The New Year is approaching.

It is rare for there to be no snow in Wenster at this time of year.

A bit past three in the afternoon, Ethan was already at home selecting the gown he would wear to the evening banquet tonight and preparing New Year gifts.

Actually, he had bought the New Year gifts a few days earlier, but deciding exactly what to give to whom required careful final deliberation.

For example, Governor Oswaldo.

He had inquired about this person's preferences and knew he liked classical music and hunting, so he purchased many records and a special hunting rifle in advance.

In the end, however, he chose an alchemical hunting rifle forged by Huoyan, which came with a characteristic that enhanced damage to beasts.

This kind of unique item that couldn't be bought out there should make a good impression on Oswaldo.

With the gifts selected, Ethan changed into a deep black gown that exuded steadiness and grandeur, paired with a splendid floral tie, and the time had already reached four in the afternoon.

It was time to leave.

The New Year banquet was held at the City Hall, given that it was a very formal official banquet, and not placed in the Beihai Star.

After leaving home, Ethan didn't head straight to the City Hall but went to Sofia's place first.

Because Ned was also busy today, he entrusted Ethan with picking up Sofia.

Sofia wore a striking silver evening gown today, looking just like a princess.

With Ethan's assistance, after she got into the car, she didn't forget to greet Anya in the front driver's seat: "Thank you, Miss Driver."

If Ethan hadn't noticed it before, these days he clearly felt there was friction, or it could be called a war, between the two women.

Sofia always deliberately or unintentionally addressed Anya as Miss Driver.

Anya, on the other hand, never showed Sofia a friendly face and often rolled her eyes impatiently.

Ethan could only pretend not to see this.

Five in the afternoon.

Ethan finally arrived at the City Hall.

By now, the sky had started to darken, and many vehicles gathered in front of the City Hall.

Tonight's New Year banquet would gather most of Wenster's high society.

Since the last charity banquet, Ethan had gained some fame among the upper-class circles in Wenster, and as soon as he got out of the car, many people greeted him.

Some talked about whether he had new works.

Others mentioned his investments in Saint Kuanti.

Unknowingly, these people had come to consider Ethan as one of their own.

By contrast, Sandro, who had no one paying attention to him when he got out of the car, seemed like an old man abandoned by the times.

Naturally, Ethan noticed Sandro but didn't approach him, just nodded slightly at him.

If the previous confrontations between Ethan and Sandro were beneath the surface, this time it was undoubtedly an overt confrontation.

Sandro was completely suppressed by Ethan.

The sky gradually darkened.

The New Year banquet finally began.

Today's banquet was of high standards, with the most famous orchestra in Wenster playing alongside.

Although Wenster didn't have much of an artistic atmosphere, this orchestra was influential, having performed in the Royal Capital, ranking highly throughout the Kingdom.

The atmosphere at the banquet was quite elegant.

Around seven o'clock, Governor Oswaldo finally appeared on stage to commend this year's outstanding contributors by awarding them medals.

Ethan was naturally among them.

He had known about this a few days prior.

However, having spent so much money on Saint Kuanti and considerable effort in facilitating connections, it was rightful for him to receive this medal.

On the contrary, Sandro was not among them.

It's said that in previous years, he often received this medal.

After the awards, Oswaldo gave a brief outlook for the next year, focusing on developing Saint Kuanti, allowing it to be rebuilt as a city in mutual support with Wenster.

Everyone understood the subtext: he wanted to seize the opportunity to annex Saint Kuanti, making it a part of Wenster.

If successful, it would undoubtedly be a significant achievement, making his transfer to the Royal Capital even more plausible.

Some people were absent from tonight's event, namely those from the Sun Church.

Oswaldo seemed not to have invited them.

But this was understandable.

Because after the last charity banquet, Ethan had investigated them.

The Black-robed Bishop Casar seemed intent on participating in the reconstruction of Saint Kuanti, which Oswaldo rejected, leading to an unpleasant altercation.

Ethan had read the parchments and knew the historical events.

In the past, the Sun Church and the Kingdom went to war over power in the New Continent, only to be utterly defeated and driven away.

To come back now would be wishful thinking.

Oswaldo, too, was a shrewd politician not leaving any hold for others to leverage.

As time passed.

The banquet atmosphere surged to a peak.

Music, dance, and jubilant men and women.

As Ethan watched the dancing shadows in the hall, he thought of a girl still standing in the wind outside.

So, before Sofia could find him, he slipped out of the hall.

Outside the City Hall, in the parking lot.

Anya sat in the Klaus Long Spear, not going to the guest room to wait, smoke, and chat with the other drivers.

She chose to be dazed here.

The faint strains of music and the lively atmosphere seeped out from the City Hall.

Anya felt somewhat… alone?

Lonely?

She wasn't sure, perhaps she had never experienced such feelings.

All her life, she had always been alone like this.

"Knock knock—"

Suddenly someone tapped on the car window.

Anya was startled, looking up to see Ethan outside.

"Young Master, what are you doing here?" She opened the car door, surprised.

Ethan slightly bowed, extending a hand, saying, "Beautiful lady, would I be honored to have a dance with you?"

"I…I don't know how to dance, Young Master," Anya said, puzzled.

She was adept at killing, but dancing was foreign to her.

"It's all right, neither do I. Come on." Ethan took her hand and began dancing in the deserted parking lot.

Accompanied by the faint music from the City Hall and the soft glow of the late month's moonlight in the sky.

If there were anyone in this world with whom Ethan could celebrate the brief months of his traversed life, it would only be Anya.

The old year was about to pass, and the New Year was on the horizon.

In the last snowless night of the old year, many people, whether by the fireplace or with a drink in hand, quietly counted the passages of their lives in the dark night.

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