Chapter 706 - 472: Loading the Goods

"Oh, right, I haven’t asked yet. About you girls and Yuan... have you mentioned it to your family? If you haven’t, you really should before the engagement so it doesn’t seem too sudden. It’s always best to hear what your family thinks first," Liu He asked, making a point of it.

From what Chen Yuan had told his parents, both Mr. and Mrs. Chen knew the two sisters came from a single-parent home and that their father had passed away long ago.

Because of this, the couple felt a great deal of sympathy and affection for the sisters, thinking their situation was a real shame.

In the local dialect of Qishui County, they would call it having a "bitter fate."

Given their family situation, it was certain that the girls’ mother had the final say, and she would naturally be more cautious about marrying off her daughters.

"I’ve mentioned it, and she knows. I just didn’t go into great detail," Jiangg Ning said softly to Liu He.

She wasn’t particularly worried. Knowing her mother, Jiangg Ning was sure Jiangg Ruxue wouldn’t stand in their way. After all, when it came to choosing a son-in-law, the only thing Jiangg Ruxue cared about was family background. And in that regard, Chen Yuan’s family was first-rate.

"Well, that’s good then. It means we don’t have to go through a matchmaker, which is perfect," Liu He said, her face lighting up with a smile.

Using a matchmaker was a custom in the northern Lu Region. It meant the two families wouldn’t meet directly, instead relying entirely on a trustworthy and impartial matchmaker to relay information back and forth and explain each family’s circumstances.

Otherwise, two families on the verge of a happy union would have to discuss family circumstances, betrothal gifts, and dowries as if they were negotiating a business deal, which would be rather awkward.

And if the negotiations fell through, it would be even more embarrassing.

If resentment festered because of it, that would only lead to trouble in the future.

"All right, it’s getting very late. We won’t disturb you two from your rest. Anything else can wait until tomorrow."

Liu He said, getting to her feet.

She glanced at the snack rack by Yaoyao’s window and quietly beckoned Chen Yuan over.

"In a bit, go to my room and get the beef jerky and dried fruit I brought in my luggage. Divide them into two portions, you hear me?"

"Got it. I’ll go get them in a minute."

With that, Liu He waved goodbye to the two sisters, her eyes lingering on Jiangg Ning, filled with an indescribable adoration.

The more she looked at her, the more she liked her.

This made Jiangg Ning feel a little shy, and she kept stealing glances at Chen Yuan.

Once they were out the door, Chen Yuan couldn’t contain his curiosity any longer. He tugged on his mom’s sleeve and asked in a low voice,

"Mom, what on earth did you say to Ningning? How did her attitude change so drastically? She was even staring at me just now."

"That’s women’s business; you don’t need to know. Just do what I told you in the car on the way here and focus on planning the engagement. I’ll worry about the rest."

"But I’m the one marrying her. How can I not worry about it...?"

"One more word out of you!" Liu He raised her hand threateningly, her expression stern. "Go get those snacks. Take them to my daughter-in-law."

Seeing his mom was dead set against telling him, Chen Yuan didn’t press the issue. He pouted and went to his room to get the things from the suitcase.

On his way back, he happened to run into Jiangg Ning in the hallway.

Her dress fluttered in the faint breeze. She was carrying a small basket with her toiletries for the night, which she had probably just retrieved from Yaoyao’s room.

Chen Yuan flashed her a goofy grin.

"Chen," Jiangg Ning said, glancing at him before lowering her head slightly. "I understand what you want. It wasn’t easy for your mother to come all this way, so please don’t do something like this again. I’ll think carefully about what you proposed and give you an answer as soon as I can."

"Huh?" Chen Yuan was baffled.

"It won’t take too long," she added, explaining, "I’ve been thinking a lot recently about this past year, about our experiences and our feelings for each other. Maybe... maybe I’ve been too selfish and ignored how you feel. I’m sorry... I’ll do some serious soul-searching."

At these words, Chen Yuan’s eyes slowly widened.

He watched Jiangg Ning practically flee, her figure quickly vanishing into her room. The whole thing felt even more bizarre.

Chen Yuan couldn’t imagine what Liu He had said to have such a shockingly powerful effect.

