Chapter 232: Receiving a Precious Son Not long after the movie was released, while Xiao Ran was planning “Jurassic Park,” Li Ka-shing took the initiative to contact him. Li Ka-shing wanted to collaborate with Xiao Ran on a project worth about 20 billion pounds. Unsure of handling it alone, he decided to involve Xiao Ran and several other infrastructure companies. Chengji Infrastructure clearly needed some landmark projects to prove itself, and it had long wanted to secure that project, so an agreement was reached quickly. Later, Li Ka-shing asked Xiao Ran if he wanted to attend the full-month celebration at the Ho family’s home. That’s when Xiao Ran remembered that Ho Ying-dong’s eldest son had recently had a son, and of course, a grand banquet would be held. The Ho family had even sent him an invitation. Xiao Han learned of this news soon and insisted on going with Xiao Ran. With no other choice, he took her along. The Ho family’s home was bustling—large and crowded, with endless congratulations. Lin Qingxia, of course, was chatting with the other elite ladies, while Xiao Ran discussed business with Ho Ying-dong and Li Ka-shing. When Ho’s eldest son’s wife, the 1987 Miss Hong Kong winner and one of the most beautiful contestants, came out holding her newborn son, Xiao Ran noticed a fond look in Lin Qingxia’s eyes and felt moved. Going over to the child with Ho Ying-dong, Xiao Ran saw a chubby, pink-faced baby, sucking on his thumb, with big eyes staring in wonder at the strangers around him—utterly adorable. Yet in Xiao Ran’s eyes, it wasn’t as cute as he had imagined. He simply watched his wife’s expression quietly. Lin Qingxia was glowing with joy, playing with the baby and unable to resist holding him. Seeing this, Ho Ying-dong burst into laughter and said, “Since Mrs. Xiao likes children so much, why don’t you have one of your own? With both of your talents, your child would surely be smart and beautiful.” Lin Qingxia’s expression changed slightly before she forced a smile and said, “He’s currently very busy with his career, so we’re not having children for now. We’ll think about it in the future!” Xiao Ran couldn’t miss the look in his wife’s eyes. At that moment, he was also stunned. It was hard to describe the emotion rising in his heart. He was now wavering about having children. In fact, he had already been wavering, but he had been too busy with work to bring it up. As they were leaving, with Sun Yang driving, Xiao Ran suddenly shouted for him to stop. Then, pretending to be casual, he looked at Lin Qingxia and said, “Qingxia, if you really don’t want children, tell me. I think I can give you an answer!” Lin Qingxia hesitated. Of course, it wasn’t that she didn’t want children, but she didn’t want to put Xiao Ran in a difficult position. Nor did she want to deceive him anymore—she found it exhausting. And it was clear that Xiao Ran was asking seriously this time; she couldn’t give him an answer.

Turning his face away and gazing at the darkness outside the car window, she replied with a hint of resentment, “Actually, having a child isn’t bad. If you don’t like children, you can minimize contact—our parents will surely take care of him at home.”
Xiao Ran remained silent for a long time, thinking he might be too selfish. But who isn’t? The issue wasn’t that he disliked children—he just found infants annoying. Yet, could he really refuse? He wasn’t sure if he might change his mind in the future; anyone could change, and he would too.
If he changed his mind and decided to have a child later, Lin Qingxia would be in danger. Though Xiao Ran wasn’t very familiar with this aspect, the dangers associated with childbirth were often shown in movies. He continued to stare out the window, silent and struggling internally, before suddenly asking Yang Guang and Monkey, “What do you think? Do you think it’s necessary to have a child?”
Yang Guang and Monkey were stunned—why ask them? While Yang Guang pondered, Monkey hurriedly said, “Of course we should! Even if you don’t want one now, I’ll want one when I get married.”
“If it were me, I’d also have a child,” Yang Guang replied simply. Seeing Xiao Ran’s expression darken, he quickly added, “Actually, everyone has their own opinion—there’s no need to agree unanimously!”
Have one? Or not? Ever since he saw Lin Qingxia’s expression at the Huo family’s place, Xiao Ran knew he was destined to lose this silent struggle. He wouldn’t let his wife be unhappy. In fact, as long as Lin Qingxia said it once, even if Xiao Ran didn’t like the idea, he would definitely agree to have a child.
Yet Lin Qingxia also didn’t want to put Xiao Ran in a difficult position, so she had delayed matters until now. There was moonlight that night, and Xiao Ran stared at it through the car window, gritting his teeth in frustration. He realized that for Lin Qingxia’s sake, having a child wasn’t such a big deal.
With that realization, Xiao Ran turned to look at Lin Qingxia. Their expressions earlier had seemed like those of people in a cold war. Now, he gently held Lin Qingxia’s hand and turned her face toward him, then said softly, “I won’t refuse you anything you want. It was true before, and it’s true now.”
Lin Qingxia stared at Xiao Ran’s slightly darkened face in disbelief, almost wondering if she had heard wrong. But she was sure he was telling her to have the child. She widened her eyes in disbelief and asked tremblingly, “You’re not lying to me, are you? Please don’t force yourself.”
“Of course not. I wouldn’t joke about something like this!” Xiao Ran smiled outwardly, but his inner gloom grew deeper. Yet he was happy because Lin Qingxia was smiling.
A month later, Lin Qingxia confirmed she was pregnant. When the baby was three or four months old, both families, concerned for the child’s safety, pressured Xiao Ran to prevent Lin Qingxia from taking on any more roles. As a result, filming a quarter of “The Unconquered East” was halted under intense family pressure.

