Chapter 52

Mother Jiang came out just then and was surprised to see all the gifts Wei Cheng had brought. She said, “You didn’t need to bring so much stuff just to visit.”

Jiang Yu explained to her mother, “They’re from Jiang Zhe’s colleagues.”

Mother Jiang knew that while Jiang Zhe had his own company, he wasn’t the type who enjoyed socializing. She didn’t expect so many of his colleagues to send gifts, and she was flattered, saying, “We really need to thank them properly. We didn’t invite them, but they still sent gifts.”

This played right into Wei Cheng’s hands, “Exactly, exactly.”

Jiang Zhe gave him a warning look.

After putting away the gifts, they sat down to eat.

That evening’s meal was a feast with chicken, duck, fish, beef, lamb, and even shrimp.

Mother Jiang said to Wei Cheng, “Most of tonight’s dishes were made by Xiao Zhe, so eat plenty.”

Wei Cheng’s eyes lit up, “Really? I’ve rarely had the chance to taste his cooking.”

He wasn’t exaggerating. Despite knowing each other for many years, they didn’t have much time to hang out after graduation. The only time he’d tasted Jiang Zhe’s cooking was when he had coincidentally dropped by during dinner to discuss something.

He quickly took a bite and praised, “Not bad. Jiang Zhe is not only good in the kitchen but also capable in other areas.”

Jiang Yu immediately defended him, “Our Jiang Zhe is perfectly capable in all aspects.”

Wei Cheng teased, “It would be even better if he could help me with some business deals in the future.”

Jiang Zhe remained expressionless, “If you have time to joke around, you should hire more salespeople.”

Wei Cheng sighed, “But they can’t compare to you.”

Jiang Zhe: “Oh, thank you for thinking so highly of me.”

Jiang Yu could tell that Wei Cheng was eager to get Jiang Zhe back to work at the company.

But Jiang Yu had no intention of letting that happen. She said, “Jiang Zhe knows how to handle his work. I can’t be of much help, so I won’t make things more complicated for him.”

Mother Jiang quickly caught on to Wei Cheng’s plan and smiled, saying, “Jiang Zhe is a smart kid with his own ideas.”

Wei Cheng had hoped that since Jiang Zhe was so obedient to his wife, a little persuasion at the dinner table might convince him to return to the company sooner to help manage things. But to his disappointment, Jiang Yu was also protective of him. Sighing, Wei Cheng decided not to embarrass himself further and focused on eating.

After dinner, it was time for the little one’s first birthday celebration, where she would pick an item to symbolize her future. The house had already been festively decorated by the father, with a mat laid out on the floor. Wei Cheng, looking at the items on the mat, felt a bit excited and said, “I’m curious to see what your daughter might be suited for in the future.”

Jiang Zhe replied, “This is just a ceremony for good luck. Whatever she chooses, she’ll still decide her own path in the future.”

Wei Cheng glared at Jiang Zhe and said, “I was just saying. Jiang Zhe, I feel like you have something against me tonight. Maybe we should call you ‘Jiang the Retort’ tonight.”

Jiang Zhe ignored him.

Jiang Yu innocently touched her nose. Wei Cheng’s words were his own; she hadn’t said anything to Jiang Zhe—it was all his own guess.

On the mat were various items. After Jiang Zhe placed the little one on it, she began crawling around.

Shen Qiuli excitedly watched the child and said, “Come on, Luo Luo, pick something, and let’s see what you want to do in the future.”

The little one noticed everyone watching her, looked around, and then happily called out, “Mama!”

Wei Cheng asked Jiang Zhe, “Has your daughter called you ‘Daddy’ yet?”

Jiang Zhe: “No.”

Wei Cheng clicked his tongue at him. “And here you are, taking care of the child every day, yet she doesn’t even want to call you Daddy.”

Jiang Zhe retorted, “You don’t even have a girlfriend, so what do you know?”

Wei Cheng muttered, “So what if you have a wife and child?”

But according to Wei Cheng’s mother, it was a big deal. She had scolded him during the New Year, using Jiang Zhe as an example, saying that Jiang Zhe had a wife and child while he was still single.

Feeling resentful, Wei Cheng asked Jiang Yu, “Sister-in-law, what exactly do you see in him?”

The air suddenly grew tense, and Wei Cheng realized that his question was inappropriate.

But when he looked at Jiang Zhe, he seemed genuinely curious as well.

Jiang Yu didn’t seem as upset as they thought she would be. After thinking for a moment, she said, “Well, he takes care of the child, does housework, and earns money. So, he’s… pretty okay.”

Wei Cheng burst out laughing. “Just ‘pretty okay’?”

“Oh, look! Luo Luo picked up a paintbrush. Is she going to be a great artist in the future?”

Everyone looked over, and the little one had already reached out her chubby hand to grab an abacus nearby. Not only that, but she also grabbed the toy car and the music box next to her.

Jiang Yu asked Jiang Zhe, “Is our Luo Luo going to do all these things in the future?”

