Nonetheless, it was just an excuse for the family members unanimously wanted to spend more time with each other.

Chen Linyun and Xue Jinxu discussed just a while ago in their room, and the previous night, before going to bed, about Xue Guangxi's current state.

"He wouldn't want to talk about it.  He was upset, but he did not want to open up even to me.  I guess he couldn't point out exactly what's wrong himself, but certainly, it had something to do with that evil man."

To that, Chen Linyun only responded, "I see."

At the breakfast table, the maids prepared various types of toasts and dishes based on the preferences of their masters and madames.  There were eggs benedict, clubhouse, hot soup, fried rice, and some dishes that would go nicely with rice.

Almost all were present except Xue Guangxi.  It was a good opportunity, therefore, to break some good news since the day was still fresh, and the 'mood destroyer' wasn't around yet.

It was around seven in the morning.

"Everyone, Xiao Rui and I have some good news for you.  We were supposed to tell you last night but we had not had the perfect chance."

Consequently, his audience held their breath for his next words, his announcement.

Smiling, Xue Minhe stood up and walked towards where Teng Man Rui was seated.  He stopped right beside her, then placed both hands on her shoulders.  The lady remained fairly seated, a hint of a shy smile permeated on her lips.  She held one of Xue Minhe's hands that were on her shoulder, then met his eyes with hers understandingly.

"Xiao Rui and I are expecting a daughter." Xue Minhe straightforwardly broke the news without much beating around the bush.

Mother Xue gasped in pure joy. "We're having another princess!  Marvelous!  Xiao Rui, we should prepare the baby's things at once!  We have to have cute little dresses and gloves and bonnets and blankets and toys in pastel colors and cute versatile, functional, advanced designs.  The traditional designs would work too.  I am so excited."

Grampa Xue and Father Xue's faces both lit up at the news.  They grunted satisfactorily and took turns in congratulating the young master and his wife.

Xue Jinxu's brows arched at the news, and the corner of her lips twitched, but she maintained a composed façade.  Neither did she look perplexed nor delighted, as if she had not heard the news at all.  Instead, she continued eating her toast.

As usual, whenever Xue Jinxu acted coldly around Teng Man Rui, Chen Linyun a.s.signed himself as their pair's representative and acted accordingly.  He delivered a simple congratulatory message and genuine wish for the mother and the child to be both healthy up to delivery.

Internally, he sighed and thought, 'When will Xue Jinxu forgive her friend?  It's not like she did a heinous crime.  She had forgiven Hw.a.n.g Meilin quite fast before.  How come she couldn't do the same with Teng Man Rui?  She must still be hurting.  My poor wife.'

He unthinkingly planted a kiss on the wife's temple while she was still busy munching her breakfast.  She looked at him gratefully.  Her eyes glimmered with grat.i.tude. 'What would I do without my husband to fill in the gap?  I hate this setup.  So every family affair will be like this?  So it seems.'

She drank plenty of her orange juice.

'Thud.' Went her gla.s.s.  She placed the gla.s.s back onto the table with a little bit more force than normal.

She whispered to Chen Linyun, "Honey, I think I know your secret.  You shouldn't have kept it from me.  I deserve to know."

Suddenly, Chen Linyun felt lightheaded and almost simultaneously, he broke into a sweat.

"Huh?" Chen Linyun mumbled softly.  He's having such a tomato-face moment.

"I was able to unearth your secret.  It just happened that way."  Xue Jinxu whispered back.

He closed his eyes for a split second, pursed his lips, before he opened them up again, to start explaining his side to his resourceful wife.

"I can explain, I –"

"The doctor said you want it as a surprise."

"What? Who?  Wait, what?"  Chen Linyun was defeated in speed.  Xue Jinxu beat him out of it.

"The doctor.  She told me you asked her not to tell us.  You wanted it to be a surprise." She kept speaking in a low tone.  "But I could tell, honey."

'I'm… I'm lost… What is she talking about?!' Chen Linyun's mind went blank.  As much as he would want to ransack his brains for the memory that would aid him to survive this situation, his brain was no help at all because it was empty at this moment.

'Perhaps the doctor at the lab who did the DNA sequencing?  Do they need a doctor for that?' He felt nauseated, but he fought his bodily indications with resilience.  He could not give in to being sick at this critical, dire time.

He's at the territory of her wife, the Xue Mansion, no less.  If his secret was divulged here, '…they would team up and gang against me.' He thought glumly.

He made out possible scenes in his mind.  He imagined Xue Jinxu storming and her twin, her parents all backing her up.  He could imagine Grampa Xue, whose trust he had earned over a long period of time with such painstaking effort and sacrifice just to show his pure love for his granddaughter, would throw him out of this house just like what happened when they just got married.  He felt chills ran up his spine and towards the roots of his hair on his head.

Xue Jinxu caressed his fl.u.s.tered face with her right hand.  "You shouldn't have kept it from me."  She repeated.

"I am trying to find the right timing.  Your condition… I don't want you to be too emotional… Your health…" He staggered.  He felt as if he's losing sanity.

Must she really discuss this topic in front of everyone? "Xue Jinxu… Let's at least return to our room first, honey…" He mumbled, pleading, begging, imploring.

"Shhh."  Xue Jinxu gently placed a thumb on his lower lip. "I deserve to know and all the people here deserve to know.  I reckon you're truly such a secretive person, honey.  Forgive me if I act on my own right now."

Speaking about being compet.i.tive in giving out announcements, Xue Jinxu stood up and raised her newly-refilled gla.s.s of orange juice.

Chen Linyun supported her by her elbows and by her waist.  He was helpless, but at this point, could he still stop her without humiliating her?

Her face lit up in a grin that reached her lovely almond eyes.  'I don't understand.  She doesn't seem to mind?  Is this for real?'

Chen Linyun ran the most fitting scenario he could think of: 'Will she say Grampa, you were right, that man s.h.i.+ Fan Hai and I are a good match.  In fact, I've married to s.h.i.+ Fan Hai in secret… Then everyone will gasp in horror, then Xue Jinxu will say because Chen Linyun here is s.h.i.+ Fan Hai!  And then laugh it off as if it's such a trivial matter…'

He shook his head.  His face becoming paler.  'Really?  Will she be truly pleased to know that I am the true s.h.i.+ Fan Hai?  Absurd!'

 While he was lost in his thoughts, Xue Jinxu pursued her announcement.

"Everyone, my husband and I have news too."

"Jinxu… Jinxu, please… Honey…" Beads of sweat formed on his forehead.

"Everyone…"

Chen Linyun closed his eyes, then kept his head bowed down.

Xue Jinxu inhaled before continuing, "We're expecting twins."