Chapter 21: The Daughter Looks Like You

Feeling her tight hug, Kong Chengyi held her as they fell asleep on the bed. His warm tongue gently kissed away the tears from the corners of her eyes, and his palm softly kneaded her waist with increasing tenderness, gradually lulling her into a sensual daze until her sobs finally subsided.

Waking up slowly, Hua Lianxi stirred, only to find herself tightly embraced. Opening her eyes, the first thing she saw was a well-built chest, and she could still faintly smell the warmth emanating from it.

"Ah!" she exclaimed, pushing and kicking Kong Chengyi with all her might, trying to escape his grasp.

She clearly remembered sleeping on the edge of the bed last night; she should have been far away from him.

His long leg pressed against her calf. Kong Chengyi lifted his head and pressed his forehead against hers. "What's with the screaming early in the morning? Have you forgotten Grandma is next door?"

"You, let go!" The unfamiliar sensation sent a jolt of fear through Hua Lianxi, making her freeze.

Kong Chengyi propped himself up on one hand, his newly awakened eyes fixed on her phoenix eyes.

Staring blankly back at him, seeing her own flustered reflection in his pupils, Hua Lianxi had no idea what Kong Chengyi was looking at.

His fingertip gently pressed against her cheek, tracing a path upwards until it finally rested on her eye socket, lightly rubbing the corner of her eye. Suddenly, his warm lips landed on her long lashes and eyelid.

Startled, Hua Lianxi closed her eyes, her whole body trembling as she felt his unusual tenderness. She let him place kiss after kiss, her clear thoughts gradually becoming hazy, and she even tilted her head up to meet his kiss.

Kissing the corner of her eye meticulously, just like when she had a nightmare last night, Kong Chengyi gradually became even gentler.

With her head tilted back, Hua Lianxi trembled helplessly, her hands instinctively reaching up to hold his neck, as a strange emotion easily overwhelmed her.

Suddenly, a "buzz buzz buzz" vibration sounded, followed by a melodious ringtone – it was Hua Lianxi's phone alarm.

The two people lost in their enchanting moment were abruptly awakened. Hua Lianxi forcefully grabbed Kong Chengyi's wandering hand, holding her breath, even her breathing seemed to stop.

Breathing heavily, Kong Chengyi cursed softly under his breath, glanced up at Hua Lianxi who was staring wide-eyed at him, and then walked straight into the bathroom under her gaze.

Throwing on clothes haphazardly, Hua Lianxi didn't even brush her teeth before fleeing the room with a flushed face, heading straight for the kitchen to prepare breakfast in a flurry of panic.

"Lianxi, I thought I heard you shout earlier, what happened?" Fang Xiufang asked with concern as she settled at the dining table. "Did you trip? Where did you fall?"

Just as she was holding a cup to pour milk for her, Hua Lianxi's hands suddenly trembled upon hearing her concerned question, and the milk spilled all over the table, spreading quickly.

慌忙手忙脚乱地擦拭着, 花怜惜脸上一阵的灼热, "没事, 奶奶就是看见蟑螂了!"

Kong Chengyi appeared at the dining table in a neatly pressed suit, still faintly smelling of cologne.

"Chengyi, Lianxi was scared by a cockroach, did you know? Quickly get someone to exterminate them!"

"Grandma, you can't exterminate them. If you do, you won't have a great-grandson!" Kong Chengyi smiled faintly, glanced at Hua Lianxi who was pouting for him to cooperate, and continued ambiguously, "The soundproofing in this room isn't very good, we'll be more careful in the future!"

Having figured things out, Fang Xiufang laughed heartily, echoing, "Great-grandson? Great-grandsons aren't afraid of cockroaches. This cockroach is good, this cockroach is good!"

Staring wide-eyed, Hua Lianxi couldn't bear Fang Xiufang's ambiguous, scrutinizing gaze and hissed softly, "Kong Chengyi!"

"Oh right, later you two will accompany me to the temple to offer incense and pray for a great-grandson to arrive soon!" Speaking of a great-grandson, Fang Xiufang remembered today was an auspicious day for blessings.

Nodding, Kong Chengyi didn't refuse and picked up his phone to call Ke Jie directly, telling him he wouldn't be in the office that morning.

Kong Chengyi drove himself. Hua Lianxi had originally intended to sit in the back with Fang Xiufang, but she was ushered into the passenger seat.

