Chapter 438| Chapter 439| Chapter 440
Chapter 438: The Family Dinner
“Third Brother… Third Sister-in-law,” Wang Chunmei greeted them as they entered, her voice tight.
Gu Tingxiao ignored her entirely, his eyes scanning the room. Sheng Wanyan simply smiled politely but said nothing in response.
The elders of the family paid no mind to the quiet friction among the younger generation. They had all crowded around Father Gu, their attention wholly captivated by the sleeping bundle in his arms. Even the children huddled close, trying to catch a glimpse.
Seeing an opening in the commotion, Eldest Sister-in-law finally found her chance to slip away from the kitchen duties. She pulled Sheng Wanyan aside, leading her to the living room sofa for a quiet chat.
“Sister-in-law, are you pregnant?” Sheng Wanyan asked the moment they sat down, her eyes twinkling.
She had noticed it instantly. Eldest Sister-in-law’s gait had shifted, and there was a subtle change in the softness of her figure.
“You’re as sharp as ever,” Eldest Sister-in-law chuckled, patting her hand affectionately.
The two women sat on the sofa, chatting intimately like long-lost sisters. Across the room, Wang Chunmei stood entirely alone, watching them with an awkward, bitter expression.
Even Gu Tinghao had gone over to peer over Father Gu’s shoulder to get his first look at his little niece, completely ignoring his wife’s obvious discomfort.
Wang Chunmei felt a sudden wave of resentment. The moment the third branch returned, the entire family’s attention had been sucked away as if by a magnet. What is so special about a little girl anyway? she thought irritably.
Frustrated that no one was paying her any mind, she marched over, grabbed her young son by the shoulder, and yanked him back to stop him from trying to look at his new cousin.
“Mom! I want to go see my sister!” Gu Jinmin whined, pulling against her grip.
“What is there to look at?” Wang Chunmei snapped, her face darkening. “Sit down right here and behave.”
Used to being thoroughly coddled, Gu Jinmin stared at his mother in shock. Seeing her uncharacteristically mean expression, the boy’s face crumpled, and he immediately threw a tantrum.
“Waaah! Waaah!” he shrieked at the top of his lungs. “Mommy, you’re being so mean to me! I don’t want you anymore!”
Wang Chunmei was already feeling marginalized, and hearing her precious son reject her instantly sent a spike of panic through her chest. She catered to the boy’s every whim, treating him like her personal lifeline; his existence was the sole foundation of her status within the Gu family.
Terrified of losing his affection, she immediately dropped to her knees, pulling Gu Jinmin into a tight hug and desperately trying to coax him into silence.
But it was too late. Gu Jinmin was already howling like a banshee, his piercing shrieks echoing off the walls of the entire Gu estate.
Startled by the sudden, deafening noise, Yiyi jolted awake in Father Gu’s arms. Her eyes snapped open, and seeing a massive crowd of completely unfamiliar faces looming over her, a wave of sheer terror crashed over her. Her big eyes instantly flushed red. Her lower lip trembled, and she looked as though she was about to burst into tears, but she was too frightened to even make a sound.
Seeing his granddaughter tremble, Father Gu’s face turned black as thunder. He whipped around to glare at his youngest grandson.
“Why are you crying?!” Father Gu roared, his voice booming like a cannon shot. “You think you can solve every single problem by wailing like a spoiled brat?! You are an absolute disgrace to the Gu family!”
The sheer volume and ferocity of his reprimand had an instant effect. Not only did Gu Jinmin choke back his sobs in absolute terror, but even Yiyi, who had been on the verge of crying, immediately sucked her tears back in, her eyes wide with shock.
Yiyi: “……” So… am I not allowed to cry either? What happens if I bring shame to the Gu family?
Gu Jinmin was so petrified by his grandfather’s wrath that he buried his face deep into Wang Chunmei’s chest. The boy feared nothing in the world except the patriarchs of his family. The moment Great-grandfather or Grandfather wore that terrifying expression, all his bravado evaporated.
“He’s nearly three years old, yet he behaves with absolutely no discipline,” Father Gu barked, pointing a thick finger at Wang Chunmei. “If you refuse to teach him properly, I will take over his discipline myself!”
