Hearing this, the elder Mrs. Mo said happily, "That’s good, I’ll make it for you again tomorrow."
As she finished speaking, the elder Mrs. Mo took a green tangerine and a plate of spicy dried tofu from the maid and handed it to Chu Jin, "Jin, which one would you like to eat?"
The dried tofu must have been seasoned with a secret recipe, carrying a light braised aroma and a strong spicy taste that instantly whetted the appetite. Chu Jin had just had so nourishing soup, so having a bite of the spicy dried tofu to cut through the richness couldn’t be more perfect.
It had to be said that the elder Mrs. Mo was indeed very considerate.
"I’ll eat this one." Chu Jin picked up the plate of spicy dried tofu.
Chu Jin certainly knew the saying "sour for boys, spicy for girls," but for so reason, she just didn’t understand her own preferences; although she had thoroughly enjoyed eating sour tangerines yesterday, today she craved sothing spicy.
Could it be that she was really carrying fraternal twins?
Chu Jin furrowed her brows slightly, but she knew that was impossible. The probability of twins was already low, not to ntion fraternal twins. She had already won the grand prize once, how could she win it a second ti?
Seeing this, the elder Mrs. Mo said cheerfully, "If you like it, eat more. Don’t worry, it was all personally made by our family’s chef, pure, natural, and green food with no pollution."
"Sour for boys, spicy for girls," observing Chu Jin’s reaction, the elder Mrs. Mo had a pretty good idea and hurried upstairs, calling out to Zhao Yan, "Little Yan, maybe we should use pink for the nursery after all. The child in Jin’s belly is definitely going to be two girls."
Chu Jin liked spicy food, so it must certainly be a girl.
"In-law, I think it’s definitely a boy. Besides, you’re not a doctor, how can you be so sure?" Zhao Yan still preferred blues and other masculine colors. Compared to girls, she liked boys more. Boys are robust and easier to raise.
Although Zhao Yan liked Chu Jin very much, in her mind, she still preferred boys.
The differences between boys and girls are indeed substantial.
Take for instance Chu Jin and Chu Xiu—when Chu Xiu grew up, he could bring a wife back to the family.
But Chu Jin, she could only marry out, and watching her daughter beco part of another family is the most heartbreaking thing for a mother.
As for the feeling of marrying off a daughter, Zhao Yan had deep emotions; it was an extrely uncomfortable sensation.
The elder Mrs. Mo disagreed with Zhao Yan. She felt that boys and girls were the sa, as long as they were of the Mo family’s bloodline.
The elder Mrs. Mo smiled and said, "Sour for boys, spicy for girls. Jin loves spicy foods, there’s no mistake."
"Sour for boys, spicy for girls?" Zhao Yan asked in surprise, "In-law, did you let Jin eat chili?"
"Yes," nodded the elder Mrs. Mo, "I especially had the chef make these spicy dried tofu. Don’t worry, it’s very healthy, not junk food at all."
"In-law, pregnant won shouldn’t eat chili!" Zhao Yan imdiately headed downstairs.
"Why not?" The elder Mrs. Mo was startled; she too had been through pregnancy and had never heard of such a rule.
By the ti Zhao Yan got downstairs, Chu Jin had already finished half of the dried tofu. Just as she was about to eat the rest, soone took the plate from her hands.
"Mom? What are you doing?" Chu Jin asked with surprise, looking at Zhao Yan.
"Pregnant won shouldn’t eat chili," Zhao Yan put the plate on the coffee table, "Jin, you have to be mindful of what you eat. Eating chili can greatly harm the baby’s skin..."
"Mom, I haven’t heard that we can’t eat chili." Chu Jin was sowhat speechless.
Being an ancient doctor, she was very clear about what pregnant won should avoid: what they could eat and what they couldn’t. Chu Jin had a good count in her heart.
"Either way, you just can’t," insisted Zhao Yan, "Chili is so spicy, it’s satisfying for you to eat, but the one who suffers is the child. Listen to , for the good of the child, you must not eat chili."
