Chen Yuan had no idea what he’d done to deserve the tongue-lashing he was getting. He was completely dumbfounded as he drove.

He’d been thrilled to escape from school, eager to rush to the company to find Ningning. But after turning at a traffic light and answering a call from his dear mother, the smile froze on his face.

Liu He was rattling off accusations like a machine gun, giving him no chance to argue back. He was truly stunned by the scolding, his face flushing red as he struggled to find a response.

She kept going, bringing up more and more, even reminiscing about Chen Yuan’s childhood. She recalled what a good, obedient boy he used to be, and wondered how he’d grown up to be so much trouble. Halfway through, Chen Yuan still couldn’t figure out what he’d done wrong.

After a long while, he finally understood what she was getting at.

"So, you’re saying Rourou remembered my birthday and wanted to send me a gift and wish me well... and that’s it?"

"That’s right!" Liu He’s voice came through the receiver.

"Just for that?"

"Yes, just for that."

"Then why are you yelling at me, Mom?!"

Chen Yuan asked in a bewildered and incredulous tone as he turned the steering wheel, heading down another street.

"I’m annoyed that you’re always making trouble for me! What was that whole situation back in Sanya? Why did you delete her after you came back? She ended up calling me!"

"I didn’t delete her. When did I delete her?" Chen Yuan protested.

"That’s what she said."

"Alright..."

At that moment, Chen Yuan wasn’t sure if he had added her or deleted her. It had been so long since his trip to Sanya that he’d forgotten the details. The only memories that remained were of his happy days with the two sisters. Besides, it was possible he had added her, but both sisters knew his phone password.

Chen Yuan suspected that Jiangg Yao might do something like that out of jealousy.

’It’s hard to say what a girl might do.’

"Remember to add her back. I know Ningning..." Liu He’s voice faltered through the receiver. She sounded a bit stiff when she said the two girls’ names. "Ningning and Yaoyao might not like it, but you need to explain things clearly. Try not to embarrass anyone, and be mindful of their feelings."

"Yeah, yeah, I know, Mom." Chen Yuan’s tone softened.

He actually felt quite guilty.

With things having developed this way, he could only take it one step at a time, dragging his parents into his worries.

"You’re an adult now, after all. It’s essential that you learn to handle these things. This is a test for you, you hear me? You little rascal. Ugh... Your aunt was so good to you when you were little, and it’s rare that Rourou still thinks of you. If she really is interested in you, you’d better turn her down gently! Don’t you dare make me look bad!"

"What do you mean ’if she’s interested’... I’ve always seen her as a big sister! What are you talking about, Mom?" Chen Yuan’s eyes widened, his cheeks flushing red again.

"You know perfectly well what I’m talking about. I’m hanging up! I still have to cook dinner."

BEEP BEEP BEEP—

After she said that, the car was filled with the dial tone of a disconnected call.

Chen Yuan opened his mouth, but then his shoulders slumped like a deflated ball. A trace of anxiety flickered in his eyes.

’Seriously...’

Ke Bing’s sudden birthday wish had just added fuel to the fire of Chen Yuan’s already chaotic life. He was already racking his brain over Jiangg Ning and Jiangg Yao; he didn’t have the bandwidth to deal with his former girl-next-door.

He thought things with Rourou had come to a close after that trip to Sanya, but now she had drifted back into his life with unclear intentions, leaving Chen Yuan puzzled.

Chen Yuan used to be upset with Rourou, of course. She had left without a word, leaving that clueless little boy to pine for her for a long time. But now he had a new life, and seeing her again, he no longer felt that same unforgettable longing.

’The real ’one that got away’ is probably just the feeling of unattainable longing, not the person themselves.’

He was so young back then. It was perfectly normal to fantasize about a pretty, kind girl who didn’t mind his immaturity. But that feeling was complicated, and Chen Yuan didn’t think it was what you’d call ’love’.

It was completely different from what he felt for Jiangg Yao and Jiangg Ning.

’Could it be, just like Mom said, that Rourou has other feelings for me too...?’ Chen Yuan quickly pushed the thought out of his mind.

’It doesn’t matter. Whether she has feelings or not, it doesn’t matter.’

’The past should have been left in the past long ago.’

BZZT BZZT—

His phone vibrated a few times.

Distracted, Chen Yuan glanced over at the message on his phone screen.

He saw it was from his mom.

...

"Happy nineteenth birthday, son."

"This is the only time I haven’t been able to celebrate your birthday with you at home, and I couldn’t get you a cake."

"You’re a year older now, a little adult."

