During dinner, Xu Dahai arrived, accompanied by Xu Lili.
"Bride, I apologize for making you make this trip," Guo Xuyang said as he saw them.
"Mr. Guo, I should congratulate you. You've won the beauty's hand once again," Xu Lili said with a smile.
"It was unexpected, all of it."
"How can you call it unexpected? It's destiny. This is what they mean by 'a fated meeting across a thousand miles'."
"Please, sit down. I feel quite embarrassed."
"I heard there are many other girls in the shop who want to have your babies," Xu Lili remarked.
"Where did you hear that? That's just a rumor."
"Although I've been to Shanghai, I haven't left the shop's work group. I've seen all the footage from your gatherings."
"Did Ziqi see it too?"
"What do you think? Honestly, if you're capable, you should take on more. Why not just take them all?"
"Please spare me. Old Xu, I think your wife is right, why don't you find more sisters for her?" Guo Xuyang shifted the target.
"I wish for nothing less," Xu Lili said, glancing at Xu Dahai. "It would save me from him clinging to me all day; it's annoying."
"Wife, you can't let this guy instigate things. My heart is true only to you, and there's no room for anyone else," Xu Dahai quickly said.
"Old Xu, can we not be so sappy?" Pi Xiaoqian chimed in from the side. "It's giving me goosebumps."
"Get lost, you're everywhere. When you and Wang Yu were showering us with affection, did you consider anyone else's feelings?" Xu Dahai retorted.
"Brother Xu, you can't paint everyone with the same brush," Wang Yu protested. "When you guys are talking, don't drag us sisters into it."
"Is that not true? Do I need to remind you what happened in Kyoto? Not just in Kyoto, even in Shanghai, you two were so lovey-dovey. Oh, I can't even talk about it."
Xu Dahai deliberately rubbed his arm.
"It's giving me goosebumps."
"What are you guys talking about?" Guo Xuyang, unaware of these past events, asked.
"Before Old Xu started dating Sister-in-law, I was in Shanghai taking care of Wang Yu. Do you remember whose territory that was? I had to frequent the generous hosts! That's when all this happened," Pi Xiaoqian explained.
"So that's where the affection was coming from. Does this mean Xu Lili marrying Old Xu is partly thanks to you all?"
"If you hadn't gotten married, how would he have met Sister-in-law? In a way, you were the matchmaker."
"So I'm a matchmaker? Old Xu didn't even buy me shoes."
"Yangzi, what are your plans now that you're back?" Xu Dahai asked.
"What plans?"
"About you and Xiaoyu."
"Manager Jiang has arranged for Xiaolu to handle it. I was thinking of having a wedding ceremony at a church and calling it a day."
"That's it?"
"What else?"
"My third uncle only has her as his granddaughter."
"Old Xu, you know my situation. I have too many women around me. My mother has strictly forbidden any more weddings, saying this is the last one."
"What about Sister Fangfang and Sister Qiqi? What will happen to them?" Xiaoyu, who was sitting beside Li Minxi and doting on the baby, protested upon hearing Guo Xuyang's words.
"I've told them before that they can live with me, or stay at my estate, but formal recognition is out of the question," Guo Xuyang said.
"Then what about me?" Xiaoyu began to cry.
"Come back and have your wedding ceremony with Xu Xiaoyu."
"Ah?" Xiaoyu was surprised by such a big surprise. "I, we..."
"Yes, that's why I brought you here. My mother likes you so much."
"Auntie is so kind," Xiaoyu said happily.
"Keep your voice down, your aunt is still sleeping upstairs. Let them rest a bit longer. She's been quite exhausted lately," Li Minxi said.
Guo Xuyang understood what Li Minxi meant. He had been busy traveling and was rarely home. Although Li Minyu had a caregiver, Wu Shangqing still worried about her precious grandson. She would tend to him until he fell asleep each day before leaving. Sometimes she wouldn't leave at all, resting directly in Li Minyu's room and getting up in the middle of the night to care for the child.
"Oh, I'm just so happy, I wasn't paying attention," Xiaoyu said, sticking out her tongue like a little girl.
"Don't you miss your Sister Fangfang and Sister Qiqi now?" Li Minxi teased her.
"Since big brother said so, what can I do? I believe Sister Fangfang and Sister Qiqi won't be angry, right?"
"They won't be angry, of course. I've spoken to them about this before. However, you shouldn't mention these things when you go back," Guo Xuyang instructed.
"If they find out I brought you out, who knows what kind of trouble they'll stir up."
"I understand, big brother." Xiaoyu now looked at Guo Xuyang with stars in her eyes.
"Are you suggesting this girl have her wedding ceremony with Xiaoyu?" Xu Dahai pointed at Xiaoyu.
"Yes. It's my mother's idea," Guo Xuyang nodded.
"Aren't you afraid Xiaoyu will be unhappy?"
"I think she'll understand. If she truly disagrees, at worst, I'll go through some trouble and have my wedding ceremony with her after this one."
"You, I really don't know what to say about you," Xu Dahai remarked, shaking his head at Guo Xuyang.
"It will be similar to our wedding in Brazil. I think she'll agree."
"When we go back, ask Lili to talk to Xiaoyu. Hopefully, she'll agree."
"If she agrees, will your brother and sister-in-law agree?" Xu Lili interjected.
"That's right. When we went to Brazil, their families didn't accompany us."
"Won't you help me do some convincing? What are you two here for then? To watch my misfortune?" Guo Xuyang looked at Xu Dahai.
"I think I've boarded a sinking ship now. I might end up like Zhu Bajie looking in a mirror – neither human nor pig."
"Don't put it so harshly. Your brother's happiness depends on you."
"A set of exquisite jewelry. I'll get it done for you."
"I already gave you gifts when you two got married. Aren't you satisfied?"
"Just tell me if you have it."
"You don't really want to be like me, do you? You must have it."
"Alright, leave this to me. I guarantee I'll make it look beautiful."
"Now that's my brother."
"Get lost. When I need you, you're my brother; when I don't, you're just Old Xu," Xu Dahai said gruffly.
"You're both my brothers," Guo Xuyang grinned.
"Mr. Guo is asking you, what do you mean by wanting another set of jewelry? Do you really want to have three wives and four concubines like Mr. Guo?" Xu Lili asked Xu Dahai, displeased.
"Don't listen to his instigation; he's deliberately trying to ruin our relationship. I'm getting this for you, so we can wear them alternately."
"That's more like it," Xu Lili said, relieved.