After Jiang Jingyuan moved to the small town, the neighbors were curious about where his family was from and why they had settled here.
Mrs. Yu told outsiders that he was a distant relative of hers. The elderly gentleman’s children were well-off, so they bought a house for him to come south to Jiangnan to recuperate.
The elderly gentleman she referred to was Butler Liu, and Jiang Jingyuan was considered one of the “children” of that old man.
The neighbors all praised this son for being filial, visiting every few days.
“What does your relative’s youngest son do for a living?” the neighbors asked curiously.
Mrs. Yu replied, “He’s his own boss. He owns many storefronts in the city, dealing in fruit wholesale and seafood wholesale.”
“The family also has several factories back home. Whatever makes money, he’s involved in it.”
“No wonder.”
“No wonder he’s so rich.”
“No wonder he has time to come see his dad often.”
The neighbors rarely saw Jiang Jingyuan himself, but his car was often parked by the roadside.
In those days, only a handful of families in the entire town owned private cars.
Ever since Mrs. Yu mentioned Jiang Jingyuan’s fruit and seafood business, private cars were rarely driven into the town; instead, box trucks were more common.
Occasionally, they’d bring some fruit and seafood for the neighbors.
Mrs. Yu said, “Only by doing this will everyone gradually lose their curiosity.”
Over time, the neighbors accepted their family as part of the town.
Every time Zhong Zhuohua came to see her daughter, it was after 10:30 at night. At that hour, most households had their lights off, the streets were pitch-dark and silent,
empty of people.
When little Xiaozhong Yi was two and a half years old, the courtyard had already taken shape with a certain style.
By spring, it blossomed with a profusion of flowers.
When Zhong Zhuohua got home, her daughter was already asleep.
The children’s bed was empty, but looking closer, the daughter had somehow rolled to the headboard, lying sideways on the pillow.
She picked her daughter up from the pillow, the little bundle smelling faintly of milk. She couldn’t bear to put her down, kissing her again and again.
Two and a half years ago, when she first saw her daughter in the hospital, the child was so small that one hand could cover her whole body. She was too afraid to hold her, worried she might hurt her.
After discharge, the child fell ill from time to time, and midnight emergency visits became routine.
She once feared the child wouldn’t grow up healthy.
Who would have thought, two and a half years later, she’d become a chubby little bundle with a stubborn temperament.
Jiang Jingyuan whispered softly, “Put her down. Let her sleep well.”
Zhong Zhuohua set her down and had just covered her daughter when Jiang Jingyuan suddenly scooped her up in a princess carry.
They hadn’t seen each other for almost a month; the two were like dry wood and fire. @InfiniteGoodStories, all at Jinjiang Literature City
Back in their bedroom, Jiang Jingyuan elbowed out the light, laid the person in his arms on the bed. Zhong Zhuohua pretended to push him away,
but Jiang Jingyuan placed his hands on either side of her, pressing down over her.
“Why are you pushing me?” He seized her lips.
Zhong Zhuohua murmured, “I hate you.”
Saying that, her long legs wrapped around his waist.
“Next time, don’t take so long to come back!”
“I’m not filming anymore!”
“Then I’ll come find you.” Jiang Jingyuan couldn’t stand waiting so long to see her.
Luckily, he had surgery and didn’t have to worry about having the tools at home.
Kissing the woman beneath him, he pressed in eagerly.
Zhong Zhuohua took a deep breath, adapting before she spoke: “Where will you find me? To the crew?”
“Not afraid of being photographed?”
Jiang Jingyuan said, “I’ll wait for you at home in Shanghai. Which married couple only sees each other once a month?”
“We’re not married.”
“You’ve been calling me husband for so long, and we’re not married?”
“No.”
Suddenly, he pressed harder, catching Zhong Zhuohua off guard.
Jiang Jingyuan said, “Then let’s get the marriage certificate. We’ll go get it tomorrow.”
Zhong Zhuohua only kissed his lips silently, saying nothing.
Mentioning marriage registration no longer made her recoil like before.
But she wasn’t ready to go get it tomorrow.
“I still need to investigate you a bit more.”
“Investigate what?”
Zhong Zhuohua had said that casually, not really meaning to test him.
As a father, there was no doubt about him.
He’d taken care of the child these past two years, unwilling to let the child suffer the slightest grievance.
