CHAPTER 184: 178 WHO’S THE CUTE LITTLE ONE?

Jiang Jinghuai’s deep and profound gaze fell upon her. Something’s off. Something’s not right.

After five years apart, this woman was no longer the same as in his memories. The woman in his recollection was easily flustered, but the one standing before him now appeared much more composed.

Moreover... her appearance had undergone a stunning transformation. Her skin was fairer, and she was... thinner too.

It was absolutely unbelievable. Only because he had seen how she looked five years ago did he now feel so astounded.

After all, even though they had only spent a few days together, he had a decent grasp of Tian Sangsang’s character — lazy... unwilling to move.

He had always been someone who liked to get to the bottom of things. So, what was the reason for this change in her? Was it the child??

"Him." Jiang Jinghuai seemingly didn’t dare to look directly at the little bundle in her arms. He merely cast a fleeting glance, then quickly averted his gaze. "Is he really my son?"

Tian Sangsang became slightly exasperated and nodded. "If you don’t believe me, you can go to the United States for a paternity test."

She didn’t seem like she was lying...

Jiang Jinghuai’s eyes once again fell on Meng Shuyan. This time, he stared a little longer, and the depths of his pupils grew darker. The brows, eyes, nose, mouth, and hair—everything resembled the Jiang Family.

At this moment, a warm current overflowed within his otherwise hardened heart. This feeling was unfamiliar but also unsettling. As a soldier, apart from his parents and younger sister, he’d always refused to allow any other weaknesses to exist in his life.

"No need, I’m certain." Though he said so, the proper process would still be followed—like having written proof. Feelings were for his own confirmation; evidence was for others to see. He’d heard abroad such technology already existed...

Tian Sangsang let out a small breath of relief.

"Hey... shouldn’t you guys go over there to help..."

"If we weren’t injured, we’d totally help..."

"No, we’re completely drained, starving—no strength at all..."

"I heard there aren’t enough cooks. They’re looking for someone who knows how to cook so everyone can eat sooner..."

"..."

A person dressed as a cook weaved through the crowd, accompanied by murmurs and whispered comments spreading around.

Tian Sangsang glanced over, then gently placed the little bun into Jiang Jinghuai’s arms. "Here, hold him for a bit. I’m going to help."

"He was just rescued and barely survived. His legs are still injured, and he’s fragile. You need to handle him gently." Her voice was soft as she spoke.

Suddenly, there was something in his arms without warning. Jiang Jinghuai’s thin lips pressed together, his jaw tightened, and his hands, tense yet as soft as cotton, froze awkwardly in place.

"I-I can help, count me in!" After saying this, she waved toward the crowd, her eyes glittering with determination as she leaned down to give the little one’s cheek a kiss.

Women... always so fussy. Jiang Jinghuai’s eyes darkened ever so slightly.

"By the way, earlier—why didn’t you dodge?" Unable to suppress his curiosity, he finally asked.

Although, in that situation, perhaps neither of them was entirely in the wrong.

But why let herself get hurt so foolishly? If that knife hadn’t pierced her arm but her heart instead, how many lives could she possibly have to come back and see Meng Shuyan?

Before leaving, Tian Sangsang stared at him fixedly, brimming with anger—perhaps mixed with something else. Without realizing it, her eyes reddened.

Jiang Jinghuai paused slightly. "Because I understood."

Because he understood.

Understood what exactly? The pain of losing a loved one? She suddenly recalled that voice calling "sister" in the cave. But there wasn’t enough time for her to dwell on it. The others were already calling for her, and she quickly jogged over.

"Have you cooked at home before?" The cook, Xiao Chun, walking ahead of Tian Sangsang, spoke as they went. "No need to overthink it—just cook as you would at home. As long as the food’s clean and hygienic, we don’t need anything too fancy."

"Got it, no problem." Tian Sangsang chuckled. In this post-disaster chaos, who cared for fancy presentations? Being able to eat one’s fill was already a luxury. Just as Jiang Jinghuai had said, because they understood.