Panic seized Wang Chunmei. “I’ll teach him! I promise I’ll teach him well!” she stammered, holding her son tighter.
Everyone knew exactly what Father Gu meant by “discipline.” To him, education didn’t mean extra tutoring or scolding—it meant throwing the boy directly into the military training camps to be hardened. Gu Jinfang frequently underwent such brutal physical training and often came back covered in bruises. Wang Chunmei couldn’t bear the thought of her precious son enduring that kind of suffering.
“Lower your voice! Don’t you dare scare Yiyi,” Mother Gu hissed, shooting her husband a withering glare. She quickly stepped forward, her voice dropping to a gentle coo as she tried to comfort the frightened toddler.
Father Gu looked down at the tiny bundle in his arms. Yiyi was clearly terrified, her eyes wide and watery, yet she stubbornly refused to let a single tear fall.
As expected of my granddaughter, Father Gu thought, a surge of fierce pride welling in his chest. She’s incredibly strong. She won’t shed a tear even when she’s frightened.
Trying to look less intimidating, Father Gu awkwardly softened his expression, but his sudden stiffness only made Yiyi shrink further into his chest, her little hands gripping the collar of his uniform tightly.
“Did that loud noise startle you, sweetheart?” Father Gu asked awkwardly.
Yiyi gave a small, honest nod, her heart still hammering against her ribs.
Sheng Wanyan quickly stepped forward and gently lifted Yiyi from her father-in-law’s arms. She pressed her hand against the toddler’s back; her little heart was indeed racing. Realizing her daughter was still deeply unsettled, Sheng Wanyan rhythmically patted her back, murmuring soothing words to ground her.
Safely back in her mother’s familiar embrace, the last remnants of Yiyi’s fear finally melted away.
Gu Tingxiao stepped up beside his wife, placing a protective hand on her waist. He gestured to the room, formally introducing the family hierarchy so Yiyi could greet them properly.
“Yiyi, this is Great-grandfather and Great-grandmother,” Gu Tingxiao instructed softly.
“Great-great~” Yiyi mumbled softly.
She still preferred to simplify her words, but Grandpa and Grandma Gu didn’t mind in the slightest. Hearing her sweet, polite voice for the first time, they were utterly charmed. Even if she just called them “grandpa and grandma,” they would have responded with equal joy.
“And these are your Grandpa and Grandma.”
“Yeah-yeah~ Na-na~”
Father Gu gave a solemn, satisfied nod, while Mother Gu’s smile stretched from ear to ear. The last time they had seen her, she had been a mute infant. Now, the child had grown beautifully, speaking with such a polite, milky voice.
“This is your Eldest Uncle, Eldest Aunt, Fourth Uncle, and Fourth Aunt.”
“Uncle, Auntie, Fourth Uncle, Fourth Auntie~”
Yiyi diligently followed her father’s instructions, greeting everyone down the line. Her impeccable manners genuinely surprised the older generation.
“And these are your cousins,” Gu Tingxiao continued, pointing to the children. “This is your Eldest Brother, your Big Sister, and your younger brother. You can just call them Brother and Sister.”
“Brother~ Sister~”
Yiyi looked at the older children, her large eyes sparkling with sudden curiosity and excitement.
Gu Jinfang stepped forward, gently taking her tiny hand in his. He looked down at her with intense, brotherly consideration. “Sister, do you want some water?”
Yiyi shook her head. She wasn’t thirsty; she was starving and desperately wanted to eat some meat.
“Brother~ I’m hungry,” Yiyi admitted, patting her stomach. She realized her normally round little belly had deflated during the long journey.
Hearing her complain of hunger, Gu Jinfang immediately looked over to Mother Gu. As a member of the younger generation, he knew the rules of etiquette: no one ate until the elders gave the official command to sit at the table. He couldn’t overstep his bounds.
“If the child is hungry, then let’s serve the food,” Grandma Gu declared immediately, waving her hand toward the dining room. “They’ve been traveling for days. We should eat early so they can get some proper rest.”
