noveldepot Chapter 144 You Are a Child Too
Chapter 144 You Are a Child Too
Chapter 144 You Are a Child Too
In Paris in June, it's already bright at 6:30 in the morning.
He opened his eyes, and was blank for a few seconds. The ceiling was unfamiliar, and the room was unfamiliar.
Then memories flooded back like a tide: last night's dinner, An Shaokang's gentle yet unyielding persuasion to drink, my "heartfelt confession" after getting drunk, and the last scene I saw before falling asleep on the sofa.
Liu Yifei squatted down beside him, gently wiping his forehead with a warm towel. Her eyes were as tender as the Seine in spring, filled with heartache and love.
Jiang Yu sat up and rubbed his temples.
My head doesn't hurt, just a slight hangover, but it's much milder than the hangovers I had in my previous life.
He looked around the small guest room: about ten square meters, with a single bed covered with blue and white striped sheets, a wooden wardrobe, and a desk with several books neatly arranged on it.
"A History of Sino-French Cultural Exchange," "Voltaire and China," and "A Literary Map of the Left Bank of Paris" are all works or translations by An Shaokang. The pages are tucked with colorful sticky notes, indicating that they were carefully selected.
There was a small pot of pothos on the windowsill, its branches and leaves hanging down, swaying gently in the morning breeze.
Jiang Yu noticed a photo frame next to the green ivy, which contained a picture of Liu Yifei and An Jialin; the two sisters were smiling brightly in front of the Eiffel Tower.
The sounds of daily life drifted in from outside the door. An Jialin's clear voice, like the first bird song of dawn, was full of a child's unique vitality and anticipation.
"Mommy, is Brother Jiang Yu awake? I want to show him my new drawing! I drew it all night! I drew Disney, I drew a castle, and I even drew Brother Jiang Yu hugging me and my sister!"
"Keep your voice down, let your brother sleep a little longer," An Shaokang's gentle voice rang out, carrying the relaxed feeling unique to early morning. "He drank so much yesterday, he must be tired. Don't be so loud so early in the morning."
"But it's Children's Day today!" Anjalin's voice was filled with barely suppressed excitement. "We promised to go to Disneyland! Dad, you can't go back on your word! And my sister said she's going to dress up like a princess today!"
"Okay, okay, we have to wait until they're awake... Hey, kid, don't go knocking on the door..."
Before he could finish speaking, there was a light knock on Jiang Yu's door, the rhythm as rapid as a little rabbit hopping: "Brother Jiang Yu!"
Are you awake? The sun's already high in the sky!
Jiang Yu smiled and shook his head, then got up to wash up.
The bathroom in the guest room was small, but it was spotless. There were brand new towels and toothbrushes on the shelf, as well as a small bottle of men's skincare products.
The brand was one he usually used, and it was obviously prepared by Liu Yifei on purpose.
He washed his face with cold water, and the cool water cleared his head considerably.
As I opened the door, a wonderful fragrance wafted out.
The aroma of toasted bread, the smoky fragrance of fried bacon, the rich aroma of freshly ground coffee, and the fruity scent of fresh orange juice—all these flavors blend together.
Sunlight streamed in through the restaurant windows, casting bright dappled patterns on the blue and white checkered tablecloth.
"Good morning, Brother Jiang Yu!" An Jialin was the first to see him and hopped over like a little rabbit.
She changed her outfit today, wearing a red polka-dot dress, white lace stockings, and black patent leather shoes. Her hair was tied into two high ponytails with red ribbon bows, making her look like a little princess who had stepped out of a fairy tale, with rosy cheeks.
"Good morning, Jialin." Jiang Yu smiled and patted her head. "You look so beautiful today, like a little princess."
"It's Children's Day!" Anjalin twirled around triumphantly, her skirt billowing. "And we're going to Disneyland, so we have to dress like princesses! My sister is too! Look at my sister!"
Jiang Yu looked at the dining table, where Liu Yifei was walking over with a coffee pot.
She wore a pink tulip skirt today, looking ethereal. The skirt reached her knees and was perfectly cinched at the waist, making her waist look slender.
Her hair was loosely tied back, with a few strands falling around her fair neck. In the morning light, she looked as beautiful as a Renoir painting, gentle and refreshing.
She walked to his side, looked up at him, and a faint light flickered in her eyes: "Awake? Does your head still hurt?"
"It doesn't hurt anymore." Jiang Yu naturally took the coffee pot from her hand, and their eyes met in mid-air the moment their fingertips touched.
