After dinner, Ning Ran did not want to wash the dishes, as she was simply too tired to move.
Thus, Dabao and Erbao offered to take up the important role of washing the dishes.
But Nan Chen was worried. How can the children at their young age, do such a tedious household chore?
Ning Ran, however, claimed that such a household chore was nothing to the two kids. They had prepared breakfast for her many times before, not to mention washing dishes.
In the end, Nan Chen and the two kids washed the dishes together. Their chemistry was rather lacking though, given that they broke two bowls and a plate during the process.
Naturally, the two kids pushed the blame to Nan Chen, claiming that the bowls broke due to his clumsiness.
Nan Chen did not bother to defend himself and shouldered the blame bravely.
After bathing, Ning Ran wanted to change into her pajamas. But considering that Nan Chen was in the house, she decided against it and eventually changed into a tracksuit instead.
Taking the opportunity when the two kids and Nan Chen were playing together, she ran into the study room alone to practice her script.
This was her habit. Unless something unexpected occurred, she would usually practice her script for the next day of filming.
Only through repeated practices could she perfect her role with a deeper understanding of her role’s feelings and her train of thoughts. In this way, she could then excel by immersing herself into her role during her filming on the next day. Thus while she was indeed talented in acting, it was, more importantly, due to the hard work she put in, to achieve the superb acting skills that she was known for today.
While she was lost in her script, someone knocked on the door. Nan Chen came into the study room after a half-hearted acknowledgement from Ning Ran.
“It’s getting late. Why don’t you help bathe the kids and put them to bed afterwards?”
Ning Ran was exhilarated. She had assumed Nan Chen would want to bring the kids back to the Nan family. It turns out I’m wrong.
“Okay. Though they can bathe themselves, I haven’t helped them bathe for a long time. I will go now.”
After bathing, the kids changed into their pajamas but they refused to sleep, wanting to play again.
After letting them play for some time, Ning Ran reminded them to sleep again, seeing that it was getting late. But Erbao still refused to go to bed.
Nonetheless, she went to bed obediently after a meaningful stare from Dabao.
With both kids in bed, only Nan Chen and Ning Ran were left in the living room.
An awkward silence ensued.
Nan Chen was sorting through his emails on his handphone. Finally, I have some time to myself to look at the emails.
Ning Ran sat beside him, browsing through her script while occasionally stealing glances at Nan Chen.
But Nan Chen’s attention was solely on his work, and at times, he would frown or stretch himself after being in the same position for too long.
Soon, it was 11p.m.
By now, Ning Ran was sleepy, and she wanted to go to bed. This fellow doesn’t seem to be moving along anytime soon! I can’t jolly well leave him be in my house.
“I don’t have coffee in my house. Shall I pour you some water?”
“Okay,” replied Nan Chen casually without lifting his head.
Thus, Ning Ran placed the glass of water on the table before him, but he did not take a single sip. In fact, he did not even shift his gaze away from his phone at all.
Ning Ran was really sleepy by now. Covering her mouth with her hand, she gave a suppressed yawn.
But Nan Chen still did not get her hint.
Finally, Ning Ran could not take it any longer and asked, “Are you going to take a long time to complete your work?”
Nan Chen raised his head, and after glancing at Ning Ran, he took a sip of water which had cooled down already.
“There are still some more matters for me to attend to.”
“Okay.”
Again, they fell into an awkward silence.
After 10 minutes, Ning Ran gave up, “I’m afraid that I need to sleep now. Take your time.”
“I’m about to be done.”
After a few minutes, Nan Chen finally put down his phone, seemingly done with his work.
Ning Ran heaved a sigh of relief. I can finally see him out now.
“Okay, I will sleep after I bathe.”
Shocked, Ning Ran blurted out, “Aren’t you leaving?”
“I did not say I will leave.”
“But…”
“There are so many bedrooms in this house. I can sleep in the guest room.”
With that, he strode off to another room and came out with a set of pajamas in his hands.
Ning Ran was shocked beyond words, “Why are there men’s pajamas here?”
“They’re mine.”
“When did you sleep here?”
“I came earlier in the day and had someone delivered the pajamas to me. Don’t worry. I have my suit and shirt for tomorrow as well.”
Ning Ran took in a deep breath to calm herself down. I am not worried about you! Your arrangement is too comprehensive for my liking!
“Do you have the keys to my house since you have come earlier in the day?”
“Ms. Cheng gave me the keys,” replied Nan Chen honestly.
This Cheng Xiangyun is a traitor! How can she give the keys to a house which is occupied by only two women, to a man, even if that man is Nan Chen!
“I think you better go home. I feel that it is inappropriate for you to stay overnight here.”
Nan Chen turned around at her words, “Why is it inappropriate?”
“I’m a woman and you’re a man. That’s the reason,” replied Ning Ran bluntly.
“I did not say I want to sleep with you.”
Ning Ran blushed at his words. That’s so crude. So Master Chen, who is usually gentlemanly, can be so frivolous at times.
“It’s really inappropriate. Please go home now. Thanks for accompanying the kids for dinner.”
“I’m not leaving,” rejected Nan Chen outrightly.
After speaking, he turned around and headed to the bathroom in the guestroom with the set of pajamas in his hands.
“How can you behave in this way? Even if you have the keys, you should not enter the house at your whim, especially when the female owner of the house is not home.”
“There won’t be a next time.”
Nan Chen softened his stance, hoping to appease Ning Ran.
“Don’t mention about next time. Let’s focus on this time. How embarrassing will it be if Cheng returns!”
“She will at the earliest, return ten days later.”
Ning Ran asked, astounded, “Tell me, did you arrange for her business trip on purpose?
Nan Chen did not reply to her question, but provided a more astonishing reply in return, “Let’s spend some time with the kids these few days okay? They have missed out on too much in their life.”
Spend some time with the kids? Does he mean he intends to stay here for more than one night?
“Sir Chen, you can’t be thinking of staying here long-term?”
“Depends on the time. If my work ends too late, then I won’t return for fear of disturbing you and the kids.”
So conversely, he wants to return to my house if his work does not end too late?
“Sir Chen, I have no intention to let you stay here on a long-term basis. I’m glad you want to return the kids to me, but I…”
“I did not return the kids to you. They are yours, to begin with. You think too much.” Nan Chen interrupted her.
Then without further ado, he went straight into the bathroom.
Ning Ran could not follow him in, so she had to let it go.
