Volume 1, Chapter 27: Is She Carrying a Boy or a Girl?

After the meal, everyone moved to the living room for casual conversation. This phase was the true arena for a battle of wits. On the surface, the atmosphere was harmonious, but beneath it lay a subtle game of one-upmanship.

Zhou Manhua bustled about, arranging tea and refreshments, perfectly embodying the image of a virtuous and graceful woman. "Everyone, have some tea to cleanse your palate. And do try these Eight-Treasure Cakes. They say the recipe was passed down from the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty and was one of Empress Dowager Cixi’s favorite health snacks. It’s excellent for nourishing the stomach, strengthening the spleen, and replenishing vitality."

"That’s enough; take a break yourself," Duan Zhenhong gestured for her to sit.

"Oh, of course!" Zhou Manhua replied with a look of touched devotion before taking a seat nearby.

With a benevolent smile, she turned to Duan Mingxian. "I heard you just closed another major deal, Mingxian. That’s truly remarkable. Your father is so proud of you! Whenever your uncles see him, they all envy him for having such a capable daughter."

Duan Zhenhong was indeed very pleased with his daughter. "Mingxian has never disappointed me."

"But Mingxian, you’ll be thirty-three after the New Year, won't you? When I was playing mahjong with Mrs. Li and Mrs. Qian yesterday, they were asking to introduce you to someone. The young men they have in mind are top-tier. Would you like to meet them? After all, as women, we shouldn't push ourselves too hard. Youth is fleeting, and it only gets harder to find a partner as time goes on," Zhou Manhua said, wearing the mask of someone deeply concerned for her well-being.

These words struck a chord with the grandmother. "Exactly, exactly. With the New Year approaching, and neither of you two siblings having settled down yet, how am I supposed to answer to your mother? As the old saying goes: a person must establish a family to succeed in their career!"

This was the part Duan Mingxian dreaded most. She rubbed her temple and replied to her grandmother with a bright smile, "Grandma, what era are we living in? I haven't settled down, yet I’ve still managed to make the company thrive. Who needs a man? Men only slow down my ability to make money." With that, she cast a glance at Duan Mingrui.

Duan Mingrui caught the signal and quickly added, "Exactly! Grandma, my career has only just begun. I’m busy writing my dissertation and working toward my professional titles; I have no time for marriage. It wouldn't be fair to delay a young lady’s life."

"What kind of talk is that? How can you have no time to marry? You... if you wait another two years, all the good girls will be snapped up by others," the grandmother said, clearly distraught. "My old friend’s great-grandchild is already in elementary school. I... oh, my head hurts..." She furrowed her brows, appearing to be in immense pain.

"Mom!"
"Grandma, what’s wrong?"
"Grandma, are you alright?"

Everyone stood up in a panic, rushing over to check on her.

"Mingrui, quick, see what’s wrong with Grandma!"

The old lady recovered slightly and waved her hand weakly. "I’m fine, it was just a sudden spell. I’m better now, don't worry."

"Are you sure? Should we go to the hospital for a check-up?" Duan Zhenhong asked, clearly uneasy.

"What hospital? Don't I look perfectly fine?" The grandmother detested hospitals.

"Dr. Lu, I heard from my teacher that you are also well-versed in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Could you please check my grandmother’s pulse?" Duan Mingrui suddenly remembered.

"Of course, no problem." Lu Congzhi stood up, changed his position, and placed his fingers on the grandmother’s pulse.

The massive villa fell into instant silence. Everyone’s attention was locked on Lu Congzhi. He was focused and intense, his expression earnest and grave. His hands were clean and slender, with distinct knuckles.

Jiang Yunmiao couldn't help but stare. The sharp, poised man before her was a far cry from the defiant youth in her memories. She suddenly recalled an old incident: once, when she looked pale, he had offered to take her pulse.

Back then, she had teased him, "Did you learn medicine from a martial arts novel?"

He had cast her a haughty glance, grabbed her hand without a word, and checked her pulse with a cynical smirk. "You’ve caught a cold and have a slight fever. No class today; I’m taking you home to rest."

Jiang Yunmiao had laughed, "You act like it’s real. There was a storm yesterday and the temperature dropped—everyone says they’ve caught a cold, and the clinics are packed. You just guessed I caught it. I’ve already taken medicine, I’m fine."

Lu Congzhi had looked at her, speechless, and said with feigned disgust, "Go back! I don't want you to infect me."

Jiang Yunmiao realized belatedly: so, Lu Congzhi really did understand Traditional Chinese Medicine? He knew it even back then?

After about a minute, Lu Congzhi slowly withdrew his hand. "Judging by the pulse, Grandma doesn't have any major issues. She’s just a bit damp and has been feeling a little heat lately. Keep the diet light, get plenty of rest, and most importantly, keep a calm mind—try not to get too excited."

Hearing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

"Grandma, did you hear that? From now on, rest more and worry less. Children and grandchildren have their own destinies," Duan Mingrui said glibly.

The grandmother tapped him lightly. "You rascal, who do you think I’m worrying for? Can't you just give me some peace of mind?"

It was eight o'clock, and upon seeing the time, the grandmother rose slowly. "You all keep chatting; I’m going upstairs to rest."

Just as Lu Congzhi was about to take his leave, Zhou Manhua suddenly asked, "Dr. Lu, I have a question. Can Traditional Chinese Medicine pulse-taking determine the gender of a fetus?"

Jiang Yunmiao stared at Zhou Manhua, speechless; she hadn't expected her to still be so persistent after all this time. If the due date was accurate, her child would be born in a month. Could Zhou Manhua not even wait that long?

A flicker of intrigue crossed Lu Congzhi’s clear eyes. He cast a faint glance at Jiang Yunmiao before saying, in a tone that was impossible to read, "Perhaps some highly skilled traditional practitioners can, but my expertise is shallow; I cannot make such a judgment."

"Oh, I see. I was just asking," Zhou Manhua said vaguely, fearing her intentions were too obvious.

"I think Yunmiao’s complexion doesn't look very good. Why don't you let Dr. Lu take a look? It’s a rare opportunity," Duan Mingxian suddenly suggested.

Jiang Yunmiao’s heart skipped a beat. If he took her pulse, wouldn't her "fake belly" be exposed? She subconsciously pulled back her wrist, clenching her hand into a tight fist.

"I’m perfectly fine, no need to trouble him," Jiang Yunmiao said with a polite, declining smile.

"Checking doesn't hurt. Didn't you complain before that I didn't care about you and the baby? This is a chance for me to get an update on how things are. I just don't know if it’s convenient for Dr. Lu?" Duan Yixiao said, his tone dripping with fake concern.

Jiang Yunmiao cursed inwardly: *That snake! He’s only pretending to care now.*

"I just had a prenatal check-up yesterday, and everything is fine. There’s no need to trouble Dr. Lu," she said, struggling to keep her emotions steady and acting as if it were nothing.