"When do you have the time to meet my cousin?"
A panged Chen Siming, provoked by Shen Yin's earlier statement, promptly replied, "Anytime, I am free tonight."
"Hold up, don't rush. Just because you're free tonight doesn't mean my cousin is. I will ask her later, but I feel the weekend may be more suitable."
"Alright, thank you sister-in-law. Can you gift me a painting if I get married? Hanging one at home would certainly add a posh feel.” Chen Siming held a painting in his hand, treasuring it dearly.
"Sure, no problem.”
That night, Shen Yin went home and informed Fang Yue, who in turn consulted Fang Ningning. The meeting was quickly arranged for Saturday night. Shen Yin glanced at the calendar, noting her and Zhengzheng's birthdays were drawing near. Shen didn't need a celebration, but certainly couldn't overlook Zhengzheng's third birthday.
“Xiuhe.”
"What?"
"Honey."
Only then did Xu Xiuhe seem satisfied.
"Zhengzheng is about to have his birthday." Shen Yin spoke, and Xu Xiuhe, glancing at the peacefully sleeping toddler in the next room, added, "You will also be having your birthday soon."
He then pulled out a box from his pocket and opened it.
"Is it beautiful?"
"Yes, it is."
Inside the box was a jade bracelet of excellent quality, which, as Shen Yin felt it with her fingers, proved to be equal to the ones she used to have at the Dasheng Dynasty.
"Is it expensive?"
"It's okay."
"Thank you."
Then, Xu Xiuhe raised his mouth to say, "Shouldn't you thank me with more than just words?"
From his gaze, Shen Yin could guess what he was thinking.
"So, how should I thank you?"
"You should thank me with actions, you wouldn't like me to be uncomfortable, would you?"
Indeed, she really owed him some gratitude. He reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Darling."
Later that night, Shen Yin neatly tucked the bracelet away.
"Let's celebrate Zhengzheng's third birthday." She proposed.
"We will also celebrate yours. You both together.”
On Zhengzheng's birthday, Xu Xiuhe invited a moderate, but not insignificant, number of guests - those he was on good terms with, those with whom he did business. All received an invitation.
Who in Rong City would not be keen to remain on the good side of the Heyuan Group?
Decked in new clothes, Zhengzheng was busy receiving all kinds of gifts when a voice rang out, “Zhengzheng, it's grandpa's first time seeing you. I brought a peace-amulet for you, see if you like it."
Shen Yin, holding Zhengzheng's hand, looked at the man in front of her, stunned. How did he get here?
Xu Xiuhe, who was greeting his guests, immediately turned, his face paled,
"How did you get here?"
It was a questioning tone.
"Can't I come to bring a gift to my grandchild on his birthday? My dear grandchild, I'm your grandpa. Will you allow me to hold you?"
The little one stepped back, hiding behind Shen Yin.
"No!"
"He is not your grandson. He doesn't need you here."
"You are my son, if he is not my grandson, who would be?", Xu Guimin's eyes then turned to Shen Yin.
Shen Yin and Xu Xiuhe both knew what those words and that gaze signified. Right there and then, Xu Xiuhe wished he had been reared in a rock crevice.
"You senile old man, what are you saying? Your own son doesn't even acknowledge you as his father, where did you get your grandson? Zhengzheng is my grandson. Is that right, Zhengzheng? Let grandpa hold you."
Shen Tianzheng walked over from the side. The tones and sentiments of his preceding and subsequent words contrasted sharply.
Zhengzheng extended his hand.
"Let me hold him." Fang Yue hurriedly picked up Zhengzheng. Shen Tianzheng was totally oblivious. He should at least be aware of his current physical condition, right? Zhengzheng weighs about 66 pounds now, could he possibly hold him?
"Who are you calling a dead old man? You're the one who might die soon. You've just had surgery, do you even know how much longer you'll live?" Xu Guimin retorted.
Hearing this, Shen Yin felt a bit irritated. Even if Shen Tianzheng had done many regrettable things to his former self, he was still her father. Xu Guimin, as an outsider, had no right to disparage him.
Compared to that, Shen Tianzheng was at least genuinely nice to Zhengzheng. What Xu Guimin's intentions were, who could tell?
As she was about to retort, Shen Tianzheng beat her to the punch.
"I'm calling you, dead old man. You're the one who's closer to death. Why didn't you drown when you were swimming? You ought to have stayed under the water. That would've been justice for my mother-in-law."
Shen Tianzheng had always looked down upon Xu Guimin. In Shen Tianzheng's eyes, Xu Guimin was nothing more than a philandering cad and bigamist, who didn't deserve to live. Here was a man who was married, but still carried on promiscuously outside. Was he justified in his actions towards his wife? His children? A complete disgrace!
The moment Shen Tianzheng mentioned his mother-in-law, Xu Guimin fell silent, hesitating in his response.
Their argument attracted many spectators. After all, they were both notable figures in Rong City. Even if they had both taken a step back from their glory, their fame was still intact.
"Your sister-in-law, Yang, didn't make it, I..."
"Shut up."
Before Xu Guimin could finish, he was interrupted by Xu Xiuhe.
"Let me say it one more time, you're not welcome here. I'm giving you a friendly reminder out of our scant blood relations. You better look into your near-drowning incident properly. Don't get yourself killed and not even know why."
"Xiuhe, what's the meaning of your words?"
"Show him out."
Once Xu Xiuhe uttered these words, someone immediately came over to escort Xu Guimin out.
Before leaving, he was still holding the safety lock that he didn't get to give.
"I apologize for the earlier disruption. Now, let's proceed," Xu Xiuhe explained to the other guests.
Xu Guimin never expected to be kicked out. Furious, he got into his car and drove straight home.
"Guimin, why are you back? Weren't you attending your grandson’s birthday party?"
Xu Guimin, frustrated, didn't respond to Yang Cui and went straight upstairs.
Downstairs, Yang Cui smirked spitefully. Look, he'd still be sent packing no matter where he went.
In the beginning, when she found out that Xu Guimin was going to give Xu Xiuhe's son a safety lock as a present, she was incredibly jealous. But now, she didn't feel worried in the least.
“Mom, has dad come back?”
“He just went upstairs.” In the living room, Yang Cui continued to crack open sunflower seeds with a satisfied smile.
"You're not getting any younger, your father is getting old, he wants to hold his grandchild. I'll check out a few girls for you, pick one, get married, have a kid. This seems to be the best solution now."
"You handle it."
"Hey, have you got any women pregnant out there? If you have a secret child, your father will probably want to bring them home."
"None."
Xu Zhengyang thought about it carefully and indeed, there was none.
"Do you have your eye on any girl? If she's suitable, just go after her. After all, the most pressing matter now is that you need a child."
