Chapter 651: Extra 064 Living Well Even Alone (First Update)
Chapter 651: Extra 064 Living Well Even Alone (First Update)
At the wedding banquet.
Two servers were looking at each other somewhat awkwardly.
Others seemed to have noticed their discomfort as well.
Xin Zaozao said, “I’m not drinking anymore.”
The server handed the soup spoon to his colleague.
The other server gratefully smiled, serving the last bowl to Lei Qian.
The server standing by Xin Zaozao respectfully whispered to her, “Madam, please wait a moment. I’ll have another serving prepared right away.”
“No need.” Xin Zaozao smiled slightly.
The server also courteously smiled and withdrew.
Looking at the bowl of soup before her, Lei Qian felt a certain indescribable sentiment.
It was as if she had just taken soup away from a pregnant woman.
She felt a tad awkward.
Mu Cidian, however, calmly asked, “Why aren’t you drinking it?”
“Well…” Lei Qian glanced at Xin Zaozao.
Mu Cidian raised his eyes to look at her too.
Xin Zaozao felt their gazes, but she didn’t respond.
In his deep, rumbling voice, Mu Cidian said, “Go ahead and drink. Pregnant women shouldn’t have turtle soup.”
His voice was loud enough for the others at the table to hear.
Lei Qian was taken aback.
Xin Zaozao overheard as well and glanced at Mu Cidian.
Lei Qian seemed surprised. “How do you know all this? I’m a woman and I didn’t know about it.”
It was not only her, a woman, who didn’t know about it.
Xin Zaozao, though pregnant, was also clueless.
She had heard that pregnant women have many food restrictions, but she was too busy to pay attention to the details. She thought that no matter the circumstances, her child would be healthy.
She pursed her lips.
At that moment, she heard Mu Cidian say, “After all, you’re not pregnant.”
Xin Zaozao’s expression noticeably changed.
She felt a hint of sarcasm in Mu Cidian’s words.
Ji Baili, sitting nearby, also picked up on this. Seeing Mu Cidian today with his so-called wife had already irked him. Ji Baili couldn’t help but retort, “If you’re so knowledgeable, do you know what soups are better for pregnant women?”
“Carrot and corn rib soup, ham and winter melon soup, yam and pigeon soup, to name a few. Pregnant women can also eat plenty of fruits such as apples, cherries, bananas, kiwis, grapes, blueberries, strawberries, dragon fruit, and so on. But they shouldn’t eat too much papaya, mangoes, hawthorn, durian, longan and litchi.” Mu Cidian appeared casual as he spoke. “And if you want the baby to have good skin, bird’s nests soup can be prepared.”
Ji Baili was staring wide-eyed at Mu Cidian.
And not just Ji Baili, the rest of the guests were also looking at him with surprise.
Baili asked, “Have you changed your profession?”
Mu Cidian looked at him.
“Into catering?” Ji Baili asked.
“Just common sense.” Mu Cidian lowered his head and continued to eat his meal at a leisurely pace.
Ji Baili chuckled, “Most people probably don’t have time to learn all that common sense.”
Grinning, Ji Baili said teasingly, “If you hadn’t brought your wife to the wedding, I’d think the baby in Xin Zaozao’s belly was yours, since you remember these details about pregnancy so clearly.”
“We’ve said it’s not like that!” Lei Qian sounded a bit exasperated. “Could you all please stop joking about this?”
Caught off-guard by Lei Qian’s response, Ji Baili felt a bit embarrassed. Considering that Lei Qian was Mu Cidian’s legitimate wife, it seemed inappropriate for him to make such insinuations. In fact, his intention had merely been to tease Mu Cidian, not Lei Qian. So he apologized with a smile, “I’m sorry, I’ll stop teasing.”
Song Zhizhi, noticing that Lei Qian was genuinely upset, and also not wanting to create further awkwardness, interjected, “Are you guys planning to have a child?”
She was addressing Lei Qian.
Lei Qian blushed, “Not yet.”
“Otherwise, how could Mu Cidian remember all these details so well? Not to mention women who don’t know about these things, even as a married woman who has given birth, I don’t know these things.”
Lei Qian turned more bashful.
Song Zhizhi said, “Having such a considerate man like Mu Cidian, you must feel very fortunate.”
