"What are you thinking about? Why aren't you talking to me?"
Li Minxi sat up and hugged his arm.
"No. By the way, why has Mr. Jiang never been married?"
"Who says? He was married, but they've been living separately for a long time. I don't know the specifics."
Li Minxi said.
"I've been wondering why he's so good to Xu Dahai."
"Xu Dahai? Isn't that Xu Lili's boyfriend? The one whose wedding ceremony we attended together?"
"Yes. What about it?"
"That's Uncle Jiang's godson. You didn't know that?"
"Don't talk nonsense! How old is Dahai? How old is Mr. Jiang? How is that possible? Besides, they were never that close when they were together."
"It's right that you didn't notice. My dad mentioned that Xu Dahai is Uncle Jiang's godson when he was chatting at home. Very few people outside know about this."
"It would be more like a godbrother, but a godson? How is that possible?"
"If you don't believe me, then so be it. This seems to have something to do with the older generation, but I'm not sure about the specifics."
"I have to ask Xu Dahai properly when I get back. Then why were they like strangers at our wedding last time?"
"Didn't I tell you? I don't know. I only know that Xu Dahai is Jiang Qixin's godson. As for how they became godparents, or when, I don't know."
"No wonder."
"What's wrong? Why are you so concerned about their relationship?"
"During this mission, it was very dangerous. Before we set off, Mr. Jiang specifically told me to look after Xu Dahai. Later, I persuaded Old Xu to withdraw from the operation."
"You knew it was so dangerous but you still went?"
"I had to go. This was a trap set by those people. If we didn't go, the higher-ups couldn't make up their minds."
"Did Mr. Jiang say that?"
"How could he? I said it."
"You're not inside the leader's mind, how do you know what he's thinking?"
"Balance and checks and balances, neither can be neglected. Without either, it won't work. Someone wants to disrupt this balance, so this situation must be dealt with forcefully."
"You mean there will be major actions?"
"Yes. Your father almost had someone making small moves behind the scenes last time. They wanted to take your father down during this opportunity. If it weren't for Mr. Jiang's care, it's hard to say if your father could have made a comeback."
"See? Being an official isn't that easy. There are traps everywhere, and a single mistake could lead to utter destruction. Fortunately, I have self-awareness and didn't pursue a political career."
Li Minxi hugged Guo Xuyang's waist and said, her hand still drawing small circles on his arm.
"Don't tease me. Don't you know your condition?"
Guo Xuyang removed her restless little hand and said.
"I'm all better. Let's try again, let's have another boy. They say that if you have intercourse at this time, you'll definitely have a boy."
"Nonsense, who told you that?"
"I heard it from an elderly person accompanying a patient in the next room when I was in the hospital. It's very accurate."
"If you don't want to live, then listen to those people talking nonsense."
Guo Xuyang pinched Li Minxi's cheek in annoyance.
"Let's try, just slowly."
"No, when your body is ready, you can do whatever you want. Not now. This is for your own good."
Guo Xuyang firmly stopped her.
"Then you must promise me, let me have another boy."
"No problem. You're not old yet, you have a long life ahead of you."
"What's the use of a long life if you can't be with me for long? You're always running off. When that fat guy came and said you might not be back, I almost kicked him out."
"It won't happen again. Really. I won't go out anymore."
"You never keep your word. You also said you wouldn't flirt around before, but look how many women you have at home now? Even emperors in the past didn't have as many women as you, and we're not even counting those you haven't brought home."
"How can I compare myself to those old emperors? They had three palaces, six courtyards, and seventy-two concubines. How many do I have?"
"How many? Are these few not enough? I don't even know why I married a scumbag like you."
"Don't say that. When we get back, let's go buy some land and be local emperors. Like those indigenous people in the UAE."
"See? You've revealed your true intentions. Aren't you afraid you'll die on a woman's belly one day?"
Li Minxi said and pinched him hard.
"Your husband is amazing, much more so than the legendary Ji Xiaolan."
"How can you compare yourself to Ji Xiaolan? He was a Grand Scholar, what are you? You're not even fit to carry his shoes."
"The legendary Ji Xiaolan could serve several wives in one day."
"You're just talking nonsense."
"Or should I look it up for you?"
"Get lost. I see your mind is completely clouded by these women. Looking at you annoys me."
Li Minxi said and kicked him in the butt.
"You're the one telling me to get lost, so I'm going."
Guo Xuyang quickly went out. If he didn't tease Li Minxi a bit, he wasn't sure if she would force herself on him.
"Sly fox," Li Minxi cursed from behind. However, after Guo Xuyang's teasing, her mood had improved considerably.
"What did Xiao Xi say?"
Wu Shangqing asked when he saw Guo Xuyang come down.
"Ah? What?"
"Didn't you go up to ask about the full moon banquet?"
"Oh, I did. You all go to the King's Villa, and arrange for the people there to move into these two courtyards. If they don't want to move in, they can go to a hotel first. Anyway, her parents won't stay for long."
"As long as it's settled, there won't be any problems."
"Mom, please rest assured. It's okay. Besides, her father probably won't have the energy to deal with these things."
"What's wrong?" Wu Shangqing asked.
"Her father was targeted, and almost got investigated."
"Is he okay?"
"He's fine. But he's still resting at home."
"It's good that he's fine. He's not young anymore, so retiring home isn't bad either."
"Mom, where did you get that from? Her father is still young at his level, with great potential."
"I feel a lot of pressure dealing with them now. If he goes any higher, how much of an official would he become?"
"No matter how high an official he becomes, he'll still be your in-law. His daughter is your daughter-in-law. This fact cannot be changed."
"Yes, you're right. When you're in office, you're an official. When you retire, aren't you just like us commoners?"
"As Mom says. I saw on the news a few days ago that a bank president became an extra after retirement and lived a very fulfilling life. He was so busy he couldn't find himself, and felt a great sense of accomplishment."
"The barracks are iron, but the soldiers are flowing water. No one can stay in place forever, unless they are incompetent," Wu Shangqing said.
"Exactly, leaders are also humans. Don't look up to them too highly. Xiao Xi's parents will always be your in-laws, no matter what. This cannot be changed."
"You saying this relieves a lot of pressure for me."