However, Wan was being very practical.

She scratched her head and asked.

"How would we split it? Since it’s a gift for him, it’s his property now. Let’s just leave it at his place. Think of it as proof of your love."

Jiangg Yao was quite open-minded about it, but her words left Wan speechless.

"You’re such a hopeless romantic..." she muttered.

"What did you say?"

"Ah—I was just saying, it must be so nice to be loved by you. Yaoyao, could you love me just once, pretty please?"

"Hmph, you’re running your mouth again."

...

Before long, Jiangg Yao and Wan rushed back home, gathered all the large and small items, and took them across the hall to the relatively empty living room to work on the birthday decorations.

To finish the task quickly, they needed to plan out the steps in detail. That way, the project at hand could progress in an orderly fashion.

The two of them divided up the tasks, and with an extra pair of hands to help, Jiangg Yao felt it was significantly less tiring.

When she was working alone, she’d look up and feel a sense of tedium. The feeling of being exhausted with no outlet for it was dizzying.

But with Wan, that never happened. She could complain in real-time, and they would occasionally chat about topics they were both interested in.

For instance, they spent a good while just discussing how to arrange the letters for "Happy Birthday," finally deciding on a staggered, artful layout to make it look prettier.

...

「Meanwhile.」

In a bright, clean office.

Chen Yuan was leaning back in his office chair, propping his chin on his hand and quietly watching Jiangg Ning from a short distance away. His eyes held the same focus as if he were appreciating a masterpiece.

Because Jiangg Ning at work was even more beautiful than any person in a painting.

"Hello, this is Secretary Jiangg speaking... Yes, I’ve heard about this matter. However, the chairman is not in the office right now; he’s busy with other things... Yes, I’ll inform him as soon as he’s finished. Please rest assured... That’s all for now, then."

As her pleasant voice trailed off, Chen Yuan couldn’t help but applaud Jiangg Ning’s performance.

CLAP, CLAP. The two sharp sounds were especially clear in the spacious office.

Jiangg Ning, who had just put down her phone, turned her head abruptly. A few strands of her beautiful hair swayed with the movement before settling back down.

"What are you doing?" She tilted her head, looking at Chen Yuan.

"Very impressive. It seems making you my secretary was an absolutely correct decision. I’m growing more and more confident in my own judgment. You did great. I’m giving you a raise."

"What raise? I’ve only been on the job for a day. Don’t go giving me special treatment all the time." Even though she knew he was joking, Ningning still stared at him earnestly with her beautiful eyes. "Besides, if you’re going to praise me, then praise me properly. Why does it sound like you’re just praising yourself?"

"You saw right through me," Chen Yuan said with a shameless smile. "So? What did the project department say?"

"It’s basically what you said earlier. They need funding, but the finance department won’t approve it without your sign-off, so they’re hoping you’ll approve it as soon as possible."

"Good. Just putting them off is fine."

"Why?" Jiangg Ning asked, a little confused. "Aren’t you right here in the office? You had me lie for you."

"Isn’t that what you’re here for, my esteemed secretary? They’ve asked me for money for this project more than once. It has no real future, but Minister Mo is being obstinate, repeatedly asking for funds to appease the people under him. His side won’t back down, so the issue was pushed to me. I can only stall for now. By the time the next report comes out, our company will be out of cash, and they’ll have to give up."

"Can’t you just tell him that directly?"

"Probably not," Chen Yuan said, raising an eyebrow. This was a trick he’d learned from Pei Youwen. "This minister has been with the company for a long time, and he’s even staking his job on this project. But anyone with eyes can see he’s letting his personal feelings cloud his judgment. The project is doomed to fail. We can’t just watch the money go down the drain and then have to fire him on top of that. For the company, that would be one disaster after another."

"I get it. Delaying tactics."

"Clever girl." A smile spread across Chen Yuan’s face.

He seemed very pleased with the way Jiangg Ning was looking at him.

’It makes me feel like a teacher instructing a student.’

In reality, Chen Yuan himself hadn’t learned this trick long ago. He was just putting his newfound knowledge into practice.