Lei Qian nodded, “Yes, I used to think Mu Cidian was cold and indifferent to everyone, but after getting to know him better, I learned that he is a very warm person who always thinks everything through for me.”
“The old Mu Cidian was exactly like that.” Song Zhizhi added, “He has changed a lot now.”
“Really?” Lei Qian looked at Song Zhizhi.
“Yes.” Song Zhizhi nodded, and spoke lightly, “They say a man’s growth has a lot to do with the woman behind him. If a man can turn into someone completely different from before, it’s usually because he has experienced something that led him to become the person he aspires to be.”
Song’s words seemed casual enough.
But many people at the table could hear the implication.
The implication being, Mu Cidian’s change was related to Xin Zaozao.
Lei Qian seemed to have also caught the implication. She said, “If someone wasn’t cherished before, someone who does cherish him will eventually come along.”
Song Zhizhi’s eyes shifted slightly.
Lei Qian turned out to be smarter than she had thought.
She had assumed Lei Qian was a quite ordinary and naïve girl. Given the many experiences Mu Cidian had been through, he might now be seeking tranquility, which could explain why he gave up on Xin Zaozao and chose a well-behaved and kind-hearted girl instead.
Song Zhizhi maintained a placid smile.
At that moment, Yin Qin, accompanied by Luo Xiaolang, arrived to give the newlyweds a toast.
Wherever Yin Qin appeared, there was always a lively atmosphere.
He exuberantly announced, “Brothers, raise your glasses! Congratulations to me for finally marrying Luo Xiaolang.”
Everyone stood up.
Luo Xiaolang rolled her eyes.
She always felt like Yin Qin might get punched at any moment.
Yin Qin raised his glass, “Thank you all for being here. Honestly, I’ve never been this happy in my whole life. I always thought that someone like me would never find happiness. But destiny was kind; it’s made me so happy that I feel like I could fly.”
“Your act is killing us single dogs! How do you expect us to live?!” One of Yin Qin’s friends protested.
“Exactly, I want you single dogs to suffer. Come on, let’s drink. Everyone, wish me and Luo Xiaolang a lifetime of joy, and hopefully a baby girl.”
“…” Who makes their own toast and pre-plans others’ blessings?
“Alright, to you and your wife having a lifetime of joy and a baby girl!” Everyone lifted their glasses.
After drinking the toast.
Yin Qin announced, “Eat and drink to your heart’s content. I’ll take my wife and head out first.”
With that, Yin Qin and Luo Xiaolang left in a rush.
After the newlyweds had given their toast, according to the wedding customs, the guests were free to leave after the meal.
By now, Xin Zaozao had also pretty much finished eating.
She mainly didn’t want to be at the same table as Mu Cidian, as she was bound to be teased by others.
She put down her bowl and chopsticks, turned to Song Zhizhi, and said, “I’m done eating. I’m leaving first.”
“I’ll accompany you.”
“You stay and keep Mr. Ji company. I just want to go back to the room and sleep a bit. Since becoming pregnant, I’ve been needing a lot more sleep. You don’t have to worry about me.”
“Alright.” Song Zhizhi smiled.
Actually, she understood Xin Zaozao didn’t want her asking any more questions.
Zaozao aired her courteous goodbyes to everyone and left the table.
Ji Baili watched Xin Zaozao’s retreating figure. He initially wanted to follow her, but then thought that she would probably prefer some solitude, so he decided to stay.
Lei Qian didn’t seem to want to eat anymore at this moment either. She said, “Cidian, I’ve also finished eating.”
“Then let’s go.” Mu Cidian nodded.
He bid farewell to the others and left with Lei Qian.
Watching Mu Cidian and Lei Qian’s departing figures, Ji Baili muttered, “Mu Cidian is really a cold-blooded man.”
Changes his attitude at the drop of a hat, moves on to another person just like that.
On the contrary, Song Zhizhi felt that there was something strange about the relationship between Mu Cidian and Xin Zaozao.
…
Exiting the private room.
Lei Qian suddenly said, “I need to use the restroom.”
“I’ll wait for you at the front door.”
“Ok.” Lei Qian left.
Mu Cidian watched her departing figure and turned towards the banquet hall’s main entrance.
Staff members stood at the main entrance and respectfully handed their coats over to them as they left.
After all, it was winter in Jin City.
