CHAPTER 804: CHAPTER 801: SECOND CHILD

"What’s up with your aunt? Is there a problem with her health?"

Seeing Shen Siyuan’s strange expression, Ruan Xiangqian couldn’t help but feel tense.

Ruan Hongzhuang added, "It shouldn’t be, Mom’s health has always been good, and after taking the Elixir, her bodily functions have recovered a lot, and she’s full of energy every day."

Shen Siyuan glanced at the anxious-looking Ruan Xiangqian next to him and thought to himself that it’s just that she’s a bit too energetic.

He didn’t keep them in suspense and said directly, "Uncle Ruan, congratulations, you’re going to be a dad again."

At Shen Siyuan’s words, everyone was momentarily stunned.

However, Ruan Xiangqian was the first to react, his eyes widened, and he burst into laughter.

Next was Jiang Yingxue, who quickly pulled her arm back and lightly punched Ruan Xiangqian a couple of times, scolding, "You’re so improper."

The sharp-minded Ruan Hongzhuang was actually the last to react because she truly hadn’t thought of such a possibility at all.

Upon hearing this, her eyes widened, and she looked incredulous.

"You... you can’t be mistaken, right? My mom is already in her fifties."

Saying this, Jiang Yingxue was displeased, "What’s wrong with being in her fifties? People in their sixties can still have children."

"Right, when you think about it, it’s quite normal. Ever since I took Xiao Shen’s Elixir, I’ve been feeling full of vigor..."

Ruan Xiangqian was interrupted by a spit from Jiang Yingxue just as he was halfway through speaking.

"Don’t talk nonsense in front of the kids."

"Haha, yes, yes..."

Ruan Xiangqian laughed heartily, realizing that he was so happy that he had forgotten himself.

They only have one daughter, Ruan Hongzhuang, so it’s not that they don’t want more children, of course not.

When they were young, they were busy with their careers, and when they wanted more children, Jiang Yingxue couldn’t conceive no matter what.

It wasn’t just Jiang Yingxue’s issue; Ruan Xiangqian also had his problems. As a rural kid without background who founded such a large group company, besides his abilities and a bit of luck, his hard work also played a role.

So when he just started his business, accompanying people for drinks and meals was common, and over time, his health was affected significantly by drinking.

Because of this, even if Jiang Yingxue couldn’t conceive, perhaps Ruan Hongzhuang would have several half-siblings.

It’s not impossible. Ruan Xiangqian has such a huge family estate, wouldn’t he want an heir?

It’s not about having a daughter, even though Ruan Hongzhuang is very capable, but that has nothing to do with ability, because only a son can keep the Eastern Group under the Ruan surname. If a daughter inherits, it’ll eventually become an outsider’s. Years of efforts would end up as someone else’s reward.

Nowadays, people are open-minded, and even if they have a daughter, they don’t want a second child. The most frequently asked question during such conversations is, "Do you have a throne to inherit?"

So it’s not that they don’t want another child, but because with so much wealth to pass on, whether it’s a daughter or a son doesn’t make a difference.

But Ruan Xiangqian is different. Though their Ruan Family has no royal throne, the vast Ruan Group is no less than the throne of a small country.

So how could Ruan Xiangqian and Jiang Yingxue not want a son? It’s just that they didn’t have the capability before, so they focused on nurturing Ruan Hongzhuang.

Now they see hope. Even if this child is another daughter, Shen Siyuan can guarantee they’ll continue trying, and might even opt for IVF to directly select the gender.

The reason Shen Siyuan is so sure is because Ruan Xiangqian’s indescribable joy upon learning about Jiang Yingxue’s pregnancy was even greater than when he regained his youth; more exciting and thrilling.

Seeing the couple so delighted, Ruan Hongzhuang scoffed, "You’ve already been parents once, why are you so happy?"

"Rest assured, whether your mom has a brother or sister, all my assets will still go to you," Ruan Xiangqian laughed heartily.

