Chapter 114 Chapter 114 Jiang Dong's mother went into the house and looked...

Jiang Dong's mother went into the house and saw Jiang Dong packing his things.

There were some clothes spread out on the bed, and it looked like they were considering which ones to take outside. Jiang Dong's mother looked at the thin coats and autumn clothes and asked worriedly, "These clothes are too thin. Can we really take them over there? Since you guys are driving, why not take some thicker clothes?"

Jiang Dong's mother, who had never been outside the county town, couldn't imagine the weather in Guangcheng was so warm. It was so cold at home that the snow hadn't even melted yet, and everyone was eager to wear two extra cotton-padded jackets, wrapping themselves up as thickly as possible.

Jiang Dong smiled and said to his mother, "Don't worry, Mom! Didn't we talk about this before? Why did you seem to forget what we said when you saw I didn't bring any thick clothes? It will be warm over there soon, and I have thick clothes in the car. Don't worry, your son is not a child anymore. He has been out there for many years."

Jiang Dong's mother sat by the bed, touching the clothes on it, and said with a nostalgic tone, "No matter how old he gets, he's still my son!"

Jiang Dong looked at his mother and agreed, "Yes, yes, no matter how old I am, I am still your son."

"Look at you, you're such a chatterbox." Jiang Dong's mother was amused by her son's words, but she had come here tonight for a serious matter. She winked at her son and asked, "Are you going there tomorrow?"

She knew her son understood what she meant, and Jiang Dong also knew what his mother meant.

So, he nodded without hesitation, "Yeah, that's right. It would be a bit embarrassing not to go anyway, so I'd better just go as before."

Jiang Dong's mother was troubled. It wasn't that she didn't want her son to go on this trip, nor was it that she was reluctant to give him the gift, but...

Jiang Dong noticed the hesitation on his mother's face, so he stopped tidying up his clothes. He walked over to her and sat down next to her, asking, "Mom, what's wrong?"

Jiang Dong's mother talked about something that happened before, which she had not had time to tell her son.

"Son, you didn't know when you weren't home, but your wife's mother somehow found out that your wife had made it big. She even came to our house before the New Year, but I sent her away."

The fact that Xia Li's mother had come to visit her wasn't as easy as she was saying now. She hadn't really had much contact with this in-law, but from the two times she'd met them over the years and the attitude of her daughter-in-law and son towards them, she felt like she was facing a formidable enemy.

At that time, I was wondering why this woman came here. She had never come to see my daughter since she got married. She pretended not to know when she gave birth to a child and when she ran away. Why did she come here now?

Xia Li was good-looking, so her mother was no less beautiful. Although she was old, she still looked energetic and had no extra fat on her body. She looked completely different from the working rural women.

Although her relative-in-law looked like a respectable person, what he meant was that he wanted to know her daughter's address. Considering her behavior over the years, what else was there that he didn't know?

It must be that seeing her child succeed, she, as a mother, wants to enjoy the life right away.

However, she simply excused herself by saying she didn't know Xia Li's contact information or the child's address. Tears welled up in her eyes as she said she didn't know where her grandson was, and then she coaxed him away. However, she also knew he wouldn't let it go.

Jiang Dong was busy a few days before he came back, and he didn't think about this matter. It was only when he saw his son preparing gifts again that he remembered that there was such a person. He had to explain the pros and cons to his son quickly.

The same goes for Xia Li. Let Jiang Dong give her a reminder.

Jiang Dong was stunned when he heard what his mother said. He hadn't thought it through and had forgotten that his mother-in-law was very likely to go find Xia Li. If it were anyone else, Jiang Dong might not have worried about this possibility, but his mother-in-law was no ordinary person, so this possibility was very real.

"Mom, I really need to plan carefully about what you said. At least this year I can't give the gift the same way as in previous years."

He needs to think about it carefully.

In the end, Jiang Dong's solution was to ask someone to help him deliver the New Year's gift. The excuse was ready-made, that is, he was busy with work and time was tight, so he didn't have time.

I don’t know what happened later because he immediately set off back to Guangcheng. I could only find out the specific situation by calling or sending a telegram later.

The journey was smooth. After Jiang Dong arrived in Guangcheng, he just took a short rest before going to meet Xia Li and his son.

This Spring Festival, mother and child are spending the first time together, and I don't know how it will go. What delicious dishes did they cook, and do the child's clothes fit well?

Jiang Dong's heart was full of longing, and he wished he could appear in front of the mother and son immediately.

Jiangzai was very happy during the Chinese New Year. There were many delicious foods at home, and there were beautiful fireworks to watch at night. He also wore beautiful new clothes. However, he missed his father and grandmother occasionally.

