"Madam, she's here, she's here," Steward Uncle Wang announced with a joyful expression.
As his voice faded, Ye Jinghuai entered the scene, holding Nuan Nuan. Everyone's gazes involuntarily settled on the child.
"Grandma~" Nuan Nuan called out sweetly.
"Oh, my darling is here, come give Grandma a hug." The matriarch reached out to embrace her, but Ye Jinghuai subtly shifted to block her.
"Mom, with so many ornaments, you might hurt Nuan Nuan."
Liu Ruhua had dressed up elaborately for Nuan Nuan's formal welcome, and her jewelry now presented an obstacle to holding the child.
"Cough, it's been so many years since I held a child, I forgot." She then began to remove her ornaments.
"Grandma, Nuan Nuan is heavy, it's better if Daddy holds me!" Nuan Nuan said in her childish voice.
With those words, the girl instantly won over everyone present.
"My good child is so filial. Come, meet your uncles."
Ye Jinghuai glanced around and nodded at Ye Jingshen.
"Big Brother," he said, then lowered Nuan Nuan to face him.
"Nuan Nuan, quickly call your Uncle."
"Hello, Uncle! I'm Nuan Nuan." Nuan Nuan blinked her eyes, her cow costume making her appear particularly soft and adorable.
"Hello, Nuan Nuan." Ye Jingshen's voice softened involuntarily upon seeing her.
"Second Brother, me, me, introduce me quickly."
Ye Jingzhi eagerly stepped forward. From the moment Nuan Nuan appeared, he had been captivated. His earlier indifference had vanished completely.
"Hello Nuan Nuan, I am your Uncle." Ye Jingxing flashed a big white-toothed smile as he leaned in to introduce himself.
"Uncle~" The little voice was incredibly sweet.
Ye Jingzhi was instantly smitten. How could his niece be so sweet and cute? She was nothing like his elder brother's two nephews, who were so stubborn and unyielding.
"Oh, Nuan Nuan is so lovely, Uncle likes you."
"Nuan Nuan, this is your Third Uncle." Ye Jinghuai couldn't stand his younger brother's fawning over Nuan Nuan and quickly shifted the focus.
"Uncle~" Nuan Nuan obediently followed suit.
"Hello, Nuan Nuan." Ye Jingming nodded with reserved dignity, though his heart was anything but calm. His niece looked so small and soft; he longed to hold her.
"You have a Fourth Uncle too, but he couldn't make it today, so we won't worry about him," Liu Ruhua added.
It had to be said that the Ye brothers were all exceptionally handsome.
Ye Jingshen was distinguished and steady; Ye Jinghuai, noble and aloof; Ye Jingming, graceful and refined; Ye Jingxing, like a jade tree in a plum grove; and Ye Jingzhi, bright and handsome.
Of course, Ye Jingming was not as gentle and refined as he appeared. As an internationally renowned lawyer, he was, in reality, a true smiling fox.
After a brief introduction, everyone moved to the dining hall, where Liu Ruan's eldest daughter-in-law, Lin Anran, was supervising the preparation of lunch.
"Nuan Nuan, this is your Aunt. Anran, this is Nuan Nuan."
"Hello, Auntie~" Nuan Nuan was feeling a bit overwhelmed by so many new faces today.
"Hello, Nuan Nuan. You have two older brothers, but they are staying with their grandmother, so they aren't here today. Perhaps they can meet you another time."
Lin Anran was a gentle and reserved woman. Although her marriage to Ye Jingshen was a political arrangement and her husband did not love her, they maintained a relationship of mutual respect.
She did not insist on love in marriage. Ye Jingshen was an excellent and disciplined man, and he was also considerate and gentle towards her. With such a husband, she had no complaints.
With a harmonious family and two children, she felt she was happier than most.
"Alright, everyone has met each other. Let's sit down!" Liu Ruhua quickly ushered everyone to their seats.
"Uncle Wang, go tell the child's father to come out quickly. He shouldn't be pretending anymore."
Ye Jianming had been hiding in his study to maintain his image, but his wife had exposed him.
"Yes."
Shortly after, a man with a stern face and dignified demeanor entered.
"Nuan Nuan, this is Grandpa." Ye Jinghuai pointed him out to Nuan Nuan.
"Hello, Grandpa~ I'm Nuan Nuan." Nuan Nuan smiled sweetly, revealing two tiny white teeth like millet seeds.
The people at the table were momentarily captivated by Nuan Nuan's smile.