Hearing that the feast was finally beginning, Gu Jinmin instantly stopped sniffling. He wiped his nose on his sleeve and scrambled toward the large dining table, his mouth practically watering at the sight of the lavish spread.
Since Yiyi and Gu Jinmin were both toddlers and too short for the grand dining chairs, they had to sit on their parents’ laps. Yiyi stared at the glistening braised pork, trying hard not to drool, but since her parents hadn’t picked up their chopsticks yet, she knew she had to wait.
“Yiyi, Mommy will take you to wash your hands first,” Sheng Wanyan said, preparing to stand up.
“I’ll take my sister!” Gu Jinfang offered instantly.
“Me too!” Gu Jingjing chimed in. Both older siblings were eager for a chance to bond with their new little cousin.
“Is it okay if your brother and sister take you to wash your hands, Yiyi?” Sheng Wanyan asked gently, giving the toddler the choice.
Yiyi pondered the offer. Having grown up isolated in the military compound up north, she didn’t have any playmates of her own age. The prospect of having a big brother and sister to play with was incredibly exciting, but she was still a little nervous around the new faces. She looked up at Gu Tingxiao and Sheng Wanyan for reassurance.
Sheng Wanyan knew exactly what was holding her back. “Mommy and Daddy will be waiting for you right here at the table.”
Hearing that her parents wouldn’t leave, Yiyi gave a firm nod and obediently slid off Sheng Wanyan’s lap, allowing Gu Jinfang and Gu Jingjing to take her hands. The two older children proudly escorted her to the kitchen sink, helped her wash the travel grime from her hands, and led her back to the dining room to await the meal.
“Thank you, Brother, Sister~” Yiyi chimed politely as she sat back down.
Though her voice was soft, it carried clearly across the dining room. Every adult at the table heard her, and a collective wave of quiet admiration rippled through the family. Sheng Wanyan had clearly done a magnificent job raising such a disciplined, polite child.
“You’re very welcome,” Gu Jinfang beamed, pulling his chair as close to hers as possible, his eyes absolutely glued to her. My new sister is so cute and chubby! It’s going to be amazing showing her off to the other kids in the compound!
“Oh, our little darling is just too sensible for her age!” Grandma Gu gushed, her heart thoroughly melting. Unable to resist, she leaned over and planted two loud kisses on Yiyi’s chubby cheeks.
“Hehehe~”
The affectionate kisses tickled Yiyi, and she let out a bright, infectious giggle. The joyous sound filled the entire dining room, and the elders exchanged smiles of pure, inexpressible happiness.
Chapter 439: Great-Grandfather’s Favor
“Great-Grandma~”
“Oh, my sweet girl. Can Great-Grandma hold you while you eat?”
Grandma Gu held the little girl in her arms, completely unwilling to let go. Yiyi gave a prompt nod, readily abandoning her parents without a second thought. She let Grandma Gu carry her over to the head of the table, right next to Grandpa Gu.
The family patriarch cast a sharp, heavy glance at the toddler. Yiyi stared right back at him with unblinking curiosity, her large eyes examining his stern face without a shred of fear.
Under her raw, naked scrutiny, Grandpa Gu actually felt a bit self-conscious. What on earth was this child looking at? Was his face dirty, or was he simply terrifying her?
“Great-Grandpa~”
Yiyi used her hands and feet to scramble right onto Grandpa Gu’s lap. Once she found her footing, she sat down comfortably and leaned her back against his chest.
Grandpa Gu’s entire body went rigid. A collective gasp echoed through the dining room; the rest of the family looked on in absolute shock.
My goodness, the old man is terrifyingly fierce! How does she dare to pluck the hairs right under the tiger’s nose? She truly is a child who doesn’t know how dangerous the world is!
“Dad, let me take her,” Father Gu stammered, breaking out in a sudden sweat. He rushed forward, eager to rescue his incredibly brave granddaughter before the storm broke.
Grandpa Gu merely waved a dismissive hand. “No need. Let’s eat.”
Father Gu felt a wave of unease, but since the old patriarch had spoken, he didn’t dare contradict him. Mother Gu also watched the old man anxiously. In this household, the old man’s word was absolute law. None of the juniors had ever dared to use him as a personal booster seat. Forget about sitting on his lap—most of them didn’t even dare to speak loudly in his presence.
