Wang An decided to sell the house, which he hadn't sold earlier because he was monitoring the real estate market. The value of the house had increased significantly over the past few months. He sold it for around 5.2 million, selling it at a lower price of 2.15 million not just to repay Gu Qin faster but because he wanted to buy a shop that might disappear if he delayed.
The house was in a good location and well-maintained. It had been recently renovated, and it was sold within days. All contracts were signed, and Wang An moved his family out, transferring the money to Gu Qin immediately.
Gu Qin didn't keep the money. A recent flood in the north had caused disasters. She donated five million to charity and bought supplies to send to the affected areas.
Online posts about the incident gradually faded from public attention. Gu Qin wasn't a celebrity and wasn't often followed by paparazzi. The heat lasted about half a month before cooling down, and it would occasionally resurface but never reach the same level of interest.
However, because of the posts, Gu Qin's business improved. Many people sought her for feng shui consultations. She still adhered to seeing one case per day, usually visiting clients after school. Fees ranged from tens of thousands to millions.
After returning, the security team specially thanked her. Lin Xinxin seemed to have been assigned another task and only called Gu Qin a month later, suggesting they meet on Sunday.
On the phone, Lin Xinxin seemed a bit embarrassed. "Qianqian, I’m bringing someone else for you to see."
"Sure," Gu Qin chuckled. She guessed who Lin Xinxin was bringing based on the slight movement of her red phoenix star. It suggested that Lin Xinxin had a boyfriend. She guessed it was someone she knew from high school.
They met at a Western restaurant, eating first and then going out to play.
Gu Qin arrived first, not wanting Lin Xinxin to feel awkward, so she didn't bring any other friends. After about ten minutes, Lin Xinxin arrived, holding the arm of a tall man. He was handsome and familiar to Gu Qin—Ji Ziyu, the heir of Zhenbaozhai, a family that owned antique shops.
Their friendship stemmed from Jang Ni's introduction, and Gu Qin had helped Ji Ziyu find his parents' remains, leading to their becoming friends. They occasionally kept in touch during their studies in Beijing. Gu Qin had noticed their close relationship and Ji Ziyu's feelings during high school.
Ji Ziyu was a decent person, and Gu Qin approved of their relationship.
Without using her supernatural abilities, Gu Qin guessed that Ji Ziyu had proposed to Lin Xinxin, and they had been together for about two to three months.
Seeing Gu Qin, Lin Xinxin seemed embarrassed, almost retracting her hand but held by Ji Ziyu. They sat down at the table, and Lin Xinxin blushed, calling out Gu Qin's name.
Gu Qin tapped the table and laughed. "Xinxin, you seem like you’re introducing your ugly bride to the in-laws."
"Stop saying nonsense," Lin Xinxin blushed, no longer embarrassed.
Rangrang said, "I just brought him to see you. Hey, we're back together."
"Congratulations," Gu Qin gave the most sincere blessings, "Xinxin, congratulations to both of you."
Ji Ziyu smiled and said, "She was too embarrassed to tell you before. She felt it was because of you that we met and got together again, so she felt particularly embarrassed."
Gu Qin laughed, Xinxin was usually very straightforward, but now she was really quite embarrassed.
"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. Today I'll treat you all. Qinqin, what do you want to eat?"
The three of them had dinner, then went to a bar for a while, and then they each went their separate ways. Gu Qin knew that Ji Ziyu was still spending more time in Daisan City, but the antique shop business was gradually shifting over here. Gu Qin told him if he needed any help, to just say so. Ji Ziyu smiled and said, "There's nothing else, but Jiang Ni and the others really miss you. They said they want to gather when you go back to Daisan next time. Jiang Cheng also came back to the country recently; he's changed quite a bit."
Jiang Ni and Jiang Cheng were siblings. When Gu Qin first arrived in this world, he helped the Jiang family, which led to his friendship with these two siblings. Back then, Jiang Cheng was a playboy who only knew how to eat, drink, and have fun. He finally woke up and went abroad for further studies, spending three years there before returning this year.
Since Gu Qin went to university, he had less contact with them.
When he returned to Daisan City, he should gather with these old friends.