The sweetness in his eyes was so intense it was almost palpable, like syrup that had been simmering all night, thick and warm.
Jiang Yu noticed that there was still a little moisture on her eyelashes, probably because she had just washed her face. Her skin was fair and radiant, and her lips were a natural light pink.
"Did you sleep well last night?" he asked softly, his other hand naturally rising to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
The movement was performed with incredible naturalness, as if it had been done hundreds or thousands of times.
Liu Yifei's face flushed slightly, and the smile in her eyes deepened: "Yes, it's good. I'm just a little worried about you..."
"I'm fine." Jiang Yu gently touched her earlobe with his finger, then withdrew it. "But you, your dark circles are a bit heavy. Didn't you sleep well last night?"
"No..." Liu Yifei muttered softly, the upturned corners of her mouth betraying her.
She didn't sleep well last night, partly because she was worried about Jiang Yu's hangover, and partly because... she was reliving the things he said when he was drunk.
Those words replayed in her mind again and again, and each time she thought of them, her heart felt sweeter.
An Jialin covered her mouth and chuckled, then deliberately cleared her throat loudly: "Ahem! Attention! There's a ten-year-old minor here! No PDA allowed!"
Liu Yifei blushed even more and gently patted her sister: "You talk too much."
"I'm just stating the facts!" An Jialin declared confidently. "From the moment Brother Jiang Yu came out, your eyes never left each other! The air itself turned pink! I'm too young to handle such a sweet scene!"
These words made Aunt Zhu, who had just come out of the kitchen, laugh: "You child, where did you learn these words?"
"In TV dramas!" An Jialin jumped to the table and sat down, swinging her legs. "People in love in TV dramas are like that, their eyes are full of stars! My sister and brother Jiang Yu's eyes not only have stars, but also the Milky Way!"
Jiang Yu was amused and laughed out loud, then pulled Liu Yifei to sit down at the dining table.
The breakfast was served in a lavish and exquisite manner.
Aunt Zhu brought out the last plate of freshly baked croissants from the kitchen. The crust was so crispy that it would crumble at the slightest touch, and the layers of flaky pastry exuded a rich buttery aroma, steaming hot.
"Little Jiang, come and sit down," Aunt Zhu greeted him warmly, placing the largest croissant on his plate. "Try this. I got up at 5:30 this morning to knead the dough. The ones sold in Parisian bakeries can't compare to homemade ones; the ingredients are top-notch."
"Auntie, you're amazing!" Jiang Yu exclaimed sincerely, breaking open the croissant to reveal its distinct layers. The aroma of hot butter filled the air. "With this skill, you could definitely open a bakery; I guarantee there would be a queue every day."
"I can only make some simple home-style dishes." Aunt Zhu smiled, her eyes crinkling, and put another slice of bacon on his plate. "Eat more. You drank so much yesterday, you need to replenish your energy. Yifei, you should eat more too, you're too thin."
An Shaokang sat in the main seat, wearing glasses and reading the World newspaper.
Seeing Jiang Yu sit down, he put down his newspaper, took off his glasses, and said gently, "Little Jiang, did you sleep well? The bed in the guest room is a bit hard, are you used to it?"
"I slept very well, the bed was very comfortable," Jiang Yu said, and that was the truth.
Although the bed wasn't as soft as a hotel bed, the feeling of home was something no luxury hotel could provide. "Thank you so much, Uncle and Auntie, you've gone to so much trouble."
"We're family, no need for formalities." An Shaokang waved his hand, poured him a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, the orange-yellow liquid gleaming enticingly in the glass. "Today is Children's Day, and Jialin has been talking about going to Disneyland for a week. You young people should take her there. Aunt Zhu and I will stay home and tidy up, and we'll cook you something delicious tonight."
"Dad, are you really not going?" An Jialin blinked, forgetting to eat the fried egg on her fork. "Disneyland is so much fun! There are roller coasters, princesses, and fireworks! And it's sure to be crowded today. It'll be so tiring for Brother Jiang Yu to take care of me and my sister all by himself!"
He cleverly devised a plan: he wanted to see his father, yet he also found a plausible reason. Everyone laughed.
An Shaokang pushed up his glasses, a doting smile in his eyes: "Dad's getting old, I can't do those things anymore. You, your sister, and Brother Jiang Yu go and have fun. Remember to take lots of pictures to show Dad, especially pictures of your sister laughing happily."
As he spoke, he gave Liu Yifei a meaningful look.
Liu Yifei was drinking orange juice when she heard this and almost choked. Her face turned slightly red: "Dad..."
