Chapter 705 - 471: Having a Baby?

When they arrived at the hospital, they found it was rather remote. Liu He grumbled a bit about what kind of godforsaken place was hidden away on a mountain. However, she was reasonably satisfied once she saw the hospital’s surroundings, though she felt getting around would be inconvenient.

She had originally planned to go out and buy some groceries during their two- or three-day stay so she could cook for the two sisters.

They carried their bags, big and small, upstairs.

At 12:41 AM, they finally reached the hospital rooms.

"So this is more like a sanatorium, not like the busy hospitals back home with lots of people coming and going."

"That’s right. Mom, don’t worry. The kitchen is fully stocked with all kinds of ingredients. The hospital has people who procure everything, and it’s all very healthy. You can just go to the kitchen and cook whatever you want."

As they spoke, the three of them arrived at the door of a hospital room.

They pushed open the door.

A neat and tidy room came into view.

"You two can stay here. Ningning and Yaoyao’s room is down that way, not far. We’ll head over in a bit."

"Forget ’in a bit.’ Let’s go now." Liu He dropped her luggage and went to the washroom to rinse her hands. "Are the two of them still awake?"

"No, they heard you were coming. They’re probably waiting up."

After washing up, the family walked toward the room at the very end of the hallway.

...

By the window.

The three of them held their breath, not daring to make a sound.

This was mainly because Liu He had gestured for the other two to be quiet.

The family was now huddled by the window, watching Jiang Ning, who was inside, diligently studying with her head lowered at her desk. Through the clear glass, they could see her elegant figure and focused expression. A stray lock of her bangs hung down from her temple, creating an incredibly beautiful scene.

Liu He couldn’t help but click her tongue in admiration, her eyes filled with delight.

"Chen, look at her. What a wonderful girl..."

"I’m looking."

"Look at you!" Liu He raised her eyebrows at Chen Yuan. "Do you even deserve her? And you’re the one who’s been so picky!"

"What about me?" Chen Yuan was completely baffled by the unprovoked attack.

"If I go in now, I won’t be disturbing Ningning’s studies, will I?"

"No, it’s actually about that time. She usually tidies up her desk and goes to sleep around now."

"Alright then. You two wait out here for a bit. I’m going in alone."

"???"

Chen Yuan was just about to ask why when Liu He knocked on the door. Inside the room, Jiang Ning heard the sound and looked up, and his mother walked right in.

Chen Yuan stood frozen, glancing at his dad.

"Relax. It’s easier for women to talk to each other. Son, we’ll just wait out here for a little while."

"Dad, aren’t you tired? It’s already past midnight."

"Not tired." Mr. Chen smiled faintly.

Of course, Chen Yuan was dying to know what Liu He was going to talk to Ningning about. He was also worried. He knew how headstrong his mother was and feared she might take matters into her own hands, only making things more complicated.

But when he peeked through the glass, he saw the two of them smiling and standing quite close. Before long, they were even holding hands.

Chen Yuan’s expression went blank. He decided not to watch anymore and turned to look at the railing.

From his expression, you couldn’t say he was happy at all.

In fact, he looked quite troubled.

The night was as cool as water, enveloping the sanatorium in a light veil of darkness.

"Dad, didn’t you and Mom disapprove of my situation? Why the change of heart?" he asked.

Mr. Chen thought for a moment.

"We never actually disapproved. We were just worried you hadn’t thought it through. After all, you’re our son. We can’t overpower your own will. In the end, what matters is your happiness. Your mother’s opinion and mine are just for reference."

"Sigh. Dad, you always manage to impress me. You’re not like Mom. She’s so overbearing. Sometimes you can reason with her, but she just refuses to listen... Dad, do you regret marrying Mom?"

"Of course I regret it. You have no idea how many options your old man had when he was young. You’ve seen the auntie from next door, haven’t you? She chased me relentlessly when I first started my job, and she was so virtuous too."

