Mei Fang and Lin Youxi returned from their date laden with treats for the homebound Xia Yuan. Seeing them arm-in-arm, affection restored, Xia Yuan happily pulled Mei Fang onto the sofa, chattering excitedly:

“As expected of Ah Fang! So you’ve coaxed Youxi?”

“Don’t say ‘coaxed’—she wasn’t actually angry…”

“Ah Fang, you just came from outside—don’t cling to Yuan Yuan yet—”

Lin Youxi pulled Mei Fang up, her eyes brimming with happiness. “Come, let’s shower.”

“Now? Really?”

“Unless you want to wait till night? Then no hugging Yuan Yuan later.”

“Fine fine… Hey! Why undressing here?”

“Showering together? I need to wash too.”

“You’re not planning another three-hour bath like last time, are you?”

“Won’t happen. We’ve things to do later.” Lin Youxi smiled mysteriously.

---

By evening, Lin Youxi’s mall haul arrived—including exquisite outfits and jewelry for Xia Yuan. While Lin Youxi helped a delighted Xia Yuan try combinations in the walk-in closet, Mei Fang reviewed corporate meeting minutes in the living room.

As night fell, the click of heels prompted Mei Fang to activate the sound system. Automatic curtains drew shut as ambient globe lights bathed the room in gold.

Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi emerged in stunning black-and-white strapless evening gowns, jewels glittering as they exchanged tender glances with Mei Fang.

“Well… Ah Fang, don’t we look perfectly paired?”

“Absolutely! Like an angel and demon descending together!”

Xia Yuan demurely linked arms with Mei Fang while Lin Youxi provocatively draped a leg over him, tilting his chin up.

“So… who’s the angel? Who’s the demon?”

“Special interpretation needed! Can’t judge just by colors~” Xia Yuan stuck out her tongue.

“Hmm… Youxi’s the fallen angel, Yuan Yuan’s the pure white succubus!”

Mei Fang analyzed their ensembles. “Similar dresses, but Youxi’s accessorized more—gold accents, those black feather heels.”

“And me? And me?”

“Yuan Yuan’s obvious—these elbow-length white gloves totally reference Albedo [Overlord], plus the thigh-high slit design…”

“Mm… passable critique. Reward anyway.”

They each planted kisses on his cheeks before Lin Youxi retrieved red wine and grape juice. Pouring grape juice for Xia Yuan and wine for herself and Mei Fang, she settled in as Mei Fang projected wedding plans onto the home theater screen.

“Venue options we’ve discussed: Bali’s azure seas, Scotland’s fairy-tale castles, or Provence’s lavender fields. Preferences?”

“No domestic choices? We had Sanya plans before.”

“Sanya’s nice too…” Lin Youxi reminded her, “But abroad avoids Yuan Bao’s fan mobs, remember?”

“Ah… right. Forgot again.”

After reviewing ceremonies, they finalized Bali. Xia Yuan then voiced concerns:

“Won’t springing wedding plans shock our parents?”

“Less shocking than Yuan Yuan’s pregnancy,” Lin Youxi noted dryly.

“Feels like using bigger bombs to cover up the throuple…”

Xia Yuan tilted her head. “Should we claim Youxi’s pregnant too? Safer that way.”

“Honesty’s best.”

Lin Youxi exchanged a glance with Mei Fang. “We discussed this at lunch.”

“True… no one likes white lies.”

“Next agenda—”

“Baby names?”

Xia Yuan interjected. “We decided years ago! Mei Xiaochen for boys, Mei Xiaoxi for girls.”

“Those are my baby’s names.”

Lin Youxi arched an eyebrow. “You’re Xia Yuan—why those?”

“To commemorate our friendship!”

“Friendship?”

Lin Youxi frowned. “Still calling it that feels odd now.”

“Ah… well… ‘love’ sounds weirder!”

“You don’t love me? Prefer Xiao Xue and Xiao Yu?”

“N-no! They’re besties, but Youxi’s my one and only! Closer than sisters!”

“You’re my only一 too.”

Lin Youxi clasped Xia Yuan’s hand tenderly.

“Wait, you two knotting me out? Should I leave?” Mei Fang feigned hurt.

“Ah Fang’s jealous~”

“So childish~”

Their giggles filled the room before returning to names.

“How about ‘Little Yuan Bao’ for the nickname?” Lin Youxi suggested.

