Since then, Lian Shouli stopped going to Lady Zhou’s home for meals.

Later, Lady Zhou tried other ways to win over Lian Shouli, attempting to drive a wedge between him and his wife and daughter, but Lian Shouli reacted indifferently to it all.

"Even now, she hasn’t given up. I bet she sits on the kang every day with nothing better to do, just thinking about these things." Lian Yeye sneered.

Except when sleeping, Lady Zhou has never been one to "sit still."

"That’s just how she is, and she won’t change in this lifetime," Lady Zhang sighed and shook her head.

While they were chatting, a young girl came in to report, saying "The eldest aunt is here."

"Quickly, invite her in!" Lady Zhang’s face brightened at once, and she quickly said, while also asking, "Has she brought the children, and is the eldest uncle here too?"

Before the young girl could reply, Lian Zhizhi and Wu Jiaxing had already come around the screen wall and walked in.

Lian Zhizhi was at the front, holding a chubby baby. Today, she wore a silver-red cotton coat with a pine-green waistband, and a bean paste-colored pleated skirt, which was the latest fashion in Prefecture City this year. Wu Jiaxing followed closely behind her, carrying a basket in one hand.

Behind them were the maid Xiao Mei, and another eight or nine-year-old girl named Xiao Lan.

"Oh dear..." Lady Zhang’s gaze immediately fixed on the chubby baby in Lian Zhizhi’s arms. She quickly stood up to greet them.

Lian Zhizhi and Wu Jiaxing immediately bowed and greeted Lady Zhang, while during this time, Lady Zhang had already reached out to take the chubby baby into her arms.

Lian Manman and Lian Yeye also went over to greet Lian Zhizhi and Wu Jiaxing. After paying respects, everyone eagerly gathered and went inside.

"How did you come here? It’s such a sunny day, don’t let my grandson get sunburned," Lady Zhang said as she held the chubby baby like he was a golden egg, asking Lian Zhizhi and Wu Jiaxing.

"We came by carriage, it’s parked outside. He’s not sunburned," Lian Zhizhi responded with a smile.

After giving birth more than a year ago, Lian Zhizhi had already returned to her slender figure. If it weren’t for her married woman’s attire, strangers might mistake her for an unmarried girl.

"Baobao, did you miss grandma?" Lady Zhang asked, relieved, as she held the chubby baby and pressed her cheek against his cheek.

"Missed..." the chubby baby replied in a childish voice.

Last September, Lian Zhizhi happily gave birth to a son amidst everyone’s anticipation. Neither the Wu Family nor Lian Manman’s family had heard a baby’s cries for years. This little one was blessed, becoming an instant treasure of the Wu Family and Lian Manman’s family, hence his nickname, Dabao.

Dabao naturally means "big treasure," and the name carries other meanings too. The Wu Family hoped that Lian Zhizhi would continue to have second, third, and fourth treasures.

The little guy was about to turn one year old, incredibly smart, already able to say a couple of words. With just these short words, he could communicate freely with everyone in the Wu Family and Lian Manman’s family, often chatting with grandpa, grandma, uncle, and aunt.

"Where did you miss them?" Lady Zhang asked again.

The chubby Dabao pointed to his chest with his chubby little hand.

"Oh, you miss grandma from your heart. Dabao really loves grandma," Lady Zhang was thrilled at such an answer, as it was repeated every time Dabao came, and she was always delighted and moved.

Once inside, everyone sat down, and Lian Manman came over to Lady Zhang to tease Dabao.

Dabao recognized Lian Manman, opened his little hands towards her, wanting her to hold him.

"Who am I, Bao’er? Who am I?" Lian Manman didn’t immediately hold him but asked with a smile.

"Aunt... Aunt..." the chubby Dabao answered in a milk-like voice.

Just now, Lian Manman thought Lady Zhang was a bit clingy, but upon hearing Dabao call her, her responding voice wasn’t much more straightforward than Lady Zhang’s, and her eyes sparkled with joy.

"Good nephew, come, let Aunt hold you and give you a kiss," Lian Manman said, taking Dabao from the reluctant Lady Zhang, and giving him a kiss on his chubby, rosy cheeks, causing Dabao to giggle and wrap his chubby arms around Lian Manman’s neck, planting a slobbery kiss on her face.

With Dabao in her arms, Lian Manman sat on the kang, while Lady Zhang started talking with Wu Jiaxing and Lian Zhizhi.

"Are your parents at home? Are they doing well?"

"...They’re doing well, my father went to the county early in the morning, and we invited my mother to help with arrangements for something on our back street," Wu Jiaxing replied.

"You don’t have anything to do today?"

"I went to Liu Manor in the morning, helped settle a deal, and came back. I’m free today."

Lian Manman held Dabao, the little one tidy and clean, emitting a milky fragrance. Soft and chubby, holding him could melt anyone’s heart. Lian Manman first touched Dabao’s small clothes and then his chubby little hands. Being a little boy, his bone structure was bigger than that of a girl of the same age, and his hands were stronger too. Lian Manman gently kissed Dabao on both his little chubby hands, then touched his two chubby feet, and kissed the soles of his feet.

Dabao loved such intimate gestures, waving his little arms while giggling nonstop.

Lian Zhizhi, beside him, picked up the basket Wu Jiaxing had brought in, took out a delicate rattle, handed it to Lian Manman, and asked her to use it to play with Dabao. Besides the rattle, the basket contained two small outfits, neatly arranged diapers, and various other little things, all organized neatly.

These were all Dabao’s belongings.

...

Seek pink. (To be continued. If you like this work, you’re welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)