The two elders voiced their discontent, and Mrs. Bo glared at them nacingly, "Unhappy? Then suck it up."
The two were still unconvinced, so Mrs. Bo scolded them harshly, "The two of you have a combined age of 150, yet you don’t know how to take care of yourselves! Instead, you mingle with youngsters all day long and even have them teach you cards. You don’t seek out others, but you sought out Anxi! It’s no big deal if you lose money, but what if you bankrupt Old Wang from the Wang Family, leaving him without even his coffin money? How would you explain that to his wife?"
Mr. Bo and Old Lin looked at King Jingyao.
King Jingyao gestured, "You all carry on, don’t mind ."
Only then did Mrs. Bo realize such an important figure was still present. She coughed lightly. "Well, that’s not entirely what I ant. My point is, when people get old, they should take care of their health."
Old Lin, being a father after all, finally spoke up, "It’s a rare occasion, indeed. We can’t just fool around like this every day, right, Old Bo? What do you think?"
This was what Mr. Bo enjoyed most, mainly because he got too bored when he was alone. Being able to gather with others and have fun was sothing he had longed for, much like a child who had done sothing wrong and been isolated, finally finding a chance to make ands.
When Old Lin called out to him, he jolted. Though it was quite embarrassing, he said frankly, "Alright then!"
Since outsiders were present, Mrs. Bo didn’t go too far. After a few harsh words, she let the matter drop.
King Jingyao, seeing there was no more drama to watch, rubbed his nose and left.
As soon as he departed, it felt as if their protection was gone. Mr. Bo imdiately returned to his room.
When only Old Lin and his daughter, Lin Yun, remained in the small room, Old Lin finally regained his dignified air. He took a sip of tea, set down the cup, fiddled with his fingers for a mont, and then said, "Lin Yun, I think you’re a bit too hard on your father-in-law."
Mrs. Bo sat beside him and said decisively, "Father, it’s not as if you don’t know what he did before. If we had let Bo Qing have his way back then and openly compete with King Jingyao for sothing, no matter the outco, it would have been difficult for our Bo Family to maintain our standing."
Old Lin sighed. "He’s old now. He’s been on the mountain alone for too long, and his mind isn’t as sharp as it used to be. The matter is over, so you shouldn’t dwell on it. I can see he’s not having an easy ti; it’s rare for him to be happy."
Mrs. Bo remained silent for a mont before smiling faintly. "Father, you’ve noticed all this too?"
"Indeed!" Old Lin grinned. "He can’t make any real decisions at ho anymore; he’s just like an old child. Just let him be. He’s still an elder, so you should at least give Nianyao so face. Nianyao has been very good to you over the years, and your son is also capable. Otherwise, where would you get such a precious grandchild to dote on?"
Old Lin, having lost his wife, had always been close to his daughter. He continued, "I know you’ve always wanted a daughter. Aren’t you satisfied now?"
Mrs. Bo smiled lightly, which was taken as agreent.
However, she still felt the need to argue a bit. "Father, you only see being harsh on him. You have no idea how cunning he can be. He revolves around the little one all day long, as if the child belongs to him. He’s an elder, and quite old at that, yet he doesn’t feel embarrassed at all."
Old Lin laughed, clapping his hands, and then said frankly, "Being around young ones naturally gives one vitality, especially when the little one is so interesting! Oh right, it’s settled then, I’m staying here for half a month."
Mrs. Bo imdiately understood the implication and said helplessly, "Alright, but please take it easy. Your health isn’t too good either."
Old Lin got up. "Rest assured, I know my limits."
Mrs. Bo then mumbled to herself about going to teach that young one a lesson again, but Old Lin stopped her. He glanced at his daughter. "The young couple is having so private ti. How would it look if you, the mother-in-law, suddenly showed up? It would be terribly embarrassing if you interrupted sothing."
Mrs. Bo thought carefully: There have been many things happening recently, and it’s rare for them to be together. That makes sense.
She cald down, then another matter ca to mind. "Dad, by the way, we agreed to arrange the wedding for the two kids in autumn. Why don’t we ask Nianyao to join us in discussing it?"
Old Lin stroked his beard, expressing agreent. "True, ti is quite tight. Once sumr passes, it should be done. And this baby is coming along quickly too."
Saying this, he gazed at his daughter. "You’ve also been looking forward to a grandchild for a long ti."
At this ntion, Mrs. Bo clenched her fists, her eyes shining brightly. "It would be best if she could conceive twins in one go! We’ll have to see if Xichen has that ability."
Then, feeling it might not be right, she added, "However, Anxi would suffer too much. She’s so slender, and usually a picky and delicate eater. No, no, it’s better one at a ti."
Old Lin chuckled at her words, also full of anticipation. He asked her to call Bo Nianyao over, while he discreetly called for Mr. Bo. It was quite magnanimous of him; after all, Mr. Bo was a family elder. Even if he made mistakes, they couldn’t just strangle him; they could only treat him well.
When Mr. Bo heard, he was overjoyed.
But when they ca to discuss matters, he was quite fond of interjecting. Mrs. Bo mostly ignored him. He, surprisingly, didn’t take offense and continued to chi in.
Gradually, Mrs. Bo began to respond to him a few tis, talking about etiquette, betrothal gifts, and the like. Then her gaze fixed directly on Mr. Bo.
Mr. Bo’s mouth began to tremble. He stuttered for a long ti before returning to his room and bringing out a rather large box, which he handed over. Sitting aside, leaning on his cane, he said pleadingly, "This is everything I own."
Mrs. Bo opened it, glanced inside, then closed it again and returned it to Mr. Bo.
