Chapter 12 – Extra Story

Jiang Siwei had been extremely busy recently, and his video call time with his girlfriend had significantly decreased. After working nonstop for half a month, he finally wrapped things up today.

His lab mates were all making plans to grab a late-night snack, but Jiang Siwei walked ahead of everyone, eager to get back to the dorm to grab his phone.

This morning, he had rushed out the door and left his phone in the dorm. At noon, he borrowed a classmate’s phone to call Lou Jia, but she didn’t pick up.

“Siwei, why are you in such a hurry? Come join us for skewers!” a male classmate shouted at Jiang Siwei’s back.

He waved his hand. “Next time, it’s on me.”

Jiang Siwei was eager to get back, almost breaking into a run. Just as he stepped out of the teaching building, a small figure suddenly rushed towards him.

Along with a crisp cry of “Daddy,” it completely stopped the classmates behind him in their tracks, all wearing expressions like they had just stumbled upon some juicy gossip.

Jiang Siwei was momentarily stunned. When he recognized the shiny little head in front of him, it felt like a jolt went through his body, suddenly filling him with nervous energy.

His gaze shifted, and when he saw the person who was supposed to be far away suddenly appear before him, his eyes immediately lit up, and he was so overwhelmed with emotion that he couldn’t get a single word out.

“What’s wrong?” Lou Jia walked up to Jiang Siwei, smiling as she looked at him.

“You—you came here all of a sudden,” Jiang Siwei slowly regained his voice, still somewhat in disbelief. “I’m not dreaming, am I?”

“Uh-oh, Xiao Jing, your dad’s gone silly,” Lou Jia said. “Quick, pinch him awake.”

Xiao Jing obediently pinched Jiang Siwei’s arm. It didn’t hurt much, but it was enough to snap Jiang Siwei back to reality. Rarely acting so spoiled, he said, “Hug me.”

Oh my god.

The onlookers behind him couldn’t help but whisper in astonishment. Was this really the Jiang Siwei they knew?

Lou Jia was more than happy to indulge him. She took a step forward and wrapped her arms around him. The summer heat in Jibei was intense, and the warmth from Jiang Siwei’s embrace was even more so.

“I’ve missed you so much,” Jiang Siwei whispered, his body trembling uncontrollably from the excitement. “I’m so happy.”

Lou Jia chuckled softly, patting his back and giving his ear a little squeeze, as if comforting a small dog. Only when his emotions had settled did she say she was going to let go.

Jiang Siwei, however, was reluctant, nuzzling his head against her a few more times.

Lou Jia lifted her head and gently pushed his head away, glancing behind him before teasing with a smile, “Aren’t those your classmates? Don’t you want to save a bit of face in front of them?”

“What’s face got to do with being in love?” Jiang Siwei protested reasonably. “They didn’t give me any face when they were dating either.”

The time they asked him to take a group photo, only to kiss right in front of him—Jiang Siwei could hold a grudge over that for a lifetime.

Lou Jia found it amusing and was just about to ask if he wanted to greet them, but those classmates, understanding the situation, tactfully walked away, even making sure to go in the opposite direction.

It worked out perfectly for Jiang Siwei, who didn’t feel like going through the trouble of introducing them tonight. Right now, all he wanted was to find a quiet place to sit down and talk with Lou Jia.

“When did you get here? Have you eaten? Is it okay if I go back to the dorm to grab something first?” Jiang Siwei bombarded her with questions along the way, so many that Lou Jia couldn’t always keep up with answering them.

All the way to the hotel where she was staying, Jiang Siwei didn’t stop talking.

Lou Jia, watching his lips as he rambled on, seemed to finally reach her limit. Taking advantage of the moment while Xiao Jing was in the bathroom for a shower, she pulled him close and kissed him.

Jiang Siwei was only stunned for a second before quickly leaning into her, following Lou Jia’s lead. He liked to hold her tightly when they kissed, and he was quite assertive about it too.

Sometimes Lou Jia found it a bit overwhelming, whether during a kiss or in bed, but at times like this, Jiang Siwei would show a rare assertiveness.