After confirming his pregnancy, Xiao Ran found it hard to describe his feelings. Watching his wife’s belly grow day by day, strange thoughts crossed his mind. Yet every time he saw Lin Qingxia gently touching her belly with such a serene expression and that pure maternal beauty, he felt it was worth it.

Suddenly, he remembered someone saying that there are three times in a woman’s life when she is at her most beautiful. The first is during love, when romance makes a woman’s complexion shine, turning even the ugliest into someone beautiful. The second is on their wedding night, the most beautiful period of marriage. The third is after having a child, when a radiant maternal beauty emerges—a beauty that cannot be replaced.

Xiao Ran now fully believed this, but he also felt quite frustrated. After becoming pregnant, Lin Qingxia devoted all her energy to the child in her womb and became much colder toward him than before. Even after four months, she wouldn’t let Xiao Ran touch her at all, which drove him crazy.

Lin Qingxia rarely went out now, and the elders from both families watched her anxiously, fearing something might go wrong. This gave Xiao Ran the illusion that in their future family, his child would be the center, while he, Xiao Ran, was merely someone who made money—his mother, who used to dote on him the most, now paid him little attention.

This feeling of having his love taken away made Xiao Ran angry. Sometimes he thought this might be why he didn’t want children. Anyway, the fact was set, and there was nothing he could do about it. Moreover, seeing Lin Qingxia’s former gloom completely vanish made him happy.

One day, six months into her pregnancy, Xiao Ran was quietly reading a book in the garden. Lin Qingxia appeared softly behind him, carefully sat down on the chair, her face full of smiles, and said, “Aren’t you jealous? He’s your son—why would you be jealous?”

“Nonsense. I don’t even know how happy I am!” Those words made Xiao Ran feel awkward. Remembering something, he immediately said, “If you spoil him like this now, who knows what kind of misbehaving rich kid he might turn into? Talk to your parents and tell them not to spoil him too much in the future!”

Lin Qingxia giggled, moved the chair closer to Xiao Ran, and leaned affectionately on him, feeling his heartbeat. “What’s there to worry about? You’re so authoritative—just teach him in the future. Maybe he’ll even be more capable than you. As for what you hope he’ll do in the future, Dad says we should wait and see, while Mom says it’s fine for him to inherit your career!”

Xiao Ran wanted to stand up angrily and argue with his mother about inheriting the family business. Helplessly shaking his head, he thought sarcastically, I’m not even thirty yet, and they’re already talking about my son inheriting the business—aren’t they cursing me?

His mother must have discussed this with Lin Qingxia’s mother countless times, eager to plan everything for the child right away. Xiao Ran could only feel helpless. If Fang Ruohai hadn’t come from such a family and developed an arrogant attitude, he might not have failed under his influence. If Xiao Qing and Xiao Ling turned out the same way in the future, he would rather not have those children at all.

Seeing Xiao Ran’s faint wry smile, Lin Qingxia smiled thoughtfully and said, “Don’t worry. Our child certainly won’t turn out that way. As long as we teach them with care, right? Come, listen to his heartbeat.”

Looking at his wife’s happy expression, the maternal glow radiating from her left Xiao Ran momentarily stunned. He bent down and pricked his ear to listen. In that moment, he felt something extraordinary. The child in her womb was his own—Xiao Ran’s child, a descendant of him and Lin Qingxia, the fruit of their love.

This feeling stirred his emotions. In fact, he no longer disliked the idea of having a child. Yet showing any affection for the child wasn’t easy. Many things required time, and Xiao Ran needed time to accept it as well.

A few months later, Xiao Ran and both families went to the best hospital in Hong Kong, bringing in the top doctors to ensure a safe delivery. He didn’t know or care what others were worried about, but all he cared about now was Lin Qingxia.

At her age, giving birth carried certain risks. Xiao Ran would rather the child suffered than let anything happen to Lin Qingxia. So, he had made it clear to the doctors beforehand that nothing should happen to her.

“Brother, will Sister-in-law be okay? She’s been in there for so long!” Xiao Han also came. This little girl had hidden her identity well—no one outside knew she was Xiao Ran’s sister. On this important day for the Xiao and Lin families, Xiao Han put aside her duties and rushed over immediately.

“She’ll definitely be fine, absolutely fine!” Sweat dripped from Xiao Ran’s forehead onto the ground. He hadn’t been this nervous even when facing Mo Huaien’s gun. “I won’t allow anything to happen to her!”

Before his words faded, the delivery room was filled with the cries of a newborn. The elders from both the Xiao and Lin families breathed a sigh of relief. His mother kept repeating, “Amitabha, thank you, Buddha. I’ll definitely go to Wong Tai Sin to offer thanks!”

