Chapter 734: Chapter 633

Wu Xiangyun met up with Xiao Man under the covered corridor. The two walked over to the flower trellis in the courtyard and sat down to talk. Xiao Man took the opportunity to check Wu Xiangyun’s pulse and assess her current health. She advised her to finish the remaining two doses of Chinese medicine, then switch to a new prescription. By the Lunar New Year, she wouldn’t need any more medicine at all. She would only need to focus on a therapeutic diet to gradually recuperate and strengthen her body. When the time was right, she would naturally be able to have children.

After hearing Xiao Man’s words, Wu Xiangyun’s cheeks flushed red, and she simply held Xiao Man’s hand and grinned foolishly. She had originally majored in nursing and was now pursuing further studies at a medical school. She was well aware of her own body’s condition and did her best to take care of herself, but the most crucial factor was the medicine Xiao Man had prescribed. Without Xiao Man, had she missed this window for treatment, she would never have had the chance to become a mother.

If that had happened, she would have eventually felt guilty toward Shaofeng, no matter how much she loved him—even though it wouldn’t have been her fault. Therefore, being able to truly recover and have a child for Shaofeng was her dream. Xiao Man had helped her make that beautiful dream come true. Some kindnesses were too great for words; she would remember what Xiao Man had done for her for the rest of her life.

Speaking of summer break plans, Wu Xiangyun said she would only stay at their home in Beijing for about a week before heading back to H Province to visit her parents and her brother and sister-in-law. Gu Shaofeng had escorted her back to Beijing, taking the opportunity to handle some other business and also to wish Xiao Man an early happy eighteenth birthday. He had learned from "Third Uncle" that "Big Brother" would be coming back, but they didn’t know if the two brothers would get to see each other, since Shaofeng had to return to his military base tomorrow morning.

Xiao Man feigned surprise. "Is my birthday such a hot topic? Even you guys remember it."

Wu Xiangyun shot her a look. "How could we not? You were originally supposed to get engaged to Big Brother on your birthday this year. Everyone was prepared and had the date memorized. It ended up happening earlier, but that doesn’t make the birthday itself any easier to forget."

Xiao Man chuckled. "In that case, don’t forget. But you’d better remember the birthday gift as well!"

Wu Xiangyun smiled. "Of course! But the birthday girl has to give a little something too, you know. My Shaofeng is too shy to say it, but he’s been craving your Braised Lion’s Head Meatballs. As for me, I crave everything you make, but I especially love your Mapo Tofu. It’s just perfect for my tastes. Oh, my mouth is watering just thinking about it!"

"That’s an easy request. The kitchen should be fully stocked today. Let’s go right now, and I’ll make it for you. You can learn how, and then you two can have it every day."

"Oh, yes! Let’s!"

Wu Xiangyun clapped happily. It wasn’t that she couldn’t cook, but for some reason, she could never replicate the flavor Xiao Man achieved. She really wanted to see how she did it with her own eyes.

The two stood up as they spoke, only to see Tian Xueqin and Gu Shaoling walking out of the main hall. The mother and daughter were also heading toward the kitchen.

"Let’s go in a bit." Wu Xiangyun held Xiao Man back and told her about the confrontation she’d just had with the mother-daughter pair. With so many family members home today, it was better to avoid contact and minimize conflict.

"It’s better this way, with all pretenses dropped," Xiao Man said. "She can’t stand you and sees you as a thorn in her side, so why should you bend over backward trying to please her?"

Wu Xiangyun sighed. "It’s just hard on Shaofeng. He has such a cold personality and doesn’t seem to have many friends besides his comrades-in-arms. And now, because of me, not only is his relationship with his mother strained, but he’s also cut off all his relatives on his maternal uncle’s side."

"Shaofeng is an adult. He knows what he wants. He made his choice, and now he has to take responsibility for it, right? So you don’t need to worry so much."

"Mm, that’s what he says, too." Wu Xiangyun’s smile was full of happiness, satisfaction, and a touch of pride. "Sometimes I can’t help but wonder if we were a couple in our past lives. Otherwise, how did I win him over so easily when I didn’t do much of anything? So many girls are green with envy. They’re better than me in every way, but I’m the lucky one. It must be fate!"

