"Good baby, listen to Mommy, don't be naughty in my belly."
On a sunny afternoon, a gentle breeze from West Lake blew into the small villa. Lin Zitong sat on the sofa, reading a parenting book. A red string was tied around her fair neck, with a double-happiness knot at the end. The warm jade on the knot emitted a faint glow, rhythmically strengthening and weakening as if breathing.
Wen Yuxian floated beside her, unable to resist speaking to her unborn grandchild from time to time.
Even though Wen Yuxian had given birth before and knew that the child in Lin Zitong's belly was no bigger than an egg, she couldn't help but talk to herself.
Lin Zitong couldn't help but laugh, "Grandma, you're too worried. I can't even feel the baby's presence yet."
A few days ago, Lu Jing had lifted the seal on the child, allowing Lin Zitong to continue nurturing the embryo in her womb.
The family seemed to have returned to the atmosphere when they first learned of Lin Zitong's pregnancy. They cared for Lin Zitong with utmost attention, and upon seeing her, their eyes instinctively lingered on her abdomen.
Lin Zitong had a good figure and showed no signs of pregnancy. However, Wen Yuxian was no ordinary person; she could sense the slowly growing life within Lin Zitong's belly.
Wen Yuxian regretted, "My Yin energy is too heavy. Otherwise, I would have cooked for you myself to nourish your body."
Yan Shouyi's mother had passed away early. In this family, no one could provide Lin Zitong with the care of a mother-in-law. Perhaps to compensate for this regret, Wen Yuxian often checked in on Lin Zitong after returning.
"Grandma, just being by my side is already a great comfort," Lin Zitong said considerately, comforting Wen Yuxian instead.
The two fell silent. Wen Yuxian seemed to be recalling the appearance of Yan Shouyi's mother during her pregnancy, while Lin Zitong lowered her head and continued reading the parenting books.
The Lu Shan Sect was gradually getting on track, and the Folk Customs Research Association began to exert its influence. Both Yan Shouyi and Lin Zitong had been extremely busy these past few days, sometimes not seeing each other at all.
Although Lin Zitong enjoyed clinging to Yan Shouyi, she was also sensible about timing. The Research Association was in its ascendant phase. She was busy with the affairs of the Lu Shan Sect and felt she couldn't help Yan Shouyi by sharing his burden, let alone add to it.
Amidst the busyness, in her leisure moments, she could still flip through parenting books, preparing to be a mother. This gave her a sense of tranquil, serene time.
At two in the afternoon, footsteps were heard from outside the door.
Lin Zitong's heart leaped with joy. She put down her book and went to meet him, only to see Yan Shouyi with a furrowed brow, looking troubled as he walked into the living room with his head down.
"What happened?" Lin Zitong asked with concern.
Wen Yuxian raised her hand remotely, the refrigerator door opened, and a bottle of ice-cold mineral water floated to Yan Shouyi.
Yan Shouyi took it and drank it down in gulps, quenching his thirst and cooling his agitated mind.
He took a breath and said, "Three new partners were supposed to arrive today. I sent Lin Yu to pick them up at the airport, but they didn't show up."
Lin Zitong was surprised, "Are you blaming Lin Yu for her incompetence?"
She found it strange. She knew Lin Yu's capabilities and believed nothing should have gone wrong.
Even if a problem occurred, with Yan Shouyi's personality, he should have been thinking about how to solve it, not returning home looking glum.
Therefore, there must be other reasons.
As expected, Yan Shouyi shook his head and said it wasn't Lin Yu's fault.
"Then why?"
"Those three people didn't come. They stood us up."
"This..." Lin Zitong was momentarily speechless.
In the past few days, many inheritors of folk sects had come to the Research Association. Yan Shouyi had always welcomed them warmly, providing free room and board and personally familiarizing them with Rongcheng.
This was the first time someone had broken a promise after confirming their attendance.
Wen Yuxian comforted him kindly, "Perhaps they hadn't made up their minds yet and decided not to come at the last minute."
"If that were the case, I wouldn't be so troubled," Yan Shouyi sighed. "Everyone has their own aspirations. Some people share our ideals and join the Research Association, while others are opposed to us. I don't force anyone."
He paused and said, "But these three new partners were very satisfied with our Research Association. They didn't come in the end because someone obstructed them."
Obstruction?!
Could it be Li Genmiao?
Lin Zitong and Wen Yuxian's expressions also became solemn.
Li Genmiao certainly wouldn't ignore the Folk Customs Research Association, as he could foresee it becoming the primary adversary of his new Xuan Shan Sect in the future.
Suppression was inevitable.
"It's not the new Xuan Shan Sect," Yan Shouyi said. "There are scattered folk sect organizations in various regions. Those three were in Ezhou and disagreed with the local folk sect organizations, wanting to join us. But at the last moment, the other party refused to let them go."
"I see."
Lin Zitong breathed a sigh of relief. If it wasn't Li Genmiao, the matter wouldn't be so troublesome.
If the other party refused to let them go, it would at most involve communication and negotiation. But if Li Genmiao had intervened, it would inevitably lead to a fight.
Yan Shouyi sat on the sofa, rubbing his temples, and sighed.
"Actually, such things have been happening these past few days. I didn't expect at all that the first hurdle hindering the growth of the Research Association would not be Li Genmiao, but the folk sect organizations in various regions."
Wen Yuxian snorted, "They are incapable of keeping their people and won't let them leave. It's simply incompetent and shameless!"
Human hearts are complex things, not easily explained in a few words. The Folk Customs Research Association would encounter many similar troubles in the future.
"What are you planning to do next?" Lin Zitong asked.
Yan Shouyi replied, "My immediate plan is to call them personally to negotiate and see if they are willing to give me some face."
"What if they don't give you face?"
"At worst, we'll buy them off with money. If money doesn't work... then we'll just send Xiao Long and the others to snatch them!" Yan Shouyi showed a rare trace of dominance.
The new Xuan Shan Sect was constantly growing. If the folk sects couldn't unite, in the future, both the Folk Customs Research Association and the folk sect organizations in various regions would only become cannon fodder under Li Genmiao's feet.
Therefore, when necessary, Yan Shouyi would also resort to certain measures, but everything would follow the principle of diplomacy before force.
Wen Yuxian said, "It's just that your father is in seclusion. Otherwise, people in the martial world would at least give him some face. Your reputation has only just begun to spread, and it doesn't matter to those old-timers."
Yan Chou had gone into seclusion three days ago, and the date of his emergence was uncertain. Therefore, the entire Folk Customs Research Association was currently led by Yan Shouyi, with Wang Jiwang as the second-in-command. Others were responsible for assisting, but they still had the right to participate in discussions and voting on major matters.
Yan Shouyi had only rested for a while before Wang Jiwang called out from outside the courtyard.
Yan Shouyi invited Wang Jiwang in. Wang Jiwang's face was grim as he said, "I went to the station to pick up the coffin bearers from Yuzhou today, but I came back empty-handed."
"It seems we've been stood up again," Yan Shouyi sighed. "It's alright, we'll contact them again and see if he has any difficulties."
Wang Jiwang shook his head and said solemnly, "But when I was coming back, I found that the coffin bearer had already arrived at the entrance of our Research Association."
"Hmm?" Yan Shouyi frowned, sensing that Wang Jiwang had more to say.
As expected, Wang Jiwang said angrily, "That coffin bearer was severely injured and was thrown at the entrance of our Research Association, covered in blood!"