This was a spur-of-the-moment decision by Guo Xuyang when Li Minxi mentioned last time that she wanted him to bring a decorative piece home.
He first found a piece of high-ice colorless jade, then had Old Xu refer to many photos provided by Li Minxi of several people, and finally decided to make this family portrait ornament.
"This looks so real," Li Minyu murmured, standing aside.
Li Shengyun and Xu Yifan were also stunned. It was too lifelike.
The main reason was Old Xu's unique carving technique, which perfectly captured everyone's expressions.
Li Shengyun was rather serious, Xu Yifan was more benevolent, Li Minxi was a bit mischievous and cute, Li Minyu was heroic and spirited, and Guo Xuyang was grinning from ear to ear, his hand resting on Li Minxi's waist.
"Of all these gifts, I like this one the most," Xu Yifan said. "Little Guo, you've put a lot of thought into this."
"Mom, although I'm taking Xiao Xi away today, if you miss her in the future, you can always come to the provincial capital to see her. My place there is big enough for you, Dad, and Xiao Yu to stay together."
"Don't be so informal, call her 'sister', understand?" Li Minyu interjected.
"Sister, it was my mistake," Guo Xuyang said, but in his heart, he thought that next time he playfully tormented her, he would make sure she was awake.
"What bad idea are you thinking of again?" Li Minyu demanded.
"No, no."
"Still saying no? I can tell from your eyes you're up to something."
"Really not. Dad, Mom, I'm going upstairs to get Xiao Xi."
"Go ahead, go ahead. Take your time, you all," Xu Yifan instructed.
"Okay, Mom. I know," Guo Xuyang said, then went upstairs with Lu Liang, Pi Xiaoqian, and a few others.
Li Minxi's boudoir was upstairs. Although he had visited this home several times, it was his first time in Li Minxi's boudoir.
After a brief sensing, he located Li Minxi's position.
Inside the boudoir, several bridesmaids were leaning behind the door, waiting for red envelopes.
This bridesmaid group included Su Ran, Lin Ziyang, two girls he had met during the car race, and two surprisingly popular celebrities. He didn't recognize the other two.
Guo Xuyang came to the door and knocked, shouting, "Wife, open the door. Husband is here to take you home."
"What's the use of shouting so intimately? Bring the red envelopes first," a pleasant voice called out, though Guo Xuyang didn't know who it was.
"I've prepared red envelopes, but I don't know how to give them to you all? Open the door first, everyone gets a share," Guo Xuyang said.
"Then bring them over, and we'll open the door after you do."
"We've brought them already, one big red envelope prepared for each of you."
"Alright then, we'll open the door. You're not allowed to go back on your word."
"One per person, no fighting or scrambling," Guo Xuyang said as he walked in.
"Ah? How did you get in?" The bridesmaids looked clearly surprised.
"Red envelopes paved the way, so I came in," Guo Xuyang said with a grin, approaching Li Minxi.
"My dear wife, your husband will carry you to the sedan chair."
"Stop fooling around," Li Minxi said, tapping his forehead playfully.
"I've done everything you arranged. The gifts I brought for your parents impressed all your relatives. How about it? Am I amazing?"
"Amazing. I'll give you rewards from my sisters tonight," Li Minxi said, pointing to the bridesmaids.
"Really? I can enjoy the pleasure of having multiple wives."
"Dream on. They aren't going home tonight; they'll be staying with us for a few more days."
"I thought they were your attending maids."
"What are you thinking? Who do you think you are? A prince?"
"No, no. It's getting late, let's go."
"Okay, but you have to carry me. The baby in my belly is restless, like it's kicking me. You can't carry me on your back."
"Carrying isn't a problem, I can handle it. Let's go," Guo Xuyang said, scooping Li Minxi up in a princess carry and striding out.
He carried her to the living room and placed her on the sofa, waiting to take family photos.
Li Shengyun and Xu Yifan sat in the front, and he and Li Minxi stood behind them for a few shots.
After Li Minyu joined them, they took a few more pictures.
The four of them remained fixed in place while other relatives took turns sitting or standing, and everyone had their photos taken.
Then came the tea ceremony, the exchange of new names, and receiving red envelopes.
"Xiao Xi, live a good life with Xiao Guo from now on. Don't be childish like before. Be filial to your in-laws when you're at their home. Xiao Guo, Xiao Xi has been spoiled by us, so be more understanding if she does anything wrong. Absolutely do not use force. From today, you two are one family. Respect each other, care for each other's well-being. Words are the key to happiness; communicate well, don't keep things bottled up, and discuss things more when encountering problems. I wish you a lifetime of happiness and eternal love," Li Shengyun said.
"Dad, don't worry, I will treat Xiao Xi well."
"Xiao Guo, Xiao Xi is now in your hands. This is a small token from Mom and Dad. We know you have everything, so this isn't much, but please accept it." Xu Yifan handed a bank card to Guo Xuyang.
"Thank you, Mom," Guo Xuyang said, taking the bank card and handing it to Li Minxi.
Before this concluded, the electronic firecrackers outside began to sound.
"The auspicious hour has arrived, prepare for the send-off," Jiang Qixin shouted.
"Dad, Mom, we're leaving," Li Minxi called out, and Guo Xuyang picked her up and walked out of the house.
The two of them got into the first car. The subsequent cars were occupied by a groomsman and a bridesmaid, as arranged beforehand.
The cars further back carried Li Minxi's relatives, who were going to the airport to see them off.
Ye Zi, Li Minyu, and Jiang Qixin were in the very last car.
As the vehicles started to move, Guo Xuyang saw Li Shengyun wiping away tears with his hand.
He suddenly recalled a saying online: "A daughter, painstakingly raised, is snatched away by that bastard called a son-in-law."
At that moment, he truly felt Li Shengyun's heartache.
"Wife, I will treat you very well from now on."
Li Minxi didn't know why Guo Xuyang was suddenly being so sentimental. She poked him with her finger, "Are you talking nonsense? What's stimulated you?"
"No, I'm speaking from the heart."
"As long as you don't bully me, that's enough. Don't be too good to me, I won't be able to handle it."
"Look at what you're saying, as if I've been bullying you."
"Haven't I? I heard someone howling in the villa yesterday, tossing and turning half the night without sleep."
"Do you have supernatural hearing and sight? How do you know all this?"
"Don't I have the right to have a few good sisters?"
"Oh, have you planted spies around me?"
"Why are you saying such unpleasant things? What do you mean spies? Can't your brilliant achievements be known? A hero is someone who dares to act and take responsibility. I've prepared a few sisters for you. You can take them out tonight."
[Author's Aside]: This book has three updates today. Please continue to follow along, great readers. Cast your free silver votes, let's all get hyped up.