"Old Xiao, Old Xiao, come down quickly! Your daughter-in-law is back with your precious grandson!" Xiao's mother rushed upstairs in a hurry, her voice echoing throughout the small building, completely losing her usual elegance and dignity.
Xiao Jianguo was studying an old military map in his study. Hearing the noise, his pen paused, the ink smearing a tiny black dot across the map. He shook his head helplessly, lowered his wolf-hair brush, removed his reading glasses, and stood up and walked out of the study. This once-powerful founding father was now just an ordinary old man, yearning for his children and grandchildren.
"Dad, slow down!" Xiao Lang was sharp-eyed and saw his father coming down the stairs, so he quickly reminded him.
"Why are you in such a hurry? I'm not too old to walk!" Xiao Jianguo said this, but his steps were still as steady as usual. He walked to the corner of the stairs and his eyes fell on Chen Xiaoru.
Chen Xiaoru sat upright on the sofa, her hands unconsciously protecting her swollen belly. Seeing Xiao Jianguo, she immediately tried to stand up, but her belly made it difficult. She looked nervous and awkward, like a frightened deer.
Who was Xiao Jianguo? He'd been through the ravages of war, what had he not seen? But he was both fond of and nervous about his pregnant daughter-in-law, terrified of any bumps.
He walked down the stairs in two steps, his voice very soft, with a barely perceptible tremor: "Xiao Ru, you're here. You must have had a hard time on the road. Come on, sit down. Come on, sit down. Don't move! Just let Xiao Lang take care of you!"
Chen Xiaoru was a little confused by Xiao Jianguo's sudden enthusiasm and concern. She subconsciously looked at Xiao Lang, her eyes full of help.
Xiao Lang received the signal and immediately stepped forward, blocking Chen Xiaoru. He said with a smile, "Dad, don't scare Xiaoru. She's shy!"
"You little brat, I'm just concerned about your wife, how could I scare her?" Xiao Jianguo glared at Xiao Lang, but there was a smile in his tone.
Chen Xiaoru finally reacted and quickly said, "Dad, I'm not tired. Xiao Lang has been taking care of me along the way." Although her voice was small, it was firm and grateful.
Xiao Jianguo looked at Chen Xiaoru, his eyes as if he were looking at a rare treasure. He nodded, his tone even softer: "That's good, that's good. Xiaoru, this will be your home from now on. Do whatever you want. Don't be restrained!"
Chen Xiaoru felt Xiao Jianguo's genuine concern, and the tension in her heart finally relaxed. She smiled slightly, revealing two shallow dimples: "Well, I understand, Dad."
Xiao Lang looked at Chen Xiaoru relaxing and he also breathed a sigh of relief.
"Yes! Xiaoru, don't be nervous. Are you hungry? Mom will cook you something to eat." Xiao's mother got up from the sofa and looked at Chen Xiaoru with a smile, her eyes full of love.
Chen Xiaoru touched her belly and nodded a little embarrassedly: "A little bit."
"I knew you'd be hungry!" Xiao's mother scolded him, then turned to Xiao Jianguo and said, "Old man, why are you standing there? Don't you know how to lend a hand? Don't you see your daughter-in-law is still pregnant?"
Xiao Jianguo was startled by the yelling, but then he reacted and nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, yes, let's eat, let's eat!" He glared at Xiao Lang, who was still standing there stupidly, "You little brat, what are you still standing there for? Don't you have any sense? Don't you support Xiao Ru?"
Xiao Lang woke up as if from a dream, and hurried forward a few steps, carefully supporting Chen Xiaoru: "Wife, slow down, slow down."
Chen Xiaoru was amused by the father and son's jerking movements, and the tension in her heart disappeared. She said softly, "Mom, don't be so nervous. I'm fine."
"Then let's eat first. Knowing you will be back today, I prepared everything in advance and it's hot in the pot!" said Xiao's mother, walking towards the kitchen first.
"Well, thank you, Mom. It's great to have you." Chen Xiaoru followed behind with a hint of coquettishness in her voice.
"Oh, this little mouth is so sweet, just like it's covered with honey!" Xiao's mother was so happy that she walked faster. "This girl knows how to talk!"
Xiao Lang looked at his mother's delighted face and couldn't help but lean over to Chen Xiaoru's ear and whispered, "See? My mother is buying into your tricks. Your position in the family is secure!"
Chen Xiaoru's cheeks flushed slightly at his amusement, and she pinched him lightly: "What nonsense are you talking about!"
Xiao Jianguo couldn't help but laugh happily when he saw the young couple flirting with each other.
"Mom, I'll go help you." Xiao Lang said, and followed her into the kitchen.
The kitchen was steaming hot. Xiao's mother was busy taking the dishes out of the pot, while Xiao Lang was helping her.
"Mom, your cooking skills are getting better and better! This braised pork makes me drool just by looking at it!" Xiao Lang did not forget to flatter her while helping to serve the dishes.
"Stop talking nonsense! Don't you know what your wife likes to eat?" Xiao's mother rolled her eyes at him and said, "Learn more. In the future, you will be able to make whatever Xiaoru wants to eat!"
"Okay! I guarantee to complete the task!" Xiao Lang responded with a grin.
Soon, the food was served: braised pork, steamed fish, stir-fried vegetables... the food was delicious and mouth-watering.
"Xiaoru, come and try mom's cooking!" Xiao's mother greeted her warmly.
Chen Xiaoru looked at the table full of dishes and felt a warm current surge in her heart, and her eyes unconsciously became moist.
"Xiao Ru, what's wrong? Why are you crying for no reason?" Seeing this, Xiao's mother quickly put down her bowl and chopsticks, her tone full of heartache.
"Did this brat bully you?" Xiao's father also glared at Xiao Lang, his voice rising eight octaves.
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!
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