Lin Ranyue didn’t like the people of the Mu Family.

But after all, they were Gu Lei’s relatives.

How he thought about them and how he chose to treat them was his business.

Lin Ranyue herself didn’t need to start any conflict with them.

She would let Gu Lei handle everything.

Mu Qing said, "Our main purpose today is to see how you’re doing. These things can nourish the body and are good for both adults and children."

Mrs. Mu also hurriedly had the housekeeping robot set everything down.

Lin Ranyue exchanged a glance with her daughter, Su Wan.

Kindness before confrontation?

The couple, Mu Qing and his wife, said many kind words and expressed various concerns and greetings.

They were almost unrecognizable compared to the prior aloofness of the Mu Family, as if they were a completely different Mu.

Of course, since they didn’t have much in the way of common topics, they just kept repeating those words about making sure to rest and take care of one’s health.

Even the couple, Mu Qing and his wife, felt awkward about it.

When Gu Lei received the message and rushed back, he brought his cousin and his wife into the sitting room for a chat.

Lin Ranyue looked at the pile of things feeling helpless.

"I really shouldn’t accept these gifts," she said.

Su Wan leaned in and was actually surprised to find a ginseng amongst the items!

Her eyes widened, "Oh my God, the Mu Family really went all out! You can’t even grow this thing in artificial soil anymore. Mom, I’m certain they’re after something."

Lin Ranyue looked worried, "Then what do we do?"

Su Wan said, "You don’t need to worry, just ask Director Gu later. By the way, if you guys end up accepting the gifts, I’d like to trade something with you for this ginseng."

Lin Ranyue: "..."

Mother not as important as ginseng?!

On the other side, Gu Lei took his cousin and cousin’s wife into the sitting room.

His relationship with them was quite amicable, and he wasn’t going to make things difficult for them.

Gu Lei got straight to the point, "Did the old man send you? If there’s anything, just say it directly."

Mu Qing exchanged a glance with his wife.

He said helplessly, "Xiaolei, I’ve always known how smart you are, so I’ll just be frank. After all, we’re family, and even if you’ve changed your surname, you can’t completely sever ties with your kin."

Gu Lei said, "I’ve said before, if you encounter any trouble in the future and I can help, I will. But no one should try to control my life."

"I know... we won’t interfere with your life with Lin Ranyue anymore. Think of us as relatives who visit each other from time to time, alright?"

Gu Lei stood up and poured water for his brother and sister-in-law.

He suddenly smiled, "Brother, are you still not telling me the truth?"

"I..."

When Gu Lei became serious, his vertical pupils would show, creating an imposing presence.

Mu Qing was finding it hard to bear.

It was Sun Huan, the biological mother of the Qingyu brothers on the side, who spoke.

She said with resignation, "Xiaolei, they want your future son with Ranyue to carry the Mu surname."

Mu Qing: "Xiao Huan!"

Sun Huan said, "Husband, why insist on deceiving Xiaolei for the old man? Don’t you find it laughable that they didn’t approve of Ranyue entering the family at first, but now that they’ve seen Ranyue is pregnant and that Xiaolei won’t likely change his surname back, they’re targeting the child?"

Sun Huan had always had an open perspective. Although both her sons had changed their surnames, they were still filial and caring towards her.

She wasn’t fixated on whether her children bore the Mu surname or not.

After all, she didn’t carry the Mu surname either.

Mu Qing hadn’t expected his wife to disagree with him, and he suddenly felt somewhat dejected.

He couldn’t say a word, just stood there stifling his feelings.

Gu Lei took a sip of tea. He looked at his brother and sister-in-law and said, "It’s impossible. No matter what, my children, my grandsons, and all subsequent generations will not carry the Mu surname."

Mu Qing said, "Xiaolei, why do you have to be so stubborn? Now that your wife is also pregnant, shouldn’t everyone be happy?"

Gu Lei said, "Everyone being happy is what you think. Ever since I married Ranyue, I’ve been very happy. The old men are the ones who are truly stubborn. The Mu Family doesn’t have a throne to pass on, so what’s the point of obsessing over this? I am not the last one to decisively leave the Mu Family, and in the future, any excellent person who emerges from the Mu Family won’t want to be manipulated because of their genes. We are humans, not walking genes."

Mu Qing’s face was burning hot.

In the end, Mu Qing left sheepishly with his wife.

As they boarded the aircraft, he asked his wife, "Xiaohuan, have I always been too obedient to the elders’ wishes because I am not outstanding enough?"

"Mediocrity has its own advantages."

Actually, Mu Qing wasn’t mediocre at all.

It’s just that his cousin and sons were all too outstanding, and he was too obedient to the elders’ words.

It had made him gradually lose his own opinions and sense of self.

Mu Qing started to reassess himself...

Meanwhile, Gu Lei hurried to the small garden to see Lin Ranyue.

Seeing that her expression was the same as usual with no change, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Lin Ranyue looked at him, "Have your cousins left? What did they come for?"

Gu Lei, "They hope that our son will take the Mu family name."

Lin Ranyue, "Oh, that’s very typical of the Mu family."

Gu Lei, "Ranyue, don’t be angry; I didn’t agree to it."

Lin Ranyue, "I’m not angry, it’s to be expected. Oh right, what about these things? Since you rejected them, should we send them back?"

Gu Lei watched as Lin Ranyue’s gaze lingered on the gifts.

He said, "If you want them, let’s keep them. After all, I’ve given them plenty over the years."

Since childhood, Gu Lei had won countless awards, most of which he had given to his family members.

"Let’s keep them; my daughter wants them."

"Alright."

And so, Su Wan acquired a heap of herbs, among them a ginseng as thick as a finger.

Nowadays, such items were true rarities, even small pieces were priceless.

So, when Commander Gu returned home from work, he removed his gloves and went to see what his lovely wife was up to.

He discovered her fiddling with a bunch of strange objects.

They appeared to be some kind of plant specimens.

Stored in glass cases, they were well preserved.

And Su Wan was, with Vermilion Bird’s assistance, using specialized equipment to measure the cell activity of these objects.

"Wanwan, what are you doing?"

Gu Jue approached, and Su Wan turned her head, brushing her cheek against his face.

Because of her pregnancy, Su Wan’s reactions had become somewhat slower lately.

Plus, she was becoming increasingly familiar with Gu Jue’s scent, so she didn’t even notice him approaching.

"Ajue, have you finished work?"

"Hmm."

"I just came back from my mother’s place and got some ancient herbal medicine. I’m testing them to see if the cells are still active. If they are, there might be a way to cultivate them."

Gu Jue kissed his lovely wife’s cheek, "This is too tiring, let White Tiger and Vermilion Bird do it. If the cells are still active, I’ll help you find someone to cultivate them." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"Ajue, I’m really not tired."

"I worry about you getting tired."

"..."

Su Wan realized that Commander Gu, at times, had a kind of stubbornness typical of a straightforward man.

Of course, his intention was for her good, so she wouldn’t quibble about it at this time.

After handing over the task to Vermilion Bird and White Tiger, Su Wan began to ramble on to Gu Jue about the day’s events.

Especially about the matter with the Mu family.

Su Wan sat on the sofa, nibbling on an apple.

She asked in confusion, "Why are the Mu family so insistent on the inheritance of excellent genes?"

Gu Jue, now in casual home clothes after changing out of his military uniform, looked much gentler.

"The ancestors of the Mu family were among the earliest to migrate from Ancient Earth."

At this, Su Wan paused slightly in the middle of eating her apple.