Oblivious to the tension, Yiyi wiggled her hips to get comfortable, gripped the edge of the dining table with both hands, and stretched her neck to inspect the feast. The spread Mother Gu had prepared was so lavish that the toddler’s eyes widened in sheer delight.
Seeing her eager expression, Grandpa Gu picked up his chopsticks, selected a choice piece of braised meat, and placed it directly into her little bowl. Yiyi raised her head, staring at the meat and then at him, but made no move to eat.
Her mother had drilled the rules of etiquette into her: a child must wait until the elders picked up their utensils before eating, or it would be terribly impolite.
“Great-Grandpa, please eat first~” Yiyi piped up.
Grandpa Gu’s hand paused as he was about to pour his wine. He stared down at her. Was this tiny girl actually enforcing table manners on him?
The family members held their breath, terrified for the child, but Grandma Gu wore a proud, knowing smile. Now that the third branch was back, there was finally a fresh recruit to help keep the old man in check. Let’s see if he still dared to sneak extra liquor at every meal.
“Mommy, I want meat! I want meat right now!”
Seeing Yiyi receive a prime cut, Gu Jinmin couldn’t sit still a moment longer and began clamoring for his share. Wang Chunmei held him tightly, casting a deeply embarrassed glance at Grandpa Gu, whose expression remained terrifyingly stern.
“Wait a moment, Jinmin. Great-Grandpa and Great-Grandma haven’t started eating yet,” Wang Chunmei whispered, trying desperately to placate her son before the old man lost his patience.
Seeing that his mother wasn’t instantly serving him, Gu Jinmin stood up on her lap, leaned far over the table, and reached out his bare hand to snatch a piece of meat directly from the serving platter.
“Presumptuous!”
Gu Tinghao’s face turned black as thunder. He slapped his hand on the table, fiercely reprimanding his son. Where were the basic rules of a household? Had the elders even touched their food yet? Furthermore, the boy wasn’t even using chopsticks or a spoon. Was he seriously going to dig into a communal dish with his bare hands without even washing them?
Startled by the roar, Gu Jinmin dropped the meat back onto the platter. He shrank back into Wang Chunmei’s arms, trembling with fear.
“Why must you always shout at the child?” Wang Chunmei protested, rubbing her son’s back defensively. “He’s not even three years old yet! How is he supposed to understand complex table manners? Besides, he just saw Yiyi being served meat, and he’s hungry too.”
Gu Tinghao’s temper flared exponentially at her defense. “He’s nearly three! Children younger than him understand these basic concepts perfectly! Why doesn’t he? It’s all because you spoil him rot! You’ve coddled him to the point of lawlessness!” Every time he attempted to instill a modicum of discipline, Wang Chunmei would rush in to shield the boy, never giving him a proper chance to educate his own son.
“What’s the matter? Do you mean to say I was wrong to serve the meat first?”
Grandpa Gu’s voice was so icy it could freeze water on the spot. Caught under his piercing gaze, Wang Chunmei’s protests died in her throat.
“No… of course not, Grandfather.” How could she dare suggest the old patriarch was in the wrong? She could offend anyone in this compound, but crossing the old man was a death sentence.
“Hmph!” Grandpa Gu scoffed. “I will serve food to whoever I please, and it is not your place to comment. If you find the dining customs of the Gu household so intolerable, you are welcome to take your son and get out!”
The old man didn’t spare her a shred of dignity. He had spent his entire life commanding troops, and he had absolutely zero tolerance for a dramatic, disruptive presence at his family table. Gu Jinmin was officially the very first junior who dared to behave so crudely and lawlessly in his presence.
Wang Chunmei snapped her mouth shut, hastily pulling her son tight to signal her submission. But Gu Jinmin, utterly unaccustomed to being denied, pointed a finger directly at the old patriarch and let out a furious wail.
“Great-Grandpa is partial! Great-Grandpa is bad!”
Wang Chunmei’s heart nearly stopped. She hadn’t anticipated her son would have the audacity to point aggressively at the family patriarch. She lunged to pull his hand down, but Father Gu didn’t give her the chance.
