Chapter 384: Chapter 384: Delivering Wedding Invitations

Ding Xingye is a diligent and studious person, which Shu Yuxiang noticed as soon as he started college and was in the same class with him. Being the freshman representative and consistently topping every quiz, the teachers all praised him unanimously. Not only is he keen to learn, but he also has a logical mind, truly a promising talent.

However, when talking about personal matters today, Shu Yuxiang realized that Ding Xingye is also a down-to-earth individual, filial but not blindly so, with his own plans. He’s someone who fights for the future, a potential asset. This is precisely the type of person their family hopes to find for Shu Yujie.

The children of influential families in Jing City come with their complexities; the idle ones are naturally disregarded by the Shu family, and the ambitious ones might have their own preferences. While the Shu family is decent, they aren’t the center of attention. Those who truly care for their children look for people who are good and come from simple families.

"Xingye, come over for dinner sometime," Shu Yuxiang said to Ding Xingye with a smile.

Ding Xingye was taken aback at first, but then his face lit up with joy, "Th-th-thank you, Brother Yuxiang."

Shu Yujie covered her mouth and giggled, watching his foolish expression.

After lunch, the group descended the stairs. Shu Yuxiang was just about to tell his sister to head out when Ding Xingye approached Shu Yujie, too shy to look at her, and quietly asked, "Do you, I, we, want to go see a movie?"

Shu Yujie blushed and nodded, "Sure, sure."

"Second Brother, I’ll head home after the movie. You go ahead," Shu Yujie stood obediently next to Ding Xingye, waving at Shu Yuxiang.

The girls become independent eventually, but as it wasn’t an excessive request, he agreed, "Come home for dinner."

"Got it," Shu Yujie readily agreed.

Xu Ancheng and Yi Roujing also returned, heading straight to Beiluo Lane.

The one who opened the door was Yuan Xiangyu, surprising and delighting Yi Roujing.

"Xiangyu."

"Roujing, you’re back, what a coincidence. Didn’t expect you went out for dinner. Well, that just means auntie’s cooking will only benefit us even more." Yuan Xiangyu had two bowls of rice today; if it weren’t for Zhou Zeyuan stopping her, she would have eaten more.

"Dad, Mom," Baozi said, furrowing his little brows while in Zhou Zeyuan’s arms.

Gu Shizhao also approached, and upon seeing him, Yi Roujing’s eyes lit up.

"Is Xingchen here too?" Yi Roujing asked, her face full of delight.

"Yes, sitting in the main room. She plans to go to the hospital tomorrow. The due date is near, but there’s been no sign yet," Gu Shizhao said, his face showing a mix of worry and the pride of imminently becoming a father.

Yi Roujing and Yuan Xiangyu ignored the two men and went inside first. Yuan Xiangyu was sitting under the eaves of the main room. Her pregnancy was showing, so she needed to sit with her legs slightly apart. Seeing Yi Roujing come over, she stood up with joy. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

"Whoa, take it easy," Yi Roujing hurried over a few steps, "Your belly’s not small. What did the doctor say?"

"The doctor says the baby is healthy, and the size is due to the excess amniotic fluid," Xia Xingchen explained, "But they also said the baby hasn’t turned yet, so I might need a C-section."

"Don’t be afraid of a C-section. Plenty of people have them these days, especially in Jing City," Yi Roujing said.

"Wouldn’t a C-section leave a scar on the belly?" Yuan Xiangyu remarked, "But at least it’s on the belly, not on Gu Shizhao’s face."

"Pfft—" Yi Roujing burst into laughter, and Xia Xingchen laughed until tears came out.

The three men had just walked through the moon gate and happened to catch Yuan Xiangyu’s comment. Both Xu Ancheng and Zhou Zeyuan glanced at Gu Shizhao’s face, inexplicably feeling that Yuan Xiangyu’s words made sense, and they laughed too.

Gu Shizhao laughed the most heartily. Previously, Xia Xingchen was very anxious about needing a C-section and having a scar on her belly—no amount of consolation seemed to help. He hadn’t expected to come to Beiluo Lane and see her so relieved, laughing so freely.

"Lishu had a C-section too, and I noticed her scar has faded," Li Hongying said as she brought out some fruit and candy, placing them on the square table in the courtyard. She looked at Xia Xingchen with a smile, "That scar is like a soldier’s wound, a badge of honor. You can always use it to get your husband to do chores later."

Gu Shizhao’s smile deepened, "Auntie, that’s truly well put."

Xia Xingchen, too, shed her pre-delivery anxiety, touching her belly, her face glowing with maternal radiance.

"Don’t worry about the hospital stay for the C-section; Auntie will take care of everything. With experience, you can rest easy, and during your confinement month, come stay with us. We have a room ready for your family of three, so Shizhao can go to work without worry."

Xia Xingchen’s eyes reddened, and she nodded, "Auntie, please be my godmother."

"Absolutely," Li Hongying agreed readily, "I feel so blessed, gaining a daughter and son-in-law."

Gu Shizhao had the same intention, already thinking about what gifts to prepare for the recognition ceremony.

"Where are Lishu and Anmin?" Yi Roujing hadn’t seen either couple and expected them to be around on the weekend.

"Lishu’s mom came to Jing City," Li Hongying said with a smile, "They went with their child to pick her up."

"Anmin’s mother-in-law came along too. I heard the in-laws planned to come together," Li Hongying said, "They all headed to the train station, and Anmin’s family won’t be here for dinner tonight as they’re going to the Huang family."

Li Hongying seldom found the house bustling again. She usually took care of two children alone while Ding Wei worked, and others were busy with studies, leaving the house quiet. Xu Ancheng and Yi Roujing, much like Ding Anmin’s family, would visit during weekends. Otherwise, the Xu family would feel even quieter.

"We’ve come to deliver wedding invitations today," Zhou Zeyuan said after finishing his tea, pulling out an invitation, "The wedding banquet will be on the seventh of May and twelfth of June in the evening."

"Finally, you’ve captured the beauty," Gu Shizhao teased.

Zhou Zeyuan was full of joy, "Good things take time, but it’s worth it for lifelong happiness."

"Oh, right. We went out for lunch today because Shu’s family was arranging a match," Xu Ancheng said, smiling at Zhou Zeyuan, "Consider it an early wedding gift for you two."

Yuan Xiangyu was intensely curious, her face beaming, "A match? Was it with someone you knew, Roujing? Does Yujie like them?"

"Yes, she requested it herself," Yi Roujing said with a smile, recounting their accidental match and mutual fondness, which had Yuan Xiangyu occasionally covering her mouth with laughter, eyes filled with happiness for them.

"It’s wonderful that she’s found someone she likes," Yuan Xiangyu exclaimed joyfully.

Zhou Zeyuan also felt relieved. He treated Shu Yujie as his own sister; she’s a good girl, and now she was about to have her happiness, which made him happy too.

That night, Beiluo Lane was bustling. Ruan Qingru arrived at Beiluo Lane around four in the afternoon, warmly welcomed by Li Hongying, who led her to the clean and neatly prepared room in the east wing, where Feng Lishu’s family resided. The east wing had three rooms, and Ruan Qingru was settled in the leftmost one.

Ruan Qingru held Dumplings for a while, then switched to holding Tangyuan, giving a kiss here, taking a bite there, her smile never fading from her lips.