Despite the bright sunshine today, it had snowed a couple of days ago, and the weather remained exceptionally cold.
Mu Cidian took his and Lei Qian’s coats and walked to the front door.
At the entrance, Xin Zaozao seemed to have just walked out and was waiting for the hotel car.
She was still only wearing a black coat, looking quite cold in the frigid wind.
Mu Cidian approached her.
“Cold?” He asked.
Xin Zaozao turned around.
She loosened the arms she had wrapped around herself a bit, then said, “I’m okay. Pregnant women run hot.”
“Need to go to your room?”
“Yes.” Xin Zaozao nodded.
Yin Qin had booked the entire resort, so every guest had a room for afternoon rest, of course, there were also many entertainment options at the resort.
“Where’s Lei Qian?” Xin Zaozao asked.
“In the restroom.”
Xin Zaozao gave a small nod.
She didn’t know when their relationship had become so calm and peaceful.
It was probably like this after Wan Quan’s death.
At least, the older generation’s grudges ended the moment Wan Quan died.
She didn’t want to continue being stubborn.
Mu Cidian obviously let go even earlier.
The two of them stood at the door for a while.
Lei Qian came out.
Mu Cidian helped Lei Qian put on her down jacket.
Lei Qian gave Mu Cidian a sweet smile, “Thank you.”
Mu Cidian gave a slight nod.
“They say it’s not cold when it’s snowing, but it’s cold when the snow melts. It’s really quite cold today.” Lei Qian stomped her feet gently.
Upon hearing Lei Qian’s words, Mu Cidian moved to the side and asked the staff by the door, “How much longer for the car?”
“Sir, please wait a moment, it should be here soon. Some guests just left, it should arrive shortly…oh, there it is.” The staff quickly said.
Several cars could be seen driving over from a distance.
Standing at some distance from Mu Cidian and Lei Qian, Xin Zaozao avoided any unnecessary contact with them.
The car stopped.
The staff quickly opened the doors for them.
Xin Zaozao got in.
Lei Qian also prepared to get in after her.
Mu Cidian held Lei Qian’s hand, “This way.”
Saying this, he led Lei Qian around the rear of the car, opened the door for her and let her get in from the other side.
Lei Qian again gave Mu Cidian a sweet smile.
Xin Zaozao watched the interaction between the two next to her.
She seemed very calm.
After the three of them settled in, the car drove towards the resort’s hotel area.
The drive was only 3 or 4 minutes long.
But the upper class was accustomed to such ceremonial sensations.
The car quickly arrived.
The hotel staff opened the car doors for them.
Seeing Xin Zaozao’s protruding belly, the staff politely asked, “Ma’am, do you need help getting out?”
“Thank you.” Xin Zaozao smiled slightly.
She reached out her hand towards the staff member.
She thought, with money, one can really live a good life.
The staff member helped Xin Zaozao out of the car.
They walked into the resort hotel together.
When they came to attend the wedding, the staff had given each of them a room card, so, at this moment, they didn’t need to check in at the front desk, they went directly into the hotel elevator.
Mu Cidian and Lei Qian joined her.
The elevator arrived on the same floor.
Xin Zaozao thought to herself, with Yin Qin’s style, it’s possible that Mu Cidian’s room would be next to hers.
She stood in front of her room.
Just as she thought, Mu Cidian and Lei Qian stopped at the room next to hers.
Sometimes she was really speechless with Yin Qin.
She opened the door and entered her room.
Every day after lunch, there was always a period of tiredness.
She freshened up briefly, changed into the clean sleepwear the hotel had provided, and just as she was about to get into bed to sleep, the doorbell rang suddenly.
Xin Zaozao thought it was Song Zhizhi and the others who had come over, she didn’t check who was outside and directly opened the door.
The moment she opened the door, she saw Lei Qian standing at the entrance.
Xin Zaozao eyed her slightly, “What’s up?”
“I just wanted to ask, why didn’t Song Lifei come with you?” Lei Qian asked.
“I already said, he’s on a business trip.”
“This has caused me some trouble.” Lei Qian stated bluntly.
When she said this, her face seemed a bit awkwardly red.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
“What?” Xin Zaozao didn’t quite understand her meaning.
“Without Song Lifei by your side, people always make jokes about you and Mu Cidian’s past.”
Lei Qian seemed to have gathered a lot of courage to say this.