Chapter 5523 - 5523: Warmth

Ye Jian had just been thinking about inviting Zhou Niannian over to Dan Gui Garden as a guest, or alternatively, arranging a visit to the fifth brother's horse farm, when Li Jinnian next to her cast a sharp glance and asked, "What cunning plan are you hatching?"

"I'm not hatching any cunning plans, just mulling over some things." Ye Jian wasn't intimidated by his piercing gaze; she knew she had to help share Grandpa's concerns.

Li Jinnian didn't believe her. However, when it came to discussing matters involving Zhou Niannian, Li Jinnian, who wasn't adept at expressing himself, took a while before he indifferently said, "Don't meddle, I'll handle it myself."

"What am I meddling in? Brother, whatever it is that concerns you, would I interfere? Anyway, why don't you tell me what it is, who it involves, would that be fine?"

...

When it came to verbal sparring, Li Jinnian admitted he was no match for Ye Jian and decided to drop the subject.

Li Jinnian didn't discuss personal affairs and instead inquired about family matters. Knowing his worries, Ye Jian explained everything thoroughly, including how they played chess and took turns running, resulting in Old Master Qin fainting and being hospitalized that night.

Hearing this, Li Jinnian's face grew so dark it almost turned black. This matter couldn't be taken lightly, and the elders had to be spoken to properly.

An hour later, the two siblings returned to Dan Gui Garden. Uncle Fu had already prepared Li Jinnian's bedroom early, leaving no chance for Ye Jian to show off her skills. Their return didn't disturb anyone, not even the servant Xiao Yu.

The car was parked intentionally far away, so it was unlikely for Xiao Yu to be alarmed.

Once Li Jinnian entered the house, he immediately felt the warmth of home. Ever since his sister Ye Jian had returned, their house felt even more like a home, and even Old Man Xia's spirits and temperament had become much brighter.

Lying in bed, Li Jinnian fell asleep with a faint smile on his thin lips.

The next day, while still in bed, Ye Jian received a call from Xia Jinyuan. They had initially agreed to visit the horse farm today, but unforeseen circumstances arose – an uncle from Xia's family side dropped by, and as a grandson, Xia Jinyuan was obliged to keep him company, leaving him no way to accompany Ye Jian.

"Ah, I had hoped that upon returning to the capital, we could meet every day, but it seems I was too optimistic. Despite being so close, we still can't see each other all the time. I've even come down with lovesickness!" On the other end of the phone, Comrade Xia spoke with a tone filled with sorrow, his language saturated with pity.

Ye Jian wasn't fooled, of course. She knew he missed her, because she missed him too. But him talking about lovesickness was just to tease her and win her sympathy so that he could make more demands later on.

It was all a ruse!

Thankfully, she had seen right through it.

"Take good care of uncle grandpa, don't just think about going out. As for me, I'll be at home taking care of Grandpa, Dad, and oh, my brother, too."

"The Demon King is back as well? That's another piece of bad news first thing in the morning."

No sooner had Xia Jinyuan finished speaking than Ye Jian's snort came through, "What, you have a problem with my brother now?"

"How dare I have a problem with my cousin-in-law; it's fear I'm feeling. With another fierce general opposed to our engagement joining the ranks of my future father-in-law's camp."

He was right; Li Jinnian also didn't want Ye Jian to get engaged too soon, letting Xia Jinyuan take her home early.

The two chatted for over ten minutes, both reluctant to end the call.

When Ye Jian came downstairs, she saw Li Jinnian with a stern face waiting there, while her dear dad was sincerely asking questions, and Grandpa sat benevolently, clearly waiting for his elder brother to speak.

After listening for a while, Ye Jian couldn't help but start laughing.

It seems that in any family, regardless of the elders' statuses, there's one thing they all do during New Year's: they all inquire why the younger ones still aren't married or in a relationship.

No matter what your status is, getting nagged about marriage during New Year's is just like everyone else.