"Happy New Year, Minister Kenya and Mr. Kili!"
"You're dressed so formally today, are you going to see Her Majesty the Queen?"
...
Uncle Kenya and his eldest son, Kili, had been summoned to Genovia by Mike more than two years ago.
These father and son, who had generations of experience helping Mike's family care for their farm, possessed abundant planting knowledge.
After arriving in Genovia, the two continued their original work, making enormous contributions to the agricultural development of this small country.
Two years passed, and they became Genovia's Minister of Finance and agricultural consultant, respectively.
In this country, where sixty percent of the economy relies on agriculture, the father and son's dedication also earned them the respect of the common people.
Kili, with his simple, honest, and hardworking nature, was especially popular among many Genovian girls.
"Happy New Year, everyone!"
Walking from the residential area towards Genovia Castle, Uncle Kenya greeted the enthusiastic citizens and shared, "Kili and I have indeed been summoned by Her Majesty the Queen today. And Mr. Mike will also be arriving today…"
Although Mike did not reside permanently in Genovia, his legend still circulated there.
It could be said that it was precisely because of him that the people of Genovia now enjoyed their wonderful lives.
"Is Prince Mike also returning today?"
"Then if we go to the castle today, won't we be able to see Queen Mia and Prince Mike at the same time…"
"I heard that Prince Mike is not only powerful but also very handsome…"
"Is anyone coming with me to the castle to see Queen Mia and Prince Mike?…"
In simple and honest Genovia, the people held Queen Mia and her fiancé in high regard.
To catch a glimpse of the current Queen and Prince, the citizens spontaneously followed Minister Kenya and Consultant Kili, heading towards the castle.
...
"Happy New Year, Queen Renaldi, Mr. Joseph!"
Inside the castle, Mike, who had brought a group of girls to Genovia again for Christmas, enthusiastically greeted everyone in the hall as soon as he stepped out of the spatial gate.
Those who came to receive Mike were all his own people, and they were not overly surprised by his various miraculous abilities.
"Mia, Paige… and Missy, long time no see…"
While greeting everyone, Mike distributed the Christmas gifts he had prepared in advance.
It is worth mentioning that Missy had already graduated from high school this year and, unable to get into a good university, came directly to Genovia to rely on Paige.
She was now Paige's assistant…
Shortly after the group had greeted each other, a guard came to report that the Minister of Finance and the financial consultant had arrived at the castle gate, awaiting an audience with the Queen and Prince.
A large crowd of citizens had also arrived with them.
"Let's go, I'll take you to see Genovia as it is now."
Queen Mia smiled, linked her arm with Mike's, and walked towards the castle gate.
Unlike the cold, snowy winter in New York, Genovia's winter was still sunny and bright.
The simultaneous appearance of Queen Mia and the Prince instantly ignited the people's enthusiasm.
Many even presented the Queen and Prince with fruits grown in their own homes and delicacies they had personally prepared.
Each warm and hopeful face spoke volumes about the contentment of their lives.
"I heard that the situation in New York is not very good…" After receiving the Minister of Finance and the citizens, Queen Mia chatted with Mike on the way back.
It was clear that this now mature new Queen was well-informed about both domestic and international affairs.
"The situation there is indeed not very good, but it doesn't affect me much…" Mike also appropriately exchanged information with Queen Mia.
This economic depression, triggered by Wall Street, would not be limited to just one place.
Small, neighboring countries like Genovia would likely be affected to some extent later on.
Early preparation was a necessary measure.
"…Are the girls in the King's Dance Troupe pretty?" Queen Mia, who had been discussing serious matters, suddenly changed the subject.
"Uh, they're all quite pretty…" The topic shifted so quickly that Mike almost didn't react in time. "I want to say, it's not what you think. I formed the dance troupe purely to pass the time, and also to provide employment for girls who need help."
Well, that was truly difficult to explain.
Moreover, Mike himself wasn't exactly "innocent."
