Reborn as a Rich Woman in the Eighties-Chapter 697 - 696: A Younger Brother or a Younger Sister?

Chapter 697: Chapter 696: A Younger Brother or a Younger Sister?

When Lin Xia and Shao Meirou arrived at Lu Guangqi’s house, there were already quite a few people there.

As soon as Shao Meirou entered, she was slightly surprised to see so many people either sitting or standing in the spacious living room.

In past years, Grandpa Lu Guangqi’s birthday had never been celebrated with such grandeur, at most it was just a meal with the family.

Why had it suddenly become so high-profile this year?

She saw that not only had Grandpa’s brother Lu Guangming brought seven or eight family members, the relatives from Grandma’s side had also brought five or six people.

Seeing Lin Xia and herself arrive, Fang Youlan got up from the sofa, displaying great enthusiasm, "Meirou! Lin Xia’s here! Hurry up and take off your coats to warm up!"

Shao Meirou was an old acquaintance and not so interesting to look at, so everyone’s gaze turned to Lin Xia, with some people even taking a special glance at her stomach, their expressions varying.

Shao Meirou nodded to everyone as a way of greeting.

"Mom! I didn’t know what birthday gift to buy for Dad, so we got a cake!"

They had only received Fang Youlan’s call yesterday, mentioning that today they would be celebrating Lu Guangqi’s birthday.

With such short notice and uncertainty about what would be best to give, she and Lin Xia had discussed and decided to buy a good cake as a seasonal gesture.

Fang Youlan let out a "tsk" of regret, "If only I had told you earlier, Lu Chen and his wife also bought a cake! Now we’ve doubled up!"

Shao Meirou said calmly, "It’s okay! If we can’t eat it now, it can still be saved!" She handed the cake to a maid helping them find slippers on the side.

After they took off their coats and put on slippers, Shao Meirou pulled Lin Xia over to introduce her to everyone, "Lin Xia! This is Xiaozheng’s great uncle!"

Lu Guangqi’s brother was named Lu Guangming, and he brought his children to celebrate his older brother’s birthday.

"This is Xiaozheng’s third grandma..."

Fang Youzhen, Fang Youlan’s younger sister, was a neatly-dressed elderly lady, though not as well-maintained as Fang Youlan.

With Shao Meirou’s guidance, Lin Xia went around, greeting each person in turn.

Actually, during her wedding with Lu Zheng, she had met some of these people.

However, the day of the wedding had been so hectic that many faces were just a blur, and Lin Xia couldn’t clearly remember who was who.

Usually, after a brief introduction, she would just follow the lead and call them accordingly, being able to remember every face was definitely limited.

The last to be introduced was Lu Guangming’s grandson, Dabao.

Dabao was the child of his second son, Lu Chen, just over two years old, very cute with a robust appearance.

Since becoming pregnant, Lin Xia’s maternal instincts overflowed even more, and she grew fonder of children.

Looking at the child before her with jet black hair and rosy lips and teeth, she was immensely charmed.

Dabao was wearing a red sweater, black trousers, and a pair of black leather shoes, still a bit unsteady on his feet.

Children are the best judges of character, and they can clearly sense who genuinely likes them versus who is feigning affection.

Dabao slowly shuffled to Lin Xia’s side, looking up at her with his twinkling big eyes.

His clear black and white eyes were so pure.

Lin Xia specifically bent down to speak to him, "You’re called Dabao, right?"

Dabao’s mother, with a gentle demeanor, hurriedly taught her child to address her, "Dabao, quickly call her ’Auntie’!"

Dabao grinned, and with quite clear articulation, called out, "Auntie!"

Lin Xia’s heart blossomed with joy at the soft and tender way he called her ’Auntie’, her face filled with smiles and in a tender voice said, "Good! You are such a good boy, Dabao! You are so handsome! And your red sweater is beautiful too, who knitted it for you?"

Dabao turned to look at his mother and pointed at her with his chubby little hand, "Mommy!"

Standing by, Shao Meirou eagerly wanted to hold such an adorable child, dreaming that her own grandson would also be as smart and clever.

