Volume One, Chapter Seven: From Now On, Your Firstborn Will Be a Daughter

The next day, Rong Shaoqin deliberately pushed back his morning work to take Sang Haining back to the old Rong family estate.

Grandma Rong was overjoyed to see Sang Haining. She brushed Rong Shaoqin aside and took Sang Haining’s hand, leading her inside. Rong Shaoqin was accustomed to this.

A servant served tea. Holding Sang Haining’s cold hands, Grandma Rong chided Rong Shaoqin, "Shaoqin, you child, you have no idea how to cherish someone. Your wife is cold, and you don't even know enough to put a coat on her."

The old woman’s skin was slightly loose, feeling like a soft, warm wool blanket that gradually heated up Sang Haining’s chilled hands. Sang Haining felt a warmth bloom in her heart.

She squeezed Grandma Rong’s hand back and said softly, "Shaoqin did remind me before we left. I’m wearing plenty, but my constitution is naturally cold, so my hands are a bit chilly. You don’t need to worry about me, Grandma."

"Don't make excuses for him," Grandma Rong glared at Rong Shaoqin. "I know his temper. It’s only because you have such a gentle nature that you can put up with him."

Rong Shaoqin lowered his head to drink his tea, remaining silent.

Grandma Rong asked, "You two have been married for over a year now. When do you plan on having children?"

It was the question that was bound to come. Rong Shaoqin replied calmly, as he always did, "There’s no rush."

"You aren't in a rush, but I am." Grandma Rong glared at him again. "I’m nearly eighty; I have one foot in the grave. I’m counting on you and Haining if I want to hold a great-grandchild."

Grandma Rong brought this up every month. This time, however, her attitude was firm, clearly not as easily brushed aside as before.

Rong Shaoqin set down his teacup. "Haining has a cold constitution and needs to recuperate. We can't have children for the next two years."

The ball was passed to Sang Haining. Grandma Rong turned to her and asked, "Is that so?"

Receiving a cool, indifferent gaze from Rong Shaoqin, Sang Haining hesitated for two seconds before answering obediently, "Yes, Grandma. I went to the hospital for a check-up a few days ago, and the doctor said I’m physically weak and need to take medicine to recover."

Grandma Rong fell silent for a long moment. The living room was so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.

A few minutes later, Grandma Rong spoke again. "The servants are making milk cakes in the kitchen. Haining, dear, could you go and see how they’re coming along?"

This was clearly a move to send her away. Sang Haining stood up and walked toward the kitchen without a word.

Once Sang Haining’s figure disappeared into the kitchen, Grandma Rong said to Rong Shaoqin, "I know you resent me for forcing you to marry Haining. That’s why you’ve refused to have children for over a year, and why you’d even stoop to using the excuse that she’s too weak to conceive just to get rid of me."

Rong Shaoqin did not deny it. His tone deepened. "My parents were forced together by Grandfather. You don't need me to tell you how that turned out; the living proof is right there. It shows that a forced melon is never sweet."

"I am not like your grandfather," Grandma Rong said, sitting up straight. "That man was no good. He treated his children as tools for alliances. I genuinely want what is best for you."

A smile flickered in Rong Shaoqin's eyes. "If you say that, Grandfather will be so angry he'll jump right out of his coffin."

"Don't try to scare me," Grandma Rong rolled her eyes. "I watched that old fool get cremated myself; there's no body left for him to jump out with... oh, you’ve led me off track again, you little brat. Back to the point—do you know why I made you marry Haining in the first place?"

Rong Shaoqin had never asked; he had simply assumed that Grandma Rong liked her.

Seeing the slight confusion on Rong Shaoqin’s face, Grandma Rong continued, "Haining is a sweet, sincere child without any ulterior motives. She is meticulous and knows how to take care of people. Besides, look at how beautiful she is."

Grandma Rong was a fan of beauty, and Sang Haining fit her aesthetic perfectly. Rong Shaoqin’s lips twitched slightly.