On the first day of the New Year, he got up early and took out the new clothes his father bought for him from the cabinet next to him. His mother had already folded them and put them in the cabinet.

Jiangzai would take a look at it every day before. Children are always looking forward to new clothes, and finally the first day of the new year arrived.

He can now wear thick clothes by himself and is no longer afraid of sleeping alone. Sometimes at night he taps on the wall, and on the other side is his mother. If he waits a little, he can hear his mother responding in the next room.

This is a little game between him and his mother, it's so fun.

He put on his clothes and new shoes, jumped a few times excitedly on the ground, then knocked on the common wall between the two rooms, opened the door and went out.

Jiang Zai opened the door and saw no other movement in the living room, so he knew he was the first one to get up today. He first walked to his aunt's room across the street and knocked on the door.

Soon the door opened. Xia Pingzhi saw the child standing at the doorway and a smile immediately lit up her face. She bent down slightly, patted Jiangzi's shoulder, and said, "Jiangzi, come and wake me up! Today is the first day of the new year. Happy New Year, Jiangzi! In the new year, eat more, grow taller, and learn more new knowledge!"

After saying that, she turned around and went back to get out a red envelope that had been prepared long ago.

Jiang Zai took it with a puzzled look on his face. He was still young and didn't know what it was, so he held it in his hand and looked at it, not knowing what it was for.

Xia Pingzhi told him that this was a red envelope containing New Year's money, which all children received.

Jiang Zai's eyes lit up immediately after hearing this. He already knew the great use of money. Everything needed money. Even some kindergarten children had money in their hands, which they could use to buy many things.

Holding the red envelope in his hand, Jiang Zai said to Xia Pingzhi happily, "Thank you, Auntie!"

Looking at the unconcealable joy and excitement on the face of the child beside her legs, Xia Pingzhi couldn't help laughing. How did he become a little money-grubber? Did he take after his mother?

She smiled helplessly and shook her head, then patted his little head. "Go, call your mother. Don't get up late today!"

Jiangzai then skipped and jumped towards his mother's room in front.

As for Charlie, she was still half asleep and half awake.

She was still conscious, and only remembered that she had a dream, and it was the same kind of dream. But she was a married woman with children, and she was not an ignorant girl.

In the dream, the two of them seemed to be entangled in endless love, crimson waves rolling. There was only happiness, nothing else. She buried herself in the pillow, her eyes reluctant to open, as if she wanted to continue this beautiful dream.

Of course she knew who the person in the dream was, but what did it matter? It was just her dream, and no one else knew.

But her beautiful dream was difficult to continue because Jiang Zai was knocking on the door.

Charlie still didn't open her eyes, but her brows were furrowed, and her face showed an expression of displeasure at being disturbed.

She turned over impatiently, pretending not to hear.

But her door has always been basically unguarded. Jiang Zai knows that if his mother's door doesn't open when he knocks, he can just knock on it.

Charlie stayed in bed and didn't want to get up until she felt the fur above her eyebrows and eyes, as if a small claw was moving. Then she reluctantly opened one eye.

"Baby, why are you up so early?" After seeing clearly who was in front of her and realizing it was not a dream, Charlie finally spoke in a sleepy voice.

But as soon as she opened her eyes and spoke the words, she realized that the erotic dream was over.

Jiang Zai looked at Xia Li with a smile and said to her, "Happy New Year, Mom!"

When Charlie heard this, her head suddenly snapped open, and she woke up completely. She placed a hand on her forehead in frustration and said apologetically to her son beside her bed, "Mom must have been dreaming and confused. I actually forgot what day it was! Happy New Year, baby!"

After saying that, Charlie pulled her son over to the bedside, moved closer to him, and kissed him on the forehead with a "mua".

"Mom loves you!"

When Jiangzai heard his mother say this, he suddenly felt a little embarrassed. His face immediately turned red and he started to squirm. After a moment, he quickly ran out.

Leaving behind in the room was Charlie, who was smiling helplessly.

She sighed, then sat up. Everything that had been immersing her in the dream quickly vanished like waves crashing onto the beach, appearing and disappearing.

No wonder they say erotic dreams leave no trace. Xia Li shook her head, and she really couldn't remember those extremely immersive details in the dream just now.

It was just her subconscious that told her who that person was.

Who cares? He doesn’t know anyway.

But no one knew that when she opened her eyes and saw her son's face that looked just like his, her heart was shocked.

Charlie got up as soon as she said she would, as today was the first day of the new year. She also had new clothes, but after opening the closet and looking around, she hesitated for a moment before taking out the coat that was hanging there.

