After asking Xiao Yunying what she wanted, Chen Yuancheng ordered two pots of tea and four kinds of pastries. Noticing that her expression was a little unusual, he asked, "What's wrong? Is something on your mind?"

Luo Yang took a piece of pastry from the side and handed it to Luo Li, who couldn't reach it, and replied, "My mother is afraid of things like firecrackers and fireworks."

Chen Yuancheng looked puzzled: "Afraid?"

Xiao Yunying explained, "Because of some things, I'm a bit sensitive to sound and can't stand loud noises, especially sudden loud noises, which will frighten me."

Even with prior mental preparation, it's still difficult to control some nervousness.

These are all aftereffects of being frightened by the huge thunder on the day they were struck by lightning; such psychological trauma is not easily eliminated.

Chen Yuancheng's mind raced, and as if he had just thought of something, he murmured softly, "It was my oversight."

Then he said to Xiao Yunying, "Why don't we go back? These fireworks aren't anything special."

Upon hearing that she had to go back, Luo Xin didn't say anything, but her little face visibly wrinkled up, showing her reluctance.

She wanted to see fireworks, but her mother was afraid, so maybe they should just forget about it.

Xiao Yunying pinched Luo Xin's cheek and said to Chen Yuancheng, "It's okay, we're already here. I'll just cover my ears in a bit."

Then he instructed Luo Xin, "If you're scared later, you can cover your ears while watching, and the sound won't be so loud."

Luo Xin smiled again and nodded emphatically: "Xin'er understands."

Chen Yuancheng called Ling Qi and gave him a few instructions. After Ling Qi left the private room, he said, "I'll have Ling Qi find out the exact time the fireworks will be set off so you can prepare in advance."

"Okay, thank you."

Chen Yuancheng smiled and said, "It's nothing, no need to thank me."

Xiao Yunying sat down and poured herself a cup of tea: "It's a habit I've developed over the years, so I'm always polite when interacting with people and never lose my manners."

In her previous life, she had no good friends and always maintained a polite distance when interacting with colleagues. She would thank them for even the smallest things, a habit she had long since developed.

Chen Yuancheng sat down next to her and pushed the pastries in front of her: "You and I don't need to be so polite."

Xiao Yunying held Luo Xin on her lap and said with a smile, "Of course, there will be many more times when I need your help in the future, and I won't be polite."

The two chatted amicably, completely unaware that Luo Chen, who was leaning against another window, was looking increasingly grim.

On the other side, Luo Yang's eyes also flashed with displeasure, because his mother... didn't know that she should keep her distance when interacting with men outside the family, and it was understandable that she shouldn't be so close.

But that young master of the Chen family is a scholar, doesn't he know about the strict separation of men and women?

Xiao Yunying was completely unaware that the Luo brothers, Luo Chen and Luo Yang, had become dissatisfied with Chen Yuancheng simply because she had exchanged a few words with him. She continued to playfully tease Luo Xin while eating pastries and chatting with Chen Yuancheng.

Not long after, Ling Qi returned, saying that he had heard that the fireworks would begin in less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

Xiao Yunying called the children to wait by the window. Luo Xin was not tall, and she couldn't hold the little girl because she had to cover her ears. So she brought a stool and let the little girl stand on it.

Xiao Yunying repeatedly told Luo Xin not to lean out of the window. To avoid any accidents, she stood behind Luo Xin and wrapped her arms around her, holding the little girl in her embrace.

Judging that it was about time, Xiao Yunying covered her ears in advance. Chen Yuanxuan, who was next to her, saw this and laughed at her without any mercy.

Before he could finish speaking, a huge firework suddenly exploded in the sky outside, colorful and dazzling.

Then one after another, fireworks exploded, and the loud bangs startled Chen Yuanxuan, who was still mocking Xiao Yunying.

Chen Yuanxuan was so focused on mocking Xiao Yunying that he was completely unprepared. He was so frightened that his face turned pale, and he frantically covered his ears before recovering after a while.

Xiao Yunying couldn't help but laugh, disregarding the little fat boy's feelings.

Chen Yuanxuan felt he had lost face and didn't know how to defend himself, so he covered his ears and went to another window to watch the fireworks.

Because Xiao Yunying reminded her, Luo Xin covered her ears in advance, just like her. After a while, she let go of her ears and leaned against the window to watch the fireworks with curiosity, exclaiming in amazement.

Xiao Yunying put her hand down after a short while, holding Luo Xin's small arm. Seeing that Luo Chen and Luo Yang were holding onto Luo Li, who was standing on a stool, and that Chen Yuanxuan was being protected by Chen Yuanyao and Ling Qi, she felt at ease and started watching the fireworks.

The fireworks display lasted for less than the time it takes to drink two cups of tea. After the last firework exploded, she waited a while and saw the crowd on the street gradually disperse, confirming that it was over. Xiao Yunying then carried Luo Xin down.

Luo Xin had never seen fireworks before. It was her first time watching them, and her big eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Mom, the fireworks are so beautiful, so many colors, and so sparkly."

Xiao Yunying gently pinched Luo Xin's nose with her index finger: "If you like it, Mother will bring you to see it again when there's a chance."

"good!"

Chen Yuancheng asked Ling Qi to bring over the lanterns for the group: "It's getting late. The children must be tired after playing for so long. Let's go back to the mansion and rest."

Shall we go back to the mansion and rest?

I must have misunderstood.

Xiao Yunying asked, with a try-it-out mentality, "Okay, Yuan Yao, which inn did you book for me?"

Chen Yuanyao lit her lantern and said, "You haven't booked an inn yet? You can stay in my courtyard, and your young masters can stay in Luo Li's courtyard. I've prepared rooms for you all."

They're really going to the Chen residence?!

She thought Chen Yuanyao had booked an inn for her.

Xiao Yunying was speechless: "Why didn't you say so earlier? I didn't prepare any gifts at all. It's so rude of me."

People in ancient times valued etiquette. Since I had brought my children to stay at the Chen family's house so late at night, I was unlikely to pay my respects to the elders of the Chen family. Strictly speaking, this was already against the rules.

Going empty-handed would be incredibly impolite.

Chen Yuanyao handed the tinder to Ling Qi and stood up, saying, "Don't worry, Sister Yunying. I've already spoken to Mother, and she knows. My mother likes you very much and wants you to stay a few more days."

Xiao Yunying sighed. That's what she said, but she had no real kinship with the Chen family, so she couldn't really be that shameless.

But there was no other way now, because the inns in the city were already full for the Lantern Festival, and she couldn't possibly sleep on the streets with her children.

Aside from the Chen residence, there really wasn't anywhere else to go.