THE REAL PROTEGE-Chapter 512: THE FULL MONTH CELEBRATION

More Random Names

Chatty ignored them; his chatter spilled endlessly, each suggestion more extravagant than the last.

Chatty continued, gesturing wildly.

"Alright, alright, hear me out — Lionheart, Dragonfang, and Phoenixfire! No, too fierce. Maybe… Peony, Lotus, and Bamboo — because they'll grow strong and tall! Or… Murphy Jr., Murphy the Second, and Murphy the Magnificent! Oh heavens, I'm brilliant!"

Rockie muttered under his breath, rubbing his temples as if warding off the growing headache Chatty was causing.

Rockie said, "You're brilliant at giving me a headache."

Goldie chuckled, shaking his head and exchanging an amused glance with Rockie, his eyes twinkling at Chatty's antics.

"At this rate, they'll grow up nameless while you're still talking."

The Peacock's Pride

Chatty puffed his chest even more. Strutting like a peacock in full display, he let pride and mischief gleam in his eyes as he turned every head.

Chatty, dramatic, teary-eyed -

"No matter what names I choose, they'll be glorious! My three boys will carry my legacy, my laughter, my chaos! They'll be the pride of Peonies Castle! Cannonball, you're their uncle now — teach them to squawk proudly!"

Cannonball squawked in agreement, flapping his wings.

Ren and Lily, clutching their sides, erupted in uncontrollable laughter as they watched the men's faces twist between agony and affection. Their joy filled the corridor, echoing the warmth of the moment.

Ling Li's Intervention

Finally, Ling Li stepped out again, her calm aura silencing the chaos. She raised a brow, lips twitching with amusement.

"Murphy, stop pacing. The boys are healthy and strong, waiting for names. Choose wisely, not wildly." Ling Li's firm said with amusement.

Chatty froze, then puffed his chest once more, eyes gleaming.

Chatty grandly said, "Then I shall name them… Pride, Joy, and Glory! For they are my pride, my joy, and my glory!"

The men groaned in unison, clutching their ears, while Ren and Lily burst into laughter again.

The corridor rang with Chatty's endless naming frenzy, endless proclamations. His voice echoed like a drumbeat of joy. Chatty strutted outside, drowning in his own pride, his chatter weaving a tapestry of names — ridiculous, fierce, tender — all overflowing with love.

The men groaned continuously; some clamped their hands over their ears, others shot each other long-suffering, pleading glances. Yet beneath their exasperation, the corners of their mouths betrayed reluctant, genuine smiles.

Pharsa's Declaration – The Naming Halt

Inside the chamber, Pharsa lay resting, her strength radiant after the ordeal. For hours, she had listened to her husband's endless blabbering echo through the corridor — names tumbling out like arrows, each more ridiculous than the last. She had endured his chatter with patience, but finally, her composure broke.

Her voice rang out, firm and sharp, cutting through the chaos outside:

Pharsa, exasperated and commanding, "Murphy! Can you stop your nonsense? My father will name them!"

The corridor fell silent. Chatty froze mid-strut, his mouth hanging open,

Cannonball squawking indignantly as if protesting the interruption.

The men — Four Eyes, Fatty, Mushu, Rockie, Goldie, and Shun — sighed in relief, their ears finally spared.

Ren and Lily burst into fresh laughter, the twins clapping gleefully at the sudden shift.

Pharsa's eyes softened as she continued, her voice steady but resolute:

"My adoptive father, Shinsei, will do the honor. When he comes to visit on their full month, he will name his grandsons." Pharsa declared, gentle yet proud.

The words carried weight, reverence, and tradition. Shinsei, the wise Monk whose presence commanded respect, would bestow names not born of chaos or chatter, but of legacy and meaning.

Chatty's Peacock Deflated

Chatty blinked, his chest still puffed like a proud peacock, but his feathers suddenly drooped. He opened his mouth, then closed it again, struggling to contain the torrent of words that begged to escape.

Cannonball tilted his head, as if mocking his master's sudden silence.

Chatty muttering, half-pouting, "But… but… I had such glorious names prepared… Pride, Joy, Glory… Cannonball Jr.…"

Four Eyes smirked, arms crossed. "Finally, someone shut the proud peacock up."

Fatty chuckled, shaking his head. "Bless Shinsei. He saved us all."

Though Pharsa had silenced Chatty's chatter, his pride remained unshaken. He strutted once more, though quieter now, muttering under his breath about how his boys would still be warriors, treasures, and chaos incarnate — no matter what names Shinsei chose.

The whole family laughed, the tension dissolved, and the corridor filled not with blabbering but with anticipation. In one month, Shinsei would arrive, and the three boys would receive names worthy of their lineage.

And until then, Chatty remained a proud peacock — feathers ruffled, mouth twitching, but heart swelling with love for his sons.

The Feast

Long tables were laden with delicacies: steaming baskets of xiao long bao, platters of red-braised pork belly, fragrant lotus root soup, and roasted duck glistening under lantern light. Sweet rice cakes and candied fruits were stacked high, their colors gleaming like jewels. The air was thick with the aroma of jasmine tea and spiced wine, mingling with laughter and song.

Fatty, true to his nature, hovered near the food, piling dumplings onto his plate with unabashed delight.

Fatty, grinning through a mouthful: "If destiny tastes this good, I'll gladly eat it every day!"

Four Eyes rolled his eyes but smirked, nudging him. "Save some for the children, glutton.

Music and Dance

Musicians lined the hall, plucking guzheng strings and beating drums in rhythmic thunder. Flutes carried melodies that soared like phoenixes, while dancers in flowing silks spun across the floor, their movements echoing the grace of dragons in flight.

Kim Kim and Chin Chin, the mischievous twins, darted into the dancers' path, mimicking their spins until they collapsed in giggles. The crowd roared with laughter, and Lily scooped them up, tickling them until their squeals drowned out the music.

Ling Li's Presence

Ling Li moved gracefully among her clan, her triplets nestled in her arms. Guests bent low to coo at the babies, their cheeks pinched, their tiny fists kissed. Ling Li's smile was serene, but her eyes carried the weight of responsibility. She whispered blessings over her daughters, promising them strength and wisdom.

Her gaze often flicked toward Mushu and Sisu, who stood quietly at the edge of the hall. Mushu's stoic mask softened as he watched the dancers, while Sisu's eyes shimmered with unspoken emotion, his heart torn between joy for the clan and the storm within him.