Chapter 100 1/2

Cen’s father and mother couldn’t understand how Cen Lang could get away with eating the grass near his nest without getting beaten, and they even called Lu Jing’s father.

They took this meeting very seriously, each carrying a large briefcase.

Cen Lang straightened his tie, looking smart and elegant, and asked, “Are you planning to negotiate with cash?”

He had not been detained by the Jiang family.

Cen’s father commented, “Illiterate.”

Compared to his parents’ education, Cen Lang was almost illiterate. Even if Jiang Li studied for a few more years, he wouldn’t catch up.

Suddenly feeling a bit of a crisis, he realised he needed to learn throughout his life to maintain common ground with Jiang Li.

But on second thought, he and Jiang Li didn’t discuss academic topics anyway.

Cen Lang asked, “Is it for the betrothal gifts?”

A briefcase that could hold at most a million wouldn’t be enough, right?

Jiang Wanlan wouldn’t agree, and it would be more stable if he married into the Jiang family.

Cen’s father replied, “No.”

The two families met.

Cen’s father and mother were reserved and embarrassed, both wearing glasses and exuding an academic aura.

Cen Lang and Lu Jing, on the other hand, had a strong military style.

From their temperaments, it seemed like the children should have been switched to match their families better.

But the existence of Cen Wei and Jiang Wanlan profoundly illustrated the power of genetics—there was no mistaking whose children they were.

Cen Lang told his parents that he couldn’t control his storm syndrome in front of Jiang Li, and due to their high compatibility, it triggered Jiang Li’s susceptible period, incidentally curing his storm syndrome.

From any perspective, Jiang Li was the saviour of the Cen family.

Cen’s father and mother were not very social and needed Grandpa to support them in meeting the in-laws. However, they had prepared ample meeting gifts—entire patents, lifelong efforts, and priceless treasures—all given to Jiang Li.

Cen’s mother said, “Giving them to Cen Lang is like casting pearls before swine.”

Cen Lang replied, “Mum’s right.”

Jiang Li, feeling a bit embarrassed, said, “I’m just an undergraduate; I don’t understand either.”

Cen’s mother reassured her, “It’s okay; you can throw away what you don’t understand.”

Cen Lang thought, “What a double standard.”

Jiang Wanlan and Cen’s father had been classmates for a while and had some friendship, and Lu Jing was in a good mood. Overall, the atmosphere was harmonious.

Having cleared things up, Cen Lang immediately revealed his true nature, staying at the Jiang family’s house with a reasonable excuse.

Jiang Li said, “It’s necessary.”

Cen Lang regretfully went to freshen up. When he came back out, he found Jiang Li on his side of the bed, reading a book.

He understood—the two beds were just for show for their fathers.

Jiang Bao was just too cute.

Cen Lang hugged Jiang Li and took his book away, whispering, “The doctor said in three months, we can—”

He lowered his voice.

Jiang Li’s body tensed. Because he was reading, he had turned the bedside lamp to its brightest setting, making it feel like broad daylight, completely different from the first time.

“Mm.”

Cen Lang reached out, pulling Jiang Li onto himself. Jiang Li’s entire weight pressed down, the vibrations from their chests transmitting directly to each other, their heartbeats synchronising.

Jiang Li froze and didn’t move, but maintaining that position was tiring. Slowly, he relaxed his legs, sliding down and wrapping them around Cen Lang’s waist.

Jiang Li buried his face in Cen Lang’s neck.

Cen Lang chuckled softly. “Jiang Bao, do you want to ride the rocking horse?”

Jiang Li shook his head and said, “No.”

Cen Lang said, “Then get off.”

Though he said this, his hands held Jiang Li tightly like a seatbelt.

Jiang Li remembered a long time ago when Cen Lang took him to an amusement park to ride the carousel. Every time they passed a shop entrance, Cen Lang would ask if he wanted to ride the rocking horse.

Jiang Li climbed up slightly, his mouth level with Cen Lang’s ear, and whispered, “Brother, can we just use one coin?”

“Of course,” Cen Lang replied firmly.

Jiang Li was a bit skeptical. Cen Lang had always been generous, always recharging the rocking horse for Jiang Li so that he never ran out of rides. Even if they went to scratch-off tickets, the smallest prise would always be ‘try again.’

Cen Lang gave a convincing reason: “Your dad will definitely wake me up at 5:30 AM for morning exercise.”

Jiang Li understood, thinking it would end earlier.

…

After Jiang Li’s morning sickness passed, his appetite improved. Cen Lang learned many cooking skills from Lu Jing, constantly making different dishes for Jiang Li.

When the cooking process was particularly pleasing, Jiang Li would stand by, ready to adjust the flavours.

In June, Jiang Li graduated with his undergraduate degree, not yet showing much.

He had the opportunity to be recommended for postgraduate studies at the Third Military University, but Jiang Li chose to defer for a year. Anyway, it would be easy for him to pass the exam himself.

The Cen family’s laboratory was no less than that of the Third Military University. Jiang Li didn’t stop his research, frequently discussing and collaborating with Cen’s father and mother on a project, and he enjoyed going back and forth to the lab every day.