After they finished shopping, it was already 6:30 PM.

The streets started to fill with traffic, and the intersections in the bustling downtown area were visibly congested.

A deep, vast night sky settled over the city of Lanjing, lending an even hazier, dreamlike quality to its already artistic and gentle atmosphere.

Chen Yuan walked alongside Jiangg Ning, his arms full of shopping bags. He kept glancing at her, his eyes full of questions, as if trying to decipher her behavior.

Ever since they left work to go shopping, Jiangg Ning had been acting just like any other girl in love. She browsed and looked at everything in the mall, held his hand affectionately, and cherished every moment they spent together.

This physical contact was more intimate than usual. ’Is she deliberately trying to make me forget about some surprise... or is she just in a really good mood?’

Seeing how happy she was, it was hard to imagine the sharp edge she sometimes showed at the office. Chen Yuan couldn’t quite figure out what Jiangg Ning was really thinking. He thought he’d done a good job hiding his own anticipation, but he wasn’t so sure.

Chen Yuan wanted to ask when they could head home, since they’d been out for so long. But Ningning showed no signs of wanting to leave. They just kept walking, bags in hand. She even bought him a pair of underwear.

The streetlights came on.

Just then, Jiangg Ning glanced at the time and finally said it was about time to go home, as she was tired from all the shopping.

Chen Yuan was noncommittal.

The entire way home, he was filled with anticipation, imagining the scene about to unfold—the surprise the two sisters had prepared for him.

Maybe a party popper would go off with a POP! as he walked in, with a sweetly smiling Jiangg Yao hiding behind the door.

Or maybe the living room would be pitch-black, and then the lights would suddenly flash on as Jiangg Yao emerged from the kitchen with a cake, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

Chen Yuan could almost hear the words "Happy Birthday" right beside him.

While he was driving, he couldn’t help but sneak a peek at Jiangg Ning, and then another, hoping to see some sign.

But she was just as composed as ever, giving nothing away.

And yet, he knew. He was sure of it.

’The usually clingy Yaoyao hasn’t sent a single message all day, which says it all. I just have to be patient. The great birthday surprise will be revealed soon enough... It couldn’t be... sleeping with both sisters, one in each arm, could it?’

’That would be incredible.’

Chen Yuan quickly shook this absurd idea from his mind.

He could entertain any fantasy, but not that one.

’That’s the kind of thing that only happens in dreams.’

「Back at the apartment complex.」

They entered the elevator, one after the other. Chen Yuan didn’t know why Jiangg Ning was rushing him upstairs. She just said the weather was turning cold and she’d start shivering if they stayed in the chilly underground garage. Chen Yuan didn’t question it.

He had no idea that in a dim corner of that same underground garage sat his nineteenth birthday present: a luxury car.

"It’s that cold?" Chen Yuan took Jiangg Ning’s hand and pulled her into his arms. "Why don’t you wear my jacket?"

"It’s fine. We’re almost home anyway."

The moment their hands touched, Chen Yuan realized Ningning’s hand was actually quite warm, not cold at all.

’No matter what kind of surprise they’ve prepared,’ he thought, ’I have to act completely shocked. I can’t let them down. I have to make all their hard work worthwhile.’

’It would also make Ningning’s clumsy acting and averted gazes worth it.’

"We’re home."

By now, Chen Yuan was used to staying at the two sisters’ home. His own apartment across the hall seemed too empty in comparison, not as warm as this place.

Besides, this place smelled nice, everything was soft, and he could be with his two girlfriends.

What was that place next door? Just a lonely, empty space. He never wanted to go back there unless it was to sleep.

Pushing open the door, a wave of warm air blew over, carrying a reassuring scent.

The living room lights were on, but there was no sign of Jiangg Yao.

As Chen Yuan changed into his slippers, he glanced around, hoping to spot some clue. He found nothing. There were just some grocery bags piled by the kitchen entrance and next to the fridge—a scene so ordinary it wasn’t worth a second thought.

He heard a rustling sound.

Jiangg Yao stumbled out of the bedroom, rubbing her eyes. She looked unbelievably haggard, as if she’d just woken up, and she couldn’t stop yawning.

"You’re back, sir?"

"Don’t tell me you slept the entire day," Chen Yuan said, looking at Jiangg Yao in disbelief.

"Of course not. I only slept from this afternoon until now."

"So what were you doing this morning?" he probed.

"I ordered a cake for you. It is your birthday, after all."

"And after that?"

"After that? Nothing... that was it."

Jiangg Yao plopped onto the sofa, crossing her legs and propping her smooth, fair calves on the coffee table. She blinked her big, innocent eyes at Chen Yuan. Her act was flawless—far more convincing than Jiangg Ning’s.

’Her acting was so good, she deserved an Oscar for Best Actress.’

Chen Yuan was easily deceived.

He didn’t say anything, just sat on the sofa and flopped down beside her.

"You haven’t been streaming these past two days?"

"Not in the mood. I’ll just take a few days off to rest properly."

"I’m so jealous. I’ve been running around all day. C’mon, give my back a massage."

Chen Yuan shamelessly ordered Yaoyao around, completely ignoring the dangerous look in her eyes as they narrowed in an instant.

’You’re tired? I’m the one who should be exhausted,’ Jiangg Yao couldn’t help but retort silently.

She lightly gritted her teeth.

"Oh, so tired, are we? My, my, my poor ’sir’ has had such a hard day," she cooed. "Hurry and lie down. I just learned a new massage technique."

"What kind of technique?"

"I use my elbows to massage your shoulders and relieve all that fatigue. It’s super effective."

"Wow, you even know how to do that."

Chen Yuan’s interest was piqued. He kicked off his slippers and lay face-up on the sofa, stretching his legs out toward Jiangg Yao.

He was ready to be pampered.

"Don’t lie like that!" Jiangg Yao’s cheeks flushed as she slapped his thigh. "Roll over."

"Oh, oh, remember to be gentle."

"Are you ready?"

"Mhm, ready."

Chen Yuan was completely oblivious. Jiangg Yao had stood up on the sofa. She lifted a delicate foot, a sly, wicked grin playing on her lips. Her oversized sweatshirt barely covered her bottom, and as she straightened her back, the full length of her smooth, pale legs was put on display.

"Here I come!"

And with that, her foot came crashing down.

A gut-wrenching scream of pain echoed through the living room, startling Jiangg Ning in the kitchen so badly her hands trembled. She poked her head out to see Jiangg Yao in the middle of her assault.

"What are you two doing?"

"Giving him a massage!"

"Massage my ass! Jiangg Yao, are you trying to murder your own husband?!"

Standing in the kitchen doorway, Jiangg Ning put on a stern face and scolded them disapprovingly.

"Stop messing around! The two of you, go play some video games or find something to do quietly. Wait until dinner is ready, and then we’ll celebrate his birthday together. Got it!?"