The joyous and festive days always seemed to end too quickly.

In the blink of an eye, it was already the sixth day of the Lunar New Year.

Perhaps the heavens were in particularly good spirits for the New Year, or maybe for some other reason, but the weather had been wonderful since the first day. It wasn't too cold, nor was it hot; the temperature was quite pleasant. Sunshine graced them every day.

By afternoon, the warm sun would grow lazy, making one feel drowsy.

Julia spent that afternoon basking in the sun in the courtyard with the elderly lady.

The elderly lady, drowsy, rested with her eyes closed, occasionally exchanging a few words with Julia. Julia lay back on a lounge chair. Her slightly bulging belly was the main reason she couldn't travel this Spring Festival. She had even been prevented from attending some gatherings. Thankfully, Glades was with her all day; otherwise, she would have found this Spring Festival extremely boring.

Adele lay on another lounge chair beside her, also soaking up the lazy sun. In front of them, a lightweight coffee table held water and some fruit.

Aunt Mei stood behind the elderly lady, massaging her shoulders, making the elderly lady so comfortable she truly felt like sleeping.

The house was mostly empty; the family members had largely gone out for their own activities.

Only Gian was still shamelessly trailing Mila.

Ever since Mila had asked for a divorce, Gian had been by her side. Even though Mila ignored him, he was still trying his best to save their marriage. He knew the fault was his. For many years, Mila had appeared to live well on the surface. She dressed fashionably, held the title of Mrs. Horne, and received flattery wherever she went—enjoying the material comforts many women dreamed of. But he had never understood the bitterness in her heart. Now, he was beginning to. As her husband, he realized, he had been far too heartless.

He hoped that, now that he recognized his mistakes, Mila would forgive him and not divorce him. Taking advantage of the New Year's festive mood, Mila, considerate of everyone's feelings, hadn't publicly mentioned the divorce yet. He was working hard to salvage their marriage.

Glades and James were in the study room upstairs, likely discussing the identity of the kidnapper from Julia's abduction.

This is a perfect opportunity, Mila thought, to have Dr. Lei check Julia's pulse.

If Glades were downstairs, she wouldn't dare voice her request and true intentions. Glades had told her more than once not to constantly talk about wanting a grandson, as it would pressure Julia.

But her desire to hold a grandchild was overwhelming, and she was accustomed to bringing up the subject.

Taking Julia to the hospital for an ultrasound would be too obvious and would alert Glades. Having Dr. Lei check her pulse, however, wouldn't disturb him.

"Julia."

Mila emerged from the house carrying two glasses of milk. Gian followed closely, also holding a plate of fresh fruit.

"Julia, here, have some milk. Adele, you too," Mila said, placing the two glasses on the coffee table and gently calling to Julia and Adele.

Hearing her mother-in-law's voice, Julia quickly sat up straight and greeted, "Mom."

Mila smiled faintly in response, her gaze falling on Julia's slightly protruding belly. She asked with apparent concern, "Julia, you've been running around so much these past few days. Aren't you tired? Do you feel any discomfort? It's been a while since Dr. Lei checked on you. How about we have him take your pulse now?"

At her words, a flicker of helplessness crossed Julia's almond-shaped eyes.

Before the New Year, her mother-in-law had privately mentioned wanting Dr. Lei to take her pulse to see if the baby was a boy or a girl. After the New Year began, everyone was busy with visits and festivities, so her mother-in-law hadn't brought it up again. This must be why she's here now.

To be honest, Julia was nervous too.

She also wanted to know if she was carrying a boy or a girl.

But she was also afraid to know, and felt that finding out now would diminish the joy at birth.

"Mom, I'm fine. I'm not tired, and I don't feel any discomfort," Julia replied quickly, suppressing her internal reservations, her words implying she didn't want Dr. Lei to take her pulse.

Anyway, whether it was a boy or a girl, she and Glades would be very happy.

"Julia, dear, a routine check-up will put everyone's mind at ease," the elderly lady, who had been resting with her eyes closed, suddenly opened them. She looked at Julia and said affectionately.

Gian Horne thoughtfully brought a white, carved-back chair for Mila Anderson.

Julia Bluen and Adele Horne couldn't help but exchange a glance; they felt their in-laws' interactions had been a bit unusual these past few days.

"Aunt Mei, please call Dr. Lei. Have him come and take the Eldest Young Mistress's pulse," Mila instructed Aunt Mei, following the elderly lady's cue.

Aunt Mei nodded and turned to go into the house to find Dr. Lei.

A moment later, Dr. Lei arrived with Aunt Mei.

Mila gave Dr. Lei a significant look. Understanding, he sat down at the coffee table and gestured for Julia to place her hand on it so he could take her pulse.

「Inside the house.」

"Brother, rest assured, I'll definitely find out who the mastermind is," James Horne said. He was uncharacteristically dressed in casual home attire, looking relaxed and handsome, bearing an increasing resemblance to Glades Horne.

When the brothers discussed business, personal feelings were set aside.

The two of them conversed in low tones as they descended the stairs. Seeing the ground-floor hall empty, they headed outside, where they were surprised to find Dr. Lei taking Julia's pulse, with Mila sitting beside her, looking tense.

"Julia!"

Glades strode over quickly, with James close behind, his steps also betraying an unconcealed alarm. They both assumed something was wrong with Julia.

"Julia, what's wrong? Dr. Lei, how is Julia? Is she alright? Is the baby alright?" Glades burst out, his anxious questions firing off like a machine gun.

Before Julia could answer, Adele teased from the side, "Brother, look how nervous you are! My sister-in-law and nephew are perfectly fine. Dr. Lei is just giving my sister-in-law a routine check-up, understand? A routine check-up. If you're like this now, when she gives birth, you'll probably be so flustered you won't even remember who you are." Adele chuckled. She imagined her usually composed elder brother becoming so flustered he would forget his own surname.

Hmm, that would certainly be very funny.

Dr. Lei withdrew his hand from Julia's wrist. He then addressed the anxious Glades, "Young Master, rest assured, the Eldest Young Mistress is fine." He turned to Mila and continued, "Madam, the Eldest Young Mistress's pulse is deep. She is carrying a..."

"Wait!"

Sharp as he was, Glades immediately understood the implication. Dr. Lei wasn't here for a routine check-up; his mother had summoned him. She wanted to use Dr. Lei's experience to find out the baby's gender in advance.

He instantly cut Dr. Lei off, preventing him from revealing the answer.

"Dr. Lei, how is it?" Mila asked eagerly.

"Mother!" Glades shot a fierce, angry glare at Mila.

Stared at so disapprovingly by her son, Mila felt a bit sheepish. But the results were in! Not letting her know would be like setting her heart on fire, wouldn't it? If she asked, her son would be upset; if she didn't, she wouldn't be able to eat for the rest of the day.

Suddenly, she asked Dr. Lei, "Dr. Lei, does the fetus pee standing up or sitting down?"

Dr. Lei replied instinctively and casually, "Standing up."

Standing up?

Mila's face immediately lit up with a smile. Didn't that mean Julia was carrying a son?

Seeing Mila's beaming face, Dr. Lei felt a little sheepish. He thought he resembled the obstetrician from the Korean drama "Soonpoong Clinic," and Mila was like the young couple in the show who came to ask about their baby's gender.