Ji Zhixiu and Jiang Mian had always protected Heng Bao very well.
They never let him appear under the flash of cameras.
However, ever since Ji Zhixiu took Heng Bao to one of Jiang Mian's award ceremonies, Heng Bao's exposed big eyes alone attracted the attention of many directors.
Some people contacted Sister Ning through various channels, asking if Heng Bao was willing to act in a TV series, with generous pay.
Sister Ning refused all offers. What a joke, he was the esteemed young crown prince of the Ji family, was there any need for that?
Since it didn't work through Sister Ning, some directors personally approached Jiang Mian.
Jiang Mian politely declined, she wanted Heng Bao to grow up in a healthy environment.
Not surrounded by paparazzi at such a young age, making it uncomfortable to even go out.
One day, after finishing a work shoot, Jiang Mian received a call from a director.
The voice on the other end cleared their throat, "Xiao Jiang, are you free recently?"
This director was Director Li, whom Jiang Mian had collaborated with on a project before and who had taken good care of her.
He spoke with hidden meaning, but Jiang Mian pretended not to notice.
She smiled, "I just finished my work."
"Then I'll be direct, Xiao Jiang, I'm preparing for a parent-child outdoor reality show and I'd like to invite your Mr. Ji as a guest with your precious child, what do you say? Have a think about it? It would be very beneficial for fostering father-son affection!"
Jiang Mian, almost without thinking, immediately refused.
She said helplessly, "Director Li, my husband never appears on camera, and besides, my son is still young, only three years old."
Director Li became enthusiastic. He had seen Jiang Mian's son! Although only three years old, the little guy was very clever!
Moreover, the public was most curious about Heng Bao online now. If Mr. Ji and his son joined, why worry about ratings?
He didn't expect to convince Jiang Mian in one go, "Xiao Jiang, please think about it again. Our show plans to invite five guests. Don't rush to refuse, you have acquaintances among them."
"My acquaintances?" Jiang Mian retorted.
"Yes, Chang Min, you know her, right? We've invited her husband, and he agreed. You should consider it too, okay?"
Chang Min had announced her pregnancy and childbirth on Weibo a year ago. Her husband was a very talented screenwriter in the industry.
Jiang Mian knew this.
But this couldn't sway her decision. Even if she agreed, Ji Zhixiu wouldn't.
Jiang Mian didn't give a definitive "no," leaving room for future interactions.
She smiled gently, "Okay, I'll consider it. Thank you, Director Li."
"You're too kind, too kind!"
After hanging up, Jiang Mian finished work and headed home.
Now that she had significantly reduced her workload, she naturally brought Heng Bao back to Xiushui Villa.
When she returned, Heng Bao had just finished his Lego class.
The little guy immediately rushed into his mother's arms. Jiang Mian scooped him up, "Heng Bao, where's your daddy?"
Heng Bao pursed his lips, paused for a moment before replying, "In the study."
Seeing that he wasn't in high spirits, Jiang Mian assumed he hadn't enjoyed his lesson today.
She pinched his cheek, "What's wrong, Heng Bao? You look unhappy?"
Heng Bao buried his head in her embrace, muffled, "Daddy said that from today onwards, I have to sleep by myself."
Jiang Mian was taken aback. Ji Zhixiu had mentioned this to her.
But she felt the little guy was still too young and there was no need to rush.
She didn't expect him to bring it up with Heng Bao first.
Heng Bao tilted his small head, his eyes full of dependence, "Mommy, I want to sleep with you."
Jiang Mian's heart softened. She stroked his head, "Okay, Mommy will sleep with Heng Bao tonight."
Heng Bao nodded his little head, his childish voice suddenly ringing out, "Mommy, doesn't Daddy like me?"
Although children's words are often innocent, his question still startled Jiang Mian.
She held her son and sat on the sofa, their gazes level. Jiang Mian said softly, "Why do you think that, Heng Bao?"
Heng Bao remained silent.
Jiang Mian had already noticed this characteristic of her son. When he didn't want to answer, he would usually remain silent.
Jiang Mian's voice was gentle, "When Heng Bao was sick last time, Mommy was filming. Wasn't Daddy taking care of Heng Bao at the hospital? And when Heng Bao's favorite toy broke, Daddy fixed it for you, didn't he? For Heng Bao's kindergarten craft class, didn't you always complete it with Daddy? Why do you say Daddy doesn't like Heng Bao? Wouldn't Daddy be sad if he heard it?"
Heng Bao lowered his head and after a long while, said, "He would be sad."
"Promise Mommy, you won't say such things again, okay?"
Heng Bao nodded and hugged Jiang Mian, "Mommy, I was wrong, don't be angry..."
Jiang Mian felt a complex emotion. This child was afraid of her anger, but not afraid of Ji Zhixiu's anger.
She suddenly realized that the relationship between father and son had subtly developed a problem.
In the evening, Aunt Song took Heng Bao to bathe.
Jiang Mian sat cross-legged on the bed, her dark hair cascading down. She wore a thin white base layer. After giving birth, she possessed an even more mature charm than before.
Seeing Ji Zhixiu emerge from the bathroom, Jiang Mian patted the side of the bed, "A Xiu, let's talk."
She was rarely so serious.
Ji Zhixiu nodded slightly and walked over, "What's wrong?"
"Don't you think you're too strict with Heng Bao?" Jiang Mian asked softly.
She had never interfered in matters concerning Heng Bao's education.
Jiang Mian knew that compared to Ji Zhixiu, she was the one who worried the least about Heng Bao's life.
