Chapter 329: He Also Has the Surname Jiang

The Jiang family members looked at her smug expression and couldn't help speaking.

Okay, okay, your son is the most capable—he can keep the Mu family's little princess firmly under control.

Before, all those Mu family people were on guard against A Jin, but now they've changed their minds, eh—how did he manage that?

Another woman nodded and said, "Isn't that right? A few months ago I still saw that kid Lu Xiao running over here every couple of days, ostensibly visiting, but actually just talking trash behind our backs."

"I've heard something even more interesting," another person lowered their voice, "not long ago your son got beaten up by Mu Xi and didn't even fight back... yet today he's happily going out to play with someone else."

Jiang Su sat to the side, watching the family chatter, couldn't help but laugh and shake his head, "How long ago was this? It's just kids messing around—how could you take it seriously?"

For a moment, Shen Ningmu felt not sympathy but a sudden inexplicable excitement—'Really? How did I not know A Jin got beaten up?'

Finally, someone can deal with that son!

Mu Xi, this kid did a great job!

Mu Nian, who had just come over from Jiang Ye Ye, happened to hear, paused slightly, and calmly said to mediate, "I'd guess they're just kids messing around."

Not bad, not bad—Mu Xi can do it.

Mu Xianqi, not far away, had no mind for these old stories.

He couldn't help but keep checking the time, "What time is it now? Why aren't you back yet?"

Mu Yichi said calmly, "It's only four-thirty, no rush."

Mu Yichen took a sip of tea, his expression unchanged, and said, "Stay calm, don't be impatient."

Mu Xianqi paced back and forth, "If it gets later, it'll be dark—unsafe on the road; who knows where they've run off to play?"

"If they're too far away, the bumpy ride back would be too much for delicate little Youbao."

Mu Yichi waved a hand, "I don't know, they can't have gone far—at most ten kilometers."

"Ten kilometers isn't far?"

Mu Yichen: "Let's wait a bit longer."

Several brothers tried to sound calm, but their eyes all drifted toward the mall entrance.

Song Huaiyu didn't even dare tell them his sister had gone to A City, over a hundred kilometers away.

Not until eight o'clock did Mu Youyu's group finally arrive, the car pulling up steadily at the old residence's gate, lights off, as several figures stepped out one after another.

Mu Youyu wore a soft, bright red cotton jacket, her face showing no sign of fatigue.

Jiang Liangjin stayed close by her side, never more than a half-step away, his hands full of bags.

Everything was something Mu Youyu had glanced at twice while browsing A City that afternoon; he followed behind and bought it all.

He didn't feel the weight in his hands, and felt a sense of accomplishment.

Jiang Ye Ye was the first to hear the commotion and come out, laughing, "You're back just in time—I was about to start the New Year's feast! Hurry inside."

Song Huaiyu stepped forward and said, "You've been playing so long—are you tired? Dizzy? Want to rest a bit before eating later?"

"No, no, I'm not tired or dizzy—we'll eat now." Mu Youyu shook her head repeatedly, waved her wrist, full of energy.

She gets nauseous in ordinary cars—sick from the smell, sick from the bumps—but not in a luxury car.

Seeing her return safely, the brothers finally breathed a sigh of relief.

A few people exchanged greetings, then chatted and laughed as they walked in with the elders.

The huge table was laden with dishes, the main spread mostly filled with Mu Youyu's favorite foods.

Several families sat together, the atmosphere warm and harmonious.

The elders kept serving Mu Youyu dishes.

The brothers constantly watched her movements, afraid she couldn't reach the dishes or would burn her hands, wishing they could pile all the tasty food right in front of her.

A maid stood by to help peel shrimp, attending to her every need.

After finishing the New Year's feast, the several families each went to the courtyard or side halls.

As Jiang Liangjin had said, the yard was filled with various fireworks, plus sparklers.

He picked up the two largest thirty-six-inch sparklers, gently handed one to Mu Youyu, and said softly, "Hold it, be careful—I'll light it for you in a moment."

The other he handed to Mu Xi standing nearby, saying, "Here, second brother."

Mu Xi saw the pink sparkler, looked speechless, and stayed silent for two seconds.

Ultimately, out of consideration for his sister being there, he silently took it, his expression still aloof and arrogant.

Catching a glimpse of his sister's pure gaze from the corner of his eye, he added, "Thank you."

Jiang Liangjin: "You're welcome."

Song Yusui stepped forward with interest, grabbed a lighter to help light the sparkler, watching the gold sparks sprinkle down, then immediately laughed and shouted, "Come on, Little Xixi, grab the sparkler and run a lap—filming it will definitely make a great clip."

Lu Yuchu reached out to push him away, serious, "Why run? Hold it up and stand still—the sparks falling make it look best."

Song Huaixian clapped his hands, "Spin around, spin around."

Mu Xi couldn't be bothered with their commotion, took the sparkler with a blank face, stood still in place, just waiting for it to burn out.

Seeing Mu Xi unmoved, Song Huaixian simply lit a sparkler himself and waved it at him.

Mu Xi instinctively stepped back, clearly wary, "What are you doing?"

Song Huaixian saw that whenever he took a step, Mu Xi stepped back, so he grabbed a sparkler and chased after him.

"Brother Huaixian, are you not childish?!"

"Just childish—if you've got the guts, don't run!"

Song Huaixian laughed extravagantly, sparkler in hand, chasing him around the courtyard.

Mu Xin and his group sat nearby, amusedly watching the scene.

Mu Youyu saw the brothers surrounded by smoke, worried sparks might hit her, pulled Jiang Liangjin to a good spot, and said, "We can light it now!"

Jiang Liangjin lowered his gaze to the girl beside him, carefully lit her sparkler, one hand always shielding hers, afraid the sparks would burn her.

Gold sparks burst forth in the night.

Mu Youyu swayed her fairy wand gently, tracing a halo of light; her hair fluttered with the motion, like a little star fallen into the mortal world.

She turned her head toward Jiang Liangjin, her voice clear and sweet: "A Jin, look, isn't it sparkling?"

Jiang Liangjin stood a step away, his eyes fixed on her the whole time; even fireworks paled beside half her radiance.

He gave an irrelevant reply: "Pretty."

Sometime later, several junior members of the Jiang family's branch also emerged, watching the two in the courtyard center, their expressions varied.

A young teenager watching the scene couldn't help but say: "No way, you really have the Mu family's little princess under your thumb, the princess has been circling you from start to finish."

His tone was tinged with envy and a hint of dissatisfaction.

He didn't even get a chance to step forward and speak.

The girl beside him had already broken into an auntie's smile; hearing the clearly off‑remark, she turned and glared at him, "What do you mean? Don't speak nonsense—if others hear you, you're done for."

The teenager pursed his lips and said nothing more.

After the girl thought he had quieted down, he revealed a matter‑of‑fact expression: "Grandfather only said the Mu and Jiang families would form an alliance, never specifying which Jiang; Jiang Liangjin is fine, so am I not also eligible?"

He is also surnamed Jiang.