“This is really giving Third Brother grief. Are you really not letting him free? I could see that he has already yielded, and he is not Eighth……”


  Sheng Kai was about to mention Sheng Xiao, but swallowed his woods just as the words were about to escape his tongue. “Third Brother has a sense of responsibility and would not leave the family on a whim.”


  “I’m letting him out of room confinement tomorrow, although someone would still be following him around.”


  In other words, Old Sheng wants to prevent Third Brother from going to Sheng Xiao, even if that was not worse than keeping him locked up at home.

  “Ziling, I’ll leave Third Brother and Miss Hu’s bridal chamber to you.”


  Gu Ziling nodded at the sudden mention of her name. “You don’t have to worry, Grandfather.”


  Back then, her wedding with Sheng Kia’s was the grandest in all of Jianchuan. At the very thought that Third Brother did not even have a reception, her heart calmed.

  It made sense too—how could anyone hope for a halfwit to say anything appropriate to their guests?

  That would only make the Sheng family and the Hu family laughing stock.

  Since her new younger sister was coming to the family soon, she would naturally offer a magnificent welcome as her elder sister.

  “Now that Third Brother is getting married too, the two of you should hurry up and get me a grandson. Seize the moment of your youth and exuberance, or it would take a toll on Ziling’s body if you keep delaying.”


  Children……

  Both of them knew the situation perfectly by now.

  How could they have any with Sheng Kai’s current condition?

  Still, since the old man asked, they had to be noncommittal about it.

  “Yes, Grandfather.”


  ***

  Soon, it was the weekend, and it was the day of Lin Mu’an’s dinner date with Sheng Xiao and Mu Qiqi.

  However, neither Lin Mu’an nor Lu Qianqian were anywhere to be seen, even after Sheng Xiao and Mu Qiqi took their seats. Were they not a little insincere when they are the ones inviting them?

  “Should we go home, Xiao Xiao? Ignore them.”


  Sheng Xiao put an arm around her, and then gestured outside the door with his chin.

  Mu Qiqi turned along that direction to find Lin Mu’an and Lu Qianqian, hand-in-hand as they opened the doors.

  Smiling in understanding, Mu Qiqi promptly asked them, “No longer bros, huh?”


  Lu Qianqian’s cheeks flushed. “Qiqi……”


  Mu Qiqi turned to Sheng Xiao, only to realize that he wasn’t surprised at all. “You knew? Oh, right. You were the one who settled the matter of the Lu family—it would be weird if you didn’t know. So, I’m the last to know.”


  “Qiqi, stop teasing us. You know how thin my skin is.”


  Mu Qiqi folded her arms and studied the both of them from head to toe. “Did you know how low I regarded Lin Mu’an before? He had been hanging around with all those rich daughters over the years, but to think that he would change so completely for you…… well forget it. Even the heavens could not bear to look, much less me.”


  Lu Qianqian leaned blissfully into Lin Mu’an arms at that.

  “Tut, tut…… are you going for a public display of affection in front of Xiao Xiao and me?”


  “Tch. You two are the most cringy in all of Jianchuan. Mu’an and I surrender!”


  Sheng Xiao’s love towards Mu Qiqi was known to almost everyone in Jianchuan, which was why no one would have to guts to rival them.

  “Has your annoyance been ridden off?” Sheng Xiao suddenly asked Lin Mu’an, clearly referring to the transfer student.

  Lin Mu’an nodded. “As I’ve wished for. Thank you, Crown Prince.”


  The two women listened doubtfully as the men talked—it clearly smelled like a private dealing.

  “Things aren’t as simple as you think in the Lin family……”


  “I know. But I won’t sit and wait for my death.”


  Lin Mu’an was convinced he could slowly fightback against his family, but only by borrowing Sheng Xiao’s strength. Still, he did not fear them scorning his relationship with his little pepper now, and would offer Lu Qianqian the best protection no matter what storm would come.

  Hence, Mu Qiqi more or less understood the men’s conversation, and she became even less worried about Lin Mu’an being with Qianqian. After all, no matter how well a man treated his woman, if he did not plan for the future and only enjoyed the pleasures available, things would be no different than with Duan Shao’an.

  On the other hand, Lin Mu’an was willing to bow and do away with his nobility to ask Sheng Xiao for help, and it was clear that he knew very well what held first place in his heart.

  “I think it’s the present bliss is worth a toast.”


  Lu Qianqian and Lin Mu’an nodded, their fingers intertwined. “While I envy you having the protection of a powerful man like Crown Prince here, I hope that we would never give up on each other whatever storm may come.”


  At those words, Mu Qiqi suddenly pulled Lu Qianqian aside and whispered, “Are you going straight in? It’s better if you test him in that respect first……”


  “Mu Qiqi! The Crown Prince is a really bad influence on you.” Lu Qianqian’s cheeks went scarlet.

  Of course, the men both knew what Mu Qiqi and Lu Qianqian were talking about since they were being so obvious.

  As they ate, the four of them continued laughing and chattering away. It was during such moments that Sheng Xiao had a relaxed feeling, as if he was celebrating children’s day with some kids.

  After all, his social circle was more than a hundred times more complex than before.

  It was only when he was with his little one’s friends that he could be so carefree.

  Soon, it was late at night, and Lin Mu’an had to return to the academy.

  Tipsy, Lu Qianqian was struggling in Lin Mu’an’s arms. “Can’t you go back tomorrow?”


  Actually, that was possible since he just had to wake up at five in the morning. Still, he did not want to have a reluctant parting with Qianqian, and was hoping that she would have more time to rest.

  And he did not have any funny ideas despite Lu Qianqian’s sate. “Let’s take you home, or your mother would be worried.”


  Mu Qiqi and Sheng Xiao shared a look and came to a tacit understanding. “Let’s go home too, Xiao Xiao.”


  “Let’s. Xu Che has already arrived.”


  After all, they can’t drive while drunk.

  Lin Mu’an and Lu Qianqian found themselves a designated driver too, and both couples returned to their respective homes.

  Still, when Lin Mu’an and Lu Qianqian reached home, Mama Lu was waiting in the living room.

  “Madam…… Qianqian had too much to drink, but I didn’t stop her since we were with Qiqi.”


  “It’s fine, as long as you two came back safely. Take care of her—I’m going back to my room.”


  After all, Mama Lu was reluctant to care for a drunkard when her boyfriend was around. Even so, she trusted Lin Mu’an to know time and place.

  Watching as Mama Lu returned inside her room, Lin Mu’an then picked up Lu Qianqian and returned to their room, although when he put her on the bed, Lu Qianqian promptly grabbed him by the waist. “Mu’an…… Mu’an……”


  “Silly thing……” Lin Mu’an pried her hands off, went to the bathroom and took a wet towel to wipe her face so that she could feel a little bit more comfortable.

  “Mu’an…… hold me while I sleep……”


  “Do you know you’re inviting a man,” Lin Mu’an said, pinning her down. “No drinking when I’m not around from now on.”


  “Mu’an, don’t you know how much I like you?” Lu Qianqian suddenly asked, her bright eyes opened widely as she stared at him.