Mu Jiu Chen gazed at her softly, taking her hand in his. Her hands were not as smooth and tender as those of pampered young ladies who never touched mundane chores. Because she often did things, there was a thin callus on her palm, and even the little moons on her fingernails had grown into the shape he liked.
He whispered, "Nuan Nuan, if you hug me, I'll be alright."
Jiang Nuan: "..." So simple!
Oh! It seemed not so simple!
This hug was not her overthinking it, but Mu Jiu Chen overthinking it.
However, Jiang Nuan still extended her arms to hug him.
Her closeness made Mu Jiu Chen deeply cherish her scent. He was sitting, and raising his strong arms, he tightly embraced her slender waist.
He nestled into her embrace, the faint fragrance and the warmth emanating from her making him close his eyes deeply.
Butler Li's words reminded him that on the day his mother passed away, he had been sent by his mother to his maternal grandmother's house. He was made to play with He Ming Run until the third day before returning home. Fearing he couldn't bear the blow, his father chose to tell him the truth at the moment of the burial. He had never seen his mother for the last time.
He and He Ming Run were already good buddies, often playing together, and had a very good relationship. It was common for him not to go home.
He had never doubted his mother's words.
His mother and father didn't have a good relationship, and he often saw them arguing over trivial matters.
He disliked his father, always feeling he lived a hypocritical life.
In public, he was elegant and noble, his suits impeccably tailored, his home spotless, and even the flowers and plants in the garden exuded artistic flair. Such a self-disciplined and artistic person, yet he secretly enjoyed fooling around elsewhere.
"Nuan Nuan, do you think my mother is still alive?" Mu Jiu Chen couldn't help but ask. His mother was very beautiful. In his memory, his mother was like a celestial being, in a white dress, with flowing hair and a sweet smile.
In his memory, his mother loved him very, very much.
"Xiao Jiu, darling, why are you not eating dinner again today? You won't grow tall if you don't eat. Doesn't Xiao Jiu want to grow up quickly? To grow up quickly, you must eat well and not be picky."
He was very picky about food when he was young, which gave his mother a headache.
She never hit or scolded him; she was always the gentlest to him.
After arguing with his father, as long as she saw him, she would still smile so gently and dotingly.
Jiang Nuan looked down and saw his dark black hair. The strands were slightly stiff, appearing particularly spirited, and even after sleeping for a night, the style hadn't changed. His hair quality was excellent.
"If you want to know if Mrs. Mu is alive, it's simple, though not filial. Find someone to check the date, and you'll know by looking in the coffin." This was the simplest and most direct method.
There was no cremation rule in those years.
Mu Jiu Chen was suddenly stunned. He raised his eyes and looked at the girl's serious expression. The method she suggested was simple, crude, and the most direct.
Jiang Nuan could see the hesitation in his eyes. As he lowered his gaze, his arms around her tightened abruptly. He dared not, and did not want to do that.
Jiang Nuan guessed his thoughts again and slowly said, "Mu Jiu Chen, no matter which outcome, it will be a great harm to you."
Mu Jiu Chen admitted her statement. Whether his mother was alive or dead, it would be an unprecedented harm to him.
He would be in pain if his mother died, and he would also be in pain if his mother lived and abandoned him.
But what if his mother abandoned him for a better happiness?
Mu Jiu Chen dared not think deeply. One suspicion could lead to a hundred thoughts.
"Oh my gosh, I just slept for a while, and you guys progressed this fast?"
A slightly hoarse voice suddenly came. Jiang Nuan abruptly let go of Mu Jiu Chen.
Jiang Yu Kuo looked at his mother with a sly smile, "Sigh, Mom, why are you reacting so strongly? Master Jiu is so good; he goes weak at the knees, weak at the heart, and soft everywhere when he sees you. You should hold onto such a soft man and don't let other vixens have him."
Jiang Nuan: "...!!!"
Mu Jiu Chen: "...?" Soft everywhere?!
He denied it!
Mu Jiu Chen did not let go of Jiang Nuan. Instead, he looked at his son and argued with a blush, "My second one is not soft!"
Jiang Nuan: "..." Damn it, could it be what she was thinking?!
"Pfft..." Jiang Yu Kuo was amused by his argument. "Hahaha... Master Jiu, you're too cute. I didn't say your downstairs was soft."
"Cough, cough..." Jiang Nuan couldn't listen anymore. She glared at Jiang Yu Kuo with bright, angry eyes, "Jiang Yu Kuo, if you talk nonsense again, I'll spank your butt."
Who did this kid learn from?
How could he spew flowers with any words?
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yu Kuo immediately stopped laughing and quickly covered his little backside with his hands. "Mom, I'm a man. You can't spank my butt. If my future wife finds out, she'll laugh at me."
Jiang Nuan looked down at Mu Jiu Chen. Mu Jiu Chen immediately raised his hands and said softly, "Nuan Nuan, don't be angry. This child is like me, like me."
Jiang Nuan asked him angrily, "Like you what? Like you being glib and full of nonsensical arguments?"
Mu Jiu Chen quickly shook his head, "Nuan Nuan, I'm not. I'm not glib. I'm serious, mature, and steady."
Jiang Nuan glared at him fiercely. Hearing a knock on the door, she broke free from Mu Jiu Chen to open it.
Mu Jiu Chen glanced at the little schemer on the sickbed. He was resting his chin on his hands, his big eyes blinking, seeming to have something to say but hesitating, and looking mischievous.
Mu Jiu Chen whispered a warning, "Baby, don't upset your mommy. Your mommy is still injured."
Jiang Yu Kuo nodded and asked him, "Master Jiu, the tablet you bought last time is quite good? Thank you!"
Jiang Yu Kuo sincerely thanked him. He was drowsy, and Master Jiu's pillow was delivered.
"Why are you being so polite with your dad?"
Jiang Yu Kuo sighed and said, "My mom bought me one last time. After using it for a year, it stopped working. After it broke, I took it to be repaired several times, costing thousands of yuan back and forth. It broke again soon after. Suddenly, one day, I went to the counter at the mall and saw that the latest model was only 6,000 yuan. I spent thousands repairing it myself, it would have been better to buy a new one. I suddenly felt like an idiot."
Mu Jiu Chen heard this and laughed, "You're not the only one who falls into this trap. Many people do. For example, as a businessman, my biggest strategy is to attract people with promotions. Five hundred minus one hundred, one thousand minus three hundred, one hundred thousand minus thirty thousand. Such huge discounts, anyone would be tempted. In the end, after buying them, I realize, what do I need them for? They're impractical and take up space at home."
Jiang Yu Kuo was stunned. All con artists use these tactics. More importantly, he had used similar tactics to buy himself a set of clothes two days ago.
"Master Jiu, you're amazing, you're amazing, you're the most amazing. Otherwise, they wouldn't say businessmen are the most cunning. Con artists!"
Mu Jiu Chen: "..."
Jiang Nuan came in with the food and looked at Jiang Yu Kuo and Mu Jiu Chen, "Come over to eat. I'm going to the next room."
She was going to see Li Qing Shuo.