Chapter 640: Little Rice Cake

On the spectator seats, Song Yusui saw that the seat next to Mu Xi was finally empty, and he slipped over, saying, "Little Xi, little Xi, do you miss your brother?"

Since it was a school-level event, the auditorium seats weren't fixed; now many people were standing beside their seats, and Jiang Liangjin had already gone to see his sister.

Mu Xi was afraid that if he left his seat it would be taken, so he didn't leave his seat to look for his sister.

Mu Xi: "No."

Song Yusui sat in the seat originally belonging to Jiang Liangjin, saying, "That brother is utterly heartbroken—this heart is shattered beyond repair."

Mu Xi glanced at him, "Aren't you in a meeting?"

Song Yusui formally took over as chairman of the Song Clan conglomerate a month ago.

The handover ceremony was kept low-key, with only a few family elders and core executives invited; even the media wasn't notified.

Lu Yuchu, who had previously focused on managing the family business, had rested enough, finally found time to take on a new film, and squeezed in writing a new song.

When the news spread, fans went wild.

Song Yusui waved his hand, "There's nothing major going on at the company today."

He turned his gaze to the audience below, "It's more fun to come watch my sister; those two little students are quite articulate."

Mu Xi replied coldly, "Not at all—put my and my sister's names last."

Song Yusui smiled, "Isn't that the finale?"

Mu Xi couldn't be bothered to argue with him.

Seeing Mu Xi not respond and not getting annoyed, Song Yusui leaned back on his own, his gaze returning to the figure on stage speaking with the judges and a few students.

His praise never ceased, "I don't know whose little sister that pink‑haired girl in the middle is—turns out she's mine!"

"My dear is truly amazing—look at her in that uniform, stepping forward onto the stage, she looks like a successful professional."

Mu Xi shifted his gaze and saw his sister tilting her head to listen to a student beside her; her every move exuded a sense of control.

It was another side of her he rarely saw.

She has always done things at her own pace, but when her brothers are around, she doesn't need to step forward herself.

Now she stands on stage radiating brilliance, and Mu Xi merely looks on indulgently.

After watching for a while, Mu Xi lifted his chin proudly, "She's naturally good at everything."

"Exactly." Song Yusui started taking photos, "From now on, Jiang Liangjin really got the short end of the stick."

The rest of the competition went smoothly; as a qualified judge, Mu Youyu scored until the end and could finally leave.

Time flew, and a month passed in the blink of an eye.

On the twenty‑second of the twelfth lunar month, Yan Yuejiu's due date came a few days early.

Mu Youyu and the two others rushed to the hospital; the red light above the operating‑room door was still on, and the hallway was already packed with people.

Mu Nian donned sterile garb and entered the operating room to accompany the birth.

Grandfather Mu sat on the bench, his lips moving slightly, muttering something unknown.

Father Yan, Mother Yan, the old master and old lady paced back and forth at the door, looking anxious.

Grandmother Song stood on the other side, back straight, eyes fixed on the closed operating‑room door, occasionally glancing at the time.

Mu's father and mother also appeared; Mu's mother took the mother's hand and whispered words of comfort.

Mu Xin stood with bent legs to the side; when he saw his sister arrive, he straightened up.

Seeing her precious granddaughter approach, Grandmother Song's expression softened: "Youbao's here—have a seat, it won't be long."

The doctor was a foreign physician hired overseas at great expense, most skilled in performing extraperitoneal cesarean sections.

Compared with the traditional method, this cesarean has many advantages and recovery is much easier.

Mu Youyu answered, took an empty seat, with Mu Xi and Jiang Liangjin standing to her left and right.

Mu Xin leisurely walked over to Mu Xi's side.

After less than an hour, the red light went out and everyone outside stood up.

The door was pushed open from inside; a nurse poked half her body out, smiling, "Congratulations, mother and child are safe, the wife's condition is excellent, and the baby is very healthy."

It wasn't the expected little girl, but Grandfather Mu showed no disappointment, only repeating, "Good, good, good."

The nurse turned sideways; another nurse behind her held a light‑blue swaddled bundle, cradled steadily in the crook of her arm, "It's a boy, five pounds four ounces! The wife had instructed that the baby's aunt should hold him first."

Mu Youyu hurried to the nurse's side and, under her guidance, carefully took the swaddle.

The weight was lighter than expected; she lowered her gaze—the little fellow had his eyes shut, face scrunched up, skin faintly reddish, his features still indistinguishable.

Jiang Liangjin leaned over, poked the baby's cheek, pondered for a moment, couldn't squeeze out a single compliment, and simply said frankly, "Can't really evaluate."

Mu Xi offered his assessment: "Really ugly, just like the eldest brother."

Mu Xin pressed his lips and echoed, "How did he end up looking like this?"

Mu Youyu said, "He's a newborn; he'll open up."

Mu's mother resignedly remarked, "When I gave birth to Mu Nian, he had the same expression—I'm used to it. Keep your voices down, don't let your older brother and sister‑in‑law hear."

"Got it."

After holding him a while, Mu Youyu, the nurse at the door stepped aside, and Grandfather Mu and the others finally entered.

Mu Youyu also carried the baby inside to look; the other three followed behind, not crowding forward.

Up front, Mother Yan had already approached the bedside, "Little Yue, you've worked hard—rest well, you don't need to worry about anything else."

The Mu and Song families also gathered around to exchange greetings and show concern.

On the bed, Yan Yuejiu was still under the anesthetic, clear‑minded, and responding to the elders' words.

Mu Nian held her hands with both of his and replied as well.

Seeing Mu Youyu approach with the baby, Yan Yuejiu smiled and asked, "Have you seen the little rice cake?"

Mu Youyu obliged, "I have—she looks like the eldest sister‑in‑law, pretty."

Saying this, he made a motion to press the baby's face against hers, "Sister‑in‑law, take a look—doesn't he look exactly like you?"

Yan Yuejiu clearly knew she was coaxing herself; she had already seen it, how could she not know?

She turned her face away disdainfully, "Not good-looking, hold it farther."

Mu Nian solemnly praised, "How good-looking it is, looks like you, with a nose and eyes."

Yan Yuejiu: "……"

Her child, naturally she wants it to resemble her, but hearing this feels somewhat off.

The elders couldn't help but laugh, taking turns taking the baby from Mu Youyu's hands and began to look.

Mother Yan said nostalgically, "This nose, mouth, indeed very like our little Jiu."

Father Yan: "Exactly, exactly, exactly!"

Yan Yuejiu closed their eyes.

Mu Youyu smiled faintly, "Sister-in-law, raise it and it will grow out; by then our little rice cake will definitely be the most handsome baby in the whole district."

The baby's nickname had been decided long before Yan Yuejiu learned of the pregnancy.

Regardless of gender, they are called Xiao Nian Gao.

Mu Youyu was very satisfied with this name, shouting "Xiao Nian Gao" at the baby every day, regardless of whether the baby understood.

Xiao Nian Gao of course didn't understand, just slept after finishing milk.