CHAPTER 356: 341 FAMILY REUNION (PART 2)

After Meng Shuyan filled his stomach, he took a sip of the warm water Tian Sangsang had taken out from the dimensional space. His whole body felt warm and cozy.

He slowly unwound his scarf and blinked his big round eyes. "Mom, I want to go out and play."

Tian Sangsang easily saw through his little scheme; the little guy had his mind set on the snow. "Go ahead, but only play in front of our room. Don’t wander too far, okay?"

Meng Shuyan answered cheerfully and dashed outside, full of excitement.

Snow, snow!

He ran back and forth a few times, watching the tiny footprints he left behind in the snow. Squatting down, he used his little hands to form a snowball and threw it forward. The more he played, the more he wanted to build a snowman. Unfortunately, despite trying for a long time, he didn’t manage to make a single one. But his mood remained joyful, and his body felt warm from all the movement. So, he decided to lie down in the soft snow, rolling his round body in circles over and over again.

Stretching his arms and legs wide on the snowy ground, he gazed up at the clear blue sky, brimming with delight.

Jiang Jinghuai walked through the snowy field, one hand holding a quilt, the other carrying a bag of beef noodles he’d fetched from the mess hall. As he neared the front of their house, he spotted a blue lump on the ground and almost stepped on it.

Luckily, this father didn’t step on it, as he instinctively looked down and found himself staring at an endearingly young and sweet little face.

"Ah!" Meng Shuyan instantly jumped up, rushing over enthusiastically. "Dad!"

Cooperating, Jiang Jinghuai squatted down to let Meng Shuyan tackle him into a hug.

"Have you eaten yet?" Jiang Jinghuai asked his long-missed son warmly.

Shaking his head, Meng Shuyan answered, "Not yet, but Mom gave me some snacks just earlier."

"I brought you some beef noodles from here. Eat it while it’s hot." Assuming that mother and son hadn’t eaten properly since getting off the train, Jiang Jinghuai had deliberately brought some food. Also, since the house lacked enough quilts, he had managed to scrounge up a few more.

Bright-eyed, Meng Shuyan made a move to help him carry the things.

Since the bag wasn’t too heavy, Jiang Jinghuai handed it to him, taking the opportunity to brush the snowflakes off Meng Shuyan’s head.

"Yanyan." He spoke in a low, serious voice. "Don’t lie in the snow next time. It’s dangerous."

Hearing the solemn tone in his father’s voice and being a sensible child, Meng Shuyan understood instantly.

"I won’t do it again."

Jiang Jinghuai patted his head.

Tian Sangsang had already heard the commotion and stood smiling at the door, watching them.

As she smiled, her eyes began to well up.

His olive-green military coat was pristine, its row of buttons gleaming, and his black military boots sank deep into the snow. On his head, he wore a Lei Feng hat. Though it looked a little comical, it did nothing to diminish his strikingly handsome features.

Standing there in the snow, he looked as upright as a pine tree.

When he noticed her, he seemed to freeze momentarily, then slowly curved his lips into a gentle smile.

Once they came inside, Tian Sangsang took the bag from him and placed it on the table. Lifting Meng Shuyan onto a chair, she let him start eating first. She then followed Jiang Jinghuai into the room.

She had thought their reunion would feel electrifying, but when it finally happened, she realized all the turbulence in her heart had settled into a deep calm the moment she saw him. Simply looking at each other was enough to feel at peace.

They locked eyes briefly, unsure of what to say.

It was Tian Sangsang who broke the silence first, her tone a little awkward yet curious. "Is this a kang bed-stove?"

"Yes." He placed the quilt down on the bed, his voice as deep as ever. "That’s how they sleep here."

Softly saying "Oh," Tian Sangsang added, "This quilt is actually green, haha."

Jiang Jinghuai responded, "We all use green quilts."

After exchanging just a few sentences, that familiar feeling from before slowly came back.