In fact, the reason Zhao Yan was so insistent had its roots in her background.
In Zhao Yan’s hotown, there was a belief that the children of pregnant won who loved eating chili would not have good skin, being very dark, and moreover, chili could also stimulate the fetus.
"Is it really not allowed?" Chu Jin struggled to control her cravings.
She had a penchant for spicy food, and now that she was pregnant, she found it even harder to resist the temptation.
Once a pregnant woman craved sothing, nothing could stop her; it was like an insatiable itch in her mind, continuously scratching at her.
"Little Yan," the elder Mrs. Mo ca over, "wouldn’t it be fine to eat a little bit?"
"No, for Jin’s sake, and for the children’s sake, absolutely no chili." Zhao Yan ordered the maids to take the spicy dried tofu away.
Chu Jin’s heart left with the spicy dried tofu.
"Alright Jin, stop looking. You don’t want to give birth to two little monsters, do you?" Zhao Yan peeled a tangerine and handed it to Chu Jin, "Chili is a stimulating food, it could deform the children’s features if you eat it. Better to eat more fruit, this tangerine is good."
Chu Jin reluctantly withdrew her gaze, knowing that Zhao Yan ant well for her. Alright, for the sake of the two little ones in her belly, she would endure.
Fortunately, without spicy dried tofu, she could still satisfy her cravings with sour fruits.
In the evening, Mo Zhixuan took charge of the kitchen himself.
In the Mo family, the only person who had tasted the dishes cooked by Mo Zhixuan was Chu Jin.
The Mo family’s old madam and Tong Zhi were both astounded; no one had expected that Mo Zhixuan could actually cook.
It’s often said that gentlen stay away from the kitchen, but it seed like this saying simply didn’t apply to Mo Zhixuan.
In just two hours, Mo Zhixuan had filled the table with dishes.
And they were full of color, fragrance, and flavor.
Sitting at the table, Tong Zhi said with a smile, "Zhixuan, you truly are a dark horse."
"Aunt Tong, you’re flattering ," Mo Zhixuan replied with his usual composure.
Halfway through the al, Mo Fengxu also ca over. His expression didn’t seem off, but during the al, he kept glancing at Tong Zhi with the corner of his eye.
Tong Zhi was chatting with Zhao Yan as usual.
Upon learning about Chu Jin’s pregnancy, Mo Fengxu stood up excitedly and exclaid, "Really? That’s wonderful! Zhixuan, Jin, I didn’t bring a gift for my little grandnephew or grandniece this ti, but I’ll make sure to make it up when the baby is born."
Mo Zhixuan served Chu Jin a bowl of soup and said politely, "Uncle, you’re too kind."
Mo Fengxu said with a smile, "What do you an kind? It’s the least I can do; this is the Mo family’s future direct heir! By then, I’ll be the uncle-grandpa of the child."
"Oh, brother," the old madam continued. "You don’t need to worry about gifts. Why don’t you bring us a little sister-in-law instead? That would be the best gift. We don’t lack other gifts. Zhixuan and Jin need an ’Auntie,’ and the children need a ’Grandma.’
According to the family hierarchy, Chu Jin’s two little ones would call Mo Fengxu ’Granduncle.’
Here was soone about to beco a grandfather, and he still wasn’t married; wasn’t that a joke?
At these words, Mo Fengxu quickly changed the subject and picked up an empty bowl, "Sister-in-law, I tried the chicken soup, and it’s really good. Let get you a bowl." After putting the chicken soup in front of the old madam, Mo Fengxu also took Tong Zhi’s bowl and casually said, "Tong Zhi, let get you a bowl too."
"Thank you, Uncle," Tong Zhi replied politely, her expression unwavering.
"Tong Zhi, we’re of the sa generation, you can just call ’Brother Feng,’" Mo Fengxu said with a smile.
Tong Zhi drank her soup, opting not to speak.