Gazing straight ahead, her hands clasped neatly in her lap, Hua Lianxi sat upright, not speaking to Kong Chengyi.

Easily controlling the steering wheel with one hand, the other resting on the edge of the car window, Kong Chengyi occasionally turned his head to glance at Hua Lianxi, a rare, faint smile playing on his thin lips.

Sensing his gaze, Hua Lianxi became increasingly uncomfortable, turning her head to the window and staring intently outside, unable even to return Kong Chengyi's probing look.

The red light ahead turned on, and Kong Chengyi slowly stopped the car, glancing sideways to see Hua Lianxi still staring fixedly out the window.

His slender fingers suddenly twirled the ends of her hair, and Kong Chengyi's deep voice echoed in the quiet car: "Do you want a daughter or a son?"

Daughter or son?

Turning her head as if startled, Hua Lianxi looked at Kong Chengyi in disbelief.

"Looks like you like both daughters and sons!" Kong Chengyi chuckled softly, releasing her hair but then capturing her chin with his fingers. "Daughters are beautiful like you!"

"Grandson, you have to work hard! You'll have both daughters and sons!" Fang Xiufang, sitting in the back seat, beamed with joy, imagining the warm and lively scene of Kong Chengyi's children surrounding him.

"Hmm?" His Adam's apple bobbed, and he asked Hua Lianxi softly.

Wringing her hands, Hua Lianxi stole a glance at Fang Xiufang, her lips moving but no words coming out.

The red light turned yellow. Kong Chengyi's intense gaze and smile hadn't faded as he stared fixedly at Hua Lianxi, waiting for her response.

The yellow light turned green, but Kong Chengyi still didn't move the car. The cars behind them impatiently honked their horns.

"Daughter!" Hua Lianxi finally forced out the answer in her heart.

Leaning over, Kong Chengyi stole a kiss on her lips and then started the car, saying seriously, "Then it's a daughter!"

Evidently, Fang Xiufang was a regular at the temple. As soon as the three of them entered, a nun approached them to greet them and arranged for them to offer incense and receive blessings first. Afterwards, Fang Xiufang followed the nun into the nunnery to visit the abbess, leaving the two of them outside to wait.

The temple was nestled in the suburbs, surrounded by lush green trees. Unidentified small flowers bloomed in pale yellow, white, and traditional purplish-red, filling the air with a faint fragrance.

Hua Lianxi leaned against a wall, looking up and taking a deep breath. She slowly narrowed her eyes, quite liking the environment here. She also didn't object to the elders' prayers; if one could find a spiritual anchor, it was better than having nothing to rely on and eventually suffering a mental breakdown.

Suddenly, a hysterical scene flashed in her mind, startling her eyes open.

A lit cigarette between his slender fingers, Kong Chengyi's hawkish gaze rested on Hua Lianxi. He had just seen her looking content, but suddenly her eyes widened in alarm again.

Unconsciously clutching her chest, Hua Lianxi lowered her head, preventing Kong Chengyi from seeing her expression.

Walking quickly towards her, Kong Chengyi rested the hand holding the cigarette near her ear, while his other hand naturally lifted her chin. He asked in a low voice, "What's wrong?"

Trying hard to steady her breathing, Hua Lianxi smiled. "What's wrong? Is something wrong with me?" The pain in her heart made her instinctively want to escape. Those wounds were only meant to be hidden, and that sorrow could only be borne alone.

Taking a small half-step forward, Kong Chengyi trapped her against his chest. "Hua Lianxi!"

"Hmm?" The rich scent of smoke mixed with his pleasant cologne. Hua Lianxi sniffed, and it seemed that under the comfort of the scent, she gradually stopped feeling scared. In a fleeting moment of daze, she wanted to lean on his chest.

Half-closing his eyes, Kong Chengyi, certain that Hua Lianxi wouldn't say a word, directly lowered his head and pulled her even closer into his embrace.

The imagined reliance in her mind became reality in the next second. Hua Lianxi, filled with gratitude, proactively reached out to hug his neck, stood on tiptoe to offer her embrace, and let herself indulge in the fantasy.

The lit cigarette burned quietly. Kong Chengyi held her gently, silently feeling each other.

Feeling that she had completely calmed down, Kong Chengyi finally straightened up, but his large hand remained on her waist, kneading it intimately. Her soft waist seemed like it could never be kneaded enough or get tiring.

