—Real World
The day before New Year's Eve.
Stelle's apartment, entrance hall.
"March, how about you come to my place for New Year? Adding one extra pair of chopsticks—my mom won't mind," Stelle said.
"Silver Wolf and I would welcome you too." Firefly, pulling her suitcase, extended an invitation to March 7th. "And you're welcome too, Stelle."
Among the three roommates living together, Stelle had a home to return to, Firefly could go to Silver Wolf from the same orphanage, but only March 7th—the amnesiac—had nowhere to go for Lunar New Year.
March 7th waved her hand with a smile. "You two don't have to worry about me. I'll go spend New Year with Sister Himeko and Uncle Yang. I won't disturb your family reunion."
Himeko—the landlord downstairs.
Welt—the mature man (usually mature) who was retired here in the apartment with his wife.
"Then... please take care of this home." Stelle placed both hands on March 7th's shoulders, speaking earnestly.
Then she turned, took her luggage-filled trash bin, went out the door, and waited downstairs for a taxi.
(Stelle: It's not that a suitcase is unaffordable—it's just that a trash bin is more cost-effective, like down jackets versus military coats in winter!)
Kafka was in the same city—just a taxi ride away.
"Trouble March to pass on New Year's greetings from me and Stelle to Miss Himeko," Firefly said. Then she shouldered her own compression pack and headed out.
(Compression pack—the kind of backpack stuffed to the brim using every method possible, with all air vacuumed out. The size of a schoolbag, but with the hardness of a brick.)
Firefly closed the door, leaving the entire apartment with only March 7th inside.
The smile on little March's face gradually faded. She turned in the entrance hall and looked toward the apartment.
"Has this suite always felt this cold and empty?" March 7th only felt loneliness.
Stelle and Firefly had only left for ten minutes.
Normally March 7th wouldn't think ten minutes felt this long—it was just the blink of an eye.
Little March's face turned sad. She began walking around the suite, finally ending up in front of the computer.
"Speaking of which, Stelle seems to have forgotten to clear stamina today? Anyway, since I'm free, I'll help her out."
"She even forgets little things like this—if it weren't for me and Firefly, could she even become a streamer with a million fans?"
(With the abstractness of a Stellaron Hunter, a million fans feels a bit low even.)
Little March muttered to herself, then turned on the computer.
Speaking of Genshin Impact, March 7th recalled what happened during the Version 1.3 update not long ago.
Back then, famous Genshin Impact streamers all logged into the updated Version 1.3 at the same time, planning to livestream the Lantern Rite event content riding the hype from the preview.
Then they discovered there were no events at all.
They checked the event announcement and found out that the Lantern Rite event-related story would only open on the day before New Year's Eve.
The awkward scene of having opened streams but nothing to do was still vivid in memory.
In the end, that day turned into an Abyss speedrun competition under Silver Wolf's call.
Back then Stelle was even kneeling on the bed begging Firefly to take action.
March watched and felt embarrassed for her.
"But the day before New Year's Eve—that's today, right? Huh? Who changed the wallpaper?"
The screen lit up. March 7th suddenly noticed the wallpaper had been changed—from Stelle's personal headshot to a sticky note with writing.
"If you feel lonely, open the livestream room—there might be a surprise—Stelle"
"March don't be sad. During Lunar New Year, Stelle and I will make time to come back and see you—Firefly"
March 7th looked at the sticky notes on the wallpaper, biting her lip, then suddenly smiled: "Is this underestimating me? I'm not sad at all."
"This Lunar New Year, even if it's just me, I can have a very happy time—especially since I have Sister Himeko and Uncle Yang. I won't feel lonely at all."
Little March put her hands on her hips, looking full of energy.
Then she opened her usual streaming account and muttered to herself: "This isn't loneliness—I'm just curious what surprise she left. So mysterious on purpose."
The livestream room opened, and people quickly started joining.
[Stelle: Knew you'd open the stream.]
[Firefly: March, we meet again—so soon.]
March was shocked: "Huh? You guys..."
[Stelle: Just predicting your behavior, no need to be too surprised. Don't fall for me because of this (confident.jpg)]
[Stelle: Knew you'd feel lonely, so I specially prepared this livestream room for you. Don't be too grateful to me.]
Only then did March 7th notice the livestream room's name was [Spend Lunar New Year Together with Left-Behind March 7th].
[Firefly: The game account is already logged into yours, March. You play first. Once Stelle and I get home, we'll log in and join you.]
[Firefly: If we can't spend Lunar New Year together in real life, then let's spend Lantern Rite together in-game.]
At this point, more people gradually entered the livestream room.
[Dan Heng: Open the door, I'm outside.]
[Ying Xing: I'm here too. Please hurry—don't really want to be in the same space as the guy above.]
March 7th went to open the door for the two.
Then she happily received Dan Heng's personally written study notes (though March 7th didn't look very fond of them) and Ying Xing's personally made solid handicraft (ten pounds heavy, representing Ying Xing's sincerity).
And also a treasured game cartridge that Silver Wolf had Ying Xing pass on—it was a loan, to be returned after Lunar New Year.
Then Ying Xing, who didn't live in this apartment, dashed away like the wind. Before leaving, he asked March 7th what girls nowadays liked.
During Lunar New Year he was going to visit his teacher (Huaiyan) and needed to prepare a gift for the teacher's granddaughter (Yunli).
March 7th put away the gifts from the two, sat back in front of the computer, and noticed more messages in the livestream room.
[Himeko: March, if you get hungry during New Year, come downstairs. I'll always be home.]
[Welt: My home welcomes you too—this is Tesla's intention as well.]
[Little March, I'm here to spend New Year with you!]
[It's holiday time—I have plenty of time to spend Lunar New Year with you, March!]
[Still don't quite get the situation? Yesterday when you weren't around, Stelle and Firefly streamed and asked old fans like us to take care of you.]
(The named characters were all pulled in by Stelle and Firefly using connections.)
"You guys..." March 7th looked at the stream of comments. "I'm so excited I don't even know what to say!"
Little March showed her first genuine smile since learning Stelle and Firefly were going home for New Year.
"Since you're here, don't think you can leave easily—stay and spend New Year with me!"
"Full-health revived March 7th, here to livestream the entire Lantern Rite story for you all!"
"Genshin Impact, launch!"
The gates of Celestia opened. The seven-element progress bar welcomed the Traveler to Teyvat at the final moment of the year.
The crimson mechanical bird brought the invitation letter, starting this event about a traditional Shenzhou festival.
Prerequisite story finished. The event showcase page appeared.
Bright Firmament Rises Over the Sea & Lantern Rite Grand Celebration, Stars Shining
[Both grand event themes broadcast together.]
[One is the version theme event, the other is the one Boss Jun added.]
March 7th smiled the whole time. After the prerequisite story ended, she teleported to Guili Assembly and began the Lantern Rite event story.