Chapter 1096 - 1096 Shanshan Side Story (23)

Chapter 1096: Shanshan Side Story (23) Chapter 1096: Shanshan Side Story (23) “Mu Chen must not have had breakfast since he came so early. Let’s have someone make him breakfast while we help take his backpack upstairs,” Seventeen said calmly.

There’s no chance of snagging our Shanshan from our home.

“Big brother is always so thoughtful,” Shanshan said with naive simplicity.

How could Shanshan, a pure-hearted young girl, ever outwit Seventeen, the dark-bellied little devil king? She happily went over to help Mu Chen with his backpack.

Mu Chen gave Seventeen a meaningful glance and took Shanshan’s hand, “The backpack is heavy. I can handle it.”

“It’s okay, I’m strong,” Shanshan patted her chest proudly and said, “I’ll take it up for you, and once I’ve placed the backpack, I’ll come down to eat.”

“Give it to me,” Seventeen walked over, his slender and elegant hands taking the backpack from Shanshan’s shoulder, “Shanshan, you come with me. Let’s see if Mu Chen’s room needs anything else.”

“Okay,” Shanshan followed Seventeen’s steps.

Mu Chen watched the siblings’ retreating figures, a helpless smile curling at the corners of his lips.

“Let’s go, I’ll take you to the dining room,” Nineteen said with his usual familiarity, hooking his arm around Mu Chen’s neck in a gesture of camaraderie.

Mu Chen didn’t resist and followed him to the dining room.

In the room, Seventeen set the backpack down, turned around and saw Shanshan wandering around the room; he raised his hand to massage his temple.

“Shanshan, you’re making my head spin with all the turning,” he said.

Shanshan replied, “Well, big brother, didn’t you ask me to check what the room is missing?”

Seventeen chuckled lightly and gently pinched her cheek, “You were never this enthusiastic when Azhan visited our house. Azhan would be heartbroken if he knew. Is that Mu Chen really that great?”

Shanshan looped her arm through his, eyes curved in a smile, “It’s different. I see Azhan every day at school and he often stays at our house too, but Mu Chen is different. This is his first visit and it has been so many years since he was last in Beijing. Of course, I should show him a warm welcome.”

“Is that so?” Seventeen’s voice, clear as wine, slightly elongated, “I haven’t seen you holding any friend’s arm like this before. Shanshan, haven’t you always said men and women shouldn’t touch?”

“That’s different,” Shanshan earnestly shook her little head.

Seventeen ‘oh’-ed, “How is it different?”

“Mu Chen is going to be my groom in the future, so of course, I can hold his arm,” Shanshan straightened up with a triumphant look in her eyes.

“…”

Thunder rolled in Seventeen’s head, his exquisite face turning from pale to red and back, his complexion more colorful than a palette.

Definitely, the morning’s routine was off.

Ha.

Groom?

What a joke.

What potion has that Mu Chen fed my precious sister?

After a while, he regained his voice and asked, “Shanshan, who said he’s going to be your groom in the future?”

Shanshan replied, “I did.”

“Shanshan, you’re still young, there are many things you don’t understand. ‘Groom’ is not a word to be thrown around lightly. Don’t let Dad hear you say that,” Seventeen advised patiently.

Shanshan asked, “Why?”

After thinking for a moment, Seventeen gently explained, “If you say this in front of Dad, he would be very sad.”

Shanshan nodded vaguely, “Then I won’t tell Dad.”

Seventeen agreed with a hum, “Let’s go downstairs.”

With work pending at the company, Jian Qing chatted with Mu Chen for a bit then headed to the study room to deal with documents. Meanwhile, Seventeen and the others stayed in the living room.

“Big brother, second brother, let’s play some games,” Shanshan said as she grabbed the remote, turned on the TV, and suggested.

Nineteen laughed carelessly, “You’re too weak, I won’t bully you.”

Shanshan huffed and sat down with Mu Chen on the carpet, “Don’t underestimate me. With Mu Chen’s help, it’s not certain who will lose.”

“Alright, let’s try it then,” Nineteen glanced at Mu Chen, his interest piqued. He casually picked up a disc before looking at Mu Chen, “You good with this one?”

Mu Chen nodded lightly, “Any is fine.”

Wow, quite feisty.

Jian Qing grabbed the game controller and tossed one to Mu Chen.

“Catch.”

Mu Chen easily caught it, with Shanshan sitting cross-legged beside him.

“Mu Chen, you can do it.”

The soft voice cheered him on.

At this, Jian Qing got super annoyed.

“Princess Quan Shanshan, if I remember correctly, I am your real brother, aren’t I?”

The girl, turning her elbow out so quickly.

So not cute.

Shanshan made a face at him, “That’s for teasing me earlier.”

Watching the siblings’ banter, a hint of envy flashed deep in Mu Chen’s eyes.

Here, he could feel the full sense of happiness in their family.

“The game starts.” Jian Qing picked up a cushion and leaned against it.

This game was complex, and it was the first time both Jian Qing and Mu Chen played it, but as competitors, neither was taking it lightly—losing would be a matter of pride.

Especially with Shanshan watching.

The intense battle was deadlocked, as both demonstrated equally matched skills, with Shanshan watching anxiously, her hands twisted together.

A “KO” sound came from the TV, and Jian Qing fell to the carpet.

Damn it.

The unbeatable Young Master Jian Qing actually lost, what a hit to his pride.

“Mu Chen, you were great.” Shanshan hooked her arm around Mu Chen’s, grinning at Jian Qing, “Big Bro, you lost.”

Jian Qing glanced at her without amusement, “I know, you don’t need to remind me.”

The little ingrate, he had doted on her for nothing.

“Seventeen, it’s your turn.” Jian Qing threw the controller to Seventeen, and Shanshan immediately tensed up; her eldest brother’s skills were far superior to the second one’s.

Seventeen played with the controller, Jian Qing made space for him, and then sat down beside him.

A new round started, with Shanshan and Jian Qing watching from the side.

In the quiet living room, only the sound coming from the game could be heard.

After a while, the familiar sound of “KO” rang out again.

“Nice one, Seventeen!” Jian Qing snapped his fingers, his bright purple eyes gleaming with laughter.

Truly worthy of being the eldest, he played beautifully that round.

“Mu Chen, it’s okay, we’ll win it back next time.” Shanshan held his hand, comforting him.

Mu Chen looked down at the small hand on the back of his, his lips curving into a slight smile.

“Mu Chen, do you want to go to our game room and play a few rounds?” The friendship between boys didn’t need many words; after a few games, the awkwardness between Mu Chen and Jian Qing had all but vanished.

“Sure.” Mu Chen replied cheerfully.

Shanshan raised her little hand, “I want to go too.”

“You’re not included, hurry up and finish your homework, then I’ll take you with us to play,” Seventeen coldly rejected.

Shanshan pouted, “Big bro, please be merciful, let me join in.”

Mu Chen and Jian Qing both laughed out loud, earning them Shanshan’s glare.

Seventeen lightly tapped her little head, speaking unhurriedly, “If you don’t do your homework now, you’ll be excluded when we go out to play tomorrow.”