Yun Shu sneered coldly.
What a perfect white lotus.
Unfortunately, in her eyes, merely a clown.
"Nan Xi is Lu Jianshen's wife, the daughter-in-law of the Lu Family. What makes you think you can compare yourself with her?"
"She spends Jianshen's money righteously. It's not just Jianshen's money, she can squander the entire Lu Family's fortune and still not run out, use as much as she wants."
"As for gifts, even if she gives a leaf, grandfather will cherish it; whereas, even if you give a golden leaf, grandfather won't appreciate it, it's simply humiliating yourself."
Fang Qinglian had just parted her lips when Lu Jianshen grabbed her wrist and gave Nan Xi a look.
Nan Xi felt a bitter taste in her heart.
But she immediately took Yun Shu's arm, "Mom, Jianshen and I are picking a gift for Grandpa. Since you're here, please help us decide!"
Nan Xi smiled brilliantly, her tone gentle.
Yun Shu's voice also softened a lot, "Actually, I don't have much to suggest. What could Grandpa possibly lack that you wouldn't know about?"
How could Nan Xi not know, yet she knew Jianshen didn't want that.
So, in front of her mother-in-law, she could only feign ignorance.
Yun Shu looked directly at Lu Jianshen, "Don't tell me you don't know, the gift Grandpa wants most is a great-grandson."
It wasn't an issue until it was mentioned, but once raised, Yun Shu became furious.
"Tell me, it's been two whole years and there's still no sign from Nan Xi's stomach. If this continues, I'm starting to doubt you."
Nan Xi: "..."
This really is a mother's concern, immediately suspecting her own son.
If it were any other mother-in-law, she would definitely blame her for not being able to conceive, blaming her weak body.
So, Nan Xi immediately felt a warm sensation in her chest, very heartwarming.
"Mom, this is a public place, at least save me some face," Lu Jianshen said, rubbing his forehead with a troubled expression.
"You also know about saving face; then I don't need to save face anymore. Do you know every time I meet those rich ladies, and they ask if I have a grandson, I wish I could just hide?"
Nan Xi embarrassed.
Her face also reddened.
"Before, I always thought you were young and thought about giving you more time, so I never interfered."
"But this time, Lu Jianshen, hear me out, I'm giving you three months. If there's still no movement in Nan Xi's stomach, I will hold only you accountable."
"Mom, you're really cornering me here. Can't you be reasonable?" Lu Jianshen said with a clouded face.
"I will corner you indeed, if three months pass and she's not pregnant, both of you must go to the hospital to get checked."
Yun Shu turned to Nan Xi, "These few months, you keep an eye on him. If he doesn't take the initiative or cooperate, report to me at any time."
Nan Xi's face blushed so much it seemed to drip, and she quickly nodded. "Okay, Mom."
Fang Qinglian was already dying of embarrassment on the side.
She bit her lips pitifully, clenched her fists, and her whole person was both angry and sad.
If she weren't desperately holding back, she would spit out the fact about Jianshen and Nan Xi's impending divorce right now.
When Yun Shu left, both Lu Jianshen and Fang Qinglian breathed a sigh of relief.
"Jianshen, you're not really going to have a child with her, are you!"
Fang Qinglian looked at Lu Jianshen with a pitiful and fragile expression, exceedingly frail.
Nan Xi silently pursed her lips.
Perhaps men like this type, weak and pitiable, fully triggering their protective instincts.
Even someone transcendent like Lu Jianshen couldn't escape this conventional attraction.
"No," Lu Jianshen's answer was decisive and crisp.
"Now that we've decided on a divorce, I won't leave this risk with her and me."
Upon hearing this, Fang Qinglian finally sighed in relief.
Then, turning to Lu Jianshen, she tossed her hair back, softly speaking, "Jianshen, accompany me for shopping, I want to buy some clothes."
Suddenly, time seemed to freeze.
