The Beauty Is Seducing Me Again Chapter 18
byChapter 18: 018 Sister Likes Her Too.
The afternoon sun hung high, and the incessant chirping of cicadas filled the air.
At the Shen Family Villa.
Yuan Yanyu held Chen Xiaonuan’s hand, gently patting the back of it.
“Xiaonuan, there’s something Auntie has been thinking about for a long time.” Yuan Yanyu’s words carried a hint of probing. Seeing Chen Xiaonuan look confused, she continued, “I wanted to ask for your opinion today.”
Seeing Yuan Yanyu’s serious demeanor, Chen Xiaonuan immediately sat up straight, looking at Yuan Yanyu with great earnestness.
“Auntie, please tell me.”
Yuan Yanyu’s heart melted further seeing her obedient appearance.
“Auntie truly, truly likes Xiaonuan.”
“You are a kind and thoughtful child, like a Little Sun warming Auntie’s heart. Perhaps this is fate bestowed by heaven, allowing you to save me and bringing us this close.”
Yuan Yanyu paused, her expression becoming more serious: “Auntie is getting older, and there are inevitably lonely times. I often wish I could have a thoughtful and lovely daughter like Xiaonuan constantly by my side. So… Xiaonuan, I want to formally adopt you and make you the legitimate Second Miss of the Shen Family.”
“From now on, the Shen Family will be your home, and I will be your mother.”
“Are you willing?” After speaking, Yuan Yanyu kept her eyes fixed on Chen Xiaonuan, afraid to miss any expression, eagerly awaiting her answer.
Every word was like a heavy hammer striking Chen Xiaonuan’s chest, making her heart pound like a drum. Chen Xiaonuan was completely stunned, her eyes wide, as if she hadn’t fully grasped what was said.
An indescribable longing surged from the bottom of her heart.
The word “yes” was almost on the tip of Chen Xiaonuan’s tongue; she had never truly experienced complete maternal love.
During the age when children were eligible for adoption, young Chen Xiaonuan was quiet and well-behaved, never fighting for herself. She watched as her close friends found new parents one by one.
Chen Xiaonuan would only quietly help Director Mother with chores, taking care of the younger siblings, and never tried to stand out in front of the adopting adults.
As she grew older, the possibility of being adopted diminished further.
The warmth and care Yuan Yanyu had given her recently was the affection Chen Xiaonuan had dreamed of for twenty years. Chen Xiaonuan genuinely loved Yuan Yanyu, relying on and respecting her like a mother.
But…
When Shen Qing’an’s cool face and those beautiful, deep eyes flashed in Chen Xiaonuan’s mind, she forcefully pulled back her thoughts.
Shen Qing’an, would she agree?
Who would be willing to share their mother with someone else, especially the favored daughter like Shen Qing’an? What right did she, a penniless orphan, have to become a Shen Family Miss? Would she bring trouble to the Shen Family? Would she make things difficult for Shen Qing’an, or even… make her hate her?
Chen Xiaonuan looked up, her eyes filled with genuine worry.
She said, “Auntie, this is a very important matter. Shouldn’t you discuss it with Sister first?”
“If Sister doesn’t agree, and she suddenly finds out you adopted me later, she will definitely be very sad.”
Yuan Yanyu saw that after thinking for so long, Chen Xiaonuan was worried about Shen Qing’an’s feelings, and couldn’t help but smile: “Silly child, why are you always worrying about these things? Long before I spoke to you, Qing’an had already agreed.”
“Agreed?”
Chen Xiaonuan was shocked again, her mouth slightly open, hardly believing her ears.
She never expected Shen Qing’an would agree to let Auntie Yuan adopt her. No wonder, no wonder Shen Qing’an had been acting strangely toward her lately. Her speech had become much gentler, she was receiving more messages than usual from Shen Qing’an, and she often showed concern—she even ruffled her head last night.
So that was it.
It was because Shen Qing’an decided to treat her like a younger sister that she was showing her kindness.
Knowing that Shen Qing’an had agreed, a secret joy arose in Chen Xiaonuan’s heart. It seemed Sister liked her too.
“Now, it’s just up to you. Xiaonuan, tell Mom, are you willing?” Yuan Yanyu naturally switched her form of address.
That simple address, as if possessing magic, instantly shattered all of Chen Xiaonuan’s hesitation and anxiety.
Her eyes reddened, misting over, and her voice choked up: “I… I am willing, Auntie Yuan. I also want a home, and I want a… mother.”
Hearing the answer she wanted, Yuan Yanyu’s heart finally settled. She had worried Chen Xiaonuan might disagree, as they hadn’t known each other long, and she feared the sudden proposal of adoption might be too much to accept.
But Yuan Yanyu truly loved this child, Chen Xiaonuan.
It felt like a destined connection arranged by heaven, where not a single step could be missed.
Yuan Yanyu cried tears of joy, hugging Chen Xiaonuan and gently patting her back: “From now on, this is your home too.”
Chen Xiaonuan leaned into Yuan Yanyu’s embrace, her tears flowing uncontrollably.
At the age of twenty, she actually had a home, a mother, and a sister. It all felt like an unreal, beautiful dream, and she was terrified that if she opened her eyes, the dream would end.
“Oh, my dear daughter, don’t cry.” Yuan Yanyu wiped away her tears and said happily, “Tonight, Mom will host a small banquet at home, inviting a few friends over for dinner to celebrate, and to introduce you to them.”
Chen Xiaonuan’s eyes were red, but a brilliant smile bloomed on her face: “Okay! I’ll listen to Mom.”
