Chapter 323: The Night Owls
When Jiang Kekai and Jiang Hanhang both took their baths and got into bed to rest, it was already nearly five in the morning—a time when most people would be fast asleep.
Given this late hour, Jiang Kekai feared she might oversleep. So, in true fashion, she decided not to sleep at all. Instead, she pulled out her trusty laptop and dove straight into work… as did Jiang Hanhang. After all, if we don’t go wild while we’re young, when will we ever? Besides, she’s in perfect health.
And so, Jiang Kekai and Jiang Hanhang embarked on another all-nighter. Joining them was Xia Ling, who was determined to stay awake as long as Jiang Hanhang did. With the dawn breaking with the sound of roosters crowing, they were ready for a new day!
Xia Yu woke up and found that Xia Ling was still engrossed in gaming. This genuinely surprised her, and a bit wary, she asked, “Did you stay up again?”
“Yes, indeed.” Xia Ling yawned and then, slumping over from exhaustion, flopped onto Xia Yu. “Last night, I ended up playing games with Hanhang till dawn. Who knew she’d pull an all-nighter like that?”
Xia Yu: “…” Need some rest now? Or we might not find a place to crash at your grandma’s.
Xia Ling agreed; there’s nothing quite like sleeping in your own home. Before she could tell Jiang Hanhang about it, a message came through from Jiang Kekai:
“Little Ling, is Little Yu awake yet?”
No surprise there—it had to be Jiang Kekai asking. She was right next to Jiang Hanhang, eagerly awaiting Xia Ling’s reply. Xia Ling glanced at Little Cutie next to her and answered, “Yeah, just woke up.”
To make sure Jiang Kekai believed her, Xia Ling surreptitiously snapped a photo of Xia Yu getting up and sent it off. Xia Yu, however, was clueless about what was going on. Perfect—now Jiang Kekai confirmed Xia Yu was up and ready. No hesitation, Jiang Kekai sprang into action and started putting on her shoes, planning a surprise for Xia Yu.
Jiang Hanhang had the same grand plan. Saying goodbye to Xia Ling, she also got up and started slipping into her shoes, eager to see Xia Yu and Xia Ling’s shocked faces.
With bodyguards left behind, Jiang Kekai and Jiang Hanhang set off early for Xia Yu and Xia Jing’s hometown. Who knew what these two city sisters would look like when they arrived? Villagers surely didn’t expect these two outsiders to pop up again, especially after hearing the buzz around town.
Jiang Kekai and Jiang Hanhang noticed those curious stares, but they didn’t care—they regarded villagers as passerby anyway. Quickly enough, they arrived at Xia Yu and Xia Ling’s hometown.
By now, Xia Yu and Xia Ling’s family home had its door open because the elders always kept to their schedule. As Jiang Kekai and Jiang Hanhang walked in, the elderly couple noticed them with a mix of surprise and joy. Jiang Kekai, being cautious yet friendly, placed a finger to her lips, signaling for them to be quiet.
The elders got the message and nodded before looking upstairs. They knew Xia Yu and Xia Ling were upstairs and would come down themselves. Whew! That was close. Jiang Kekai and Jiang Hanhang then headed upstairs.
Halfway up, they heard Xia Yu and Xia Ling talking, not in the living room on the second floor, but in Xia Ling’s room. Sure enough, Xia Yu and Xia Ling were fresh from washing up, only to have Xia Ling’s door knocked.
“Who is it? What is it?”
Xia Ling’s usual quip echoed.
No response came, then the knocking continued. Ding-dong ding-dong.
Xia Yu and Xia Ling exchanged glances. This was their house, so it couldn’t be an intruder, right? And they could hear their grandparents chatting downstairs.
Curious, Xia Yu went over first and opened the door.
The pair outside—Jiang Hanhang and Jiang Kekai—were startled. Jiang Kekai naturally stepped back, saying, “Older Sister, this one is for you.” Jiang Kekai didn’t waste any time; she hugged Xia Yu tight before Xia Yu could react, “Happy New Year, Xia Yu! Have you missed me?” “Ugh, ah? Elder Sister Kong, why so early?”
