Chapter 8: The Adopted Sister

There were about a dozen people present, all close friends and relatives, gathered around a large table. Fortunately, everyone was familiar with each other, so the meal didn’t fall into awkward silence.

After some words of blessing, the guests presented their gifts and cut the cake. Once the formalities were over, the atmosphere shifted to one of boasting and praise.

Bao Yuan sat with Zongnian Pei on her left and Yanxi Huo on her right, who was attentively serving her more dishes.

Someone at the table teased, “Look at this—after the whole meal, the young master of the Huo family probably doesn’t even know who’s sitting with him. His eyes are only on Bao Yuan.”

Bao Yuan’s plate was piled high with food, and Huo Yanxi continued adding fish and meat to it, garnished with cilantro and scallion leaves—things she had no desire to eat.

Once, she had chased after Huo Yanxi, while he naturally harbored a sense of superiority and never bothered to pay her much attention. He didn’t even know she disliked cilantro and scallions, always picking them out during meals.

Having understood this about him, she no longer bothered to say anything.

Huo Yanxi basked in the attention from everyone, especially in front of these powerful figures in the capital. Their praise greatly fed his vanity.

“It’s only right that I take care of Yuan Yuan.”

“Where else are you going to find a son-in-law as good to Bao Yuan as him?” Someone, likely thinking their engagement was a done deal after all these years, flattered him incessantly.

Bao Yuan’s mother smiled gently. “Yanxi is indeed good to Bao Yuan.”

Seeing this, Chunlan Xu sensed hope and quickly spoke up, “We were just talking a few days ago—if Bao Yuan hadn’t gone abroad for further study two years ago, the matter of the two children would have been settled long ago. Now that Bao Yuan is back, perhaps our families should discuss it and settle things sooner rather than later. What do you both think?”

Chunlan Xu looked expectantly at the Pei family elders seated at the head of the table, awaiting their response.

In fact, the Huo family had already subtly inquired about the Peis’ stance on Bao Yuan and Yanxi’s engagement but had never received any concrete information.

Since it was Song Xuanling’s birthday today and many guests were present, the Pei elders would surely show some courtesy. Yet, their response was evasive as usual.

Bao Yuan’s mother replied, “This matter depends on whether Bao Yuan herself is willing.”

Bao Yuan’s father despised being coerced above all else.

The marriage of their children was a private matter between the two families. The Huo family bringing this up so publicly was clearly knowing that the Peis wouldn’t embarrass them in front of so many people. It was a way to pressure them into marrying their daughter off!

The father’s smile vanished immediately. “Our eldest son hasn’t even married yet. There’s no reason for our youngest daughter to marry first. Besides, we will definitely respect Bao Yuan’s wishes first and foremost.”

[No need to ask—the supporting female lead longs to marry the male lead immediately.]

[Her parents are reluctant to see her married off, but they can’t stop her love-struck mind.]

[Some even pity the supporting female lead—if she hadn’t tried so hard to marry the male lead and obstruct the main couple’s relationship, she wouldn’t have ended up locked in a mental hospital. She reaped what she sowed.]

Huo Yanxi understood the Peis’ meaning, but what did it matter?

---

The Pei family had no idea how devoted Bao Yuan was to him. A single word from him and she would drop everything to marry him without hesitation.

“Yuan Yuan, don’t worry,” Huo Yanxi took Bao Yuan’s hand, showing his sincerity, “After we’re married, I will treat you even better!”

Suddenly having her hand held, she frowned and put down her chopsticks, unable to continue picking up food.

At that moment, almost everyone’s eyes were on Bao Yuan.

She looked up and met the gaze of Xianbo Ke, who was seated directly opposite her.

The man leaned back in his chair, looking at her with calm composure.

For some reason, Bao Yuan felt uneasy locking eyes with him. Though young, Ke seemed to see straight through her.

“I still want to focus on my career first and don’t want my two years of study abroad to be wasted. Let’s talk about other matters in two years. I believe Yanxi will understand, right?” Bao Yuan directed the question to Huo Yanxi.