"Most importantly," Grandma Rong added, "you are busy working outside all day. Having a pure-hearted, gentle, and attentive wife to manage the household means you have no worries at home."

To this, Rong Shaoqin remained noncommittal. If Sang Haining hadn't been gentle and adept at managing the household, this marriage would not have lasted over a year.

"And there's more," Grandma Rong said with a mysterious air. "I had a master calculate your and Haining’s horoscopes, and they are a perfect match. Furthermore, Haining is naturally blessed with luck that brings prosperity to her husband, and the children you have will all be accomplished. The old master said your first child will be a sweet and sensible little girl, and the second will be twins."

Rong Shaoqin didn't believe it for a second. He hadn't just avoided thinking about children; he hadn't even considered that this marriage would last.

Amused and frustrated, Rong Shaoqin took a sip of tea. "Where did you find this charlatan?"

"He's no charlatan; that old master is incredibly capable," Grandma Rong retorted with a roll of her eyes. "I once had him calculate when your grandfather would die, and he was spot on."

Rong Shaoqin knew his grandparents didn't have a good relationship, but he still choked slightly. He coughed a few times, his eyes turning a faint red. Then, he chuckled softly, his casual attitude making it clear he hadn't taken her words to heart.

Grandma Rong remained expressionless. "I’ve studied the constellations myself, and yours are a perfect match. It’s a marriage made in heaven. If you don't listen to your elders, you're the one who will suffer."

"Fine, then go study the star charts some more, and tell me about it when I come to the old house next time," Rong Shaoqin said with a smile.

Seeing that Rong Shaoqin was impervious to persuasion, Grandma Rong sighed. "Shaoqin, let me tell you, your marriage to Haining was never about interests. I only wanted you to marry her because I felt she could take care of you. It is fundamentally different from what your good-for-nothing grandfather did. You and Haining are not like your parents..."

Rong Shaoqin’s expression darkened, as if he had fallen into unpleasant memories.

"Never mind," Grandma Rong waved her hand. "I’m old. I won't interfere in your affairs. If you can make it work with Haining, that’s your good fortune. If you can't, don't come crying to me with regrets, because I won't help you then."

Grandma Rong’s words were a mix of compromise and spite. Rong Shaoqin still didn't take them to heart. He never believed he would regret this marriage in the future. He simply assumed Grandma Rong was getting old and being temperamental. He poured her more tea, effectively moving past the topic.

Grandma Rong called Sang Haining back. Sang Haining sat beside her and said, "Grandma, the milk cakes will be ready in another twenty minutes."

"Good child." Grandma Rong looked at Sang Haining’s sweet, pretty face and felt even more that Rong Shaoqin was a blind brat.

Rong Shaoqin checked his watch. "I have work to finish, so I’ll be leaving. Haining, you stay here and keep Grandma company."

Sang Haining nodded.

At that moment, Grandma Rong stopped him. "The day after tomorrow is Haining’s birthday. I plan to host it here at the old house. I want the whole family together for lunch. If you have work that day, push it aside."

Sang Haining hadn't expected Grandma Rong to remember her birthday; her eyes grew warm.

Rong Shaoqin gave a faint acknowledgement, strode out of the old house, and got into his car to head to the office.

In the office, his secretary read his upcoming schedule. "Tomorrow morning, you have a meeting with the investors. In the afternoon, there is a board meeting, and in the evening, you are expected to attend a banquet personally. The day after tomorrow..."

"Cancel or postpone all work for the day after tomorrow. There are arrangements at the old house," Rong Shaoqin interrupted calmly.

That day was Sang Haining’s birthday. Normally, Rong Shaoqin wouldn't let such an insignificant matter interfere with his work, but since Grandma had explicitly requested it, he decided to postpone his schedule.

The secretary hesitated, then said, "Mr. Rong, your schedule for the day after tomorrow was finalized days ago. That is Miss Luo Qingyao’s birthday, and you have already promised to accompany her for the celebration."