"It’s good to build a career. I’m not against it. Women shouldn’t give up on themselves just because they get married."
The old madam nodded approvingly.
"Rong Dai, granny wants to ask you something."
Seeing the old madam suddenly become serious, Rong Dai immediately became a little nervous and obediently replied, "Granny, please go ahead."
Mrs. Huo was silent for a few seconds before asking her, "As an old wife, I shouldn't really intervene in this kind of thing. After all, it’s a matter between you young couple."
"Granny just wants to know if you’ve taken any precautions? Have you planned when to have a child?"
Rong Dai was stunned for a moment, then immediately understood.
Although she felt a trace of loss in her heart, with the experience of her previous life, she could of course understand and appreciate the importance this prestigious family placed on having an heir.
Although she was still young, Huo Shao Ting was no longer that young.
There was an old saying, 'establish yourself by thirty'.
Although there was fierce competition within the Huo Group, it had not yet reached the stage of cutthroat tactics. Everything was still under control.
She could understand the old lady's longing to hold a great-grandchild, and she didn't object herself to raising a child at this age.
"Granny, we haven't."
She shook her head with a light smile. Under normal circumstances, it was mostly the mother-in-law who would inquire about this. It was rare for the grandmother to get involved.
But she could understand the old lady's feelings. She had been the nation’s First Lady for thirty years and had also absorbed the fresh knowledge of this era.
She could now handle this kind of topic.
"And I'm not against having a child now."
"I'm not saying this to please granny or my mother-in-law, nor to tie down Huo Shao Ting, but because I want to have a child myself."
"I also look forward to becoming a mother. With granny and mother's guidance, I believe I can raise the child well."
Her words were very sincere, and the look in her eyes at the old lady was also sincere.
Mrs. Huo didn't expect her to say this. After all, a girl her age was still naive and immature.
Moreover, the thinking of young people nowadays was very open-minded, and there were many who chose to be child-free.
She knew her eldest grandson’s temperament very well. If Rong Dai was unwilling, he would absolutely not force her, even though the Huo family still had Huo Shao Jie and Mei Shu.
But she didn’t hold out much hope for those two unreliable ones.
The one she was most concerned about was her eldest grandson, Huo Shao Ting. He had suffered too much and lost too much.
There wouldn’t be many things that could make him happy in the future.
Now that Rong Dai had appeared, Lu Zheng and her shared the same view that as long as the young couple could be happy together and have a child or two, they would be satisfied.
"That's good, that's good. You're a good child. It’s really unfair to you, but granny..."
Tears welled up in the old lady's eyes. She was very happy with Rong Dai's thoughtfulness and understanding.
"I understand, granny."
Rong Dai also felt emotional. She instinctively sat next to the old lady and held her soft, wrinkled hands to comfort her.
"Meeting granny and the rest of you is my blessing. Huo Shao Ting and I are very good together, and we'll get even better. I'll take good care of him, granny, so don't worry."
How fortunate she was to have met this family!
Mrs. Huo also held her hand, unable to say anything, but made a choking sound in her throat.
Rong Dai gently patted the old lady on the back. She knew a lot from her young aunt. She knew the Huo family's difficulties and Huo Shao Ting's hardship.
If she didn't have the memories of her previous life, she probably wouldn't have been able to empathize with the old lady's state of mind.
When she left the old lady’s room, Rong Dai heaved a long sigh.
"The old madam can really talk now."
Huo Shao Ting's voice came.
Rong Dai looked back and saw Huo Shao Ting leaning against the wall right outside the old lady's room. She didn't know how long he had been standing there.
She knew he was worried about her.
A soft feeling rose in her heart. She smiled and walked over to him, recalling the old lady's words. She took his hand in hers.
"Huo Shao Ting, I promised granny I would take good care of you."
Huo Shao Ting's breathing hitched slightly, then relaxed. His deep eyes were filled with a pampering look as he reached out and rubbed her head, "I know."
...
It was the eve of the Lunar New Year.
The Huo family was busy early in the morning. Uncle Li and Huo Shao Jie were busy pasting Spring Festival couplets and hanging lanterns while the kitchen was the women’s domain.
The ingredients had been prepared very early. The old madam was in an exceptionally good mood today and also wanted to show off her cooking skills.
Mother-in-law and young auntie also cooked a dish each, with Rong Dai and her husband taking the lead.
When night fell, the table was full of food and the aroma was very tempting.
Although Mrs. Wang and Uncle Li were servants who normally couldn’t sit at the table, since it was New Year’s Eve and the Huo family was small, they were also seated at the table.
The warm festive atmosphere gave Rong Dai a different experience and feeling. This was how a family should be!
Even when she was still in her boudoir in her previous life, she had enjoyed such times.
However, she had spent the second half of her life in the imperial harem, so those tastes had faded.
But today, the Huo family once again gave her that feeling.
Raising her wine glass, she was in an exceptionally good mood amidst the sound of firecrackers outside.
"Wife, happy New Year."
Huo Shao Ting hugged her by the waist. His usually cold, stern face wore an increasingly gentle smile as he clinked glasses lightly with her.
Rong Dai looked at him in surprise, then smiled knowingly and softly said, "Husband, happy New Year."
This New Year’s Eve dinner was especially joyful for the Huo family.
Huo Shao Ting had already dealt with the company’s matters in advance. After dinner, mother-in-law and Mrs. Wang brought up fruits while Rong Dai made tea to aid digestion.
The huge LCD TV in the living room was showing a New Year's Gala. The festive atmosphere was strong.
"Stop fussing, come sit for a while."
Huo Shao Ting reached out to pull her to sit next to him on the sofa. Rong Dai obediently sat beside him without argument and let him hug her, nuzzling her hair one moment and pecking her cheeks lightly the next.
If it were normal times, young auntie would surely make acidic comments.
But young auntie was exceptionally quiet today. Young uncle had been busy recently, so he had gone upstairs early to rest and be able to stay up late. Everyone else was seriously watching the Gala.
Seeing Mei Shu curled up on the sofa, smiling foolishly at her phone, Rong Dai elbowed Huo Shao Ting lightly.
"Looks like you'll have to prepare a dowry."
Huo Shao Ting glanced indifferently at Mei Shu and said lightly, "As long as she can get married off and not come bother you, I don't mind giving her half the family assets."
"So generous?"
Rong Dai raised her eyebrows teasingly.
"Have faith in your husband's money-making abilities, hmm?" Huo Shao Ting kissed her forehead and whispered back.
Rong Dai just smiled silently and leaned against him to watch the Gala attentively.