Nan Xi, seeing the jade earrings on Fang Qinglian's ears, stood there as if struck by lightning.
Indescribable discomfort filled her, an especially unpleasant feeling.
She looked at Fang Qinglian, her voice almost too soft to lend force, "May I ask where you bought those earrings?"
Fang Qinglian again tossed her hair back, generously displaying the earrings, smiling, "You mean these?"
"Yeah." Nan Xi clenched her fists.
"They weren't bought. I saw them at Jianshen's and liked them because they were so beautiful, so he gave them to me."
Nan Xi bit her lip, her heart twisting in pain.
So, this was the "little side story" Jianshen referred to.
She had thought it was a mishap with a gift that made it unavailable, but it was actually because Fang Qinglian liked it, so he gave it to Fang Qinglian.
Yet, he had clearly promised to give it to her, but just because Fang Qinglian said she "liked" it, he gave it away generously.
Love and not love, that was the difference.
"Nan Xi..."
As soon as Lu Jianshen began to speak, Nan Xi immediately interrupted him, "No need to explain, I understand."
Since it was already done, why bother explaining?
Suppressing her discomfort, she asked indifferently, "Should we still pick out a gift for Grandfather?"
"Next time, Qinglian isn't convenient today, I'll accompany her. I'll have the driver take you home."
"Alright."
Sitting in the car, Nan Xi watched the scenery speeding past outside, but her heart had already plummeted to the depths.
"Little great-grandson?"
She murmured softly, her hands gently placed on her belly, tightly protecting it.
Over the years, they hadn't shared a room often, and almost every time, Lu Jianshen took precautions.
He even advised her to take some long-acting contraceptives.
Therefore, they always had double protection.
Given such circumstances, the chance of getting pregnant was really minimal.
Had it not been for the doctor telling her she was pregnant, she would never have believed it.
But Lu Jianshen called it a "hidden complication."
This word made her heart ache as if it were pricked by needles, instantly soaked in blood.
Her child with him, in his eyes, was just a hidden complication.
Nan Xi covered her face, unable to control her tears anymore.
She had just gotten home when she received a call from her mother-in-law.
"You're home?" Yun Shu got straight to the point.
"Yes, just arrived."
"Good, I'll be there in ten minutes."
Nan Xi was about to say something, but Yun Shu had already hung up.
If she remembered correctly, this was the first time her mother-in-law had come to her new home with Jianshen, aside from when they got married.
Nan Xi was a bit nervous, quickly instructing the housekeeper to get ready.
Because she seldom interacted with her mother-in-law and didn't know her well, Nan Xi called Lu Jianshen to find out about her preferences.
"Hello, Jianshen!"
"Nan Xi, it's me."
Hearing Fang Qinglian's voice, Nan Xi's voice suddenly trembled.
Enduring the bitterness welling up in her chest, she continued, "Is Jianshen there? I need to speak with him about something."
"Sorry, he's not very free right now. I'll have him call you back later."
After speaking, Fang Qinglian hung up directly.
Nan Xi clenched the phone, her whole person dazed and stunned.
If she remembered correctly, he had clearly said, as long as they were not divorced, he would be mindful of his boundaries, remembering his status as a married man.
But now, what did sticking together with Fang Qinglian signify?
It seemed he had been eager for a long time.
If not for Grandfather, they would have probably gotten their divorce certificate this morning and become complete strangers.
Since she didn't know her mother-in-law's preferences well, Nan Xi eventually had everything prepared very thoroughly.
Coffee, tea, fruit, pastries, nuts... Everything available at home, she had prepared.
Even lunch, she instructed to be made.
Both Chinese and Western cuisine were ready.
Having done all this, Nan Xi waited at home for Yun Shu's arrival.
Hearing the knock, Nan Xi personally went to open the door.
She greeted with a smile, polite and courteous, "Mom, you've come..."
Before she could finish her sentence, Nan Xi covered her mouth and ran to the bathroom, retching violently.