Chapter 37
Leng Xueran was about to give birth, but the most nervous person wasn't her, it was Xi Yimin. He had arranged for a midwife to be on standby at the mansion, and a wet nurse had also been hired—both were among the best-regarded in Fengcheng. Leng Xueran looked at the man before her with amusement and said, "Yimin, why are you so nervous? It's me giving birth, not you." Xi Yimin said with heartache, "I'd rather be the one giving birth. Seeing Xueran suffer like this breaks my heart. I should have known better than to have the child." Leng Xueran looked at the man who had spoken without thinking and comforted him, "Yimin, this suffering is Xueran's own choice. I love you just as much, and I don't want you to suffer either. With you by my side, even hardship is sweet." Xi Yimin held the baby in his arms... The woman, gazing at the pear blossoms in the distance, seemed somewhat dazed, as if she couldn't remember the bad things she had experienced before, only those related to the woman in her arms. She sighed, "Xue Ran, I feel as if I've traversed countless mountains and rivers just to meet you. Those past memories seem to exist only with Xue Ran." The woman in her arms teased, "I remember very clearly what Yi Min did before. You and I were strangers, and it was only because Yi Min did some dissolute things that our extraordinary fate came about." Yi Min replied smugly, "Of course! How could someone who has entered my heart not stay by my side?" Seeing his shameless reply, Leng Xue Ran said coquettishly, "What woman in the world is like you?"
"Is this how much I love you, how much I cherish you, Xue Ran?" Xi Yimin replied with a chuckle. Leng Xue Ran knew she couldn't win the argument, so she changed the subject, "Yimin, has Xiu'er been going out alone a lot these past few months?"
"It seems so, but I don't know what she's busy with. Maybe I should ask her, and tell her sister-in-law is curious about what you're doing, whether you've met some young man outside and are completely captivated, never home." Xi Yimin teased, watching the woman in his arms change the subject. Just then, the person being talked about returned, cheerfully greeting the two sunbathing in the garden: "Brother, sister-in-law, how pleasant!" Xi Yimin smiled at her, "Not as pleasant as Xiu'er, never home. Anyone who didn't know better would think she was having a secret rendezvous." Hearing this, Xiu'er blushed and said, "Brother, what nonsense are you talking about? Sister-in-law, you should control her!" Leng Xueran, however, didn't help, adding fuel to the fire, "I see Xiu'er's face is red, it seems your brother might be right. Tell us, maybe we can help?" Xiu'er stamped her foot, pouting, "What? She's just a good friend I get along with, what..." "Young master? It's a young lady, the one I bumped into on the street when the Gu family returned to Fengcheng." Hearing this, Leng Xueran thought seriously for a moment, then suddenly realized, "But the one you bumped into that time was a young master, and that young master was very handsome." Xi Yimin, hearing the woman in his arms praising someone else, said jealously, "What, isn't the one at home handsome?" The woman in his arms looked up at her and said disdainfully, "Handsome? You're more than just handsome, you're the most shameless woman." Xi Yimin laughed happily, "It's an honor for Yimin to be recognized by Xueran." The woman in his arms rolled her eyes at her, thinking, "You two keep showing off, I'll go check if lunch is ready. After lunch, I'm going to go find her this afternoon, we've arranged to go to the theater together." Before she could ask any questions, the man ran off, leaving the two of them staring at each other in the garden.
Half a month later, Leng Xue Ran gave birth. Looking at the weak woman on the bed, Xi Yi Min almost shed tears of heartache. Seeing this, Leng Xue Ran smiled weakly, "Yi Min, don't worry, I'm just tired. Once I've recovered, we can be like before." Hearing this, Xi Yi Min held the woman's hand tightly, kissed the back of her hand, and said softly, "The happiest thing in my life is meeting Xue Ran, such a wonderful woman." The woman smiled gently, held the hand of the man beside her in return, and said softly, "I am also lucky to have met such a good person as Yi Min."
