Chapter 16 (1 Update)

Song Yin and Jiang Yanheng simultaneously turned their gazes toward Jiang Yuexiao. Recalling his repeated glances at the table earlier, a certain suspicion arose in their minds. Then, almost in unison, their eyes swept toward each other’s wrists—  

Sure enough, they spotted two watches with strikingly similar designs.  

“…”  

“…”  

Meanwhile, having received Jiang Yuexiao’s response, Zhi Li let out a long sigh of relief and cheerfully exclaimed, “Big Brother, remember to wear it after breakfast! The saleslady said this is a family watch—when we go out wearing them, everyone will know we’re a family!”  

Song Yin and Jiang Yanheng froze momentarily before looking down at their own wristwatches again.  

Though their initial reasons for choosing the watches differed, one thing was certain—neither of them had associated these timepieces with the idea of visibly representing a family. In fact, neither had ever heard of the concept of a “family watch” before.  

Jiang Yanheng frowned slightly. Was the salesperson just tricking a child?  

For the rest of breakfast, Jiang Yuexiao was deeply conflicted.  

He had sworn to drive Xu Qingying out of the Jiang household. If he wore this so-called “family watch,” wouldn’t that mean acknowledging Xu Qingying’s status? But if he didn’t wear it, he’d be the only one in the family without one—a sense of isolation and defeat he couldn’t bear.  

Jiang Yuexiao listlessly sipped his porridge, occasionally stealing glances at Zhi Li, whose expression remained utterly innocent. He thought to himself, *This little brat is terrifying. She’s only been here a few days and already completely derailed my plans, putting me in such a passive position!*  

Unable to decipher Jiang Yuexiao’s gaze, Zhi Li happily finished her meal. Just as breakfast was winding down, she suddenly heard her father mention his upcoming business trip.  

*Business trip!*  

Mom had said a business trip meant going somewhere very, very far away!  

Zhi Li perked up and quickly asked, “Daddy, when are you leaving?”  

Jiang Yanheng hadn’t expected Zhi Li to take an interest in this. Setting down his cup, he replied indifferently, “This morning’s flight.”  

The thought of not seeing her father for a long time made Zhi Li a little sad.  

She hopped down from her chair and dashed over, wrapping her small arms around Jiang Yanheng’s. Then, in full view of everyone, she stood on tiptoe and planted a loud, crisp kiss on his cheek.  

*Mwah!*  

After kissing him, Zhi Li sweetly reminded him, “Daddy, remember to rest during your trip, okay? Don’t push yourself too hard.”  

Jiang Yanheng, who had never been told to “rest” before a business trip in his life: “…”  

Jiang Yuexiao, witnessing a child kiss his ice-cold father for the first time: “…”  

Jiang Yanheng couldn’t tell whether Zhi Li’s words were genuine or just something Xu Qingying had coached her to say.  

After all, the card he’d given her after yesterday’s kiss had already been swiped for nearly three million yuan that same day. Maybe the kid was worried about running out of money?  

With that thought, Jiang Yanheng pulled out a stack of red paper money from his wallet and casually handed it to Zhi Li. “Here, spend it however you like.”  

“!!!” Jiang Yuexiao stared at the stack—easily three or four thousand—his eyes filled with disbelief. *Was this how Zhi Li got the money to buy gifts last night? By kissing him?!*  

Jiang Yuexiao searched his soul.  

If he had to kiss his ice-block of a father for three or four thousand, he’d refuse outright. But if a single kiss could net him seven or eight figures, he might grit his teeth and endure it—  

*Never mind. I’ve got enough money in my name. No need to torture myself.*  

Seeing Jiang Yanheng hand Zhi Li yet more cash, Song Yin’s eyes flashed with disapproval.

Over the past month, Xu Qingying’s behavior had left too deep an impression on Song Yin’s mind. Even after asking Zhi Li and learning that Zhi Li liked them before kissing them, Song Yin still wasn’t sure if Xu Qingying had made Zhi Li like them.