"What, is it wrong for Daddy to want to see his daughter smile more?" An Shaokang rarely joked, then said to Jiang Yu, "Jiang, Yifei works too hard and doesn't smile much. Please, make her smile more today."
These words were spoken subtly, but the meaning couldn't be clearer: I'm entrusting my daughter to you; may she be happy.
Jiang Yu nodded solemnly: "Uncle, don't worry, I will."
Breakfast was served in a warm and cozy atmosphere. Anjalin chattered excitedly about the interesting things that happened at school.
Which classmate made a fool of themselves again? Which teacher is particularly funny? What score did her latest drawing get?
As Aunt Zhu listened, she would gently wipe the jam from the corners of her mouth from time to time.
An Shaokang and Jiang Yu chatted about light topics, from the weather in Paris to recent cultural events, their atmosphere as harmonious as that of longtime friends.
Liu Yifei ate quietly, occasionally putting food on Jiang Yu's plate, her movements natural.
She put a fried egg on his plate, and he gave her toast with jam on it; she poured him coffee, and he handed her orange juice.
There is an unspoken understanding between the two. They don't need words; a glance or a gesture is enough for them to understand each other's needs.
"What are you looking at?" Liu Yifei noticed his gaze, turned her head and asked, her eyes showing a little shyness and sweetness.
"Look at you," Jiang Yu said frankly, his voice soft enough for only the two of them to hear, "You look especially beautiful today."
Liu Yifei blushed again. This time, instead of looking away, she met his gaze and said softly, "You too."
Their eyes met in the air, as if connected by invisible threads.
Until Anjalin sighed loudly, "Sigh, I've been ignored again. Mom, I think I need a pair of sunglasses, they're too flashy."
Everyone snapped out of their daze and laughed.
Aunt Zhu gently tapped An Jialin's head: "Eat your food properly, stop talking so much."
"I'm telling the truth!" An Jialin said, looking aggrieved. "It's been like this since yesterday. Before, when my sister came home, her eyes were always on me and Dad, but now they're all on Brother Jiang Yu. Dad, you've fallen out of favor!"
An Shaokang smiled and shook his head: "So what if she falls out of favor? My daughter grows up and will eventually run off with someone else. As long as she runs off with the right person, I'll be happy."
These words brought tears to Liu Yifei's eyes: "Dad..."
"Alright, alright, let's eat." An Shaokang waved his hand, but there was a look of satisfaction in his eyes.
After breakfast, An Shaokang and Aunt Zhu began to clear the dishes.
Jiang Yu offered to help, but Aunt Zhu firmly pushed him away: "Go, go, take the child out to play. You don't need to worry about this."
You young people should spend more time talking and taking walks together.
Liu Yifei pulled Jiang Yu and An Jialin to the living room. An Jialin eagerly took out her drawing from her schoolbag: "Look! I drew this! I drew it last night!"
It's a watercolor painting depicting last night's scene, with many imaginative elements added.
At the dining table, An Shaokang was wearing glasses and reading a newspaper. A small thought bubble was drawn on his head, containing a book and tea.
Aunt Zhu held up a plate, the dishes on it steaming warmly.
Liu Yifei turned her head and smiled, with several hearts floating around her.
Jiang Yu held up her wine glass, her face flushed, with a small, swirling vortex drawn on her forehead; she herself was hugging a panda plushie, grinning from ear to ear.
The most interesting thing is that she drew a big sun above the painting, and in the sun's rays she wrote a line of crooked words: "Family portrait, June 1, 2009, a happy day".
"It's really well drawn." Jiang Yu looked at it carefully, paying special attention to Liu Yifei in the painting.
He painted her exceptionally beautifully, with her eyes crinkling and her smile gentle. The little hearts around her made the whole painting sweet. "Especially the way he painted everyone so happy and so unique."
"Because I had so much fun yesterday!" An Jialin said proudly, then lowered her voice mysteriously, "Brother Jiang Yu, let me tell you, I originally wanted to draw you when you were drunk, talking slowly, with your eyes all glazed over, it would be so cute! But my sister wouldn't let me, she said those kinds of drawings can't be kept..."
Liu Yifei blushed: "How could I keep that kind of drawing... It's so embarrassing..."
"Keep it! Of course we should keep it!" Jiang Yu smiled and carefully rolled up the painting. "Not only should we keep it, we should also preserve it well."
