Chapter 642: Love you, love you, I love you the most

The two followed Mu Youyu and Jiang Liangjin into the living room.

Everyone had already finished the New Year's Eve dinner; now they all moved to the living room, turning on the TV to broadcast the gala.

Except for Mu Xi and Mu Xin, all the brothers sat around a table chatting.

Mu Youyu's face turned slightly red from the cold wind; as soon as she entered, she was surrounded by the brothers' gazes.

Jiang Liangjin and she sat side‑by‑side in the middle of the sofa, close together, his hand holding her fingers, warming them bit by bit.

"What did our treasure go off to do? Hey, why did you bring in two people?"

"This isn't our A Ci and A Nan, is it? They've grown a lot taller this new year."

With the elders present, Yu Ci didn't feel comfortable going along with the brothers' praise of himself, only smiling and saying: "Happy New Year, everyone—grandparents, uncles and aunts, brothers!"

The elders replied cheerfully with a few remarks.

Shen Ningmu's eyes landed on those two identical coats, her smile deepening: "When did Xiao Ci and Xiao Nan arrive? Why didn't you tell us beforehand?"

Yu Ci spoke sweetly: "Happy New Year, Aunt Shen; you keep looking younger each year. We just happened to be passing by to see you, and to join in the fun."

Gu Xingnan, consistently terse, nodded to the elders: "Happy New Year, grandparents and uncles and aunts."

Shen Ningmu was amused by Yu Ci's words, waved them over: "Come, come, sit here."

The elders smiled as they sized them up, speaking kindly:

"You two are still as close as ever, even wearing the same coat."

"Exactly; standing together, you look more and more alike, like real brothers."

"Unlike our two boys, who start fighting at the slightest disagreement—as if they were enemies from a past life!"

Gu Xingnan also didn't see where they resembled brothers.

Jiang Liangjin sat there watching the show.

"Children who grow up together should be like you two, and like A Yu and A Jin."

Yu Ci chuckled in reply: "That's right—we're the best brothers."

After saying that, he deliberately patted Gu Xingnan's shoulder to show his innocence.

Gu Xingnan: "Right."

Shen Ningmu sensed something different, her smile deepening as she whispered to Jiang Su beside her: "I think these two kids are quite a good match."

Jiang Su, who was chatting with Grandfather Shen, replied: "Yes, yes, a good match—whatever you say is right."

Shen Ningmu gave him a look, ignored him, then turned back to the two with a smile: "Don't go back tonight—our house has plenty of rooms; stay over, and we can all have fun together tomorrow."

Grandmother Shen, hearing her daughter speak up, also said: "Right, I'll have someone let your family know later."

Yu Ci instinctively glanced at the two people who had brought them in; after sitting down, that young couple leaned together and stopped looking at them.

He had no choice but to turn to Gu Xingnan, who responded: "Then we'll be intruding."

Grandmother Shen chuckled: "No intrusion, no intrusion—more people make the New Year livelier."

Yu Ci then nodded: "Thank you, Aunt Shen and Grandmother Shen."

Shen Ningmu waved a hand: "No need to be polite, have a seat."

The seats near Mu Youyu were all taken, so the two found a remote spot and sat down.

Yu Ci had just sat down when a young man from a cadet branch of the Shen family approached with a drink, chuckling as he made small talk: "Young Master Yu, long time no see—I heard you're studying for your driver's license; how's the driving practice going? I have a few idle sports cars; if you're interested, feel free to take one for a spin anytime."

He thought he'd picked a safe topic, but Yu Ci merely smiled politely: "Thanks, but no thanks—I'll just drive a friend's car."

"Who is this guy? I wouldn't dare drive a car given by an outsider."

The man still wanted to urge him a bit more, but Gu Xingnan said lightly: "His car is sufficient."

"Haha, that's good." The man chuckled nervously, gave an awkward laugh, then turned away with his drink.

Song Yusui and Song Lujing had somehow gathered together, examining the two bottles of wine that Song Huaixian had brought.

They turned the bottles over and over, reading the labels until they were almost memorized.

After looking enough, Song Lujing couldn't help asking: "This wine tastes really strange—where did you get it? Did you just stick on that label?"

"If it weren't strange, I wouldn't have brought it!" Song Huaixian leaned back, legs crossed: "A friend gave it to me."

Song Lujing doubted: "Which friend?"

Song Huaixian said leisurely: "You wouldn't know them even if I told you."

Song Yusui: "If you don't tell us, how would we know whether we know them?"

Song Huaixian, flanked by the two on left and right, began to get annoyed: "I'm not telling."

Song Yusui turned to Song Lujing: "Should we beat him up?"

Song Lujing pretended to look outward: "You hit him, I'll keep watch."

Song Huaixian leaned toward his sister, starting to complain: "Sis, look—he's scary."

Mu Youyu replied righteously: "Don't be scared—I'll protect you."

Song Huaixian immediately sat up straight, looking pleased with himself.

The two had nothing more to say.

Mu Yichi, who had hardly spoken all along, turned the conversation to his sister: "Sis, sis, what's your wish for the new year?"

Mu Youyu materially lacks nothing these days: "I have none right now."

Song Lujing raised his hand: "Big Brother Yichi, I have one! I just thought of it—I just need someone to help me make it happen."

"Who asked you?" Mu Yichi smiled on the surface: "Go ahead, I'm listening."

Song Lujing cleared his throat solemnly: "In the new year, I wish my sister would love me a little more."

Mu Yichi paused for two seconds, glanced at Mu Yichen, who said calmly: "Let's change it—this one isn't easy to pull off."

He's just showing off his presence!

Mu Youyu replied gently: "I'll make that come true for Brother Lujing."

Song Lujing said boastfully: "I just knew my little sister loves me the most~"

The others' faces showed unwillingness, they began glaring at Song Lujing.

Jiang Liangjin quickly reacted, drawing out his tone: "I also want my darling to love me a bit more."

Mu Youyu helplessly coaxed: "Love you, love you, you're the one I love most."

……

The New Year quietly passed amidst the warm atmosphere and the brothers' bickering.

Until the fourth day of the new year, the several families' gathering finally concluded, each returning home to resume their usual routine.

Jiang Liangjin's coming-of-age ceremony was on the fifth day of the new year, held at the Jiang Family estate.

Jiang Su and Shen Ningmu began preparations a week in advance; the guest list alone went through several rounds of confirmation, from the core members of the four major conglomerates to old acquaintances in domestic and overseas business and political circles, each receiving an invitation.

That day, the open space before the manor's main building was covered with a red carpet; delicate lights were strung between the flower columns on either side, already lit at dusk, bathing the entire lawn in a warm, picturesque glow.

Guests from all sides arrived one after another; gifts piled up in a room of the side wing; the butler led a group of servants back and forth, orderly registering their receipt and storage.

After Jiang Liangjin changed into his formal attire, he met his fiancée in the upstairs hallway.

Mu Youyu studied him for a moment, then stepped forward and gave him a hug: "My dear darling, happy birthday, congratulations on coming of age."

Jiang Liangjin returned the embrace, his voice melodious: "I also wish my darling happiness every day."

The subsequent banquet proceedings went smoothly according to plan.