"You’re so clumsy, seriously. You can’t even figure out a simple jump."

"It’s clearly a problem with the nail you hammered, but now you’re blaming me. Besides, can’t you be a bit more encouraging? People get better when you encourage them. The more you criticize, the worse I’ll get!"

"Fine, I won’t distract you. Go ahead and try a few more times."

"Don’t watch me, either! I’m only messing up because you’re staring at me."

"What’s wrong with me staring?"

"Nothing’s wrong with it. I just don’t like it. It’s distracting me... Did you hear me?!"

After saying this, Jiangg Yao suddenly shoved Chen Yuan. She pouted, her movements full of indignation.

Chen Yuan nearly fell over. He caught himself with his elbows, amused by her flustered anger. ’Girls really are something else. They can transform anytime, anywhere. One second, she’s as serene as a lotus blossom; the next, she’s a fire-breathing T-Rex.’

Just a moment ago, he had been captivated by the sight of Jiangg Yao sitting cross-legged on the rug, gently stroking her hair. But she had shattered that illusion in an instant, completely dispelling the serene beauty of the moment.

After a busy day, they were finally home. Only the tail end of the twenty-four hours remained.

But this tail end was what life was truly about.

A moment ago, Jiangg Ning had grown tired of their bickering the second they walked in the door. It was disturbing her while she worked hard in the kitchen, so she’d brought out a long-neglected game console.

Chen Yuan fiddled with it for a bit, hooked it up to the big TV in the living room, and sat cross-legged with Jiangg Yao on the rug to play *It Takes Two*. And that’s what led to the scene from a moment ago.

"I made the jump! Hey, Young Master, look!" Jiangg Yao exclaimed, pointing excitedly at the screen.

"I saw. Now come over to my side. Remember how I taught you to do it, okay?"

"I know, I know."

When Chen Yuan first got back, he had been on the lookout for his birthday surprise. But once he started playing, he became so completely immersed that he forgot all about it.

Carefree laughter from the two of them echoed from the living room from time to time.

From the kitchen, Jiangg Ning would occasionally glance over, a thoughtful look on her face. She didn’t interrupt them, however, simply returning her focus to the task at hand.

A short while later.

The rhythmic chopping of vegetables and the clatter of pots and pans filled the air. Jiangg Ning had finished her prep work, and the soup on the gas stove began to let off steam with a BUBBLE BUBBLE.

The kitchen’s glass door began to fog over, obscuring her figure. A fragrant aroma wafted through the entire apartment, making their peculiar little home for three feel even warmer.

...

"I know, I know. We didn’t go out. We’re eating at home... Right, with Ningning and Yaoyao. She’s right next to me. Ningning is making dinner..."

The game was paused on screen. Chen Yuan unconsciously fiddled with his controller as he talked on the phone.

Jiangg Yao was trying to eavesdrop from the side, but Chen Yuan pushed her away every time she got too close, so she could only catch bits and pieces of the conversation.

"Yeah, yeah. Thanks, Mom. You and Dad take care of yourselves, too. Don’t work too hard. I’m about to... eat with them now. So, I’ll talk to you later."

Chen Yuan glanced toward the busy figure in the kitchen, a flicker of warmth spreading through his chest. After a few more mundane replies, he hung up the phone.

He was, without a doubt, a boy swimming in affection. Fate had always been kinder to him than to others. As if giving him loving parents wasn’t enough, it had even blessed him with two lovers.

While playing the game, Chen Yuan had taken a call from Mr. Chen wishing him a happy birthday, and Jiang Zhengfeng had also just sent him a text. It said that money had been transferred to his bank card and that he should buy himself something nice.

"What’d your mom say?"

The second he hung up, a curious, inquisitive look spread across Jiangg Yao’s face.

"She wished her darling boy a happy birthday, of course."

"That’s it?"

"Yep."

"I don’t believe you. I definitely heard you say ’Ningning’ and ’Yaoyao’ and whatnot... C’mon, tell me... Tell me!"

It was like a kitten was scratching at Jiangg Yao’s heart; she grabbed Chen Yuan’s arm and refused to let go.

"You actually heard that? *Sigh*. All right, she did say something about you two."

"I knew it!"

"But..."

"But what? Hurry up and tell me! The suspense is killing me."

’Jiangg Yao couldn’t stand him dangling it in front of her. She was dying to know what her mother-in-law had said, but Chen Yuan was deliberately keeping it from her. He was being so mean.’

"What kind of surprise do you two have planned for me tonight?"

"Huh?"

Jiangg Yao froze.

When she snapped out of it, she immediately spun around and put some distance between them.

"Are you trying to trick me?" Jiangg Yao asked, suddenly wary.

"Not at all. It’s a simple trade. You want to know what my mom said, and I want to know what your surprise is. Seems fair enough, right?"

"Well, I can’t tell you then, because there’s actually no surprise," Jiangg Yao said with a shrug, feigning indifference.

"Then I can’t tell you either."

"*Tch*. Fine, don’t tell me then."

Jiangg Yao shot him a glare and went back to fiddling with her controller. But anyone could see her heart wasn’t in the game. Her eyes kept darting around, occasionally flicking over to glance at Chen Yuan.

Finally, she couldn’t take it anymore.

She turned her head, raising an eyebrow at Chen Yuan.

"Fine, we can trade. But you have to tell me what your mom said first, and then I’ll tell you my part."

"Deal."

"Then hurry up and tell me!"

Jiangg Yao instantly scooted over to Chen Yuan’s side, moving with incredible speed. Her beautiful, expectant eyes were fixed on him.

"Basically, she just asked if I was with you two, and told me not to mess around and cause trouble or do you two wrong. That’s the gist of it, anyway. She said it a bit more... subtly."

"Mess... around?" Jiangg Yao looked confused. "What’s that supposed to mean...?"

"You can figure out what it means for yourself. Anyway, it’s your turn now."

"Alright, I suppose I can tell you."

Jiangg Yao bit her lip. With a mysterious expression, she crooked her little finger at Chen Yuan, beckoning him closer... and closer... until his ear was right next to her lips.

Her warm breath tickled his ear.

"The surprise is... that Ningning and I are going to wear black stockings tonight... and serve you, Young Master~"

"Holy shit! Are you serious?"

Chen Yuan’s eyes went wide. He couldn’t stop himself from swearing; it was an instinctive, uncontrollable reaction that revealed just how shocked he was.

"Serious my ass! Of course I’m kidding! Hahahaha, what were you daydreaming about, huh~?"

Jiangg Yao beamed, tapping him on the forehead. Her face was alight with the triumph of a successful prank, and she gave him another playful kick.

"Blehh~"

With light, hurried steps, she ran off to the kitchen to find her sister.

Leaving Chen Yuan utterly speechless.

"Alright, alright, dinner’s ready!"

Just then, Jiangg Ning emerged. She slid open the kitchen door, and a dizzying, enchanting aroma immediately wafted out.