"You regret it that much?" Chen Yuan said, holding back a laugh.

"I’m just kidding, son. I’ve never once regretted marrying your mother. A person has to take full responsibility for their choices." As he spoke, he walked over to Chen Yuan, clapped him on the shoulder, and straightened his posture. "Come on. Don’t be so down. Chin up. No matter what happens, that’s how a real man should be."

After hearing that, Chen Yuan straightened his back with effort.

’Come to think of it... I have been sighing a lot lately. I’ve been too dejected.’

"Thanks, Dad."

Chen Yuan was suddenly moved and broke into a grin.

...

「Some time later.」

The conversation in the hospital room finally came to an end.

Liu He walked out, holding Jiang Ning’s uninjured hand.

"Tomorrow, you must try your auntie’s soup. As the saying goes, ’a hundred days to heal bones and sinews.’ You need to eat nutritious food to recover well..."

"Thank you, Auntie." Jiang Ning smiled faintly, her lips pursed.

As she came out, she shot a subtle glance at Chen Yuan.

The gesture was fleeting, but Chen Yuan still caught it.

"Then let’s go see Yaoyao together."

"Okay, I’ll go on ahead."

Chen Yuan went ahead and opened the door to Jiang Yao’s room. She was lying in bed watching a show on her phone, which was propped up on a stand. Since she couldn’t move, almost everything she needed was arranged by her bedside.

"Have you picked up Uncle and Auntie?"

She asked him as soon as he entered the room.

Chen Yuan pointed toward the door, indicating that they were about to come in.

Immediately after, the three of them poured in, talking and laughing.

This time, it was Mr. Chen who spoke first.

"Yaoyao, your auntie and I have come to see you."

"Thank you, Uncle. You’ve come all this way. It must have been so much trouble..."

Chen Yuan walked over and helped Yaoyao sit up straight.

With pleasantries and inquiries about her injuries, the atmosphere in the room instantly became warm and cheerful, filled with a sense of family warmth. Chen Yuan’s parents were, at their core, exceptionally kind people, and the two sisters could feel that kindness every time they interacted.

So they weren’t so reserved.

Inevitably, as they talked, the topic of the engagement came up.

"This time, we’ll all go to Kyoto together. After we meet your Uncle Jiang, the three of us will bring Yuan to your home to formally propose marriage. You two can decide on the date then. How does that sound?"

"Whatever Auntie arranges is fine. I’ll listen to you," Yaoyao said sweetly.

"That’s wonderful! I have it all planned out. You’ll get engaged this year and get married as soon as spring comes next year. Then I can have two grandchildren to hold! We don’t need too many, just one baby each. Your uncle and I can help you take care of the kids then."

Liu He’s words were astonishing.

It made Chen Yuan break into a violent fit of COUGH COUGH COUGH-ing.

He quickly tugged on Liu He’s arm.

"Well, it’s all negotiable. If you don’t want to rush, that’s fine too. But the sooner we get through the formalities, the better. Get these major life events settled early, and then you can focus on your careers. I know you young people are all busy these days."

"Right. Ningning and Yaoyao both have their own careers, and those shouldn’t be hindered. Society is very open-minded now. Men and women are equal. It’s not like the old days when the man provided for the family and the woman took care of the kids," Mr. Chen added in agreement.

"Especially Ningning. If she wants to pursue a doctorate, that can’t be delayed."

The husband and wife were perfectly in sync.

The thought of having children made Jiang Yao’s cheeks turn a little red. She had never imagined things that far into the future.

"After getting married, it is indeed a good idea to have children early and get it all done."

To Chen Yuan’s surprise, Jiang Ning actually agreed.

His eyes widened in astonishment.

’Wait, what on earth did Mom say to Ningning in the room just now? How could Ningning say something like that instead of correcting her?’

"Let’s get engaged first. After the engagement, our whole family can sit down and discuss it. We can follow all the local customs here. We’ll just need to hold a banquet back home."