### 433. After the Feast
The engagement wasn’t too complicated, and they didn’t even set a formal wedding date—just that they’d collect their marriage certificate after graduation.
After all, that was years away. Who knows what kind of trouble they might find themselves in by then?
Lin Nan happily caressed the gold ring on her finger, glancing occasionally at the pile of cash sitting in the corner of the table with a big smile on her face.
She might never see this much cash in her lifetime again!
Since she was a girl, the elders didn’t make her drink, but poor Chen Yao was a different story. He was downing shot after shot of white liquor. After just half an hour, and barely touching any food, his head was getting heavier.
The dinner table was filled with laughter. Lin Nan’s mother and aunt were deep in discussion about how to decorate the house in the provincial city, what kind of car to get for Chen Yao, and what kind of person they should raise their future grandkids to be.
“Chen Yao really can’t hold his liquor,” Lin Nan’s grandfather said with a hint of disapproval as he watched Chen Yao slump face-first onto the table, completely dazed. “I don’t feel anything yet, and he’s already out cold!”
“Lin Nan, get him up! Come drink with me for a couple more rounds!”
Lin Nan naturally wasn’t going to agree. She shook her head vigorously. “What if something happens? Plus, grandpa, aren’t you a bit gouty? You can’t drink anyway!”
“I’m in perfect health!”
Yeah, right! Who was the one with appendicitis just a while ago?
If it hadn’t been for the healing magic I threw your way, you might still be stuck in that hospital bed.
She rolled her eyes silently, too lazy to deal with her own grandpa, and got up to help Chen Yao from the table.
“Running away from the engagement banquet already?” her grandpa teased with a laugh. “You haven’t even officially stepped into the door yet, and you’re already worried about your future husband.”
Lin Nan blushed at the teasing but was also surprised to see her grandpa so happy. She didn’t argue back and, with her uncle’s help, carried Chen Yao into the bedroom.
“Where did this Chen Yao get the luck to marry such a good girl from your family?” Chen Yao’s plump grandpa clinked glasses with Lin Nan’s grandpa, eyeing Lin Nan’s mother. “Where’s Lin Nan’s dad? He didn’t come to the engagement?”
“Probably busy?” her mother explained with a smile.
“Busy? Not even coming to his own daughter’s engagement?” He didn’t know the situation with Lin Nan’s parents and looked a bit annoyed. “Call him up! What kind of father is that!”
Her mother’s smile wavered a bit, but thankfully, her aunt quickly stepped in with a low-voiced explanation, and he nodded contemplatively, finally dropping the issue.
After getting Chen Yao settled in the bedroom, Lin Nan returned to the table. Though she was full, it was her engagement, so she had to stick around until the end!
By the time she got back, her aunt had taken Chen Yao’s old seat and grabbed her hand, whispering, “Chen Yao is a bit of a loose cannon, not quite mature. You both need to be more forgiving of each other.”
“You two get along well, but marriage isn’t just about having good feelings for each other. It’s about compromise and accepting each other’s flaws… Once you enter society and form your own little family, it’s all about cooking, chores, bills—life pressures, love alone won’t cut it.”
Lin Nan nodded continuously. Even though she was young and still in school, she’d spent most of her life being frugal and independent.
But with her parents giving her money before, she’d soon have to earn her own, and the pressure would definitely be bigger then.
“We, as parents, have sorted out your housing and car issues, making it way easier for you than most newlyweds. We just want you both to be happy.”
Though it was just an engagement, her aunt clearly treated Lin Nan like she was already part of the family, showering her with endless worries and advice.
Her mother occasionally chimed in with her own worries, her forehead creased with endless concerns.
Her marriage hadn’t been perfect, and she hoped Lin Nan wouldn’t have to go through the same thing.
Dinner started at seven and didn’t wrap up until after nine.
Chen Yao’s grandfather and Lin Nan’s grandpa were driven home, and Lin Nan dragged her tired body back to Chen Yao’s room, though she still felt wide awake.
She casually shut the door, headed into the bathroom, and took off her necklace and ring. Instantly, she felt lighter.
When she stepped out, she found Chen Yao sleeping fitfully, and for some reason, an impulse hit her. She leaned down and planted a soft kiss on his forehead.
“So, we’re engaged now, huh…”
The familiar surreal feeling washed over Lin Nan as she sat at the edge of the bed, staring out at the dark night sky.
She was only eighteen, and half a year ago, she was still a guy. How on earth did she end up engaged?
Suddenly, a large hand grabbed her wrist. Turning around, she found that Chen Yao had woken up without her noticing.
“Not going to sleep some more?”
“Got a bad headache,” he said, looking pained. “Your grandpa drinks way too much; it’s unbearable.”
Lin Nan smirked, pinching a bit of his cheeks playfully.
Looks like he’d gained some weight lately—those cheeky chubs made him look even more handsome than before compared to his skinny face back in the day.
Chen Yao gazed at Lin Nan’s smile and couldn’t help but stare.
He always thought Lin Nan’s smile was the prettiest in the world, even though she rarely smiled so sweetly.
Propping himself up on the bed, he gently enveloped Lin Nan in a hug.
She didn’t resist and leaned her head against his shoulder.
“What do you think the future holds?” Chen Yao asked softly, looking at her smooth, slightly chubby face.
Lin Nan hesitated a moment, then said, “It’ll be wonderful, I guess?”
Her cheeks turned a bit rosy, and her body began to tremble slightly at the thought of what might happen that night.
Chen Yao laughed happily, squeezing her a bit tighter. “Yeah, I’ll do my best to make our future as amazing as possible.”
He mumbled, “When we get married, let’s go to the best hotel, then a world tour afterward to have a cute little son…”
“No way! No kids!” Lin Nan cut in decisively. “That’ll hurt so much!”
Chen Yao burst into laughter at her reaction. “Fine, no kids. Just the two of us living happily ever after!”
“Right, right! And next time, just tell the auntie you’re infertile!” Lin Nan nodded excitedly.
“You should call me Mom. We might not be officially married yet, but we’re practically there, right?”
“I’ll try to change…” Lin Nan said, biting her lip nervously, her head swirling with thoughts.
They were already engaged; if Chen Yao wanted to tonight, then I…
But a moment later, she noticed Chen Yao hadn’t said anything for a while. A bit warily, she turned to look at him, only to find him slumped against the headboard, sound asleep again.
