Chapter 298 - 284 Your Majesty Returns to the Eight (extra colored 2669 characters)
"No jumping. Walk properly." Jiang Jinghuai looked sternly at his bouncing son and said in a deep voice. Was he raising a child or a rabbit?
Meng Shuyan immediately straightened up obediently, almost pouting reflexively. But remembering how his dad had told him not to pout last time, he quickly pressed his lips together.
Dad definitely wasn’t as easygoing as Mom.
Jiang Jinghuai seemed slightly satisfied, took his small hand in his large one, and started to walk out.
"Wait, hold on a second." Tian Sangsang was a bit dumbfounded. She grabbed Jiang Jinghuai’s shirt and asked, flustered, "Where are you guys going? Are you seriously going for a run?"
Jiang Jinghuai’s gaze darkened, his eyes dropping to her hand.
Tian Sangsang immediately let go, awkwardly.
Only then did he speak indifferently, "Are you asking the obvious?"
A laugh burst from Tian Sangsang as she threw off the blanket and got out of bed, wearing nothing but a purple long sleep dress. "I mean, are you guys going out running without consulting me first?"
Especially Jiang Jinghuai, deciding things on his own as if she didn’t matter!
Meng Shuyan blinked his big eyes, a flicker of guilt flashing in them. It was true, they hadn’t considered mom’s feelings.
"What?" Jiang Jinghuai loomed over her leisurely, "Do you want to be consulted before joining the morning run?"
"Don’t change the subject on me." Tian Sangsang put a hand on her hip, glaring at him boldly, "Do you even know how old he is? You’re making him run! What if he breaks his legs? You can’t hold a three-year-old to an adult’s standard."
Sending a child who hadn’t even gone to kindergarten running—Tian Sangsang had never heard of such a thing. This wasn’t parenting, this was child abuse!
Meng Shuyan shyly raised his hand, "Mom, I’m four."
Jiang Jinghuai approvingly patted Meng Shuyan’s head and threw Tian Sangsang a light glance. "My son isn’t as fragile as you think."
"Of course, since he’s not the one you gave birth to, you obviously don’t care for him as much," Tian Sangsang shot back coldly with a laugh.
Meng Shuyan looked from side to side. Why did it feel like Mom and Dad were about to argue?
"Mom," the kiddo walked over, tugged her hand, and said in his innocent voice while looking up, "I chose this myself to go running with Dad. It’s not his fault, don’t blame him."
"Yanyan, don’t be scared," Tian Sangsang squatted down and softly asked, "Did he force you into it?" Kids this age always idolized their dads, believing they were all-powerful. It was easy for them to be led astray by adults.
"No, Dad didn’t force me." Meng Shuyan wiped his sweat away.
Tian Sangsang asked worriedly, "But running is tough. Can you even keep up?"
"I’m not afraid of tough things." Meng Shuyan clenched his tiny fist in determination, "Mom, believe in me."
Alright, he’s been brainwashed.
"Okay then, go ahead. But run slower, don’t push yourself. If you’re tired, take a break. This isn’t the Olympics; there’s no need to strain yourself." Tian Sangsang came up with a lecture, "We’re not running for the sake of running. Running should be a form of reflection in life. It doesn’t really matter how far or how fast you run; what matters is the understanding you gain during the process. Once, there was a writer. Why did he become a more outstanding writer than others? Because while running, he never stopped plotting his stories in his head. So, running is just a means to an end—it’s about the insight it brings, not about the goal itself."
Meng Shuyan tilted his small head, struggling to digest his mom’s words.
This lecture was way too convoluted...
"What your mom means," Jiang Jinghuai explained gently to his son, "is that when you run, don’t get distracted—stay focused."
"Oh~" Meng Shuyan let out a relieved sigh, his big eyes crinkling into crescents, "Mom, I got it. I’ll give it my all!"
"Hey—Jiang—Jing—huai—" Tian Sangsang stood up, baring her teeth in a forced smile.
Jiang Jinghuai shot her a cold look. "Put on some proper clothes."
**
Tian Sangsang looked down in surprise. What proper clothes? Wasn’t she dressed just fine?
After changing clothes and freshening up, Tian Sangsang touched her belly. She was a bit hungry. She had started cooking, but while waiting, she walked into the living room, lifted the cover off some snacks, and intended to grab a piece to ease her hunger.
But one glance and she jumped—there were only three pieces of dessert left on the table!
She clearly made twenty yesterday.
Her house was spotless, so no chance of mice. Cockroaches shouldn’t exist here either. Even if they did, they couldn’t have carried off so much dessert overnight—unless they were Cockroach Hero. As for Little Milk Tea?
