Chapter 2 Is Mommy slacking off?
The Xie family celebrated a simple yet heartwarming birthday for Lin Zhixin.
Tongtong originally wanted to have a big celebration, but considering that her aunt had just recovered from a medical visit abroad, she didn't insist.
He made a pinky promise that he would prepare a big surprise for her next year.
As night fell, just before going to bed, the father and son realized that Jiang Shiyuan had been out of contact all day.
Every night, Jiang Shiyuan would prepare a bowl of calming soup that she had personally brewed for her husband, fill the bath water with 40°C water, and burn his favorite ebony incense.
She would help her son brush his teeth and wash his face, feed him warm milk, and massage his legs to improve his circulation so he could grow taller.
But today, Jiang Shiyuan skipped work, so the housekeeper, Ning, had to do it for him, keeping him as busy as a spinning top being whipped back and forth.
"Butler Ning, is this bathwater? Are you sure it's not hot pot water?" Xie Jinghuai, tall and imposing, stood outside the bathroom door in a bathrobe, his brows furrowed.
Butler Ning panicked for a moment, "I'm sorry, young master, I'll redo it right away!"
"Butler Ning! The milk is ice cold, it tastes awful!"
Wearing pajamas, Tongtong stood with his hands on his hips next to his father. The father and son had identical expressions, their resentment more intense than ghosts. "Mommy always gives me lukewarm milk!"
Butler Ning was sweating profusely. "I...I'll cool you down right away!"
Every time the lady heated milk for the young master, she would use a thermometer to measure the temperature, ensuring that the milk was delivered to his mouth with perfect precision, so that the taste and temperature were naturally perfect.
She has so many things to do every day, how could she have the patience to be bothered like this!
Xie Jinghuai shook his head, turned around and went back to the living room, sat on the sofa, picked up the calming soup and took a sip.
The next second, a deep crease appeared between his brows, and he slammed the bowl down heavily.
"Butler Ning, what's wrong with this soup? It's too bland."
“Young Master, the calming soup you usually drink is prepared for you by Madam every morning. It is a medicinal soup made with more than twenty kinds of Chinese herbs. The cooking time and ingredients are very particular. Only she has the recipe.”
Butler Ning was on the verge of a breakdown. "I called Madam, but she wouldn't answer. I had no choice but to add some water to the rest and let it simmer again..."
"Jiang Shiyuan isn't answering the phone?" Xie Jinghuai's handsome face darkened, and anger surged in his phoenix eyes.
Tongtong pouted and complained, "Daddy, why isn't Mommy home tonight? Nobody's doing the chores without her!"
The man grabbed his phone, about to call Jiang Shiyuan, when his secretary Han Xu's line went busy.
"Mr. Xie, there's a fire at the new energy R&D department. The initial estimate of the loss is around five million."
Xie Jinghuai's usually cold expression hardened slightly. "The latest chip we developed, is it working properly?"
"Please rest assured, there's no problem. I heard that an employee rescued him in time, and he was injured and hospitalized as a result. But I heard that he's fine and has already been discharged."
The man's voice was indifferent as he dusted off his clothes. "That's good."
Han Xu: "Should I go ask him who he is?"
"No need, it's good that the chip is fine."
Xie Jinghuai paused for a moment, then suddenly spoke, "Secretary Han."
What are your orders?
He originally wanted Han Xu to investigate Jiang Shiyuan's whereabouts, but he suddenly remembered the unpleasant conversation the two had three days ago.
He dislikes a partner who is suspicious, jealous, or like a resentful woman.
He prided himself on being a virtuous gentleman, but for the past five years, Jiang Shiyuan seemed unable to get over the issue of him and Zhixin.
Even though he told him more than once that they were completely innocent, and if there were any issues, they would have already done so, and she wouldn't have the chance to become Mrs. Xie.
But the woman still doubted him and couldn't tolerate Zhixin.
Xie Jinghuai's brows furrowed with a hint of irritation, and his voice was cold and deep: "The aftermath of the fire must be handled properly, so as not to cause trouble for the Xie family."
As for Jiang Shiyuan, he was too tired to care today.
She had nowhere else to go but her parents' home.
She was deeply attached to him and cherished him as her own life.
He was certain that his good-for-nothing wife would slink back home first thing tomorrow morning.
Tongtong was still complaining, "Daddy, when is Mommy coming back? How could she do this? You should spank her!"
Xie Jinghuai's expression was solemn, displaying the majesty of a family head: "Xie Junheng, where is your upbringing as a young master? How can you speak so rudely?"
Tongtong was so frightened that she kept her little mouth tightly shut.
In front of his mother, he was a mischievous little devil. But in front of his father, he was as obedient as a trembling little quail.
Just then, Tongtong's smartwatch rang, displaying the name "My beloved Aunt Xinxin".
"Daddy, I'm going back to my room now. Aunt Xinxin called me! She's been telling me bedtime stories every night lately!" Tongtong waved her little hand happily.
The man nodded slightly. "Go ahead, but don't stay up too late."
Tongtong skipped and hopped away.
...
On the other side, Juyue Garden.
This is a house that Jiang Shiyuan bought three years ago without telling the Xie family. The environment is quiet and peaceful, and he can concentrate on design and research here.
Jiang Shiyuan washed her bleeding body in the bathroom, then returned to her room and slowly sat on the bed.
Although she is only twenty-six years old, she suffered a miscarriage, and the physical void she experienced five years ago when she gave birth to Tongtong has not yet been fully recovered.
She picked up her phone; the screen remained silent.
It was so late, and her husband and son hadn't even called her once, showing no concern for why she wasn't home or whether she might be in any danger.
Jiang Shiyuan moved her pale lips and let out a bitter laugh.
It doesn't matter anymore. When she married into the Xie family, Mr. Xie fell ill and was hospitalized. The Xie family didn't have the energy to make arrangements, and she was too sensible. The two families just had a quick meal together, and the wedding photos were just perfunctory.
Now, she also wants to end this marriage, which is as cold as a tomb, quietly and amicably.
Suddenly, my phone vibrated, and a message popped up on WeChat.
She tapped the page with her finger, revealing a draft divorce agreement.
Attached is a message:
[It's midnight, Miss, happy birthday!]
Jiang Shiyuan's almond-shaped eyes reddened, a lump formed in her throat, and she smiled with emotion:
【Thanks. 】
Marriage doesn't guarantee happiness, and breaking up isn't the end. Xie Jinghuai isn't good enough for you. Move on; you have a bright future ahead of you.
Jiang Shiyuan stared blankly at the screen, her eyes glistening with tears that blurred the words.
*
The next morning.
Without Jiang Shiyuan's care, the Xie father and son were extremely busy in the mornings.
One person was unhappy with the shape of the fried egg, while the other frowned at the taste of the coffee.
"Daddy, when is Mommy coming home? She's so strange!" The maid helped Tongtong put on her shoes, and the little girl pouted and made a lot of noise.
The man frowned. "Hurry up, you're going to be late for school."
Tongtong muttered softly, "Mommy used to take me to school every day, but isn't she going to take me today? Is she trying to slack off?"
Xie Jinghuai's thin lips moved slightly, and he suddenly had a vague feeling that today seemed to be some kind of special occasion.
But he couldn't remember for a moment.
"Brother Jinghuai!"
A soft, gentle call interrupted Xie Jinghuai's thoughts.
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