Chapter 671 - 451: Why Aren’t the Kids Asleep Yet?

The moonlight, like liquid silver, flowed from the villa’s terrace into the quiet bedroom.

A faint, silvery glow caressed the curtains, seeping through the gaps to spill onto the wooden floor.

It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, with only the occasional sound of the night wind brushing past the treetops, the leaves in the garden trembling softly. The languid night was like a long, drawn-out sigh.

Listening to the steady breathing beside him, Chen Yuan wasn’t the least bit sleepy. He rested his head on one hand, gazing at the ceiling in a relaxed state.

’What was Ningning feeling just now? Did seeing me and Yaoyao being intimate make her really uncomfortable...?’ Chen Yuan let his thoughts drift aimlessly.

Even though he knew there were a million things to do the next day, he still couldn’t sleep. His mind was wide awake.

Beside him, Jiangg Yao turned over, shifting from her back to her side and wrapping her arm around his.

Chen Yuan glanced at her and saw that Jiangg Yao’s eyes were shut tight, her long, curled lashes trembling slightly.

’When my relationship with Ningning reaches this point, I won’t have to worry so much. We’ll be able to say anything without being overly concerned about her getting angry.’

’Oh well. You have to eat a meal one bite at a time, and walk a path one step at a time.’

’Jiangg Ning just has that kind of reserved personality. At least I’ve already broken through countless barriers and reached the very doorstep of her heart. Success or failure hangs on this last little push.’

"Hehehehe..."

A low, irrepressible chuckle suddenly broke the silence of the room.

"Eheehee~"

And then another.

At the same time, Jiangg Yao’s shoulders trembled twice, as if she were desperately trying to stifle her laughter.

Chen Yuan was already wide awake, and hearing her laughter only made him more curious. He turned to his side and asked in a low voice,

"What are you laughing about in the middle of the night?"

"Young Master, I was thinking about our wedding," Jiangg Yao said, opening her eyes. She hadn’t been asleep at all, just imagining things with her eyes closed. "When I get married, I can invite all my good friends from my ’Rich Wives’ group chat. They’re from all over the country and have never met in person. It’ll be a massive real-life meetup. Don’t you think that would be so much fun?"

"Sure. We can hire someone to arrange it. You just need to prepare the guest list. You can invite as many people as you want. After all, this only happens once in a lifetime."

The two whispered to each other.

Their voices were low as they talked.

As they talked about marriage, Chen Yuan’s heart couldn’t help but soften.

’The beautiful dream I’ve had since I was a child is finally about to come true. What boy hasn’t dreamed of marrying the person he loves? And having all his friends and family gather together to celebrate.’

’Starting a family and building a career are the two most important things in a man’s life. It’s only natural for me to yearn for it and look forward to it.’

"I can design my own wedding, right?" Jiangg Yao asked.

"Of course."

"In that case, can I have a whole group of bridesmaids, and have each of them cosplay as a different character? They could be all the heroines from the anime I’ve watched. Imagine how epic the photos would be! I want to take a huge group photo and hang it in our living room. Just think about it, they’d be my friends and family, but also the fictional friends who accompanied me through my youth. It has a double meaning... but it might be a bit too wild. I don’t know if they’d agree to it." Jiangg Yao couldn’t help but chuckle.

As she pictured the scene, she kept squeezing Chen Yuan’s shoulder.

The more she thought about it, the harder it was to hold back her laughter.

"Okay, that’s... a little abstract," Chen Yuan said.

Chen Yuan followed Jiangg Yao’s train of thought and pictured the scene. If everyone cooperated, it might be quite beautiful. But if they didn’t, the wedding would descend into total chaos.

"Abstract is good."

"Other people have romantic weddings, but you insist on having an abstract one."

"Oh, come on, Young Master~ I’m only getting married once in my life, and I’m marrying you. I’m all yours. Can’t you grant me this one little request?"

"Let’s get through the engagement party first. According to the customs on my side of the family, we have to toast our close relatives during the engagement. You’ll have to answer all sorts of questions from people you don’t know well. We’ll see how you handle it."

"All by myself?"

"That’s how it is before the engagement ceremony begins. You’ll have to greet the elders right after you wake up in the morning. I’ll be picking up my friends and relatives. But don’t worry too much. My mom will be there with you to help you handle their tricky questions."

"Sounds like a lot of trouble."

"What did you expect? You think it’s just a matter of having a meal?"

"Well, we have our own customs over here. I saw them when my cousin got married."

"For example?"

"For example, I’ll have to throw my family’s broom onto the roof, and you and your relatives will have to climb up to get it. Then we take away the ladder."

"Is this a magic academy? I have to go get a broom? If there’s no ladder, am I supposed to fly down on it?"

"You can come down after you’ve answered my questions, but only if I’m satisfied with the answers. The questions are: Who’s going to manage the money after we’re married... Who’s going to be in charge... and if your mom and I both fall in the water, who do you save first?"

"Huh?" Chen Yuan’s eyes widened slightly.

"I’m just kidding. I made up that last one." Yaoyao’s bell-like laughter instantly filled the bedroom.

While the two of them were talking,

Jiangg Ning had actually been listening intently the whole time.

Her heart was already in turmoil, and hearing them discuss marriage sent a sour wave of jealousy through her, chasing away any hint of sleepiness.

In the darkness,

she bit her lip, her small fists clenched tightly.

"I just thought of something even funnier—" Jiangg Yao began, but she didn’t get to finish.

Suddenly, a "TSK" came from Ningning.

"Are you two planning on getting up tomorrow or not? Are you going to whisper all night? Jiangg Yao, I’m telling you, if you can’t get up tomorrow morning, don’t blame me for slapping you. You’re the one who promised to go to the company with me," Ningning scolded, unable to hold it in any longer.

"Oh, I know."

"Now go to sleep!"

After Jiangg Ning’s reprimand, Chen Yuan didn’t dare say another word. He and Jiangg Yao immediately clamped their mouths shut.

The bedroom fell silent once more.

All three of them closed their eyes.

Trying to find where their sleepiness had hidden itself.

The three of them sleeping in the same bed was a strange state of affairs, vastly different from when just two of them were together. Fortunately, whether it was Ningning, Yaoyao, or Chen Yuan, they had all gradually grown accustomed to it.

It was like two kindergarteners taking a nap under the supervision of Teacher Ningning.

If they made the slightest movement, they couldn’t help but glance toward the teacher.

And the teacher always appeared to be sleeping peacefully.

But in reality, she was aware of the children’s every move.

"Sis..." Jiangg Yao suddenly whispered. "I think Dad’s death anniversary is in a week."

After a long moment,

Jiangg Ning gave a heavy "Mhm."

"When we go, should we take Young Master with us?"

"We can. Do you have time, Chen?"

"I do."

"Alright then. The three of us will go together next Thursday. Now sleep..."

After that,

under the supervision of Teacher Ningning, the two children spoke no more.

The night was both long and short.

...

In the early morning, Jiangg Ning and Jiangg Yao slept on either side of Chen Yuan, their identical faces resting on his shoulders.

The morning light flickered.

It was truly a scene so beautiful it left one speechless.