With a dark, fearsome expression, Father Gu reached across the table, clamped his massive hand around Gu Jinmin’s extended finger, and sharply wrenched it backward. He didn’t break the bone, but the severe, grounding pain was more than enough to terrify a coddled toddler.
“Ahhhh! Daddy, it hurts!” Gu Jinmin shrieked in agony, weeping as he looked up at his grandfather.
Father Gu stared him down, his eyes cold. “If I ever catch you pointing a finger at your elders again, I will personally chop your hand off and feed it to the dogs!”
The sheer weight of the threat completely broke Gu Jinmin’s defiance. He choked back his tears, his little frame trembling in absolute silence, thoroughly traumatized.
“Woof!”
Hearing the mention of a treat, Maodou promptly raised his head from beneath the table, his eyes locked onto Gu Jinmin’s fingers with intense interest.
The retriever’s sudden bark was the final straw. Gu Jinmin was so utterly terrified that he peed his pants right then and there, clutching his mother in petrified silence, not daring to emit another sound. Wang Chunmei’s legs went entirely weak. Her eyes welled with tears as she gently massaged her son’s bruised hand, her heart aching.
“Guard your son’s hands well,” Father Gu warned coldly. “If there is a next time, I won’t mind having one less grandson in this lineage.”
“Yes… understood,” Wang Chunmei bit her lower lip, swallowing her immense grievance as she cradled her child. She cast a pleading look at Gu Tinghao, but her husband kept his gaze fixed ahead, with zero intention of intervening. He knew his father had already shown immense restraint. If Gu Jinmin hadn’t been a blood child of the Gu family line, the old man would have snapped his bones rather than just giving him a fright.
Yiyi couldn’t quite comprehend why her cousin kept weeping; she only knew that her stomach was currently completely empty.
The rest of the table seamlessly moved past the incident, acting as if Wang Chunmei and her son weren’t even present. Even Father Gu was furious, so no one dared step forward to mediate. The family resumed their dinner, chatting pleasantly as they poured the wine.
With the signal given, Yiyi was finally permitted to dig in. She wielded her little spoon with furious concentration, eagerly devouring whatever cuts of meat the elders dropped into her bowl, entirely focused on her food.
“Good girl. Try some of the wild fish soup Grandma simmered for you,” Mother Gu said, placing a small bowl before her. She had carefully strained the broth twice to ensure there wasn’t a single bone left.
“Thank you, Grandma~”
Yiyi lifted the small bowl with both hands and gulped the broth down in a series of hearty swallows, putting her incredible appetite on full display.
“My, Yiyi certainly has a wonderful appetite,” Eldest Sister-in-law smiled, watching her fondness. “Just looking at her makes me feel hungry.”
Eldest Brother Gu immediately selected two prime cuts of meat and placed them on his wife’s plate. “Then you should eat a bit more.”
Ever since her pregnancy had taken hold, Eldest Sister-in-law had struggled severely with morning sickness and a total lack of appetite. It was a rare joy to see her taking an interest in food, and Eldest Brother Gu was thrilled. Sure enough, while watching Yiyi happily devour her dinner, Eldest Sister-in-law found herself clearing her own plate without even realizing it.
Chapter 440: Yi Yi’s Special Skills
Eldest Brother Gu had never expected his niece to possess such an extraordinary ability. He secretly resolved to purchase a wider variety of delicious foods for the little girl in the future, hoping it would encourage his wife to join her for more hearty meals.
Completely oblivious to the fact that she was about to be pampered into a thoroughly plump little girl, Yiyi kept her head buried in her bowl, focused entirely on her food.
Sheng Wanyan noticed that Grandpa Gu was getting up there in years and it might be tiring to hold a child for so long, so after a short while, she stepped forward to take Yiyi back.
“Great-Grandpa needs to eat his dinner too, sweetheart. Why don’t you let Mommy hold you now?”
