Crimson Instinct

Twenty days later.

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*Xin Lei*

I quickly packed my purse and headed out. 

I was so excited to go to the hospital today. Well, I was always excited to meet Bai Li, but today was different.

Today was finally the day when Bai Li would be discharged. The doctor gave him the green signal to leave.

"Well, well, look at my dear daughter. Don't you look so different today?"

I grinned as I saw Dad coming my way. "Dad! Bai Li will get discharged today."

He chuckled. "I can see that happiness clearly in your eyes. Oh, and don't forget to bring him to our home straight from the hospital."

I sighed. "I told the same to him, but Bai Li was insisting on staying at a hotel."

"What? Of course not! How can I let my dear son-in-law stay in a hotel?"

I raised my brow. "You missed the word 'future,' Dad."

He waved his hand at me. "Pah! What future? I already consider him as my son. So, of course, he will stay in his family's home. If he still insists, then let him talk to me."

I laughed. "Alright, alright."

Then my sight fell on his clothes. "By the way, you seemed to be quite dressed up too."

"It's your brother!" His gaze sparkled. "Do you know Lei Lei? Zhen has a girlfriend! And she is pregnant too! Shi Ruiling!"

Ah...so bro officially told him.

"Dad. I thought you already had your suspicions on them."

He grinned. "I had. I was quite sure they were together, but it's a different thing coming from the horse's mouth. And not just that, I am going to be a grandfather too! Lei Lei! We will have a little child in our home soon."

I chuckled, seeing him almost hopping like a child.

"Congratulations."

Dad looked at me. "You don't seem so surprised."

Oops…

I scratched my temple. "Well...we already knew it beforehand hehe…"

He widened his eyes. "And you didn't tell me! That's not fair!"

I hugged him. "Aww, I am so sorry, Dad. We came to know in between all the investigation and Zhang Ning. So it slipped out of my mind."

He sighed. "I understand."

"So you are going to…"

"Of course, Zhen and I are going to meet Shi Ruiling and her family. Major General Shi is at home today too. As the boy's father, I should immediately head their home and ask for their daughter's hand for my son. She is pregnant, so we shouldn't delay the marriage talk."

I nodded.

"Has Shi Ruiling told Uncle Shi about this?"

"Yup. Her family also knows about them."

"Ah...I wanted to be there too with you all."

Dad patted my head. "Don't worry. You have to be with Bai Li today. That is equally important. For now, it's just a meeting. There is so much more to be done in a marriage. You won't miss anything else."

I looked around. "By the way, where is bro?"

"That lad is off to buy some gifts for her family. We will meet at a checkpoint and then head to her home from there," he chuckled, "You should have seen his face. That boy is a nervous wreck right now."

I giggled. "Well, at least there is something that can shake my cold brother into nervousness."

Dad checked his watch. "Ah, I need to go. Tell Bai Li Dad and him will talk lots after I return."

"Sure."

He left, but then he turned again.

"What is it?"

Dad was smiling at me, and it seemed to be a little…. mischievous?

"I forgot to tell you. You don't have to worry about any disturbance in your 'privacy' at home. Zhen and I will be quite late in returning, so you two can have as much time as you want for...you understand, right?"

I widened my eyes. Suddenly, I felt my face turn warm, and I blushed.

Dad thought that Bai Li and I were going to sleep together?

"D-Dad! We are not going to do anything like that!"

He snorted. "Hah! Well, only time will tell. I am sure that when I return, I will see a lot of kiss marks-"

"Dad, stop!" I shut my eyes and covered my face.

I really wanted to dig a hole and bury myself!

"Aren't fathers supposed to be protective about their daughters and usually try to stop it from happening?"

Dad furrowed his brows. "What? Why? I don't know about other fathers, but why will I stop you two? I like Bai Li very much. You have chosen a fine man as your life partner. In fact, I will be the happiest if I get to hear another pregnancy news, this time from you."

"..."

He made me speechless.

I always knew that Dad was quite forward and chilled out as a father, but I never thought he would advise me to sleep with Bai Li without even batting his eyelid.

"So do it quickly and give me another grandchild to play with."

My brow twitched.

"Alright. Dad, you really need to leave now."

He nodded and kissed my cheek. "En. Bye. Don't forget to use the time wisely or I will be really disappointed in you. I might have to talk to Bai Li next if I don't see the signs today."

"..."

"Don't talk to Bai Li about this!" I was speechless once again.

He shrugged. "What is so bad in a little man-to-man talk?"

I gave up.

Dad ran off. "Alright. Off to meet my daughter-in-law! We will surely bring good news about Zhen's marriage, so you make sure to give us the good news too!"

I facepalmed.

Dad finally left.

I took a step forward, and suddenly all those wild thoughts came to my mind. 

Ahhhh!!!

It's all Dad's fault! Now I cannot take them out of my mind! I sobbed.

I slapped my cheeks.

"Xin Lei. Enough! If you go like this, Bai Li will definitely figure out that something is wrong. Normal. Act normal. Forget Dad and all the conversation. Yes, yes, you can do this!"