Chapter 401: Jiang Xue Is About to Give Birth!
New Year’s Eve!
Today, the old Jiang family mansion was decked out in festive decorations, and couplets—all personally written by the old patriarch in bold, powerful calligraphy—were posted both inside and outside the courtyard.
At the same time, a huge bonfire had been built in the courtyard, with a basket full of firecrackers placed nearby.
Paired with the bright red lanterns and red couplets, the scene looked exceptionally festive.
At 3:30 p.m., Li Yi was having tea with his father-in-law in the west wing when they heard the roar of a car engine outside the gate.
Immediately afterward, Jiang Longcheng burst in, dragging Zhang Xinyao by the hand.
The way they looked together, they really did resemble a couple deeply in love.
Upon entering, Jiang Longcheng didn’t head to the main hall but went straight to the west wing.
“Bro-in-law, come on, let’s go out for a bit!”
As soon as he walked in, Jiang Longcheng said it in a brash, matter-of-fact tone.
Li Yi was worried about Jiang Xue and was about to refuse.
But before he could speak, Jiang Shiying chimed in from the side: “It’s New Year’s Eve! Where do you think you’re going? No one’s stopping you from running around on your own, but if you dare take Little Yi out with you, I’ll break your damn legs!”
“Uncle San, come on, don’t talk like that. Going out to fool around on New Year’s Eve? Am I the kind of person who’d do something so reckless?” Jiang Longcheng said with a grin.
“Hmph, I know exactly what kind of person you are. Spit it out—what are you taking Xiao Yi out to do?”
“Nothing much. I’m just going to pick up my second sister-in-law and her two little ones!” Jiang Longcheng said.
“What about Longyin?” Jiang Shiying asked immediately.
“What else is he doing but working!”
Then Jiang Longcheng grumbled again, “He’s the top dog in the district, for crying out loud. How did he end up being worse than a green recruit? I have to go pick up his wife and kids myself. What a hassle!”
Jiang Shiying knew that Long Yin was probably on duty tonight, which was why he’d asked Longcheng to help pick up his wife and kids to come to the old family home for the New Year’s Eve dinner.
He smiled and said, “Stop whining. Hurry up and bring them back—we’ve got things to do this afternoon!”
Jiang Shiying was, after all, a Beijing-based official posted to the provinces, so he knew just how difficult it was to hold office in the capital.
This was the heart of the nation, and with the Lunar New Year upon them, the responsibilities weighing on him as the district’s top official were immense.
Even on this joyous day when families reunite, leaders like him had to stay on duty and work.
“Got it!”
As for Li Yi, seeing that his father-in-law had already agreed, he had no choice but to get up and get dressed.
However, for his wife’s safety, he asked Zhang Xinyao to keep a close eye on Jiang Xue and stay on top of her situation at all times.
After settling these matters, Li Yi followed Jiang Longcheng out the door.
After leaving the old family home, Jiang Longcheng drove straight to the government compound.
In the car, Li Yi looked at Jiang Longcheng and said, “We’re just picking someone up—why are you dragging me along?”
Jiang Longcheng replied, sounding slightly awkward, “Um… mainly to avoid getting turned away at the door!”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, my relationship with my second sister-in-law is a bit strained. She doesn’t really like me, and we always end up arguing whenever we meet…”
“I wouldn’t have guessed. Why doesn’t your sister-in-law like you?”
“How could I not ask?”
“So, it must be your fault, then?”
Jiang Longcheng said awkwardly, “Um… well, I beat up my little nephew!”
“Your little nephew—you mean Xiao Yi?” Li Yi asked in surprise.
Li Yi was familiar with Jiang Longyin’s situation. He was three years older than Jiang Longcheng, now 31, and had two sons.
The older son, Jiang Xiangyi, was eight years old this year, while the younger son, Jiang Xiangxin, was only three.
Judging by the situation, it must have been Xiao Yi who got beaten up; after all, Xiao Xin was still too young.
“Hmm…”
“Beast… no… worse than a beast!”
Li Yi then asked again, “The kids are so young—how could you bring yourself to do that?”
Jiang Longcheng glared at Li Yi and said, “You didn’t even ask what happened. If it had happened to you, I bet you’d have beaten him even worse than I did!”
