Chapter 83 1/2

“Jiang Li turned one year old, almost taken away by the landlord. Jiang Wanlan was scared out of half his soul, feeling renting is not safe, especially in these turbulent times.

He still had some upper-class group chats on his phone discussing recent events in the Cen family. Due to an experiment mishap, Cen’s parents entered a year-long hibernation. Cen’s household became quiet, missing two people at meals. Cen Wei felt his grandson was lonely and wanted to find a companion for him, increasing the household’s liveliness.

Looking at his son, Jiang Wanlan thought, ‘Even though he’s only one year old, Cen Uncle didn’t specify an age limit.’

Of course, even without an age difference, Jiang Wanlan wouldn’t want his son to become a playmate for a young master elsewhere. He boldly considered recommending Lu Jing to Cen Uncle.

Jiang Wanlan had never thought of networking with people from his past. Lu Jing could provide him and Jiang Li with a good life, but now he was a bit afraid.

After Cen’s parents’ accident, Cen Wei retired from the military to accompany his grandson. Although he had many trusted subordinates in the military, it would be a while before Cen Lang became an adult.

“Do you need a capable young person to help you and later unconditionally transfer to Cen Lang?” Jiang Wanlan proposed to Cen Wei.

“I assure you of Lu Jing’s loyalty. As long as you arrange a place for me and the child, it’s both protection and a hostage.”

Cen Wei scrutinised Jiang Wanlan. If it weren’t for this child he had watched grow up, the scheming Cen Wei would have suspected a conspiracy—Jiang Wanlan feigning a falling out with the Jiang family and taking advantage of the temporary vacancy in the Cen family’s command.

Initially, Jiang’s grandfather had considered a union between the two families, but Cen Jin and Jiang Wanlan didn’t have much in common.

Looking at the child biting his fingers on his father’s shoulder, Cen Wei softened a bit. “Jiang kid, tell the truth.”

A young master willing to start from scratch with a poor boy—why would he randomly push Lu Jing towards a prominent family?

Jiang Wanlan held his son tightly. “Today he almost got taken away. I need protection, but I can’t go back.”

Cen Wei was stunned, not expecting this reason. After a while, he sighed. “Have you discussed it with Lu Jing?”

“He will agree,” Jiang Wanlan said.

“I don’t need you to do anything for me. If Cen Lang agrees, you can stay here. There are plenty of empty rooms. If he doesn’t agree, I’ll arrange another place for you.”

Cen Wei had snacks brought in and cooked some soft noodles suitable for children. “Sit down and eat something. I’ll go ask Cen Lang.”

“Thank you, Grandpa,” little Jiang Li suddenly said, soft and mushy. He might not understand other words, but he understood thanking Grandpa for food.

Cen Wei’s tone softened. “Tell Grandpa if you want something.”

“Grandpa, noodles, Jiang Li said.

“Okay, I’ll have the kitchen make them. Grandpa will be right back.”

Having an extra grandson felt nice, but Cen Lang had a tough temper. It might not be easy.

Cen Wei called Cen Lang and pointed to the little one being fed by Jiang Wanlan. “Would you like to have another little brother living with us?”

Five-year-old Cen Lang shrugged, “As long as he doesn’t cry.”

Jiang Li didn’t cry much. In Cen’s old house with more than one building and three exits, Jiang Wanlan lived alone with Jiang Li. After negotiations with Lu Jing, he was assigned to the space force.

The space force needed people, and it was a good time to make achievements.

Jiang’s grandfather heard about it and felt embarrassed, coming to demand people. He didn’t yield to him, but he yielded to outsiders!

Jiang Wanlan refused, not wanting to argue in front of the child. Seeing Cen Lang playing in the yard, he asked him to help watch Jiang Li and not let anyone take him away.

Cen Lang agreed. Suddenly, Jiang’s grandfather arrived. Jiang Wanlan was changing Jiang Li’s clothes when he accidentally spilt food on him during dinner.

Jiang Li sat alone on the carpet, rubbing the food particles on his clothes with his fingers. Instead of removing them, he flattened them.

He looked around for a moment, then independently took off his clothes.

Wearing a cotton short-sleeved shirt, Jiang Li rolled it up skilfully above his neck but got stuck.

The shirt covered his face, and he sat there dumbfounded, not crying or making a fuss, waiting for his dad to come and deal with it.

Cen Lang witnessed the foolish undressing process, walked over, grabbed the hem of the short-sleeved shirt, and rescued the head stuck in the clothes.

The neckline scraped his chubby cheek, and Jiang Li’s baby fat trembled. His hair was messy as he looked at his helpful brother.

“Thank you, brother.”

“You’re welcome.” Cen Lang didn’t know how to take care of a child, so he took a whole slice of toast from the table. “Eat.”

Jiang Li wasn’t hungry, but he took it. The toast was long, and holding it vertically would touch the ground. Holding it horizontally, Jiang Li’s hand wasn’t long enough.

Jiang Li held the middle of the toast and faced it.