CHAPTER 244: CHAPTER 244: ZHOU NAN’S INNER VOICE

In the blink of an eye, it was Yu Manman’s birthday.

Yu Manman returned home early and brought Ackman with her.

The garden at home was beautifully decorated, and Yu Man and the seven Beast Husbands were rare to see gathered together. They all valued Yu Manman’s coming-of-age ceremony and made time to come, regardless of how busy they were.

"Manman!" Wu Yingyue waved happily with one hand, while the other was holding her fiancé Zhou Nan’s arm.

"Yingyue!" Yu Manman wore a long dress as deep blue as the ocean, its silk fabric shimmering like water under the lights.

The dress was adorned with delicate silver tassels, resembling a cascade of stars from the night sky, gently swaying with Yu Manman’s steps and reflecting dreamy sparkles.

"Manman, you look beautiful!" Wu Yingyue’s eyes were like a clear spring, glimmering with tiny sparkles.

"Really?" Yu Manman laughed and spun around, her dress spreading out like waves, making her seem like a sea goddess stepping out from a fairy tale.

Usually, Yu Manman dressed quite plainly, even preferring the convenience of not wearing dresses. Such formal attire was something she wouldn’t wear often, even within a year.

Wu Yingyue looked at Yu Manman’s long, slender neck and then turned to Zhou Nan, "Zhou Nan, where’s the gift I prepared for Manman?"

"Here it is." Zhou Nan’s voice was gentle as he presented a dark blue velvet box.

Wu Yingyue took the box and slowly opened it, revealing a wing-shaped necklace—a deep blue sapphire polished into a smooth shape and set in the middle of the wing. The feathers of the necklace sparkled, with silver filaments embedded with tiny diamonds...

"It matches you perfectly!" Wu Yingyue took out the necklace and gently placed it around Yu Manman’s neck.

"Manman, happy birthday!"

"Thank you, I love it." Yu Manman held Wu Yingyue’s hand, "Everyone’s inside, let’s go in!"

Wu Yingyue nodded.

She hadn’t even gone inside yet, but she could already hear laughter and joy.

Wu Yingyue had never attended such a light-hearted gathering.

The gatherings she had seen at the Zhou Family and her own family were full of the clinking of glasses, seemingly carefree but with hidden agendas, which Wu Yingyue didn’t enjoy attending, always feeling restrained.

Even her own coming-of-age ceremony was a social occasion arranged by her parents, along with the introduction of her fiancé...

Wu Yingyue envied the atmosphere of Yu Manman’s family.

"Manman! Manman!" Xu Wanwan waved to Yu Manman, frustratedly calling for help, "Come quick! Your best friend lost again!"

Xu Wanwan was with a laid-back male wearing an Obsidian earring on his left ear. He looked at her, "Losing at such a simple game just shows how dumb you are! Do you know how much alcohol I’ve had because of you?"

His tone carried some complaints, but his eyes held a touch of indulgence.

"Qin Zhongli!" Xu Wanwan slapped his arm, "Are you asking for trouble?"

"Tsk, what a tigress!" Qin Zhongli grabbed Xu Wanwan’s hand, lightly bit it, and grinned, showing his teeth, "Who else would want you besides me..."

Xu Wanwan’s face reddened, "Who said no one? There are plenty! Those chasing after me could circle the planet!"

"You better watch out, you make me mad, and I won’t want you anymore!"

"Would you dare? Everyone knows I’m your future Beast Husband." Qin Zhongli wrapped Xu Wanwan’s waist and, in front of everyone, bit her on the shoulder, leaving a shallow imprint.

Xu Wanwan kicked him, "Qin Zhongli, shameless!"

She appeared annoyed, but her eyes betrayed no anger.

Everyone present was familiar, long accustomed, and some even whistled.

Qin Zhongli was Xu Wanwan’s childhood friend, two years older than her, seemingly carefree but actually a young genius, already beginning to take over the family business.

Only Xiao En’s gaze dimmed somewhat.

He liked Xu Wanwan, but he was slow to warm up, afraid to speak out...

Zhou Nan walked into the circle of young people and observed the lively scene.

There were people from various circles—military, political, business, and entertainment.

It was evident that Yu Manman had a broad social circle and genuinely good relationships, none of it because of her family background.

Suddenly, Zhou Nan recalled his uncle with the broken leg telling him, "Keep your eyes open and see how many shady characters are around you, you’re still young, the earlier you see clearly, the earlier you can extricate yourself, don’t get stuck in a quagmire."

Before, he always thought that everyone gathered for personal gain; it was normal for people to have their own agendas, he wasn’t naïve.

But seeing this group of people, he suddenly realized that some truly have pure friendships, they gathered just for fun, not even a word about cooperation, as if it would dampen the mood.

Zhou Nan looked at Wu Yingyue beside him, his eyes sparkling with envy.

He chuckled lightly.

He bore many responsibilities, not something he could casually put down. His uncle even wanted to persuade him to leave the family...

He had worked hard for so long to achieve what he had today, could he really just abandon it?

Everyone lives their own lives; his uncle chose to abandon himself to decadence, why act like a good Samaritan to persuade him?

Zhou Nan watched the joy across from him, his eyes devoid of envy.

"Manman, is this your roommate?" Xu Wanwan escaped Qin Zhongli’s grip, eagerly pulled Wu Yingyue into the crowd, "She’s so beautiful! Interested in being my model?"

"Asking anyone you see who’s pretty! Can you even paint them all?" Qin Zhongli played with her hair, "Why not paint me? Any pose you like."

"Get lost!" Xu Wanwan glared at him, "Can you compare to a beautiful lady? She’s an earthly flower of riches!"

"These hands...so beautiful!"

Wu Yingyue was a bit surprised by Xu Wanwan’s enthusiasm, "I’ve heard Manman talk about you before, you’re the one who gave her the painting, right? Your painting is really good! Manman has it hanging in her room."

"You flatter me! If you like it, I can give you one!"

"Sure..."

Wu Yingyue originally felt somewhat reserved but soon relaxed under the welcome of Yu Manman’s friends.

Zhou Nan just sat on the side watching Wu Yingyue, the corners of his lips slightly curved.

"Ackman! Over here!" Yu Manman now could skillfully call out the instructor’s name.

Upon hearing Ackman’s name, Zhou Nan instinctively looked up to see Ackman walking against the light.

"Let me introduce..." Yu Manman held Ackman’s hand and glanced around, naturally taking notice of where Zhou Nan was.

"This is my... fiancé, already registered and reserved." Yu Manman winked.

"Oh~"

[It’s surprisingly true?]

Yu Manman had successfully heard Zhou Nan’s inner voice.