RMM – Chapter 102 One-Man Show

Xi Ping, the elder of the Xi family, was once a figure of great influence. It was under his hands that the Xi family rose to prominence.

Xi Ping, along with other contemporaries, had been loyal ministers and meritorious officials of the country. Even the current ruler welcomed them with a smile. It was these people who had stabilized and developed the nation, and everyone naturally held them in deep respect.

In his youth, Xi Ping’s iron-fisted methods were legendary. Stern and impartial, many would go out of their way to avoid him rather than take shortcuts in front of him.

Even after retirement, people remembered the good of his tenure. Though strict, his abilities were undeniable. When meeting him, they respectfully greeted him with “Elder Xi.”

Xi Ping was cold, but he had one trait—he protected those he approved of. Once he recognized someone, his attitude naturally softened.

For some reason, Su Feng caught his favor, and so the families established ties. When Su Ruo and Su Heng were young, they also enjoyed visiting the Xi household.

Perhaps due to age or the passing of his spouse, Xi Ping’s temperament had softened. The severity of his past had been replaced by constant smiles, a man almost unrecognizable from before.

Upon learning that Su Ruo was pregnant—and carrying the child of his most beloved grandson, Xi Yuechen—he was overjoyed. Once affairs in the small town were settled, he immediately rushed back.

The old man took Su Ruo to the living room and sat on the sofa, ignoring the others behind him.

They could only shake their heads helplessly. The people nearby weren’t upset; in recent years, the old man’s temper had grown childlike. This softened, friendly version of him, always smiling, was a joy to see. Ever since his wife passed, he had been melancholy.

“Ruoruo, I heard you’re pregnant?”

Su Ruo couldn’t help but smile at her grandfather’s excited curiosity and nodded. “Yes, almost two months now.”

“Ah, in my lifetime, I can finally hold a great-grandchild! Haha! When I get there, I’ll show your grandmother off. Serves her right for leaving so early, hmph.”

Xi Ping spoke with a hint of pride, his expression beaming. Yet his words left everyone nearby silent.

Su Ruo felt a tinge of sadness, sensing a hint of loneliness in her grandfather. “Yes, in a few months, you’ll be able to show off your great-grandchild to everyone. You’ll also watch him grow up. He’ll surely love having a great-grandfather like you.”

Xi Ping seemed unaffected by her words, his joy only growing. “Really? That’s wonderful! Ruo girl, you must take care of yourself now and give me a lively, adorable great-grandson.”

Their conversation reassured those nearby. Xi Ping had loved his wife deeply, and since her passing, no one had seen such joy on his face. His affection for Su Ruo’s child deepened further.

Fearing the old man might be tired from the flight, Shen Liang spoke up with a laugh, “Dad, you just got off the plane. Why don’t we rest a bit and continue our conversation at dinner?”

Xi Ping frowned, slightly displeased. “Who said I’m tired? I’m full of energy!”

“Grandpa, even if you’re not tired, resting will make you even more alert for dinner. If my dad sees you not resting, won’t he scold us?” Xi Yuehui chimed in.

Of course, the old man would be tired after the flight, especially at his age.

After much coaxing, Xi Ping finally went to rest in his room. Shen Liang sighed. “Your grandfather is lonely. Make sure you visit him often, okay?”

“We will, don’t worry,” Xi Yuehui nodded and, taking Su Heng, said, “Mom, Su Heng and I are going upstairs to discuss something.”

Because of Xi Ping’s age and for convenience, his room was on the first floor, near the garden, so he could move around more easily.

Seeing the two rush upstairs, Shen Liang shook his head in mock annoyance, then looked at Su Ruo. “Ruoruo, aren’t you tired either?”

“No, how much sleep can I get in a day?” Su Ruo pouted slightly.

Shen Liang chuckled. “It’s for your own good. Look at your frail body; a gust of wind could blow you away.”

Su Ruo examined herself and frowned. “Not that bad, Mom. I’ve actually put on some weight these days.”

“Alright, alright, I was exaggerating,” Shen Liang said, walking toward the sofa, gesturing for Su Ruo to follow. “Shall we go out this afternoon?”

