Although Lin He didn't know what her mother and Huang Shi had discussed about that matter, whatever it was, it amounted to a subtle refusal. At this time, things were not like in the previous life where people spoke of free love and the right of parents not to interfere. Back then, marriages were traditionally arranged by the parents, decreed by the matchmakers; if the parents consented, they could decide everything for their children, regardless of the children's agreement or dissent.

Even though in Lin He's home, Er Niu and Huang Shi told Chen'er to make up her own mind—and everyone in their family knew this was due to the parents being open-minded—the Xu family might not see it that way. Perhaps in their eyes, this was simply a polite rejection of their family.

Yet, over the past two years, Aunt Xu and Uncle Li had never held any resentment toward their family because of this matter. Things were exactly as they had been before; this showed that the couple was not only kind-hearted but also generous. Children raised by such parents would surely have good character, and marrying a daughter-in-law into such a family meant she would surely be cherished.

Then there was Er Gouzi. Over the last two years, his treatment of Chen'er had improved even more than in the previous two. When they were younger, he often played and romped with Chen'er. Now that they were older and no longer frolicking, he often stayed quietly by Chen'er’s side when he had nothing else to do, doting on and cherishing her like an older brother.

As for Chen'er, despite generally being gentle with others, she had quite a few flaws. Besides being incapable, she was stubborn and prone to sulking. When she threw a fit, she would lash out at Er Gouzi, saying the nastiest things she could think of, then order him away. After he left, she would demand he apologize before she would speak to him again.

But Er Gouzi, though also angered, could never bring himself to say a harsh word to Chen'er, and the very next day, as soon as he was free, he would come back to appease her.

Lin He witnessed all of this before her own marriage, and she was genuinely moved. Such a man, in the eyes of some, might lack manliness, but in Lin He’s heart, she felt that only someone who loved another person deeply could behave this way.

Because Lin He and Er Gouzi grew up together, she understood him well. Er Gouzi was actually quite mischievous, and his usual temper wasn't exactly mild. However, he was completely devoted to Chen'er. If Chen'er also liked him, Lin He would absolutely support them.

Chen'er listened to Lin He’s words, looked at her for a moment, then nodded seriously, agreeing that she would certainly consider the matter carefully.

Seeing Chen'er agree, Lin He didn't say much more, leading her toward the kitchen.

That evening, Da Bao and Wen Ningxuan returned for dinner. Huang Shi mentioned that this was the first time her daughter and son-in-law had visited their townhouse since getting married, so she prepared many delicious dishes for them.

The whole family eating together was very lively, filled with chatter and laughter. After the meal, Lin He took the two younger ones to another room to play, while Wen Ningxuan stayed in the main hall chatting with Er Niu and Huang Shi for a good while before returning to Lin He’s courtyard to sleep.

Back in the room, Lin He had Zi Qing and Zi Yu fetch water, then sent the two maids back to rest, as they were not at the Wen residence and did not follow the custom of keeping watch overnight.

It was Wen Ningxuan’s first time in Lin He’s room. He looked around the space, smiling, "So this is what a lady's boudoir looks like. I've never seen one before."

"Really? Is Second Young Master teasing me? Your family has so many maids and sisters; you’ve never seen their rooms?" Lin He teased him with a smile.

Wen Ningxuan chuckled, wrapping his arm around Lin He and sitting down with her on the small couch in her room, saying, "Well, I only look at what I wish to see."

Lin He smiled, looking at him with an unconvinced expression. Wen Ningxuan raised an eyebrow, moving his hand near her armpit, "He'er doesn't believe her husband, does she?" Saying this, his hand seemed ready to start tickling her.

Lin He was extremely ticklish. Seeing his stance, she couldn't help but laugh, grasping his hand, "I believe you, definitely believe you."

Only then did Wen Ningxuan laugh softly, lifting Lin He to sit on his lap, and whispering, "While talking with your parents just now, your mother urged us to have children. What did you tell her here today, hmm?"

Hearing Wen Ningxuan’s words, Lin He inwardly grumbled about her mother. Did she think she was just speaking casually? Her mother actually took it seriously and pressed Ningxuan about having children. Lin He thought this, her face flushing slightly as she looked at Wen Ningxuan and asked, "Then what is your opinion? Do you want to have a child soon too? If you do, we can start early..."

Before Lin He could finish, Wen Ningxuan cut her off, "Silly girl, didn't we agree long ago? We’ll have children later. Don't just say you’re afraid; I’m more afraid than you are. Children are important to me, of course, but they are not as important as you. If something were to happen to you during childbirth, I’d rather not have children at all."

"The elders always want many descendants. But my He'er is still young; it will be better when you are a bit older." As he spoke, Wen Ningxuan’s eyes swept suggestively over Lin He’s chest.

Lin He, blushing, stood up from Wen Ningxuan’s lap and said, "Don't think about those inappropriate things. My mother has been preoccupied because of my sister-in-law's situation; seeing people married, she keeps urging for babies. Just ignore her."

"Mhm, I understand. Is your sister-in-law’s health still not recovered? Da Bao’s complexion didn’t look too good today either, and your sister-in-law isn't home. Is something wrong?" Wen Ningxuan stopped teasing her and asked seriously.

Thinking about her elder brother and sister-in-law, Lin He sighed and briefly explained Yun Qi’s health condition to Wen Ningxuan, though she didn't go into detail about the arguments at home. After speaking, she asked, "Ningxuan, you’ve traveled to many places. Do you know any renowned, skilled physicians? Is there anyone particularly good at treating this kind of illness? Just to have my sister-in-law checked again."

"I'm not very clear on that. I'll ask Father when we return; Father should know. However, you should also advise Da Bao not to worry too much about this. Rushing won't help; there will always be a solution," Wen Ningxuan replied softly.

"From what you say, did my elder brother tell you something today?" Lin He inquired.

"Yes. After your parents went to sleep, Da Bao chatted with me for a bit. Da Bao didn't explicitly tell me anything, but he seemed quite down, and a bit irritable. I suspect this matter has been weighing heavily on his mind."

"Ningxuan, then what do you think we should do? Today, when I heard Mother say Elder Brother mentioned waiting, she didn't say anything else. I thought he was truly as relaxed as he appeared on the surface?"