Ruan Hongzhuang didn’t believe a word of it. If she were the only child, maybe it was possible, but if a girl is born, she estimates she’d get half. If it’s a boy, she doubts she’d even get half.

"Tch, I don’t care. I’ll earn what I want myself, and watch out, I might even swallow up your Eastern Group later on."

When Ruan Hongzhuang said this, she wrapped her arm around Shen Siyuan’s, triumphantly looking at her dad.

Ruan Xiangqian’s expression didn’t change but he revealed a bitter smile, "You really are heartless, girl, the Eastern Group is your mom’s and my years of work."

Honestly, relying on Ruan Hongzhuang’s capability alone, no matter how skilled she is, unless Eastern Group makes a mistake itself, attempting a takeover is almost impossible.

But if you add Shen Siyuan into the mix, then this impossible task becomes incredibly easy, and a one-dollar purchase might even be possible.

"Hmph~, I’m just talking. I want to build my own shipping group that’s bigger than Eastern Shipping." Ruan Hongzhuang said with immense confidence.

"That’s ambitious." The couple agreed in unison.

But in their hearts, they didn’t believe it at all because several large shipping groups have already completely controlled this segment, making it very difficult for outsiders to get a foothold. They capitalized on the era’s opportunities to achieve what they have today.

Ruan Hongzhuang wants to create a large group company not weaker than Eastern Shipping in today’s social context, which is as daunting as climbing heaven and is nearly impossible.

"Of course, Si Yuan will have to give me a little support." Ruan Hongzhuang clung to Shen Siyuan’s arm, beaming.

Ruan Hongzhuang has never been an overconfident woman. She not only recognizes her abilities but also knows how to leverage, and the reason why she chose the shipping business is, of course, to leverage her dad’s connections and resources. As for why she’s setting up a company in Bin Hai, it’s naturally to leverage the Jiang family’s network.

A successful business person who doesn’t know how to wield influence will never achieve much.

Even so, she understands that no matter how hard she tries, she can make some money, but operating a company to the scale of Eastern Shipping is simply impossible.

That has nothing to do with ability but with the era.

But if she utilizes Shen Siyuan’s network and resources, then everything becomes simplified.

Does Shen Siyuan have connections? Not to mention the high-level officials wanting Elixirs from him, wealthy individuals worldwide would become his connections in an instant.

"Today has been too joyous, Xiao Shen, join me for a drink tonight."

Ruan Xiangqian suddenly felt unprecedentedly relaxed, unbelievably exhilarated as if he just took an Elixir.

"You..."

Jiang Yingxue was about to say something but was interrupted by Duoduo who came running.

"Brother, Brother..."

"What’s up?" Shen Siyuan was a bit surprised, "Isn’t the cartoon interesting?"

"I need to go back; Dad said he’ll take me to see the lantern festival tonight," Duoduo said.

"I want to go, I want to go..." Dou Dou immediately chimed in, clutching Duoduo’s arm tightly.

"You want to follow everywhere," Shen Siyuan said with amusement.

"I’m just a little tag-along," Dou Dou declared confidently.

Her words amused everyone again.

"Go ahead, just all go together." Shen Siyuan said helplessly.

"Hehe, Potato brother is the best, love you," Dou Dou said happily.

"Be good, no misbehaving," Shen Siyuan reminded.

Dou Dou and Duoduo both nodded obediently, though the reminder was really meant just for Dou Dou.

Then the two little ones vanished into thin air from the living room, under the curious gaze of Ruan Xiangqian and his wife.

"I’ll go prepare dinner,"

Duoduo reminded Jiang Yingxue that it was already dark and time for dinner.

"I’ll do it, I’ll do it, you just rest..." Ruan Xiangqian quickly said.

"I just got pregnant, no need to be so nervous." Jiang Yingxue dismissed casually.

But Ruan Xiangqian insisted on doing it himself.

As the two were pulling at each other, Shen Siyuan’s phone rang. He looked and saw it was a video call from Mao Sanmei. He didn’t think much and answered directly.