chapter 84

Chapter 83: Return to the Old Mansion

Returning to the old mansion, Nan Yi still felt a bit anxious.

He Siyi was cradled by He Yushen, with Alpha keeping a watchful eye on the infant the whole time.

Alpha wore a black turtleneck sweater, his eyes filled with an ever-present warmth.

Nan Yi, on the other hand, wore a matching white turtleneck. He initially thought that Alpha kept the attire a secret because it might be something extravagant or stunning. It turned out to be just a common couples' outfit.

Before heading to the old mansion.

Nan Yi thought it would be like last year at Ling Ran's birthday banquet, with a large crowd.

To their surprise, upon entering the ancestral home's living room, aside from He Zhan and Ling Ran, there was only the family of the little girl Ling Ran had held at his birthday banquet.

Nan Yi thought perhaps they were early, and others hadn’t arrived yet.

"Ah! Handsome brother!"

The little lady in pink, previously standing in front of her omega father, looked astonished upon seeing Nan Yi enter.

Nan Yi remembered the little girl's name: Xiao Yin.

"It’s not 'brother,' but 'sister-in-law,'" He Yu Shen corrected.

"I want to call him 'handsome brother.'” The little girl looked innocent, but she was quite defiant.

"Xiao Yin," the handsome male omega said with a hint of exasperation.

Nan Yi and He Yu Shen walked side by side into the living room. When He Yu Shen stopped in front of an empty seat, Nan Yi followed suit.

"Why are you two so early? Shen Shen, let me hold Xiao Si Yi," Ling Ran spoke as they approached.

Gently, He Yu Shen handed over the child, He Si Yi, into Ling Ran's embrace.

Xiao Yin, curious, moved closer to Ling Ran, her hands on the armrest of his chair, leaning her head towards him.

"Is she the little sister?"

"No, she isn't the little one, Xiao Yin. Our Xiao Siyi is younger than you by a generation," Ling Ran said softly with a light chuckle.

"Oh."

Hearing that she wasn't the little sister, Xiao Yin's face fell with disappointment. She ignored He Siyi and instead ran to Nan Yi.

"Xiao Yin," Nan Yi called out.

"Handsome big brother, your voice sounds so lovely."

The little girl stood right in front of Nan Yi, looking up at him with admiration.

Children's compliments are the purest. Nan Yi bent down to pick up Xiao Yin, wrapping her in his arms.

Holding an older child is less nerve-wracking. When He Siyi grows to be this big, would she cling to him as softly and affectionately as Xiao Yin does?

"Is this Yu Shen's child? When did this happen? How come I didn't know?"

An alpha, who resembled He Zhang but looked much younger, spoke.

"This gathering is precisely to introduce her to everyone."

He Zhang sat beside Ling Ran and playfully teased the little He Siyi in Ling Ran's arms.

Nan Yi's pupils constricted in shock.

He was already elated when He Zhang invited him to the gathering. Little did he know, the purpose of the gathering was to introduce their little treasure.

He Zhang wanted to announce to everyone that he now had a grandson.

And since He Zhang brought him along, did that mean he was no longer keen on keeping their relationship with the baby a secret?

Slowly, Nan Yi lifted his gaze towards Ling Ran and He Zhang.

His little treasure was loved by all, unlike Nan Yi's own past.

"Yi Yi," He Yushen, seated beside Nan Yi, spoke, tilting his head slightly to gaze at him.

"Hmm? What is it?"

"I haven't introduced you yet. This is your uncle and aunt."

Nan Yi looked again in the direction of Xiao Yin's parents, with the young omega smiling gently.

As for the alpha who bore a resemblance to He Zhang, it was probably He Zhang's youngest brother, He Qing.

Nan Yi recalled He Zhang having a second brother, but he'd heard he passed away quite some time ago.

"My name is Xia Yu. I haven’t learned your name yet, Yushen's Omega."

Xia Yu's tone was soft and gentle.

"I'm Nan Yi, aun...auntie."

Addressing an omega of a similar age as 'aunt' made Nan Yi feel a bit embarrassed.

He Yushen's hand rested on his shoulder, giving it a light squeeze.

"Haha, you don't necessarily have to call me 'aunt'," Xia Yu remarked with a light laugh.

Nan Yi nodded bashfully.

Throughout the morning, Nan Yi never got a chance to hold their baby.

He Siyi was passed from Ling Ran's arms to He Zhang's, back and forth.

The number of guests in the living room gradually increased, most of them familiar faces from Ling Ran's birthday banquet.

This time, Nan Yi wasn’t alone in a corner; he had Xia Yu and Xiao Yin by his side.

As for the two alphas, He Qing and He Yushen, they were engrossed in conversations surrounded by a group of alphas.

At last, Nan Yi got to hold He Siyi, who was soundly asleep in his arms.

Xiao Yin got a small cake from Butler Song and sat politely in Xia Yu's lap.

Night descended, the dusk deepening, with the house brightly lit from within.

Upon the arrival of He Zhang and Ling Ran, who had been absent since the afternoon, all eyes turned to them.

Those present were closely affiliated with the He family – not an overwhelming crowd, but not a small gathering either.

He Zhang remained silent, but when dinner began, Ling Ran took the little one from Nan Yi's embrace.

Ling Ran and He Zhang sat at the center of the table, a small omega cradled in his arms, in clear view of everyone.

Many eyes also fell upon Nan Yi. Throughout the afternoon and even now, he sensed many glances cast his way, yet no one dared to whisper about him.

"Nan Yi, bring Xiao Siyi over," He Zhang suddenly instructed.

"Alright."

Nan Yi rose, walking to Ling Ran, taking the now wide-eyed little one into his arms.

"Is this Yushen's child?"

A man, appearing around the same age as He Yushen, asked.

With his remark, muted conversations began around the dinner table.

"Yes," He Zhang confirmed, his face expressionless.

"Congratulations, uncle, on the delightful addition to the family. Allow me to toast to this joyous occasion."

He Zhang remained silent, raising his wine glass in acknowledgment.

"I, too, would like to offer a toast to Elder He."

"And I would..."

...............................

Although He Zhang spoke little, everyone understood that He Siyi was his grandson, and Nan Yi's relationship with He Yushen was evident to all.

Throughout the night, everyone sought to ingratiate themselves with both He Zhang and He Yushen.

Not only were there continuous toasts and flattering words directed at He Zhang, but He Yushen was also given copious amounts of alcohol. By the end of the gathering, his steps were somewhat unsteady.

Butler Song carried Xiao Siyi, while Nan Yi carefully supported He Yushen.

As they were about to exit the main door, Ling Ran handed a small notebook to Nan Yi.

！！！

Nan Yi looked up in confusion, wondering why Ling Ran suddenly gave him this.

A slightly tipsy He Yu also stared intently at the small notebook.

"Brother Zhang gave this for you to register your residency. Xiao Siyi needs to be registered, and so do you. From now on, you'll be part of the He family."

"Brother Zhang, he wasn't completely drunk. This is what he asked me to give you. He just couldn't swallow his pride and come out himself," Ling Ran said with a light laugh.

Nan Yi carefully took it. Although it was just a small notebook, it felt incredibly substantial to him.