"When we're old, we can take this out and look at it; it'll be so interesting. Just imagine, decades from now, when our hair is all white, we'll be sitting in rocking chairs, looking at this painting, and remembering today, we'll see, 'That's me on my first visit to my future father-in-law's house, getting him drunk!'"
He mimicked his own aged tone, making Anjalin giggle.
Liu Yifei couldn't help but smile, her shyness replaced by warmth.
"Okay—" she said softly, "Then you should keep it safe."
"Definitely," Jiang Yu said earnestly, then turned to An Jialin, "Jialin, would you like to give me this painting? I want to frame it and hang it in the most prominent place in my office."
"Really?" Anjalin's eyes widened, like two black grapes. "You're going to hang it in your office? That big office where lots of impressive people come?"
"Yes, I want everyone to see how amazing my little artist sister is." Jiang Yu squatted down, looking her in the eye. "And I want to tell them that this was painted by my sister, and that it's a picture of our family."
An Jialin jumped up with joy, "Brother Jiang Yu, you're the best! I want to draw more! I want to draw you and my sister getting married: my sister in a white dress and you in a black suit; I want to draw you with a baby, so I can be an aunt! I want to draw our whole family going on a trip..."
She became more and more excited as she talked, her little head clearly already filled with countless future plans.
Jiang Yu held the lively little girl in his arms. He looked at Liu Yifei and found that she was also looking at him, her eyes as gentle as melting honey.
The three of them went out at 9:30 a.m.
On a sunny June morning in Paris, the sun was shining brightly and a gentle breeze was blowing.
The streets on the left bank are quiet and elegant, and the new green leaves of the plane trees gleam in the sunlight, casting dappled shadows.
The outdoor seating area of the café was already occupied by some early risers. Some were drinking coffee and reading newspapers, while others simply sat quietly, watching people come and go, enjoying the unique leisure of Paris.
.
An Jialin held Liu Yifei's hand in one hand and Jiang Yu's hand in the other, hopping and skipping like a happy little bird, her two little braids swinging back and forth with her jumps.
"Let's go to Avenue Montaigne first! There are so many beautiful shops there! Then we'll go to the Champs-Élysées! I know a really good ice cream shop! My classmate said it's the best ice cream in Paris!"
"She knows her better than you do," Jiang Yu said to Liu Yifei with a smile, his fingers naturally intertwining with hers.
Her hands were soft and slender, and holding them in my palm felt like holding a warm cloud.
"Her," Liu Yifei shook her head helplessly, her eyes full of affection, "she needs her dad to take her shopping every weekend. She knows which streets in Paris have which shops better than a tour guide. Sometimes when I video chat with my dad, she'll be chattering away, just like a little tour guide."
"Then today, Brother Jiang Yu will be the tourist," Jiang Yu said cooperatively. "Jialin, please lead the way."
"Alright!" Anjalin puffed out her chest, striking a pose like a professional tour guide. "Attention everyone, we are now on the Left Bank of Paris, in the Latin Quarter. Famous for its bookstores, cafes, and galleries, it's the cultural heart of Paris. Please stay close to me and don't fall behind!"
Her serious expression made the two of them laugh.
Jiang Yu readily raised his hand: "Tour guide, I have a question."
"Speaking!"
"Excuse me, where is the best candy store on this street?"
An Jialin's eyes lit up, but she immediately lost her composure: "I know, I know! Come with me!"
She pulled the two of them forward, her little leather shoes tapping out a crisp rhythm on the stone pavement.
Liu Yifei stumbled as she was pulled, and Jiang Yu quickly grabbed her waist and steadied her.
"Slow down," he said softly, but his hand remained around her waist as they walked side by side.
Liu Yifei blushed slightly and moved closer to him, gently wrapping her arms around his waist.
This posture is just the right level of intimacy; it's not a deliberate embrace, but a natural snuggling while walking.
They first took a walk along the Seine.
The Seine River glistens in the morning light; the cruise ships haven't started operating yet, and the river is as still as a mirror, reflecting the blue sky, white clouds, and the Haussmann-style buildings on both banks.
Occasionally, joggers would pass by, elderly people would walk their dogs, artists would sketch along the riverbank with their easels, and tourists would stroll leisurely like them.
Anjalin acted like a little tour guide, pointing out the buildings on the opposite bank of the river and introducing them one by one, switching freely between French and Chinese.
"That's Notre Dame Cathedral over there, but unfortunately it's under renovation and we can't go in; over there is the Palais de Justice, Dad said it used to be a royal palace; further on is the Musée d'Orsay, which has many Impressionist paintings, by Van Gogh, Monet, Renoir... Dad took me there three times, and I never got to see enough..."
