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"Let’s just buy these today, and talk about the rest later."

"I prefer to get everything done at once, coming back to buy more would be such a hassle," Rong Shaoze insisted on ordering many clothes despite her protests.

Lin Xinlan had no choice but to go along with him.

As they left the mall, he held her hand and mused as they walked. After a while, he said, "How about we go reserve the toys as well, and the baby’s clothes too? I’ve heard that kids grow up really fast, we should buy extra clothes or else we won’t have enough for them to wear."

Lin Xinlan was completely exasperated, "Rong Shaoze, he’s still just a little bean sprout now, he can’t use any of the clothes and toys you’re buying!"

Just then, a mother carrying a baby passed by them and couldn’t help but laugh when she overheard their conversation.

"Ma’am, your husband is just very caring towards your child."

Her gaze shifted between the two, admiringly adding, "You two look so well-matched together, your future child will definitely be adorable. But no matter whether the child is good-looking or not, they’re the treasure in their parents’ hearts, irreplaceable by anyone."

With that, she tenderly stroked her baby in her arms.

The little baby was adorable, gazing at Rong Shaoze with big, round eyes and, on seeing Rong Shaoze look at him, suddenly flashed a smile.

In that moment, Rong Shaoze felt something soften in his heart.

He couldn’t help but smile back.

After the woman left, he held Lin Xinlan’s hand, saying with certainty, "Our child will be even cuter than hers."

Lin Xinlan looked up to see the tenderness and anticipation in his eyes, and her heart suddenly felt as if pricked by a needle. She quickly turned her gaze away, not daring to meet his eyes.

—

It was almost dinner time when they arrived at the Rong family’s old house.

Rong Shaoze’s mother came up and whispered to him, "Your grandfather has also invited Rong Mingyan over, saying he wants the whole family together for a reunion dinner."

Rong Shaoze smiled faintly, wrapping an arm around his mother’s shoulder and saying, "It’s only right, I haven’t met my cousin in person before, now is a good opportunity."

Rong’s mother’s face showed disapproval, "What’s there to meet with him for? If it weren’t for him, you wouldn’t have... "

"Mom, dinner’s about to start, let’s go," he beckoned Lin Xinlan with one hand and escorted his mother to the dining room with the other.

The dishes were already on the table, and Rong Guangguo sat at the head, with Rong’s father sitting to his left. To his right, the first person was a young man with proper manners.

Lin Xinlan had seen him on television; he was Rong Shaoze’s cousin, Rong Mingyan.

On their arrival, Rong Mingyan got up and walked over, extending a hand to Rong Shaoze with a generous smile, "So you’re Shaoze; I finally get to meet you today."

Rong Shaoze also smiled and shook his hand, his tone filled with the joy of reuniting with family, "Big brother, welcome home."

Lin Xinlan instinctively glanced at Rong’s mother’s expression, seeing her smile brightly. She hid her emotions very well, and no one could detect any flaw.

Rong Mingyan was somewhat surprised by Rong Shaoze’s reaction.

He had assumed that Rong Shaoze would be a flashy prodigal and that he would show hostility upon meeting him.

It seemed that Rong Shaoze was not as simple as he had imagined.

The sparkle in Rong Mingyan’s eyes flickered, his smile becoming even more warm and cordial.

After a few words of pleasantries, Rong Shaoze introduced Lin Xinlan to him, "This is my wife, Lin Xinlan."