I don’t know what kind of taste Jiang Dong has. The light yellow dress always looks a bit weird on her. This should be a color that only girls in their teens wear.

Charlie frowned, turned around a few times, and kept pulling at the fabric of the clothes with her hands. The clothes were good, but she really felt that the color was a bit inappropriate.

When he opened the door and went out, Jiangzai, who was in the living room, turned his head and let out an exaggerated "Wow" with a very exaggerated expression on his face.

He quickly ran to Xia Li's side, praising her with his little mouth: "Mom, you look so beautiful today!" and even circled around him.

Xia Li felt less awkward now. After all, a child can lie. If she said she was beautiful today, then she was beautiful! How honest!

She was in a good mood, so she took something out of her pocket and handed it to her son, "Here, this is a red envelope that mom gave to our baby. You can keep it for yourself!" It wasn't much anyway.

Jiang Zai jumped up even more excitedly, took the New Year's money given by his mother and went to show his aunt.

"Auntie, look, this is the red envelope my mother gave me." She shouted happily.

Charlie watched from the side and the corners of her mouth curled up unconsciously. Well, she also had to go wash up and welcome the first day of the new year.

I'm planning to go out shopping with my aunt and kids today.

When Jiang Dong returned to Guangcheng with his things, the first thing he did was to see his wife and children.

He was still worried about whether those two people would miss him. After all, his son was his own son, so Jiang Dong didn't care about his own thoughts. But as for Xia Li, he really didn't know what she was thinking.

Jiang Dong was feeling rather uncertain. Xia Li didn't seem to reject his presence or his contact, but she didn't seem to express any interest in whether the two of them should continue to be together.

Right now, being able to have this situation was actually quite good for him. However, he just had to make sure no one got between them.

The Xia family's aunt and nephew lived in Guangcheng. Since they were both from other places, they had virtually no relatives here. During the years my uncle had been away in the countryside, he had almost ceased to interact with the relatives here. My aunt told me that it wasn't because of something that had caused a bad relationship, but rather that the affection had gradually faded over time and distance.

Later, the two of them gradually closed themselves off to live their own lives. During festivals, they would just hang out with their close friends and neighbors.

A few years ago, after my uncle passed away, my aunt didn't even know any news about his relatives.

Therefore, celebrating the New Year is very relaxing now. We don’t have to be busy preparing for the New Year like Grandma Zhong’s family did, preparing this and that. The house is full of things waiting for her and her daughter-in-law to clean up together.

My aunt said that she used to envy other people's lively families, but when she thought about how busy they were during the holidays, she felt that her own life was more relaxed. Now, with her niece and Jiang Zai by her side, she no longer feels envious of anything. She has everything she wants.

So, on the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, Xia Li's family quickly entertained almost all of the friends and neighbors they needed to entertain. She even had time to keep an appointment.

It was Xu Zhining who took the initiative to ask her out.

That day, my aunt took Jiang Zai and said she was going to visit her old friend Chen Ying's home. The friend specifically said that she must bring the child with her, saying that Anan from her family missed his brother and that he must come over to play.

Xu Zhining was talking about a lion and dragon dance event on Zhongjie Street. It was a lively event, and there were other interesting things to do. How could Xia Li not be excited?

So, since she was the only one left at home, Charlie looked at the message on her pager and happily agreed.

After all, it’s New Year’s Day and it’s bustling outside. It’s not appropriate to be alone at home.

She didn't think much about it at the time and was very grateful that Xu Zhining made the appointment at the right time, because she was just regretting not agreeing to go with her aunt and Jiang Zai.

The event was indeed grand and fun. Especially since Xu Zhining seemed so familiar with everything, Xia Li didn't have to worry about anything, so she could just focus on watching and enjoying the show to her heart's content.

The only bad thing is that there are too many people. It seems that everyone in the city has flocked here, and the crowds are huge.

So, in the busy journey, someone would accidentally bump into her from time to time, and sometimes Xia Li would accidentally bump into Xu Zhining.

He seemed to be good-tempered, and even helped her block people when he knew there were a lot of people around, and reminded her to be careful when she encountered a difficult road.

Although Xia Li has been struggling in Guangcheng for several years, she has always been a person with a strong sense of propriety, otherwise she would not be so focused on making money instead of men.

But she is not a fool when it comes to love. She wonders if Xu Zhining is interested in her.

Charlie was a little slow to realize it, but in the end she still suspected that she had made a mistake.

She didn't doubt her own charm. No matter her image, personality, or work, Charlie felt that she was at least better than many people.

Why can't others like me?

But that was Xu Zhining!

She had never thought about this!

