Chapter Two: The Mother He and His Father Have Yearned for Day and Night

Shen Suining's eyes met the man's in the mirror. His phoenix eyes were as deep as a secluded pool, looking straight into the depths of her heart. It was so strange. This face looked so much like Jiang Runlang, yet not quite like him, leaving Shen Suining somewhat bewildered. She shook her head, turned around, and looked straight at the man. Suddenly, Shen Suining smiled. She was sure now—this man was Jiang Runlang, because the shirt collar peeking out from under his sweater had an unfastened button that she had sewn on herself, a one-of-a-kind button made of blue diamonds. Shen Suining instantly pursed her lips in grievance and walked up to the man. Reaching up, she grabbed the sweater at his chest, looked up, and asked, "Husband, are you here to take me home?" The man didn't move. He merely looked down at Shen Suining, his brows and eyes filled with an icy coldness that seemed impossible to melt. But Shen Suining was too tipsy to notice his gaze at all. She buried her face into his chest. Her hair, tied up in a high bun for convenience at work, bounced against his chest and quickly came undone. When she looked up again, her long hair cascaded over her shoulders, outlining an alluring charm. Tears still clung to Shen Suining's long eyelashes. Her lips turned downward as she complained aggrievedly, "Husband, am I really old, fat, and ugly now?" Hearing this, the man frowned slightly. After a few seconds, seeing the woman growing anxious for an answer, he raised his hand and gently brushed her tender cheek with his knuckles, his voice deep and husky, "How could that be? My wife is voluptuous and graceful, beautiful in just the right way." Shen Suining burst into laughter through her tears. She reached out to hug his waist, rubbing her cheek against his shoulder, and asked, "Then I'm still the same me who stunned you with my dance at the school anniversary celebration, right?" The man's warm, large palm rested on the back of her head as he answered resolutely, "Yes." Shen Suining's chilled heart was finally warmed. Though the alcohol hadn't worn off, her emotions were soothed. She tilted her small face up, stood on her tiptoes, leaned close to his lips, and pressed her red lips against his, planting a loud kiss. "Husband, you're the best!" Before the man could respond, Shen Suining pulled back. She was still thinking about Jiangjiang. Tomorrow was the parent-child event at his kindergarten, and both parents were required to attend. She had come back specifically for this, and she absolutely had to be there! Shen Suining greedily inhaled the man's scent again and said, "Husband, let's go home. I'm worried about Jiangjiang being alone." Hearing no reply from the man for a long while, Shen Suining couldn't help but want to look up and ask, but the man gently pressed her head down.

The next second, she was scooped up in his arms with one hand, and he strode away. Shen Suining let out a soft gasp, then gazed at his profile with starry eyes. This was the first time Jiang Runlang had carried her like this ever since he won her heart. Shen Suining couldn't help but wrap her arms around his neck, tilting her head to rest comfortably on his shoulder. Perhaps she was just too exhausted and had misheard. Jiang Runlang loved her so much; how could he possibly find her old, fat, and ugly? The exhaustion from a week of non-stop work, coupled with the alcohol, was too much for Shen Suining to bear. Before they even left the bar, she had already fallen into a deep sleep. The man carried Shen Suining into the car. Looking at her obedient and peaceful sleeping face, he sighed silently. So defenseless—what was he going to do with her? But now that he was back, she could remain innocent and carefree forever. He would protect her. Twenty minutes later, the car stopped. The man carried Shen Suining out and into the elevator. As they reached the twenty-sixth floor and the elevator doors just opened, a tiny figure shot up like a firecracker and rushed toward the man. "Daddy! You brought Mommy back!" the little boy exclaimed, bouncing up and down, tugging at the man's arm, trying to get a look at Shen Suining's face. Feigning anger, the man looked down at the little boy and lowered his voice, "Keep it down. Don't wake your mother." The little boy blinked his big round eyes. He wanted to act spoiled, but deterred by his father's authority, he could only follow closely behind him into the master bedroom. Shen Suining was gently placed on the large bed. Before the man could do anything, the little boy had already scrambled onto the bed, pulling the blanket up to cover her. The master bedroom was bathed in soft, warm light—not glaring, so it wouldn't disturb Shen Suining's sleep, yet bright enough to clearly see her face. After tucking her in, the little boy knelt beside her pillow, resting his chubby little face in his hands, gazing at Shen Suining in adoration. This was his mommy! The mommy he and his daddy had longed for day and night!

His mommy was so beautiful! He really wanted to take her to those people who called him a wild child whose mother gave birth to him but never raised him, and shout loudly that he had a mother! Just as the little boy was pondering how to carry out his plan, the back of his collar was grabbed and he was lifted into the air. His father unceremoniously carried him out of the master bedroom and back to his own room. "Daddy! What are you doing! Put me down! I want to go watch over Mommy!" the little boy protested, kicking his legs and waving his little fists. However, all he got in return was the man's ruthless refusal, "Jiang Yinuo! It's past midnight. Time for bed!" "But I want to stay with Mommy!" Jiang Yinuo refused to comply, throwing a tantrum and wriggling to escape his father's clutches. "Your mother won't like a little boy with panda eyes. If you want to scare her away, then I'll let you go back," the man said. Jiang Yinuo was intimidated and immediately behaved. His chubby body was placed under the covers. As the man tucked him in and prepared to turn off the light and leave, Jiang Yinuo pouted and said, "Daddy, you think I'm in the way and ruining your alone time with Mommy, so you threw me out, right?" The man paused, glancing at Jiang Yinuo, and asked, "Who taught you that?" Jiang Yinuo replied, "Connie told me. Her mommy and daddy always let her play by herself. She said that mommies and daddies who love each other stick together all the time." The man chuckled, his thoughts involuntarily drifting away. After a moment, he said to Jiang Yinuo, "Jiang Yinuo! Your mother is easily embarrassed. Don't go spouting such nonsense in front of her!" Jiang Yinuo said "Oh," and made a zipping motion across his mouth. Two seconds later, he waved at the man like a little adult, "Daddy, go love Mommy. I, the little accident, am going to sleep! I need to look my best for Mommy tomorrow!" The man chuckled softly, "Such a clever little rascal." "Goodnight, Yinuo." "Goodnight, Daddy."