Chapter 411: Chapter 411: When Baby is Pampered
Xiao Si held her hand and led her to the two elders of the Xiao Family.
After he greeted them with “Grandpa, Grandma,” Lan Yan also followed and greeted them.
“Grandpa, Grandma, hello, my name is Lan Yan.”
The two elders looked at her kindly and responded warmly.
Although the two elders were already in their eighties, they looked rosy and energetic.
Old Madam Xiao beckoned to her with a kind smile, saying, “Good child, come over to Grandma.”
Xiao Si let go of her hand and said, “Go ahead.”
Lan Yan took a few more steps forward, “Grandma.”
Old Madam Xiao held her hand and said with a smile, “From now on, this is your home. If Xiao Si ever bullies you in the future, just tell me, and I’ll set him straight.”
At that moment, Lan Yan felt something crash into her heart. A wave of sourness welled up in her chest, and her nose tingled slightly.
She was not someone who cried easily or was easily moved.
But at this moment, she was a little touched.
Everyone she had met in the Xiao Family had said similar things to her.
Suddenly, she felt an unfamiliar sense of being loved and protected by a family.
This feeling was so foreign to her that she didn’t even know how to respond.
While she was lost in thought for a few seconds, a cool sensation came from her wrist, snapping her back to reality.
Looking down, she saw a jade bracelet now adorning her wrist.
Such jewelry was something she had encountered before; it was obvious at a glance that this bracelet was incredibly valuable.
She looked astonished, “Grandma, I can’t accept this…”
Before she could finish her sentence, Old Madam Xiao interrupted her, “You mustn’t refuse a gift from Grandma; otherwise, I’ll get upset.”
With that one sentence, Old Madam Xiao completely blocked any way for her to decline.
No matter what, she had to accept the bracelet.
Lan Yan finally said, “Thank you, Grandma.”
Old Madam Xiao looked at her with a smile, growing fonder the more she looked. “Good child, no need to thank me. From now on, we’re all family. Marrying this boy must be a grievance for you.”
Lan Yan smiled warmly, “Grandma, it’s not a grievance. He treats me very well.”
Old Madam Xiao gently patted her hand. “You mustn’t spoil him too much in the future. It’s his duty to treat you well.”
Xiao Si said, “Grandma, you can be completely at ease. I’ll cherish Yanyan as if she’s a treasure.”
Then, he turned to Old Mr. Xiao. “Grandpa, I didn’t prepare a gift for you this year, but I did prepare a big surprise.”
Old Mr. Xiao chuckled and saw right through him. “You sly boy, are you referring to Xiao Yan?”
Xiao Si replied, “You know me best, Grandpa.”
Old Mr. Xiao didn’t care much about gifts. As long as the family was healthy and harmonious, he was content.
The old man laughed heartily and said, “This grandson’s wife meets my expectations. I’ll be waiting for your wedding sweets.”
“Alright, Grandpa, just wait and see.”
After speaking, Xiao Si looked at Lan Yan.
Following that, he introduced Lan Yan to every elder in the family.
Not only did she receive a gift from Old Madam Xiao, but she also received gifts from other elders.
Besides feeling flattered, she was deeply moved.
It was clear that everyone had prepared these gifts in advance.
After finishing their greetings, Xiao Si brought her back to his courtyard in the old mansion.
Lan Yan sat in a chair, staring at the mountain-like pile of gifts before her, lost in thought.
With all these gifts combined, she could buy a multi-million-dollar mansion.
Xiao Si brought her a glass of water and noticed her dazed expression.
“What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”
He sat down and gently touched her forehead.
Lan Yan turned to face him and said, “How about you help me return these gifts?”
Xiao Si replied, “That’s impossible.”
“Why not?”
Leaning back in his chair, he said matter-of-factly, “In the Xiao Family, gifts once given are never taken back. Besides…”
He paused deliberately.
Lan Yan blinked and asked, “Besides what?”
Looking at her fair, serious face, Xiao Si couldn’t resist pinching her cheek.
Lan Yan slapped his hand away, “Don’t pinch my face.”
Unhurriedly, he said, “Besides, you are already a part of the Xiao Family. If you send the gifts back now, wouldn’t that suggest you don’t consider them as family?”
“…”
Lan Yan frowned slightly, “But these gifts are too valuable.”
Xiao Si patiently explained, “These are things you will undoubtedly accept someday. There’s no difference between sooner or later. After all, we’re destined to get married, and you’re destined to be my wife.”
Lan Yan: “…”
She truly couldn’t argue with him.
