Chapter 583 Unheard Of
During the drive back to Red Maple City, Ning Ran cast her gaze out the window and said nothing at all. Honestly speaking, she still couldn’t accept the fact that her two children were going to register their names under the Nan family’s household register.
She couldn’t quite tell whether she was happy or sad or beleaguered by other emotions, but she didn’t feel like talking. All she wanted to do was to keep silent.
When they arrived at the villa in Red Maple City, she helped to bathe the children. After tucking them into bed, she lay down as well. She was still worried about Erbao after lying in bed for a while, so she went to the nursery to carry Erbao to her room to sleep with her.
Surprisingly, Erbao wasn’t asleep either. Instead, she was counting sheep. Others counted inwardly to make themselves sleepy, but she counted aloud.
Good Lord! She’s really exasperating and amusing! This method is unheard of. How could she possibly fall asleep by doing this? Instead, she’ll only tire herself out! “How about sleeping with me tonight, Darling?”
“It’s okay, Mommy. I can manage on my own,” Erbao unexpectedly declined. Ning Ran was exceedingly surprised at her refusal. “Why don’t you want to sleep with me?”
“I’m thinking about something,” Erbao admitted solemnly.
Ning Ran was initially down in the dumps, but she instantly perked up at her daughter’s somber expression. “You’re thinking about something?”
At once, Erbao pouted. “Are you looking down on me, Mommy? Why can’t I think about things? I often do so.”
“Okay, okay. Indeed, you’re no longer a three-year-old kid and know a lot now. Then, do you mind telling me what you’re thinking about?”
“It’s a secret, so I can’t tell you. It’s my personal matter,” Erbao replied seriously.
“Whoa! My darling has her personal matter now. But I’m not an outsider. Instead, I’m your best friend. You should share your secret with your best friend,” Ning Ran teased.
“We’re best friends, Mommy?” Erbao stared at her.
“Of course! We’ve always been best friends, no doubt!” Ning Ran exclaimed with a grin.
“Okay. I’ll tell you then, Mommy. I’m thinking about whether I should change my family name and register myself under a different household registry. I asked Dabao, and he told me it meant we’ll both be part of Daddy’s family. I can’t bear to part with you, Mommy. But at the same time, I don’t want to disappoint Daddy. So, I’m wondering what I should do.”
Erbao wore a somber expression on her face.
When Ning Ran heard that, her heart clenched slightly. It turns out she’s thinking about that matter!
“Darling, even if your name is registered under the Nan family’s household register, you’ll still be my dearest daughter. That will never change. Therefore, you don’t have to worry so much.”
Erbao shook her head, looking all bogged down by anxiety. “I don’t think so. Well, unless you register your name under the Nan family’s household register as well, Mommy.”
Ning Ran was stunned for a moment before she forced a smile and murmured, “My family name isn’t Nan.”
“Dabao told me that you can also register your name under the Nan family’s household register if you marry Daddy.”
After beating around the bush for an eternity, Erbao still circled back to that issue in the end.
Ning Ran understood her feelings, for all children hoped that their parents would be together.
Alas, that matter was relatively complicated. She couldn’t just marry Nan Chen just like that.
While our relationship has improved, we’re still far from getting married. What’s more, he even has the Nan family behind him. The Nan family will definitely be extra cautious in choosing a granddaughter-in-law, thinking twice before deciding on the person. If he doesn’t propose it himself, I’ll never mention it. And even if he does bring it up, I’ll still need to consider it. Marrying into the Nan family is the dream of many ladies, but not me. After all, I know my place. Even if I were to marry him, it would have to be a matter of course. I’ll only consider it if he insists. Considering my background and achievements, the gap between the Nan family and me is simply too vast. The failure of Ouyang Qing, a wealthy heiress, to marry into the Nan family even after going to extreme lengths is the best example.
“What are you thinking about, Mommy?” Erbao’s voice snapped Ning Ran back to reality.
“Marriage is a complicated matter. You’re still young, so you can’t understand it fully, Erbao. However, both your daddy and I love you and your brother. No matter which household register your name is registered under, we’ll love you the same. It wouldn’t change in the slightest,” Ning Ran assured while stroking her head.
“Really?”
“Of course! I promise.” Ning Ran nodded.
“Okay! I trust you, Mommy!” Erbao’s mood finally lifted.
“So, are you sleeping alone or with me?”
“I can sleep alone, for I’m a brave girl! Oh yes, Mommy, why aren’t you sleeping with Daddy?” Erbao tossed out another difficult question.
“I haven’t been sleeping well recently, so I want to sleep alone,” Ning Ran fibbed.
“All right, then. You’ve helped me figure out the answer to the matter I was thinking about, so I can now sleep peacefully, Mommy,” Erbao remarked smilingly.
“All right, then. Good night, Darling.”
“Good night, Mommy.”
After returning to her room, Ning Ran couldn’t sleep as she pondered upon Erbao’s words.
She dozed off at long last, but she then had a nightmare.
She dreamed that the Nan family hid Dabao and Erbao, so she couldn’t see them anymore.
Jolting awake with tears streaming down her face, she breathed a sigh of relief that it was merely a dream.
Consequently, she brooded over many things and only fell asleep when it was almost dawn.
Unsurprisingly, she overslept this time. It was already nine o’clock in the morning when she woke up.
She got out of bed and washed up, only to discover that Nan Chen hadn’t gone to work yet.
“Morning. Are you not working today?” Ning Ran queried with the toothbrush in her mouth.
“I’m bringing the kids out to settle the household register issue later,” Nan Chen replied.
Astonishment swamped Ning Ran. He could’ve just ordered Qiao Zhan or Jiang Zhe to handle such a trivial matter. Why would he do it personally?
“Are you that impatient to snatch the kids away from me that you’re going personally, worried that your subordinate can’t handle such an insignificant matter well?” Ning Ran huffed.
“So, this is your thought on this matter?” Nan Chen was a touch surprised that she would utter such a comment.
“What do you think my thoughts should be?”
“If you have reservations, you should’ve said so to Grandpa last night. Why did you agree back then yet contend with me now?”
“Does it make a difference if I object? It won’t make any difference, right?”
“Of course, it makes a difference. This matter isn’t urgent, so we can still take our time about it.”
“Why are you doing it personally if it isn’t urgent?”
“You’re being unreasonable. Is there a problem that I’m personally handling something related to my son and daughter?” Nan Chen grew chagrined as well.
“Daddy, what are you two talking about?” Dabao walked over.
“Nothing much. I’ll make breakfast for you all right away!” Ning Ran interjected with a smile.
“No, it’s okay. We’re leaving, and Daddy will bring us out to eat!” Dabao replied.
“All right, then. Forget about it!”
Irritation deluged Ning Ran out of the blue. It was as though an inexplicable wave of burning anger rose within her, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on the reason.
“What’s wrong, Mommy? Are you upset?” Dabao also sensed her bad mood.
Inhaling deeply, Ning Ran reined in her emotions. “No, I’m not upset.”
“If you’re upset about Great-Grandpa’s stipulation, we won’t go.” Verily, Dabao was exceedingly sensible.
“I’m really not upset. I just didn’t get much sleep last night, so I’m a bit grumpy after waking up. Everything’s fine,” Ning Ran reassured with a smile.
“Really?”
“Really. Be careful when you go out with Daddy later.”
“Are you not coming along, Mommy?”
“No. I’m a bit sleepy, so I’d like to sleep for a while longer.”
Ning Ran wanted to convince herself not to think too much, but still, uneasiness lingered within her.
She kept telling herself that it was something of great benefit to her two children, and she couldn’t hinder their bright future because of her selfishness.