She squatted down, stretched out her hand to Dabao, and gently patted him twice, "Can grandma get a hug?"

Dabao hesitated as he sucked on his finger, looking at Shao Meirou and then tilting his head slightly upwards to look at Lin Xia.

Actually, he wanted Auntie to hold him; he liked the beautiful-looking auntie who also had a pretty smile.

Shao Meirou couldn’t help but chuckle, "Oh! Dabao, you want your Auntie to hold you? But it’s not possible right now, your Auntie is carrying a little baby! She’ll hold you later! How about Grandma holds you first? Is that okay?"

As she spoke, she reached to pick up the child by his armpits.

Dabao, however, quickly stepped to the side and firmly shook his head, "No good!"

Not only did Shao Meirou burst into laughter, but Lin Xia and the others also let out good-natured chuckles.

At this moment, Fang Youlan concealed the odd expression in her eyes and deliberately walked over to Dabao, jokingly asking, "Dabao! Do you think it’s a little brother or a little sister in your Auntie’s belly?"

Ever since that day when she and Shao Meirou failed to come to an agreement, Fang Youlan had been fuming for half a day.

All the thought and effort she put into this, for whom was it? Was it not for her grandson, so that the family line wouldn’t be cut off?

Yet Shao Meirou was completely unappreciative and even insinuated that Fang Youlan lacked discernment.

Latterly, Fang Youlan came around to the thought that she shouldn’t bother with Shao Meirou; what mattered was the issue of her grandson!

Old Liao’s medical skills were regarded as proficient, and even he could not determine the sex of the baby, so there was no point in others trying.

Therefore, if she wanted to know whether Lin Xia was carrying a girl or a boy, she would have to find another way.

It just so happened that her husband was celebrating his birthday, and she came up with an idea on the spur of the moment.

It’s said that children’s eyes are the purest within a few years old, and they can see things adults cannot, especially when it comes to predicting the gender of babies in pregnant women with accuracy. She wanted to have the children of relatives try and see what exactly Lin Xia was carrying.

As soon as Fang Youlan finished speaking, everyone showed an understanding look, waiting for Dabao’s reply.

Shao Meirou’s face changed subtly, knowing how eager her mother-in-law was to determine the sex of Lin Xia’s child, but she hadn’t expected her mother-in-law to put a child on the spot like this...

But in front of so many people, with her mother-in-law acting in jest, she didn’t feel it was her place to object.

Deep down, she herself was equally eager to know whether it would be a grandson or granddaughter.

However, she didn’t trust a child’s word!

Lin Xia noted that Fang Youlan was purposefully asking the child this question.

Without having to think about it, it was clear that Lu Zheng’s family members undoubtedly all hoped for a boy in her womb!

But what if it was a girl? Could they possibly not want her? That would be the flesh and blood she shared with Lu Zheng!

Lin Xia had some concerns over the gender at the beginning of her pregnancy, but now she no longer thought that way at all.

Whether a boy or a girl, each was a gift from heaven, to be treasured!

Dabao, curious, tilted his head to look at Lin Xia’s belly, blinked, and his crisp child’s voice rang out for everyone to hear, "Little sister is good!"

Dabao’s childlike words suddenly caused the living room to fall silent, so silent one could hear a pin drop.

His mother hurriedly picked him up, anxious, "Children talk nonsense; don’t take it seriously!"

It must be a girl!

Fang Youlan’s expression immediately darkened and she could barely maintain her composure as she gave Lin Xia a hostile look.

She thought, from her experience and intuition, she couldn’t have been wrong.

Shao Meirou, though unable to hide her disappointment and showing a hint of unease, did not take it too seriously, since it was, after all, just a child’s words.

Lin Xia gently stroked her still-flat belly and defiantly raised her chin to meet Fang Youlan’s gaze.

She could see Fang Youlan was displeased and unsatisfied, but she couldn’t care less!

Even if what she was carrying was a daughter, so what? That would still be the apple of her and Lu Zheng’s eye! She wouldn’t let anyone look down on her!