Xiao Man was speechless. ’This silly girl has no idea. In her past life, Tian Xueqin got her killed right from the start. She didn’t stand a chance. And here she is now, gloating about her good fortune.’

"That Zeng Rong, has she still been going to ’visit’ your Shaofeng recently?" Xiao Man asked. Wu Xiangyun had complained in her letters that Zeng Rong was frequently going to the military base to find Gu Shao Feng.

Wu Xiangyun scoffed. "Why wouldn’t she? Shaofeng has rejected her, even harshly berated her. She leaves crying, but next time she comes back all dolled up with a brilliant smile. I have to hand it to her. Shaofeng is tired of it too, so he can’t be bothered with her anymore. Anyway, after all this drama, the truth has mostly come out. She’s a public figure with such a great image on TV, so at first everyone sympathized with her and supported her. They all thought Shaofeng was heartless and that I stole her man. Thankfully, Shaofeng’s commanding officer stood up and clarified things for us. And my frail, sickly appearance doesn’t exactly scream ’homewrecker,’ does it? Compared to her glamorous beauty, if Shaofeng were some fickle womanizer, he should have chosen her, right? My husband and I have made our position clear. Zeng Rong’s shameless and repeated harassment just makes people look down on her. The situation is completely reversed now; no one at the military base wants to see her anymore. But she’s still asking for trouble. One time, she even latched onto me on the street and followed me home, and Shaofeng had to physically pick her up and throw her out. I honestly couldn’t watch. And I can’t understand it—she has so much going for her, there must be plenty of men pursuing her. Why does she have to fight with me over mine? Why is she so determined to hang herself on this one tree?"

"Well, about that... sigh. ’The world is full of lovesick fools, and their sorrow has naught to do with the wind or moon.’"

Xiao Man had just tossed out a random line of poetry. She didn’t know how to answer Wu Xiangyun’s question. ’I can’t just tell her that Zeng Rong succeeded in stealing him away once before, so she’s trying her luck again, can I?’

Wu Xiangyun rolled her eyes at Xiao Man. "Let’s change the subject. What do you mean, ’lovesick fool’? She knows he’s a married man, she knows it’s immoral, yet she shamelessly insists on fighting for him. I think she’s possessed!"

"Right, right, you’re absolutely correct! Hey, if you already figured it out, why ask me? Are you testing me or something?"

The two of them chattered and giggled under the flower trellis. Hearing them from a distance, Mrs. Zhou had a nanny bring them a fruit platter, iced tea, and a few small snacks. Before long, the little ones, freshly bathed and changed, came running over. Gu Shaozhen and Zheng Shaolian were trailing right behind them; a quick question revealed they’d been drafted as temporary male nannies. The whole group, young and old, crowded around the stone table, bringing over wooden chairs when the stone stools ran out. Beneath the trellis of vibrant, blooming bougainvillea, a boisterous tea party had begun.

Tian Xueqin had taken Gu Shaoling to the kitchen not to help, but to inspect the ingredients and "remind" the staff of her family’s preferences. Tian Xueqin went on and on, specifically listing the dishes that Gu Qiyuan, Shaofeng, and Shaoling liked. She nagged and micromanaged, getting so detailed as to specify which serving platters should be used. Zhou Hui Lan walked in and heard it all, not knowing what to even say to the woman. She bluntly warned Tian Xueqin that if she wasn’t going to help, she should at least not cause trouble. They were busy in here; the two old madams were in the side room personally sorting dried mushrooms and wood ear for the meal, and she was practically begging for a scolding. Only then did the mother and daughter sullenly leave the kitchen.

Returning to the main courtyard, they were met with the lively scene under the flower trellis. Gu Shaoling also had a soft spot for the adorable little children. But then she saw the older brothers who used to dote on her, play with her, and laugh so happily, now orbiting Xiao Man. They were even flashing brilliant smiles at the detestable Wu Xiangyun. A deep sense of displeasure welled up inside her, and she quickened her pace as she walked over.

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