Chapter Five: Raising Yinuo Well

Jiang Yinuo charged toward Shen Suining like a little firecracker, wrapping her chubby little face around Shen Suining’s thigh. Her eyes, round and shiny like grapes, were filled with adoration, stirring warmth deep within Shen Suining’s heart. The emotions that had been left unfulfilled by Jiang Jiang over the past four years suddenly found substance in this moment.

Shen Suining bent down and lifted Jiang Yinuo into her arms, speaking softly, “Thank you, Yinuo.”

The nervousness and lack of confidence she felt before leaving the room were somewhat eased by Jiang Yinuo’s presence.

Just then, Jiang Jun emerged from the kitchen carrying a tray. Seeing the harmonious scene between mother and child, his eyes darkened.

“Come and have breakfast first,” Jiang Jun said.

Shen Suining cradled Jiang Yinuo and walked toward the dining room.

Along the way, Jiang Yinuo’s little face was etched with conflict.

Noticing this, Shen Suining asked, “What’s wrong, Yinuo?”

Jiang Yinuo wrapped her little arms around Shen Suining’s neck and said troubled, “Mom, I’m too heavy. I don’t want you to feel burdened holding me, but Mom, I really wish you could hold me all the time.”

Hearing this, Shen Suining felt a pang of bittersweet emotion.

For the past four years, no matter how much she had given to Jiang Jiang, it had always been taken for granted. She had never once been appreciated by Jiang Jiang.

Yet now, merely holding Jiang Yinuo for a few steps, she was met with such gratitude.

Suppressing the lump in her throat, she smiled and said, “It’s okay, Yinuo. Mom doesn’t think you’re heavy.”

And indeed, compared to the equipment and antiques she had to move for work, Jiang Yinuo was just a four-year-old child—hardly heavy at all.

Though Shen Suining spoke casually, Jiang Yinuo’s reaction was immense.

Her bright eyes widened, and after a moment, she cheered, “Mom! You admit you’re my mom now!”

The child’s joyous cries filled the dining room.

Even Jiang Jun, who had just come out of the kitchen again, was touched.

He placed the tray on the table, walked over, and gently rubbed Jiang Yinuo’s small face, but his gaze remained fixed on Shen Suining.

He asked, “Suining, since you’ve acknowledged Yinuo is your son, shouldn’t you also admit that I am your husband?”

At his words, Shen Suining’s expression stiffened instantly.

She avoided Jiang Jun’s gaze, placed Jiang Yinuo in the high chair, and, staring at the abundant breakfast on the table, awkwardly changed the subject, “Did you prepare all this?”

Seeing her flustered evasion, Jiang Jun wanted to press the matter but refrained, holding his tongue.

Though he had been abroad all these years, he had kept a constant watch on Shen Suining’s affairs.

She was timid and easily frightened now, clearly not suited for forceful tactics.

Besides, now that he and their son had returned, they had plenty of time ahead.

Jiang Jun pulled out a chair for Shen Suining, gesturing for her to sit, and replied to her question, “When I was abroad, it was just Yinuo and me. These things were necessary.”

Shen Suining felt a bitter pang.

She had raised Jiang Jiang herself; even with nannies and nurses, the first year was incredibly hard. She barely had a full night’s sleep.

She found it hard to imagine how Jiang Jun, a man, had managed to raise an infant alone.

She sincerely said, “You’ve done a good job raising Yinuo.”

Strong and robust, warm and passionate in personality, polite and well-mannered—such a child was truly endearing.

Jiang Jun smiled but said nothing.

Jiang Yinuo tilted his head and said to Shen Suining, “That’s because Dad told me if I eat well and grow up happy, Mom would come back to us quickly.”

His eyes sparkled with joy as he said, “Mom, Dad didn’t lie! I really have come back to you!”

Faced with Jiang Yinuo’s earnest gaze, Shen Suining felt lost.

In truth, she still could not fully believe any of this was real.

But in front of Jiang Yinuo, she couldn’t discuss it with Jiang Jun; she would need to find another opportunity.

Fortunately, Jiang Jun said, “Alright, Yinuo, your mom knows how much you love her now. It’s time to let her eat, okay?”

Jiang Yinuo nodded and reached to place a plump shrimp dumpling into Shen Suining’s bowl. “Mom, Dad made these shrimp dumplings—they’re delicious. And this is your favorite, right? Mom, try it.”

Only then did Shen Suining realize that the entire breakfast spread consisted of dishes she had loved before. After Jiang Jiang was born, she had only cared about filling her stomach, never minding what she liked or disliked anymore.

And what she liked or disliked was something neither Jiang Runlang nor Jiang Jiang cared about.

Her throat tightened. She smiled at Jiang Yinuo and, under his expectant gaze, picked up a shrimp dumpling and took a bite.

The taste surprised her.

It was the flavor of the shrimp dumplings from the breakfast place she loved during university.

But that shop had closed before she graduated.

Now, tasting that memory again, her feelings were indescribable.

Unconsciously, she glanced at Jiang Jun, wondering if it was just her imagination, but she felt Jiang Jun understood her even better than she thought.

Could all that he said be true?

Jiang Jiang was not her daughter—Jiang Yinuo was her son?

But how absurd that sounded!

After breakfast, at Jiang Jun and Jiang Yinuo’s invitation, Shen Suining went with them to visit the kindergarten Jiang Jun had chosen for Jiang Yinuo.

From far to near, that morning they toured the two farthest kindergartens.

One was an international bilingual kindergarten, unnecessary for Jiang Yinuo, who had always lived abroad.

The other was a private kindergarten with a good environment, but before Jiang Jiang started attending kindergarten, Shen Suining had done thorough research and found out that this kindergarten had a history of child abuse. Even though the teacher involved had been legally punished, Shen Suining still harbored reservations and did not recommend Jiang Yinuo attend.

Jiang Jun’s stance was simple: “Whatever Yinuo’s mom decides.”

In the afternoon, they visited two more kindergartens, each with pros and cons, but Jiang Yinuo disliked both, so they were ruled out.

That left only one kindergarten remaining.

It was then that Shen Suining realized this was the very one Jiang Jiang had attended.

The one she had carefully selected for Jiang Jiang was naturally her top choice.

Especially since this kindergarten was close to where Jiang Jun and Jiang Yinuo now lived, making it very convenient for Jiang Yinuo to attend.

It was practically the only option.