Chapter 954: Chapter 954 Reunion
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Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
“No problem,” Zhou Ying replied. “I can give it to you before you leave.” Ushering everyone to be seated, she offered tea and a variety of dried fruits, peanuts, melon seeds, walnuts, hazelnuts, pine nuts, and more.
After a while, Mrs. Liu and her daughter-in-law excused themselves to join Mrs. Bai in conversation.
Turning to Mrs. Guo, Zhou Ying asked, “Aunty Guo, has Zixuan’s wedding date been set?”
“Yes,” Mrs. Guo replied, “it’ll be on the 18th of April. It’s a comfortable time, neither too hot nor too cold.”
“Excellent! Once Zixuan gets married, you’ve truly done your duty. Time to relax and enjoy yourself.”
“There might still be some work to do,” Mrs. Guo confessed with a blush.
Zhou Ying’s surprise was evident as she noticed Mrs. Guo’s hand on her stomach. “Are you pregnant again?” she exclaimed incredulously.
“Yes, well,” Mrs. Guo chuckled sheepishly, “the old oyster seems to have produced another pearl. It’s quite embarra.s.sing, really.”
“Nonsense!” Zhou Ying rea.s.sured her. “You’re in your early thirties, hardly old. Plenty of women in their forties have children. Just relax and focus on delivering a healthy baby.”
Mrs. Yao chimed in with agreement, “Indeed. I’ve even heard of women having children in their fifties and sixties. Your age is nothing to worry about.”
Mrs. Yang simply smiled, silently acknowledging that witnessing childbirth in their fifties or sixties wasn’t uncommon.
Zhou Ying saw that they were chatting and got up to sit next to Yang Siqi, Gu Chengxi’s wife, who was sitting quietly on the side. She asked, “Seventh sister- in-law, how’s your belly?”
“I’m fine, as long as I don’t sit for long periods of time.”
“If you’re not feeling well, be sure to speak up.
“By the way, have you seen a doctor? When is your due date?”
“It’s said to be at the end of this month. Fortunately, my father installed heated floor tiles in the house back then. Otherwise, both me and my baby would’ve suffered.”
“That’s not bad either. It’s better than giving birth in the dog days of summer. That’s real suffering.”
Yang Siqi smiled and said, “Hearing you say this, I suddenly feel that I’m very lucky.”
“No worries. If you need any help, just ask.”
“No problem; please don’t mind me bothering you then.”
Meanwhile, Gu Chengrui and the men engaged in lively conversation, transitioning from personal matters to business and finally to discussions about the imperial court. Gu Chengrui, observing no inappropriate remarks, remained silent.
“It seems I’m the only useless brother here,” Gu Chengzhi lamented.
“Big Brother, your business is thriving,” Gu Chengye countered. “Far better than any of us.”
“Indeed,” Gu Chengsi echoed. “Everyone has their own path. Look at Chengxi; he pursued his pa.s.sion for medicine, didn’t he?”
“That’s right. You have more talent for business than your father and I do. In such a short time, you have already surpa.s.sed us by far.” Mr. Gu laughed.
“You’re flattering me, Uncle.” Gu Chengzhi said this and paused for a moment. He looked at Gu Chengrui and asked, “By the way, Chengrui, do you know what this is?”
After he finished speaking, he took a paper bag from his pocket, opened it, and placed it in front of him.
Gu Chengrui took it and sifted through it. He looked at the tiny black seeds, even smaller than sesame seeds, and couldn’t identify them.
He then picked up a few and put them in his mouth to taste. After a thoughtful chew, he said, “If I’m not mistaken, these are the seeds of a fruit.”
He was pretty certain they were dragonfruit seeds, but he didn’t say that out loud. Instead, he looked up and asked,
“Did these seeds come from overseas?”