Chapter 70: The Full-Month Banquet
The summer heat continued unabated.
A week had passed since Li Yizhou and Ding Yan had come by, and now it was time for He Shenglin’s full-month celebration.
He Zhixian and Xu Mingqin had returned home a day early for the occasion. Yesterday, they’d argued for five minutes over who got to hold the baby longer, and then argued for another five minutes over whether the baby liked Grandma more or Grandpa more.
It was rare for He Siming and Jiang Rong to see the couple bickering like this—it actually gave the place a bit of everyday warmth.
Today’s celebration was a luncheon, so Xu Mingqin and He Zhixian were up early.
In fact, ever since discussing the full-month banquet with Jiang Rong and He Siming, the two of them had been preparing.
They invited Xu Mingzhuo’s family, Doctor Liu, and Elder Liu.
From their hometown, He Siming’s elder brother’s family came as representatives of the elders. He Siyu was also dragged out of bed by his mother and put on an early-morning flight to the capital—absolute torture for a night owl.
Jiang Rong wasn’t the main character today. He still just needed to rest upstairs.
After a month of recuperation, his incision had healed fairly well, but there was a long scar on his abdomen that most likely wouldn’t fade away.
That morning, He Siming saw him standing in front of the floor-length mirror, looking at the scar. After some time, the abdomen that had been stretched during pregnancy had become firmer again, but seeing that deep scar still made his heart ache.
They’d started using scar-removal products two weeks after the surgery.
Jiang Rong asked, “Is it ugly?”
He Siming used to love kissing his smooth abdomen—now it wasn’t smooth anymore.
He knew what Jiang Rong was worried about.
He half-knelt in front of him and kissed the dark scar. “What’s ugly about it? Which general who’s been to the battlefield doesn’t have scars? They’re marks of merit. You’re the same—this is your unique mark of life.”
Jiang Rong liked that explanation and stopped dwelling on it so much. “Mm.”
He Siming added, “Of course. This is such a great thing—something I could never do. You’re amazing.”
Jiang Rong laughed. “You make it sound like giving birth is some kind of historic achievement.”
“But it is a huge thing,” He Siming said. “Even if I were a genius, I still couldn’t give birth to He Shenglin. Ten months of pregnancy—you went through so much hardship.” He’d seen it all; how could he not know?
Jiang Rong nodded. “Mm.”
He Siming added, “A scar on a guy is heroic anyway. What’s there to be afraid of? I don’t dislike it—in fact, I like it.”
Most of Jiang Rong’s knowledge came from general consensus—apparently, he still hadn’t fully integrated into this world’s culture.
“If the scar doesn’t fade in the future, I want to get a tattoo here. What do you think?”
He Siming’s opinion mattered a lot to him.
“Sure,” He Siming said. “Then I’ll get one in the same spot with you.”
After some affectionate time together, Xu Mingqin came to discuss the luncheon arrangements with He Siming.
Jiang Rong knew the guest list, but hadn’t expected it to add up to a full large table.
Aside from He Siming’s uncle’s family from their hometown, he was familiar with everyone else.
Yao Shule had finally escaped from his summer road trip—where he’d been waking earlier than chickens and sleeping later than dogs.
He reread the electronic invitation for the full-month banquet that He Siming had sent him privately, then headed alone to the luxury residential area within the capital’s Second Ring Road.
He was just an ordinary guy and had never been anywhere this fancy. Last time, Li Yizhou and Ding Yan had gone together, so they didn’t have to think about how to get in.
Thinking of those two idiots made him sigh—they’d gone all the way to someone’s place and still hadn’t noticed Jiang Rong and He Siming’s baby. He really wanted to knock their heads open and see what was inside.
He’d returned to the capital last night, but because Li Yizhou and Ding Yan were too clueless, they’d missed the invitation. He could only keep the secret for Jiang Rong and He Siming. It wasn’t a big deal if they didn’t know—less unnecessary worry for people who didn’t match the situation anyway.
But this place was huge—how was he supposed to get in?
The taxi stopped at the gate. Cars not belonging to residents weren’t allowed inside, so he had to get off at the entrance, backpack still on his shoulders.