Mr. Bo trembled with excitent as he took it back.
Mrs. Bo said calmly, "It’s the thought that counts. I prepared all of these for Xichen long ago, and he has his own as well."
Mr. Bo wiped his sweat, relieved. At his age, he couldn’t be left with absolutely nothing...
Old Lin looked at them, then at Bo Nianyao, and smiled. Isn’t this much better!
Bo Nianyao shot a grateful look at his father-in-law, making a ntal note of this favor. When Mrs. Bo left to attend to matters, Bo Nianyao said to Old Lin, "Father-in-law, I must thank you for your help today."
Old Lin casually waved his hand. "Harmony in the family brings prosperity to all endeavors."
Bo Nianyao gave a slight smile and considerately refilled Old Lin’s tea, much to Old Lin’s satisfaction.
Mr. Bo watched, feeling sowhat dejected. But then Bo Nianyao turned and refilled his cup as well. "Dad, this tea is very good."
Mr. Bo: ...Why do I suddenly feel like crying?
...
In the Orchid Room, after Bo Xichen had thoroughly ’dealt’ with her, Gu Anxi lay limply, taking a short nap.
When she woke up, Mrs. Bo and Bo Xichen were in the study, talking about sothing in hushed voices. She lay there listening for a while and gathered they were discussing wedding matters.
It wasn’t that she wasn’t interested, but she cared more about spending her days with Bo Xichen. The wedding itself wasn’t such a big deal to her, but if the elders wanted to organize it, she was happy to let them handle it.
Listening in a drowsy state, she fell asleep again.
In the study, Mrs. Bo’s voice grew even softer. She looked outside and said, "Xichen, Anxi seems to have woken up."
Bo Xichen smiled. "She must have fallen asleep again. If she had really woken up, she wouldn’t be able to resist coming over."
Mrs. Bo chuckled along, then admonished her son, "She’s still young; you need to be more indulgent with her."
Bo Xichen’s face grew slightly warm, but he said nothing.
Mrs. Bo flipped through so docunts and said, "Actually, your Aunt Bo Jin would be the best person for this. But she’s about to have her baby soon. So, it’s better for to discuss these matters with Anxi’s mom. She’s young, dynamic, and has taste."
Saying this, she grew eager, gathered her things, and stood up. "I’ll have soone invite her over right now. We’ll have a lively evening at ho, set the date for you two, and it’s ti our family properly celebrated sothing."
Bo Xichen nodded.
Mrs. Bo bustled off.
By the ti Gu Anxi had slept her fill and woken up completely, it was almost dark outside. As soon as she moved, a slightly deep voice sounded beside her, "Awake?"
She murmured and cuddled up to him coquettishly. "What ti is it?"
Bo Xichen chuckled. "Almost seven."
She stretched lazily, sat up, and said, "I’m so hungry. Father Bo and Mother Bo must have eaten already. Let’s just eat here."
Bo Xichen smiled. "I’m afraid not. Your parents and Aunt Gu Rong are coming over tonight."
She let out a soft "ah."
He added, "They’re probably coming to discuss our wedding date and figure out all the necessary formalities and such. Once Aunt Bo Jin gives birth, everyone will likely be very busy."
She murmured an "oh," and leaned on his shoulder, feeling completely limp and pliant.
Bo Xichen reached out and gently patted her little head. "What’s wrong?"
Gu Anxi whispered, "It seems like so many people are getting pregnant lately! Young Uncle, why haven’t we conceived yet after all this ti?"
They hadn’t wanted one before, but recently they had started wanting a child...
Her gaze towards him was sowhat complex.
Bo Xichen coughed lightly. "Such things depend on fate."
Gu Anxi looked skeptical...
The next day, she went for a checkup; there were no problems. She then forced Bo Xichen to get checked, and he had no problems either. So, if they wanted a child, it really would depend on fate.
Coming out of the examination room, Bo Xichen squeezed her little cheek. "Why aren’t you happy? Or is the psychological pressure too much?"
Gu Anxi murmured, then said slowly, "I feel... I can probably still have fun for a few more years."
He pinched her cheek a little harder. "It seems you’ve accidentally revealed your true feelings."
She scampered away, exclaiming, "I’m so young, why would I want to have a child!"
Bo Xichen, following behind her, shook his head and sighed. Indeed, still just a child!
But pregnancy... it happens when it happens. He wasn’t in a rush either; if she wanted to play around for a while longer, that was fine too.
...
Bo Xichen put on his white coat and went to work, leaving Gu Anxi wandering around the hospital on her own. Bo Jin was on the top floor on bed rest to protect her pregnancy, and Gu Anxi planned to pay her a visit.
But just as she entered the elevator, she ran into Tang Yuan. Tang Yuan was holding so dical scans, looking as if she had just co from an examination room. Seeing Gu Anxi, she looked sowhat surprised and even more uncomfortable.
Gu Anxi paused and nodded at her.
Tang Yuan’s mouth twitched slightly. After a mont, she finally asked, "Going to see Bo Jin?"
"Mmhm," Gu Anxi replied casually.
The air was silent for a long while before Tang Yuan quietly asked, "Anxi, could we have a coffee together?"
Gu Anxi looked at her. "Sothing up?"
Tang Yuan hurriedly shook her head. "No... nothing important. Just a casual coffee. Don’t worry, I... I won’t harm you. It’ll just be for a little while."
Gu Anxi tucked her hands into her pockets, thought for a mont, then gave a slight nod in agreent.
Tang Yuan’s expression showed a hint of excitent. Then, the two of them went back downstairs and headed to a café across the street from the hospital.
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