And now, her son believed that his father didn't love him.
Jiang Mian felt a pang of sadness, sadness for Ji Zhixiu.
She had seen Heng Bao heartbroken when his favorite toy broke, only to be overjoyed the next day with the perfectly repaired toy.
And the night before last, she had personally seen the man go to the toy room.
She had seen this man clumsily searching online for lantern-making tutorials, all for the sake of his son receiving an award from his teacher.
Another time, when they went out to eat, the waiter offered Heng Bao a complimentary orange pudding, but the man stopped it.
Heng Bao became unhappy because of this.
But Jiang Mian knew that Heng Bao had undergone an allergen test at birth, and one of the items was an allergy to oranges.
How could this man not love Heng Bao?
Ji Zhixiu lifted the covers and pulled her into his arms, his expression neutral, "He told you?"
Jiang Mian leaned against his strong, steady heartbeat and nodded, "He's only three years old. Isn't it normal for him to want to sleep with his parents?"
Ji Zhixiu said calmly, "Three is not that young anymore, and Heng Bao is very smart, no different from children aged four or five."
"But he's still a child," Jiang Mian insisted.
Ji Zhixiu rubbed his forehead and met her gaze, "He will have to sleep alone eventually. Isn't it better to adapt early?"
Jiang Mian was slightly annoyed, "Then we'll all have to die eventually, are we going to stop living now?"
Further argument would be fruitless. Ji Zhixiu fell silent.
After a pause, Jiang Mian looked up, "You don't want Heng Bao to sleep with us because you're afraid he'll disturb us?"
"No."
Jiang Mian nodded, "Okay, then let Heng Bao sleep with us."
As they were speaking, Heng Bao knocked on the door, "Mommy..."
Jiang Mian nudged Ji Zhixiu, "Go open the door for our son."
Ji Zhixiu got up and opened the door. Upon seeing him, Heng Bao instinctively stepped back.
Ji Zhixiu glanced at him and turned back to the bed.
Jiang Mian smiled and beckoned, "Heng Bao, come in!"
Heng Bao hesitated for a moment, then entered the room and closed the door.
Jiang Mian picked him up, "Heng Bao, would you like to sleep in the middle?"
Heng Bao shook his head, "I want to sleep on the outside."
"Why?" Jiang Mian feigned ignorance, "Heng Bao always slept in the middle before. Daddy on the left, Mommy on the right, isn't that good?"
Heng Bao remained silent and lay down in the middle.
Jiang Mian smiled and turned off the bedside lamp, "Sleep now."
"Goodnight Mommy, Daddy... goodnight."
"Goodnight, baby."
"Goodnight."
The next morning, Jiang Mian had no scheduled activities.
She woke up early for a rare change and went downstairs to do a yoga session.
After yoga, she returned to the room and found father and son staring at each other, one on the bed, the other on the floor.
Seeing her, the little guy looked wronged and scrambled from the bed, "Mommy..."
Jiang Mian didn't rush to embrace him. Instead, she said, "I asked your Daddy to help you get dressed and wake up. Why aren't you ready yet?"
Heng Bao remained silent.
Ji Zhixiu, holding a piece of clothing, said unhurriedly, "He wants to wear the new white vest you bought him, but I refused, it's too thin. He's throwing a tantrum with me."
The weather today was indeed not suitable. Jiang Mian frowned, "You can wear the new clothes another day. Why does Heng Bao have to wear it today?"
She could tell that Heng Bao didn't *not* want to wear it, he just didn't want Ji Zhixiu to help him.
"Since Heng Bao doesn't want to wear it, forget it," Jiang Mian sighed softly and linked her arm through Ji Zhixiu's, "Didn't we say we were going back to the old house for lunch? If Heng Bao doesn't want to get up, let's just us two go."
"No!" Fearing they would leave him behind, Heng Bao immediately said, "Daddy! Will you help me get dressed?"
Ji Zhixiu's expression was calm. He replied, "Extend your hand."
They were indeed going back to the old house for lunch. It had become a habit to take Heng Bao to the old house once a week without fail.
Mother Ji knew they were coming and had prepared a table full of delicacies.
As soon as she saw Heng Bao, she hugged him tightly, "Good boy, come let Grandma give you a kiss."
Heng Bao presented a gift, "Mommy asked me to give this to Grandma."
"Good, good, good," Mother Ji was overjoyed. With Heng Bao around, she felt much younger.
During lunch, Mother Ji piled a mountain of food into Heng Bao's bowl, "Good boy, eat slowly."
Father Ji chuckled beside her, "After eating, how about I take Heng Bao bird-watching?"
Mother Ji never argued with Father Ji in front of Heng Bao. Hearing him speak, she simply ignored him.
Grandpa Ji smiled, "Heng Bao has grown taller."
Everyone at the table doted on Heng Bao. Ji Zhixiu put a piece of food into Jiang Mian's bowl.
Then he said, "Mom, let him eat by himself, don't spoil him."
Mother Ji glared at him, "What are you saying, child? How old is Heng Bao? He only comes back once a week, and you won't let your mother dote on him properly?"
Ji Zhixiu was speechless. His mother's demeanor suggested she would personally feed Heng Bao bite by bite, neglecting her own meal.
Now that Heng Bao was old enough to understand speech.
He didn't want Heng Bao to grow up spoiled and uncontrollable.
Jiang Mian smiled gently, "Mom dotes on Heng Bao, and A Xiu is also concerned that Mom has been busy all this time and hasn't eaten a bite."