Later, Su Jinhua asked a few more times, but was brushed off, and the matter was dropped.
In the blink of an eye, it was Lunar New Year's Eve.
From the afternoon, lanterns and decorations were hung everywhere, with red lanterns and couplets pasted on them. It was just too quiet, without the sound of firecrackers, seeming to lack the festive atmosphere of the new year.
The family was preparing delicacies, with all sorts of fruits, pastries, and snacks constantly available.
Xia Wantang just sat and ate, while Ling Yuchen constantly took care of her.
This was her first New Year spent at the Ling family's, her first time away from the Xia family, and the most comfortable New Year she had celebrated since childhood.
Zhu Yunfei came down from upstairs, and seeing Xia Wantang sitting on the sofa eating, she couldn't help but urge, "Darling, it's getting late. Why aren't you changing into your new clothes yet? Mom prepared them for you, didn't she?"
Xia Wantang patted her round belly and said with a laugh, "Mom, I'm not a child anymore. I don't need to wear new clothes."
"Nonsense," Zhu Yunfei glared at her and said impatiently, "How are you not a child? In front of Mom, Dad, Grandpa, and Grandma, no matter how old you are, you're still a child."
These words were inexplicably heartwarming. Xia Wantang chuckled and pushed herself up from the sofa.
"Then I'll go change."
"Hurry up, let Yuchen accompany you."
Ling Yuchen pulled Xia Wantang up and walked out with her hand in hand.
Zhu Yunfei had indeed prepared new clothes for her, but they were washed, folded, and placed in a bag; she hadn't opened them yet.
Back in the East Courtyard, she excitedly started rummaging.
She took out a large bag and poured the clothes onto the bed.
A red, long, loose maternity sweater with a doll collar and small pom-poms hanging from the sides.
The jacket was also a long red down jacket with a large fur-lined hood and big pockets, looking thick and warm.
There was also a maternity belly-supporting padded woolen pants, and even the underwear and briefs were prepared, all in red.
Xia Wantang looked through them with delight, then smiled at Ling Yuchen and said, "Help me wash my hair. New Year, new beginnings, everything should be new."
Ling Yuchen naturally agreed and led her into the bathroom.
Xia Wantang only needed to lie on the shampoo chair.
Ling Yuchen untied her hair tie, gently combed her hair, adjusted the water temperature, and massaged her head gently.
Xia Wantang let out a comfortable sigh, her lips curved upwards, her hands resting on her belly, eyes closed in enjoyment.
After washing her hair, she put it up and went to take a bath.
Ling Yuchen stayed with her the whole time, and they ended up showering together. She was currently in her second trimester, the first third had passed, and the last third had not yet arrived.
...
A satisfied Ling Yuchen carried Xia Wantang, who had a resentful look on her face, out of the bathroom.
Xia Wantang angrily pushed him away, wrapping herself tightly in her bathrobe.
"Be good, let's dry your hair," Ling Yuchen brought the hairdryer.
Xia Wantang turned her back to him, not speaking, and let him dry her hair.
After her hair was dry and she changed into her new clothes, Xia Wantang's mood improved considerably.
The sun had already set, the last ray of sunlight disappeared, leaving only a scattered sunset across the sky.
The decorated red lanterns lit up, their lights outlining the dazzling, colorful twilight clouds.
Xia Wantang leaned against Ling Yuchen. Everything was so beautiful, she wished she could preserve it forever.
"From now on, we will walk through countless dusks and seasons like this."
Ling Yuchen put his arm around her full waist and chuckled, "Okay."
As they strolled to the front yard, they found people in military uniforms with guns standing outside the living room.
Ling Yuchen's expression changed, and he instinctively shielded Xia Wantang.
Xia Wantang was also greatly startled, gripping Ling Yuchen's arm, and asked nervously, "What's going on? Who are these people?"
"I'll go see, you go back to the East Courtyard first."
Ling Yuchen released Xia Wantang's hand, his eyes fixed on the house, but he could see nothing of the situation, not even a sound.
Xia Wantang refused to leave, shaking her head, "No, I'm scared by myself."
Ling Yuchen pondered, unwilling to leave her alone, but the situation was unclear, and rushing forward might be dangerous.
As they stood in a dilemma, Zhu Yunfei walked out from inside.
Her expression was solemn, not necessarily ugly, but very strange.
She saw Ling Yuchen and Xia Wantang at the courtyard gate and hurried over. Before they could ask, she took Xia Wantang's hand.
"Darling, Mom has something to tell you, don't get agitated."
Xia Wantang looked at her tense and concerned expression, and her heart skipped a beat.
Was this situation related to her?
Ling Yuchen pulled Xia Wantang over and shielded her behind him.
"Mom, she's pregnant!"
Although he didn't know what had happened, it was definitely something significant. He couldn't let Xia Wantang have any accidents; he couldn't afford to gamble.
Zhu Yunfei glanced at the house, looking somewhat conflicted.
In fact, this wasn't necessarily a bad thing. The key was that she didn't know what Xia Wantang thought, and the person who had arrived looked no simple, likely someone before whom even the Ling family was insignificant.
Seeing her obvious difficulty, Xia Wantang directly asked, "Mom, just tell me, what is it?"
She couldn't guess, and now she was very curious.
Ling Yuchen held Xia Wantang's hand, his brow furrowed tightly.
Seeing Zhu Yunfei still hesitating, Xia Wantang urged, "Mom, hurry up and tell me, I'm fine."
After much thought, Zhu Yunfei decided she couldn't hide this from Xia Wantang.
She took a deep breath, looked at Xia Wantang solemnly, and said, "A man in military uniform just came to our house. He said he is your biological father."
In fact, when the servant reported it, they were all terrified.
They said a jeep had arrived at the gate, and many people with guns had gotten out.
However, they didn't force their way in, standing at the gate politely waiting.
They dared not neglect, so they had to invite them in.
The leader had a long scar on his face, exuding a chilling aura, with a stern demeanor and eyes like an eagle's that people dared not meet directly.
Upon learning he was Xia Wantang's father, they were left in shock and disbelief.
However, seeing his open and forthright demeanor and firm words, they had no choice but to believe him.
She came out of the house wanting to call Xia Wantang and Ling Yuchen over.
Xia Wantang was suddenly stunned, her mind went blank, unable to think at all.
She knew she was adopted by the Xia family, but she had never thought about finding her biological parents.
Xia Linfeng and Han Wenjuan always said she was found, and she had always felt abandoned by her biological parents.
Now that her biological father had come looking for her, she felt disbelief, as if it were all a dream.
Ling Yuchen held her, his expression very tense.
Zhu Yunfei held her hand tightly, comforting her, "It's okay, darling. Mom, Dad, Grandpa, Grandma, and Yuchen are all here. We'll face it together."
Xia Wantang came back to her senses, her eyes unconsciously glancing at the house. Her feelings were very complex.
Unease, tension, anticipation, fear... a chaotic mix, her heart pounding rapidly.