In that respect, they had never been incompatible.
She was thinking about choosing the right day to get the certificate.
“I’m going back to Beicheng the day after tomorrow. There are some company matters to handle.”
Noticing her distraction, Jiang Jingyuan nudged her back to focus.
Zhong Zhuohua bit his shoulder, “Be gentle!”
Only after was she able to gather herself and asked if he’d bring their daughter along.
“No. I’ll only stay two days in Beicheng, then come back.”
Their daughter disliked traveling by car and preferred playing in the water and boating. They had a childcare team at home, and Mrs. Yu helped out.
Now that the weather was warming, it was better to let her play in the water at home.
Zhong Zhuohua said, “Then you go busy yourself. I’ll stay home longer to accompany the baby.”
Jiang Jingyuan worried about her missing work, “Then I’ll leave tomorrow, try to come back early.”
The next morning, he called Li Secretary to change his flight.
Li Secretary asked, “Boss Jiang, change to the noon flight?”
Jiang Jingyuan checked his watch. If he changed to noon, he’d have to leave for the airport immediately, but his daughter was still asleep.
The child was used to seeing him when she woke; if he wasn’t home, she would look everywhere.
“Change to the afternoon flight.”
Little Xiaozhong Yi didn’t wake until eight. Upon opening her eyes, she saw her mother sitting by the bed.
She rubbed her eyes and realized her mother was still there—no magic.
“Mommy!” she shouted excitedly, scrambling out of bed.
“My baby is awake!” Zhong Zhuohua quickly set down the script and caught her daughter into her arms.
@InfiniteGoodStories, all at Jinjiang Literature City
Xiaozhong Yi hugged her mother’s neck, peppering her face with kisses.
She squirmed happily in her mother’s arms.
Jiang Jingyuan stood nearby for a long time, unnoticed by their daughter.
To be exact, she was indifferent to him.
“Baby, look at Daddy.”
“Oh!” Xiaozhong Yi glanced at her father, then hurriedly turned back to kiss Mommy. “Mommy, did you miss me?”
“Mommy missed my baby so much.”
Xiaozhong Yi smiled and coquettishly said, “Mommy, I missed you too.”
Jiang Jingyuan scooped up their daughter, “First, wash your face and brush your teeth.”
“Mommy carry! Mommy carry!”
Her little hands struggled to break free and find Zhong Zhuohua.
Zhong Zhuohua took the child and carried her to the washbasin.
Fearing that Daddy would carry her away from Mommy again, Xiaozhong Yi waved to Jiang Jingyuan, “Bye, Daddy!”
Jiang Jingyuan smiled wryly and had no choice but to fetch the camcorder to record their daughter’s daily toothbrushing routine.
Since moving to the small town, he had captured every moment of their daughter’s growth on camera.
Though two and a half years old and able to eat independently under the childcare team’s care, whenever Jiang Jingyuan was home, the little one wouldn’t use utensils by herself and had to be coaxed to eat.
Zhong Zhuohua reminded him, “Let the baby learn to eat on her own to train her grip.”
Jiang Jingyuan was reluctant, quickly picking their daughter up from the high chair into his arms. “She’s still little.”
“Two and a half is not little.”
“How not little? Look at Shi Yi; even at three and a half, he still needs to be held and coaxed to sleep.”
Zhong Zhuohua gave up arguing; it was pointless.
The childcare team had complained more than once that Jiang Jingyuan wouldn’t listen to anyone’s advice.
Xiaozhong Yi leaned against her father’s chest, playing and eating simultaneously: “Daddy, after you’re full, let’s go boating. Mommy will come too!”
Jiang Jingyuan said, “No boating today. Daddy has to go on a business trip.”
“No! Don’t go on a business trip! Daddy, don’t go!” The child’s mood changed in an instant. Moments ago she was smiling; now tears fell.
Jiang Jingyuan wiped the golden droplets from her face, “Don’t cry, if you cry more, you won’t be pretty. Mommy’s home with you today. Daddy will be back tomorrow, okay?”
He’d take the latest flight back tomorrow night, unwilling to let their daughter go two whole days without seeing him.
Xiaozhong Yi shook her head vigorously, “No! No!”
“Then if Daddy doesn’t go on the trip, there’s no money to take you boating.”
