Jia Yao had actually been fooled. She didn’t say a word, just turned around and ran away. Zhu Yanyi raised an eyebrow. "Finally gone."
"Ani, you tricked people again." As Zhu Yanyi’s older sister, Zhu Yanli had figured it out over the past few days. Don’t let her age fool you; at only five years old, her smarts surpassed her own.
Zhu Yanyi stuck out her tongue. "Look, she’s gone, so we are relaxed. Isn’t that great? Or did you want to see her cry?"
Cheng Xu looked deeply at Zhu Yanyi and gave a thumbs-up. "Ani’s method is good. Xiao Chen, you should learn from Ani in the future. Use your brain more. Don’t always pull a long face." Cheng Xu didn’t forget to teach her younger brother.
Cheng Chen glanced at Cheng Xu. "Aren’t you the same? If you’re so capable, learn Ani’s tricks too." Then she smiled at Zhu Yanyi. "Sister Ani is amazing."
Zhu Yanyi’s small face showed a pure smile. "You flatter me. Just average. Third in the world."
"What thick skin she has." After the incident with Jia Yao, everyone had become familiar. Cheng Xu was curious about this little sister. Hearing her say that, he found it funny and couldn’t help but pinch her cheek.
"Brother Cheng Xu, don’t pinch my face randomly." Zhu Yanyi pouted, dissatisfied.
Cheng Xu shrugged. "Sorry, couldn’t help it. Who can resist when our Ani is too cute?"
"Huh? Is it my fault? Is being cute a sin?" Zhu Yanyi pointed at herself.
Cheng Xu held back his laughter and nodded. "Yes. Look, did I pinch Jia Yao? I never pinch people I don’t like or don’t know well."
Zhu Yanyi’s mouth opened wide. You can do that? Seeing Zhu Yanyi’s呆萌 (dumb-cute) look, Cheng Xu burst out laughing again. Zhu Yanli and Cheng Chen nearby also laughed. Zhu Yanyi comforted herself, thinking of it as entertaining her elders.
Not far away, Cheng Baokun, who was talking to Zhu Shun Yao, heard the children’s laughter. "Look, the children get along so well. So, Shun Yao, you really are something. Hiding such a good treasure. If you had brought her out earlier, I would have made her my goddaughter long ago."
"Isn’t that right?" Chen Ailian said. "But it’s not too late now. Brother, sister-in-law, you must visit often. We don’t have many formalities in our home."
Zhu Shun Yao smiled. "Now that we’ve met brother and sister-in-law, why be formal? We are all family."
"That’s exactly it." Chen Ailian nodded seriously.
Xie Xinlian also said from the side. "Now I need sister-in-law’s help too. I have to manage my third pregnancy. I’m afraid I’ll neglect An Nan and Ani. Please help me look after them when you have time."
"Manage them? I’m happy to do that." Chen Ailian smiled. "Don’t laugh at me, sister-in-law. In our Cheng family, I’m the only daughter. The rest are boys. And Baokun’s family, needless to say, has no close female relatives. The ones we have are distant and don’t visit. So I’ve always regretted not having a daughter. But given our status, we couldn’t have more. So I was sad. Now, you’ve given me a goddaughter Ani, and you’re practically giving me An Nan for free. I’m absolutely happy to help. In fact, let An Nan call me godmother too."
Chen Ailian was truly happy. Gaining two daughters at once, how could she not be joyful?
Cheng Baokun nodded beside her. "That’s a good idea. From now on, An Nan is also our daughter. The two families are one family. If you have any difficulties, just say it. Don’t be polite with your brother."