With no choice, Yao Shule called Jiang Rong. Luckily, Jiang Rong wasn’t busy and picked up quickly.
“Rongrong, I’m at your gate—how do I get into your place?”
Jiang Rong hadn’t even left the house, so he went to find He Siming.
After figuring out which gate Yao Shule was at, He Siming said, “Tang Yucheng is about to arrive. I’ll have him bring you in.”
Jiang Rong explained, “Tang Yucheng is He Siming’s childhood friend.”
“That’s great!” Yao Shule said.
He Siming sent Tang Yucheng’s WeChat contact to Yao Shule.
Since He Zhixian and Xu Mingqin bought the house, it had never been this lively.
Xu Mingqin even went into the kitchen—something she rarely did—to check on the progress of the hired chef.
He Zhixian studied whether the decorations looked grand enough, and even went down to the wine cellar to bring out bottles he’d been saving for years.
Ding dong.
The housekeeper opened the door. Yao Shule and Tang Yucheng were the first guests to arrive—very early.
Although Jiang Rong was technically still in his confinement period, he wasn’t imprisoned. Walking around the house was fine.
Since Yao Shule had arrived, Jiang Rong naturally went downstairs to greet him.
The moment they met, Yao Shule rushed past He Siming and toward him. “Rongrong!”
He opened his arms to hug him, then hesitated, remembering Jiang Rong’s condition—but Jiang Rong happily hugged him first.
“Lele!”
He Zhixian was holding a bottle of wine, and Xu Mingqin had just come out of the kitchen. Seeing Jiang Rong—usually so gentle—act so childlike surprised them.
Then again, according to his ID, Jiang Rong wasn’t even twenty-one yet.
Yao Shule greeted everyone sweetly.
Tang Yucheng was someone they’d watched grow up too—everyone was familiar.
Xu Mingqin said, “You young people go upstairs and have fun. We’ll call you down when lunch is ready.”
The four of them went upstairs. Yao Shule stuck close to Jiang Rong, chatting nonstop and livening things up.
In the third-floor living room, Yao Shule took off his backpack with a mysterious grin. “I brought you lots of good stuff!”
Seeing Yao Shule made Jiang Rong excited. “What good stuff? Spicy rabbit heads?”
He Siming was about to go to the study with Tang Yucheng, but turned back to remind him, “You can’t eat that.”
He knew Jiang Rong had been craving food after a month of restraint.
Yao Shule shot He Siming a look. “Relax—I didn’t bring him spicy rabbit heads.”
Jiang Rong was still curious. “Then what did you bring?”
Yao Shule started pulling things out—specialty snacks from the northwest, stuffing one bag after another into Jiang Rong’s arms.
He knew Jiang Rong loved snacks—this was a safe bet.
“This is dried yak meat, this is premium raisins, these are almonds…”
Jiang Rong hugged the pile. “Wow, that’s so much!”
“It’s not that much,” Yao Shule said. “I actually held back.”
“Was the northwest fun?” Jiang Rong asked.
“Don’t even ask—everywhere’s packed during summer vacation. Traffic jams every day. But we went to some more remote places, which were okay. Let me show you the photos.” He pulled out his phone.
“So beautiful—it looks like a computer wallpaper,” Jiang Rong said enviously. He really wanted to see the world too.
“Yeah, we even rode horses up the mountains—nearly bounced my butt flat…”
Finally, Yao Shule took out a big box.
“This is the gift I prepared for your little one.” His voice dropped immediately. “Uh, was I too loud just now? Did I wake him?”
“Thank you. I’ll take you to see him. He drank milk at eight this morning and is sleeping now. When he wakes up, you can hold him.”
Yao Shule almost jumped. “Me? I can hold him? I’m so clumsy.”
Hearing the sudden silence outside, He Siming lost interest in talking shop with Tang Yucheng.
Tang Yucheng had already pieced together Jiang Rong’s relationship to the baby. He Siming wasn’t the type to mess around, and he definitely wouldn’t go through the trouble of arranging surrogacy. That left only one possibility—the child was theirs.