Queen Mia, listening to Mike's explanation, maintained a smiling posture throughout, showing no sign of anger.
"My grandmother wants me to have a child with you first. What do you think?" After a long silence, Queen Mia asked a second difficult question.
"That's too sudden! I mean, we're both still very young, there's no need to have children so early." Mike knew that girls always had something up their sleeves.
"But I'm already twenty-three," Queen Mia said, blinking her large eyes and staring at Mike with a hint of resentment.
It might be fine for ordinary girls, but for a Queen who needed to stabilize the populace, the issue of a child (heir) was very important.
"…Let's wait a few more years. By then, I will give you everything, whether it's marriage or children," Mike reassured the girl.
Delaying it was delaying it. For Mike, who was already extraordinary, adding burdens to himself now was indeed too early.
Moreover, he had the ability to ensure his women also remained eternally youthful, so there was no need to rush the matter of children.
"You said it, okay?" Upon receiving the promise, a smile suddenly bloomed on Queen Mia's face. Then she kissed Mike on the cheek and whispered, "Just between us, I'm actually not ready to be a mother yet."
Indeed, the prettier the woman, the more she deceives.
Mia's previous behavior was definitely a test.
But thankfully, the outcome was good.
For the next few days, Mike began to comfortably enjoy his leisurely Christmas holiday, even visiting Uncle Kenya when he had nothing else to do.
In Genovia, unpolluted by heavy industry, the air was even fresher than in New York.
Thus, time passed until Christmas night. After the Christmas dinner, Mike accompanied the girls as they gathered in front of the television, waiting to watch the Christmas gala broadcast by Apple TV.
It's worth noting that the three girls of The Plastics did not come to Genovia with Mike this Christmas.
Having become superstars, they were invited by Apple TV this year to perform five songs individually on Christmas Day in front of the entire America audience.
This level of treatment was no longer inferior to that of established superstars like MJ.
However, as the hottest girl group in the second half of this year, The Plastics deserved this attention.
It should be known that, driven by the popularity of the "eternal love" album, the sales of the girls' previous two albums also saw a qualitative improvement.
To this day, the total sales of the girls' three albums since their debut have exceeded twenty million copies.
This diamond achievement made the girls true superstars.
As the New Year's bells chimed, the melodious singing of the three girls from The Plastics came from the television.
At the same time, the enthusiastic cheers of the audience erupted from the television.
It was foreseeable that from today onwards, the three girls of The Plastics would no longer need to prove to anyone that they were not mere pretty faces.
"Is it good?" In front of the TV, Paige leaned close to Mike and whispered.
"A wonderful performance," Mike praised sincerely.
After more than two years of refinement, the three girls of The Plastics had grown a lot, whether in singing, stage presence, or rhythm control.
"Then, compared to the performance of the girls from the King's Dance Troupe, which one is better?" Paige asked as if casually.
Still going on?
Mike suddenly turned his head to look at the sweet and lovely girl beside him, not expecting her to have such a dark side.
"Don't mention the dance troupe again, there's no comparison," Mike said, exasperated. "So, what exactly do you want to say?"
Like Queen Mia, Mike didn't believe Paige would bring up the dance troupe for no reason.
She must be looking for an excuse to make a point.
Just a boring negotiation tactic.
"My birthday and Missy's are both in April," Paige said, her small scheme exposed, out of the blue.
Mike: "So, you want me to prepare your birthday presents in advance?"
"Idiot…" Paige said, her cheeks flushed. "Do I have to spell it out… After April… Missy and I will both be eighteen…"
The girl's voice grew softer and softer as she spoke, finally raising a small fist in exasperated embarrassment.
And indeed, after a few years, the little girl had also grown into a young woman.
"I understand, I understand," Mike smiled, taking the girl's hand, and said, "I'll stay in Genovia until April this year…"
Gather ye rosebuds while ye may.
The girl had made her intentions so clear, how could Mike not know her feelings?
Beside them, Missy, who had quietly joined Paige, was now blushing so much she looked like she was about to smoke.