Jiang Zhe smiled warmly at her and said, “That’s normal. It just shows that she’ll have a wide range of interests in the future.”

Wei Cheng couldn’t help but roll his eyes.

He thought, How come I never noticed this guy being so biased? When I said she might choose a career, Jiang Zhe said it didn’t mean anything. But when his wife asked, he reassured her that it just meant their daughter would have many interests. The sweet affection between them was practically making him sick with envy.

After the birthday ceremony, everyone started opening the child’s gifts.

The presents from company colleagues were varied—some clothes, a gold locket, a cute zodiac figure, and toys.

The grandmother, seeing how many gifts were given by the colleagues, sighed and said, “Xiao Zhe, you should really thank your colleagues and get along well with them.”

Jiang Zhe had always been reserved, and his grandmother had respected that. But now that she saw he had become more cheerful, she hoped he would improve his relationships with his colleagues.

Mother Jiang, hearing this, also looked at Jiang Yu and said, “Xiao Yu, the same goes for you. You hardly hang out with your friends anymore. You should spend more time with them. You see, you don’t socialize with your old friends as much as you used to.”

What started as Grandma commenting on Jiang Zhe ended up with her own mother turning the focus on her, leaving Jiang Yu a bit disgruntled. “Mom, my old friends aren’t worth getting too close to anymore. Besides, maintaining relationships is tiring. I prefer to let things happen naturally.”

Jiang Yu actually thought things were fine as they were. Most of her old friends were just bad influences, not worth keeping in touch with. As for new friends, she hadn’t made any, and she believed that close friendships were a matter of fate, something she wouldn’t force.

Mother Jiang, who had also thought her old friends were unsuitable, was pleased to hear Jiang Yu say this. She said, “Alright, it’s your own business. I won’t interfere. Besides, you have your own shop now and meet plenty of people every day.”

Later that evening, after cleaning up the house, Father Jiang and Grandma left, and Wei Cheng also went home. Once they were alone, Jiang Zhe pulled Jiang Yu into their room. After closing the door, he sternly questioned her, “What do you mean by ‘pretty okay’?”

Jiang Yu didn’t expect him to be bothered by that and replied with a playful smile, “Didn’t you say you hoped I’d like you just a little bit? So when I say you’re ‘pretty okay,’ what’s the problem?”

Although Jiang Zhe could tell from her mischievous smile that she was teasing him on purpose, he still couldn’t resist defending himself. “But now, I’ve become greedier than before.”

Jiang Yu, rubbing her chin thoughtfully, said, “Then let me rephrase it. I think our Mr. Jiang is wonderful. Is that better? Mr. Jiang can take photos, accompany me on outings, and help me manage the shop. I think Mr. Jiang is absolutely wonderful.”

Jiang Zhe felt a bit dissatisfied deep down; he wished his status in Jiang Yu’s heart could be higher. However, he didn’t expect her to say that he was “absolutely wonderful.”

Jiang Zhe actually believed he hadn’t done well enough. For example, Wei Cheng had been urging him to return to the company to help manage things, but he hadn’t done that. He had also wanted to overcome his fear of crowds, but while he appeared calm on the surface, he still felt resistant inside.

Now, with Jiang Yu saying he was “absolutely wonderful,” he felt warmth rising in his chest, as if something was igniting within him. He couldn’t express his excitement in words, so he expressed it with a kiss, pouring all his fervor into it.

Just as he was lost in the moment, Jiang Yu suddenly said, “Um, Jiang Zhe, I have something to tell you.”

Jiang Zhe was caught off guard and felt a bit displeased but patiently asked, “What is it?”

“Don’t you think the name Jiang Luoluo isn’t very pleasant to hear?”

Jiang Yu shook her head and continued, “It’s not that it’s bad, but I just think it’s a bit too ordinary. What do you think? Why did you choose such a plain name back then?”

Jiang Zhe lowered his gaze and replied, “I didn’t think too much about it at the time. What do you think would be a better name?”

Jiang Yu pondered for a moment and said, “I think ‘Luo Luo’ is fine as a nickname, but if we use ‘Jiang Luoluo’ as her full name, she might blame you for giving her such an ordinary name when she grows up.”

Curious, Jiang Yu asked, “Back then, why did you decide to let the child take the Jiang surname?”

Jiang Yu had also considered giving the child her surname, but since she wasn’t around when the child was born, they hadn’t had a chance to discuss it. She didn’t expect Jiang Zhe to be so considerate.

Jiang Zhe recalled his feelings at that time: “Perhaps it was because I wanted to leave a trace of your existence behind, thinking that maybe that would bring you back.”

Jiang Yu was surprised by his answer. As she hesitated about whether to confess to him, Jiang Zhe’s kiss descended upon her.

As she felt a bit dizzy from the kiss, she heard his voice, tinged with a hint of vulnerability: “So, having you back is the luckiest thing that has ever happened to me.”