The old madam’s gaze shifted back and forth between the two, as if she had discovered sothing. A faint smile spread across her face, but she said nothing more.
Halfway through the al, Mo Qingyi returned with Duanmu Zhe.
The two were holding hands, but upon seeing the full table of people, even soone as bold as Mo Qingyi felt shy and quickly let go of Duanmu Zhe’s hand.
Mo Qingyi acted as if nothing was amiss and greeted the old madam, "Mom, I’m back."
At that, Duanmu Zhe seed a little displeased. Was he that embarrassing to be seen with? Look how frightened the girl had beco.
"Mom, I’m back." Bao Bao flew in from outside and landed on Mo Qingyi’s head, repeating her words.
With this, everyone’s attention shifted to the bird.
"Qingyi, where did you get this bird?" Tong Zhi asked, curious.
Typically, birds that mimic humans can only say simple words.
For instance, "hello," "goodbye," "congratulations on your wealth," and so on. But this bird managed to say a whole sentence at once.
"It’s quite cute," Chu Jin also comnted with a slight arch of her brows.
"Beauty, beauty! Hello beauty, my na is Bao Bao." Bao Bao flew right onto Chu Jin’s shoulder.
Mo Qingyi looked at Bao Bao sowhat speechlessly; she hadn’t expected that this creature would turn out to be such a flatterer, truly living up to its na!
"You can just call Jin," Chu Jin said as she stroked Bao Bao’s feathers.
"Jin is nice, Jin is nice," Bao Bao kept rubbing its head against Chu Jin’s neck, turning into a beloved Bao Bao, seemingly a very different bird from the cheeky Bao Bao from the afternoon.
"Wow, it’s so well-behaved," Chu Jin fed a peanut to Bao Bao.
"Thank you, Jin, thank you, Jin, Jin is a great beauty! Jin is a great beauty!" Bao Bao said obsequiously.
Bao Bao’s appearance eased the atmosphere, making everyone at the table burst into laughter.
Damn!
Mo Qingyi was stunned! Bao Bao the bird must be possessed by a drama queen. It had been a greasy, rude bird spouting obscenities when with her in the afternoon, but now it had turned into a lovable, refreshing character?
Bao Bao’s arrival made Little Grey feel a sense of crisis. It had been difficult enough when the little lolita took little bai away, and now there ca Bao Bao!
Why were there so many glamorous and cheap outsiders?
"Qingyi, Little Zhe, what are you still standing there for?" the Mo family matriarch called out to the two, gesturing for them to sit down. "Co on, sit down and have dinner."
"Thank you, Aunt Mo." Duanmu Zhe politely took his seat. Unusually, Mo Qingyi didn’t bicker with Duanmu Zhe and obediently sat beside him.
Chu Jin noticed Mo Qingyi’s lips looked a bit red and swollen, even slightly cracked. As soone well-versed in such matters, Chu Jin of course understood what had caused it.
Gazing at the subtle atmosphere between Mo Qingyi and Duanmu Zhe, sothing must have happened that afternoon.
Could it be that these two had solidified their ambiguous relationship?
At this thought, Chu Jin slightly arched her brow and a faint smile ford on her lips—if that was indeed the case, it would be a triple blessing.
"Mom..." During the al, Mo Qingyi repeatedly seed on the verge of speaking, then hesitated.
"What is it?" the Mo family matriarch asked with curiosity as she looked at Mo Qingyi.
Mo Qingyi imdiately shook her head, smiling. "It’s nothing. Just wanted to say, tonight’s dishes are so delicious. Do we have a new chef at ho?"
The Mo family matriarch glanced at Mo Qingyi and then at Duanmu Zhe before replying, "No, tonight’s al was prepared by your brother."
"Oh," responded Mo Qingyi with a nod.
Mo Qingyi had wanted to take advantage of everyone being there that evening to announce her relationship with Duanmu Zhe.
But, this being her first experience of the kind, she was at a loss how to break the news.
