In the living room, Gong Zhijing, Wen Xuanyuan, and Qiao Xinyue were chatting happily.
They hadn't seen each other for a while, so they naturally had endless topics to discuss.
Qiao Xinyue spoke the most about her internship experiences.
As a newcomer, she was often bullied by senior employees and frequently ordered around, which was quite frustrating.
Wen Xuanyuan, on the other hand, complained about the excessive control from both families, feeling very restricted.
However, being pregnant with triplets made her situation unique and thus garnered more attention.
Among the three, Gong Zhijing spoke the least, as she seemed to have little to share.
Wen Xuanyuan and Qiao Xinyue had traveled together, so they talked a lot about food and scenery.
There were also discussions about newly released skincare products, clothes, and bags.
Gong Zhijing, however, only had her children and family to talk about.
At that moment, she realized that all her time seemed to revolve around her children and family, leaving no room for her own life.
The only exception was her writing career, which was finally showing some promise.
Although it was nothing compared to the top authors, she had managed to earn over ten thousand yuan a month through her own efforts.
After some thought, she decided to share this news with them.
Wen Xuanyuan was full of surprise and admiration. "You're amazing! Go, my little writer!"
Qiao Xinyue, on the other hand, felt dejected. "What the heck? I work hard all month and still don't earn half of what you do..."
She had a nine-to-five job, leaving early and returning late every day.
Yet, Gong Zhijing, while staying at home with her child, could earn more than her by simply doing a few things.
Indeed, effort was worthless in the face of talent.
Gong Zhijing felt a little proud and said happily, "I'll treat you to a meal next time."
Qiao Xinyue, not to be outdone, declared, "Even though I don't earn as much as you, I'm getting paid soon, so I'll treat you both then!"
"Haha, then I'll just freeload off you two."
Wen Xuanyuan chuckled and half-jokingly said, "I can't work and I don't write novels, so I can only rely on my savings."
Qiao Xinyue said with a laugh, "You still have Li Bowen to support you."
Wen Xuanyuan's eyes twinkled, and she said mischievously, "Why don't you marry my brother soon? He'll support you too! He's earned a lot of money over the years..."
As they were chatting, Qiao Xinyue's face turned red again.
She said shyly and angrily, "Why are you so mischievous? I don't want to talk to you anymore."
Wen Xuanyuan burst into laughter, always enjoying making Qiao Xinyue blush.
Li Bowen entered and saw this scene.
Gong Zhijing was looking at Wen Xuanyuan helplessly, while Wen Xuanyuan was laughing heartily. Only Qiao Xinyue had her head down, blushing furiously, and remaining silent.
Li Bowen didn't need to ask to know what had happened.
His playful wife must have teased the young lady again, making her shy.
"It's obvious you've bullied your sister-in-law again." Although his words sounded like a reprimand, they were filled with deep affection.
"Xinyue won't be mad at me! Speaking of my brother, she's too happy to be upset!" Wen Xuanyuan said smugly.
As his sister-in-law, what else could Qiao Xinyue do but indulge her?
"How could I possibly be angry? You've made me so thick-skinned anyway."
It was rare for Qiao Xinyue to speak when she was feeling shy.
After thinking about it, she realized there was nothing to be ashamed of, so she might as well be thick-skinned and let Wen Xuanyuan say what she wanted.
"Wow, the sun must be rising from the west. You're not shy anymore."
Wen Xuanyuan looked surprised, her eyes scanning Qiao Xinyue as if she had discovered a new continent.
Gong Zhijing rolled her eyes and interjected, "Anyone who spends enough time with you will become thick-skinned!"
"I'll take that as a compliment!" Wen Xuanyuan said, her face unblushing, her skin not thin at all.
"Calling you fat and you're getting puffed up."
Gong Zhijing glanced at her and ignored her, then turned to Li Bowen and asked, "Where are Jiang Zexi and Situ Jun?"
Dinner was about to be served, and as the hostess, Gong Zhijing naturally needed to attend to the guests.
"They're still wandering around."
Gong Zhijing nodded, glanced at Ling Yuchen, who was discussing wedding details with their parents, and then took out her phone to message Xia Wanfu, asking them to come back for dinner.
In the dining room, the nannies were busy shuttling between the kitchen and the dining room.
Plates of steaming hot delicacies were brought out from the kitchen, filling the entire living room with their aroma.
Wen Xuanyuan, who got hungry easily, touched her stomach and said with a craving, "I don't know why, but after coming to your place, I suddenly have an appetite. I feel like I could eat three bowls of rice!"
Gong Zhijing chuckled, "As long as you can eat, there will be more than enough."
..........kuAiδugg
When Xia Wanfu received Gong Zhijing's message, she was standing in the garden with Jiang Zexi in front of a flower bed, looking at the flowers.
However, both of them were preoccupied and in low spirits.
Xia Wanfu was thinking about when she could get pregnant. It had been three days since the condom incident.
For the past three days, she had been with Jiang Zexi, and they had been intimate countless times.
She worried about not getting pregnant, and she also feared how Jiang Zexi would accept it if she did.
What if he thought the child wasn't his since they had used protection?
In short, she was overthinking a lot of chaotic and confusing thoughts.
As for Jiang Zexi, he still couldn't overcome the mental barrier.
He had witnessed too many tragic scenes and had been on the verge of losing his life countless times. He had developed a fear of loss, a deep-seated fear of losing what he had.
"Brother Zexi, if..."
Xia Wanfu was about to say something when her phone suddenly beeped with a message notification, interrupting her thoughts.
She had to stop for now and take out her phone to check.
The message was from Gong Zhijing: "Come back quickly for dinner."
Xia Wanfu replied: "Okay, coming back right away."
Jiang Zexi looked at her, his eyes full of inquiry.
"Zhijing is calling us back for dinner. Let's call Situ Jun and his girlfriend too!"
Jiang Zexi nodded. He had intended to ask what Xia Wanfu was about to say earlier, but now there was no opportunity.
"I'll just send a message to Situ Jun."
Then, they walked towards the main building of the Gong family's residence hand in hand.
Situ Jun also returned with Su Yinwan after receiving Jiang Zexi's text.
The large table in the dining room was already laden with food.
Gong Ye was arranging the seats.
As guests, the place of honor would naturally be for Ling Yuchen's parents.
The others would then be seated on both sides.
It was a joyous occasion today. After everyone was seated, Ling Yuchen began to pour wine for the elders.
Jiang Zexi and Situ Jun were unavoidable. Only Li Bowen managed to evade it by pretending to take care of Wen Xuanyuan.
Wen Xuanyuan was always the center of attention wherever she went, so on her account, no one dared to pour wine for Li Bowen.