Chapter 47

“It’s a pity that Luo Luo is still too young. Otherwise, we could have brought her along to play.”

Mother Jiang chuckled and said, “Are you worried you won’t get to spend time with her? When she’s older, even if you don’t want to take her out, she’ll insist on going with you.”

Jiang Yu responded, “Uh…”

Since Jiang Zhe had been the one carrying Luo Luo during their outings, Jiang Yu didn’t find it too challenging. Now, she eagerly anticipated the day when the little one would grow up, so she could take her out to capture some beautiful photos.

Just imagining that scene filled Jiang Yu with joy.

She handed the phone to Jiang Zhe and asked, “Do you want to chat with her for a bit?”

Jiang Zhe replied, “I’m fine just watching. You can keep talking.”

But he still took the phone and exchanged a few words with the little one.

“Did you miss Daddy?”

“Daddy will bring you a gift when we get back.”

“Be sure to listen to Grandma and Grandpa while we’re away.”

Jiang Zhe’s words were simple, but seeing him engage in conversation with their non-verbal little one warmed Jiang Yu’s heart.

Over the next few days, after getting plenty of rest, the two of them visited many places. They went to a church, admired the frost-covered landscapes, took photos in Korean traditional costumes and princess dresses in the snow, and even explored Snow Town.

Jiang Yu had an incredibly fulfilling time during this trip, and by the time they returned home, it was nearly the New Year.

Little Jiang Luoluo had spent about ten days with her grandparents. Not only did the little one not appear disheveled, as Jiang Yu had feared from her video calls, but she also seemed to have gained some weight. Dressed in a purple outfit, she looked adorably plump and absolutely delightful.

Jiang Yu hadn’t seen her child in a long time and missed her terribly. She scooped her up, then turned to her mother with a smile and said, “Mom, what have you been feeding her? She’s put on so much weight!”

Mother Jiang replied, “She’s at the age where she’s growing fast. Isn’t it normal for her to gain weight? You two have been gone for so many days. Of course, the child has changed.”

Jiang Yu kissed the little one, then put her down and headed to her room to change. The house was much warmer, so she planned to take a shower and switch to lighter clothes.

As she was choosing an outfit, someone suddenly appeared beside her. Before Jiang Yu could react, she was pressed against the wardrobe—it was Jiang Zhe. He was wearing a gray sweater. Seeing him enter, Jiang Yu playfully pushed him away and said, “What are you doing? My parents are just outside.”

Jiang Zhe kissed her and said, “Nothing, just wanted to give you a kiss.”

These past few days, besides their sightseeing, they had been quite indulgent, and despite his lean appearance, Jiang Zhe’s stamina was astonishing. Jiang Yu was starting to feel a bit overwhelmed by him.

She warned him, “We’re home now, so you can’t act like you did when we were away. You need to restrain yourself.”

Jiang Zhe responded with an “Oh,” then said, “So I have to be more restrained at home than when we’re out?”

He leaned in to kiss her again.

Jiang Yu pushed him away, grabbed her clothes, and headed to the bathroom. Seeing her flee, Jiang Zhe couldn’t help but smile.

He wondered why he hadn’t noticed before that she could be so shy.

As they prepared for the upcoming New Year, Jiang Yu and Jiang Zhe planned to go shopping for holiday essentials, this time bringing their little one along.

With the New Year approaching, everyone was out shopping, and the supermarket was crowded. Every supermarket was far busier than usual. Before getting out of the car, Jiang Yu, holding their little one, looked at the bustling supermarket and asked Jiang Zhe, “There are so many people. Are you okay with this?”

Jiang Zhe found her concern unnecessary. “I’ve already spent so many days out with you.”

Jiang Yu pouted. “I’m just looking out for you. If you don’t appreciate it, I won’t bother next time.”

Seeing her slightly annoyed expression, Jiang Zhe smiled warmly and said, “Alright, I appreciate it.”

His smile carried a touch of indulgence. Once they were out of the car, Jiang Yu handed the baby over to him.

Outside the mall, the crowd was more dispersed, but inside, it was packed. As Jiang Yu pulled out a shopping cart and saw the throngs of people ahead, Jiang Zhe began to feel his hands tremble slightly. Although he was uncomfortable, he could still manage.

The supermarket was crowded, and Jiang Yu had to maneuver the cart carefully to avoid the crowds, which was a bit frustrating. She glanced back at Jiang Zhe, who was holding their little one. The child, however, was thoroughly enjoying the lively atmosphere, turning her head this way and that, her big, round eyes taking in everything with excitement.

Seeing her little one so happy, Jiang Yu’s frustration with the crowded supermarket eased a bit. She said to Jiang Zhe, “It seems like she really enjoys being in lively places.”

Jiang Zhe noticed the slight sympathy in her eyes and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Jiang Yu replied, “When your daughter gets older, she’ll start giving you a hard time. She’ll want to visit her friends’ houses and go to crowded places to play. When you take her out, other parents will also chat with you. Doesn’t that sound daunting?”