She explained it very clearly, obviously having learned it from An Shaokang, but with the added understanding and expression of a child.
Jiang Yu listened attentively, asking questions from time to time, which made her even more interested.
"Jialin, you said the Musée d'Orsay used to be a train station?" Jiang Yu asked.
"Yes!" Anjalin nodded vigorously. "Dad said it was built in 1900 for the World's Fair. Later, the train station was no longer used, so it was converted into a museum. It's amazing! There's that huge clock inside, it's really, really big, and you can see the Seine from the glass windows, it's breathtaking!"
"Which painting do you like the most?"
Anjalin thought for a moment: "I like Renoir's 'Bal du Moulin de la Galette.' Everyone in the painting is laughing and dancing; they look so happy. Dad says that Renoir paints the happiness of ordinary people, which is why it's so touching."
These words, spoken by a ten-year-old child, are especially touching.
Jiang Yu and Liu Yifei exchanged a glance, both seeing the admiration in each other's eyes.
"That's well said." Jiang Yu patted her head. "Next time we go to America, I'll take you to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. There are lots of beautiful paintings there too."
"Really?" Anjalin's eyes lit up. "Can I go see it?"
"Of course. Not just New York, but also the British Museum in London, the Uffizi Gallery in Florence... We can go wherever you like."
"Wow!" An Jialin jumped up and down excitedly. "Brother Jiang Yu, you're so great! Sister, did you hear that? We can go to museums all over the world!"
Liu Yifei smiled and nodded, her gaze towards Jiang Yu so tender it seemed to melt away.
She knew that Jiang Yu wasn't just saying it; he genuinely treated An Jialin like a younger sister.
As Anjalin crossed the art bridge, she suddenly stopped and rummaged through her small backpack with a Minnie Mouse pattern, pulling out a pink lock with a heart drawn on it in colored pencils.
"Brother Jiang Yu, Sister, let's lock one too!" Her eyes sparkled with anticipation.
The railings of the Pont des Arts are covered with locks—heart-shaped, round, star-shaped; gold, silver, colorful; large, small; new, old.
Each lock represents a story, a love story, and a promise.
"You're still young, why lock it?" Liu Yifei said with a smile, pinching her younger sister's cheek.
"I'm not locking away romantic love, I'm locking away family love!" An Jialin declared confidently, her little face earnest and adorable. "I'm locking away the fact that the three of us will always be a family! Daddy said family is the most important thing, even more important than romantic love! Come on, come on!"
She chose an empty spot, stood on tiptoe, and laboriously fastened the lock.
It was a pink heart-shaped lock with three names written on it in colored markers: "Jialin, Yifei, Jiangyu", as well as today's date "2009.6.1" and a few small stars drawn around the names.
Jiang Yu squatted down to help her, holding her small hand in his large hand, and together they fastened the lock.
With a "click," the lock snapped shut.
"Where's the key?" Jiang Yu asked.
An Jialin took a small silver key out of her pocket, thought for a moment, and solemnly handed it to Jiang Yu: "Brother Jiang Yu, you throw it! You're the tallest in our family!"
Jiang Yu took the key and looked at Liu Yifei.
Liu Yifei nodded, a gentle light flowing in her eyes.
The three of them walked to the bridge together. Jiang Yu placed the key in his palm, Liu Yifei placed her hand on top of it, and An Jialin's small hand also overlapped it.
Three hands were folded together, their warm body heat passing between them.
Jiang Yu looked at Liu Yifei, and Liu Yifei looked at him. Their eyes met in the air, and though they had a thousand words to say, they didn't need to say them.
"One, two, three—" An Jialin counted.
Jiang Yu tossed the key with force, and it drew a silver arc in the air, flashed in the sunlight, and then fell into the Seine with a "plop," splashing up a small water droplet before quickly disappearing beneath the surface.
"Yay! It's locked!" Anjalin cheered, opening her arms to hug the two of them. "We'll always be family! No one can separate us!"
Jiang Yu held the two girls in his arms, a warm tide welling up in his heart, engulfing him completely.
He looked down at Liu Yifei, who was looking up at him, her eyes glistening with tears, but her lips were upturned in a happy and content smile.
"Yes, we'll always be family," Jiang Yu said softly, kissing her lips.
The kiss was light and gentle, like a feather, yet it stirred up huge waves in her heart.
She closed her eyes, feeling the warmth of his lips, feeling this moment of eternity.