Xu Zhining, in today's terms, is at least a golden bachelor. There are not many men who are so handsome, especially because of their work. His temperament is also outstanding. Xia Li doesn't believe that there is no one who doesn't like such a man.

For example, the last time the two of them met by chance in a cafe, Xu Zhining didn't feel attracted to such a nice girl at all.

Then she realized that this man had very high standards when it came to choosing a partner. But it didn't matter, as he was well-off and it was normal for him to have high standards.

However, Xia Li had never really connected the two of them. After all, to outsiders, she was a charming urban beauty, but Xu Zhining knew that she had a child, a son who was already four or five years old.

Charlie watched the man's caring and thoughtful attitude towards her throughout the journey, and her heart was in turmoil. The surroundings were lively and bustling, but she really felt that the atmosphere between the two of them was quite strange.

She wasn't sure at the time until she happened to run into Xu Zhining's colleague on the street. Xia Li also knew him, an acquaintance: the young man named Chen Ran.

He seemed to have a good relationship with Xu Zhining. When he saw Xia Li next to him, he came over to greet her enthusiastically, winked at Xu Zhining, and smiled a little ambiguously.

Xu Zhining didn't say anything at the time, just joked with him for a few words, and then quickly let him continue on duty.

Charlie watched from the side, her eyes twinkling, but her expression remained calm.

After returning home, she didn't tell anyone about this, otherwise her aunt would definitely find out.

But she is not a pretentious person. She will just deal with the situation as it comes.

To be honest, I was secretly happy in my heart. After all, even someone like Xu Zhining had a good impression of me.

But this emotion turned into a guilty conscience when he met Jiang Dong.

Very complicated feelings.

She wondered if there was something wrong with her character. On the one hand, she and Jiang Dong had already separated, but they hadn't officially divorced. She couldn't have made such a request back then, but now she felt like she couldn't say anything.

She also didn't want to publicly admit that she hadn't divorced her ex-husband. She wanted to project an image of herself as an outstanding, independent, and beautiful modern-day woman, not a mother raising a child or a woman separated from her husband.

Under the cover of night, Jiang Dong helped carry the things he brought this time into the gate, and did not go in another step.

He knew that Xia Li's aunt had some grudges against him, so he didn't think about going in to greet her. Song Xi was placed on the ground. Jiang Dong called Xia Li and said to her, "Would you like to go out for a walk with me?"

He was asking for Xia Li's opinion. He hadn't seen her for so many days and really missed her. Seeing her wrapped up so thickly, revealing her palm-sized porcelain-white face, made his heart warm.

What else can Xia Li say? She's willing to sacrifice her life for a gentleman.

Jiang Dong was the first to go down the stairs, and turned back to warn her, "Be careful, it's dark at night.

Charlie said, "I'm not more familiar with this place than you are?"

Jiang Dong turned his head and chuckled. That wasn't necessarily true. He'd been waiting for someone here for so many times, counting the stone slabs on the ground. But he couldn't tell her these things.

When a man and a woman have children, their first conversations are about the children. It is also because of the children that the two people have an unbreakable bond, which ties them together for life.

Jiang Dong asked, "Is the child asleep?"

Under the winter streetlights, two people walked slowly toward the intersection. The light shone behind them, casting two intertwined shadows.

Because of her guilty conscience, Xia Li unconsciously spoke more. "He went to bed early today. Don't you know that your son can sleep alone now? How brave is he?"

Jiang Dong was delighted to hear about his child's progress. He was truly transformed by the day, especially now that they didn't see each other often. He felt his son change dramatically every time he saw him. He never imagined that the tiny child, who needed to be held in his arms to sleep, could now sleep on his own.

"Really? My son is amazing. He will grow into a little man soon. Then he will protect mom together with dad." Jiang Dong said with a smile as he looked at Xia Li.

Xia Li rolled her eyes at him. He was starting to get glib. But the words were kind, and she felt quite happy hearing them. She then asked, "Is Mom okay? I said I was going to call her before the New Year, but somewhere along the way I forgot. Mom must be disappointed. I'll have to find time to call her with Jiang Zai one of these two days."

Jiang Dong nodded, then said to Xia Li, "Mom's health is pretty good. She's busy at home all day, busy with this and that. But as I told you, I really miss my grandson. It's not your fault, communication is really not very convenient."

There was no phone at Xia Li's house, so even if her mother was at home, she would have to run to the village chief's house to answer the phone. It wasn't that convenient. Even now that he and Xia Li were in the same city, there were still times when they couldn't get in touch. They both had pagers, but instant communication was usually impossible, otherwise he wouldn't have been squatting next to Xia Li's house.

Jiang Dong thought to himself that once he had enough funds on hand, he must call both parties first.