No wonder He Siming had been so careful with Jiang Rong when they’d gone out to eat, hovering over him, eyes glued to him.
“Want to see my son?” He Siming asked.
“Of course,” Tang Yucheng said. “Isn’t that why I’m here? But didn’t your high school classmate come?”
He meant Ding Yan.
He Siming shook his head slightly. “Don’t mention it. Even hearing my son cry didn’t make him realize I have a kid.”
Tang Yucheng opened his mouth, unable to find the words to describe that level of obliviousness.
When they entered the nursery, the nanny had discreetly left, giving them space.
The baby was awake, eyes wide open. In one month, he’d gained over three pounds—now twelve pounds total—growing fast.
Yao Shule leaned over the crib, not daring to touch him. “Oh my god, he’s so cute—he doesn’t even look like a one-month-old baby.”
“Maybe it’s because his dads are big, so he’s bigger too?” Jiang Rong said.
Yao Shule thought about it—He Siming was nearly 190 cm tall. The baby had been over eight pounds at birth.
He felt a bit heartbroken for Jiang Rong. “That must’ve been so hard on you. I really admire your determination—being pregnant and still going to 8 a.m. classes every day. You’ll succeed at anything in the future!”
Looking back, Jiang Rong felt that aside from morning sickness in the first three months, it hadn’t been too bad.
He said softly, “It was okay. He Siming didn’t let me suffer.”
“True,” Yao Shule said. “He watched you like a hawk. Now it makes sense—he treated you like a treasure, like you were carrying a giant gold nugget.”
“Yeah, I think he was really nervous too,” Jiang Rong said, laughing.
Yao Shule silently swallowed a mouthful of dog food.
He Siming and Tang Yucheng came in just then.
He Siming naturally went to Jiang Rong’s side. “Awake?”
“Yeah.”
Jiang Rong turned to them. “Do you want to hold him?”
Tang Yucheng refused without hesitation. “No, he looks too soft.”
“I’ll try,” Yao Shule said.
“Go sit in the living room. I’ll carry him over,” He Siming said. He hadn’t realized the baby was awake.
They stayed and watched as He Siming skillfully supported the baby’s neck and picked him up.
“Impressive,” Tang Yucheng said.
“Impressive,” Yao Shule echoed. “Never thought I’d see the campus heartthrob holding a baby in my lifetime.”
Tang Yucheng directly filmed a video.
Yao Shule finally got to hold He Shenglin. When He Siming placed the baby in his arms, his whole body stiffened.
Tang Yucheng thought it was a good thing he’d refused.
“You don’t have to keep supporting him like that—it’s tiring. Just rest him on your legs,” Jiang Rong said.
“Oh—oh—wow, is he smiling at me again?”
Damn, this was the soft, sweet baby Jiang Rong had personally given birth to—he even smiled sweetly like his dad!
He Siming coldly shattered the illusion. “His nerves just aren’t fully developed yet.”
But Jiang Rong said, “He Shenglin is smiling at Lele.”
“Certified by the biological dad,” Yao Shule said. “He Siming, this is not the time for academic rigor.”
He Siming glanced at Jiang Rong, probably wondering why he wasn’t on his side.
Yao Shule grew more and more addicted to holding the baby and didn’t want to let go.
As the four of them chatted about how He Shenglin came into the world, more guests arrived.
He Zhixian called He Siming downstairs to greet them—it was Xu Mingzhuo with his wife and child.
Doctor Liu arrived with them; Elder Liu had a consultation that morning and would come a bit later.
The uncle arrived soon after.
As soon as He Siyu walked in, he saw He Siming pinning down his overly mischievous little cousin.
Compared to before—when he used to avoid kids entirely—he’d improved. At least he wasn’t scowling at the kid.
Everyone wanted to see the baby, but He Zhixian and Xu Mingqin understood the art of anticipation.
“Don’t rush,” He Zhixian said. “The baby’s upstairs and hasn’t woken up yet. We’ll bring him down after he finishes his milk. My grandson is very energetic.”
