The Qin family matriarch’s seventy-eighth birthday was celebrated at a Chinese restaurant she favored.
As she hadn't yet reached her eightieth birthday, only family members and particularly close friends were invited.
Xiao Anjing drove Qin Tianyi and Gu Susu to the restaurant. As Gu Susu alighted from the car, she spotted two cars belonging to the Ai family. It seemed that besides the Qin family, Ai Shunan and his family were also in attendance.
Her palms began to sweat. She hadn't expected the Qin family matriarch’s birthday banquet to include the Ai family. Given that two Ai family cars were present, it was likely more than just Ai Shunan who had come.
Lost in thought, she failed to notice the threshold and nearly tripped. Fortunately, Qin Tianyi, standing beside her, steadied her.
"It's good that the Ai family is all here. You should do what you need to do. The two families don't need to arrange another meal; you can settle their marriage tonight face-to-face," Qin Tianyi whispered in her ear, sensing her apprehension.
Gu Susu calmed herself, feeling that Qin Tianyi had a point.
Although Ai Yiwei had always said she didn't want her family to know first, if the Qin family learned she was carrying Qin Tianlang's child, the Ai family would soon find out as well. It was indeed opportune for both families to discuss the matter directly tonight. Whether it would be settled depended on the evening.
The entire Chinese restaurant had been booked by the Qin family. The first floor was empty, with the matriarch’s banquet held on the second floor.
Two round Chinese tables were set in the center of the second floor, and most guests were already seated.
The Qin family members were seated at one table around the matriarch, while other relatives and friends occupied another.
Ai Shunan, Yuan Shuna, and Ai Yiwei were indeed present, but Ai Yifeng was nowhere to be seen.
Gu Susu scanned them expressionlessly. Ai Yiwei stood up and walked towards her, greeting her warmly.
Gu Susu offered a perfunctory smile and addressed them as "Dad" and "Mom," acknowledging their presence.
"Tianyi, why are you so late? Come sit by Grandma," the Qin family matriarch beckoned Qin Tianyi with a broad smile.
Gu Susu followed Qin Tianyi to sit beside the matriarch. She noticed that all the Qin family members were present, except for Qin Yangye.
She greeted the elders seated around the table with Qin Tianyi. Huang Xiuli and Qin Yaxuan were also present.
When Gu Susu formally addressed Huang Xiuli as "Second Aunt," Huang Xiuli acted as if she hadn't seen or heard her, offering no response.
Gu Susu paid their attitude no mind, thinking that seeing them tonight reminded her that Huang Xiuli had promised to return the money to Mishang, but it hadn't been fully repaid. She decided to have the finance department follow up tomorrow.
The Qin family members seated together chatted animatedly. Only Qin Tianyi and Gu Susu remained quiet, finding little common ground for conversation with the others.
"Why isn't Big Brother here yet? Was he delayed by something?" Qin Yangliang asked Jin Meiyao, noticing the banquet hadn't started.
Jin Meiyao smiled and replied, "The group has been busy lately. He's probably held up by some urgent matter. He should be here soon."
The matriarch snorted unhappily, "What major issue could the group have that requires his personal attention? Can't the other senior executives handle it?"
Jin Meiyao smiled apologetically and quickly sent a message to urge Qin Yangye, asking about his location and estimated arrival time.
She herself was unaware of the specific issues plaguing the group. Qin Yangye was overwhelmed with work daily, returning home with a worried expression. Frankly, she was also concerned.
While everyone waited, they continued with casual conversation, which eventually turned to Qin Tianyi and Gu Susu.
A Qin family uncle, of the same generation as the matriarch, inquired, "Tianyi, you've been married for several months now. Has your wife shown any signs yet?"
Qin Tianyi blinked in surprise, then simply shook his head and said, "I've been trying my best, but there's still nothing."
His remark amused everyone present. The uncle added, "This child is still the same, so outspoken."
Gu Susu lowered her head in embarrassment. Qin Tianlang's eyes kept darting towards her. What one cannot have always seems more desirable, and his desires remained unquenched.
Qin Tianyi took Gu Susu's hand, idly playing with her fingers like a child with nothing else to do. He was also doing it deliberately to provoke Qin Tianlang, signaling him not to harbor any thoughts of coveting his wife.
The matriarch sighed and said to her peer, "Yes, I wonder when they will let this old woman hold a great-grandchild."
"This kind of thing can happen quickly. My youngest grandson also got married this year, and his wife is already pregnant."
The matriarch looked on with envy and said, "Uncle, you are truly blessed."
Gu Susu felt the moment had arrived. She glanced at Qin Tianlang and then, with a smile, said to the matriarch, "Matriarch, it's my fault for not being capable. But you will soon be able to hold a great-grandchild."
Ai Yiwei, seated at a neighboring table, heard Gu Susu speak and knew it was about her. She nervously clasped her hands together.
The matriarch looked at her, assuming she had good news, and asked, "Are you pregnant too?"
Gu Susu shook her head. "It's not me, Matriarch. My younger sister is already four months pregnant with Big Brother Tianlang's child."
Her words fell like a thunderclap, and the entire second floor fell silent.
Qin Yangye, who was hurrying upstairs, was also shocked by this revelation. He walked directly to Gu Susu and asked, "What did you just say? Tianlang has a child with whom?"
"With my sister, Yiwei," Gu Susu replied, looking up with a joyful smile. She then rose and walked to Ai Yiwei, pulling her hand and nudging her towards Qin Tianlang. "Oh, you two shouldn't be shy."
Ai Shunan and Yuan Shuna were dumbfounded by the sudden turn of events.
Seeing Gu Susu push Ai Yiwei towards Qin Tianlang, Ai Shunan could no longer tolerate it. He spoke to Gu Susu with a tone of reprimand, "Susu, today is the matriarch's birthday. Don't joke around with Yiwei here and cause trouble."
Gu Susu took out Ai Yiwei's medical reports from her purse and handed them to the matriarch. "Matriarch, I'm not joking. Here are Yiwei's pregnancy test results and a DNA paternity test for the child in her womb. They have been in love and dating in secret for a long time, but they just haven't announced it."
Jin Meiyao anxiously stood up, wanting to see the reports in the matriarch's hands, but the matriarch was still examining them, and she didn't dare to intrude.
Ai Yiwei looked shyly at Qin Tianlang, while Qin Tianlang's face turned ashen. He hadn't expected the sisters to play this trick on him.
After reviewing the reports, the matriarch's lips curved into a slight smile. She placed the documents on the table. While it was true that Qin Tianlang having a child meant another great-grandchild for her, she had always hoped Tianyi would have children first.
"Director Ai is truly clever. You were reluctant to marry Yiwei to our Tianyi before, but it turns out you wanted Yiwei to get together with Tianlang."
Ai Shunan's face flushed with embarrassment. He hastily explained, "Matriarch, that wasn't my intention. I don't know how these two children got together."