RMM -Chapter 228 Xi Zi’s Full Moon Banquet (Part 3)

After the rounds were over, Xi Yuehui and Su Heng finally had some free time. As for Xi Yuechen and Gu Jiawei, they were even freer, since there wasn’t much for them to do in the first place.

Looking at the pile of gifts stacked together, Gu Jiawei raised an eyebrow and smiled. “There are plenty of gifts here. If we take them all back, we could probably open a store.”

Xi Yuechen didn’t comment. Instead, he turned his gaze to the main hall. Xi Jian’an was laughing and chatting with Gu Yanzhi; Su Feng was over there joking with his comrades; and Xi Zi had been handed to Shen Liang and was now being doted on by a few wealthy ladies, each of them looking absolutely delighted.

This wasn’t just polite pretense. The women were at an age where seeing their own grandchildren should be expected soon. Now, seeing someone else’s grandchild naturally made them envious; they couldn’t get enough of watching. They were already thinking of going home to urge their sons to settle down and get married—otherwise, constantly seeing other people’s grandchildren wouldn’t feel right.

Moreover, even though it was just a full-month celebration, Xi Zi was incredibly adorable. He had fully inherited the parents’ excellent genes: his features were delicate and small, his skin soft and fair, and he was exceptionally quiet and well-behaved. Such a child—who wouldn’t dote on him? The ladies watching were green with envy and admiration.

“Sigh, bring your son over so I can see him. I haven’t seen what he looks like yet. If he’s cute, I’ll give him a big red envelope.”

Seeing the scene around Shen Liang and realizing he hadn’t yet met the child in all the time he’d been here, Gu Jiawei spoke up. He didn’t know what Xi Zi looked like, though judging by Xi Yuechen’s looks and Su Ruo’s beauty, he assumed he wouldn’t be disappointing—though Su Ruo’s beauty was something he’d only heard about from others.

Xi Yuechen frowned at Gu Jiawei’s words and couldn’t help but retort coldly: “This isn’t a beauty contest.”

Exactly! Listen to what Gu Jiawei was saying—rewarding a child for being cute? Was this some ancient emperor picking concubines? Was there any logic to giving a big prize just for appearance? As if Xi Yuechen’s son had to meet Gu Jiawei’s personal standards.

Naturally, Xi Yuechen wasn’t pleased. This was what a strict father looked like: even when others joked, he would internally process it carefully and respond with the appropriate emotion.

“Cough, cough…” Facing Xi Yuechen’s sudden “change of expression,” Gu Jiawei could no longer hold it in. A fit of coughing overtook him, obviously from being choked by his own saliva. He’d only made a little joke about Xi Yuechen’s son—was it necessary to take it so seriously? And what did Xi Yuechen even say? Beauty contest? What’s with that?

Of course, he knew this wasn’t a real beauty contest! Gu Jiawei wasn’t that extreme in his tastes. No matter how ridiculous, he wouldn’t actually fancy a baby. Was this Xi Yuechen joking with him? And such a joke?

Had the world suddenly turned bizarre? Or had Xi Yuechen been possessed? How could words like “beauty contest” even appear in his head? Could it be that he’d been watching palace dramas with Su Ruo at home?

Gu Jiawei’s mind raced with countless thoughts. Eventually, he calmed down, but his expression still couldn’t fully settle—part surprise, part strangeness, still coughing and giving Xi Yuechen a look of accusation.

“I’m just joking! Do you really have to take revenge on me like this? And speak so carelessly? Do you know how shocking it is to hear a joke like that from your mouth? Don’t try this again—it’s scarier than a red rain from the sky! I’m too timid for this.”

Gu Jiawei took a deep breath and glared at Xi Yuechen with displeasure. When had this icy man become so mischievous? And what had prompted him to say “beauty contest” anyway?

Xi Yuechen didn’t care much about Gu Jiawei’s exaggerated reaction. That picky tone was exactly like the emperors choosing concubines. Seeing his own son subjected to such judgment naturally irritated him, so he said whatever came to mind to express his dissatisfaction.

Ignoring Gu Jiawei’s over-the-top reaction, Xi Yuechen said seriously: “Xi Zi is very good.”

He said it with undeniable certainty. Everyone said his son was not only good-looking but also sensible and well-behaved. That was exceptional.

Gu Jiawei this time was surprised but composed, though the shock in his eyes couldn’t be hidden. Xi Yuechen was becoming more human—he even praised someone now! Though it was his own son, it was still startling.

If Xi Yuechen could say someone was good, that person must be remarkable indeed. Gu Jiawei became even more interested in Xi Yuechen’s son.

“Enough talk. Hurry and bring your son over so I can see him—let me see how lucky this little guy is.”

Gu Jiawei couldn’t help urging Xi Yuechen. Xi Zi was still in Shen Liang’s arms, surrounded by women—there was no way for him to reach him.

