Chapter 1267: I Want to Make You Stay (145)

"Xiaoxi sleeps next to Yiheng every day, and she even said that she's going to marry him when she grows up. She also said that Yiheng promised to marry her when they're older. I find this matter to be very important. We must take it seriously."

An Xiaoning smiled and said, "I think you're just worried about ruining Xiaoxi's reputation. We shall betroth them to each other if they don't have any objections, then."

Jin Qingyan asked, "What happens if there are changes after the engagement? For example, if Xiaoxi and Yiheng fall in love with others in the future, or if one of them has a change of heart. What do we do when that happens...?"

Long Tianze looked at them and said, "I asked to betroth them precisely because I'm worried about that. I just want to create a safety net for the two of them. What happens to them in the future will depend on themselves. Besides, divorce is so common nowadays, isn't it? Such stuff are unpredictable."

"Alright. Xiaoning, bring the children here," said Jin Qingyan.

"Sure." An Xiaoning stood up immediately and headed upstairs.

A few minutes later, the three children arrived downstairs.

A strange tension filled the living room.

"Yiheng, do you fancy Xiaoxi?" An Xiaoning asked.

"I do."

"Are you going to marry her when you guys grow up?"

"Of course."

An Xiaoning asked, "Xiaoxi, what about you?"

Long Xiaoxi exclaimed eagerly, "Godma, I fancy him! I'm willing to marry him!"

The four adults burst into laughter. Mei Yangyang could not stop laughing for she was extremely amused by how eager her daughter was.

"Yiheng, do you know what it means to be engaged to each other?"

Jin Yiheng answered, "Yes, it means to make a promise to marry each other in the future."

"Yes, I'm asking you now, are you willing to get engaged to Xiaoxi right now?"

Jin Yiheng turned to glance at Long Xiaoxi before looking at his parents again. "But, Mommy, aren't we allowed to get engaged only when we're adults?"

"During the olden days, some children do get betrothed to each other. However, such outdated practices have become obsolete with time as society progresses. In such practices, girls who come from poor families will usually be sold to the boys' families. In other cases, close friends tend to arrange a marriage between each other's children too. I'm asking you now, are you willing to be engaged to Xiaoxi?"

Jin Yiheng smiled at Long Xiaoxi before answering, "Yes, I am."

Long Tianze heaved a sigh of relief and said, "Yiheng, you must think through it carefully."

"Godpa, I've already thought through it carefully."

The four adults looked at each other, and the matter was finally settled.

Long Tianze had a sleepless night that night, whereas Mei Yangyang managed to catch a few hours of sleep. He constantly tossed and turned in bed, as if his daughter was about to get married.

As soon as daybreak arrived, he got out of bed. Mei Yangyang asked, "Why are you up so early?"

"Did you forget that we agreed to hold a ceremony today? We have to invite a lot of guests."

"I think we should just hold a small ceremony and keep it within our social circle. It won't be that appropriate to announce it to the whole wide world."

"We must invite our closest friends and family to an extravagant ceremony."

"We don't even have the time to get the gowns and attires tailor-made. Why can't you just wait for everything to be prepared before holding the ceremony?"

"No, we must hold it today. We've already decided on the location last night. Hurry, get out of bed and take the children out to shop for some clothes."

Mei Yangyang had no words for his overeagerness. She got out of bed and said, "I should just knock you out."

——

The weather was fair this morning, as opposed to the drizzles the night before.

The clouds could be seen up high in the clear blue skies.

Fan Shixin was dumbfounded to hear about the children's engagement first thing in the morning.

"Young Sir, is it true that Miss Xiaoxi and Little Sir will be going through an engagement ceremony today?"

"Yes, we've already decided on a venue last night. Head there now and oversee everything. Make sure the food is catered, and do also invite all our closest friends and family."

"What's the rush?" asked Fan Shixin. He would have mistook it for a shotgun marriage if the two children were adults.

"Didn't you see how eager Tianze was? He's always acting on impulse. Since Yiheng has no objections, we decided to concede."

"Alright."

Fan Shixin instructed Xiao Bai to deliver breakfast to Mu Wansheng and at the same time help her get discharged from the hospital before bringing her back to his apartment in Wei Ni Estate.

Xiao Bai murmured, "Chief..."

"What's the matter?"

"Turns out you made us clean the apartment because you wanted to let Ms. Mu move in."

"Her mother is searching for her everywhere in the hospital. Since there aren't any suitable apartments available for rent, I decided to just let her move into mine temporarily. It's vacant anyway. By the way, tell the rest of them to keep their lips sealed."

"I know what to do. Rest assured, Chief. I'll go pick Ms. Mu up now," said Xiao Bai, who was keeping his back as straight as a ruler.

"Okay. Pay the nurse her due wages too."

"Who's going to take care of Ms. Mu, then?"

Fan Shixin answered, "She can walk on her own now. Deliver her meals to her whenever I'm not around to do so. You don't have to worry about the rest."

"Okay, I'll get to it now."

Xiao Bai headed to the hospital with some food.

He entered the ward to see that Mu Wansheng was lying on the bed quietly.

"Ms. Mu, Chief wanted me to come and pick you up."

"Where did he go?"

"He's a little busy today. Let's pack up. I'll settle the administrative procedures to get you discharged later."

"Alright, thank you for the trouble."

Xiao Bai smiled courteously and said, "Don't mention it."

Once everything was settled, Mu Wansheng got inside the car that Xiao Bai drove to the hospital and asked, "Where are we going?"

"Back to Wei Ni Estate."

"Wei Ni Estate? Shouldn't we be heading to a rented apartment elsewhere?" Mu Wansheng asked in puzzlement.

"No, Chief made us clean his apartment yesterday and he wants you to move in there."

Mu Wansheng's heart skipped a beat and she asked, "Am I going to live with him?"

"No, Chief stays with us in the dormitory. That apartment was meant for him to live in with his future wife but he has never moved in before. However, the renovation has been completed, and all the furniture you'd need are inside the apartment too. We'll deliver all your meals to you from now on."

Mu Wansheng found it shocking and inappropriate for her to move into his nuptial home.

"That won't be too appropriate. It'd be inauspicious if I move into his nuptial home right after getting discharged. I must give him a call."

Trying to talk her around, Xiao Bai said, "Ms. Mu, it's fine. Since Chief has already decided to let you move in there, it just means he isn't worried about those things you've mentioned. Just stay there."

"I still don't think it's a good idea. Chief Fan has already given me so much help. How can I move into his nuptial home?" said Mu Wansheng, who found it extremely inappropriate, especially since Fan Shixin was still single.