He even went so far as to give Yan Yunning’s shoulder — the one Yan Jingjing had just touched — a light, deliberate pat.
“Xuan Yanyu!” Yan Jingjing cracked and shouted. “I am her brother.”
The man looked down at him from above, his tone unhurried. “I am her husband.”
Yan Jingjing let out a laugh through his nose. “A husband could never be closer than a brother.”
He lifted his gaze to Yan Yunning, the corner of his eye lifting. “Isn’t that right, Ningning?”
“No.” Yan Yunning released him and hugged Xuan Yanyu’s arm, her eyes full of laughter, her tone deliberately provoking. “My husband is the closest of all — you can step back a few places.”
“You ungrateful little thing.” Yan Jingjing flicked her on the forehead out of exasperation.
“Grandma, my brother is bullying me!” Yan Yunning ran out of the dining room with a dramatic, wheedling wail.
“Yan Yunning, stop framing me!” Yan Jingjing charged after her.
Yan Yunran shook her head helplessly, and only after she had watched enough of the spectacle did she bow her head and slowly sip her soup.
“Xiao Xuan, come sit and have something?” Wu Cheng gave Xuan Yanyu a nod.
“Already eaten.” Leaving behind three polite words, Xuan Yanyu stepped out of the dining room.
Wu Cheng raised an eyebrow and speared a piece of steak with his fork, then brought it to Yan Yunran’s lips. “Ranbao, marry me. I want to hear Xiao Xuan call me brother-in-law.”
Yan Yunran smiled faintly. “So? You want to marry me just to hear Xuan Yanyu call you brother-in-law?”
“Of course not — hearing Xiao Xuan call me brother-in-law would only be a bonus.”
Yan Yunran lifted her water glass and took a small sip. “I’ll think it over.”
“Then shall I start preparing for our wedding?” Wu Cheng seized the opening.
Yan Yunran: “……”
“Brother-in-law, keep up the good work.” Yu Cheng rose with a bright smile.
Lu Mumu stood up as well. “Do your best to win Sister’s agreement soon — we won’t get in the way.”
Yan Yunran: “……”
In the main hall, as Yu Cheng, Lu Mumu, Yan Yunran, and Wu Cheng came out one after another, Grandma Yan took the red envelopes from Aunt Liu, smiled warmly, and patted Yan Yunning’s hand. “Alright, alright. I’ll stand up for you in a moment.”
Yan Yunning puffed out her cheeks and obediently settled back onto the sofa.
Grandma Yan looked over each of these children with satisfaction. At last, her affectionate gaze came to rest on Wu Cheng.
“Xiao Cheng, Ranran’s temper is stubborn. Grandma hopes you can be more patient and tolerant with her. Through all the days ahead, weather every storm together — you must never let our Ranran suffer even a little grievance.”
Ranran’s nature was not like little Ningning’s. If Ningning knew she was in the wrong, she would go and apologize right away. If she wasn’t forgiven, she would act pitiful and wheedle her way to being pardoned. Ranran, even knowing she was wrong, would be too proud to yield.
Yan Yunran touched Wu Cheng’s arm and lifted her chin, gesturing for him to step forward and accept the red envelope the old woman was holding out.
“Thank you, Grandma.” Wu Cheng stepped forward and received it respectfully. “I will certainly take good care of Ranran.”
“Good.” Grandma Yan then beckoned to Yu Cheng. “Chengcheng, come here.”
“Grandma.” Yu Cheng walked obediently to Grandma Yan’s side.
“This one is for you.” Grandma Yan placed the red envelope in her palm. “Our family now has another little life coming.”
Yan Yunning touched the tip of her nose — two little lives, actually.
But since her mother hadn’t said to tell Grandma yet, it could wait until after the wedding.
“Remember, don’t let yourself get chilled, and don’t stay up late. Eat plenty of nourishing food. Whatever you need, let Jingrang take care of it — your only job is to be happy.”
Yu Cheng smiled and nodded. “I understand, Grandma.”
Grandma Yan patted her hand, then picked up the last red envelope. Looking at Yan Yunning and Xuan Yanyu leaning close together, she smiled so warmly that the creases on her face deepened. “You two — not even a moment apart, are you.”