This time, Old Mr. Xiao’s 85th birthday banquet not only included Xiao Family relatives but also invited external guests, primarily families connected to the Xiao Family or smaller clans related to them.
The Xiao Mansion had a courtyard specifically designated for hosting guests.
At this moment, the courtyard was bustling with activity.
Jiang Yan, Gu Beiyan, and others from the younger generation had also arrived.
After paying their respects and presenting gifts to Old Mr. Xiao, they found a spot to sit down.
The group gathered together became a striking scene.
But no one dared to disturb them.
“Where’s Old Xiao?”
Wan Muqi glanced around but didn’t see Xiao Si anywhere.
Gu Beiyan, sitting beside him, said, “Don’t worry, he’ll show up. He’ll definitely flaunt his successful conquest in front of you.”
Just as he finished speaking, Jiang Yan’s indifferent voice rang out, “Here he comes.”
Their gazes followed his line of sight.
Xiao Si approached with an air of triumph, holding Lan Yan’s hand.
Lan Yan greeted each of them.
Su He looked at the two of them, a subtle smile appearing in her eyes.
But she didn’t say a word.
Wan Muqi squinted slightly, clicking his tongue, “Looks like our Old Xiao has shaken off the ‘lonely bachelor’ image. Congrats!”
Xiao Si looked at him and said, “Don’t be envious, don’t be jealous.”
Wan Muqi scoffed, “Do you think you’re the only one with a fiancée?”
Xiao Si smiled faintly, “A fiancée doesn’t necessarily mean she’ll become a wife. Who knows, she might fly away one day.”
Wan Muqi couldn’t be bothered to respond and turned to Lan Yan, “Dr. Lan, let me tell you, this guy isn’t worth entrusting your life to. Trust a lawyer’s judgment—it’s always sharp.”
Lan Yan: “…”
“Get lost, stop spouting nonsense in front of my Yanyan.”
Xiao Si lifted his foot to kick Wan Muqi’s leg.
However, Wan Muqi seemed to anticipate this and dodged easily.
Only true brothers could joke around like this.
Jiang Yan and the others quietly watched the two bantering.
At that moment, Su He frowned slightly, noticing a familiar face in the distant crowd.
She turned to Xiao Si and asked, “Doctor Xiao, since when did your Xiao Family have ties with the Dong Family?”
Her question left Xiao Si momentarily stunned.
“What?”
Su He gestured forward with her chin.
The group followed her gaze.
Lan Yan immediately spotted Dong Jian and Hu Yunqin in the crowd.
Her expression faltered slightly.
Logically, these two shouldn’t have been able to attend.
Xiao Si frowned as well, clearly unaware of this matter.
Old Mr. Xiao’s birthday banquet was usually organized by his eldest aunt and mother.
So they weren’t privy to all the invited names.
Hu Yunqin quickly spotted Lan Yan and Xiao Si, freezing in place.
She hadn’t expected Lan Yan to be here.
After learning that Xiao Si was Liang Yun’s son, Hu Yunqin had realized just how influential Xiao Si’s position was.
Lan Yan wasn’t particularly interested in why Hu Yunqin and the others were here.
But because today was Old Mr. Xiao’s birthday banquet, she didn’t want anything to go wrong.
Xiao Si flagged down a passing servant and said, “Call Uncle here. I need to ask him something.”
The servant replied, “Alright, Fourth Young Master.”
Not long after, the housekeeper arrived.
“Fourth Young Master, is there an issue?” the housekeeper asked.
Xiao Si asked, “Who invited the Dong Family to tonight’s banquet?”
As the housekeeper managed most of these tasks, he would know best.
Recalling quickly, the housekeeper said, “Ah, the Dong Family? I believe it came from the third household’s invitation list.”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Si frowned faintly.
The housekeeper noticed and asked, “Is there a problem, Fourth Young Master?”
“It’s fine. Go ahead with your tasks.”
Xiao Si hadn’t anticipated the third uncle’s branch having connections with the Dong Family.
It seemed like some things were unavoidable no matter where they went.
Not long after, Old Mr. Xiao appeared.
The old man was dressed in a casual Zhongshan suit and walked briskly to the main stage.
Even in his eighties, his steps were steady and sure.
“You have to admit, Grandpa Xiao is in excellent health. Though his face shows age, his mobility is remarkable.” Gu Beiyan remarked, “If I can be half as fit at his age, I’ll be satisfied.”
Wan Muqi retorted blandly, “Come back and say that when you hit sixty.”
