Chapter 522: Chapter 410: Spinoff: The Story Continues
Anyway, Su Zhiruan’s pregnancy was truly great news for the Xie Family!
Mr. Xie and Madam Xie had long since retired, having handed over all business matters to Xie Yanshang. Their time was spent between one fishing all day and the other meeting old friends for tea, shopping, and card games.
But among their peers, grandparents had sprung up gradually. Every time they gathered, Madam Xie would hear her friends talk about their soft, sweet grandchildren and would feel a tingling in her heart. Although she reassured herself that this day would eventually come for her, the subtle or overt boasting of her friends made her somewhat envious. For some reason, as they grew older, they paid extra attention to the birth and growth of new life.
Mr. Xie felt the same way. His fishing buddies would sometimes bring their grandchildren along, the adults wielding large fishing rods and the toddlers sitting beside them with tiny stools shaped like cute tigers, holding toy fishing rods. Every now and then, laughter would erupt from the grandparents and grandchildren, and just listening would make one feel several years younger.
The two of them could neither urge nor show their envy openly, so they could only pour out their longing for grandchildren in their midnight dreams.
But now, with Su Zhiruan pregnant, the wonderful life they had imagined was about to unfold. The elderly couple was overjoyed every day and could hardly bear to spend a moment away from Su Zhiruan.
“Ruanruan, try the new pastries I’ve made. Not too sweet, just perfect. Eat more if you like them.” Madam Xie placed the pastries near Su Zhiruan. If it weren’t for Xie Yanshang sitting beside them, she would have even liked to feed Su Zhiruan herself.
“The baby room is ready!” Mr. Xie, wiping the sweat from his forehead and beaming joyously, said, “Let’s air it out first. I’ve ordered many useful gadgets. When the time comes, the child can move in.”
The renovation materials were all top-notch, free of formaldehyde. Mr. Xie had put in a lot of effort and hired skilled craftsmen to create the perfect nursery.
“I’ve ordered the latest baby products of the season, and once they arrive, we will set them up. I’ll also hire a few caretakers and maids for Ruanruan, and even transfer our household steward here.”
Madam Xie and Mr. Xie conversed back and forth, paying little attention to others.
“Mom and Dad, haven’t you been busy lately?” Xie Yanshang sat beside Su Zhiruan, squinting as he asked the very enthusiastic couple.
The two exchanged a puzzled look and shook their heads. “We are certainly not busy, but what about you, hanging around Ruanruan all day? You should go to work at the office.”
At this moment, he wasn’t a son; he was a beast of burden.
Su Zhiruan, smiling, stood up with him. “Mom and Dad, I’ll accompany him. I also have some unfinished business at my company.”
“Don’t worry, I know my limits. I’ve learned plenty of pregnancy tips online.”
Madam Xie and Mr. Xie nodded somewhat disappointingly, then repeatedly cautioned, “Be very careful when you go out. Yanshang, take good care of Ruanruan.”
“Will do.” Xie Yanshang took Su Zhiruan’s hand, and they walked out the door side by side.
Su Zhiruan’s pregnancy was going smoothly, now in the fourth month, and the fetus had stabilized.
Madam Xie prepared nutritious meals daily, scaring the cook nearly out of her job and causing quite a few amusing incidents.
“If there’s anywhere you’d like to go, I’ll accompany you.” Xie Yanshang covered her hand, rubbing it gently, the two hands clasping together warming quickly.
Time had moved into late autumn, a season of cold following each bout of rain. The recent rains had cooled the outside considerably.
Jinghua, located in the north, started its heating around the onset of winter, so indoors remained warmly heated while one needed to put on a thicker coat when stepping out.
“I don’t want to go anywhere,” Su Zhiruan shook her head, yawned as the cold turned her breath into mist. She moved closer to Xie Yanshang and rubbed her eyes, “Let’s just go to your company. I’m quite sleepy and would like to rest a bit.”
Soon, they arrived at the Xie Group.
Along the way, many employees caught sight of them, wearing expressions full of intrigue, noticing Su Zhiruan’s gradually prominent belly and realizing what it meant.
Previously, Su Zhiruan was well protected, and the outside world barely knew of her pregnancy. This time, accompanying Xie Yanshang on a short trip meant that the employees of the Xie Group soon became aware.