But understanding stemmed from what? From... shared pain.

After the earthquake, there were countless things to do, and no one knew where these people would be relocated. She was willing to help, not only to give Meng Shuyan and Jiang Jinghuai some time alone, but also out of genuine intent to contribute.

The improvised kitchen was a busy place with many people bustling about. Tian Sangsang washed her hands and quickly got to work.

The cook silently observed her... satisfied. She wasn’t rushed or careless, even taking an extra moment to wash her hands.

Jiang Jinghuai found a place to sit and gently cradled Meng Shuyan closer, letting the child nestle in his arms.

He was so small. So tiny and soft. Holding him felt as light as holding a kitten. Like a harmless little cub. His entire body nestled against Jiang Jinghuai’s chest.

Jiang Jinghuai was used to being rough, but now his hands dared not move recklessly, nor did his body.

And then he couldn’t help it. He lowered his gaze to observe for a moment. Earlier, he had only glanced from afar, but now it was at close range.

So small. For the first time, he marveled at the fragility of life. His son, huh—not bad.

Little arms and legs, soft tufts of hair, tightly shut eyes with long lashes curling delicately upward, cheeks radiating the innocence of untainted youth, shallow breaths. Unbidden, his mind drifted back to the image of him lying trapped under rubble earlier, his feet...

"Jinghuai! So this is where you are! I brought you some medicine; hurry and apply it..." Fang Tongzhou approached with a small pouch of ointment. Even before reaching him, his eyes widened at the sight of the man still carrying his usual cold demeanor—yet subtly different somehow.

"Shhh." Jiang Jinghuai raised a slender finger to his lips, casting him a faint glance.

Fang Tongzhou stopped in his tracks, bewildered, approaching cautiously on tiptoes.

"Whose child are you holding?" he murmured.

"Where’s that woman?" Jiang Jinghuai deflected the question with one of his own.

Ah, that woman who’d lost her son... "She’s in too much pain. After crying herself out, she’s been quiet since." Fang Tongzhou sighed heavily. "She has it rough too. This time, back and forth, we’ve seen so many bodies. Who would’ve thought—an earthquake, just like that. If I were her, I might’ve done something crazy too."

Witnessing such devastation only made one cherish life even more.

Jiang Jinghuai sighed deeply. "Being hurt doesn’t justify hurting others."

"But not everyone understands that." Fang Tongzhou, like an old man, said his piece before continuing, "Come on, give me your hand so I can bandage your wound."

Jiang Jinghuai didn’t budge. "Leave it. I’ll handle it later."

"I’m telling you—you’re human, not made of iron. Even iron wouldn’t take this. All I’m asking is for you to stretch out your hand! The blood’s still flowing; if it gets infected, it’ll be trouble." Fang Tongzhou glared at him but spoke with concern. No matter how strong someone was, they couldn’t just ignore such things.

"His foot was injured, crushed under rubble during the earthquake. He was just rescued, and I need to hold him."

So he didn’t dare to move, huh? Such a small child, injured during the earthquake—what a miserable experience. Fang Tongzhou felt a pang of sympathy. "But whose child is this? He looks a lot like you—is he a relative of yours?"

He leaned in closer and suddenly let out a soft exclamation, his eyes lighting up like a wolf’s. "Wow! Such a beautiful child!"

"So cute! Like a little doll!"

"Oh my, oh my..."

Watching Fang Tongzhou’s exaggerated praise and foolish grin, Jiang Jinghuai’s eyes flashed with the faintest trace of amusement. "He’s my son."

"Your son? Whose son? No, no way..." Fang Tongzhou’s eyes widened. "Your son!?"

Jiang Jinghuai gave a low "mm."

"Ha." Fang Tongzhou froze for two seconds, scratching his head. "Jinghuai, I’ve come to realize that not only can you be sharp-tongued, but you also have a knack for cracking jokes."

"Get lost."