Xia Yu was still a bit dazed. These surprises were too sudden! But…she was happy. Jiang Hanhang wasn’t about to miss out, so she quickly scampered past Jiang Kekai, flopping onto the bed and plopping herself down. “So, did you miss me?”
Xia Ling: “…What do I even say to that?”
Watching Jiang Kekai and Xia Yu together, seeing Xia Ling seemingly rolling her eyes at her, Jiang Hanhang was close to losing it. Had things gone differently?
Regardless, Jiang Hanhang wasn’t having it. Tossing aside her shoes, she sprang onto the bed, then lunged at Xia Ling. “Missed you so much!”
“Alright, alright,” Xia Ling said with a mix of indulgence and exasperation as she pushed Jiang Hanhang off. “Stop fooling around. We stayed up all night last night, maybe we should catch up on sleep together, huh?”
“Of course!” Jiang Hanhang didn’t hesitate; she tumbled into Xia Ling’s warm spot on the bed. “Sleep, sleep, shall we join in, Sister?”
Jiang Kekai looked to Xia Yu, “Shall we?”
Xia Yu shook her head. “I’ve slept. Isn’t Elder Sister Kong a bit tired?”
“Well… a bit…”
She’d felt pretty fine until that moment, wondering if maybe the warmth from multiple people made a difference.
She’s sleepy…
“Come on, sis. We’ve been up all night. Sleeping now is just better for us. Move over, quickly.”
Jiang Hanhang squeezed in beside Xia Ling, showing how comfy it was when you’re with someone you like.
Now she understood why Xiao Yu loved being so close to everyone like that. But she wouldn’t blurt out her feelings like her sister. It was way too embarrassing.
But Xia Ling welcomed Jiang Hanhang, pulling her close. This setup gave them more space in the middle.
Seeing Xia Ling and Jiang Hanhang like this, Xia Yu knew if she stayed awake, Jiang Kekai would too. Could she really let Jiang Kekai struggle through exhaustion just for her?
Without hesitating, Xia Yu said, “Okay…let’s…catch a nap.”
Jiang Kekai petted Xia Yu’s little head, knowing she was doing this to keep Xia Yu company. “If Xia Yu isn’t sleepy, feel free to play on your phone. Just keep the volume low, okay?”
“Uh-huh.”
They all climbed into Xia Ling’s princess bed after taking off their shoes. Xia Yu, who was wide awake, decided to follow Xiao Cong’s game recommendations and grabbed her phone, browsing through some new games.
Given she doesn’t have many friends—mostly acquaintances of Xiao Cong’s—she didn’t feel like socializing. Hence, games it was.
Seeing Xia Yu focused solely on games, Jiang Kekai felt relieved. She embraced Xia Yu, closing her eyes to catch up on sleep. Shooting games and MOBAs weren’t Xia Yu’s cup of tea, so after some hesitation, she downloaded a fantasy mobile game.
As she followed the storyline, Xiao Yu’s character leveled up rapidly. Time flew by in no time.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
“Xia Yu, Xia Ling, are you up? Ready to head out?” It was Xia Yu’s mother, Wang Wenjuan.
The three girls rubbed their eyes groggily. With barely any sleep, they were still in need of more. “Xia Ling, wait a moment. I’ll join you guys later. Otherwise, it’d be so boring here.”
“Sure, sure. Your face is thick, after all.” Xia Ling whipped off the blanket. A burst of chilly air snapped them out of their drowsiness. They felt significantly clearer, though still a bit groggy.
Jiang Kekai and Jiang Hanhang joining them was no surprise to Wang Wenjuan. Seeing four girls coming out of the room, she asked, “Kekai, Hanhang, Xia Yu and Xia Ling are going to visit their grandmother for New Year’s. Care to join?”
Planned or not, it seemed the opportunity presented itself.
“Why not? Being alone at home is so dreary.” Jiang Hanhang nuzzled Xia Ling and replied. Wang Wenjuan, thinking nothing more of it, said, “Go ahead if you must.”
Then Wang Wenjuan remembered something and turned to Jiang Kekai, “Oh, will you be taking your own car there?”
“Yeah.”
“Then where are the bodyguards?”
