Chapter 348: Buddha-like

Chapter 348: Detached

Hao Yanyan had her doubts, but she didn’t argue with her mother-in-law.

Zhao Hongxia beamed and gently patted Hao Yanyan’s belly. “Yan Yan, you must give me a healthy grandson—at least then you’ll have something over Ye Xiaoxiao.”

Hao Yanyan hadn’t thought having a child would bring her any special recognition before.

But now, after hearing Zhao Hongxia’s words, she started to see it that way too.

Yes.

If she gave birth to a son while Ye Xiaoxiao had a daughter, then she’d definitely be better than Ye Xiaoxiao.

Still, baby’s gender wasn’t something she could control.

She lowered her head. “Mom, it’s all up to fate.”

Zhao Hongxia said, “That’s true, but medicine is so advanced these days. Wait another two months until you’re further along, then go to the hospital for a checkup to find out if it’s a boy or a girl.”

Hao Yanyan’s stomach dropped.

“Mom…”

“You don’t have to worry—we wouldn’t love a girl any less. It’s just good to know ahead of time so we can prepare.”

Though her mother-in-law said this, Hao Yanyan wasn’t about to take her word for it.

Zhao Hongxia wanted a grandson so badly—if she didn’t give birth to a boy, she’d definitely give her a hard time.

And with work as it is, they couldn’t risk having a second child.

Otherwise, a fine would be the least of their worries—Xu Jianwen might even lose his job.

Hao Yanyan started praying under her breath—it had to be a boy.

The store owner had been listening in for some time.

So this mother-in-law and daughter-in-law duo didn’t even know the baby’s gender yet, but right off the bat, they were buying clothes for a little boy. Clearly, this family valued boys over girls.

Her face fell. If she weren’t trying to keep the shop open, she would’ve kicked them out long ago.

What’s so bad about girls?

Even a famous leader once said women hold up half the sky.

The two ladies who had just left had talked about how much they loved having girls.

Zhao Hongxia, of course, was clueless that she was being judged.

She picked out a few items at the store, then led Hao Yanyan away.

“Hah-choo! Hah-choo!”

Ye Xiaoxiao sneezed twice in a row.

Duan Hong, holding the shopping bags, immediately asked with concern, “Are you coming down with something?”

October got chilly early and late, and without dressing warmly in time, it was easy to catch a cold.

Ye Xiaoxiao shook her head. She had been perfectly fine just moments ago—someone must be hexing her.

"It's not a cold; I've probably been cursed by some petty person."

Duan Hong thought for a moment. "Those two from earlier? Want me to rough them up?"

Ye Xiaoxiao: "One’s pregnant, and the other’s elderly. Sister Hong, a professional bodyguard like you with spec ops training is overkill for that."

Duan Hong paused. "My job is to protect you. If you're under bad vibes, it makes sense for me to handle them."

Ye Xiaoxiao pulled Duan Hong out of the mall. "Seriously, don’t bother. I’m not scared of bad vibes. Bet they’re sneezing their heads off too."

...

As soon as Ye Xiaoxiao got home, she shipped the stuff off.

There was a post office just down the street from the alley—super convenient.

Ye Xiaoxiao contacted Ye Changning to ask when he was heading to Shen City.

Ye Changning said his schedule was uncertain—he was swamped expanding overseas operations.

"Then I won’t wait for you, Third Brother. I’ll go ahead and check in on Second Sister-in-law and my niece."

Ye Changning: "How are you getting there? If you take the train, I can arrange someone to go with you."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Don’t say it’s Jiangnan again."

Ye Changning drawled lazily, "Be serious. Jiangnan’s busier than I am—no way he’s free to babysit you. I meant getting someone else. Can’t have you traveling alone."

Ye Xiaoxiao shot back playfully, "No need. I’ve got a bodyguard—I’ll go with Sister Hong."

"Who’s Sister Hong?" Ye Changning asked.

She told him about Duan Hong’s background.

"That works. Otherwise, a looker like you would be trafficker bait. You know how it is."

In Ye Changning’s eyes, Xiao Xiao was gorgeous but clueless—a girl who could run into trouble even on a quick stroll.

But since her bodyguard was ex-spec ops, he felt better.

"I know. It’s not like I’ve never taken a train alone before."

Ye Changning snorted. "You mean that time Lu Hanchuan bought four tickets and booked out a whole sleeper car just for you?"

Ye Xiaoxiao: "..."

And? What’s your point?!

Ye Changning dropped the teasing. "Since you’re going anyway, take a gift for me. I’ll send the butler over with it shortly."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Fine."

Ye Changning’s butler was a top-tier manager in his thirties. Though technically just a butler, he spoke six languages fluently and was an Ivy League grad.

Working for Ye Changning was a cushy job with a high salary.

Business partners who wanted to schedule time with Ye Changning had to contact his personal assistant first, no matter who they were.

The person quickly delivered the item to Ye Xiaoxiao.

After returning home, Ye Xiaoxiao opened it and found a pure gold child's pendant known as a longevity lock.

After putting the gift away, Ye Xiaoxiao began getting her things together.

She also told Duan Hong that she might need her to tag along on a trip to Shen City.

Duan Hong said it wasn’t a problem.

Ye Xiaoxiao asked, "Can I ask how much Lu Hanchuan pays you?"

Duan Hong held up one finger. "This mission doesn't pay much, but the difficulty level is too low. A hundred a day is like being semi-retired. I feel like the money comes too easily—you can feel free to give me extra tasks if you want."

Afraid Duan Hong might suggest something violent again, Ye Xiaoxiao refused outright, "I don’t have anything else for you to do."

Duan Hong backed off with regret.

"People like me, who were medically discharged due to injuries, either take desk jobs to coast along or accept a severance package and return to our hometowns. I didn't like either option, so I stayed in the capital."

"Even though we get paid, the tasks we usually take aren't that challenging—just the occasional adrenaline rush."

"I think Colonel Lu is really getting the short end of the stick!"

After talking for a while and getting no response from Ye Xiaoxiao, Duan Hong cocked her head and asked, "Aren't you curious about what Colonel Lu has us do?"

Ye Xiaoxiao shook her head. "Couldn't care less. You don't have to tell me either."

Duan Hong: "Are you two really married?"

"Even married couples don't share everything. I have my own things to do—as long as the other person isn't breaking the law, it's fine."

Ye Xiaoxiao thought for a moment. "Owing money isn't okay either, since that becomes joint marital debt."

Duan Hong felt that Ye Xiaoxiao was... different somehow.

If she had known the term "Zen-like," she would have thought it perfectly described Ye Xiaoxiao at that moment.

But unfortunately, she didn't know the word, and her education level wasn't that high. She could only click her tongue and keep her thoughts to herself.