Chapter 244 - 129: Declaring Sovereignty

Chapter 244: Chapter 129: Declaring Sovereignty

Afterwards, they went to play other claw machines. Chen Yuan gave the directions while Jiang Wanyi handled the controls. Their success rate was around 80%, which was impressively high.

After using up all their game tokens, Mili started to get a little sleepy, drowsing in Chen Yuan’s arms.

"Let’s head back to the car first and let her sleep for a bit."

Jiang Wanyi looked at the child. "Keep her awake a little longer. Don’t let her fall asleep. If we take her straight to my mom’s place, it’ll save us the trouble."

"Alright."

They returned to the B2 level of the parking garage. Jiang Wanyi drove while Chen Yuan sat in the back, keeping Mili’s attention so she wouldn’t fall asleep.

By the time they arrived at Jiang Wanyi’s parents’ house, Mili could barely keep her eyes open.

They got Mili out of the car and put her in her stroller. Jiang Wanyi slung a backpack over her shoulder.

"Wait here for me. I’ll be right out."

"No rush. We can’t just drop her off and leave. We should stay for a little while."

Jiang Wanyi nodded. "See if you can find a place you’d like to eat. We can go try it after we drop her off."

"Okay."

Right now, they were just like a young couple dropping their kid off at the grandparents’ for the weekend so they could have some time to themselves.

Jiang Wanyi pushed the stroller and walked to her parents’ apartment.

She knocked, and Liu Fengzhi opened the door.

Seeing Jiang Wanyi and the child at the door, she instantly broke into a smile and lifted Mili out of the stroller.

"Grandma missed you so much! Come here, let me hold you."

Once the baby arrived, Jiang Wanyi had completely fallen out of favor. All her parents’ attention was on the child, and no one paid her any mind anymore.

Jiang Wanyi was already used to it.

"Sis, you’re here."

Just then, a clear, feminine voice called out, and a young woman with long hair appeared before Jiang Wanyi.

The young woman’s name was Fu Siyao, Jiang Wanyi’s cousin.

Fu Siyao was in her twenties and a graduate student. She wore a pair of frameless glasses, and despite her young age, she had a certain mature air about her.

"When did you get here?"

"I just got here too. I was actually planning to stop by your place later to see the baby, but Auntie said you were bringing her over this afternoon, so I didn’t bother."

Fu Siyao walked over, linking her arm with Jiang Wanyi’s, and said with a grin,

"Sis, have you been working out lately? Your figure is getting better and better. If I were a guy, I’d be head over heels for you."

"You’re exaggerating. I just threw this on."

"When you’re that pretty, you look good in anything. If you walked down the street like this, you’d turn every single head. I need to get some style tips from you."

"You should be focusing on your studies. Now’s not the time for you to worry about dressing up," Jiang Wanyi said with a laugh.

"Don’t worry, I’m on great terms with my advisor. Starting my PhD with him next year is pretty much a done deal," Fu Siyao said with a laugh.

"It’s a shame I can’t study under you, otherwise I wouldn’t have to worry about graduating at all."

"The government is cracking down on that sort of thing these days. If you came to do your PhD with me, we could both end up in trouble," Jiang Wanyi said.

"Anyway, just focus on your studies. As long as there are no issues with your research topic and thesis, they won’t make you delay your graduation."

"With you having my back, I’m not worried at all."

Fu Siyao looked Jiang Wanyi up and down and said,

"You’re just dropping off a baby, so why are you wearing a full face of makeup? When did you get so into dressing up? That’s not like you at all."

"It’s not just to drop her off. I have plans later, so I had to freshen up a bit."

A knowing smile spread across Fu Siyao’s face.

"Full makeup, thick black tights, and a hip-hugging skirt... don’t tell me you’ve got a new boyfriend? Let me see what he looks like!"

At these words, Liu Fengzhi also looked over, particularly concerned about her daughter’s future happiness.

"Where are your minds going? I’m cooped up at home all day looking like a mess. I finally get a chance to go out, so I dress up a little, and you two turn it into something else entirely."

"But the question is, who is worth you putting on a full face of makeup for? You wouldn’t go to this much trouble for colleagues or friends, right?"

