Chapter 246: Ding Ancheng’s Thoughtfulness
As Yi Roujing sat down, an elderly middle-aged man came over to take her pulse, carrying a faint scent of medicine. Yi Roujing warmly greeted him.
"Minister Xu, rest assured, your daughter-in-law is very healthy, and the baby in her belly is perfectly stable," Mr. Chu said after examining her, softening his expression.
"That’s great, that’s great. Old Chu, we’ll have a good drink tonight," Xu Zongyin said happily.
Ding Ancheng led Yi Roujing and the others to freshen up inside, change into clean clothes, and then came out feeling refreshed. The large round table in the living room was filled with dishes.
Mrs. Kang had prepared Peking duck, Kung Pao chicken, fried fish fillets, Beijing-style shredded pork, braised shark fin, exquisite tofu, and ’stir-fried but doesn’t stick’. On the side was a pot, with many sliced meats, vegetables, dumplings, noodles, and sauces next to it.
Hot pot, eh? Yi Roujing’s eyes lit up.
"When you come to Jing City, you must try this pot. Mrs. Kang’s broth is unbeatable; it’s mutton broth. After eating the meat and vegetables, use the broth to cook noodles and dumplings; it’s fantastic." Xu Zongyin said with a smile.
Seeing Yi Roujing enjoying the hot pot, Ding Ancheng personally attended to her, offering her sliced mutton and vegetables, feeding her until she was satisfied.
Xu Zongyin hadn’t expected Yi Roujing’s appetite to grow so much. He was pleased to see her enjoy her food so much, just like back in Huaixi County, and now even more so.
"Mrs. Kang, Mrs. Kang, please slice some more meat. The sweet soup in the pot should be about ready; serve a bowl to Roujing to try. If not, prepare a few more dishes. We have ten people here, but it’s actually eleven, so we might be short a portion." Xu Zongyin said.
"Okay, I’ll get it ready." Mrs. Kang also enjoyed watching Yi Roujing eat, finding her elegant and well-mannered, comparable to any refined lady. No wonder Ding Ancheng had chosen her.
Ding Anmin was also thoroughly enjoying the meal, with dishes that perfectly matched her taste, and Huang Xiaobao was continuously serving her.
The meal lasted a full hour and a half. After the meal, Mrs. Kang made some hawthorn water. Because Yi Roujing was pregnant, Mrs. Kang specially steamed tangerine pudding for her to aid digestion.
Ding Weihuo and Li Hongying sat opposite Xu Zongyin and proactively mentioned the matter of Ding Ancheng changing his name, "Zongyin, now that you and Ancheng have acknowledged each other, Ancheng should change his surname back."
Xu Zongyin certainly wanted that. Hearing Li Hongying say so, he immediately looked at Ding Ancheng, completely respecting his son’s opinion.
"My household registration is still in Huaixi County. I’ll change my name when I go back this time," Ding Ancheng said. "As for transferring the registration, let’s do it when we plan to move to Jing City, what do you think?"
Xu Zongyin nodded repeatedly, "Good, good, it’s all up to you."
"Ring-ring—" The phone in the living room rang, and Ding Ancheng got up to answer it.
"Xiaobao, it’s Mrs. Huang’s call." Ding Ancheng called for Huang Xiaobao.
"Grandma... Mm, we arrived safely, and Anmin is well..."
"Brother Ancheng." Huang Xiaobao handed the phone to Ding Ancheng after the call, and Ding Ancheng replied to a few more exchanges before hanging up.
"Dad, Mrs. Huang asked me to send her regards. The whole family will be here for the family banquet," said Ding Ancheng.
"Great, great."
"Where are you staying tonight?" Ding Ancheng asked Huang Xiaobao.
Feeling a bit embarrassed, Huang Xiaobao scratched his head, "How about I go with Anmin to Grandpa and Grandma’s place? They’re living alone, and they’re really looking forward to our visit."
"Then go stay there; they’ll be expecting you," Xu Zongyin completely related, having a son and daughter-in-law himself now, just wanting them all to live together, "I’ll have someone take you both over."
"Thank you, Mr. Xu." Huang Xiaobao thanked him, and then he and Ding Anmin packed up their luggage and left.
"Gu Shizhao will come over tomorrow, so why don’t you stay here tonight?" Ding Ancheng said to Xia Xingchen, who nodded, though a hint of disappointment crossed his face.
"Did you not tell him about Xingchen’s incident on the train?" Yi Roujing asked softly.
"The Gu family has been unsettled lately, so I didn’t mention it, fearing to distract him," Ding Ancheng explained.
Upon hearing this, Xia Xingchen’s head shot up, "Is he alright?"
Whenever Gu Shizhao called, he always said things were fine, never talking about anything bad, so Xia Xingchen wasn’t sure what’s really going on. Hearing that things might be unsettled now made his heart tighten.
"He’s fine, just got a bit injured. He didn’t want you to worry, so he planned to come tomorrow," Ding Ancheng explained for his friend. "You weren’t here a while ago, and I was afraid he might worry excessively, so I didn’t tell him about your incident. Once he sees you tomorrow, even if he finds out, he’ll feel relieved."
Xia Xingchen looked grateful, "Thank you, Brother Ancheng."
"No problem."
When Yi Roujing finally lay down after freshening up, it was already ten o’clock. The aftereffects of the long train ride manifested, and lying on the bed felt just like being in a soft-sleeper on the train, always feeling as if moving forward.
Ding Ancheng reached out to massage her forehead, using surprisingly adept techniques, easing Yi Roujing’s expression, "Seems like a new skill."
His massage techniques hadn’t been this good when he massaged her back before.
"I learned a few tricks from Mr. Chu," said Ding Ancheng warmly. "Now, sleep, I’ll keep massaging."
Ding Ancheng lowered his head and kissed her soft lips, then continued the gentle massage until Yi Roujing fell asleep unknowingly.
When she was soundly asleep, Ding Ancheng carefully lay beside her, embracing her and closing his eyes with a smile at the corners of his lips.
It was a restful night. By the next morning, Yi Roujing no longer felt the aftereffects. Upon leaving her room, she noticed Ding Weihuo, Li Hongying, and the others also seemed very spirited, much to her surprise.
"They drank Mr. Chu’s medicine before bed, which you can’t," Ding Ancheng explained.
"Cheng, you’re really considerate," Yi Roujing said, feeling touched.
"Hmm, if you could be a bit more honest out there, I’d be more at ease," Ding Ancheng added.
Now, Ding Ancheng was worried whenever Yi Roujing was out of his sight. Even though she’s pregnant, she showed no awareness of being a pregnant woman, making him worried when she took action.
"By the way, when’s the family banquet?" Yi Roujing quickly shifted the topic.
"On the fifth," Ding Ancheng answered, patting Yi Roujing’s head helplessly. "While we’re in Jing City, don’t leave my sight."
"Oh come on, what, do you have to accompany me to the restroom too?" Yi Roujing teased.
"Behave, otherwise, I’ll worry," said Ding Ancheng gently.
"Alright," Yi Roujing pouted as she nodded. Seeing this, Ding Ancheng sneaked a kiss, only to meet Ding Anguo’s eyes upon looking up.
Ding Ancheng arched an eyebrow as Ding Anguo obediently changed his course, retracing his steps back.
Nonetheless, Yi Roujing had noticed and glared at Ding Ancheng, "Don’t be all over me when we’re outside."
"Okay," Ding Ancheng agreed earnestly, deciding to pick secluded spots in the future.