Shen Liang wanted to buy some things for the baby. Although the house wasn’t fully decorated, he couldn’t resist.

“Go out? Sure. I’ve been cooped up in the room for days,” Su Ruo nodded. She wondered why her mother allowed her out.

“Want to buy something?” she teased Shen Liang. “You don’t want me leaving, do you?”

Shen Liang pulled her back to the sofa. “Stop teasing. We’re just looking for some things for the baby,” he said, taking a sip of water. “And it’s not like we’re shopping at a market; we’ll go to the mall.”

Of course, Shen Liang wanted only the best for his grandson. Cheap items weren’t reliable; kids had weak immunity.

At this moment, Shen Liang wished he could pluck the stars from the sky to decorate his grandson’s room.

Su Ruo sighed. “Mom, be careful not to spoil your grandson.”

“Impossible! My grandson will have the best character. You were spoiled when you were young, right? And you turned out fine,” Shen Liang said. A smile formed as she added, “Besides, with Yuechen’s temperament, what kind of mischievous child could he raise?”

Su Ruo merely joked. This child had already brought so much joy to the family. Even her grandfather had rushed back from the south. Let them spoil him. She could play the strict one later.

But with Xi Yuechen’s personality, the child would likely inherit his looks, not his serious temperament. Could she really give birth to a little stern-faced elder?

Su Ruo imagined a miniature Xi Yuechen, a tiny face full of seriousness, lips pressed into a straight line, expressionless.

She laughed out loud at the mental image, giving herself a thumbs-up. Too funny! Even if the child followed the father, no child would be a perfect replica.

“What’s so funny?” Shen Liang asked curiously.

“Just imagining who the child will take after,” Su Ruo laughed.

Shen Liang thought for a moment and laughed lightly. “We haven’t even given birth yet. Who knows?”

Su Ruo changed clothes, slipping on flat shoes Shen Liang had bought without her noticing, and linked arms with him as they left.

At the mall, Shen Liang went straight to the children’s section on the fourth floor, ignoring everything else, intent on finding the perfect items for his grandson.

Su Ruo couldn’t stop his enthusiasm but followed along. Seeing the array of children’s items, her interest piqued, and she eagerly explored everything—from small items to beds, curtains, and rugs—stopping to examine and discuss each item with excitement.

While the two were in high spirits, some others were disheartened.

“Ruoruo is pregnant?” Liang Bo’an asked in shock. His emotions tumbled like into a chasm—his body alternated between cold and heat, frozen yet burning, fingers stiff and immobile.

“Yes, almost two months,” Feng Weijia said, a little sympathetic. Could Bo’an endure this?

“Preg…pregnant… that’s wonderful, haha.”

After a while, Liang Bo’an responded, his eyes hollow, his normally sparkling peach-blossom eyes dull, his complexion grayish.

“Bo’an, are you okay?” Feng Weijia asked worriedly.

“Fine. What’s wrong with me? I always knew this day would come eventually.”

Liang Bo’an blinked, unfocused, and walked slowly toward the inner office lounge, each step rigid and deliberate as if every motion required immense effort.

Feng Weijia sighed. What’s so fine about this? How could it be fine?

A tragic connection, indeed. All of Bo’an’s suffering had been concentrated on one person.

Finally entering the lounge, he could barely close the door, taking deep breaths before leaning against it and sliding slowly down.

How wonderful—it’s going to be a mother.

Of course, this was inevitable. Why be so unprepared?

Liang Bo’an didn’t know how to react, his mind blank.

With no hope, where did such despair come from?

He felt the irony keenly. Which “one-man show” of sorrow was he performing now? He should have let her go long ago, avoiding this miserable state.

His heart was a storm. He wanted to be happy for Su Ruo, yet pitied his increasingly hopeless situation. How could he not understand? He simply couldn’t let go.

One-man shows are hard to perform, but until the curtain falls, one must continue. Swallow the pain, for no one forces you to perform.

Liang Bo’an’s head moved slightly, as if lost in sweet memories, his eyes soft and gentle.

Su Ruo… Su Ruo… I’ve loved you for ten years, over 3,600 days, countless nights and days, every second.

Since you don’t remember, then so be it. From the start, this was always a one-man show.