Cheng You was willing to take a step back, but Zeng Xiuyun was not ready to let it go.
She glanced at Cheng You's belly again and said, "Women really can't do without sons. Hurry up and have another one."
Cheng You forced a smile and replied, "Chengyan has already had a vasectomy. We won't be having any more children."
Her words surprised even Fang Yunbao and Cao Yanyan.
In this era, a man was willing to get a vasectomy?
Cao Yanyan, who had admired Cheng You before, now felt an indescribable envy.
How lucky was she to have met such a man.
But then again, she herself was so outstanding; she deserved such a good man.
Zeng Xiuyun exclaimed in alarm, "Vasectomy? He's already had a vasectomy!"
She didn't try to hide it, and her voice was so loud that everyone turned to look.
Cheng You pretended to be confused and asked, "Isn't a vasectomy normal? The country advocates for fewer and better births. We're responding to the national call and only plan to have one child. Is that not allowed?"
Zeng Xiuyun's face showed clear disapproval. "Of course not. How can a family be without a son? You daughter, why don't you listen to those who have been through it? You're too stubborn!"
Everyone had their own thoughts, and most secretly agreed with Zeng Xiuyun.
At least, they thought, you should have another son before getting a vasectomy. How could a family be complete with only one daughter?
Cheng You smiled and said nothing. Even if she had to retort, she would wait until after the full moon banquet.
Seeing that she couldn't persuade Cheng You, Zeng Xiuyun went to Old Master Song to complain.
"You, Chengyan, are really something. Why did he get a vasectomy? It must have been Cheng You who instigated him!"
Old Master Song had his opinions but dared not voice them. He couldn't afford to offend Song Qinglan right now.
"Say a few less words. This is your child's full moon banquet. Why are you saying so much?"
Zeng Xiuyun pouted and shut her mouth reluctantly.
However, at the dining table, she still couldn't control her mouth.
First, she lectured Cheng You for feeding the baby formula, then she criticized Cheng You for causing the Qi family to become extinct, unable to even produce a son.
These people were all invited guests. Even if they had reservations, they wouldn't voice criticism of the hosts.
But Zeng Xiuyun did find someone who shared her sentiments and was equally gossipy.
The two of them started chatting as if Cheng You were their own daughter-in-law.
Their words grew more outrageous, so much so that even those sitting nearby could hardly listen.
Their undisguised remarks were eventually overheard by Song Qinglan.
Someone nearby tried to intervene, "Auntie, stop talking. Have some food. The banquet is quite good."
Zeng Xiuyun refused. "I'm worried about Chengyan; how can I eat? Without a son, it's like being cut off from descendants. And he even got a vasectomy! I don't know if Qinglan knows about this. I must have a good talk with her."
Song Qinglan walked up behind her, picked up a nearby teapot, and poured its contents over Zeng Xiuyun's head.
The warm tea, along with the tea leaves, cascaded down Zeng Xiuyun's head.
The tea wasn't hot, but it left Zeng Xiuyun in a messy state, causing her to scream involuntarily.
The people around them had already moved away when they saw Song Qinglan approaching.
Only Song Qinglan could keep Zeng Xiuyun in check.
"Song Qinglan, you!"
Song Qinglan dropped the teapot and took out a handkerchief to wipe her hands.
"You seem to have quite a lot to say. Do you want to tell me about it?"
Zeng Xiuyun's gaze shifted guiltily, yet she was unwilling to admit she was wrong.
"I'm doing this for your own good. The young ones are immature; how can you also be immature?"
Song Qinglan scoffed. "Since when did my family's affairs become your business to interfere with?"
Just as Zeng Xiuyun was about to retort, she heard Qiu Yingxun say, "Grandma, Aunt Song is right. You shouldn't interfere."
He gave her a look, signaling her to be quiet.
They were here for a wedding banquet; it wouldn't do to spoil things over a few gossipy remarks.
Zeng Xiuyun shut her mouth and wiped the tea from her clothes.
For her grandson's sake, she chose to swallow her pride.
"Consider me meddling."
Song Qinglan let out a cold snort and ignored her.
Then, Qiu Yingxun took a handkerchief and wiped her clean, helping her to sit down.
"Grandma, impatience leads to great plans failing. Isn't that what you always told me? Just bear with it for my sake."
Zeng Xiuyun, who was already in a bad mood, suppressed her displeasure upon hearing his words.
"Grandma has suffered so much for you; you must be very filial to her in the future."
Qiu Yingxun placated her, "Of course."
Apart from that minor hiccup in the middle, Lele's full moon banquet proceeded smoothly.
After the guests had left, seeing that Old Master Song was still lingering, Song Qinglan gave him an annoyed glance. "Why aren't you leaving? Do you want to spend the New Year here?"
The old man said, "Your Aunt Zeng still has something to say to you."
Song Qinglan scoffed. "To tell you to have Chengyan have another son? You're old. Just collect your pension and live out your retirement. Don't stir up trouble every day."
Old Master Song had increasingly less authority in front of his daughters.
When he was younger, he could still command respect as the patriarch. Now that he was old, without grandchildren by his side, he realized the loneliness and desolation of his twilight years.
"I've already spoken to your Aunt Zeng about that. She's just a bit too talkative; her heart isn't bad."
Song Qinglan smiled coldly. "If her heart isn't bad, then everyone in the world would be good."
Old Master Song felt a bit awkward. He had always known that Zeng Xiuyun wasn't well-liked by her daughters.
But now, with a request, he had no choice but to brace himself and speak. "For your father's sake, at least listen."
Song Qinglan turned to Cheng You and said, "You and Chengyan go home first. Your grandmother is old; taking care of a child must be tiring."
Cheng You was about to agree when she heard Zeng Xiuyun hastily say, "No, wait! What I need to say requires Cheng You's agreement!"
The atmosphere became tense for a moment. Song Qinglan said irritably, "There are no outsiders here. Say what you need to say."
She truly had no patience to bicker with Zeng Xiuyun any longer and just wanted to finish speaking and go home.
Zeng Xiuyun said with a smile, "It's like this, Yingxun is in his fourth year of university and is about to start his internship. The job arranged for him by the school isn't very good. I was thinking, with Cheng You's pharmaceutical factory expanding, there must be a need for more talent. Yingxun could go and help out there."
Song Qinglan smiled coldly. Despite asking for a favor, Zeng Xiuyun spoke as if Cheng You would be the one benefiting.
"Your grandson is a talented person, and Cheng You's place is a small one. How could it accommodate such a distinguished guest? Perhaps you should seek opportunities elsewhere."
Zeng Xiuyun's face stiffened. To her, Qiu Yingxun was perfect in every way, and she had never expected to be rejected.
"Although you are the mother-in-law, can you make decisions for Cheng You? Let Cheng You speak for herself."
Cheng You also shook her head. Firstly, she would never let Qiu Yingxun come to the pharmaceutical factory. Even if she were willing, she wouldn't disrespect Song Qinglan at this moment.
"It's not suitable. Qiu Yingxun isn't suited for Zhen Shan Tang. He should go somewhere else. I think the job assigned by the school is quite good. Although the salary isn't high, it's reasonably stable."