"[Red Packet to be Claimed]"

"Mom and Dad wish you good health as you grow up and success in your studies. Remember to eat well every day, and don’t always order takeout, ’kay?"

"You little rascal..."

...

At the end of the message.

He wasn’t sure if Liu He had sent it by mistake or on purpose, but she’d attached a very dated GIF from a few years ago when memes were just starting to get popular—it showed a cute pet wrestling with a toy, with blocky text next to it that read: You little rascal.

After reading it, Chen Yuan laughed out loud, his gloomy mood lifting considerably.

She could say what she wanted and scold him as she pleased, but his mom was, without a doubt, the person who loved him most in the world.

Although her way of expressing it was always so hard to take—every kind word was inevitably followed by a reprimand—now that he’d been away at college for a few months, those reprimands... Chen Yuan suddenly felt they weren’t so sharp anymore. In fact, they felt a little warm.

Chen Yuan’s thoughts drifted, and before long, he arrived at the company building.

"Thanks, Mom!" he replied, claiming the red packet.

yuan! That was a pretty good amount.

Chen Yuan grinned from ear to ear.

...

That day, the employees of Bauhinia Company found something very strange.

A college student in casual clothes had just barged into the company lobby. He walked with a confident swagger, completely ignoring the stares of others and not bothering to make way for anyone. He then went to the elevator and pressed the button for the top-floor office.

Only when the employees took a closer look did they realize with a shock...

...that the person dressed in a casual sweatshirt was the chairman himself.

Inside the office, the sound of the door opening broke the silence.

"Something funny happened today. Everyone was staring at me on my way up in the elevator. Do I have something on my face?" Chen Yuan said as he came in and plopped down on the sofa.

Jiangg Ning, who was busy with work, looked up.

"Why aren’t you in a suit today?" Ningning asked, noticing something was off. Her tone was surprised.

"Me?" Chen Yuan looked down at himself. "Oops, I forgot to change. No wonder everyone was staring at me."

Usually, when Chen Yuan appeared at the company, he was always dressed formally to maintain his image. Otherwise, if the employees saw a young brat who hadn’t even graduated from college leading them, they might not say anything, but they’d definitely have their reservations.

This had been Pei Youwen’s idea.

He was usually mindful of it, but he’d slipped up today.

"Go change, quickly. I remember you have clothes in your office," Jiangg Ning said, immediately putting down her work. She got up and started rummaging through a cabinet.

As his secretary.

Managing the chairman’s personal image was a crucial part of her job.

Watching her flustered state, Chen Yuan stared intently, a strange smirk playing on his lips.

This scene right here was exactly why he’d insisted on Ningning working at the company. Even without the romantic element, Jiangg Ning had to be completely devoted to him. She was already a career-oriented woman, and now her personal life was integrated into it as well.

It could be said that this greatly satisfied Chen Yuan’s selfish desires.

’I guess this is a kind of possessiveness... I’ve filled up Ningning’s life in other ways, too.’

This would make their bond even tighter.

Chen Yuan took the suit Jiangg Ning handed him and immediately started taking off his sweatshirt.

"You’re changing out here?"

"What’s wrong? Can’t I?"

"This is the office, and I’m still working. Go change in the inner room," she said, her cheeks slightly red.

"Tch, it’s not like you haven’t seen it before," Chen Yuan muttered, but obediently got up.

...

「At this very moment.」

The hardworking Jiangg Yao, rushing about outside, had no idea about the sweet moment her dear sister was sharing with Chen Yuan. She was running around in circles all over Lanjing, ordering a cake and then going to buy fairy lights, balloons, and other decorations.

Even if it was just simple decorations, Jiangg Yao wanted to set things up nicely.

Chen Yuan might not care about such things, but as a proper girlfriend, she had to make his first birthday with her a little more ceremonial.

She was so busy that it was already approaching noon.

She hadn’t even had time to eat.

At noon, surrounded by the dazzling array of food in the supermarket, she fought the urge to buy a pile of snacks and instead tore through the grocery section, following the list her sister had given her.

It was fine inside the supermarket with a cart, but getting all the vegetables and meat into her car took a tremendous effort. She used every last ounce of her strength.

Beside the trunk, this girl, dressed like an anime character in her over-the-knee socks, was gritting her teeth as she shoved a bundle of scallions into a gap, muttering to herself.

"I refuse to believe the trunk still... still won’t close this time... Hyaah!"

The former homebody otaku girl had been forced by life to become a master of stuffing scallions. This was all a side effect of being in love.