Seeing that she liked it, Chen Ji switched her bowl with his, even though he hadn't touched his own.
Ye Lan and the old lady saw this scene and hesitated to speak.
Before they could speak, Xu Ruantang noticed.
No matter what, Ye Lan and the old lady came all this way to see Chen Ji. If he didn't even drink a drop of the soup they made, it would be a huge disappointment to them.
Xu Ruantang always thinks a lot more.
She smiled sweetly at Chen Ji and quickly returned the bowl, saying, "I can't drink anymore. Eating too much at night will cause indigestion."
A faint smile curved Chen Ji's lips.
He looked at Xu Ruantang with an expression that seemed to say, "How come you're still so reserved in front of your parents after all this time?"
Xu Ruantang understood, but pretended not to.
They urged him, "Hurry up and drink it, it's very delicious. Look how thin you've become. Grandma and Mom specially made this to help you recover."
Ye Lan smiled and corrected, "It's not just for him, it's for both of you."
"The reason there are only two bowls of this soup is because it's very nourishing. Although it's good, you can't have too much."
If Chen Lin hadn't been there, Ye Lan would have told them how much effort she had put into making those two bowls of soup.
I'm really afraid that if the couple finds out, they'll have a huge fight.
After dinner, Chen Ji helped Ye Lan wash the dishes.
The old lady was with her baby, and Xu Ruantang prepared the milk for her to drink before bed.
Chen Lin sat to the side watching, not leaving first, probably wanting to go back with the old lady and Ye Lan.
They used the sound of running water in the kitchen as cover.
Ye Lan glanced outside before mysteriously leaning closer to Chen Ji and whispering, "Ji'er, I haven't seen Xiao Bao in a long time. I'd like to take her home tonight."
Chen Ji frowned, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes.
"Mom, Ruan Ruan said she's been bringing Xiao Bao home a lot lately."
I don't understand what my mother is trying to achieve by telling such a lie.
Ye Lan's face stiffened, and she said awkwardly, "You brat, I just really like Xiao Bao. Our family has never had a girl."
As she spoke, Ye Lan's expression turned dejected. "If you give me a granddaughter, Mom promises not to take Xiao Bao away! Look at you brothers, which one of you can let me hold a granddaughter?"
Chen Ji: "......"
He couldn't find a reply.
Ye Lan seized the opportunity to say, "Seriously, every time we bring up having children, you and Ruan Tang just brush me off."
"Your grandma and I both know, but we haven't said anything because we feel that we can't rush things like this."
“But Chen Ji, your mother and grandmother have been through this. It’s better for your wife’s health to have the baby sooner. Look at Wanwan, she’s older, so the risks are higher.”
Ye Lan kept rambling on, while Chen Ji washed the dishes in silence.
It felt like punching cotton. Ye Lan was furious. "Sigh, only Ruan Tang can tolerate your bad temper. If it were anyone else, they would have divorced you eight hundred times over!"
Even though it was her own son, Ye Lan couldn't understand what he was thinking all day long.
Ye Lan sighed, "Everyone says that a child's personality is formed after birth, but in my opinion, it's innate."
"With your personality, I wonder what kind of child you'll have in the future."
"I really hope she's a girl as pretty and cheerful as Ruan Tang, and not someone who looks exactly like you."
Chen Ji replied in a nonchalant tone, "No, it won't happen."
The words slipped out unconsciously, and he only realized what he had said afterward, his hand holding the bowl pausing for a moment.
Ye Lan tilted her head. "Son, tell me, is there something wrong with you that you've been avoiding having children?"
This question had lingered in Ye Lan's mind for a long time.
When Chen Ji injured his leg, there were rumors in the compound that he had damaged his very core.
Ye Lan and the old lady secretly went to the hospital and found Chen Ji's attending physician to ask about the specific situation.
The doctor said unequivocally that there was no problem.
However, judging from Chen Ji's behavior after returning, it seems that this is not the case.
Ye Lan's heart skipped a beat, and she dropped the bowl in her hand.
Chen Ji caught it quickly, and said with a forced smile, "Mom, don't overthink it."
Ye Lan was almost in tears.
If Chen Ji really has a problem, his family owes Ruan Tang far too much.
"Son, never avoid seeking medical help. Medicine is so advanced now, we should treat any problems we have first."
Ye Lan looked panicked, bent down and took out a bankbook from her body, and stuffed it into Chen Ji's hand.
"Son, we have money. Mom will take you to the hospital tomorrow!"
Seeing that Ye Lan's words were getting more and more outrageous and even made him cry, Chen Ji quickly and patiently explained, "Mom, I'm fine, it's just that I don't want children."
After a moment of contemplation, Chen Ji felt that there were some things he needed to tell Ye Lan.
“Mom, Ruan Tang has her own things to do. If she wants to tie the child down, she’ll be the one doing it.”
Ye Lan was taken aback.
She never expected Chen Ji to say such a thing.
As a woman who had also given birth, Ye Lan naturally knew that Chen Ji was right.
She had her own job before she married Chen Lin.
At the time, I thought I would go back to work after giving birth.
But when the time actually came, looking at the little baby's peaceful sleeping face, Ye Lan suddenly understood.
It's not that the child can't live without the mother, but rather that the mother, after becoming a mother, can't live without the child.
In those days, many people worked while taking care of their children.
Ye Lan initially persisted, but after one, two, or three children were born and Chen Lin became increasingly busy, Ye Lan eventually chose to return home.
Even with a secure job, things are like this; one can only imagine how busy Ruan Tang is.
“Son, it’s not like we can’t afford to support Ruan Tang. She doesn’t really need to work so hard.”
Ye Lan tried to phrase it tactfully.
She wouldn't dare say such things when Xu Ruantang was around.
Chen Ji pursed his thin lips. "If she wants me to support her, I'd be more than happy to. If she doesn't want to, I'll still support her."
“Mom, the last thing I want to see is her compromise because of others. I want her to live the most authentic life. I love her vibrant personality.”
Chen Ji's tone was filled with boundless tenderness.
He was always a man of few words, and this was the first time he had ever spoken to Ye Lan like this in his entire life.
Ye Lan was filled with mixed emotions.
She patted Chen Ji on the shoulder and said with relief, "Son, Mom is also very grateful to Ruan Tang."
Because of her, Chen Ji came to life.
Since his second son's accident, Chen Ji has lived a lifeless existence.
He remains as ambitious as ever, but that ambition lacks motivation.
Ye Lan held back the tears welling up in her eyes, looked up and smiled at Chen Ji, and asked, "You said you don't want children, what will you do when you get old?"
Xu Ruantang is eight years younger than Chen Ji.
“Son, don’t think I’m being harsh. What will happen to Ruan Tang after you’re gone? Others will be surrounded by their children and grandchildren, while Ruan Tang will be all alone. Can you rest easy?”
"Or are you willing to entrust her to someone else?"
"The words may be rough, but the principle is sound. Son, I'm not forcing you two to have a child, but you have to think about her."
Chen Ji: "......"
There's no need to be so rough.
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