Sunlight, early morning.
The days by the beach are always so pleasant.
Eating breakfast, An Nannan boasted about wolfing down two bowls of rice but then touched her little belly with a forlorn expression.
"I feel like I'm starting to get a belly with all this eating."
Girls naturally love beauty, especially An Nannan at her age, when awareness of the opposite sex is just dawning. Though she hadn't started thinking about dating or anything, the prospect of "early bloating" was something she just couldn't accept.
"You eat like you're feeding a pig every day, how could you not get fat?" Xu Musen chuckled beside her, passing her some fruit to add a bit of sugar.
"You're the pig, okay? You eat three bowls per meal! Big fat pig!"
"Am I like you? Besides, I burn it off every day, unlike you who just lie around after eating."
Talking about burning calories, An Nuannuan felt a bit shy glancing at him.
Yao Mingyue was somewhat gritting her teeth, fiercely cutting through the fried egg on her plate.
"Hmph, my sister's getting chubby too, and you don't dare to tease her."
An Nannan leaned against her sister, seeking her towering support.
"Compare you to her? Your sister has a boyfriend now. Even if she gets fatter, I'll take care of her. What about you? Little single dog, be careful or you might end up too plump to marry off."
Xu Musen burst into loud laughter.
This angered the little girl quite a bit: "What's so great about that? If I can't get married, then I won't, I'll just stick with my sister. I'm so over you!"
While she spoke, she snatched some fruit from Xu Musen's hand and started munching again.
This banter between brother-in-law and younger aunt was a nearly daily occurrence, and both Zhu Yulan and Zhao Lianmai watching this scene couldn't help but feel a touch of warmth.
Women are naturally nurturing, so seeing a guy who is particularly fond of kids often elicits a bit more affection.
An Nannan touched her slightly bulging belly; at home, after meals, she usually practiced martial arts with her grandpa, so even with a big appetite, she always kept in good shape.
But these days by the beach with Xu Musen, she indeed had been lazing around after meals, preferring backstroke swimming, relaxing in a floating ring, drifting with the waves like a salted fish.
Although she acted indifferent, she felt that as a future wandering heroine, she must always be ready to protect her sister's safety and not neglect physical activity.
"Hey! How about we play beach volleyball after we eat?"
An Nannan suddenly thought of the beach volleyball court nearby. Volleyball was a game that required at least four people to be fun.
Yao Mingyue had been unable to move around, so she hadn't had the chance to play.
But now with Zhu Yulan and Zhao Lianmai here, along with her and her sister, they made a perfect foursome!
"Big sisters, shall we play together?"
An Nannan looked at Zhu Yulan and Zhao Lianmai with hopeful eyes.
The two hesitated for a second.
Zhu Yulan felt her cheeks warm up at the thought of playing beach volleyball... that meant wearing a swimsuit, right?
Wearing a swimsuit and doing such an active sport, wouldn't it be too eye-catching?
It would be fine among girls, it's just this guy was also there.
They both subtly glanced down at their own bellies; a little tummy on Nannan could still be called cute.
But if they kept eating and got a belly, that would truly be a sin.
"Sure, good to get some exercise."
What Zhu Yulan didn't expect was the quiet Zhao Lianmai suddenly agreeing, nodding at An Nannan with a light smile.
An Nannan's eyes narrowed with happiness, then she turned her expectant gaze towards Zhu Yulan.
Zhu Yulan noticed Zhao Lianmai, still calm while eating. She realized something seemed to have changed a lot about the once constantly stoic Lianmai over the last few days.
Zhu Yulan felt like she was the country bumpkin who moved to the city, all awkward in what she did.
Zhu Yulan nodded too. After all, it was just swimsuits, right? They came to the beach to enjoy themselves, not to be shy because of some guy's gaze or whatever.
She thought so, but her delicate face still flushed.
Pshh, it must be because I just had some hot pepper.
Xu Musen at that moment also raised his hand, looking even happier than An Nannan: "Who's on my team? I'm really steady with catching the ball!"
The women all gazed at him.
Zhu Yulan and Zhao Lianmai silently assessed him.
One's complexion was faintly red, the other normal.
Yao Mingyue was the first to let out a scoffing laugh.
Heh, are you really headed out to play the game?
You say you're steady at catching, but are you catching volleyball?
She glanced at An Nuannuan thinking... basketball maybe...
"Wouldn't you be ashamed to play a game that girls play?"
"Why can't guys play this sport? That's gender discrimination, and how can you assume my gender? I could also be an attack helicopter..."
No one got Xu Musen's remark; it left everyone speechless yet amused.
Having a mother indeed makes things quick!
Everyone then turned their eyes towards An Nuannuan.
Get your silly boyfriend under control.
An Nuannuan also noticed everyone's glances, and her face warmed slightly as she tugged gently at the hem of Xu Musen's shirt under the table.
"Alright, alright, you guys go play, and I'll just be the referee."