"People are watching!" Pressing down on his hand, Hua Lianxi tried to push it away, her face flushed with embarrassment. She stole a glance at the passing nuns and worshippers, only to see that others were indeed looking at them, their eyes revealing obvious disapproval. This was a pure Buddhist sanctuary, yet they were embracing so openly.

His deep gaze swept across the surrounding crowd. Kong Chengyi casually slipped one hand into his pants pocket while the other still supported her waist. He took long strides and said, "Let's take Grandma back!"

After leaving the temple, Kong Chengyi took the two of them to the Cheng Zai Hotel for lunch, planning to have the driver take them back to Xiaoyue Residence after the meal while he returned to the company.

"Grandma, I have a meeting in the afternoon. I'll have the driver come and take you back later!" Kong Chengyi carefully ladled soup and fish for Fang Xiufang, explaining his afternoon plans.

"Lianxi, do you want to go back or look around some more?" Fang Xiufang asked, contentedly eating the fish her grandson had given her, but her concern was for her granddaughter-in-law.

Hearing this, Kong Chengyi looked up at Hua Lianxi, not having considered the possibility of her wanting to go shopping.

Meeting his gaze, Hua Lianxi also placed a piece of green vegetable in Fang Xiufang's bowl. "Grandma, I think you have a bit of a cough. I wanted to make you bird's nest soup, but it seems Xiaoyue Residence doesn't have any. Shall we go buy some first?"

Raising an eyebrow, Kong Chengyi replied directly, "I'll have the driver take you!"

Putting down her chopsticks, Hua Lianxi quickly glanced at Kong Chengyi and continued, "Grandma, haven't you been sleeping poorly lately? We can also see a traditional Chinese medicine doctor later and get some prescriptions to help you adjust!"

"Oh dear, you're such a thoughtful girl! Alright, it's rare to have such a blessed granddaughter-in-law care for an old woman like me. We'll go buy bird's nest and see a TCM doctor later!" Hua Lianxi's considerate concern for her health made Fang Xiufang both happy and touched.

"Girl, this old woman still has some shares in Cheng Zai Group. Now that you're married to Chengyi, I'll give all my shares to you!" Fang Xiufang said, taking Kong Chengyi's and Hua Lianxi's hands separately and placing them together. She had decided to give her shares to her, believing that Hua Lianxi could provide Kong Chengyi with the family warmth and love he deserved and also make him less cold and unapproachable.

"No, I can't accept this, I really can't!" Struggling to pull her hand back, Hua Lianxi hurriedly refused. Such a valuable gift was something she absolutely couldn't and wouldn't accept.

"Grandma, this is too precious, I can't accept it!" Hua Lianxi waved her hands nervously, glancing at Kong Chengyi, hoping he would speak up and help her decline.

Gazing clearly at the flustered Hua Lianxi, Kong Chengyi elegantly served Fang Xiufang a bowl of soup. "Grandma, have some soup!" As if nothing had happened, Kong Chengyi also served himself a bowl of soup and drank it slowly.

"Girl, you're Chengyi's wife. I know these shares aren't much, just take it as a little something from Grandma! Or do you think it's too little?" Fang Xiufang put on a stern face, pushed away the soup Kong Chengyi had served her heavily, and glared at Hua Lianxi, feigning anger.

Looking at the spilled soup, Hua Lianxi bit her lip. Suddenly, an idea flashed through her mind, and her previously worried face instantly relaxed. "Grandma, I don't want these shares, but how about you give them to your great-grandson? You can give them to him after he's born!" Her great-grandson would have the Kong family bloodline, so inheriting her shares wouldn't be inappropriate at all, especially since all her dreams were about a great-grandson.

"Great-grandson? You have one? When will the great-grandson arrive?" Fang Xiufang immediately looked overjoyed, her face full of expectation.

It was just a thought to brush her off, but her joyful tone made it sound as if she was already pregnant.

Awkwardly glancing at Kong Chengyi, Hua Lianxi explained cautiously, "Grandma, don't worry, soon, very soon you'll be able to hold your great-grandson. And then, you can give him the shares!"

"You brat, did you hear that? You better work hard!" Fang Xiufang lightly slapped Kong Chengyi's arm, who hadn't said a word, and scolded him with a smile.