Yuan Yanyu remembered the main issue and said: “Xiaonuan, you’ll be starting school in a few days, right? I originally planned to transfer your household registration into the Shen Family before school starts, but now I think we might not have enough time. After you start school, I’ll have Qing’an hurry up and sort out your registration. Otherwise, I’ll keep worrying about it and won’t be able to sleep soundly.”
“Household registration?”
A question mark slowly floated up in Chen Xiaonuan’s mind. She thought it was just about recognizing Auntie Yuan as her mother; why did she have to transfer her household registration into the Shen Family?
In that instant, Chen Xiaonuan thought of countless melodramatic novels and CEO dramas:
The real and fake daughters fighting tooth and nail for the family fortune, the wealthy adopted daughter successfully taking the high ground, the real daughter starting her revenge after being cast out, I was reborn and this time I won’t fall into the fake daughter’s trap…
Chen Xiaonuan violently shook her head, trying to shake off these chaotic thoughts. What was she doing? She must have watched too many brainless, overbearing short dramas before bed.
“Auntie… no, Mom.” Chen Xiaonuan hadn’t immediately adapted to the new title, quickly correcting herself after realizing the mistake. After thinking, she said, “You don’t need to transfer my household registration into the Shen Family. It’s perfectly fine to be on a separate registration.”
“That’s called independent registration!”
“Oh, my Xiaonuan likes independent registration.” Yuan Yanyu was amused by her words. “If your registration isn’t moved in, how can I truly consider you my daughter? Everything needs absolute security, at least to prevent the Shen Family’s collateral relatives from finding leverage. After all, human hearts are unpredictable, and circumstances are hard to foresee.”
“If anything goes wrong in the future, at least having your name on the Shen Family registration can ensure Xiaonuan is worry-free for life.”
Chen Xiaonuan shook her head, then voiced her inner thoughts: “But Mom, I don’t need the Shen Family as my reliance. All I need is you and Sister. For me, having the best family members is already the greatest luck of my life.”
“Victor Hugo once said, ‘People need material things to live, but they need thought to be called living.’”
“Oh, so our Xiaonuan is a little literary genius.” Yuan Yanyu smiled, her eyes full of affection.
Chen Xiaonuan hummed, nodding proudly: “Of course! My writing skills are super high!”
This cheeky little demeanor instantly charmed Yuan Yanyu, who was standing nearby. Chen Xiaonuan always brought her unexpected joy and surprises.
Yuan Yanyu smiled and asked: “If we don’t transfer the registration, will Xiaonuan truly not be sad? Or will you secretly hide in your room and cry at midnight?”
“How could I!” Chen Xiaonuan’s eyes widened. How could she secretly be sad just because she wasn’t on the Shen Family registration!
She genuinely liked Auntie Yuan, and she also liked the occasionally cold Shen Qing’an.
So, the household registration was not important to her at all.
Seeing that Chen Xiaonuan was sincerely unwilling to move her registration, Yuan Yanyu couldn’t force her decision.
“Let’s put the registration transfer aside for now. I’ll discuss this with your sister tonight.”
Chen Xiaonuan nodded: “Mhm, mhm.”
“Oh dear!” Chen Xiaonuan slapped her thigh in annoyance, suddenly remembering a very important matter, and her small face crumpled up. “I haven’t canceled my rental yet. Next month, the landlady will chase me for rent again, and the utility bills will probably be due too.”
That would be four or five hundred yuan a month.
She had found that place last year, paid a six-month deposit, and would stay in the old city district during holidays and weekends because it was convenient for her part-time jobs.
Recalling that area, Yuan Yanyu still felt uneasy: “Since you’re not going back, you should cancel the lease and move your things over today. Don’t drag it out too long; we need to avoid complications. That old neighborhood is truly unsafe.”
Chen Xiaonuan’s face grew even more distressed: “If I ask the landlady to cancel the lease today, she won’t refund me. No, she will refund me, but I won’t get my six-month deposit back.”
The landlady, an elderly woman, was the most difficult person Chen Xiaonuan had ever dealt with. She was always fierce, and if Chen Xiaonuan didn’t transfer the rent in advance, the landlady would blow up her phone.
Thinking about the six-month deposit going down the drain, Chen Xiaonuan felt pain all over, her heart bleeding.
Yuan Yanyu laughed: “How much is the deposit? Your beautiful face is wrinkled up like a bitter gourd.”
“It’s a six-month deposit, three thousand yuan!” Chen Xiaonuan painfully held up ten fingers, repeating the gesture three times.
Yuan Yanyu pinched her cheek and said, “It’s only a few thousand yuan. If they don’t refund it, they don’t refund it. Mom will transfer that small amount to you; consider it pocket money for my good daughter.”
Saying this, Yuan Yanyu took out her phone, opened WeChat, clicked on Chen Xiaonuan’s profile picture, and decisively entered a string of numbers.
“Buzz, buzz.”
Chen Xiaonuan’s phone rang shortly after. She pulled it out of her pocket and froze completely.
[WeChat Transfer: 30000]
Chen Xiaonuan stammered: “M-Mom… did you accidentally add an extra zero…”
“It’s thirty thousand, your pocket money. When school starts, Mom will give you a card for living expenses.”
Yuan Yanyu leaned over and clicked the transfer for Chen Xiaonuan. Her old phone slowly took five seconds to successfully receive the money.
Yuan Yanyu frowned: “Xiaonuan, go buy a new phone another day. Mom will reimburse you.”
Chen Xiaonuan held her phone, her mind still frozen.
How did she suddenly leap into the ranks of the minor rich?