’And what did Ningning mean just now? Why did she suddenly start reflecting on herself?’

Chen Yuan froze. For a moment, he wasn’t sure if he should go in and disturb her. After standing there for a while, he finally took all the snacks and went to Jiangg Yao’s room instead.

He pushed the door open and sat on her bed.

Jiangg Yao peeked out from under the covers, glanced at him, then immediately dove back under. She seemed to be frantically busy with something, but Chen Yuan paid her no mind.

His mind was completely preoccupied with what had just happened.

’Don’t tell me Mom used a guilt trip,’ Chen Yuan muttered to himself. ’Told her I was so depressed over this that I couldn’t eat or sleep...?’

He frowned, looked down, pulled a piece of beef jerky from the bag, and took a huge bite.

As he chewed, his mind raced.

’Have I really been missing the point this whole time? Am I just too close to the situation to see clearly?’

"What’re you thinking about?" Yaoyao’s muffled voice came from under the covers.

"Did you see that?? We were just talking about life after marriage, and your sister didn’t show the slightest hint of rejection! Isn’t she normally super reluctant? I thought for sure she’d use this as a chance to object."

"Hah. Don’t even bother trying to figure it out. You never will, because you just don’t get my sister at all."

"What?"

"You just see her through rose-colored glasses. You’re so eager to put my sister on a pedestal, but in reality, she’s not as perfect as you think. She’s just a normal person who happens to be a little prettier and get better grades. And when it comes to romance, she’s an absolute idiot. She’s probably agonizing over this herself, so it’s only natural for her to be hot and cold."

"So I got my hopes up for nothing..." Yaoyao’s words were like a bucket of cold water, and Chen Yuan’s excitement instantly deflated.

"Since all your flirting techniques are useless, and she won’t listen to sweet talk, and you can’t persuade her... then just ’sleep’ her into submission! Rip her clothes off, get in there!"

Yaoyao’s voice piped up again from under the covers.

This made Chen Yuan jump.

Her vicious tone sent a shiver down his spine.

"’Sleep’ with her? Is that really a good idea? With a personality like Ningning’s, you think I could actually force her? She’d kill me!" Chen Yuan said doubtfully.

"A goddess? Just for show. When it comes down to it, she’s still mine to toy with, hehe..."

"Yours to toy with? Yaoyao, what have you done to your sister?!"

"So what if I did? Are you going to submit? Once I’ve had my fun with you, you belong to me..."

"Good god, Yaoyao, that’s twisted love!" Chen Yuan couldn’t listen anymore. His eyes wide with shock, he turned his head, only to find that Yaoyao was still completely hidden under the covers. He tugged at the blanket. "Hey!"

He didn’t get an answer from Yaoyao, just more indistinct muttering.

Chen Yuan yanked the covers off completely.

And there was Yaoyao, holding a handheld console, completely absorbed in a dating sim galgame...

His vision was filled with a screen of pink.

"What are you doing?" Yaoyao’s cheeks were flushed red. She glared at him and whispered, "I’m playing a game here! Why’d you rip the covers off?"

Chen Yuan was speechless. "...I thought you were talking to me."

"I was, at first."

"Stop playing that and help me analyze your sister," Chen Yuan said, exasperated. "You haven’t even finished the conquest in real life, and you’re already moving on to the girls in your game."

"But, Sir, real life doesn’t have dialogue options. My hands are tied," Yaoyao said, holding up her console. "Look, I’ve already maxed out her affection meter. I’m about to conquer the second female character."

"Wait, why are you having so much fun playing a game made for nerdy guys? You’re a girl, Yaoyao."

"So what? Who doesn’t like pretty girls? Especially in the wonderful world of anime and games—anyone would be into this, okay! Look at those legs... that bust... those sultry eyes..." A sly smile played on Yaoyao’s lips. "Who could resist? Besides, after I beat the game, I can have both female characters with me at once. That scene is going to be so steamy."

Chen Yuan was silent for a moment, then said suddenly,

"The three of us could be pretty steamy too. Way more exciting than any game. Just think about it."

Yaoyao’s fingers paused on the controller. She slowly looked up at him.