Chapter 137: The Spring Festival Gala (5)

"Being recognized as an outstanding individual only represents the present, not the future! Fellow citizens! I look forward to seeing even more young faces standing before me this time next year!"

Facing the spirited young people before him, Mo Fangyuan felt it necessary to offer them some more motivational words. Since the Block Kingdom lacked the crafting recipes for medals—those physical ornaments of honor—he could only resort to engraving golden tools to serve as awards and achievements. It was a slight regret, and he could only hope to obtain the crafting blueprints for medals in the future.

"And now... citizens of the Block Kingdom, revel to your hearts' content for this wonderful Spring Festival!"

The fourth event, the [Bonfire Party], was exactly what its name suggested: an evening celebration, though one involving thousands of participants. To prepare for this massive gathering, the Department of Material Reserves had stocked a vast amount of complimentary food for the people to enjoy.

Roasted potatoes, roast mutton, roast beef, apples, milk, sugarcane juice... countless delicacies were laid out item by item on hundreds of log tables prepared in the central square. What caught everyone's eyes most, however, were the large white blocks resting in the center of each table.

The base of these blocks was brown, the upper portion was white, and the surface was dotted with small red spots. They were cakes—a remarkably delicious food crafted from milk, eggs, wheat, and refined sugar, a process that was quite tedious. If the Block Kingdom’s resources weren't currently so abundant, Mo Fangyuan would have cried his eyes out in the kitchen at the thought of preparing so many at once.

"Fellow citizens! Today is the Spring Festival; all food is free! Let us toast to our bright future!"

Young children wanted to reach for the food, but were held back by their parents. For several minutes, no one dared to touch the tables laden with treats, so Mo Fangyuan had to lead by example.

"Come, little one! This is delicious!"

Picking up a slice of cake, Mo Fangyuan handed it to a young boy with black hair, speaking with a warm smile. "These are prepared for all of us block people; it would be a waste not to eat..."

Gradually, encouraged by Mo Fangyuan, others began to try. Once the first person started, a second and third followed. Soon, the atmosphere of the party was ignited. People stopped being timid and began to let go, doing as they pleased. They ate, gossiped, sang, and danced. The central square was bustling with life, and Mo Fangyuan finally felt a long-lost sense of familiarity. For the first time, the central square possessed a spark of the human vibrancy he remembered from the cities of his past life.

"Me and my motherland, we cannot be separated for even a moment..."

A few clever students who had remembered the songs from the earlier performances began to hum along. Their singing seemed to set off the entire event. One by one, others joined in, and soon the number of people singing grew until countless individuals set aside their other activities to participate.

"Always giving me the clear waves and the songs in my heart."
"Me and my motherland, we cannot be separated for even a moment."
"No matter where I go, a hymn of praise flows forth."
"I sing of every mountain, I sing of every river."
"The curling smoke, the small village, the tracks on the road."
"La... la..."

The chaotic mix of voices suddenly merged at one moment, forming an incredibly beautiful harmony. In a daze, Mo Fangyuan saw the people truly meant to sing this song.

"How wonderful!"

Swallowing a piece of cake he would usually have been reluctant to eat, Mo Fangyuan smiled. This time, the smile was truly from the heart, not just for show.

"Your Majesty, this is our united block people." Old Fu smiled proudly, though no one could see the wrinkles hidden behind his expression.

"As long as we work together, we can make this happiness last," Old Duan added with a smile. "Your Majesty, how can such an important event proceed without your presence? Your shared joy with the people will better ignite the atmosphere..."

Mo Fangyuan did not care whether there were hidden meanings in the words of Old Fu and Old Duan. He simply watched the reveling crowd, moved by how simple happiness could be.

"Then let us join in the fun; it has been a long time since I felt such a pleasant atmosphere."

Mo Fangyuan left the backstage area to join the festivities in the central square, while Old Fu and Old Duan exchanged a glance.

The plan was working!

"This... is truly wonderful!"

Because of his high profile, every time he went out—whether to rest or conduct field visits—he became the focal point of the crowd. Everyone treated him with such reverent respect that, while acceptable for a short time, it became tedious and even annoying after a while. To avoid becoming the center of attention again, Mo Fangyuan donned a cloth hat and kept his head down, mingling with the crowd and enjoying the long-lost pleasure of being unnoticed.

In his past life, Mo Fangyuan was a gaming addict, immersed in a virtual "third world" while living a mediocre life, ignored by others in reality. He liked that sense of "solitude"—being able to live without being watched, without pressure, and without care. This was a true portrait of many who suffered from internet addiction.

After arriving in the Block World, as the leader of the Block Kingdom, with the safety of the people behind him and grave dangers ahead, Mo Fangyuan had to change. He had to alter his long-formed personality and habits, striving to integrate into the group and then lead them.

"Sigh!"

Sitting alone on the wooden steps at the edge of the central square, watching the active crowd like an outsider, Mo Fangyuan felt a sliver of relief in his heart.

"Fellow citizens, during this wonderful and joyful Spring Festival, our Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Civil Affairs have teamed up to perform an excellent stage play for you: 'The Prince's Love Story'!"

"Prince? Could it be..."
"Love? Could it be..."
"Story? Could it be..."

The announcement from the stage suddenly drew the eyes of the revelers back to the performance. Love stories were always loved by the girls, and princes were what the boys aspired to be. "The Prince's Love Story" cleverly captured this, drawing the attention of both boys and girls to the stage.

"'The Prince's Love Story'... hmm, very good. Go ahead and enjoy it!"

Mo Fangyuan did not know the significance of them performing "The Prince's Love Story," nor did he care to find out. Since it had nothing to do with the development of the kingdom or the safety of the people, and it was something that could be used for entertainment, there was no need for him to intervene. As long as they were happy, that was enough.

Old Fu and Old Duan had designed this entertaining play precisely because they understood this aspect of Mo Fangyuan's character.