Ye Jingzhi had already transformed into an adoring fan. Ye Jingming twitched his fingers, feeling a tickle. Ye Jingshen, while composed, had a slightly deeper smile.
Ye Jianming was trying hard to maintain his stern expression, holding it in place.
"Hmm, a good child."
"Alright, stop pretending. Who was it that couldn't sleep last night because they were so excited?" Liu Ruhua interjected unceremoniously.
"Cough, Ruhua, give me some face," Ye Jianming whispered, covering his mouth.
"Oh," Liu Ruhua replied expressionlessly.
Everyone at the table stifled their laughter.
"Alright, today is Nuan Nuan's first visit. Let's eat!" Ye Jianming regained his composure and said. As the head of the family, he still needed to maintain his dignity.
Nuan Nuan remained in her high chair, occasionally being fed by Ye Jinghuai.
"Daddy, I want shrimp," her tender voice conveyed her craving.
Ye Jinghuai immediately and skillfully peeled a shrimp for his daughter, dipped it in some broth, and placed it in her bowl.
"Second Brother, is that really you?" Ye Jingzhi exclaimed in disbelief. Was this the second brother who disliked children?
"Jinghuai certainly looks like a father," Ye Jingshen remarked teasingly.
"Second Brother, why don't you peel one for your younger brother too?" Ye Jingming joined in the banter.
"Uncle, Nuan Nuan will give it to you," Nuan Nuan held up her small spoon, scooping a piece of shrimp meat, intending to offer it to Ye Jingming.
"Nuan Nuan, ignore him, he can peel it himself." Ye Jinghuai intercepted, then shot a sideways glance at his brother.
"Uncle was just joking! Nuan Nuan, eat it!" Ye Jingming didn't mind and smiled warmly at Nuan Nuan.
"Oh~ If Uncle wants to eat, just tell Nuan Nuan~" She then buried her head in her rice.
"As expected of my precious child, so sensible, caring for others at such a young age," Liu Ruhua watched the scene with great satisfaction.
"Third Uncle, how can you snatch Nuan Nuan's food?" Ye Jingzhi protested indignantly.
"Nuan Nuan, eat this for Uncle. Don't pay attention to your Third Uncle." Doggedly, he placed a chicken wing in Nuan Nuan's bowl.
"Thank you, Uncle~" Nuan Nuan lifted her head briefly from her meal and smiled at Ye Jingzhi. Ye Jingzhi was immediately dazed.
"That's Nuan Nuan showing filial piety to me, her uncle. You get nothing!" Ye Jingming retorted sarcastically.
"Hmph~ I can't argue with you." Ye Jingzhi decided not to engage further. After all, he had never been able to win an argument with his third brother in all these years. His sharp tongue was indeed befitting of a lawyer.
"Nuan Nuan has a good appetite," Ye Jingshen commented, looking at Nuan Nuan's small, slightly messy mouth.
"Yes, Nuan Nuan isn't picky and eats everything with enthusiasm. A few days ago, she ate vegetarian food every day without complaint and ate proactively."
Ye Jinghuai, with the air of an experienced father feeding his child, seemed rather pleased with himself.
"Second Brother, why were you feeding Nuan Nuan vegetarian food? With so much money, why are you so stingy?" Ye Jingzhi took issue with this upon hearing it.
Ye Jingming looked at his fifth brother's foolishness with disdain.
"Jingzhi, how on earth did your brain manage to get you into military school?"
"What? I got in through legitimate means," Ye Jingzhi immediately retorted indignantly.
"Do you think Second Brother looks like someone who's stingy with his daughter?" Ye Jingming gestured towards Ye Jinghuai, who was meticulously removing fish bones for Nuan Nuan.
"Still, you shouldn't feed her vegetarian food every day. Nuan Nuan is so thin." Ye Jingzhi mumbled softly.
"Nuan Nuan had an allergic reaction to mangoes a few days ago. The doctor advised avoiding meat and fish for those days," Ye Jinghuai said calmly, placing the de-boned fish into Nuan Nuan's small bowl.
"So that's how it is." Ye Jingzhi closed his mouth, satisfied.
Since the meal began, everyone's gaze had subtly, yet constantly, rested on Nuan Nuan. The Ye family had no girls, and with this rare little girl, everyone was incredibly fond of her.
Especially Ye Jingzhi. Before meeting her, he hadn't felt much, but after meeting her, he found her both cute and thoughtful. Indeed, girls were something special.
Even Lin Anran, who usually doted on her sons, regretted not having had a daughter herself.