Fu Siyao was a woman, too. She knew all too well how significant it was for a woman to go out wearing a full face of makeup.

Other than for a wedding, the only other time you’d wear a full face of makeup is when you’ve just started dating someone new.

"Stop being so nosy and focus on your studies."

"See? You have a guilty conscience, so you’re shutting me down."

Jiang Wanyi rolled her eyes at Fu Siyao, helpless against her teasing.

"Alright, I’m leaving the baby with you guys. I’m going to head out."

Without even stepping inside, Jiang Wanyi turned and left.

Liu Fengzhi and Fu Siyao exchanged a look. Liu Fengzhi spoke first. "She didn’t even come inside. Could something really be going on?"

"I think it’s possible. My cousin is such a casual person; I’ve rarely seen her in full makeup. But then again..."

"Then again, what?"

"Mili isn’t even a year old yet. My cousin loves her so much, she wouldn’t just find someone new so easily. What if he isn’t good to the baby?" Fu Siyao said.

"It could also be that she’s meeting up with female colleagues. When a group of women go out, they all want to look their best. Plus, she hasn’t been out in so long, so now that she has an excuse to get dolled up, it makes sense she’d wear a full face of makeup."

Liu Fengzhi thought about it. Although that made some sense, she still felt something was off about her daughter lately.

’She can barely say ’Mama,’ but she’s already saying ’Dada.’ That’s definitely not normal.’

...

With the baby dropped off, Jiang Wanyi instantly relaxed.

It was as if she’d switched into single-woman mode, free to do whatever she pleased with no one to manage her.

When she got back to the car, she saw Chen Yuan was still sitting in the back seat and asked,

"Decided where you want to eat?"

Chen Yuan thought for a moment. "Barbecue?"

"The same place as last time? It was really good."

"Let’s go."

"The baby’s gone now, you don’t have to sit in the back anymore. Come drive," Jiang Wanyi said from the passenger seat.

"Are you sure you trust my skills?"

"Of course I do. I’ve been waiting for you to get your license so you can drive me and the baby around. Now that she’s not here, it’s the perfect time for you to get some practice."

Chen Yuan didn’t hesitate. He got out and moved to the driver’s seat.

Besides the driving school car, the only other car he’d driven was that Maybach.

The Mercedes’ column-mounted shifter and the Audi’s aircraft-style gear lever were a bit different to use. Chen Yuan took a moment to get used to it, then drove off.

"Not bad at all," Jiang Wanyi encouraged him. "You’re much better than I was my first time. Men really do have an advantage when it comes to driving."

"I’m already getting nervous."

"Just stay in your lane and you’ll be fine."

"Why’s that?"

"Traffic going straight has the right-of-way. No matter who hits you, they’ll be at fault."

"Oh, so that’s what you meant by ’you’ll be fine’."

"Anyway, just drive slowly and there won’t be any problems."

Throughout the drive, Chen Yuan indeed drove slowly while Jiang Wanyi handled the navigation, giving him directions. The two of them worked together in perfect sync.

They made it to the barbecue restaurant without any real trouble.

"That was pretty good. Much better than my first time driving," Jiang Wanyi praised.

"I was still a little nervous."

"It’s probably because there were a lot of cars on the road and you’re not used to it yet. But this is the kind of place you need to practice," Jiang Wanyi said.

"Anyway, we have a car, so you can practice anytime. Practice makes perfect."

"Yeah."

The weather had turned chilly, so this time they didn’t eat outside.

As they came in, the female owner recognized Chen Yuan and Jiang Wanyi at a glance.

Her customers came from all walks of life, a motley crew of all sorts of people. It was rare to see anyone as elegantly dressed as the two of them.

As Chen Yuan came in and looked for an empty table, Jiang Wanyi noticed the owner’s stare and proactively linked her arm with his.

"Hey Dad, let’s sit by the window there."

Chen Yuan: ???

He glanced at Jiang Wanyi, but her expression was perfectly calm. Her attention was fixed on the menu on the wall, as if this were the most ordinary thing in the world. Her hand, however, remained firmly on his arm, showing no intention of letting go.

’When did she get so forward? This feels like she’s making some kind of declaration.’