Seeing Mo Qingyi looking preoccupied, the Mo family matriarch asked with concern, "Qingyi, do you have sothing on your mind?"
Mo Qingyi quickly shook her head in denial. "? What could possibly be on my mind?"
No sooner had she spoken, Duanmu Zhe reached out and gave Mo Qingyi’s waist a light pinch.
Stubborn girl, at such a mont, she still thought about keeping it a secret from the Mo family matriarch and everyone else.
A flicker of puzzlent crossed the Mo family matriarch’s eyes as she gently said, "Well, as long as everything is fine."
Chu Jin, noticing the new ring on Mo Qingyi’s left ring finger, curiously said, "Qingyi, when did you buy that ring on your hand? It’s pretty."
The purple gemstone glead dazzlingly under the light.
Hearing Chu Jin’s comnt, everyone’s gaze was drawn to Mo Qingyi’s left hand, and it was too late for her to hide the ring.
Tong Zhi said with a smile, "Qingyi, that ring looks familiar to . The design is quite unique; it must be a special order, not sothing you can buy just anywhere, right?"
The Mo family matriarch also felt it was familiar and added, "I also feel like I’ve seen that ring sowhere before."
Mo Qingyi quickly covered the ring with her hand. "I bought it casually, it’s a classic design, you can see it in any jewelry store. It’s normal for you to think you’ve seen it sowhere."
In fact, Mo Qingyi was also distressed. She didn’t know how to tell the others that she and Duanmu Zhe were already secretly engaged.
Secretly engaged and such.
That would have called for a dunking in a pig cage in ancient tis, right?
They had even skipped the whole dating process.
Just then, a sharp voice rang out in the room, "Mo Qingyi, will you marry ?"
As soon as these words were uttered, everyone was stunned.
All turned their gaze towards the source in unison.
This bird, just like a child, had a strong ability to imitate. Whatever soone else would say, it would repeat.
If Little Grey had blurted out such a phrase, soone must have said sothing in front of it. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have said it out of the blue.
And with an added ring on Mo Qingyi’s ring finger, it was hard not to have suspicions.
Mo Qingyi glared at Little Grey and gritted her teeth. "You darn bird! Shut up!"
But Little Grey, as if reveling in the chaos, perched on Chu Jin’s shoulder fearlessly and repeated, "Mo Qingyi, will you marry ?"
The reason Little Grey said this was that Duanmu Zhe had practiced the phrase several tis beforehand on a small island.
"Stupid bird!" Mo Qingyi balled her fist, teeth clenched.
Duanmu Zhe knew that there was no way to hide it anymore, and he didn’t want to hide it either. So, he took Mo Qingyi’s hand, pulled her up from the chair, and addressed everyone, "Aunt Mo, Aunt Tong, Aunt Yuan, Uncle Three, Brother Nine, Sister-in-law Nine, Qingyi and I, we’re together now."
Duanmu Zhe looked perfectly calm, but his palms were actually sweaty.
Mo Qingyi felt equally nervous.
Although the Mo family usually liked Duanmu Zhe very much, Mo Qingyi still felt a bit worried, worried that the Mo family matriarch and Mo Zhixuan would object, after all, this was a once-in-a-lifeti matter.
Duanmu Zhe was also worried.
When the words were spoken, there was a stillness in the air.
All eyes turned to Mo Qingyi and Duanmu Zhe.
After a mont, Tong Zhi couldn’t help but laugh, "This is good news, good news indeed! Little Zhe, our Qingyi is a good girl, and you must cherish her properly."
"Aunt Tong, rest assured, I certainly will," Duanmu Zhe said, nodding earnestly.
"Alright, you two sit down now. Here I was thinking it was sothing serious. You gave a scare," the Mo family matriarch said with a smile. "Jin is pregnant and soon to have a wedding with Zhixuan, and now you’ve found your own fate. This is a triple blessing for our household."
Duanmu Zhe grew up in the eye of the Mo family matriarch, a child with a good disposition since young.