Jiangg Ning studied Chen Yuan intently for a moment, the emotion in her eyes shifting. A few seconds later, a strange smile appeared on her face.

But to Chen Yuan, there was something odd about that smile.

He was certain it had nothing to do with admiration. He went from enjoying her gaze to feeling a little guilty under her scrutiny.

"What is it...? My dear secretary, why do you keep staring at me?"

After a moment, Chen Yuan couldn’t hold it in any longer and asked.

"You’ve grown up quite a bit. It seems you’ve been studying hard on how to be an adult these days at work. You’ve even learned strategic maneuvers now. I’m very pleased."

"Really? Ahahaha." Her praise actually made Chen Yuan feel a little bashful.

He scratched his head vigorously.

He was secretly overjoyed.

’Actually, I really want the two sisters’ approval. This approval isn’t necessarily proof of their love, but rather, I want them to see that I can grow into a reliable adult.’

’This is very important.’

’In the future, I’ll be able to support both of them and be someone Ningning and Yaoyao can rely on.’

’Only then can I confidently and earnestly look into both of their eyes and say: I love both of you. Please, marry me together...’

Chen Yuan was giddy with delight, like a child who had just snuck a piece of candy. But Jiangg Ning’s next words made him freeze.

"Let’s just hope these ’strategic maneuvers’ aren’t used in other places. Hmm? If so, that would be good news."

"...Huh?"

It took Chen Yuan a few seconds to react, and he let out a dazed "huh."

"What do you think?" The smile on Jiangg Ning’s face grew even brighter.

But in Chen Yuan’s eyes, that smile was extremely dangerous.

The beautiful eyes on Jiangg Ning’s delicate face seemed to flash with a soul-piercing light. All his thoughts had nowhere to hide before them. He could only scurry away like a mouse to escape her prying gaze.

"I don’t understand... I don’t understand what you’re saying," Chen Yuan said, quickly glancing at the time. "Wow, it’s almost quitting time already. We should hurry home for dinner."

"It’s still early. We can go for a walk and do some shopping after work," Jiangg Ning said, which was out of character for her.

"Okay, okay, whatever you say. I’ve actually already guessed that you two have a surprise planned. Are we going to a restaurant, and while we’re eating, a waiter will suddenly bring out a cake? Or have you prepared other gifts... Let me guess."

Chen Yuan said as he put on his coat.

He knew, of course, that it was his birthday, and that the two sisters had gone to great lengths to prepare something.

He didn’t know the specifics, which was why he had been smiling all day, full of anticipation for the surprise.

’What is happiness? Maybe this is it.’

’Ever since this relationship began, I’ve always had something to look forward to. My days seem to have the warm flavor of sunshine.’

"Then let’s go shopping together." Chen Yuan, now dressed, extended his hand toward Ningning.

...

「In the main hall of Apartment 1302.」

Jiangg Yao was holding down the button on her phone to send a voice message, her tone serious: "Commander, current progress is at eighty percent. Please delay for a little longer. Corporal Jiangg Yao guarantees mission completion. Over!"

And on the wall,

a dazzling array of birthday decorations was already in place, shimmering with a golden glow in the setting sun. Only the strip lights were left to be fitted into their grooves. One could only imagine how stunning the living room would look when those rings of light were switched on.

On the sofa,

Wan, utterly exhausted, sat cross-legged, clutching a cookie in her hand to replenish her energy.

"By the way, Yaoyao, what did you borrow my video camera for? Isn’t taking pictures with your phone enough? Why make it so formal, like it’s a wedding?"

"Right! I’d forgotten about the camera until you mentioned it. Where is it?"

"In my bag."

Hearing this, Jiangg Yao dashed over, grabbed Wan’s bag, and took out the video camera.

She looked around as if searching for something.

"Let’s put it here... Let me see, can it capture a panoramic view of the living room? His first birthday with us definitely needs to be recorded. It’s such a meaningful event. Imagine us watching the video together in the future—how heartwarming would that be, don’t you think?"

"Wow, that actually sounds really romantic when you put it that way."