Passing tourists who saw this scene all gave it a kind smile.
A Korean girl carrying a camera said in broken English, "Can I take a picture of you? You look so beautiful."
Jiang Yu looked at Liu Yifei, and she nodded.
So the three of them stood in front of the pink lock, with Jiang Yu in the middle, one arm around Liu Yifei's shoulder and the other holding An Jialin's hand, smiling at the camera.
With a "click," the moment was frozen in time.
Sunshine, the Seine, the Pont des Arts, and their happy smiles.
The Korean girl sent them the photos and exclaimed, "You are so lucky, you look like a painting."
Yes, it's like a painting.
Jiang Yu thought, this is the life he wanted: simple, real, and full of love.
Once you cross the bridge, you'll reach Avenue Montaigne.
This is Paris's luxury paradise, with wide, clean streets lined with flagship stores of various top brands, their window displays designed as exquisite works of art.
However, Anjalin's interest lay elsewhere. She pulled the two of them straight to a small alley, where there was a tiny candy shop at the entrance, with colorful candy jars displayed in the window.
"This is it!" she pointed to the shop window, her face flushed with excitement. "The best candy in all of Paris! Daddy only lets me buy a little bit each time, saying it'll mess up my teeth... but it's so delicious!"
As she spoke, she looked at Jiang Yu with pleading eyes, her pitiful expression making it hard to refuse her.
Jiang Yu smiled and squatted down to be at her eye level: "It's Children's Day today, so I'll make an exception."
"But I can't eat too much! I know!" An Jialin answered quickly, holding up three fingers. "I promise, I'll only buy a little bit and eat it over three days! No, over five days! I'll eat it slowly!"
"Smart." Jiang Yu ruffled her hair and led her into the store.
The candy store is like a fairy tale world, or rather, like a scene from "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory".
The store wasn't big, but it was filled with glass jars from floor to ceiling, containing candies of all shapes and colors: star-shaped, moon-shaped, animal-shaped; fruit-flavored, chocolate-flavored, mint-flavored, and all sorts of strange and unexpected flavors.
An Jialin was like a little mouse that had fallen into a rice jar, her eyes couldn't take it all in.
The shop assistant handed her a small basket and a pair of clips. She wandered around the store with them, wanting to take everything but only a little bit of each. Her conflicted look was incredibly cute.
Liu Yifei and Jiang Yu stood at the door watching.
Liu Yifei said softly, "You spoil her too much. You'll spoil her rotten."
"Children's Day only comes once a year." Jiang Yu smiled as he looked at her, naturally reaching out to tidy her bangs that had been ruffled by the wind. "Besides, she's so cute, who could bear not to spoil her? Look at how conflicted she is, it's so funny."
Indeed, Anjalin was currently facing a jar of rainbow-colored star-shaped candies, wondering if she could take more, but she also remembered her promise.
Her little brows were furrowed tightly, and her lips were pouting, making her look so funny that it was hard not to laugh.
"Then when you have your own children in the future, you'll definitely spoil them rotten," Liu Yifei blurted out.
As soon as she said it, she froze, her face turning bright red to her ears, like a ripe tomato.
Good heavens, what is she saying...? That's so...so direct...
Seeing her shy expression, Jiang Yu leaned closer and whispered in her ear, "But that depends on you being willing to have my child first. And..."
'
He paused, his voice softening, tinged with a smile: "I think you would be a wonderful mother. Gentle, patient, you would teach children to draw, tell them stories, and make them beautiful clothes..."
"Stop talking..." Liu Yifei blushed and her ears turned red. She gently pushed him, but the force was soft and weak, more like a coquettish gesture.
Jiang Yu took her hand and pulled her closer: "I'm serious. I've imagined it many times. We have a home, children, cooking together on weekends, traveling together on holidays. You teach the children to play the piano, and I teach them to play basketball. The children look like you—beautiful, smart, and kind..."
The scene he described was so beautiful, it seemed unreal.
Liu Yifei listened, looked up at him, her eyes glistening with tears, and smiled sweetly: "I've wanted to... I've wanted to for a long time too..."
The two stared at each other, the surrounding noise fading away, leaving only the two of them in the world.
The ambiguous atmosphere was broken when An Jialin ran over with her small basket after choosing her candies: "I've chosen! Look, Brother Jiang Yu! I only took two of each! I'm being a good girl!"
The basket was filled with candies of various colors, but there were only one or two of each kind, which was quite restrained.
Jiang Yu looked at it and added a few more rainbow star candies that she had been staring at for a long time to the basket.
