Chapter 45 The Feast
As Xie Shiyan's car slid back into the hotel's impressive underground parking lot, the afternoon sun was blazing, its rays dancing through the car window onto the bright yellow hem of Jiang Yining's dress.
He parked the car, walked around to the front, and opened the car door for her. The two walked side by side into the elevator leading to the wedding banquet hall. He naturally extended his arm, and Jiang Yining took it. The warm skin on the inside of her arm touched him through the thin fabric of her suit.
At the entrance to the wedding banquet hall, a joyous and lively atmosphere greeted the eye. Crystal chandeliers reflected dazzling light, and the air was filled with the mixed scents of flowers, food, and perfume.
The second cousin, dressed in a sharp suit and beaming with joy, was arm in arm with his bride, who was dressed in a pure white wedding gown and had a radiant smile, standing under a heart-shaped floral archway, welcoming a steady stream of guests.
"Ningning, Ayan, over here." Xiao Xiao, with her sharp eyes, spotted them from afar. With her pregnant belly showing, she was carefully protected by Shen Nian'an as she quickly walked through the crowd to greet them.
Shen Nian'an's hand remained loosely protective at Xiao Xiao's waist, his every movement full of tenderness. As soon as Jiang Yining saw Xiao Xiao approaching, she immediately released Xie Shiyan's arm, nervously stepped forward, and carefully took Xiao Xiao's arm.
"Oh my little darling, slow down and be careful."
Her gaze fell on Xiao Xiao's protruding belly, and her eyes instantly softened as if they were about to overflow with water.
Xiao Xiao was amused by her nervous look and patted her hand with a smile: "It's okay, you're fine."
Her face radiated maternal warmth, and her voice was gentle, "Ningning, let me tell you, I have another daughter, she's a little over three years old. I'll bring her back from her grandparents' house in a few days and show her to you. I'm sure you'll love her to bits."
Shen Nian'an chimed in with a smile, "Mine is a mischievous boy, half a year older than Xiao Xiao's daughter. We'll get together sometime and let them recognize you as their beautiful auntie."
"Okay, okay, I promise." Jiang Yining readily agreed, and couldn't help but reach out and gently touch Xiao Xiao's belly again, her focused and tender expression as if she were touching some rare treasure.
This heartwarming scene was witnessed by Xie Shiyan. He walked to Jiang Yining's side and naturally reached out his arm to pull her back to his side.
He lowered his head slightly, his warm breath carrying his unique, cool scent, brushing against Jiang Yining's sensitive earlobe. His deep, smiling voice entered her ear, carrying an ambiguity and certainty that only the two of them could understand: "I like children, um... in the future... let's have a few more?"
Jiang Yining's cheeks instantly flushed like a blazing sunset, reddening from her ears all the way to her neck. She abruptly turned her head, glaring at him with a mixture of shyness and annoyance, her voice low yet tinged with coquettishness:
"Who wants to have a child with you? You're shameless."
Xie Shiyan raised an eyebrow, feigning displeasure as he frowned, his deep eyes locking onto her: "Oh? Not going to have a child with me? Then who do you want to have a child with?" His possessiveness was undisguised.
Jiang Yining felt flustered under his gaze, and afraid of making too much noise and attracting attention, she could only blush and huff in a low voice, "I'll have your babies, I'll have your babies, okay? I'll only have your babies, are you satisfied now?"
"Pfft—" Xiao Xiao and Shen Nian'an, who were standing nearby, heard it clearly and couldn't help but cover their mouths and laugh out loud, their eyes full of mischief.
Jiang Yining was so embarrassed by her sisters' laughter that she wanted to disappear into the ground. In her embarrassment, she instinctively buried her face in Xie Shiyan's firm arms, pressing her burning cheeks against his well-pressed suit jacket, refusing to look up like an ostrich.
Xie Shiyan was taken aback at first, then a low, hearty laugh flowed out. He tightened his arms without any hesitation, holding her even closer in his embrace, and affectionately rubbed his chin against the top of her soft hair.
The smile that bloomed on that usually stern face was warm and genuine, radiating happiness that made one's heart flutter.
Just then, Zhou Yanzhe and Lu Jingshen walked over side by side. From afar, they saw Xie Shiyan's undisguised, slightly silly, happy smile, and their steps faltered.
Zhou Yanzhe's Adam's apple bobbed almost imperceptibly, and Lu Jingshen narrowed his eyes slightly. Eight years ago, after Jiang Yining left, Xie Shiyan was in the hospital undergoing emergency treatment. The two brothers took turns staying by his side in the hospital corridor, smoking until dawn. The despair that almost crushed Xie Shiyan seemed like it was just yesterday.
Seeing his untroubled smile, the two felt a sudden warmth in their eyes, which quickly dissipated, turning into genuine warmth and relief.
"What are you chatting about? You seem so happy?" Zhou Yanzhe approached first, resuming his usual teasing tone, his gaze sweeping over Jiang Yining, who was burying her head in Xie Shiyan's arms like an ostrich.
“Exactly,” Lu Jingshen chimed in with a smile, his gaze sweeping over Xie Shiyan’s arm, which was still tightly clasped around Jiang Yining’s. “Say it so the brothers can have a laugh too?”
Shen Nian'an, always eager for a good show, suppressed a laugh and pointed at Jiang Yining, who was nestled in Xie Shiyan's arms, to reveal: "Just now, Ningning said she wanted to have a baby for President Xie."
Zhou Yanzhe's eyes lit up, and he immediately turned to Xie Shiyan, half-jokingly and half-seriously saying, "Oh! That's great news, Ayan. How about we become in-laws? My mischievous son is a perfect match for your little princess." He was referring to his son with Shen Nian'an.
Upon hearing the word "in-laws," Jiang Yining's curiosity overcame her shyness. She abruptly lifted her head from Xie Shiyan's embrace, her face still flushed, but her eyes sparkling as she looked at Shen Nian'an and Xiao Xiao.
"Yes, yes, arranging a marriage between children, how interesting!"
Xie Shiyan looked down at the little woman in his arms, whose eyes had suddenly lit up with excitement. He ruffled her hair with a mixture of helplessness and affection, then wrapped his arm possessively around her waist, his voice steady and calm:
"Let the children make their own decisions when they grow up." He spoke calmly, as if he were looking towards the distant future.
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