“Perfect! Unisex and adorable! Ah Fang?”

Before Xia Yuan finished, Mei Fang was already kneeling, cradling her belly dreamily.

“Little Yuan Bao… hehe… my Little Yuan Bao…”

“He’s lost it!”

Mei Fang hugged Xia Yuan while musing, “The surname Mei’s so limiting—everything sounds like ‘no fate’ or ‘no chance.’ What about your surnames? I love Xia and Lin.”

“Ooh, great idea!”

Xia Yuan enthusiastically listed names: “Xia Xiaoyu, Xia Xiaoxue, Xia Bingbing, Xia Mo, Xia Nai, Xia Ningmeng, Xia Wantao… endless options! For boys, Xia Kun!”

“You suggested these before… such daughter bias!”

“Don’t you want a girl? I’ve always dreamed of one.”

Mei Fang ruffled her hair. “Cue kindergarten Yuan Yuan footage.”

“Eek! That thing’s not deleted yet?!”

Lin Youxi voiced dissent: “Not sharing Ah Fang’s surname… feels like adopted children…”

“Your surnames have advantages—avoids gossip. Plus, as only daughters, taking you both… well, our parents might feel…”

“My dad won’t mind…”

Lin Youxi trailed off, realizing premature speculation was futile.

Noticing her dip in mood, Mei Fang clinked glasses.

“A toast! To our triad’s success!”

“Me too!”

Xia Yuan raised her grape juice. “It’ll work!”

“Our parents watched us grow up—they won’t separate us. Worst case… I’ll disown Dad!”

“No filial piety rants please!”

---

Post-revelry, the trio retired. Xia Yuan, exhausted, fell asleep instantly—her serene expression captivating Mei Fang’s gaze.

Lin Youxi mirrored his pose before rising.

“Can I hug you tonight?”

“Of course.”

She nestled against his back, forehead pressed between his shoulder blades.

“Love you.”

“Love you too.”

Mei Fang turned with a grin. “About that ‘me on top’ talk earlier—”

“Not after wine. Tomorrow.”

“Ah… right.”

He sighed. “So different from before.”

Lin Youxi traced circles on his back. “Baby’s health comes first now. Moderation’s key.”

“But…”

Her seductive whisper tickled his ear. “If you really need… I can help.”

“Bed’ll get dirty…”

Their whispered intimacies soon had Mei Fang chuckling too.

“Judgment Day’s finally come…”

“Which parent scares you most?”

“Mom, then yours and Yuan Yuan’s dads.”

“Yuan Yuan’s dad I get, but why mine? He adores you.”

Lin Youxi nuzzled him. “He’ll agree if you’re sincere.”

“A billionaire CEO still fearing father-in-laws…”

“Respect where it’s due.”

“Yuan Yuan’s dad’s tough, but he dotes on her. Teacher Yu will help too—just show responsibility.”

“I’ve got plans… but asking for their treasures demands extra effort for blessings.”

“Study Teacher Yu’s tactics. Oh—your family arrives first, right?”

“Mom comes the day after tomorrow.”

“We’ll prep guest rooms then. Maintain appearances before the announcement.”

“But moving your and Yuan Yuan’s clothes from the master suite will be—”

Lin Youxi squeezed his bicep. “My Ah Fang can do anything~”

“Damn right I can!”

They chatted late into the night, drifting into blissful dreams.

---

Meanwhile, 6:10 AM.

Pengcheng International Airport.

A middle-aged couple and their daughter trudged toward the airport shuttle, the girl complaining:

“Ugh… Mom, you dragged me along anyway! When do I get my phone back?”

“Leave you home to warn your brother? Never.”

“No kid likes parental ambushes! He’s a Fortune 500 CEO!”

“CEO or not, he’s still my son…”

Xiang Xiaoxia marched ahead resolutely. “That solemn video call… I’ll uncover what mischief he’s hiding.”

“Mom, he’s 22! Give him privacy! His relationship with Youxi-jie and Yuan Yuan-jie is obvious!”

“I need to see it clearly, no more secrets.”

Xiang Xiaoxia elbowed Mei Lijun. “Stop texting! You conspiring too?”

“Of course not! You know me, dear.”

Mei Lijun pocketed his phone hastily. “But it’s so early—they’ll still be asleep.”

“Unprepared is best…”

Xiang Xiaoxia sighed. “We’ll call from their doorstep.”