one is not romantic; at this age, isn't it just right to be a little infatuated?

Old Master Qiu nodded and said with certainty: "He will definitely go. There will be a small military exercise at the Zhonglou Square in the evening, and Xiao Chun and Shui will showcase the latest generation of mechas from the alliance to the public, so I say he will definitely go"

Old Master Qiu smiled and then asked Qiu Ci, "Did Xiao Ci also go to see that Xiao Chun Shui?"

"Second brother, stop talking nonsense. The younger sisters are still very young; do not say such things to them." Qiu Wen earnestly admonished her twin brothers, her round baby face trying to adopt a serious expression, which was particularly amusing.

"Grandfather," Qiu Xue retorted, "It's different. I am a woman, and he is a man; they cannot be compared."

Qiu Xue exclaimed with joy, then expressed disappointment: "But will Xiao Chun Shui still go to the Bell Tower Square today?"

***

The governor of Neil City, Lord Gordon Lane, stepped to the front. The man, in his fifties, maintained an exceptionally standard physique, showing no signs of weight gain. Beneath his perfectly styled hair were a pair of wise eyes, accompanied by a politician's smile as he slightly pressed down his hand.

Old Master Qiu sat at the head of the dining table, took a sip of the exceptionally expensive organic milk, and smiled as he asked Qiu Ci, who was seated at the foot of the table.

However, the space is limited; who told you that you are boys? Let Grandpa Wang accompany you to watch from below the stage. Old Master Qiu shook his head helplessly

The enormous clock on all four sides swung and chimed, its melodious and profound sound suppressing the clamor of voices. Amidst the waves of resonance, the voices gradually quieted down

Nina Star, also known as Rose Star, is a barren planet where even vegetables cannot grow. However, lush green roses can be seen climbing across the desolate surface, and the colorful clusters of rose flowers are the only source of pride for the inhabitants of Nina Star. The vast expanses of blooming red roses are particularly emblematic of Nina Star.

"Great!" Qiu Xue exclaimed happily

Qiu Xue raised her head, her eyes shining as she looked at Grandpa Qiu, and excitedly said: "Grandpa, not only that, Xiao Chunshui is also the most handsome young man in the league. I have never seen such a beautiful man before"

The Qiu couple and the Qiu Feng couple left early in the morning, while only the elder Qiu and four younger generations sat at the breakfast table of the Qiu family.

Uh... I understand. Autumn Wu said with a hint of disappointment, then murmured softly to Autumn Wen: "Grandfather is so biased."