"This is a reward," he said gently, "a reward for our little painter who painted such a beautiful picture, and a reward for Jialin who is so sensible and knows how to be moderate."
An Jialin's eyes narrowed into slits with joy. "Brother Jiang Yu, you're the best! I like you the most!"
"What about me?" Liu Yifei pretended to be jealous.
"I also love my older sister the most!" An Jialin quickly said, then thought for a moment and added, "But today, Brother Jiang Yu is number one because he bought me candy!"
This honest answer made them both laugh.
When paying, the cashier, a young French girl, looked at the "family of three" and said in heavily accented French English, "Your child is so cute. She looks just like her mother, so beautiful."
Liu Yifei was about to explain, "She's my sister," when Jiang Yu smiled and nodded, "Thank you. She really is very cute."
He naturally took the bag of candy, holding the candy in one hand and taking Liu Yifei's hand in the other.
An Jialin held Liu Yifei's hand on the other side, and the three of them walked out of the candy store. The sunlight shone on them, warm and bright.
Liu Yifei's heart was still pounding from the conversation they had just had.
She glanced at Jiang Yu and found that he was looking at her too, with a gentle smile in his eyes.
The two walked hand in hand in the Parisian sunshine.
An Jialin was in the middle, holding one in each hand, skipping and hopping, humming an off-key song.
Passersby who see them will smile knowingly; what a happy family they are.
Next is the Champs-Élysées.
In June, the Champs-Élysées is lush with green plane trees, their shade blocking out the sun, and the streets are bustling with tourists.
Anjalin led them into a small alley, where a small ice cream shop was located deep inside. The shop had a rustic appearance and a sign that read "Glacesà I 'ancienne'" (traditional ice cream).
"This is it!" she exclaimed, pointing to the sign for "Lebanese Rose Ice Cream." "This is it! The best ice cream in the world! My classmate said her dad is a food critic, and he calls this place a hidden gem in Paris!"
Sure enough, there was a long queue in front of the store, which stretched all the way to the alley entrance.
The queue included both tourists and locals, which clearly indicates that this restaurant has a very good reputation.
While queuing, Jiang Yu naturally stood behind Liu Yifei, encircling her in his arms and using his body to block the crowd.
Liu Yifei leaned against his chest and could hear his steady heartbeat.
His arm was wrapped around her waist, not very tightly, but very noticeable.
She could lean on him completely relaxed, without worrying about being jostled or getting separated.
It's a wonderful feeling—to be protected and cherished, like a precious piece of porcelain being carefully held in one's hands.
"Are you tired?" he asked, leaning down to her ear, his breath brushing against her hair, tickling her.
"I'm not tired." She shook her head, her voice very soft. "It's just... a little hot."
It wasn't that she was hot; it was that his embrace was so warm that it made her heart race and her cheeks burn.
Jiang Yu chuckled, "Your face is so red, and you still say it's not because you're hot?"
He raised his free hand and casually touched her cheek with his fingertips. "It is a little hot. Should we go buy a bottle of water?"
"No need..." She grabbed his hand, not wanting him to leave, "It's fine like this..."
Jiang Yu grasped her hand in return, their fingers intertwined: "Okay, then let's do it this way."
The two of them nestled together like that, in the Parisian summer sun, in the long line outside the ice cream shop, like an ordinary couple, enjoying simple sweetness.
The surrounding noise, the sweltering air, and the impatience of waiting all became unimportant.
The important thing is that at this moment, he is by her side, holding her hand and protecting her in his arms.
An Jialin turned around and saw this scene, then deliberately sighed loudly, "Sigh, I'm a third wheel again. I should have asked Dad to come, then I wouldn't have to eat dog food all by myself."
The people in line all laughed.
A French man, probably in his fifties or sixties, with gray hair and impeccably dressed, chuckled and teased Anjalin in English, "Little girl, when you grow up, someone will hold you like this too. Then you'll know that being a third wheel can be happy too."
"No way!" An Jialin made a face. "I want to stay a little kid forever, and have Brother Jiang Yu and Sister Jiang Yu pamper me! When I grow up, I want to find a boyfriend like Brother Jiang Yu—tall, handsome, and caring!"
That made everyone laugh.
Jiang Yu smiled and ruffled her hair: "Then you'd better choose carefully, someone like me is hard to find."
"I know!" Anjalin nodded earnestly, "That's why I want to learn from my sister how to find such a wonderful person!"
Liu Yifei blushed deeply and gently patted her younger sister: "Don't talk nonsense..."