But Xiao Ran’s heart was still pounding. He didn’t care about the child; he only worried about Lin Qingxia’s safety. Soon, a nurse stepped out of the delivery room with a smile. The elders rushed over, asking anxiously, “How is the baby?”

“Congratulations! It’s a boy, six pounds heavy. Both mother and child are safe!” The nurse happily announced the good news to the anxious elders, who seemed as nervous as if they were giving birth themselves. Xiao Ran’s heart settled at last—so long as his wife was fine.

While the elders and Xiao Han went to see the baby, Xiao Ran entered the ward, filled with the distinctive hospital smell. He didn’t like this place, but he had to stay because his wife was here.

Lin Qingxia was very tired, her cheeks flushed as if from extreme happiness—beautiful and enchanting, with an added touch of maternal grace. Approaching her bedside, Xiao Ran sighed softly and gently took her hand. “How do you feel?”

“I’m fine. Have you seen our son? He’s strong and has big eyes—very much like you!” Lin Qingxia smiled happily, speaking rapidly: “But it really hurts!”
“I know it hurts. That’s why I told you from the start not to have children!” At this, seeing Lin Qingxia looking at him strangely, Xiao Ran immediately realized she thought he had regretted it, so he hurriedly explained, “Don’t think nonsense. I haven’t regretted it!”
Only then did Lin Qingxia relax. Xiao Ran moved closer, sat down by the bed, and reached out to smooth her messy hair. Incidentally, he noticed faint signs of youth fading from his wife’s features. Gently, he ran his fingers over her face and brows. “Qingxia, we’re both getting old. Let’s not take such risks anymore, okay?”
A warm feeling spread through Lin Qingxia’s heart. She knew Xiao Ran must have been very worried about her outside. She didn’t need to see it—she just knew. With that thought, she suddenly smiled slyly, “That’s right. I’m old. Will you ignore me because of that in the future?”
Xiao Ran couldn’t help but laugh. Just like in their passionate days, he gently leaned in and kissed her before saying with a smile, “Do you really have that little confidence in me? Besides you, which other woman would want me?”
As the two were joking around, the door suddenly flew open. Xiao Han and their parents came in, carrying the baby. As soon as she entered, Xiao Han started shouting, “Brother, I’m an aunt now! It’s amazing! You’re not allowed to call me ‘little girl’ anymore.”
Xiao Ran panicked and quickly made a gesture for them to be quiet. Then Lin Qingxia reached out to Xiao Han’s mother and Lin’s mother, holding the baby, and said, “Mom, let Xiao Ran hold him!”
Suppressing his irritation, Xiao Ran took the baby and quietly looked at this child with his own blood in him. He found the little one truly adorable, with Xiao Ran’s healthy dark skin and his own large, strong eyes—clearly bearing Xiao Ran’s features.
However, Xiao Ran thought the child resembled Lin Qingxia more, aside from skin and eyes. As he studied the child closely, he felt a very strange sensation—a sense of being a parent, or perhaps rather, a sense that his own life had continued.
All these feelings made him like the little one instantly. People’s opinions change easily, don’t they? Especially between father and son—it’s always like that. Xiao Ran could clearly sense this wonderful and subtle connection.
He couldn’t resist reaching out to tease the baby with his finger, and the baby immediately started crying loudly. Xiao Ran, annoyed by the crying, lost his usual composure. Only when he brought the baby to Lin Qingxia did the child strangely stop crying and screaming.
Before long, Wei Dongling received the news and rushed over happily to congratulate the couple. With a crowd left in the room, the two left. Wei Dongling, with a hint of envy, punched Xiao Ran and said, “Good boy! I’m not even married yet, and you already have a son. I really envy you!”

Xiao Ran let out a soft sigh, leaving Wei Dongling utterly confused. Then Xiao Ran raised his head, placed his hand on Wei Dongling’s shoulder, and said calmly, “You can do it too. Isn’t Li Jiaxin with you?”
“Her? She doesn’t want to get married for now, and we’re not even at the stage of discussing marriage!” Whenever Wei Dongling talked about Li Jiaxin, his face lit up with happiness. It wasn’t surprising—Li Jiaxin was widely recognized as the most beautiful Miss Hong Kong, and yet he had won her heart.
However, there were many who wanted to pursue Li Jiaxin. Ni Zhen even broke up with Zhou Huimin just to pursue her. Besides him, there were countless wealthy men trying to win her over. Without Xiao Ran’s support for Wei Dongling, it might have been difficult to drive them away.
Xiao Ran smiled faintly. Now he had everything—a wife and son, a family and a career, friendship, family ties, and love. What was left? What was missing was a challenge to Hollywood. That was Xiao Ran’s only aspiration. Once he succeeded in challenging Hollywood, he could retire and live a fairy-tale-like happy life with Lin Qingxia.
His career! All of Phantom Group’s subsidiaries were operating smoothly. Apart from major decisions, he didn’t need to get involved in company affairs at all. He could focus entirely on developing his own films before launching an attack on Hollywood.
Hollywood—that was Xiao Ran’s goal. By defeating Hollywood, Phantom and Chinese-language films would rule the world. But whether they could achieve this remained uncertain…