Xi Yuechen glanced at Gu Jiawei, noting his rare impatience, raised his thick eyebrows slightly, said nothing more, and turned to walk away.

Gu Jiawei followed Xi Yuechen’s gaze toward Shen Liang and the group, a gleam of curiosity in his eyes. He was eager to see what kind of child a blockhead like Xi Yuechen could produce.

But then… a hint of confusion flashed in Gu Jiawei’s mind. Something about Xi Yuechen’s words seemed odd, though he only realized it belatedly.

Su Heng and Xi Yuehui had just arrived in front of Gu Jiawei, planning to look for Xi Yuechen, but unexpectedly heard Gu Jiawei speaking.

“What did Xi Yuechen mean by ‘Xi Zi’?”

Xi Yuehui looked puzzled. Without thinking, he answered: “My nephew. His nickname is Xi Zi. Why?”

“…Nothing…”

Gu Jiawei’s reply was tightly restrained. It wasn’t easy to answer calmly while suppressing laughter, but he managed it.

Xi Zi… Had Xi Yuechen lost his mind? Or was the whole family too happy and lost all reason? Why give the child such a nickname? Xi Zi literally meant “thing”!

Indeed, Xi Zi meant “little thing”—a little thing was Xi Zi, and Xi Zi was a little thing.

Gu Jiawei, however, didn’t know that. Though he managed to restrain the laughter threatening to escape his mouth, he didn’t want to embarrass himself in front of Xi Yuechen and Su Heng. Seeing their proud expressions, he felt it would be impolite to ruin the moment.

Gu Jiawei felt this visit was more than worthwhile, encountering so many surprising and shocking things. Even if he had to give a big red envelope, it would be worth it!

Whether Xi Yuechen had gone mad or “reformed his ways,” it was truly a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle.

Xi Zi… what a striking name! Incredible.

Xi Yuehui and Su Heng didn’t notice Gu Jiawei’s complex thoughts. He kept his head low and calm, seemingly pondering something, so they remained silent. Meeting him for the first time today, they were somewhat wary, especially since Gu Jiawei’s name carried so much weight.

“Who came up with this nickname?”

Curious, Gu Jiawei asked, though he already had a guess. A name this ridiculous, yet accepted by everyone, must have been proposed by the family elder. If he suggested it, the whole Xi family would likely agree unless it was completely outrageous.

But Su Heng gave him a completely unexpected answer: “My sister. She started calling him that as soon as he was born.”

Gu Jiawei felt that today had already delivered too many shocks, so hearing yet another “strange” thing, he could only remain calm.

“Your sister… that name is really cute.”

Gu Jiawei forced a laugh and summarized: Indeed, everything today was just too adorable.

Xi Zi—a name so… special. That Su Ruo could come up with it, and the Xi family could agree? They weren’t worried about little Prince Xi growing up and being laughed at?

Could it be that they just randomly combined characters to make the name?

Indeed, Su Ruo was a remarkable woman…

When Xi Yuechen finally brought Xi Zi over, Gu Jiawei was still lost in his strange emotions, his expression a mix of fascination and confusion.

“He’s here.”

Xi Yuechen’s voice brought Gu Jiawei’s wandering thoughts back.

Regaining focus, Gu Jiawei looked meaningfully at Xi Yuechen and sighed: “Today I finally understand that anything is possible.”

Xi Yuechen didn’t understand and raised an eyebrow in confusion.

Gu Jiawei ignored him—this “ice cube” just wouldn’t understand, even if told.

“Oh, he’s really delicate, like a little sculpture. What a fine child.”

The next moment, Gu Jiawei leaned over to look at Xi Zi and said aloud, his voice full of fondness.

Coincidentally, Xi Zi had just woken up, his big hazy eyes scanning around, little lips pressed tightly. His features mirrored Xi Yuechen’s, while the eyebrows and eyes were likely inherited from his mother. Not as sharp as Xi Yuechen, but still serious. His little nose was sharp, and his skin fair and tender—truly flawless.

However… Gu Jiawei thought to himself, he’s not a daughter—why so delicate? With looks like this and that status, he’d surely be pampered and spoiled. What future could he possibly have?

Yet reality repeatedly proved how life could surprise you. Years later, seeing Xi Zi surpass even his father, Gu Jiawei covered his face and sighed. He had only been joking back then—yet such a remarkable boy couldn’t possibly fail to achieve great things.

“Oh, finally awake. This little guy sure can sleep.”

Hearing Gu Jiawei, Su Heng leaned over to look and laughed heartily at his adorable nephew. He even added a playful complaint: “You sleep too well. At least cry a little, so I can have a chance to soothe you.”

Xi Yuehui turned to Xi Yuechen, smiling: “Brother, why don’t you let me hold Xi Zi? I’ll take him to see my wife. Ye Huaiming and the others also want to see him.”