Chapter 521 - 505: Favorable Impression

After Zheng Changsheng returned, he took Lin Shuying to the hospital for another check-up. The doctor told him that childbirth had its risks and that he needed to take extra care of Lin Shuying. Zheng Changsheng agreed repeatedly.

He discussed it with Lin Shan again, and they set the wedding for November 20th.

They didn’t need many guests—just a meal with close family and friends would suffice. However, without the ceremony, people might gossip that she and Zheng Changsheng were having a child out of wedlock, and they would say Lin Shuying wasn’t a respectable woman.

Therefore, the wedding was a must. Lin Shuying had to be able to give birth openly and honorably.

Zheng Changsheng handed over the wedding preparations to Sun Jiaming. He himself refused to leave Lin Shuying’s side for even a second. He was so cautious it was as if something terrible would happen to Lin Shuying the moment he took a step away.

As he was from a younger generation, Sun Jiaming couldn’t refuse when Zheng Changsheng asked for his help. He helped decorate their new home, selected a nice hotel, booked a few tables, and perfectly arranged the menu, cigarettes, alcohol, and guest list.

On the day of the wedding, they all went to the restaurant. There wasn’t much of a ceremony, as they were worried a large crowd might jostle the pregnant Lin Shuying. Aside from the Lin Family, the Sun Family, Li Zhi’s family, and Dingzi’s family, Li Hua and Qin Dali also came.

A few other relatives were there, as well as the family of Zhongshan’s wife.

Lin Shan hadn’t made a big deal about it. Otherwise, many people would have undoubtedly used it as an excuse to attend, which he didn’t want. A simple meal with these close relatives and friends was enough, as they all sincerely wished Lin Shuying the best.

Although it wasn’t a grand wedding, Gu’er could tell that her aunt, Lin Shuying, was deeply moved. At her age, she didn’t care for such vanities; all she wanted was someone by her side who would treat her well.

"Jiji is looking more and more energetic! You’re raising him so well."

Li Hua held Jiji, not wanting to let him go. She truly adored the boy.

"Of course. He’s my precious grandson. How could he not be?"

Cao Qiu chimed in from the side, feeling a little discontent. ’As his grandmother, I want to hold him too!’ But she couldn’t just snatch him from Li Hua’s arms. They rarely saw Li Hua, and since she wanted to hold the baby, it would be rude to take him away.

"So when are you going to give Jiji a little brother or sister?" Li Hua asked Gu’er. "It’s about time! Jiji is already walking. You and Jiaming should have a couple more, you have someone to help watch them."

Cao Qiu’s eyes lit up, her earlier discontent with Li Hua vanishing instantly. A smile spread across her face as she chimed in, "Isn’t that the truth! Hua’er, you really get it. That’s what I’ve been saying, too! With me here to watch Jiji, it won’t be any trouble for Gu’er and Jiaming to have another. By the time the baby’s born, Jiji will be two. The timing is perfect, don’t you think?"

"Yes, you’re absolutely right. You’re in great health. It’s Gu’er’s good fortune that you can help watch the children for a few more years."

Li Hua nodded in agreement.

"My dear, I’m not just bragging, but I’m really not bad at looking after children. Just look at how well I’ve raised Jiji! I can definitely take good care of another."

Cao Qiu and Li Hua chatted enthusiastically.

Gu’er listened on the side, speechless. ’Is having a baby really as simple as they make it sound?’ she thought. ’Carrying a child for ten months is incredibly difficult.’ She did plan on having another, but she wanted to wait until Jiji was at least three or four. She felt she hadn’t even fully recovered from her first pregnancy yet.

However, Gu’er kept her thoughts to herself. The older generation always wished for big families with many descendants. There was no need to argue with them and make things unpleasant. She would just stick to her own timeline.

Everyone ate and chatted in a harmonious atmosphere. The happiest of all was Jiji. With so many people holding him, playing with him, and showing him affection, he beamed at everyone and held out his little arms to be picked up, making them all adore him even more.

After leaving the restaurant, everyone followed Zheng Changsheng and Lin Shuying to their new home.

The new home was quite spacious and well-decorated. The large double bed with its red satin quilt, combined with the couple’s portrait hanging prominently on the wall, created a very festive atmosphere.

Zheng Changsheng passed out cigarettes and candy to everyone. The men gathered in the living room to talk.

Lin Shuying sat on the new bed with a blush on her face. She was truly happy and felt incredibly blessed today.

"Xinghua, are you going to live here or at your old place?" Li Hua asked.

"Uncle Zheng—no, Dad—said I should move in, but I feel it might be inconvenient for me to live here during the first month. So, we agreed I’ll move in after a month. That way, I can also help take care of Mom."

Xinghua had started calling Zheng Changsheng "Dad." It wasn’t actually that difficult for her to say. She had long been disappointed in her biological father, Zheng Daniu, and Zheng Changsheng had always treated her well, leaving her with a good impression of him. Now that he had married her mother, he was her stepfather. Besides, with her mother pregnant, the baby would be her own half-sibling by blood. It was only right to call him Dad.

"Your dad is a good man. You and your brother should make sure to get along with him. Your mom had a difficult life before, but things are better now. Still, she’s pregnant, so you need to watch over her carefully."

Li Hua and Lin Shuying were close, so she was genuinely happy for her friend and concerned for her well-being.

"I know, Auntie. When you’re free, please come visit and chat with my mom. She’s not working anymore, and sometimes she gets antsy."

Xinghua was very thoughtful.

"I will, I’ll come over often. Oh, by the way, Xinghua, your mom told me people have been introducing you to potential partners. Have you met anyone you like?" Li Hua asked.

Xinghua’s face flushed bright red.

Gu’er raised an eyebrow. ’Oh? Is there a story here?’ she wondered. ’In the past, whenever the topic came up, Xinghua would just shake her head and say she wasn’t thinking about it. But this time she’s blushing. Has she actually met someone she likes?’

Lin Shuying had actually been very keen on Li Zhi as a match for her daughter, but she never brought it up, feeling her family wasn’t worthy of his. Xinghua, for her part, only ever saw Li Zhi as an older brother and had no romantic interest in him. She was also exceptionally kind to Feng Ling. Whenever Feng Ling gave her new clothing designs that sold well, Xinghua always insisted on giving her a cut of the profits. Feng Ling would refuse, but Xinghua would quote the old saying, "Even brothers must keep clear accounts," and force her to accept the money.

When Feng Ling left to study design, Xinghua had been thrilled and extremely supportive. Xinghua was a cheerful, kind-hearted young woman, and Gu’er sincerely hoped she would find a wonderful partner.

"Xinghua, what’s going on?" Lin Shuying also noticed something was up.

"N-no, nothing... It’s just..."

Xinghua, flustered and shy, began to stammer.

"Take your time, don’t be anxious."

Gu’er took Xinghua’s hand, helping her calm down.

"A little while ago, a man came into our shop wanting a sweater knitted. I asked him what kind he was looking for and showed him some designs, yarns, and their prices. But he looked for a long time, then just apologized and left. I didn’t think anything of it. A few days later, he came back and asked if we had something warmer with a simpler pattern that was a bit cheaper. I realized then that he probably didn’t have much money, so I helped him find a simple, inexpensive option. He was so happy; he just kept blushing and thanking me. And I... I don’t know why, but when I saw him smile, my heart... my heart just... I’ve only met him twice! The sweater’s done, but he hasn’t even come to pick it up yet. It’s not what you’re thinking."

Xinghua laid it all out. She had a favorable impression of a customer, but they weren’t dating. She didn’t even know his name or his family situation.

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