Gu Beiyan: “…”
Once Old Mr. Xiao sat down, everyone took turns wishing him a happy birthday.
For tonight’s celebration, the Xiao Family had arranged an opera show.
Across a pond from the gathering stood a stage.
Since the two elders enjoyed opera, Mrs. Xiao had organized a Huangmei opera performance for the evening.
Seeing that it was nearly time, Mrs. Xiao stepped forward and said, “Everyone, the performance is about to begin. Feel free to find your own seats. If anyone isn’t fond of opera, there are private rooms upstairs for tea and card games. Please choose freely. After the opera, there will also be a comedy sketch. I hope everyone enjoys tonight’s entertainment.”
Mrs. Xiao had invited renowned Huangmei opera artists, who were often in high demand. Normally, one would struggle to get tickets for such a performance.
Xiao Si and his friends weren’t interested in the opera and headed upstairs instead.
It wasn’t long before the second floor filled up with young people.
The elders stayed outside on the first floor to enjoy the opera.
Jiang Yan sat down at a mahjong table as soon as he went upstairs.
Gu Beiyan looked at the group and asked, “A game?”
Wan Muqi had no objections.
Glancing at Su He, Jiang Yan waited for her response. She said, “Don’t look at me—I don’t know how to play.”
This was indeed true; she wasn’t familiar with mahjong.
After thinking for a moment, she added, “Don’t worry, whatever you lose is on me. Whatever you win is yours.”
This seemed like a conversation where the roles were reversed; this line was usually spoken by men.
Gu Beiyan teased, “Wait, are you so broke you need your wife to cover your expenses?”
Wan Muqi wore a conflicted expression.
After contemplating, he chose to remain silent.
After all, his situation differed from Gu Beiyan’s.
Gu Beiyan and Jiang You already had their marriage certificates, while he and An Mi had not.
Jiang Yan glanced faintly at them, saying, “Married men don’t get to have personal wealth.”
The others present: “…”
Gu Beiyan and Wan Muqi both gave him a thumbs-up.
Turning to Lan Yan, Xiao Si asked, “Want to play?”
Lan Yan shook her head. “I’m just like the boss—I don’t know how.”
Xiao Si adopted Su He’s earlier phrase: “It’s fine. Just play for fun. If you lose, you lose. I’ll pay, and whatever you win will be yours.”
Wan Muqi chuckled, “You’re pretty good at copying that.”
Xiao Si ignored him, pulling Lan Yan forward, guiding her to sit down by her shoulders.
“I’ll teach you,” he said, sitting beside her.
He mainly didn’t want her to feel bored.
…
Half an hour later.
“Sorry, I won again.” Wan Muqi grinned at Lan Yan. “Thanks, sis-in-law.”
Wan Muqi had won two consecutive rounds.
Both times were because of Lan Yan.
Lan Yan: “…”
Wan Muqi: “It seems this seat is particularly lucky for me.”
He was sitting downstream from Lan Yan’s position.
Lan Yan looked at Xiao Si, feeling a little embarrassed. “How about you take over?”
In just two rounds, she had already lost 500,000 yuan.
Although this amount was insignificant to them, she still felt it was considerable.
“Sis-in-law, don’t worry about his money. He’s loaded.”
Wan Muqi, with every other word, referred to her as “sis-in-law,” the title rolling off his tongue so naturally.
Lan Yan didn’t even know how to respond.
Xiao Si, in contrast, found the title highly pleasing to the ear and didn’t bother nitpicking such small matters.
“It’s fine. Play on. We’re not short of money,” Xiao Si said boldly.
Wan Muqi agreed, “Exactly. He’s not short of money. He once lost tens of millions in a bet without even blinking. What’s this to him? So, sis-in-law, play without worries.”
Lan Yan: “…”
The world of the wealthy was something she truly struggled to understand.
Just then, her phone rang.
“I’ll take this call. You take over,” she said as she stood up, leaving him her spot.
Lan Yan didn’t leave the second floor but walked outside to the veranda.
Glancing at the caller ID, she thought for a moment before answering.
“Hello, what do you want?” she asked directly.
On the other end, Hu Yunqin’s voice came through. “Yanyan, where are you? Mom wants to see you. Can we talk in person? There are some things I can only say face-to-face.”
Lan Yan paused for a moment and then said, “Where are you? I’ll come to you.”
After ending the call, she walked back inside and told Xiao Si, “I’m going downstairs to meet someone.”
Xiao Si nodded. “Go ahead.”