She glanced at the chubby pet curled up in the corner. That guy only liked meat and wasn’t into sweets, so she ruled him out as a suspect.
She ate three pieces yesterday, Meng Shuyan had two. What happened to the rest?
Jiang Jinghuai, who had just gone out, surely didn’t eat before his run—eating and then running wasn’t healthy.
So he must have eaten them last night!
Tian Sangsang laughed to herself. This was the only conclusion she could draw. For someone who always pretended not to care about desserts, it turned out he couldn’t resist their allure after all.
Well, well. It looks like I’ve found his weakness.
Feeling triumphant at discovering his "weakness," Tian Sangsang happily headed back to the kitchen to continue her tasks. About thirty minutes later, there were sounds from the living room.
Wearing an apron, Tian Sangsang walked out of the kitchen.
"Mom~" Meng Shuyan’s small face was flushed red from exertion, speaking in breaths.
He was stepping in place, adjusting after the run.
"How are you? Is it tough?" Tian Sangsang gave him a once-over. No external injuries—she couldn’t see any internal ones. "How about taking a break tomorrow?"
Meng Shuyan looked up at her with hopeful shining eyes. "It’s no problem, Mom. I’ll persevere~~!"
Only then did Tian Sangsang ease up. It seemed he wasn’t being overworked. On second thought, maybe exercising wasn’t so bad. When close to her son, she could feel a kind of infectious energy. That must be the power of movement—the value of life.
As she pondered this, her gaze naturally turned to Jiang Jinghuai.
At some point, Jiang Jinghuai had draped his shirt over his shoulders. He was drenched in sweat, quietly radiating masculinity.
Tian Sangsang’s eyes instinctively landed on his chest. Her face flushed as she quickly lowered her head.
How indecent; couldn’t he just wear his clothes properly?
Noticing her, Jiang Jinghuai shot her a calm glance. As he passed by, he suddenly took a step back, his dark eyes filled with confusion. "Why are you just standing there frozen?"
As he leaned closer, his masculine aura almost overwhelmed her.
She whispered, "Put your clothes on." Seriously, why wasn’t he leaving? What was he sticking around her for?
Jiang Jinghuai looked down at his bare upper body, seemingly realizing something. With interest, he asked, "Why is your face so red?"
Tian Sangsang was already looking downward, but now she ended up locking eyes with those firm muscles, those perfectly toned abs, and that sharp V-line.
"Are you blushing from looking at me?" he leaned closer.
Ugh, his magnetic voice could get someone pregnant.
Tian Sangsang clutched her ears in horror, stealing a glance before quickly averting her gaze to focus on the wall. "Don’t flatter yourself. Your physique might only impress middle-aged ladies."
Her voice lacked conviction.
Suddenly, something touched her face—it was Jiang Jinghuai’s hands, cupping her cheeks and turning her to face him directly.
"Jiang Jinghuai, put on your clothes!" Tian Sangsang exploded, squeezing her eyes shut.
Meng Shuyan, done with his cool-down, was now seated on the sofa munching on pastries. Hearing the commotion, his shiny black eyes darted over to the two of them.
With the kid present, parents had to set an example.
Jiang Jinghuai silently pulled Tian Sangsang into a room, shut the door, and pinned her against the doorframe.
"What are you imagining so early in the morning?" he murmured, his voice low. "You little perv."
Tian Sangsang felt utterly humiliated. Why did she blush every time she saw Jiang Jinghuai’s upper body? It wasn’t like she had feelings for him.
Suddenly, an idea crossed her mind. With her bright eyes locked on him, she said seriously, "Sir, who are you? My husband isn’t home, but I won’t fall for your seduction. Put on your clothes immediately. Don’t think for a second that your good looks and some muscle let you trespass into a married woman’s private space. Let me remind you, my son is just outside."
Jiang Jinghuai’s dark eyes burned intensely, and his usually steady composure seemed to falter in the face of her coy remark.
He said, "Fine. Let’s hurry, then, so he doesn’t see us when he gets back. As for your son, don’t worry—I’ve locked the door."
Tian Sangsang stared at him incredulously. "Could you be any more shameless?"
"You’re hard to read." Jiang Jinghuai’s response was nonchalant, his gaze deepening. "What do you mean, really? What are you thinking? What do you want? Say it clearly. Hmm?"
"Sometimes, I really think I should just unilaterally tear up the agreement."
He suddenly remembered the raunchy tales his comrades used to share in the military. They’d say women always said one thing and meant another. If she says no, it really means yes. If she says nothing, it means just go for it...
"Don’t even think about it!" Tian Sangsang kicked him angrily, twice, before slipping away.