"This place is a little shabby," Tian Sangsang remarked playfully, batting her eyes at him. "Is it too late to regret coming here now?"

Jiang Jinghuai mimicked her tone and said, "Once the duck is cooked, can I still let it fly away?"

"I won’t be leaving." She looked at him intently, her gaze unwavering. "Since I’ve come, I won’t leave. Unless you leave first."

Jiang Jinghuai said nothing, his deep, ink-black eyes silently fixed on her.

"You’re wearing so many layers," Tian Sangsang said while touching his clothes. His long coat still had bits of snow clinging to it.

The familiar floral scent wafted through the air as Jiang Jinghuai naturally took her cold hands into his own warm palms, rubbing them gently. "How are your hands still cold? Look at how bundled up you are, like a clumsy bear—your figure’s completely hidden."

Tian Sangsang’s nose stung with emotion. Smiling, she gave him a light slap, but he pulled her tightly into his arms.

"Don’t move. Let me hold you for just a moment," he murmured into her ear, his voice hoarse.

His broad, warm embrace made her eyes well up even more. Unable to hold back, Tian Sangsang buried her face in his chest and began to cry.

"What’s wrong now? You’re crying before even getting on the kang bed?" He let go of her, using his calloused hand to wipe away her tears, deliberately teasing her.

"Mind your own business. Let me be dramatic for a while," Tian Sangsang muttered, turning away to wipe her tears with her hand.

"Don’t cry, Sangbao." Jiang Jinghuai hugged her from behind, kissing her soft cheek lightly, trying to change the subject. "Who are you dressed so prettily for today?"

"It’s for you, of course," she replied softly, her tone laced with feigned displeasure.

The arms wrapped around her tightened, and he leaned closer to her ear, his voice low and magnetic. "I know. I really like it; you look beautiful."

"Good that you know," Tian Sangsang finally stopped crying, turning around to glare at him with her eyes wide.

"Not just beautiful—so beautiful I’m tempted to salute you," he said, his deep, warm eyes tinged with amusement, like a spring breeze brushing against a willow, intoxicatingly gentle.

Tian Sangsang lowered her gaze, her face burning.

Watching her blush, Jiang Jinghuai chuckled slowly. Though he was tempted, it wasn’t the right time; there were things to do today. He led her outside. "I brought you some beef noodles. Eat a little to warm up."

Blankly, Tian Sangsang nodded and looked over at the table with the beef noodles.

Meng Shuyan, noticing them coming out, said, "Mom! It’s really delicious!"

The little foodie was so adorable. Tian Sangsang glanced at her son and smacked a kiss on his cheek.

Afterward, she picked up the chopsticks, ready to grab a piece of beef. But when her eyes landed on something green in the bowl, her face turned pale. She put down the chopsticks and covered her mouth.

Jiang Jinghuai: "Sangbao?"

Meng Shuyan: "Mom?"

Tian Sangsang: "Celery!"

Suppressing her nauseous reaction, Tian Sangsang frowned and explained, "I can’t eat celery. If I eat it, I’ll vomit. It’s a physiological reaction. I’ve been this way since I was a child." Ever since she was little, she had feared celery. Even though the body she now inhabited didn’t share her aversion, the habit had come with her after crossing over. As a result, she never used celery in her cooking.

There was no remedy—she was essentially allergic to celery.

Jiang Jinghuai thought back and realized he’d never tasted celery in anything she’d cooked.

"I’ll pick the celery out for you," he offered.

"It’s no good." Tian Sangsang shook her head. "If the bowl has celery in it, it’s already contaminated with celery particles. If I eat it, I’ll still vomit."

Her eyes brimming with unshed tears, she looked at him pitifully. "Such a pity, my beef... and your thoughtful gesture."

Jiang Jinghuai chuckled lowly, patting her reassuringly. "When I’m free, I’ll take you both out to try the roasted beef and lamb here."