Jiang Zhe was speechless.

He hadn’t considered it, but now that Jiang Yu mentioned it, he felt a bit apprehensive. “It does seem a bit intimidating.”

Currently, he could ignore the strangers in the crowd, but the thought of having to converse with other parents in the future made his scalp tingle.

Jiang Yu chuckled and said, “I can’t help you with that because I don’t like it either.”

Jiang Zhe said, “It’s okay. I can handle it.”

Jiang Yu knew he could. After all, he had changed quite a bit from before. In her eyes, he seemed much more outgoing now.

She gave him a thumbs-up. “Go, Daddy!”

Then she sighed, “But there are so many people here. I can’t even get the cart through.”

Jiang Zhe handed the baby back to her and said, “You hold her, and I’ll push the cart.”

Jiang Yu had no objections. “Sure.”

Compared to pushing the cart, holding the baby was definitely easier.

Jiang Zhe somehow managed to push the cart effortlessly through the crowd. Once they reached a less crowded area, he took the baby back and said, “Get whatever you want.”

Jiang Yu replied, “Of course.”

But as she shopped, Jiang Yu still liked to seek Jiang Zhe’s opinion.

“Chocolate—should we get some?”

“Yes.”

“How about cookies?”

“Yes.”

“Milk?”

“Yes.”

Before long, the cart was half-filled with red gift boxes for the New Year. In the past, when Jiang Yu was at home, her parents took care of buying these things. Now that Jiang Zhe had entrusted this task to her, Jiang Yu was worried she might not do it right. She anxiously asked Jiang Zhe, “Is this enough?”

Jiang Zhe glanced over and said, “I think you’re forgetting something.”

“What?”

“How about some fruit?”

“Good idea.”

“And don’t forget the red envelopes.”

“Got it. Should we also hang up couplets at home?”

“Yes.”

“And what about red lanterns? Should we hang those too?”

In previous years, Jiang Zhe would only put up a couplet at the door, without much decoration. But since Jiang Yu wanted to decorate, Jiang Zhe didn’t mind.

“Sure.”

Jiang Yu wanted to decorate everything, so besides the couplets and lanterns, she also bought a lot of other decorations.

Once they finished shopping, they headed back home, only to unexpectedly run into Lin Sicheng. He was no longer the confident man he once was. Although still dressed in a suit, he looked somewhat defeated.

When he saw them, he smiled faintly and said, with a touch of bitterness, “You two seem to be living a happy life.”

After the incident with the Lin family, Jiang Zhe had not helped them. Lin Mu, in a desperate attempt to save the family, had invested in a large project but ended up falling into a trap set by their rivals. The Lin family was completely ruined. Lin Sicheng was no longer the young master he once was. During this time, Jiang Cheng had called Jiang Zhe several times, but Jiang Zhe had ignored them. He even called Jiang Yu once, but Jiang Zhe blocked him immediately after finding out.

Jiang Zhe stepped in front of Jiang Yu and coldly said, “It has nothing to do with you.”

Lin Sicheng looked at the uncle he once admired and found him detestable. “How could it have nothing to do with me? Uncle, if it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have found such a great wife.”

Jiang Yu couldn’t understand how a man like him could ever be a protagonist in a novel.

“Are you crazy?”

Lin Sicheng smirked coldly. “Yes, and it’s all because of you two.”

With that, he walked away.

Jiang Yu found the whole encounter baffling but didn’t dwell on it.

Jiang Zhe frowned deeply, then gently patted Jiang Yu’s head. “Don’t bother with him.”

The next morning, they started decorating their home.

Since many of the decorations needed to be hung high, Jiang Zhe took the lead in setting things up.

While they were decorating, Mother and Father Jiang arrived. Seeing the couple working together, they smiled with satisfaction and asked about their plans for the New Year. “Where do you plan to have your New Year’s dinner?”

Jiang Zhe looked at Jiang Yu. “I’m fine with anything.”

Jiang Yu responded, “Mom, I think we can have it here. You and Dad can join us along with Jiang Zhe’s mom and grandma. After dinner, Jiang Zhe can drive you home.”

Her parents were pleased with the idea. “We don’t need you to drive us. Your father can handle it. But what about Jiang Zhe’s father?”

Jiang Yu pursed her lips. “We’ve already paid for his hospital stay for so long. It’s good enough. I don’t want to deal with his negativity during the New Year.”

Jiang Zhe’s father, Jiang Cheng, had already been discharged from the hospital. Jiang Zhe had covered the expenses, and Jiang Yu was aware of this.

Considering he was Jiang Zhe’s father, Mother Jiang looked at Jiang Zhe with some concern. Jiang Zhe understood her parents’ worries and said, “This is my decision too.”

He wanted to have a peaceful New Year.