CHAPTER 367: 352 LITTLE TREASURE, THE BEST GIFT

At this point, Tian Sangsang didn’t like indulging in baseless distrust or pointless fits of anger anymore. Such tendencies only harmed others and herself. Naturally, she believed Jiang Jinghuai’s words, and she said, "To be honest, I don’t like Hua Jun."

Meeting his probing gaze, her fair face flushed slightly with anger: "She didn’t give me food and even had that old nun beside her read me something called ’Discipline Declaration.’ I was almost scared stiff. Tell me, isn’t this too overbearing? It’s not even feudal times anymore. But think about it, do I look like someone who would cave in? She even tried to coerce a confession out of me—I totally refused to give her what she wanted."

Jiang Jinghuai recalled what Hua Jun had said to him back then, and a sharp glint flashed through his deep, dark eyes.

"You know, I think this is the difference between our country and foreign ones. When foreigners face cases like this, they enjoy way too much freedom—they would immediately find a lawyer. That’s why they often end up unable to catch the culprits. But here, forget about lawyers—you can’t even get through the door. They always prefer to use coercion, forcing confessions regardless of whether you comply or not. In the end, whoever holds the most power gets to dictate the rules..."

Jiang Jinghuai suddenly covered her mouth, his brow furrowed sternly: "How dare you say such things."

Tian Sangsang froze and removed his hand, suddenly aware that she had gotten a bit carried away. She quickly tried to please him: "I only said this to you, I won’t mention it to anyone else. I definitely don’t want to get locked up again."

"Good that you understand." Jiang Jinghuai nodded at her helplessly, then gently stroked her face: "You suffered a lot back then."

"Of course I suffered! Did you think I was in there enjoying myself?" Tian Sangsang enjoyed the affectionate face-stroking, her eyes widening slowly as she responded with righteous indignation.

"I’ll make up for it someday," he said in a low voice, then added, "No... I’ll make it up to you tonight."

Thinking of the recent days, Tian Sangsang’s face broke into a smile: "Brother Jiang, I don’t want your compensation. Happiness is found in contentment and knowing when to stop—I’ve already learned this lesson."

As they spoke, Meng Shuyan entered from outside, bundled in a heavy cotton jacket, looking like a little penguin.

He had been playing mischief with Xiao Hu again and was covered in snow. Without the troublesome twists from the original plot, her son had grown increasingly pure-hearted, so pure that he was beginning to resemble Zhao Chun. Beyond that, he had also become a bit mischievous. This mischief hadn’t shown before, but ever since they arrived in Beijiang, he had been bounding around like an energetic colt.

"Were you like this as a child?" Tian Sangsang turned to Jiang Jinghuai, teasingly pursing her lips.

Jiang Jinghuai shot her a lofty, disdainful look, clearly feeling his dignity had been challenged, and stiffened his expression: "He’s only a four-year-old child. As long as he’s happy playing, it’s all good."

"I think he’s still just a kid too, so when we get to Beijing, should we let him have his own room or share with us? I suggest he stays with us..."

Jiang Jinghuai said, "There’s a balance to be maintained: fun when it’s time for fun, seriousness when it’s time to be serious. That’s a principle everyone has to abide by from childhood to adulthood—nothing can be done entirely at one’s whim."

Tian Sangsang: "..."

Thinking about their upcoming move to Beijing in a few days, Tian Sangsang became somewhat sober.

She beckoned, "Yanyan, come here."

"Daddy, Mommy." Meng Shuyan flashed an adorable smile, running over with his big blinking eyes. But as he looked up, he noticed both his parents’ expressions were faintly serious—had they discovered something?

"Yanyan, Mommy needs to discuss something very important with you." Tian Sangsang gently pulled him closer, brushing the snowflakes off his clothes and tidying up his little curly hair, which had gotten messy like a bird’s nest.

Meng Shuyan pursed his small lips: "Mommy, go ahead."

Tian Sangsang narrowed her eyes: "This matter is quite serious, and you must face it. Don’t panic yet—just listen to what I’m about to say..."

"Mommy." Meng Shuyan suddenly whispered, bowing his head like a little boy who had done something wrong: "Today, I went to the riverside with Xiao Hu to step on the ice. That ice was very solid; I didn’t fall off. I saw other kids walking on it and not falling, so I calculated that the ice wouldn’t melt, and that’s why I dared to walk across it. Mommy, I know I was wrong; please forgive me."

After speaking, he looked over at his dad with his big eyes. Perhaps admitting his mistake first would lighten the punishment.

Tian Sangsang: "..."

Jiang Jinghuai’s eyes gleamed with amusement: "..." Son, you’re terrible at keeping your cool. You confessed so quickly.

"You little rascal." Tian Sangsang was both annoyed and amused, looking down at him: "You’re relying on the fact that Mommy won’t dare to hit you, huh?" Then she sighed heavily, "You win. Mommy wasn’t about to talk about that—I wanted to tell you that in three days, we’re moving to Beijing, where you’ll meet your dad’s father and mother."

Meng Shuyan’s expression instantly turned serious. "Grandpa and Grandma?"

Tian Sangsang nodded.

The little guy became a bit flustered but quickly tried to appear calm: "Will Grandpa and Grandma like me?"

Jiang Jinghuai picked him up and sat him on his lap, speaking gently: "They will."

Meng Shuyan asked, "And will they like Mommy?"

Jiang Jinghuai: "...They will."

"Daddy." Meng Shuyan touched his little chin, deep in thought: "I want to prepare a gift for Grandpa and Grandma."

"There’s no need," Jiang Jinghuai chuckled, placing his large hand over his son’s small head and saying, "You are the best gift for them."

Upon hearing this, Meng Shuyan’s delicate and lovely face turned red and gradually heated up.

This made him feel less nervous.

Tian Sangsang smiled as she watched the interaction between father and son, though a peculiar feeling stirred in her heart. When answering their son, Jiang Jinghuai had responded so confidently. But when it came to her, there was an obvious pause in his tone.

She had no doubt Jiang Jinghuai’s parents would adore her son; after all, Meng Shuyan was so considerate and adorable—their biological grandson. She herself, as their grandson’s mother, was another matter altogether...

**

Jiang Jinghuai, on the other hand, remained composed. After all, he was the one going back to meet his family. Tian Sangsang, however, was different—she felt nothing close to relaxed. There’s an old saying that even an unattractive bride must eventually meet her in-laws, and she didn’t hold much confidence in herself. Perhaps this was mixed with a bit of her self-awareness about the gap in social standing.

Her current strongest assets were her son and husband.

Over the past few days, whenever she had a spare moment, she would cling to Jiang Jinghuai, bombarding him with questions about his family’s history and relatives until she had it all figured out.

Jiang Jinghuai’s grandfather had once fought on the battlefield.

Old Jiang had four sons and one daughter, and Jiang Jinghuai’s father was the youngest of the bunch. Most of his family members were involved in the military or government. Some lived in Beijing, while others were spread across different provinces, so the whole extended family rarely gathered together.

Since Jiang’s father was the youngest son, he was also considered the least occupied. The Jiang Family didn’t expect much of him—just to stay out of trouble. Thus, Jiang’s father was currently in politics, avoiding any involvement in violence. Meanwhile, Jiang’s mother came from a distinguished scholarly lineage, with ancestors who were renowned literary figures and educators.