At the Ling family dining table.
"Xuanxuan is really pregnant!"
Though she had a feeling, the confirmation brought unexpected joy.
Gong Zhijing looked at the picture with two pink lines again and again, absolutely delighted.
She replied to Wen Xuanyuan, "Congratulations, congratulations! Since it's meant to be, rather than worry, embrace it wholeheartedly!"
Zhu Yunfei, while eating, overheard her sudden remark and asked curiously, "What were you saying? Who's pregnant?"
"My best friend," Gong Zhijing thought for a moment, then explained, "Li Bowen's girlfriend."
"Shi Man's daughter-in-law is pregnant!"
Zhu Yunfei was surprised for a moment, then confused, "But hasn't your Bowen not even gotten engaged yet? How is he already a father?"
Gong Zhijing explained, "An accident, I guess! It seems she got pregnant the first time. Although they aren't engaged, both sets of parents have met."
"Oh, oh." Zhu Yunfei didn't forget to add a reminder, "Then don't go blabbing about it."
"Mom, I know."
Gong Zhijing responded casually, her eyes glued to her phone, grinning.
This was because Wen Xuanyuan was sharing with her a video call Li Bowen was having with her parents.
"Hurry up and eat. You aren't even this happy when you yourself were pregnant,"
Ling Yuchen placed the peeled shrimp into her bowl, his tone a little sour.
Why was she so happy about Li Bowen becoming a father?
Gong Zhijing didn't even look at him, continuing to message Wen Xuanyuan.
"Of course, I was happy when I was pregnant, and I'm happy for Xuanxuan too! Maybe she'll have twins! If she has a son, he can be betrothed to our Leyou as a child bride, and if it's a daughter, they can be best friends!"
Ling Yuchen's expression darkened, and his tone grew colder, "Leyou is only a few months old, and you're already worrying about marrying her off."
His heart felt even more sour. The thought of his daughter getting married in the future didn't sit well with him.
Gong Zhijing, sensing the change in his tone, looked up at him and immediately understood his feelings. She explained with a laugh,
"You know, I actually am considering it. Look, Xuanxuan is my best friend, so there won't be any mother-in-law issues in the future. The Li family's residences, both the old house and the new one, are close to our home, and we know their character well. Isn't that a good plan? Of course, if she grows up and has her own ideas, I certainly won't interfere."
Ling Yuchen's expression improved significantly, but his tone remained cold, "Leyou is still young, no need to think so far ahead!"
Gong Zhijing, not bothering to engage further, put down her phone and continued eating.
Zhu Yunfei chewed her food and said with a smile, "Zhijing's idea is good, but these things are ultimately up to fate!"
She thought of Situ Jing. Wasn't that girl and Yuchen practically childhood sweethearts? And look at the outcome.
"This is the cabbage you like to eat."
Ling Junye put a spoonful of vegetables into Zhu Yunfei's bowl, afraid his wife might say something she shouldn't.
Zhu Yunfei completely ignored him, but she didn't say anything either.
The dining table fell silent, with only the faint clinking of chopsticks against bowls.
The family was having a pleasant meal when suddenly a foul odor filled the air, so pungent it was unbearable.
Gong Zhijing frowned slightly and looked around, only to see Ling Yuchen looking at her as well.
They exchanged a glance. Though they didn't know the specifics, they could guess what was happening.
"Mom, I'll take you back to your room."
Zhu Yunfei's face turned pale, but her eyes were filled with concern. Anyone would be overwhelmed by such an incident during a meal.
Old Madam Ling's expression was somewhat vacant. She turned to Zhu Yunfei and asked an unrelated question, "Yunfei, why are you back home? Didn't you go back to your parents' house?"
Her memory had once again regressed to a past day.
Zhu Yunfei coaxed her as if she were a child, "I'm back. Mom, shall I take you back to your room?"
Ling Old Master, standing nearby, looked even more displeased. He held his wife's hand and said to Ling Yuchen, "You take your wife and daughter back to the East Courtyard. Food will be sent over later."
"It's alright, Grandpa."
Gong Zhijing stood up first and walked to Old Madam Ling's side, saying, "Grandma, shall we go back to our room?"
Her action drew surprised glances from everyone. No one expected her to walk towards Old Madam Ling.
Gong Zhijing hadn't overthought it. Despite the unpleasantness, her grandmother had always been good to her. How could she feel disgusted? All she felt was concern.
"Who are you? Why are you in my house?"
Old Madam Ling looked at her with unfamiliar eyes, then paused and said, "You look good. Be my granddaughter-in-law!"
She then pointed at Ling Yuchen. "That's my grandson. What do you think? Isn't he handsome and talented?"
Ling Yuchen's eyes reddened. He stepped forward and said, "Grandma, listen to me. I'll get you a granddaughter-in-law."
"Okay, get a granddaughter-in-law!"
Old Madam Ling smiled like a child.
Ling Yuchen took her hand and led her towards the restroom.
"Yuchen, let me do it!" Zhu Yunfei quickly stepped forward, wanting to take his place. For Zhu Yunfei, this wasn't the first time.
Old Madam Ling's illness was progressing rapidly and was uncontrollable. Generally, Alzheimer's develops over five to ten years or more. Yet, from diagnosis to now, it had only been a few months, and she had deteriorated this much. Perhaps it was due to her advanced age, and the progression of this illness has no fixed timeline.
Old Madam Ling was indeed sometimes clear and sometimes confused. At this moment, she began to fuss, "I don't want you, I want Yuchen!"
"Mom, shall I do it?" Ling Junye stepped forward and said.
Old Madam Ling still refused, "No, no, I only want Yuchen."
At this point, she had no idea what she was doing.
"I'll do it." Ling Old Master, leaning on his cane, shakily stood up.
"Enough," Ling Yuchen frowned deeply and said coldly, "I'll go. You all wait."
He, a grown man, how could he be made to...?
Gong Zhijing quickly followed, coaxing as she would Leyou, "Grandma, shall I change your pants for you?"
Old Madam Ling, who had refused everyone else, now abandoned Ling Yuchen and took Gong Zhijing's hand. "Okay, I want you, Grandma wants you."
"Zhijing..." Ling Yuchen didn't want her to do this, as she had no obligation.
"It's okay."
Gong Zhijing smiled at him easily and began to help Old Madam Ling up.
"No!" Ling Yuchen directly refused.
"No, no, I want her, I want her!"
He fussed, and Old Madam Ling fussed even more.
"Let go, I'll do it."
Gong Zhijing gently patted Old Madam Ling's back, helping her emotions gradually calm down.
Ling Yuchen had no choice but to watch helplessly as Gong Zhijing helped Old Madam Ling into the restroom.