Chapter 22: Encouraging Separation, Have Several Plump Sons

Lin Guilan wore a troubled expression. Truthfully, making dumplings wasn’t a big deal, but with the New Year approaching, she couldn’t focus solely on business and neglect Jiang Qingshi and their son. She had originally planned to finish the pre-ordered items in the first two days of the New Year, then cook properly for the father and son, so the three of them could celebrate well. If she helped others make dumplings now, it would just delay things again.

But the aunties were particularly persistent, insisting they would pay extra and that the dumplings could be made in advance. After all, with the freezing winter weather, the dumplings wouldn’t spoil!

Lin Guilan didn’t want to turn down money either, so she agreed. Who knew that those aunts would spread the word, and soon everyone heard of Lin Guilan’s reputation? Neighbors all wanted to order dumplings from her. Being part of the same community where they saw each other constantly, Lin Guilan found it hard to refuse, and she became extremely busy.

The aunties were kind-hearted too. Seeing that Lin Guilan had no time to look after her child, they brought cooked meals for Jiang Qingshi and his son when they visited the Lin household. Jiang Zhimiao, accustomed to his mother’s cooking, found others’ meals hard to swallow. But faced with the aunties’ warm smiles, he gritted his teeth and forced it down.

Ah, it’s easy to go from frugality to luxury, but hard to go from luxury back to frugality! He noticed his father, though outwardly calm, would slightly frown and then quickly relax his brow, betraying his true feelings.

Though well-meaning, the aunties couldn’t shake their gossipy habits. They whispered among themselves while eyeing Jiang Qingshi, until one of them, Sister Ren, couldn’t hold back and slipped into the kitchen to ask Lin Guilan.

“Sister Guilan, I see your husband doesn’t have much to do at home. Why not have him come help you?”

Lin Guilan’s willow-leaf eyebrows shot up: “Sister Ren, I don’t like hearing that. Isn’t my husband reading in his room? How is that doing nothing? For our family, my husband studying is the most important thing!”

The village women didn’t understand such matters and could only purse their lips. But seeing such a fine young woman so stubbornly mistaken, Sister Ren still couldn’t resist pulling Lin Guilan closer.

“Little sister, you can’t be like this. A man is meant to earn money and support the family. The one you’ve chosen, aside from having a handsome face, has neither a strong build nor physical strength. That Jiang Family isn’t well-off either, and now you’ve moved out separately… Why not divorce him? I’ll find you a better match. Even if you’d be bringing along your child, you’re pretty and capable—you wouldn’t lack for good suitors.”

Lin Guilan stared at Sister Ren for a long moment, taking a deep breath to keep from losing her temper: “Sister Ren, it’s better to destroy a temple than to break up a marriage. How can you advise someone like this?”

“I only say this because I treat you as my own sister! I wouldn’t bother with anyone else!” Sister Ren said with a pained expression. “Those are just empty formalities city folks care about. We village people don’t bother with such things! I see that Jiang boy is quite thin, sister. You have such a healthy constitution, yet you haven’t gotten pregnant again these past two years. It must be that Jiang boy who’s lacking. Let me find you a good man—wouldn’t it be wonderful to have several plump sons!”

Lin Guilan’s face turned ashen. “Sister Ren, please say no more. My heart belongs only to my husband. Moreover, my Miao Ge’er fell seriously ill two years ago—I can’t love him enough! My husband and I have already agreed: in this lifetime, we only want Miao Ge’er as our child. We’ll focus all our love on him and ensure he grows up accomplished. If you continue, I’ll truly take offense!”

Sister Ren dared not press further, sighing inwardly and shaking her head.

How could such a capable woman be so misguided in this matter!

Little did she know, Jiang Zhimiao—who happened to be playing by the kitchen door—had overheard every word.

Jiang Zhimiao had always been somewhat wary of his inscrutable father, but after hearing outsiders’ gossip, he suddenly felt a pang of sympathy for him.

So, in others’ eyes, his father was nothing but a useless pretty boy—a leech who lived off his wife, burdened her, and even bewitched her into thinking he was… inadequate!

Jiang Qingshi, weary from reading, had propped his cheek on his hand and dozed off at the table. When he opened his eyes, two large, dark orbs were staring straight at him!

Startled, he fumbled and dropped his book. Upon closer look, those wide eyes belonged to his dear son—Jiang Zhimiao.

Amused yet exasperated, Jiang Qingshi felt embarrassed to have lost composure before his son. “Miao Ge’er, are you trying to frighten your father on purpose?”

Jiang Zhimiao sweetly called out “Dad!” and rushed forward to hug him.

Jiang Qingshi stiffened momentarily, then slowly set his book aside on the table. Gently, he reached out and embraced his son in return, warmth gradually spreading through his heart.

The child had always been distant, usually clinging more to his mother. Jiang Qingshi had assumed that paternal dignity would forever keep them from such closeness.

But his son’s embrace was so warm, carrying a faint, sweet fragrance.

Jiang Qingshi closed his eyes softly. This was his and Guilan’s treasure.

Unaware of the emotional tempest raging in his father’s heart, Jiang Zhimiao simply thought his father was too, too, too… pitiful!

Here he was, diligently studying day and night, his eyes often red as a rabbit’s from exhaustion. If he, in his past life, had worked half as hard, any university would have been within reach!

His father—a model youth who in modern times would be hailed as the ideal child—was viewed by these people as an ambitionless freeloader.

Prejudice in others’ hearts was indeed a mountain!

From now on, he would treat his father better and shower him with more love.

Don’t be afraid, Dad. No matter how others misunderstand you, your son will always stand by you!

…

Before long, New Year’s Eve arrived. Lin Guilan set aside all her work, intending to enjoy a proper family celebration with her husband and son.

It was the coldest period of winter. This year, Lin Guilan had bought some coal to keep their home warmer.

Though they had only moved out half a year ago, the days back in the Jiang Family felt distant, as if the three of them had always been together like this—her husband studying, her running the business, and their son growing step by step.

As she prepared ingredients for the New Year feast, a blissful smile graced Lin Guilan’s face.

Nearby, Jiang Qingshi was teaching Jiang Zhimiao to recognize characters. Pointing at one character, he looked earnestly at his son and said, “Jiang! That’s our family name. Repeat after me—Jiang!”

In truth, Jiang Zhimiao had already grasped the fundamentals of speech, but Jiang Qingshi rarely spared time to teach him characters, and suddenly he didn’t want to learn so quickly. Ever since his last surge of sympathy for his father, the relationship between father and son had subtly shifted. Jiang Qingshi no longer buried himself solely in his studies and began carving out tiny pockets of time—like sesame seeds or beans—to spend with Jiang Zhimiao.

Although Father wasn’t as meticulous as Mother, the touch of his broad, dry palm always gave Jiang Zhimiao a profound sense of security. And so, Jiang Zhimiao began to employ a little cunning… For instance, during his father’s lessons, he’d add a bit of minor entertainment—letting his father experience the frustrations of teaching a child firsthand.

“Clang!”

Jiang Zhimiao opened his mouth wide and deliberately produced a garbled, indistinct sound.

Jiang Qingshi pressed a hand to his forehead. His usually immaculate hair bun was now slightly disheveled, with a stray lock falling over his brow. His hair, dark as ink, contrasted sharply with his flawless, jade-like complexion, reminiscent of fine mutton-fat white jade.

For a moment, Jiang Zhimiao was mesmerized, and in that instant, he suddenly understood his mother’s perspective.

Author’s Note:

Lin Guilan: It really doesn’t work if you’re not good-looking!

Jiang Zhimiao: Hmm… That does make sense.