A month later, Xi Yimin held the baby, grinning foolishly at her. A woman beside him chuckled, "Yimin, why are you grinning like a child? So silly." Hearing the woman tease him, Xi Yimin grinned even more foolishly, "Xue Ran, I think our daughter is really adorable. Her eyes are like yours, so beautiful." The woman smiled, "You've been standing there holding her for half an hour. The baby must be hungry. Bring her over so I can breastfeed her." Hearing this, Xi Yimin's eyes lit up. Remembering how the woman had been so bloated the night before, and how the baby hadn't finished eating and he had eaten the rest himself, he felt a surge of desire. Seeing the man's expression, the woman knew he wasn't up to anything. Sure enough, she heard him say, "Xue Ran, are you feeling bloated? Let's go back to the room, I'll help you." The woman playfully retorted, "What are you thinking? Give me the baby." Xi Yimin chuckled and handed the baby to the woman, then sat down beside her. The woman shooed him away, saying, "Go away." Xi Yimin was displeased, but feigned seriousness, saying, "Xue Ran, we've already had the baby, what is there that I can't see?" Hearing his shameless words, Leng Xue Ran blushed and said, "It's broad daylight, I'll go back to the room to feed him." She then ignored him, and Xi Yimin quickly followed. The two went into the room and didn't come out for two hours. The baby was asleep, and Xi Yimin's expression finally showed satisfaction. It seemed she was the one who had been satisfied. The woman beside him was beaming with desire, supporting her lower back.
For the 100-day celebration, Xi Yimin threw a grand party. All his relatives and friends from Fengcheng came, and even Leng Shouqing from the capital came to see his granddaughter. His expression of adoration was like that of a child; he held her tightly, refusing to let go. Xi Yimin complained, "Xue Ran, your father has been holding her for an hour, it's my turn." Hearing this, Leng Xue Ran glared at the two of them, took her daughter from her father's arms, and retorted, "He's my father, but he's also your father." Xi Yimin smiled ingratiatingly, "Yes, yes, he's my father too." He followed the girl into the room. Only Leng Shouqing, ignored by the two, was left behind, fuming, "So stingy! He only held her for an hour! No way, I need to stay longer to see my granddaughter more."
Lately, there's been a string of good news! News has come from the capital that the Crown Princess is pregnant. But in the Xi family mansion, there's someone with a heavy heart—Qi Ziyue. In the garden, Xi Yimin asked Qi Ziyue, who was standing beside him, "Ziyue, there's not much fighting or killing going on right now, just managing the Xi family's business. You should have plenty of time, right? It's been several months, and I haven't heard any good news. You look so worried all the time. What's Gu Xiyan's attitude? Do you two have a chance?" At this, Qi Ziyue's brows furrowed even more, and he said with a bitter face, "Young Master, I feel like it's hopeless." Leng Xueran, standing next to Xi Yimin, asked curiously, "How could that be? I remember you saw Gu Xiyan every day."
"I could see her, but she ignored me. She acted like I was invisible, going about her business as usual, still going on dates with other men." Qi Ziyue's eyes reddened with distress. A person who had never cried before was now on the verge of tears; it seemed she was truly heartbroken. Xi Yimin asked, puzzled, "You went on her dates too? You didn't stop her?"
"Of course I tried to stop her, but one hateful look from Xi Yan made me back down. I didn't dare to stop her too much, because I was afraid she would hate me even more. It's been several months now, and I think it's really impossible. I won't go tomorrow. In a few days, I will draft the divorce papers and send them to the Gu residence, so that she can regain her freedom." Qi Ziyue said with a discouraged and helpless compromise. Leng Xueran comforted him, "I'll go talk to Gu Xiyan tomorrow, okay?" Qi Ziyue gave a bitter smile and said gratefully, "Thank you, Madam. I've decided not to bother her anymore, nor will I force her. This is the only thing I can do for her now. After the divorce, I plan to manage the business in other places for you, Young Master." Xi Yimin said unhappily, "No, why go to other places? Isn't it better to stay in Fengcheng with us?" Qi Ziyue was her capable assistant; how could he let her leave his side? Qi Ziyue pleaded, "Young Master, I'll come back once I've adjusted my mood, okay?" Xi Yimin looked at his subordinate, who was troubled by love. Over the years, he had long regarded her as family, and how could he bear to see her suffer? In the end, he had no choice but to compromise, "Come back as soon as you've adjusted. The Xi residence is your home; we are all family." Hearing this, Qi Ziyue said with emotion, "Thank you, Young Master!"
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