When it was finally their turn, Jiang Yu ordered three servings of the signature Lebanese rose ice cream.
The shop assistant, a smiling middle-aged woman, gave An Jialin an extra spoonful of water: "Happy Children's Day to our lovely little princess!"
The ice cream is served in a handmade waffle cone, with pink ice cream sprinkled with pistachio crumbs and edible rose petals, and adorned with a piece of gold leaf, making it as exquisite as a work of art.
One bite reveals an incredibly smooth and delicate texture. The aroma of roses melts on the tongue, sweet but not cloying, with a subtle floral fragrance, followed by the rich flavor of pistachios.
"Wow..." Anjalin closed her eyes, a look of pure bliss on her face. "This is so wonderful."
The three of them sat at a small round table outside the shop eating ice cream.
Anjalin had ice cream all over her face, with a little pink ice cream stuck to the tip of her nose, making her look like a little kitten who had stolen a bite.
Liu Yifei smiled and gently helped her wipe her face with a tissue.
Looking at the two sisters and then at the ice cream in his hand, Jiang Yu suddenly realized that happiness can sometimes be this simple.
In his past life, he pursued fame and fortune and possessed a great deal, but he never experienced this kind of simple joy.
In this lifetime, he realized that this was the most precious treasure in life.
"Brother Jiang Yu," An Jialin suddenly asked, her little face full of curiosity, "how did you celebrate Children's Day when you were little?"
Jiang Yu thought for a moment, his thoughts drifting back to his childhood memories from both his past and present lives, merging together: "When I was little... my mother would iron my white shirt and blue pants perfectly the night before, tie my red scarf on me in the morning, and put two boiled eggs in my schoolbag, saying it meant 'perfect'."
He paused, his gaze softening and becoming distant: "Dad would take me to the Xinhua Bookstore and let me choose any book I liked. I remember one year, I picked out a set of '100,000 Whys,' it was really thick, and Dad bought it without saying a word. In the evenings, Mom would cook a delicious meal, with braised pork, steamed fish, and my favorite sweet and sour pork ribs. During dinner, Dad would ask me what I had learned that day, and Mom would put food on my plate, saying I needed to eat more to grow..."
As he spoke, his voice gradually lowered.
Those memories, some from this life and some from past lives, are mixed together, real and warm.
Regardless of the childhood, the love of parents is the same: simple, profound, and hidden in the details of daily life.
Jiang Yu looked into Liu Yifei's eyes and said earnestly, "Yifei, you are a child too."
Liu Yifei was taken aback: "Me?"
"Mm." Jiang Yu smiled, a smile as gentle as a spring breeze. "With me, you can always be a child."
You don't always have to be so strong, you don't always have to take care of others. When you're tired, you can be affectionate; when you're sad, you can cry; when you're happy, you can laugh out loud. Children's Day is for you too, because you also need to be pampered, loved, and treated like a treasure.
These words brought tears to Liu Yifei's eyes.
She quickly lowered her head, afraid of being seen, but tears still welled up in her eyes.
Jiang Yu saw it but didn't say anything. He simply reached out and gently wiped away the tears from the corner of her eyes with his thumb: "So today, you're a child too. Just like Jia Lin, eat whatever you want, play whatever you want, buy whatever you want. I'll spoil you."
An Jialin, who was listening nearby, suddenly stood up and held up her ice cream: "I declare! From today onwards, there are three children in our family! Me, my sister, and... well, Jiang Yu counts too! Because Dad says that every man has a little boy inside him!"
These words immediately broke the somber atmosphere.
Jiang Yu smiled and held up the ice cream: "Okay, then I'll celebrate Children's Day too."
Liu Yifei stopped crying and smiled, then picked up the ice cream.
The three waffle cones tapped together gently, making a crisp sound.
Cheers! Happy Children's Day to the three of us kids!
The sun was shining brightly, and a gentle breeze was blowing.
After finishing her ice cream, An Jialin licked her lips with lingering satisfaction: "Brother Jiang Yu, where are we going next? To Disneyland?"
Jiang Yu checked the time; it was 11 a.m. "Hmm, it's time to go. But before we go, should we buy some gifts for Mom and Dad? They're waiting for us at home; we should bring them back a little surprise."
"Great idea!" Anjalin jumped up. "I know what Dad likes! He likes the old books at that bookstore! Mom likes the gardenias at that flower shop!"
"Then what are we waiting for?" Jiang Yu said, taking one in each hand. "Let's go!"
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