Zhong Zhuohua—
Xiaozhong Yi cried even harder.
Zhong Zhuohua couldn’t bear to watch, giving Jiang Jingyuan a kick under the table.
She took their daughter and coaxed her for a long time before she calmed down.
Close to eleven, Jiang Jingyuan got ready to leave for the airport.
Xiaozhong Yi, tears in her eyes, waved, “Bye, Daddy.”
Jiang Jingyuan kissed her forehead, “Don’t cry, Daddy will be back soon.”
Outside, the driver had already started the engine of the box truck.
Jiang Jingyuan had expected the driver to bring a sedan today but was surprised to see the truck.
He got in the passenger seat. The windows were clear; he didn’t even have to roll down the window to wave goodbye.
He waved at the mother and daughter by the door, signaling them to go inside.
Zhong Zhuohua saw him in a suit sitting in such a vehicle and couldn’t help but chuckle.
It was a pity she didn’t have her camera with her—she’d definitely take a picture next time as a memento.
After watching the truck disappear, she turned and went into the courtyard. Butler Liu latched the gate.
The truck crawled slowly through the narrow alley. It was stuffy inside the cab, so Jiang Jingyuan rolled down the window to get some fresh air.
Neighbors chatting at the alley entrance, who often received fruit and seafood from Jiang Jingyuan, had a particularly good impression of the “youngest son” of the Liu family.
Seeing him in the truck, they greeted him warmly.
“Here to see your dad again?”
“…Yes.”
“Your dad’s lucky.”
Jiang Jingyuan smiled without answering.
Thankfully, the truck soon passed the alley entrance.
On the way to the airport, Jiang Jingyuan received a call from Zhou Yunlian, asking where he was.
“In Jiangcheng.”
“Why are you in Jiangcheng again?”
“To visit old Mrs. Yu.” Now lying was second nature.
Zhou Yunlian’s ears hurt from the noise on the other end, “Where exactly are you?”
“In the car.”
“What kind of car makes so much noise?”
“Convertible sports car.”
Zhou Yunlian: “Put the top up! It’s so noisy!”
Jiang Jingyuan’s expression didn’t change: “This model has no roof. Just tell me what you want quickly.”
Zhou Yunlian:
He actually bought a roofless sports car without telling him!
His ears were hurting from the noise, so he cut to the chase: “When are you back in Beicheng? Are you signing the contract or not?”
Jiang Jingyuan: “Signing tonight.”
“You better keep your word!”
Zhou Yunlian had been stood up twice before, developing a psychological shadow. Every time Jiang Jingyuan said he’d be back on a certain day, in the end he’d say something came up.
What could be more important than business?!
It was probably because Yang Jiayuan had married, had a daughter, and settled in Beicheng. He didn’t want to come back and face old memories.
Yang Jiayuan was a teacher at the Music Academy, working at a school near Jinghe Group.
“Got some good news for you, though it might not be good news for you.”
Jiang Jingyuan: “What news?”
“I know a professor who’s a colleague of Yang Jiayuan’s husband. They said Yang Jiayuan’s husband has applied to study for a doctorate abroad; the whole family will be moving overseas. You won’t have to hide anymore.”
“Hide from what?”
“Hide from Yang Jiayuan. What else?”
“Why would I hide from her? I’m busy with projects in Shanghai. Stop daydreaming!”
Zhou Yunlian didn’t argue: “Alright, alright, I was daydreaming.”
“Just keep being stubborn!”
Yang Jiayuan’s daughter was already three years old, but what about him?
After breaking up with Yang Jiayuan, apart from a brief rumored fling with Zhong Zhuohua that went nowhere, he hadn’t been seen with a girlfriend.
For four years, he had been single-minded, devoting himself solely to work.
Zhou Yunlian stopped sharing news there, changing the subject: “What time do you land in Beicheng? I’ll pick you up personally!”
Try standing him up now!
Jiang Jingyuan: “Five thirty.”
This time, Zhou Yunlian finally got to meet him.
That night, they signed the contract.
“Your son still needs to be held and coaxed to sleep?”
“‘Held and coaxed’?” Zhou Yunlian didn’t admit it, capped his pen, and left.
Jiang Jingyuan locked his office door. He still had to rush back to Jiangcheng tomorrow night, so he worked overtime.