Yan Yunning puffed up her cheeks and pouted coyly. “Grandma!”
“This red envelope is for Xiao Yu — you’re not allowed to trick it away from him.”
Yan Yunning raised an eyebrow. “He doesn’t need to be tricked.”
The implication being: he would give it to her of his own accord.
Grandma Yan tapped her on the forehead, her eyes full of delight. “When you were little, your brothers’ and sister’s New Year money always ended up in your little purse.”
Yan Yunning pouted in protest. “Grandma, I never tricked Big Brother, or my brothers, or my sister out of their red envelopes.”
Yan Jingjing tapped Yan Yunning’s foot with his. “Yan Yunning — what about me?”
Yan Yunning blinked. “Brother, can you blame me? You weren’t as forthcoming as the other two brothers and sister. They’d take their red envelopes and just toss them to me.”
“But you — you took your red envelope, shoved it in your pocket, and clutched your trousers with both hands. I thought it was funny, so I tricked you. And besides, you’re the only one I ever tricked — that means you’re special to me. Clearly you and my other brothers are different in my heart.”
“……Give me the money back.” Yan Jingjing held out his palm, his foot still giving Yan Yunning’s toes little kicks.
He had already been gripping his trousers and still got swindled by this wretched girl.
A chime rang out. Yan Jingjing pulled out his phone to find a string of zeros sent by Xuan Yanyu, and his brow furrowed.
Xuan Yanyu put his phone away and offered an explanation. “Just seeing you get tricked — seemed a bit pitiful. Get yourself some brain-boosting supplements.”
He knew perfectly well that Jingjing was only joking around with Ningning. If he said the money was on Ningning’s behalf, it would certainly draw Grandma’s displeasure. Transferring it to Jingjing was also a way to quiet him down for a while and stop him from kicking Ningning’s foot.
“Who needs brain supplements? It’s Ningning who needs them — otherwise why would she fancy you???”
Xuan Yanyu: “……”
Yan Yunning: “……”
Yan Jingjing mouthed his disdain but pocketed the transfer from Xuan Yanyu, then immediately forwarded it to Yan Yunning.
“What kind of talk is that, child?” Grandma Yan nudged Yan Jingjing’s head, then turned to smile warmly at Xuan Yanyu. “Xiao Yu, you and Ningning will surely love each other just as you do now, together until your hair turns white.”
Xuan Yanyu kept a smile at the corner of his mouth. “Of course we will, Grandma.”
“Our little Ningning, apart from loving to sleep in, doesn’t have a single fault worth finding. You must treat our little Ningning well — don’t let her suffer any grievance. Whatever comes up, the two of you must communicate with each other promptly.”
“I understand, Grandma.”
“Good that you do.” Grandma Yan placed Yan Yunning’s hand into Xuan Yanyu’s palm, and unable to stop herself, added one more reminder:
“Little Ningning is the youngest child in our family, and the treasure of the whole household. If you ever wrong her, we will not let it go lightly.”
Xuan Yanyu made his promise with utmost sincerity. “Grandma, I won’t. Please be at ease — I will never wrong Ningning.”
Grandma Yan nodded, satisfied, then turned her stern gaze to Wu Cheng beside him. “Xiao Cheng as well — if you betray Ranran, we will not forgive you either.”
Wu Cheng’s expression turned solemn. “Grandma, what you are worried about will never come to pass.”
“Good, then.” Grandma Yan rose from the sofa, and Aunt Liu promptly moved to support her arm. “Your companies keep you busy — head back tomorrow.”
Yan Yunran gave a helpless smile. “Grandma, we agreed that no matter how busy we are, we’d stay at least three days. Don’t worry about us — we’ve been gone three days and the companies are running just fine. Why is it that every time we come, you worry we’re too busy and try to chase us away?”
“What other reason could there be — Grandma thinks keeping her company is not as important as keeping your companies.” Yan Jingjing said it plainly as it was.
Grandma Yan laughed and shook her head. “Alright, alright, alright — stay. I’ll keep you all for two more days.”