Her son, on the other hand, took money every time he was kissed—what was once pure affection had been monetized by him!

This son of hers had excelled in everything since childhood, with his only flaw being his tendency to measure everything in monetary terms.

“I won’t take it,” Zhi Li said crisply, stuffing every single red paper money in her hands back to Jiang Yanheng. She declared firmly, “Daddy, you’re the one going out! Take these to spend as you please!”

Still not reassured, Zhi Li even dug out the red paper money and bank card she had received yesterday from her bag and shoved them all into Jiang Yanheng’s hands. Mimicking the tone her grandmother used when talking to her mother on the phone, she added, “There are so many places to spend money outside—don’t be stingy!”

The little adult act was executed flawlessly by Zhi Li, amusing both Xu Qingying and the butler. Xu Qingying even wanted to scoop Zhi Li into her arms and smother her with kisses.

At this moment, what Xu Qingying felt most grateful for was rushing to the Xu family to find Zhi Li right after transmigrating—otherwise, how could she have such an utterly adorable and sweet daughter?

Meanwhile, after finishing his laughter, the butler glanced down and precisely caught the fleeting curve at the corner of the old madam’s lips. Upon closer inspection, however, the old madam continued eating breakfast as if she hadn’t heard a thing, appearing completely indifferent to the conversation between Zhi Li and the master.

Did I see wrong?

The butler rubbed his eyes. Seems like I should schedule an eye check-up when I have time. The older I get, the more likely my vision is to blur.

Jiang Yanheng weighed the red paper money and bank card shoved into his hands, feeling strangely as though this scene resembled parents fretting over their child going out into the world.

He was that child.

Jiang Yanheng dismissed the absurd imagery from his mind, though an odd sensation lingered.

The red paper money had come from his wallet, and so had the bank card. After making a round trip, they were back in his hands—with the bank card even diminished in value. So why did he still feel like he had gained something?

“I’ll keep the money, but as for the bank card…” Jiang Yanheng handed the card back to Zhi Li, indifferent. “I have plenty of these. You keep it.” If the little one ever ran short on money again, he could just have his assistant transfer funds directly to this card.

Though Zhi Li had swiped the card many times, she still believed that dozens of red paper money could buy more things. Seeing Jiang Yanheng agree to take the cash, she felt relieved and obediently took back the bank card.

Once Zhi Li returned to her seat, Jiang Yanheng also stood up, ready to leave for the office.

The moment he straightened, he noticed both his mother and son casting glances his way.

His mother’s gaze held silent condemnation.

His son’s expression was far more colorful—astonishment laced with disdain, disdain mixed with speechlessness, and speechlessness tinged with embarrassment.

“…” Jiang Yanheng pretended not to notice, adjusted his tie, and strode out of the dining room.

Jiang Yuexiao watched his father leave with a gaze blending astonishment, disdain, speechlessness, and embarrassment, then silently buried himself in his meal, not daring to even glance at Xu Qingying again. How could he? He was utterly ashamed!

His dad—a CEO in his thirties—actually coveted a little kid’s money! The very thought was laughable!

Seeing her brother across the table hanging his head in silence, Zhi Li couldn’t help but think of herself.

When I first arrived at my uncle’s house, I thought about not being able to see my grandmother for a long time and became withdrawn. No matter what I did, I kept my head down, feeling very sad. At night, I hid under my little blanket, not daring to cry loudly for fear of disturbing my cousin’s sleep.

“Brother,” Zhi Li walked around the table and approached Jiang Yuexiao, calling out to him.

Jiang Yuexiao was already drowning in shame. Hearing her voice, he didn’t even look up and asked coldly, “What?”

Unexpectedly, the moment he spoke, his left arm was suddenly hugged tightly. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Zhi Li leaning in.

Amidst the scent of milk and grapefruit, Jiang Yuexiao felt a wet kiss land on his cheek.

“!!!”

Jiang Yuexiao’s already flushed face from shame instantly burned hotter, his ears turning red and scalding.

He got kissed?

He got kissed by Zhi Li?!