Yiyi lifted her head from the bowl, a few grains of rice sticking to the corner of her mouth, and looked up at her mother. “Okay~”
She then used her spoon to scoop up two pieces of braised pork. Unfortunately, she was still so small and her arms were too short to reach the dishes across the table. Seeing her struggle, Father Gu quickly shifted the platter of meat closer to her.
Sitting across from them, Gu Jinmin’s face fell the moment he saw his favorite dish being moved away. However, the lesson he had just been taught was still fresh in his mind, so he didn’t dare utter a single complaint. He could only watch helplessly as his meat was taken away.
Yiyi put all her effort into scooping up a prime piece of braised pork, inspected it carefully, and placed it right into Grandpa Gu’s bowl.
“Eat!” she commanded in a firm, adorable baby voice, her bright eyes locked onto the old patriarch.
Since her mommy had said Great-Grandpa hadn’t eaten yet, she was going to make sure he did. He absolutely had to eat the meat she picked for him!
Grandpa Gu raised his eyebrows in surprise at her powerful little tone. Without a word, he picked up the pork with his chopsticks and ate it.
“Look at how filial our little girl is, always looking after her elders,” Grandma Gu beamed, her heart completely stolen by the sight. What a darling child! The moment she heard her great-grandfather hadn’t eaten, she immediately made sure to feed him.
Praise always made Yiyi perk up instantly. She stretched out her chubby little hand again and scooped a mound of vegetables into Grandpa Gu’s bowl. “Eat it all up~”
Grandpa Gu finished the vegetables without a single objection. Content and satisfied, Yiyi finally allowed herself to be carried back to sit with her parents.
“Are you full yet, troublemaker?” Gu Tingxiao asked softly, fetching a cloth to wipe the grease and rice from her mouth and hands. His daughter had been thoroughly doted on by the entire table all evening, and he had felt a surge of pride just watching her bold interactions with the old patriarch.
“Not full yet~” Yiyi chirped, shaking her head. “Daddy! Eggs~” She had only managed half a bowl of rice so far and was at most fifty percent full.
Gu Tingxiao immediately served her a portion of the smooth egg custard. Now that they were back in their original seats, they happened to be sitting right across from Gu Jinmin.
“Mom, those are my eggs,” Gu Jinmin mumbled, shrinking carefully back into Wang Chunmei’s embrace. Watching his favorite egg custard being devoured mouthful by mouthful, he grew incredibly anxious.
“Don’t worry, Mom will get some for you,” Wang Chunmei whispered soothingly. In her heart, she felt a bitter resentment toward her father-in-law for being so flagrantly partial. How could he treat her precious boy with such harshness while completely indulging the girl? He had terrified her son so badly that she feared it would leave a lifelong psychological trauma. Her boy was just as much a blood descendant of the Gu family line as anyone else! Why did he have to endure such a stark double standard?
Though she felt deeply slighted, Wang Chunmei knew better than to stir up trouble on such a major family occasion. She swallowed her grievances and focused entirely on coddling her son, placing whatever he pointed at onto his plate. Gradually, Gu Jinmin’s mood recovered, and a peaceful harmony settled back over the dinner table.
“Come, everyone. Today marks our long-awaited family reunion. Let’s raise our glasses,” Grandpa Gu announced, lifting his cup. It was a festive day, and it deserved a proper celebration.
Every adult at the table rose to clink their glasses, and Yiyi proudly hoisted her own little milk bottle into the air to join them.
“Our family is finally whole again under one roof, and the Spring Festival is just a few days away,” Grandpa Gu stated, his deep voice carrying through the room. “In the coming year, I hope each of you will continue to dedicate yourselves to the service of our nation and keep moving forward.” The old patriarch was a man of action rather than words, delivering his profound expectations in just a few succinct sentences.
“Understood, Dad.” “We will, Grandpa.”
The dining room remained bustling and warm with conversation. However, as soon as Yiyi finished her egg custard, her eyelids began to droop. She propped her chubby chin up with both hands, her little head nodding off every few seconds.
“Yiyi is exhausted. Wanyan, why don’t you take her upstairs to rest first?” Mother Gu urged, her heart aching for the toddler. The poor thing had survived a grueling week-long train ride and had been running on pure adrenaline since they arrived.
