Chapter 8: Consider It an Engagement Gift

Gu Nianxi squinted her eyes, her smile sweet as honey. "Thank you, Brother Ye Chen~" She knew that Brother Ye Chen always cared about her the most.

Ye Chen patted her head, his smile even more doting. "Go ahead and eat!"

"Well, this boy even knows to serve dishes to Xiao Xi now~" Shen Yuhua observed the scene with a cheerful grin. Her son was truly becoming more considerate, especially in recent days.

Lin Wan chuckled as well. "That's right. Xiao Xi talks about her Brother Ye Chen every day. Last time, she even showed off the cotton candy Xiao Chen bought for her when she got home."

Seeing how well the children got along, the parents of both families felt relieved. Knowing each other's families so well, they wouldn't oppose the children being together in the future.

Of course, the future was unpredictable, and no one knew what might happen.

But one thing was certain: the relationship between the Ye and Gu families would always remain strong.

Shen Yuhua raised her eyebrows. Her son even knew how to buy cotton candy to make a girl happy?

Not bad—this was a huge improvement compared to before.

She genuinely liked Xiao Xi, who was well-behaved and excelled in her studies. If Xiao Xi became her daughter-in-law in the future, that would be perfect.

As she thought about it, she blurted out, "Wan, what do you think of my Xiao Chen?"

Lin Wan was caught off guard but smiled. "Xiao Chen? He's great! Why?"

Shen Yuhua looked at the two children interacting so harmoniously and dropped a bombshell. "Why don't we arrange an engagement between our families?"

Everyone at the table froze.

Even Ye Chen and Gu Nianxi turned their heads. The latter tilted her head in confusion. "Brother Ye Chen, what's an engagement?"

The little girl clearly didn't understand.

Ye Chen thought for a moment and explained, "Well... it means being together forever, like our parents—getting married."

Gu Nianxi seemed to understand and not understand at the same time.

Being together like Mom and Dad...

Does that mean she could always be with Brother Ye Chen?

Once she sorted it out, her little face lit up with joy. She loved being with Brother Ye Chen.

Yay, that's great!

Lin Wan was still processing the suggestion when Ye Yuanfeng hesitated. "Honey, the kids are still so young. Deciding their engagement now seems unfair to them."

What if they grew up resenting the decision?

Gu Wen Guo, Gu Nianxi's father, frowned. "Are you saying our Xiao Xi isn't good enough for your Xiao Chen?"

"No, no, that's not what he meant!" Shen Yuhua quickly interrupted, shooting a glare at her husband. If he couldn't say the right thing, he should just stay quiet.

If he offended the Gu family, they might lose their future daughter-in-law!

Faced with his wife's glare, Ye Yuanfeng closed his mouth, feeling wronged.

"Actually, Yuanfeng has a point," Lin Wan said thoughtfully. "Maybe we should ask the children what they think."

She didn't want to risk the kids resenting them for an arranged engagement.

So, the parents turned to the two children, who were serving each other food like a mini couple.

Shen Yuhua smiled warmly at Gu Nianxi. "Xiao Xi, do you like Brother Ye Chen?"

The little girl answered without hesitation, "I like him! I like Brother Ye Chen the most!"

An engagement, being with Brother Ye Chen forever—she was all for it!

Lin Wan couldn't help but laugh at her daughter's enthusiasm. "This child."

"And Xiao Chen, what about you?" Shen Yuhua looked at Ye Chen, giving him a meaningful look.

Son, I'm helping you secure a future wife. Don't let me down.

Ye Chen smiled faintly. "Mom, I'd love to be with Xiao Xi. Let's arrange an engagement now, and when we grow up, we'll get married. I'll take care of her for the rest of my life."

His calm and confident tone stunned the four parents.

How could a nine-year-old say something so mature?

His expression and demeanor were more like an adult's!

"This boy knows quite a lot!" Shen Yuhua said with a satisfied smile. She was beyond pleased with his response.

Lin Wan sighed with a smile. "Xiao Chen is truly exceptional. I'd trust him with Xiao Xi in the future."

The families talked harmoniously, and Shen Yuhua even revealed the big secret—winning the lottery.

"Do you know why I prepared such a big meal today?" she asked mysteriously.

Lin Wan was genuinely curious. Shen Yuhua usually wouldn't go to such lengths for any occasion unless it was a birthday.

"It's because Xiao Chen won five million yuan from the lottery!" Shen Yuhua declared.

Lin Wan and Gu Wen Guo were stunned.

"You mean Xiao Chen bought a lottery ticket and won five million yuan?!" Lin Wan stammered, her voice trembling.

"Yes! He didn't even tell us he bought the ticket until afterward!" Shen Yuhua said, shooting a look at Ye Chen.

Hmph! The matter of buying a lottery ticket without permission hadn't been settled yet. She'd been too happy to bring it up earlier.

Ye Chen scratched his nose sheepishly and chuckled.

Gu Nianxi quickly stood up for him. "Aunt Yuhua, I went with Brother Ye Chen to buy it. Don't blame him!"

The little girl's sweet voice and her protective stance melted everyone's hearts.

Lin Wan laughed. "Wow, she's already standing up for Xiao Chen right after the engagement was decided?"

Gu Nianxi's cheeks turned red.

The Gu family was genuinely happy for the Ye family and didn't feel jealous. Every family has its own fortune, and as long as theirs was harmonious, it was enough.

The two men drank a few celebratory glasses of wine, satisfied with the engagement that made them even closer as families.

After dinner, Ye Chen held Gu Nianxi's hand as they watched cartoons in the living room. Then, as if remembering something, he went to his room and retrieved a small box from his drawer.

"Brother Ye Chen, what's that?" the little girl asked curiously.

Ye Chen smiled. "Guess."

"I don't know. Tell me, please~" she pleaded sweetly, her voice soft and sugary.

Unable to resist her charm, Ye Chen smiled indulgently. "This is a gift for you."

Consider it an engagement gift.