Oh no! My grandmother made me shoulder the responsibility for eight households!

Chapter 302 Lin Nian'er's Little Thoughts

the next day.

The whole capital is talking about what happened last night.

In the teahouse, the storyteller slammed his gavel:

"It is said that above the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion, suddenly golden light shone brightly, dragons roared and phoenixes cried, and nine golden dragons coiled and danced. The scene—tsk tsk, I have lived for seventy years and have never seen such a strange phenomenon!"

Inside the restaurant, several businessmen gathered together:

"Have you heard? The Prince of Zhenbei has a son, and he himself has broken through to the level of a terrestrial immortal—a double celebration!"

On the street, the old ladies selling vegetables were chatting with people:

"The golden light last night scared my old hen so much that she stopped laying eggs."

Later, I found out it was a joyous occasion at the Prince of Zhenbei's mansion; even if the chickens didn't lay eggs, it was all worth it!

The news spread like wildfire throughout the entire Dayan region.

Then it spread to Dongli, Beishuo, Xiyu, Nanyue, and even Zhongzhou.

Before dawn, a long queue had already formed at the entrance of the Prince of Zhenbei's Mansion.

People came in droves to offer gifts, congratulate, and try to build connections.

The line stretched from the entrance of the Prince's Mansion all the way to the end of the street, then turned a corner and stretched to another street.

Lin Chen stood by the study window, glanced at it with his divine sense, and felt a chill run down his spine.

"So many people?"

Yuan Tiangang stroked his beard beside him: "This is just the beginning; there will be even more people this afternoon."

Lin Chen turned around decisively: "I'll hide, you deal with it."

Yuan Tiangang was taken aback: "My lord, where are you going?"

Lin Chen had already disappeared.

Only one sentence drifted back: "Spend time with my wife and kids!"

……

In Liu Ruyan's courtyard.

Lin Chen pushed open the door and saw Liu Ruyan leaning against the headboard, holding a tiny baby in her arms, looking down at the baby.

The little guy had his eyes closed, his little mouth nibbling, and he was sleeping soundly.

A tiny person was sitting on a small stool next to the bed.

Four-year-old Lin Nian'er had two little pigtails and wore a pink dress.

Her two little hands clung to the edge of the bed, her eyes fixed on her younger brother.

"Mother," she whispered, her voice barely audible, like a mosquito's hum.

When will my little brother play with me?

Liu Ruyan smiled and replied softly, "We can wait until my little brother is a bit older."

Lin Nian'er frowned, looking quite troubled. "When will he grow up?"

"Let's wait another year."

"How long is a year?"

Lin Nian'er's lips were already pouting, enough to hang an oil bottle.

Just as Liu Ruyan was trying to figure out how to explain "one year" to a four-year-old, Lin Chen walked in and scooped her up in his arms.

"A year consists of spring flowers, summer ice cream, autumn fruit picking, and winter snowman building. After these four seasons, my little brother will be able to walk."

Lin Nian'er was lifted high in the air and immediately giggled, "Eighth Uncle!"

Lin Chen kissed her: "Did you miss your Eighth Uncle?"

"I want to!" Lin Nian'er nodded vigorously, then immediately turned her head and pointed to the bed.

"Uncle Ba, look, my little brother is so small, like a kitten."

Lin Chen was amused by her analogy:

"Yes, like a kitten."

He put Lin Nian'er down and sat down next to the bed.

Lin Nian'er lay back down, tilted her little head and looked for a long time, then suddenly asked:

"Uncle Ba, what's your younger brother's name?"

"His name is Lin Nianjun."

"Lin Nianjun..." the little girl repeated twice, then suddenly blinked her eyes.

"Nianjun... doesn't that mean he misses his father?"

Lin Chen was stunned.

Liu Ruyan was also stunned. She looked at Lin Chen, her eyes saying: You taught her that?

Lin Chen shook his head slightly, equally bewildered.

Lin Nian'er didn't notice the adults' expressions. She lowered her head, her little hands unconsciously clutching the hem of her skirt, and her voice suddenly became softer:

"I've never seen my father... I don't know what he looks like..."

She looked up, her eyes sparkling, yet filled with a cautious anticipation:

"Uncle Ba, I also want a father."

The room fell silent for a moment.

Liu Ruyan lowered her eyes, gently stroking the baby's face in her arms, without saying a word.

But Lin Chen saw that subtle movement.

He recalled that year, when his father and brother died in battle, Liu Ruyan, pregnant, had walked alone from that sorrowful night to the present.

four years ago.

Lin Chen reached out and took Lin Nian'er's small hand in his palm, his voice a little hoarse:

"If Nian'er wants... she can call me Father."

Lin Nian'er's eyes lit up instantly, like two little stars:

"Really?"

"real."

"Then..." The little girl was a little shy but also excited, and tentatively asked in a small voice, "Daddy?"

Lin Chen responded with a "Yes".

Lin Nian'er called out again, her voice a little louder: "Father!"

"Why!"

The little girl was overjoyed, dangling her little feet, and turned to rush to the bedside:

"Mommy, Mommy, I have a father now! My eighth uncle is my father!"

Liu Ruyan raised her head and looked at Lin Chen.