Finished at two in the morning, he didn’t return home but stayed in the office lounge.
Before eight the next morning, Jiang Jingyuan was woken by a call from Li Secretary.
“Boss Jiang, Yang Jiayuan called, asking if you’re available this morning. She wants to talk about children with congenital heart disease.”
Jiang Jingyuan came to, thinking he’d misheard: “Yang Jiayuan looking for me?”
Again—
“Yes, she wants to schedule a time with you. She’s been doing fieldwork in remote areas, encountering children with congenital heart defects whose families are struggling, unable to afford treatment. Their conditions can’t be delayed.”
Yang Jiayuan’s call was perfectly timed. The boss hadn’t returned to Beicheng for a long time and happened to be there today.
Since it concerned children with congenital heart disease, Jiang Jingyuan didn’t refuse.
Having personally experienced the helplessness of being a parent when a child is critically ill with little hope, he would help anyone who asked.
“I’ll wait for her in the office at nine.”
“Okay.”
After hanging up, Jiang Jingyuan got up to wash.
He hadn’t fully recovered from staying up late.
Without Zhong Zhuohua and their daughter, he wasn’t sure if he would have met Yang Jiayuan.
Maybe he’d still be brooding over the breakup, unwilling to face the reality of his first love, who was now married with a child.
But now it was different.
Everyone in their circle thought he was avoiding Yang Jiayuan.
Why would he hide?
Four years apart, everything had changed.
Yang Jiayuan hadn’t heard any news about Jiang Jingyuan dating or marrying and assumed he was still single.
Yet, for some reason, after meeting him, she felt a certain indescribable steadiness about him.
“Sorry to bother you.” Yang Jiayuan said apologetically.
Jiang Jingyuan rose from his computer, “It’s okay, sit down.”
The administrative secretary brought two cups of tea. She remembered Li Secretary’s instructions and left without closing the door.
Jiang Jingyuan moved to the meeting area and sat opposite Yang Jiayuan.
Yang Jiayuan wasted no time and went straight to the point.
If it weren’t for having no other options, she wouldn’t have come to him. @InfiniteGoodStories, all at Jinjiang Literature City
She had already organized the list of children and their addresses, taking it out from her bag to hand over: “None of the villages have phones.”
Jiang Jingyuan: “That’s fine. I’ll have people from the Tongxin Foundation visit personally.”
“Thank you.”
Jiang Jingyuan put away the list: “No need to thank me.”
Once so passionate, now only politeness remained.
After discussing business, Yang Jiayuan asked, “How’s the company these past few years?”
Not suitable to ask how he was personally, she could only ask about the company.
Jiang Jingyuan: “Pretty good.”
Though busy raising their child, money still had to be made; otherwise, Zhong Zhuohua would one day grow tired of him.
Yang Jiayuan nodded: “That’s good.”
After a few unrelated sentences, drinking their tea, she excused herself and left.
Jiang Jingyuan immediately delegated the matter. He felt no guilt and didn’t want to hide it from Zhong Zhuohua. If she found out later, no explanation would suffice.
So at noon, when he called Zhong Zhuohua, he was honest and told her the full story.
Zhong Zhuohua said calmly, “That’s only right.”
Besides that, she had nothing more to say.
In the past, she would have sneered, made a fuss, and tried to extort more property from him.
But at this moment, she had nothing to say.
She realized why he was so eager to go to Beicheng.
She thought that after three or four years, he only thought of her and their daughter and no longer cared about the past.
Now she saw, no matter what, even if Yang Jiayuan was married with children, she would always hold a special place in his heart.
Zhong Zhuohua quietly adjusted her breathing, “It’s okay. You go busy yourself. I’m here with Yi, painting.”
Jiang Jingyuan expected an argument or scene, even planned how to soothe her.
But this time, she neither argued nor made a fuss.
After hanging up, Zhong Zhuohua held her phone, suddenly unsure what to do.
Their daughter hurried over, wiping her mother’s tears with two small hands: “Mommy, don’t cry.”
“Mommy’s not crying.”
Zhong Zhuohua held her daughter tightly in her arms.
On the table was a calendar; before the call, she had flipped it to May, looking for a good day to register their marriage.
She put down the phone and flipped the calendar back to April.