Chapter 1 Did I come in your dream?
Delayed Heartbeat
By Mumu Tree
Exclusive First Release
In the height of summer, the cicadas sing incessantly.
The blazing sunlight filtered through the gaps in the lush branches, casting a golden halo on the asphalt road.
A black Maybach was driving on the road to Xunning.
Jiang Sui leaned against the car window, silently watching the scenery rushing past outside.
The closer you get to Xunning, the more intense the greenery becomes on both sides of the road. The cool green hues add a touch of humidity to the already hot air.
Xunning is like something that grew out of a lush primeval forest, with little trace of commercial development. The air is filled with a simple and tranquil atmosphere, and the place is teeming with vibrant life.
Boring, outdated, obsolete, conservative.
It is indeed very suitable for Tibetans.
This is where her mother, Su Yinian, lives.
Jiang Sui lowered her raven-feather-like eyelashes, already foreseeing that the days to come would be filled with various inconveniences and discomforts.
But strangely enough, she never once thought of backing down.
On the contrary, the closer she got to Xun Ning, the more uncontrollably her heart pounded.
Excitement far outweighed anxiety.
This is probably a kind of "love me, love my dog" mentality.
Jiang Sui thought.
Because you like someone, you also feel an inexplicable fondness and anticipation for the place where she lives.
This feeling was enough to dispel Jiang Sui's inner unease.
The phone screen, which was not completely dark, displayed Jiang Sui's conversation with her father.
[Dad: You must be a good boy and listen to Mom, and don't make her angry.]
[Dad: If anyone bullies Mom, you must tell Dad immediately.]
...
The goal was always the same: to make Jiang Sui obediently listen to Su Yinian and be a well-behaved and sensible child.
Jiang Sui is Jiang Yunzhao's beloved daughter.
He usually dotes on Jiang Sui, spoiling her rotten. This is the first time he has made such a request of her, even using the word "definitely" to describe it.
Jiang Sui really wanted to ask him, if he was so worried, why didn't he come along?
But in the end, she didn't ask.
It wasn't that I was afraid of not getting an answer, but that I was afraid Jiang Yunzhao would be upset.
—
Jiang Sui has never met her mother.
To be precise, I've never met Su Yinian in person.
She had only ever seen Su Yinian's photos.
The photo album that Jiang Yunzhao carefully treasured contained many photos of Su Yinian.
When Jiang Sui was little, Jiang Yunzhao's favorite thing to do was to hold her in his arms and look through Su Yinian's photos with her.
Jiang Yunzhao would patiently tell Xiao Jiangsui the story behind each photo.
We went to the library together, watched movies together, and went to the amusement park together...
A gentle breeze carrying the scent of roses softly lifted the plain-colored curtains, and sunlight slowly streamed into the study through the French windows.
Warm light shone on Su Yinian's gentle face, as if she had never left.
Little Jiang Sui pointed at the person in the photo and called out "Mommy," and then kissed her.
Jiang Yunzhao chuckled at his daughter's sweet, childlike voice. He squeezed her chubby little hand and praised her with a smile, "Our Sui Sui is so great."
After a pause, the smile on his face faded slightly, "He can call me 'Mommy' now..."
The father and daughter flipped through the photo album again and again.
Even as the sun sets and the stars fade into the distance, I never feel bored.
This is the father and daughter's favorite "game".
As she got a little older, Jiang Sui began to ask Jiang Yunzhao for "Mom".
Children have a natural dependence on their mothers.
Jiang Sui was no exception.
As she grew older, she was no longer satisfied with the cold Su Yinian in the photos. What she needed was a real, tangible mother who could smile at her, hug her, and comfort her.
"Why does everyone else have a mother, but I don't?"
Jiang Yunzhao knew this was a problem he couldn't escape.
Even though he gave all his love to Jiang Sui, he still couldn't give her a complete family.
Before Jiang Yunzhao could figure out how to answer, Jiang Sui's beautiful eyes welled up with tears. "Does she not like me? Is that why she doesn't come to see me?"
“No,” Jiang Yunzhao hurriedly denied. “Mom loves Sui Sui. She says she’s the person who loves Sui Sui the most in the world.”
"So, did Mom become a star in the sky?"
It's not surprising that Jiang Sui would think this way.
Su Yinian's photos only date back to before Jiang Sui was born. All her knowledge of Su Yinian comes from Jiang Yunzhao's oral account and an old photo album with increasingly scarce content.
This was far from enough for Jiang Sui, who needed maternal love, and it also forced her to think about the worst-case scenario.
Jiang Yunzhao gently comforted her, "Mom is fine, she didn't turn into a star."
Jiang Sui was skeptical. "Really?"
"Of course it's true. When has Daddy ever lied to Sui Sui?"
"Then why hasn't she come to see me?"
"because……"
The fingertip pierced the palm, bringing an unbearable pain.
Jiang Yunzhao didn't want to lose his composure in front of his daughter, but he also didn't want to make up any excuses to appease her. He forced a smile and said, "Because Dad is useless."
"Then Daddy, hurry up and become strong, I want Mommy."
Every word Jiang Sui spoke was like a sharp thorn, piercing straight into Jiang Yunzhao's heart, bringing unbearable pain that lingered for years.
He fell silent, even though the spot on his broken right leg had long since healed.
But at this moment, the sudden, inexplicable pain in his right leg was a silent warning to him that the wound had not healed at all.