There was a smile, a glint of water in his eyes, and a hint of something else... awkwardness.

Lin Chen also looked at Liu Ruyan, a slight smile playing on his lips.

The two of them looked at each other for a moment.

Some things don't need to be said.

Everyone understands.

Lin Nian'er had already crawled back to the edge of the bed, staring at her younger brother's little face, and suddenly reached out to touch him.

Liu Ruyan gently stopped him: "Be gentle, your little brother is still young."

Lin Nian'er nodded, her expression serious as if she were doing something important.

She extended her index finger, carefully leaned over, and gently tapped her younger brother's cheek.

The little one seemed to sense it, moved its little mouth, smacked twice, and then fell asleep again.

Lin Nian'er's eyes widened in surprise.

"He moved! He moved! Mother, he moved!"

Liu Ruyan couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Lin Chen smiled and reached out to pull the mother and her two children into his arms.

Footsteps suddenly came from outside the door.

Zhao Mingyue came in, her belly protruding.

Following behind were Chu Yueyao, Qin Shuyan, Xiao Yulou, Wen Ruoxi, Ye Qingying, Murong Xue, and Su Xiaoxiao—seven pregnant women, a large and imposing group, like seven moving small mountains.

Behind them were Lan Fenghuang, Liu Shengxue, Yao Yao, and Qing'er.

The once spacious room was suddenly packed with people.

Seeing so many people, Lin Nian'er excitedly jumped off the bed and ran over to hug Zhao Mingyue's leg:

"Aunt Mingyue!"

Zhao Mingyue was slightly taken aback, but her smile remained unchanged as she patted Lin Nian'er's head and said, "Nian'er, be good."

Lin Chen was also taken aback, and then explained:

"From now on, Nian'er will call me Daddy. This little girl is very smart; she already knows how to change how she addresses me."

Upon hearing this, the women's eyes flickered slightly, and they looked at Lin Nian'er with some pity.

Lin Nian'er was overjoyed and ran to hug Chu Yueyao, calling out, "Second Aunt!"

Chu Yueyao smiled and pinched her little face.

Lin Nian'er hugged them one by one, and when she hugged Su Xiaoxiao, she suddenly stopped and tilted her head to look at her:

"Eighth Aunt, is it a boy or a girl in your belly?"

Su Xiaoxiao blushed slightly: "I don't know yet."

Lin Nian'er said earnestly, "I wish it were a younger sister, then I would have a younger sister to play with."

Everyone burst into laughter.

Zhao Mingyue smiled and said, "Nian'er, do you want a little sister?"

Lin Nian'er nodded: "We already have a younger brother, but not a younger sister yet."

She counted on her fingers, "Mother gave birth to a younger brother, and my third and fourth aunts are also carrying younger brothers. So, it would be best if the other aunts were carrying younger sisters!"

Xiao Yulou teased her, "What if they're all younger brothers?"

Lin Nian'er frowned and thought for a moment:

"Then...then I'll be the boss and lead them!"

Everyone laughed again.

Lin Chen sat on the edge of the bed, watching this scene, feeling a warm glow in his heart.

Liu Ruyan said softly, "Husband, look how wonderful it is."

Lin Chen nodded: "Yes, that's good."

Qing'er leaned closer, looked at Lin Nianjun in the cradle, and whispered:

"The little boy is so cute."

Xi'er muttered from the side, "What's so cute about it? It hasn't even been a day yet."

Ling'er rolled her eyes at her, annoyed: "If you can't speak properly, then shut up!"

Xi'er snapped out of her daze and looked at Lin Chen and Liu Ruyan somewhat awkwardly, "I...I..."

"It's alright." Lin Chen waved his hand with a smile. "Newborn babies are all like this. They'll grow up to be more beautiful."

Xi'er finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Qin Xin and the other three stood a little further away, but they also looked at the little guy with gentle eyes and envy.

Shuyu said softly, "This child's features resemble my husband's."

Qi Yun nodded: "The nose is similar too."

The artist commented, "His mouth resembles that of the First Lady."

Qin Xin concluded: "He has combined the best qualities of both his parents, so he'll definitely grow up to be a handsome man."

Lin Chen felt elated and coughed lightly, "Of course, my son."

Everyone burst into laughter again.

Qin Shuyan, supporting her belly, said lazily:

"Husband, are you really not going to care about those people outside?"

Lin Chen waved his hand: "It doesn't matter, Yuan Tiangang and Zhuge Liang can handle it."

Wen Ruoxi's eyes lit up. "I heard the line to give gifts stretched for miles?"

Lin Chen nodded: "More or less."

Wen Ruoxi smiled and said, "Then are we going to get rich?"

"You're such a money-grubber!" Lin Chen said seriously.

"Forget about getting rich or not, it's just their kind gesture, I'm only accepting it as a courtesy."

Everyone laughed so hard they were doubled over, except for Wen Ruoxi, who pouted and glared at Lin Chen.

Zhao Mingyue laughed until her stomach hurt: "You...you have such a thick skin..."

Lin Chen looked completely innocent: "Did I say something wrong?"

Liu Ruyan shook her head, revealing a helpless smile.