Therefore, entrusting Mo Qingyi to Duanmu Zhe, the matriarch felt very reassured.
Mo Zhixuan’s gaze shifted towards Duanmu Zhe and he spoke in a deep voice, "Take good care of Qingyi from now on. If I find out that you’re mistreating her, watch out for my fist."
Duanmu Zhe nodded seriously, his eyes filled with determination, "Ninth Brother, don’t worry. I will value Qingyi more than my own life; I will never do anything to hurt her, not in this lifeti."
Mo Zhixuan withdrew his gaze and peeled a shrimp for Chu Jin, saying unhurriedly, "Rember the words you said today."
"Ninth Brother, I will," Duanmu Zhe said, holding Mo Qingyi’s hand, his eyes brimming with resolve.
Mo Qingyi felt moved; she hadn’t expected everyone to be so supportive of her being with Duanmu Zhe.
It was then that Tong Zhi said, "Qingyi, if I’m not mistaken, the ring on your finger is the Duanmu Family heirloom, isn’t it?"
Upon hearing this, the Mo family matriarch also rembered. She had seen the Duanmu family matriarch wearing this ring before; no wonder it seed familiar.
"Qingyi, you girl, how could you accept such a valuable thing from Little Zhe?" Even though Duanmu Zhe and Mo Qingyi were now confird as a couple, it still didn’t seem right for Mo Qingyi to accept sothing so precious from him.
This was indeed a family heirloom, sothing money couldn’t buy.
Mo Qingyi was also typically rash with her belongings. What if she lost it?
"Aunt Mo, Qingyi has already accepted my proposal. I would like to discuss with you about hosting our engagent banquet on the 18th of next month," Duanmu Zhe continued.
Duanmu Zhe knew it might seem abrupt to say this.
But he really did not want to wait any longer.
He wanted to announce to all of the Three Realms that Mo Qingyi was his.
"What?" the Mo family matriarch’s face was filled with disbelief, "Haven’t you two just started seeing each other? How has it escalated to engagent so quickly?"
Indeed, the matriarch didn’t object to them being together, but talking about marriage proposals so soon, was it not a bit premature?
They had just established a romantic relationship, and now they were discussing marriage.
Wasn’t this a whirlwind marriage?
Marriage is not child’s play; one couldn’t be so casual about it.
Dating is a period of adjustnt. If during this ti it’s found that the couple is incompatible, they can break up. Ending a relationship and divorcing are completely different matters.
The youths of today really are too impetuous.
Mo Qingyi also looked toward the Mo family matriarch, "That’s right, Mom, what Duanmu Zhe said is true, I have accepted his proposal. You won’t oppose us, will you?"
The Mo family matriarch frowned slightly and continued, "You two are moving too fast! To discuss engagent right after confirming your relationship, Qingyi, it’s not that Mom is objecting to this, but I hope both of you can spend so ti together before talking about engagent and marriage."
The matriarch said this out of responsibility to Mo Qingyi and also to Duanmu Zhe.
It’s said that love blinds, lowering one’s IQ.
She didn’t want these two to be swept away by their passions.
Hearing this, Duanmu Zhe looked at the Mo family matriarch with sincerity, "Aunt Mo, please trust . I will take good care of Qingyi. In this world, no one understands her better than I do, nor loves her more. We have not rushed into this decision; it has been made with careful thought."
The Mo family matriarch did not speak, thoughts flickering in the depths of her eyes.
"Duanmu," Mo Zhixuan began slowly, "the matter of the engagent, let’s hold off on discussing it for the ti being. I know you love Qingyi very much, but marriage is not just between two people, it involves two families. Are your parents aware of this?"
"They are," Duanmu Zhe nodded, "My parents are very fond of Qingyi, and my mother personally gave this ring."
There was no need to worry about Duanmu Zhe’s parents. They were reasonable people and had watched Mo Qingyi grow up, already regarding her as their daughter-in-law.
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