How could this little brat just kiss people so casually?!

“Brother,” Zhi Li stood on tiptoe and patted Jiang Yuexiao’s head. His short hair felt incredibly soft—softer than petting Lightning. So she patted it a few more times before saying in her childish voice, “I’ll wait with you for Dad to come back.” Every time her mom kissed her, she felt super happy. So she could share half of that happiness with her brother now.

Jiang Yuexiao woodenly put down his chopsticks, then woodenly stood up. After silently composing himself for a long while, he finally managed to reassume his cold expression. “I’m going to class!”

With that, Jiang Yuexiao strode out of the dining room—almost like he was fleeing in defeat.

This little brat Zhi Li was truly terrifying. First, she disrupted his plans with that family watch scheme, then dropped a kiss bomb that blew up his dad’s cold demeanor, and now his own! Terrifying, absolutely terrifying!

As he ran toward his bedroom, Jiang Yuexiao even took a moment to touch his cheek, thinking, *Good thing I firmly maintained my cold face. I can’t let Zhi Li make me smile—that would give Xu Qingying and Zhi Li the wrong idea that I actually welcome them to the Jiang family.*

Xu Qingying, who had been watching the whole scene, mentally gave herself a big thumbs-up for previously describing the Jiang family as reserved.

Since Zhi Li was adapting well at home, it was time for her to step back and resume the career she’d pursued in her past life.

From the looks of it, even if she wasn’t constantly by Zhi Li’s side, the Jiang family probably wouldn’t bully her.

After all, just one kiss from Zhi Li had sent even the most mischievous Jiang Yuexiao running.

Hearing Jiang Yuexiao mention class reminded Zhi Li that she had classes too—skateboarding and calligraphy in the morning, and Math Olympiad and golf in the afternoon.

Math Olympiad!

The countdown to her being exposed as a little dummy had begun QAQ

Zhi Li slowly walked over to Song Yin and peeked at her before asking in a small voice, “Grandma, will you be mad if I don’t do very well in class?”

Although she’d already resolved to study hard and try to keep Grandma from finding out she was a little dummy, Zhi Li really didn’t like Math Olympiad—only slightly better than celery. Back then, her uncle said she had to solve those math problems before kindergarten would accept her, but she’d barely looked at two pages before feeling super sleepy.

Song Yin glanced at Zhi Li indifferently. “If you work hard, you’ll do well.”

As she answered, Song Yin also pondered Zhi Li’s motive for approaching her. Given that Zhi Li had already kissed her son and grandson, was she planning to kiss her next?

Song Yin pushed her bowl aside.

Whether Zhi Li kissed her or blew her a kiss, she wouldn’t offer any comforting words about academics. Instead, she’d make sure Zhi Li held herself to strict standards.

This was the solution Song Yin had come up with before bed last night.

It was still uncertain whether Xu Qingying’s current changes would last. With the unreliable shelter of a protective tree, Zhi Li had to keep striving at all times to live a better life.  

Zhi Li scrunched up her little face. Grandma had said that with effort, she could learn well. If she didn’t learn well, Grandma would surely think she wasn’t trying hard—and then Grandma might get angry.  

This realization made Zhi Li’s heart suddenly tighten. The thought of coming over to kiss Grandma was completely forgotten.  

Holding Xu Qingying’s hand, she trudged out of the dining room with her little head drooping. How on earth could she stop feeling sleepy when looking at those numbers?  

Song Yin watched Zhi Li walk away, her figure disappearing into the distance, before lightly furrowing her brows.  

The butler noticed this change and cleared his throat. “Madam, did little Zhi Li forget to kiss you?”  

Though phrased as a question, it was clearly teasing. Having spent over thirty years with this butler, Song Yin knew his nature well. She didn’t answer, rising from the table expressionlessly.  

Yet, the moment she stepped out of the dining room, she casually remarked, “Schedule her Math Olympiad sessions with Yue Xiao.” With a thirty-something-point slacker as a comparison, it would be hard to think she wasn’t doing well.