CHAPTER 371: 356 DO NOT WANT

This woman... Jiang Jinghuai stubbed out his cigarette, his deep-set eyes narrowing dangerously.

"Sangbao, you’re talking too much. I can’t follow." He stood up and walked toward her slowly.

With every step he took forward, she took a step back. "Did the soldiers teach you Chinese?"

"Hmm." The corners of his lips curved slightly as he asked deeply, "Can you summarize it in one sentence? Help me understand."

"What I mean is," she smiled, her shiny black eyes curving, "as a man, you’re already worthless."

Knowing she was dealing with someone who feared death just as much, she got ready to bolt as soon as she finished speaking. But how could she outrun him? In no time, she was dragged back. The strong arm around her waist gripped securely. Leaning down near her ear, he asked, "Is that the truth or a lie?"

Tian Sangsang had nowhere to dodge. She could only blink slyly and answer, "Honest truth." In fact, it was absolutely true. If she and Jiang Jinghuai didn’t have a child, it would be a loss if something happened to him. But since they had Meng Shuyan, even if he were gone, at least there would still be solace in her heart.

"I’m not done proving my worth yet." Jiang Jinghuai held her close, his gaze distant as he said in a low voice, "My grandpa always said, more children, more blessings. But by my father’s generation, the lineage became too thin. Especially me—I’ve let him down most of all."

"I think family planning will come soon. Don’t you think the country’s population growth is out of control?"

"Which is why we need to seize the moment." He suddenly spun her around, his gaze falling on her beautiful face, his heart racing secretly. "What do you say? Shall we?"

"Nope." Tian Sangsang shook her head, blurting it out almost instantly.

When they were in Beijiang, they had always taken precautions.

"You really don’t want to?" His hand on her waist began to slowly rub, the warmth evident even through her clothes.

She looked into his eyes but quickly avoided his gaze, her lips pouting slightly. "I don’t want to~"

Jiang Jinghuai paused for a moment, pursing his thin lips tightly. After some time, he walked up to her side. After looking at her silently for a beat, he finally said, "Actually, I was just teasing."

"Oh." Tian Sangsang chuckled softly, giving him an easy way out, "I know."

And just like that, the subject was smoothly dropped.

After returning from the cemetery, they had dinner together again.

Later that evening, after showering and changing into her pajamas, just as she was about to sleep, Tian Sangsang threw a coat over her shoulders and turned to Jiang Jinghuai, who was sitting on the bed reading. "I’m going to check on Yanyan. It’s his first time sleeping in a room by himself—I’m not sure if he’s used to it."

Jiang Jinghuai didn’t object, grunting his agreement.

It was definitely unlikely that the boy was used to it.

Their bedroom was at one end of the hallway, while Ye Binyi and Jiang’s father’s room was at the other end, separated by Jiang Jinghuai’s study. Meng Shuyan’s room was nestled in between, as well.

With the door slightly ajar, she pushed it open and walked in, just in time to see Ye Binyi sitting by the bed, chatting with the little boy.

Tian Sangsang wasn’t expecting this and froze for a second before walking in, feeling a bit awkward. "Mom, I came to check on Yanyan."

"You go ahead and sleep. I’m here watching him," Ye Binyi replied, her heart brimming with dissatisfaction, annoyed that her conversation with her precious grandson had been interrupted. Catching a whiff of the fresh, floral scent on Tian Sangsang, she frowned internally, disliking her daughter-in-law even more. That fragrance—it was clearly perfume. No wonder she had her son completely enamored.

"Mommy!" Meng Shuyan immediately yelled enthusiastically when he saw his mother.

"Mom, really, let me watch over him. The night is cold, and I don’t want you catching a chill." Seeing how frail her mother-in-law looked, Tian Sangsang urged with concern, "Jinghuai told me your health hasn’t been great lately. Please take care of yourself."

With a faint glance at her daughter-in-law and turning her attention back to Meng Shuyan on the bed, Ye Binyi offered a gentle smile befitting a loving grandmother. "Yanyan, get some rest. Grandma’s going now."

Meng Shuyan blinked his shiny black eyes and said, "Goodnight, Grandma. I’ll go to bed early." He waved his small hand.

Ye Binyi, cheered by her adorable grandson, left gracefully, ignoring Tian Sangsang altogether as she returned to her own room.

Tian Sangsang sighed internally, feeling a tinge of sadness. Sitting down by the bed, she stroked her son’s soft curls and asked gently, "Yanyan, are you getting used to sleeping alone?"

Meng Shuyan shook his head vigorously under her hand. "No, I’m not used to it."

He buried his head in her arms, holding her tightly. "I’m scared. I want to sleep with Mommy and Daddy."

"You’re a little man now. What’s there to be afraid of?" Tian Sangsang hugged his small body, gently stroking his back. "Mommy will stay here until you fall asleep. Once you’re sleeping, I’ll go."

"Okay..." Meng Shuyan mumbled softly, nodding his head.

Tian Sangsang knew her child needed to grow independent sooner or later. Although they were now separating his sleeping arrangements at night, they could still spend time together during the day. Overly relying on parents wasn’t good for kids—they needed to develop independence early on.

She sat at the bedside, cradling her son’s soft little body. Nearly half an hour passed. She looked down at him, catching sight of his bright, attentive eyes and startling slightly. "Yanyan, you’re still awake?"

"I don’t want to sleep. I just want to be with Mommy longer," he said, forcing his eyes to stay open.

Tian Sangsang chuckled in spite of herself, playfully poking at his eyelashes. "Not tired, huh? Look at how your eyelids are already fighting each other. Mommy’s tired, though." She covered a yawn with her hand and said lazily, "You sleep now, and Mommy will sleep here with you."

At her words, Meng Shuyan finally relaxed, leaning softly into her arms like a fallen leaf.

Moments later, the sound of steady breathing filled the room. Tian Sangsang glanced down, confirming he was asleep before she dared to move. She carefully laid him down on the bed, tucked him in, and sat there for a moment, reflecting on the day’s events. She couldn’t shake the feeling that her mother-in-law didn’t like her. Still, she wouldn’t give up so easily—she’d work hard to change her perception.

After all, relationships couldn’t be built on one or two brief encounters. Only with genuine effort could true trust be established. If she gave up now, that would be the ultimate loss.

Hearing a noise, she turned her head to see Jiang Jinghuai leaning against the doorway, watching her. She stood up, seeing her son sound asleep, and turned off the light, carefully closing the door behind her.

"You’ve worked hard," Jiang Jinghuai said, his hand wrapping around her waist.

"Hmm." Tian Sangsang, drowsy, leaned entirely into him. "You handle him tomorrow night."

"Alright," he agreed in a low voice. "I’ll handle it these next few days."

She suddenly perked up, lifting her face from his chest to look at him. Realizing what he meant by "next few days," her heart sank. In a few days, he’d be returning to active duty. But her sleepiness soon overtook her again, and she didn’t dwell on it for long. Back in their room, she almost instantly collapsed into bed.

That night, there was naturally no intimacy between them.

Ye Binyi, uneasy about her grandson being left in her daughter-in-law’s care, had kept a watchful eye. When she saw her daughter-in-law practically melting into her son’s embrace while her son held her protectively, her eyes flared with fury.

She went to check on her grandson, ensuring he was sound asleep, and only then let out a breath of relief. But her anger still churned within her as she returned to her room. There, her cold, indifferent mask finally dropped. Jiang’s father knew the source of her grievance and wanted to comfort her, but he hesitated, feeling guilty.