After more than a month, Gu Qin happened to be going back to Daisan to check the feng shui for someone, and took this opportunity to gather with those friends from Daisan. They were all around the same age, and had a great time. It could be seen that Jiang Cheng had changed a lot, no longer the clumsy boy from a few years ago, but now a courteous gentleman.
As June approached, a few days away was Cheng Yinxiang's due date. Lu Qingrong had already postponed all work and was staying at home to accompany his wife. Gu Qin could tell that both of them were nervous. Cheng Yinxiang was worried about her advanced age making childbirth difficult, while Lu Qingrong was concerned about her health after giving birth.
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Gu Qin couldn't comfort them, knowing that a body nourished by qi would be in better condition than Cheng Yinxiang's when she was younger, and having a child wouldn't be a problem.
On the 20th, Cheng Yinxiang suddenly went into labor. She felt her stomach starting to cramp and pushed Lu Qingrong beside her, taking a deep breath, "Honey, it seems like it's time to give birth."
Lu Qingrong immediately threw off the blanket and picked up Cheng Yinxiang, planning to take her to the hospital. Cheng Yinxiang stopped him, "No, don't carry me. The contractions just started; just help me down to the car to go to the hospital." They had already reserved a room, so they could go straight there.
Gu Qin had been sleeping at home during this time and knew everything that happened even with the slightest sound. Gu Jia was also worried and hadn't stayed at school during this period. When he heard the door open next door, he woke up.
Coming out, he saw Lu Qingrong supporting Cheng Yinxiang with things in hand, preparing to leave. Without hesitation, Gu Jia stepped forward to take the items, "Mr. Lu, support your mother, I'll take care of the things."
The four of them took the elevator downstairs, and Lu Qingrong drove them to the hospital.
It was late at night, and there were still doctors on duty. Lu Qingrong called a doctor, who examined her and made Lu Qingrong sign several surgical consent forms. As Lu Qingrong signed, he looked closely at the form, his hands trembling. He asked coldly, "Is it written here that giving birth can lead to these situations?" Seeing the various potential risks and dangers listed, he felt anxious.
The doctor said, "Don't worry, sir. Everything will be fine. Your wife has been regularly checked at our hospital, and I remember her well. She is in good health and is suitable for a natural delivery. These listed situations are only a small part of possible accidents. Don't worry, signing is just a hospital rule, hoping you understand."
Doctors are not omnipotent and cannot solve medical challenges that haven't been conquered yet. Therefore, death is normal and unavoidable. At such times, someone might come to cause trouble, hence the need for such agreements.
Gu Qin stepped forward, "Mr. Lu, don't worry, I won't let anything happen to Mom."
Lu Qingrong nodded, calmed down, and signed the form.
Not long after, the doctor came over and said, "The mother's condition is very good, and she's doing well. She's already dilated six centimeters, and the baby should be born soon. Have you prepared everything? Baby clothes, milk powder, bottles..."
Lu Qingrong nodded, "Everything is ready."
The doctor continued to reassure them and then returned to the operating room to assist.
About twenty minutes later, a nurse came out to notify them that the mother had dilated to ten centimeters and was almost ready to give birth.
Lu Qingrong was extremely nervous, his hands shaking and sweat on his forehead. This was the anxiety of a father-to-be worrying about his wife and child. Gu Qin and the others didn't offer any more comfort.
Less than twenty minutes later, the doctor wheeled the baby out on a cart, "Congratulations, the mother has given birth. It's a boy."
"Is my wife okay?" Lu Qingrong immediately rushed over, looking frequently towards the operating room.
"Don't worry, the mother still needs some time to recover from the wound. She'll be sent back to the ward shortly. You can push the baby to the ward first. A nurse will bathe the baby later."
Lu Qingrong glanced at the baby, his eyes soft, then handed the baby carriage to Gu Qin, "Take him to the ward first, I'll join you once she comes out."
"Okay." Gu Qin pushed the baby carriage with Gu Jia and went to the ward first. Looking at the wrinkled, red little bundle in the carriage, Gu Qin found it incredibly interesting. This was the continuation of life, flesh and blood, and hope, truly amazing.
Gu Jia also stared unblinkingly at his new brother. After a while, he couldn't help asking, "Qinqin, what name should we give him?"
