Chapter 57 2/2

He said, “Is there a choice between embracing goodness and collapsing into evil?”

Jiang Li never expected that letting Cen Lang inspect him from behind could lead to a moral breakdown.

Cen Lang reassured, “In two months, I won’t trust you to take a shower alone; I’ll have to keep an eye on you.” Jiang Li looked at the sheets with wet lashes. “This is supposed to be comforting? Sounds more like a warning of mischief. Don’t you have work?”

Cen Lang replied, “No official position, working from home.” Lucky he didn’t envy becoming a marshal; otherwise, how would he spend time with his wife?

“Oh, I saw Dad’s application in the military department’s letter. He’s transferred from Deer Star back to Earth, joining the army.”

Jiang Li couldn’t keep up, asking, “Is that acceptable?”

Cen Lang: “Certainly, officers with over twenty years in space forces can annually transfer to the Earth army with equivalent rank.”

Initially indifferent, Lu Jing might not even want to return after finding the child.

Jiang Li couldn’t resist asking, “Is Dad still in the sanatorium?”

Cen Lang replied, “Yes, Dad went back to the Jiang family for a visit.”

Jiang Li: “Ah?”

Cen Lang clarified, “After all, finding you was a big deal; I needed to go back and inform.”

Cen Lang’s words were a glossed version. In reality, Jiang’s father urged Jiang Wanlan to bring the child back, and Jiang Wanlan went alone to ask a question.

“Did you really not know when the landlord took away the child?”

Jiang Wanlan doubted him many times but found no evidence of Jiang’s dealings with the landlord.

Jiang’s father remained silent for a long time. The recent public opinion changes initially angered him. Later, after finding the child, an old friend subtly called him, saying, “Your grandson seems promising, a closed-door disciple of Zhou Qing, pursued by the devil; your son and grandson have high standards, hereditary, right?”

Jiang’s father became uncertain. He always thought Jiang Wanlan willingly fell; why didn’t others see it that way?

Jiang Wanlan said, “I’m tired, Dad. I want to hear the truth.”

Jiang’s father admitted, “I did visit your residence privately. I coincidentally met your landlord. I told him if he’s willing to help bring the child to me, I’ll reward him handsomely. He refused.”

Many parents share this mindset. The landlord was kind, skilled in cooking, and taught Jiang Wanlan how to make baby food, earning his trust. Yet, only the landlord, due to his deep understanding, could act discreetly.

Jiang’s father continued, “I didn’t expect him to take the child directly and not inform me.”

Perhaps the landlord proudly thwarted the Jiang family’s plan, thinking he could raise the child better than a cold grandfather, providing more love.

These details became unknown with the landlord’s death.

Later, when Jiang Wanlan returned to the Jiang family, his father had little affection for his grandson. Jiang Wanlan excelled in various aspects. Fearing a return to his previous ways, his father decided not to search for him casually.

Standing in place for a long time, Jiang Wanlan said, “You are my father, and I have become a father. Jiang Li will also be a father. Some people spend their whole lives learning how to be a good father. You failed, and so did I. I don’t blame you for making me kneel outside for three days, not putting your heart into finding the child. It’s my fault. You have your way of educating a son, and I have mine.

My child has suffered a lot and can’t endure any more pain. I think you and Jiang Li don’t need to meet; it might affect Jiang Li from being a good father. I won’t come back to this home. You can reclaim any Jiang family property in my hands. If Dad wants to see me, please don’t use the identity of the Jiang family head.”

Jiang Wanlan turned and quickly walked out of the spacious and breath-taking villa.

At the entrance of the Jiang family, Lu Jing stood silently on the roadside, not even hiding under the shade, afraid Jiang Wanlan wouldn’t see him. After waiting for twenty-four years, he could finally say, “I’ll take you home.”

Jiang Wanlan asked, “Do you have money to decorate your assigned apartment?”

Lu Jing replied, “It was renovated four years ago.

Jiang Wanlan was surprised. “You didn’t come back to check the renovation? Can outsourcing do a good job?”

Cen Lang shifted Jiang Li’s attention, seeing him calm down a bit, and said, “Can I massage your calves?”

During pregnancy, calves tend to ache, and proper massage is a precursor to later intimacy. With plenty of time, he could slowly build a relationship with Jiang Li.

Jiang Li picked up a book, saying, “Sure,” as long as the topic of peeking in the shower wasn’t brought up. There couldn’t be anything worse.

After half an hour of massage, Cen Lang’s fingers became less restrained.

Remembering Jiang Li’s cleanliness, he disinfected his hands before touching his arms and thighs, filling the room with the scent of two types of disinfectant.

Jiang Li silently watched him, curious as if he had never seen a human before and as if he wanted to write a thesis on “The Reaction of Skin Colour to Pressing and Kneading.”

Jiang Li’s pant legs almost reached the roots of his thighs, and he reached down to unfold them.

Jiang Li couldn’t take it anymore and asked seriously, “Do you have a skin thirst disorder?”

Because of his parents’ disappearance and information storm syndrome preventing contact with others, he developed a strong desire for physical contact with close people to compensate for childhood psychological deficiencies.

Cen Lang didn’t hesitate. “Yes.” Jiang Li frowned. Why was he kissing his ankles? There is no cure for this situation!