Chapter Four: This Is the Difference Between Loving and Not Loving

Jiang Ji watched the subtle shifts in Shen Suining’s expression, a sigh escaping him—this was what they called the bond of blood.

Shen Suining clearly did not believe his words, yet the moment she looked at Jiang Yinuo, the tenderness and affection in her eyes were unmistakable. This made Jiang Ji’s heart ache with a strange, sour pang.

He reached out and caught Jiang Yinuo by the back of his collar, pulling him away from Shen Suining with a stern tone. "Jiang Yinuo, your mother’s finger is injured. Don't touch it."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yinuo immediately scrambled out of Jiang Ji’s clutches and crawled back to Shen Suining’s side. He carefully cupped her bandaged finger, bringing it to his small mouth to blow on it vigorously.

"I’ll blow on it for you, Mommy, and then it won’t hurt anymore."

The child’s earnest demeanor made Shen Suining’s heart melt and her eyes grow hot with unshed tears. This was a kind of treatment she had never once received from her daughter, Jiangjiang. Jiangjiang would only say to her:

"Mommy, don't get your blood on me, it's so dirty."
"Mommy, your scars are so ugly and scary; I don't want to be with you anymore."

In the past, she had excused it by telling herself that Jiangjiang was just young. Because of her work, she often had small cuts on her hands, and some areas had become rough from callouses, which truly might have been uncomfortable against Jiangjiang’s delicate skin. Yet, at this moment, Shen Suining realized with a jolt that this was perhaps simply the difference between being loved and not.

Shen Suining stared at Jiang Yinuo in a daze. For a fleeting moment, she didn't know why, but she seemed to see Jiang Ji’s face. She had woken up once last night due to thirst, and in her hazy state, she had seen a figure under the soft glow of the wall lamp, holding her hand and applying ointment to her wounds. It had been so gentle, so cherished—as if she were a precious jewel to him.

Shen Suining had originally dismissed it as a beautiful dream, assuming the man in her dream was her husband, Jiang Runlang. Now, she realized it had been Jiang Ji. This left her even more embarrassed; she dared not even glance in his direction. In particular, she felt Jiang Ji’s gaze—direct and scorching—which made the tips of her ears turn red of their own accord.

Suddenly, Shen Suining heard a low chuckle. Jiang Ji ruffled Jiang Yinuo’s hair and said, "Yinuo, go out first and let your mother change her clothes. Did you forget we’re going to visit the kindergarten later?"

Jiang Yinuo immediately lifted a small hand to pat his own forehead, saying dramatically, "Oh right! I’m going to live with Mommy from now on, so I have to go to kindergarten here too."

As he spoke, Jiang Yinuo shook the hand of Shen Suining he was still holding, looking up at her with starry eyes. "Mommy, you’re coming with me to see the kindergarten later, right?"

Shen Suining was on the verge of refusing. After all, today was the parent-child activity at Jiangjiang’s kindergarten, and she had specifically taken time off for it. However, the words died on her lips as she recalled the disdain she had faced from Jiang Runlang and Jiangjiang the night before. Thinking that by this time, Jiangjiang had likely already introduced Lin Yinxi to her teachers and classmates as her mother, she decided it was best not to go and invite further humiliation.

Shen Suining nodded at Jiang Yinuo and said, "Alright, I’ll go with you."

Jiang Yinuo was instantly overjoyed. He straightened his small body, leaned in to give Shen Suining a loud peck on the cheek, and hopped off the bed. "Then, Mommy and Daddy, hurry up! I’ll be waiting for you!" With that, the small figure ran out of the room.

With Jiang Yinuo gone, the atmosphere in the room turned suddenly, strangely intimate. Shen Suining had to look at Jiang Ji, and just as she was about to speak, she was met with his predatory gaze. Her lips parted slightly, and a flicker of panic rose in her eyes.

To her dismay, Jiang Ji leaned in, pressing toward her. He reached out to cup her chin, his thumb rubbing against it. "Sui Sui wouldn't favor one over the other, would you?"

Shen Suining was at a loss. "What?"

"A morning kiss—surely only my son gets one?" Jiang Ji said, moving closer. His warm breath fell against her face, making