Just holding her waist wasn’t enough for him. His scorching palm pressed firmly against the back of her head, and the kiss becoming tight and urgent, with the sounds of swallowing and breathing intermingling.

“…Enough,” Lou Jia gripped the collar of Jiang Siwei’s shirt, her knuckles brushing against his Adam’s apple, as she looked at his flushed cheeks and the tip of his nose.

“Not enough,” Jiang Siwei murmured, lowering his head to kiss the back of her hand, lightly pecking at it. Lou Jia felt a slight tingling sensation, as if she’d been shocked.

“Be mindful of the situation,” she reminded him, fighting against the weakening effect he had on her, “Xiao Jing is still here.”

Jiang Siwei glanced toward the bathroom, recalling how the child had felt in his arms earlier, and asked quietly, “Why has Xiao Jing lost so much weight?”

Lou Jia sighed, “He misses his grandpa.”

Xiao Jing’s grandfather had passed away due to illness late this past spring, and since then, Xiao Jing had been in low spirits. He had been getting sick on and off before they left, and already being thin to begin with, the ordeal had left him looking somewhat malnourished now.

Lou Jia had brought him to Jibei not only to get a thorough check-up but also to give him a change of environment and lift his mood.

Jiang Siwei sighed as well and was just about to get close to Lou Jia again when they heard the sound of the bathroom door opening, causing him to quickly jump back.

Lou Jia also instinctively took a step back.

Xiao Jing came out rubbing his eyes, yawning several times in a row. “Teacher Lou, I’m sleepy. I want to go to bed.”

Lou Jia walked over and patted his head. “Do you want to eat something before sleeping? You didn’t eat much tonight.”

Xiao Jing shook his head, insisting that he was just tired.

Lou Jia didn’t insist further and led Xiao Jing into the bedroom. While they settled in, Jiang Siwei took the opportunity to rush through a shower, then followed them into the bedroom as well.

For the first time, Xiao Jing had such a blissful moment, just like the children on TV who are doted on by both parents—he wanted to sleep right between Jiang Siwei and Lou Jia.

Lou Jia simply lay down on the pillow on the other side, tossing the storybook to Jiang Siwei. “Xiao Jing, how about we let Teacher Jiang read you the bedtime story tonight?”

Xiao Jing’s eyes lit up. “Okay!”

Jiang Siwei chuckled softly, picking up the childish yet whimsical storybook and began reading in a low voice, “A long, long time ago…”

After finishing one story, Xiao Jing still hadn’t fallen asleep, but Lou Jia, lying on the other side, had already drifted off.

“Shh—” Jiang Siwei gestured for Xiao Jing to be quiet, lowering his voice. “Xiao Jing, let’s let Teacher Lou sleep here tonight. How about we sleep in the room next door?”

“Okay…” Xiao Jing whispered back, grabbing his little blanket and storybook as he quietly tiptoed off the bed.

Lou Jia had left the house before six in the morning, and after being on the road with Xiao Jing, she hadn’t dared close her eyes for long. By the time they were waiting for Jiang Siwei outside the teaching building, she was already exhausted.

The bed was too soft, and Jiang Siwei’s voice was soothing, lulling her to sleep almost instantly.

Jiang Siwei reached out, wanting to pull her closer to the middle, and just like a switch had been flipped, Lou Jia automatically rolled into his arms, mumbling groggily, “Turn off the light, baby…”

Jiang Siwei immediately reacted to being called that, but with nothing he could do in the moment, he had no choice but to lean down and give her a hard kiss.

“Jiang Siwei…” Lou Jia mumbled, utterly exhausted. “Do you even have a heart?”

Jiang Siwei chuckled, burying his head in the crook of her neck, nuzzling her gently. He lifted his head, gazing at her for a long moment before placing another kiss on her forehead.

“Goodnight.”

Sweet dreams.

The End —

---

Author’s Note:

Goodnight!!!!

Wishing everyone a good night’s sleep!!

–

It’s finished! Thank you all for your support! Please give me a five-star rating!! Bows deeply Thank you!!!

---