Chunlan Xu was not discouraged. Such a golden opportunity could not be given up easily. Marrying Bao Yuan meant the combined support of the Song and Pei families. The Huo family could rise even higher in the capital through this union.

“Even after marriage, you can still work. Yuan Yuan, you know how much I like you. I wish you were my daughter already.”

Huo Siyue, imagining Bao Yuan marrying into the family and shamelessly asking for luxury goods, quickly chimed in, “Yes, Sister Bao Yuan, I really want to go shopping and get beauty treatments with you every day.”

[Ah? That’s what you said before marriage? Then who was it that set rules for Bao Yuan after marriage?]

[Whose daughter wakes up at six or seven in the morning to make breakfast for the whole family? Whose daughter washes her mother’s feet? Daughters can’t even do that daily, let alone daughters-in-law.]

[Resist the wicked mother-in-law! It’s bad enough to torment Bao Yuan, but to look down on our Yan baby too—what kind of person is that!]

Bao Yuan clenched her fists.

Make her cook breakfast for the entire Huo family? She might as well punch whoever asked for that.

And wash Xu Aunt’s feet? What nerve! She hadn’t even washed Ms. Song’s feet—what right did Xu have?

“I like Aunt Xu too and want to be your daughter,” Bao Yuan said with a mischievous smile. “Today is a good day. Why don’t you adopt me as your goddaughter? Then from today on, I’ll be your second daughter.”

Chunlan Xu was speechless.

“No way!” Huo Yanxi panicked. If Bao Yuan became her goddaughter, that would make her his god-sister. “Mom, don’t do this. Yuan Yuan, don’t worry. I fully support your career. Go chase your dreams; I’m willing to wait for you.”

[Ahhh, you wait for Bao Yuan, but who will wait for our Yan baby?]

[In the end, the male lead is just a scoundrel—leading Bao Yuan on while spoiling our Yan baby.]

[When will this birthday banquet end? Our Yan baby has been waiting for you forever.]

---

Bao Yuan raised an eyebrow.

Huo Yanxi truly was a master of time management.

Pretending to be devoted to her at the birthday party, while another line of suitors waited behind.

The little episode passed, and the atmosphere remained pleasant. When the guests left, the Pei family personally saw them to the door out of respect.

When they arrived, three members of the Huo family left first, but Huo Yanxi stayed by Bao Yuan’s side at the door, as if he were already a member of the Pei family.

After seeing off one lady, Bao Yuan suddenly said, “Seeing Aunt Chen makes me crave those chestnut pastries near her home.”

Receiving Bao Yuan’s pitiful gaze, Huo Yanxi straightened his back. “If you want some, I’ll go get them for you right now.”

“Mm-hmm.” Bao Yuan’s eyes sparkled as she looked at him. “Hurry, okay? The shop closes at ten.”

Huo Yanxi glanced at his watch.

9:22 p.m.

He said it was still in time, then sped off in his car.

Bao Yuan chuckled quietly.

That chestnut pastry shop was in the west of the city, while the Pei family lived in the east. Unless Huo Yanxi drove like a madman, it would be difficult to get there and back in time.

The round trip would take two hours, and whoever saw him would probably be up until midnight.

“Tsk tsk tsk.”

Xianbo Ke walked from the backyard to the front gate, holding Coconut the dog. Having witnessed the whole scene, he said earnestly, “Coconut, your big brother tells you, girls this pretty are usually trouble.”

Bao Yuan smiled and crouched down to stroke Coconut’s head.

“Coconut, pretty big sister tells you, men with blue-dyed hair—especially those with a mole on their nose—have very sharp tongues. Soft and cute little dogs like you must stay far away from those kinds of people~”

She stood up, looking triumphantly at Ke.

His eyes curved into a smile.

With a pleasant voice, he said, “Yeah. Coconut, pretty big sister is absolutely right.”