Gu Qin smiled, "Mom and Mr. Lu already decided on names. For a girl, it would be Lu Tang, and for a boy, Lu Tang. Both names use homophones of the character 'tang,' meaning 'hall.' They hope that when they grow up, they can live uprightly." Before getting pregnant, the couple indeed didn't know the gender of the child, but Gu Qin had figured it out from the appearance.
Lu Tang, their youngest brother, despite not sharing the same surname, would still be the most cherished brother by his brothers, sisters, and parents.
As the youngest in the Lu family, Lu Tang was destined to receive much affection from his brother, sister, parents, and grandparents.
The two of them, excited, surrounded the baby. Soon, a nurse came and said they needed to bathe the baby first. This was a high-end VIP ward equipped with various facilities, including a separate room for bathing babies. It was a transparent small room, and the two stood outside to watch.
Ten minutes later, the nurse finished bathing the baby. Lu Qingrong then pushed Cheng Yinxiang into the ward with the doctor's assistance, and after much instruction and another check, they left.
The entire ward was now filled with just the five of them.
Cheng Yinxiang stayed in the hospital for two days. Feeling uncomfortable and without any signs of weakness, her health was good overall. Unlike when she gave birth to Gu Jia and Gu Qin, where she felt weak for months afterward and struggled to recover, she expressed a desire to be discharged. She felt more comfortable at home than in the hospital. Gu Qin agreed, as their home had a gathering array, which was beneficial for recovery.
Lu Qingrong called a doctor, who examined Cheng Yinxiang and declared her fit for discharge. Once they were gone, the doctor sighed, never having seen a high-aged mother look so good after giving birth. The medical record showed she was in her forties, yet she looked like she was in her thirties. Truly remarkable.
After being discharged, Cheng Yixin's grandparents came to take care of her.
Gu Qin liked his grandparents-in-law. He had previously invited them to visit, but they always felt too old and worried about being a burden to their children and grandchildren, so they never came. This time, they came because Cheng Yinxiang had given birth.
Grandpa and Grandma Cheng were actually in pretty good spirits. Gu Qin had been sending them honey and fruit wine continuously, and the whole family enjoyed it, maintaining good health.
This time, when Grandpa and Grandma Cheng came, Gu Qin went all out to help them improve their health. Besides the gathering array, he slowly nourished their bodies with food and drink.
A month later, Cheng Yinxiang had completed her confinement period and celebrated her son's full moon party.
The little one, from the wrinkled appearance at birth to the rosy, soft-haired infant, had changed significantly. His eyes were wide open, with double eyelids.
Every day, Gu Qin and Gu Jia would return home to see the little one, waiting for him to wake up and look around with his black, grape-like eyes. Then they would say, "Little Tang Tang, I'm your sister."
Gu Jia: "Little Tang Tang, I'm your brother."
Usually, Little Tang would stare at them for a while, yawn, pout, and then cry, indicating he was hungry.
Cheng Yinxiang planned to breastfeed until he was about a year old.
During the first half-year postpartum, Cheng Yinxiang rarely went to the company. The beauty salon was managed by the vice president, and she occasionally attended meetings. Lu Qingrong was very responsible, often returning home to be with his wife and child. When he had free time, he cooked and took care of the child himself. With Grandpa and Grandma Cheng helping out, and Little Tang being well-behaved, overall, their lives didn't change much.
Grandpa and Grandma Cheng stayed for half a year, and their health improved significantly. Their faces became ruddy, and their white hair decreased. They noticed the changes themselves, attributing it to seeing their youngest daughter happy and content.
In the past month or so, Gu Qin wasn't too busy, except for occasional feng shui cases and treating a few patients at the hospital. She continued attending school as usual.
Now it was late January, and Gu Qin was in her second year of college. Winter break had begun, and in twenty days, it would be the Spring Festival. This year, the Gu family planned to spend the holiday at the Chengs' place. Gu Qin hadn't seen her uncle, aunt, cousins, and cousins for a long time.
However, she communicated more with her cousins, mainly through online channels. Especially after the post about her surfaced online, her two cousins called her specifically. Upon learning that the post was true, they were thrilled. Now, knowing that Gu Qin and the Gu family were returning for the Spring Festival, they were beyond delighted.
During the winter break, when she had free time, Gu Qin also helped out at the beauty salon. Cheng Yinxiang really found it difficult to go to the company, especially when the baby was six months old and becoming more active.