Xu Zhijun, who had been waiting at the doorway for the leaders, saw Li Hong emerge with a grim expression and a wet patch on her chest.
Peeking outside, Xu Zhijun whispered, “What happened?”
Li Hong, who had been fuming at Lu Jingyi moments earlier, immediately brightened upon seeing Xu Zhijun initiate conversation.
She deliberately leaned closer to Xu Zhijun.
This startled Xu Zhijun.
They were in full public view.
If anyone suspected something, it would be disastrous.
“What’s wrong? Did Lu Jingyi bully you?”
“Of course not. Yunshu peed on me, and the sisters-in-law said it means Yunshu likes me,” Li Hong boasted.
Xu Zhijun: ???
He glanced at Li Hong’s damp clothes, wondering if there really was a mother-child connection.
Why had Long Bao never peed on Lu Jingyi?
“Hurry home to change and come back quickly. They’ve already started cooking.”
“Alright, I’ll go change right away.” Without another thought, Li Hong rushed home to change clothes.
She had glimpsed the feast while passing—today’s spread included Little Chicken Stewed with Mushrooms and Hongshao Pork…
She needed to change quickly, or she might only get leftover broth if she arrived late.
As Xu Zhijun watched her leave, he spotted the leaders approaching from the corner of his eye.
He hurried to greet them. “Commander, Vice Commander, Instructor, Political Commissar, you’re all here. Please come in and sit.”
“Xu Zhijun, take us to see your daughter right away.”
“Of course, I’ll bring you to her now.”
Xu Zhijun led the group to Lu Jingyi’s room, taking Long Bao from one of the sisters-in-law to show the leaders.
“This child truly looks like the doll from New Year paintings, just as everyone says. She radiates good fortune.”
“An He, do you like your little sister?” Commander Gu asked, bending down to pat his son.
“The little sister is pretty.”
This drew laughter from those around.
“An He can already tell she’s pretty at such a young age?”
Commander Gu chuckled and nudged his son’s shoulder. “Do you want to touch your little sister?”
Gu An He shook his head, his expression unusually serious.
He simply thought the little sister was beautiful, but everyone acted as if he were foolish.
Though only five years old, he could certainly distinguish between pretty and plain.
Seeing how much the leaders adored his daughter, Xu Zhijun straightened his back with pride.
He crouched down to tease Gu An He. “An He, the little sister keeps looking at you. Maybe she likes you too.”
Gu An He glanced at him skeptically.
Just then, he heard a milky voice say, [Like, pretty!]
Gu An He looked at Long Bao, his eyes widening.
Had that voice come from the little sister?
Could she have spoken those words?
He extended his index finger and curiously poked Long Bao’s cheek. “The little sister’s face is soft.”
Long Bao frowned unhappily and mimicked him, reaching out to poke Gu An He’s cheek.
[Your face is soft too.]
Gu An He’s eyes widened into perfect circles.
Now he was certain—it was the little sister speaking.
She could talk despite being so small, unlike other babies.
Gu An He turned to Commander Gu and declared, “Dad, I like the little sister. She’s smart.”
Commander Gu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Son, she’s only one month old. How can you tell she’s smart?”
Xu Zhijun quickly said, “You can tell Long Bao really likes you.”
Gu Anhe’s eyes sparkled.
Little sister likes him?
He also enjoys playing with the clever little sister.
Gu Anhe: “I just know she’s smart.”
Everyone else seems unable to hear the little sister talking.
They’re all big fools.
Just then, Wang Pei came in to call everyone for dinner.
People in the house gradually moved to sit in the courtyard.
Lu Jingyi put another layer of clothing on Long Bao before carrying her out to entertain the guests.
After scanning the courtyard, she noticed Su Yaqin was missing and quickly pulled Wang Pei aside to ask, “Mom, why hasn’t Yaqin come?”
“Not sure, she must have been delayed by something. I’ll have the kitchen set aside some dishes for her in advance.”
Lu Jingyi frowned, “Yaqin is never late. Maybe we should have brother go check on her.”
“That works…” From the corner of her eye, Wang Pei spotted someone approaching, “Yaqin’s here.”
Wang Pei hurried over and took Su Yaqin’s hand, saying, “Yaqin, come quickly, the feast has started. You’ll sit next to Jingyi.”
“Thank you, Auntie.”
Su Yaqin sat beside Lu Jingyi and reached out to play with Long Bao, “Sweetie, it’s been so long since you’ve seen your godmother. Did you miss me?”
[Miss!]
Long Bao immediately grabbed her hand, smiling until her eyes curved into crescents.
Su Yaqin felt her heart melt into a puddle of tenderness.
“Let’s eat first,” Lu Jingyi said.
When most guests had arrived, servers began bringing out dishes.
These were all volunteers helping out, who would later sit at a separate table with the kitchen staff.
The entire table was filled with meat dishes. Even with everyone contributing, such lavish meals were rare even during New Year celebrations.
Now that her postpartum month had passed, Lu Jingyi could finally eat salted food again.
Taking her first bite of seasoned dishes, she nearly wept with happiness.
Just as she picked up a piece of meat, her arm was suddenly grabbed.
Lu Jingyi looked down at Long Bao.
The baby’s round eyes were fixed unblinkingly on the food in her hand, little mouth slightly open with tongue unconsciously licking lips, a shiny drool trail glistening at the corner.
Lu Jingyi burst out laughing, pinching Long Bao’s cheek as she said, “You little foodie, you’re drooling already.”
[Eat! Eat!]
Long Bao’s mouth kept moving, eyes glued to the meat on Lu Jingyi’s chopsticks.
When the chopsticks moved, her gaze followed.
The adorable expression nearly overwhelmed everyone at the table with affection.
Seeing Long Bao’s antics, Su Yaqin’s melancholy vanished instantly as she gently rubbed the baby’s face.
“How can there be such an adorable baby in this world? Let godmother hold you.”
“Finish your meal first. You can hold her after you’ve eaten.”
Su Yaqin withdrew her hand but kept watching Long Bao.
Meanwhile, Long Bao was nearly tempted to speak by the aromas in the air.
So fragrant.
Her eyes remained fixed on the people eating at the table.
Most diners deliberately teased her by picking up food temptingly.
Long Bao’s mouth kept working continuously.
When Lu Jingyi finished eating quickly and looked down, she found Long Bao’s clothes under her chin soaked with drool.
Setting down her chopsticks, she stood up holding Long Bao, “Take your time eating everyone, I’m full. I’ll take Long Bao to change clothes.”
Su Yaqin also stood up, “I’m full too, let me help you.”
With Long Bao gone, the diners suddenly felt the meal had lost some of its joy.
“Rarely do babies just one month old show such cleverness.”
“I wonder how Comrade Lu raises her child. I’ll ask her later.”
Lu Jingyi carried Long Bao back inside.
At this time, everyone was outside having their meal, leaving only the two adults and one child in the room.
Lu Jingyi asked quietly: “I sent someone to deliver the invitation to the hospital, but heard you haven’t been to work for three or four days. What happened?”