“Brother-in-law,” Xu Mingzhuo teased, “I think you’re the most energetic one here.”
He Zhixian laughed heartily, unfazed.
The house had never been this lively. Everyone chatted animatedly. Xu Mingqin, who used to find big gatherings boring, now talked eagerly about her grandson—shared interest changed everything.
The chef announced that the banquet was almost ready.
“We’re just waiting for Elder Liu,” He Zhixian said.
Right on cue, the doorbell rang.
He Zhixian personally went to greet them. He’d learned from He Siming and Jiang Rong that Elder Liu was the first to discover the baby—a great help to their family, truly a respected physician.
“Elder Liu, we’ve been waiting for you,” He Zhixian said with a smile.
“Ah, I’m getting old—slower these days,” Elder Liu said. “Luckily, Xiao Wen kindly gave me a ride.”
“Not late at all—perfect timing.”
Then He Zhixian noticed the young man supporting Elder Liu looked familiar.
“You’re Cheng Xu, aren’t you?”
Wen Chengxu was surprised too. “Hello, Uncle He.”
In his excitement, He Zhixian said, “Today is my grandson’s full-month banquet. Come in and have a drink with us?”
Wen Chengxu was about to decline, but saw He Siming standing by the door.
He couldn’t help asking, “Do you have another son?”
He Siming was always on campus—how did he have time to have a child?
“No,” He Zhixian said. “Just Siming. You’re his teacher—since you’re here, stay and eat. It means the child has a special connection with you!”
When he needed it, He Zhixian firmly believed in these mystical explanations.
Elder Liu was already smiling as he went inside.
Wen Chengxu regretted asking those extra questions as he was ushered in.
The moment he entered and saw so many people, his scalp tingled.
Even He Siming was speechless—this world was too small. “Professor Wen?”
“Ran into Elder Liu by chance,” Wen Chengxu said.
“This means my son has a connection with you,” He Siming replied.
That line sounded familiar.
With everyone present, Xu Mingqin urged He Siming to go upstairs to bring the baby down.
Jiang Rong still had an abdominal wound—this had to be He Siming’s job.
Everyone waited eagerly.
The uncle was especially excited, even patting He Siyu’s arm.
“Look at Siming—so promising,” the uncle said.
He Siyu: “…” He knew nothing good ever came from meeting He Siming.
Soon, He Siming came out of the elevator holding the baby, accompanied by a very beautiful young man.
From the moment he entered, Wen Chengxu had several questions in mind.
So did the uncle. He whispered to He Siyu, “Why haven’t I seen Siming’s wife?”
He Siyu, a seasoned comic artist, felt like a two-dimensional character had stepped into reality.
“Isn’t that the one next to him?” he said.
“Oh—oh,” the uncle said. “Quite pretty. A bit androgynous—I thought it was a boy.”
He Siyu: “…” He is a boy!
Wait—Siming’s partner is male, but how did they have a baby?
Surrogacy?
They were rich, but surely they wouldn’t do that?
He Zhixian and Xu Mingqin had never intended to hide Jiang Rong.
They openly introduced him.
“Jiang Rong, come—this is your uncle and aunt. You haven’t met them yet,” He Zhixian said.
“Uncle, Aunt,” Jiang Rong greeted politely.
“Hello,” the uncle said.
The aunt smiled kindly. “Such a handsome child.”
Jiang Rong smiled shyly.
“This is your aunt-in-law, and this is your little cousin,” Xu Mingqin added.
“Auntie,” Jiang Rong said.
“Come visit us often,” the aunt said.
The little cousin, lively as ever, said excitedly, “Is this the baby? Brother, let me see!”
“You can look, but you can’t touch,” He Siming said.
The boy nodded, disappointed. “Okay.”
Jiang Rong felt awkward—he hadn’t expected them to introduce his identity so directly.
The feeling was strange. It was like… he was accepted.
He looked at He Siming, who was placing the baby in the aunt’s arms.
He Siming felt his gaze, turned back, smiled, and put an arm around his shoulders.
In a voice only the two of them could hear, he said, “You’re my partner. They should know.”