“Yes, the three of you go on up and settle in. Leave the rest to us,” Grandma Gu chimed in. The dinner was winding down, and the plates were nearly cleared. There was absolutely no reason for the weary travelers to linger for the cleanup; getting proper rest was the priority.
Sheng Wanyan nodded gratefully. In truth, a heavy fatigue was pulling at her own eyelids, and if it weren’t for the presence of the family elders, she would have slipped away to bed long ago.
Gu Tingxiao stood up, lifting the sleepy toddler into his powerful arms before addressing the patriarchs. “Grandma, Dad, Mom, we’ll head upstairs first then.”
Grandpa Gu offered a brief wave, granting his silent permission. With the old man’s blessing, the small family felt no psychological burden and made their exit. Gu Tingxiao carried his daughter up to their designated quarters, settled his wife in, and then made a few quick trips back down to haul up their heavy luggage.
“I’ll get her into the bath first. Hand me her pajamas and a fresh towel,” Sheng Wanyan instructed, rolling up her sleeves. Over the past week on the train, they had only been able to manage quick sponge baths. Fortunately, it was the dead of winter; had it been the sweltering heat of summer, the little girl would have likely been tracking a distinct odor.
“Alright, I’ll unpack the crates,” Gu Tingxiao replied smoothly.
The couple divided the labor seamlessly. By the time Yiyi was lifted out of the warm water, she was completely groggy. The very second her head touched the mattress of her new crib, she drifted into a deep sleep.
Sheng Wanyan let out a soft sigh. Worried that the heavy dinner followed by immediate sleep might cause an upset stomach, she reached down to gently massage the toddler’s tummy. Sure enough, after a few rhythmic circles, the little girl let out a series of loud farts, revealing that she had been quite bloated from the rich food.
Gu Tingxiao walked over, silently taking over the task so his wife could rest. He pulled a pair of fresh pajamas from the trunk and laid them out. “Go ahead and take your shower, Wanyan. I’ll finish massaging her tummy.”
Sheng Wanyan didn’t try to be stubborn; she was so exhausted her vision was starting to blur. She gathered her things and headed to the bathroom. By the time she returned, clean and refreshed, she finally had a moment to inspect their quarters.
The room was filled with thoughtful preparations from the family elders. Several unopened gift bags sat prominently on the vanity table, and the wardrobe was already packed with beautiful new outfits tailored specifically for Yiyi. Sheng Wanyan left the treasures untouched, deciding it would be much more fun to let the little girl explore them on her own in the morning. She spent a few minutes organizing their travel bags, crawled under the thick quilt, and fell into a deep, dreamless slumber.
When Gu Tingxiao emerged from his own shower, he found his wife sleeping in the exact same distinct position as their daughter—both of them had their tiny fists curled up beside their cheeks, their faces flushed a warm rose from the heavy blankets. He walked over to the side of the bed, his eyes brimming with a profound, doting satisfaction. He reached out to gently tuck the quilt securely around their shoulders to shield them from the midnight chill, dried his hair, and climbed in beside his wife to rest.
The next morning, a profound quiet wrapped around the estate, and the family of three slept heavily, not waking until 9:30 AM. By the time they changed Yiyi’s diaper, dressed her in a comfortable indoor outfit, and washed her face, the clock was hovering close to ten.
“Mommy, what’s all this?” Yiyi chirped, pointing a chubby finger toward the bright gift bags arranged on the table. Her large eyes danced with pure curiosity.
Sheng Wanyan smiled, knowing exactly how much the toddler loved a good surprise. “Those are welcome gifts, sweetheart. Great-Grandpa, Great-Grandma, your grandparents, and your uncles and aunts prepared them all just for you.”
“Oooooh!” Yiyi squealed with delight. The moment her boots were securely fastened, she trotted over to the table, her tiny hands gently patting the glossy paper bags. “Mommy, can Yiyi open them now?”
“Of course you can, baby. They belong to you.”
Leaving her daughter to her discoveries, Sheng Wanyan turned back to smooth out the bedding. Behind her, Yiyi’s face split into a wide, crinkled grin, and she happily plunged her hands into the bags to unveil her new treasures.
