CHAPTER 284: CHAPTER 284 WHO RANKS FIRST?

Jiang Zhixun got promoted, which is a good thing.

To celebrate, Madam Jiang went to buy lots of food, including chicken, fish, and the roast duck Shen Qingqing loves.

She also bought plenty of side dishes.

Enough to make a sumptuous meal.

Shen Qingqing’s morning sickness wasn’t too severe; as long as she avoided greasy foods, everything tasted good.

During this period, her mother-in-law kept making her different dishes. Perhaps it was just an illusion, but Shen Qingqing felt like her face had rounded out.

Shen Qingqing was in good health, with no issues during this time.

She could eat and sleep well and was energetic at work, never missing a beat, which greatly reassured her family.

When her mother-in-law returned from shopping, Shen Qingqing asked Jiang Zhixun to help butcher the chicken and fish.

Then she asked, "You’re the star today, making you work, isn’t that unfair?"

Jiang Zhixun pinched her nose, "Then accompany me, and let’s soak up some sun in the yard."

With the rare chance to relax at home, Shen Qingqing didn’t want to move.

She just wanted to watch some TV and unwind.

She rubbed her belly, "It’s not that I don’t want to move; it’s that it doesn’t want to sunbathe."

Jiang Zhixun: "..."

The child hasn’t been born yet, and it’s already taking the blame?

"You’ve changed," the man said.

Shen Qingqing was curious, "How have I changed?"

"You used to love sticking with me, but now you don’t seem keen."

When they first got married, she even kept him company while doing dishes.

Now with a child, she’s not by his side anymore.

Jiang Zhixun questioned, "Who ranks first in your heart, me or the child?"

Shen Qingqing’s mouth twitched, "Comparing yourself to a child, aren’t you being childish?"

"Don’t dodge the question."

Shen Qingqing asked him back, "Who ranks first in your heart, me or the child?"

"Of course, it’s you."

Jiang Zhixun didn’t hesitate for a second.

Shen Qingqing is the one he shares his life with and loves.

The child is just the cherry on top.

To him, his relationship with Shen Qingqing as a couple outweighs the parent-child relationship.

He would never allow the child to surpass Shen Qingqing!

Shen Qingqing couldn’t help but smile and praised, "Mr. Jiang, your awareness is commendable, deserving of praise."

The man squeezed her hand, "You still haven’t answered my question."

Shen Qingqing: "I treat you both equally; you’re both first to me."

Jiang Zhixun looked at Shen Qingqing like she was a heartbreaker, "They’ve only known you for how long, and they’re already tied with me; give it a few years, and won’t they surpass me?"

Shen Qingqing: "Don’t overthink, I don’t play favorites."

Jiang Zhixun: "You’re already doing it."

From the kitchen, Madam Jiang overheard and said with disdain, "You insist on asking even when you won’t like the honest answer."

Shen Qingqing pressed her lips, smiling, her eyes squinting, unable to hide her teasing aura.

Feeling awkward, Jiang Zhixun cleared his throat.

Thick-skinned, he said, "Love extends from my heart; Qingqing liking the child means she likes me."

Jiang Zhixun wanted to say that Qingqing loved this child because she loved him.

Otherwise, given her temperament, the idea of having a child wouldn’t have crossed her mind.

Like back then, the elders wanted them to have a child to ease their tense marriage.

But Qingqing didn’t agree.

Her prerequisite for having a child was harmonious marital relations and a conducive environment for raising a child.

Jiang Zhixun understood this logic, but he was just teasing his wife earlier.

How could a man like him possibly get jealous of his own child?

That would be too petty.

He stroked Shen Qingqing’s head, still not giving up, "Really won’t keep me company?"

Shen Qingqing: "..."

"Then get me a stool."

They didn’t have much time together; usually, they were busy with their own affairs, so keeping him company was not a bad idea.

Without Shen Qingqing needing to ask, Jiang Zhixun had already moved a chair to the yard.

He picked a perfect spot where a little sun could reach her, and she could also catch a breeze.

Still within his sight, he only needed to look up to see her.

Feeling it was not enough, Jiang Zhixun also moved a folding small table, set some water there for Shen Qingqing, along with some homemade snacks by Madam Jiang.

"Wait a moment, I’ll cut a fruit platter."

Shen Qingqing quickly grabbed his hand, "I’m not a pig; I can’t eat that much food."

Jiang Zhixun laughed, "The little piglet in your belly needs to eat. It’s okay if you can’t finish; try everything, but nutrition balance is the key."

What his wife couldn’t finish, he’d help with, ensuring no food waste.

Seeing him full of energy, uncomfortable not doing something, Shen Qingqing let him be.

Enjoying the good fortune, why resist?

Once his wife was settled, Jiang Zhixun started other tasks.

Concerned that Shen Qingqing might be uncomfortable with the smell of raw fish, he deliberately moved a bit further away.

He even used his body as a shield, claiming it was to avoid scaring the child.

His ridiculous ideas were something Shen Qingqing had grown used to, chatting aimlessly while nibbling on slices of apple.

Out of the blue, she recalled matters in the Northwest and asked, "Has Lin Zhidong found his sister?"

Shen Qingqing knew that Jiang Zhixun kept in touch with Lin Zhidong’s folks.

Even though she had some disagreements with Lin Fengmian, she never interfered with Jiang Zhixun’s connections with Lin Zhidong.

Each matter should be considered separately.

The issue belongs to the person responsible.

Most importantly, Lin Zhidong and his wife were decent folks.

Shen Qingqing was willing to interact with them.

Jiang Zhixun wasn’t focused on matters of Lin Fengmian, but because of his many friends in the Northwest, news about Lin Fengmian occasionally reached him.

Since his wife asked, he answered sincerely.

"They haven’t found her yet, and they’re guessing that either Lin Fengmian is hiding or the man who took her did something to keep them from finding her."

If Lin Fengmian was intentionally hiding, avoiding being found, at least she was safe.

If it was the latter, the situation would be more complex.

Having lived independently and traveled abroad, Shen Qingqing experienced a wider world.

The outside world is beautiful, but it’s equally dangerous; one has to be cautious.

She sighed, "Lin Fengmian is quite bold, daring to go out of town with someone she barely knows, without considering the possibility that he might be a bad guy?"

Jiang Zhixun, who spent three years in the Northwest, had some understanding of Lin Fengmian’s temperament.

Impulsive, quick to anger.

Easily influenced by others.

He reminded Shen Qingqing, "You should also be cautious, don’t talk to strangers, and never go with them."

It’s always smart to be more alert when away from home.

Shen Qingqing felt a bit embarrassed, "I’m not that careless."

If it were her, she wouldn’t dare leave with someone unfamiliar.

Going alone was just fine.

"If she doesn’t turn up soon, Lin Zhidong and his wife would be worried sick."

No matter the conflicts and quarrels between them, in such significant matters, Lin Zhidong and Zhou Xiaomei would surely wish Lin Fengmian well.

Hearing them mention the Lin family’s affairs, Madam Jiang joined them in the courtyard, sewing small clothes while chatting.

"Once your child is born, you’ll have to instill self-protection awareness from a young age. Imagine suddenly running away from home; how frightening that would be! If they encountered a bad person, the consequences would be unimaginable."

Jiang Zhixun: "Dare to run away, and I’ll know just how to handle him, with a bamboo stick stir-fry!"

Shen Qingqing: "..."

Madam Jiang: "..."