Chapter 177 - 103: How Could Life Be the Same No Matter Who You Spend It With?

Chapter 177: Chapter 103: How Could Life Be the Same No Matter Who You Spend It With?

The theater lights came up. Jiang Wanyi lifted the small blanket, and the two of them followed the rest of the audience out.

Jiang Wanyi gathered their empty coffee cup and popcorn box, threw them in the trash, and headed for the elevator.

"After watching that movie, and with me as a living, breathing example, aren’t you a little bit scared of marriage?"

"The movie might make me scared, but looking at you won’t."

"Why?"

"I’ll just find someone with experience. Someone just like you would be ideal, to show me the ropes."

"You brat, in your dreams. Come on, let’s go home."

"Aren’t we going to walk around a bit more?"

"We can’t. I need to go back and clear out some inventory. Let’s hurry."

Just like last time, they drove straight home after the movie.

By the time they got back, a small circular mark had appeared on her chest.

In the elevator, Jiang Wanyi noticed Chen Yuan’s gaze and chided him playfully,

"This is all your fault. If I’d known it would be this... effective, I would have told you to be gentler. You pressed so hard it hurts."

"I was just trying to save some rations for myself. Otherwise, there would only be enough for Mili, with nothing left for me."

Jiang Wanyi’s hand habitually found his waist. "So you’ve had ulterior motives since way back then, have you?"

"No, no, no! I’m kidding. I’m a man of integrity! How could I possibly do something like that?"

"I’ve never seen a ’man of integrity’ who holds up his phone to..."

"Alright, that’s enough."

Chen Yuan clapped a hand over Jiang Wanyi’s mouth.

"MMPH MMPH MMPH..."

She couldn’t make a sound, but her clear, bright eyes, crinkled like crescent moons, were smiling.

DING-DONG—

The elevator arrived at the 19th floor. Chen Yuan let go, and a faint smile still lingered on Jiang Wanyi’s face.

Once they were home, Jiang Wanyi hurried into the bedroom while Chen Yuan flopped comfortably onto the sofa.

When she came out again, she had changed into a red silk nightdress. Her fair legs were shapely and full, giving her an air that was both domestic and utterly alluring. She was also holding a baby bottle.

"No one’s competing with you today. It’s all yours."

"It feels like sowing in the spring and reaping in the fall."

"And a bountiful harvest, at that," Jiang Wanyi said with a laugh.

"Are you hungry? I can make you a late-night snack."

"Let’s wait a bit. I’m not that hungry right now."

She took a hair tie from her wrist and gathered her hair back.

"If you’re not hungry, just relax for a bit. I’m going to tidy up her things. It’s an absolute mess."

"It’s fine, isn’t it? She’ll just mess it up again when she gets back anyway."

"No, I can’t stand looking at it. It makes my blood pressure rise."

Jiang Wanyi was very diligent. After tying up her hair, she started tidying Mili’s things.

There was nothing particularly special about the way she tidied up. She just sat on the floor, picking up one item after another and placing them in a corner.

She even sorted them, grouping them by size and color.

A stray wisp of hair fell across her cheek, the perfect testament to her gentle and domestic nature.

Chen Yuan thought about the movie they had just seen, and a phrase he often saw online came to mind.

’How could life be the same no matter who you spend it with?’

He took out his phone, found a good angle, and snapped a photo.

The click of the camera’s shutter interrupted Jiang Wanyi. She chided him playfully,

"Taking secret pictures of me again."

"Call it a secret picture if you want, but at least I wasn’t aiming for... other places this time."

"Let me see."

She shuffled over to Chen Yuan’s side.

"This one’s good too. I love the soft focus."

"You have a good foundation. Any picture of you looks good..."

BZZZT BZZZT BZZZT—

The phone on the dining table started vibrating, cutting Chen Yuan off.

Jiang Wanyi went to get it. Seeing it was a video call from her mother, she made a shushing gesture at Chen Yuan.

"Mom."

"Duoduo."

’Duoduo?’

Chen Yuan glanced at Jiang Wanyi. ’Is that her nickname?’

’Seems likely.’

"Is something wrong with Mili?"

Jiang Wanyi was instantly worried. If nothing was wrong, her parents’ attention would be entirely on the baby; they wouldn’t have time to video call her.

It was just like that morning when she dropped Mili off. They hadn’t even given her a second glance before taking the baby and leaving.

"She’s not sick, but what’s going on with Mili? I’m trying to teach her to say ’Grandpa’ and ’Grandma,’ but all she says is ’Dada’."

PFFT—

Chen Yuan couldn’t hold it in and nearly burst out laughing.

Jiang Wanyi flushed, flustered and embarrassed, and reflexively pinched Chen Yuan.

"Have you met a new man?"

Jiang Wanyi panicked.

"Where is this coming from? You’re reading too much into it."

"Then why is she calling for her ’Dada’ all of a sudden? Who is she talking about?"

"I..."

Jiang Wanyi’s brain short-circuited. She had no idea how to answer that question.

Just then, Chen Yuan nudged her gently and mouthed some words to her.

"She learned it from TV. I sometimes let her watch educational shows, and she must have picked it up."

"Oh..."

Jiang Wanyi’s mother sounded skeptical, clearly not entirely convinced.

"Listen to me. You’re still young, and you have a daughter. We have our pensions, so it’s not hard for you to find someone. If you’ve really met a man, just be open about it. Don’t hide him away."

"Oh, Mom..."

Jiang Wanyi’s face flushed red, a rare, girlish coyness showing through.

"I already told you I’m not going to look for anyone else. Why do you keep bringing this up?"

"Fine, don’t look, then. It’s not like a new man would necessarily be good to Mili, but!"

Jiang Wanyi’s mother’s tone suddenly shifted. "But let me tell you, not looking for a partner is one thing, but if you go out and start messing around, I’ll break your legs!"

’Are all mothers orthopedic surgeons or something? Why are they all like Comrade Li, always threatening to break people’s legs?’