“What happened? What did that kid do to make you still hold a grudge? Spill it and let me have a laugh!” Li Yi said with a smile.
“Uh… never mind. I’ll tell you anyway, so you don’t think I’m picking on a kid!”
Jiang Longcheng continued, “It was last summer. I got drunk and went home to rest, and that kid just happened to be there, hanging out with a bunch of little brats from the neighborhood.”
“I don’t know what they were thinking, but those little brats actually took advantage of me being drunk and stripped me naked…”
“And you beat up Xiao Yi just because of that?”
“No, if it had just been stripping me, I’d have let it slide. But those little brats actually… you know… played with me… and smeared ink all over my private parts.”
Just thinking about it made Jiang Longcheng’s blood boil and his anger flare up.
Hearing this, a vivid image immediately sprang to Li Yi’s mind: on a scorching afternoon, on the big bed at home, a chubby young man lay there like a white pig stripped of its fur, while several six- or seven-year-old children were crouched over him, fiddling with his little willy. After examining it for a while, the kids fetched some black ink and smeared it evenly all over it…
The image was too graphic; Li Yi couldn’t bear to think about it any further…
After a long silence, Li Yi blurted out three words: “He deserved it… Hahaha!”
Hearing Li Yi laugh until he was out of breath, Jiang Longcheng couldn’t help but complain, “You have no idea how miserable I looked when I woke up. Being naked was one thing, but when I stumbled into the bathroom half-asleep, I saw that area was pitch black and giving off a pungent smell. I thought I’d been poisoned—it scared the hell out of me!”
“After I figured out what was going on, I immediately pinned that little bastard to the ground and gave him a good thrashing. But just as I’d landed a few blows, my second sister-in-law came to pick up the kid. She saw the scene and freaked out. Ever since then, we’ve argued every single time we’ve met…”
Li Yi chuckled and said, “You really have had it rough!”
Just then, the car arrived at the residential compound of the district government. After a quick registration, the two drove inside.
Soon, the car pulled up in front of a six-story brick-and-concrete building.
Then, led by Jiang Longcheng, the two made their way up to the third floor.
“Knock, knock, knock!”
After knocking on the door, the voice of Yang Rong, the second sister-in-law, came from inside: “Who is it?”
“It’s me, Jiang Longcheng!”
“Click!”
As soon as the door opened, Second Sister-in-Law said irritably, “How dare you show up at my house today…”
Before she could finish, Yang Rong spotted Li Yi standing behind Jiang Longcheng and said, with a hint of awkwardness, “My brother-in-law is here too!”
“Sister-in-law, Second Brother sent us to pick you and the kids up and take you to the old family home!” Li Yi said immediately.
“Come in and sit for a bit. I’ll just put some warm clothes on the kids, and then we’ll head over!”
As she spoke, Yang Rong showed no intention of inviting Jiang Longcheng inside.
But Jiang Longcheng didn’t mind; he simply followed Li Yi inside.
After pouring Li Yi a glass of water, Yang Rong hurriedly took the two children into the back room to change their clothes.
It took them an hour to get everything sorted out.
Shortly after, Jiang Longcheng got behind the wheel and drove the group at full speed toward the old family home.
By the time they returned to the old family home, it was already past five o’clock. Several families from the second branch of the Jiang clan had already arrived, and the old patriarch had woken up and was chatting with his sons and grandsons in the main hall.
In the courtyard, four or five children were running, jumping, and playing, making the scene particularly lively.
Soon, the sky grew dark. Upon learning that everyone had arrived except for the eldest son’s wife, the old patriarch sighed, then motioned for everyone to take their seats as they prepared to begin the New Year’s Eve dinner.
The Jiang family was now a four-generation household. At the old patriarch’s command, more than a dozen of his children and grandchildren quickly made their way to the dining area and sat down around a massive table.
After offering a few brief words of blessing, the old patriarch proposed a toast to celebrate the New Year.
However, just as everyone was laughing and toasting, Jiang Xue’s glass suddenly slipped from her hand and fell to the floor.
She immediately clutched her stomach and began to sway unsteadily!
Li Yi knew Jiang Xue was about to give birth. Without a moment’s hesitation, he called Jiang Longcheng and prepared to rush her to the hospital…
……..