Jiang Yunzhao guessed that his expression at the time was probably not very good.
Because Xiao Jiang Sui didn't continue speaking, but slowly climbed onto his lap, her tender little face pressed tightly against his shoulder, her little hands trying to reach behind her and gently patting his back.
Just like he usually coaxes her.
Later, Jiang Sui was coaxed away by the housekeeper, leaving Jiang Yunzhao alone in the study.
He didn't turn on the light.
The light and shadow of the setting sun fell on him through the window, as if splitting him in two, one half bathed in the warm orange afterglow, the other half sinking into an eerie shadow, chillingly cold.
Silent and still, Jiang Yunzhao seemed to have become a breathing human statue, remaining motionless for a long time.
Only when darkness completely filled the space could his low, restrained sigh be heard.
The arrogant young master always felt that he was invincible and could easily rise above others. But once he lost the protection of his family, he was nothing but a pitiful wretch who depended on others for his life.
He can't protect anyone.
—
At first, Jiang Sui would ask Jiang Yunzhao when she could see her mother, but later she stopped asking.
Some things became "taboos" that the father and daughter never talked about.
One day during summer vacation, Jiang Yunzhao called Jiang Sui to his study.
No one knows what he said to Jiang Sui, only that for a long time to come, Jiang Sui will live with Su Yinian, her biological mother.
—
The memory abruptly ended.
Jiang Sui's fair fingertips lightly tapped the car window. "I feel like I've been here before."
It seems like a long time ago she was also leaning against the car window, eagerly wanting to see someone.
Sitting in the passenger seat, Xu Ze turned to look at her, a look of surprise appearing on his usually stern face. "How is that possible?"
Xu is Jiang Yunzhao's secretary, and she also watched Jiang Sui grow up.
His mission this time was to safely escort Jiang Sui to Xunning to find her mother.
As he spoke, Xu carefully observed the little girl sitting in the back row.
Jiang Sui was wearing a simple white T-shirt and overalls today. Her naturally curly long hair was tied up high, revealing her pretty face without makeup.
There were no superfluous decorations on her body, except for a few brightly colored badges pinned to her chest, which added a touch of playfulness and cuteness to her clean and neat appearance.
Compared to the gentle-looking Su Yinian, Jiang Sui looks more like the sharp and assertive Jiang Yunzhao. Her overly bright and delicate features give her an aloof and unapproachable air.
Only her eyes resembled Su Yinian's, clean and clear, as if they contained a glittering galaxy, especially when she smiled, so beautiful that it was impossible to look away.
“That’s true, how could I possibly have been here?” Jiang Sui murmured. “Maybe I was here in a dream.”
Xu glanced at the navigation, "We'll be in Xunning in half an hour."
After listening, Jiang Sui gently fiddled with the small charm on her backpack and responded softly.
"knew."
Only half an hour left.
Despite it being her first time setting foot on this land, Jiang Sui suddenly felt a sense of "trepidation upon returning home."
Xu noticed that Jiang Sui seemed a little off and couldn't help but ask, "Didn't you always want to see your mother? Now that your wish has come true, why aren't you happy?"
Over the years, only Jiang Sui's grandfather, Jiang Zhenkai, knew Su Yinian's whereabouts.
From the time Jiang Yunzhao learned of Su Yinian's whereabouts to the time he sent Jiang Sui to Xunning, only a week had passed.
"Uncle Xu."
"Um?"
"Are you and Dad hiding something from me?"
Xu was Jiang Yunzhao's most trusted subordinate, and Jiang Sui felt that he must know something.
Jiang Sui's sudden question startled Xu Ze, but he remained outwardly calm. "Why do you ask that?"
Jiang Sui looked directly into Xu Ze's eyes, her tone slightly cold: "I just feel something's off."
She didn't like that Jiang Yunzhao and Xu Ze both treated her like a clueless child.
Xu was surprised by Jiang Sui's sensitivity, and knew that the girl was not easy to fool. He could only quickly change the subject, "There's nothing strange about it. By the way, the transfer procedures have been completed for you. You can go directly to the school when school starts."
After a two-second pause, Xu added, "It's at Xunning No. 2 Middle School, where your mother teaches."
"..."
Clearly, Jiang Sui wouldn't get anything out of Xu Ze, so she stopped dwelling on it and followed up with, "Will she teach me?"
"It's unclear at the moment." Xu Ze was unsure of Jiang Sui's thoughts and tentatively suggested, "Should I talk to the school about it?"
Jiang Sui hurriedly shook her head, "No need, let nature take its course."
"good."
In the following time, Xu told her some more about Su Yinian.
"The family across the street has known your mother for many years, and the two families have a good relationship. By the way, they have a boy who is about your age. Maybe you two can even become classmates."
Jiang Sui wasn't interested in her new neighbors or potential classmates; her mind was completely focused on Su Yinian.
—
Half an hour later, Jiang Sui arrived at her destination.
The car was parked next to the bus stop outside the residential area. Perhaps because of the hot weather, there were not many people on the road at this time.
The driver got out of the car first to retrieve Jiang Sui's luggage from the trunk.
"I won't come into the community with you later. Are you okay by yourself?"
The sudden appearance of a nearly adult child in the home of a single woman is already a topic of gossip. If you add the sight of her being picked up in luxury cars and seeing strange men coming and going, who knows what kind of rumors will circulate about her.
Some unnecessary troubles should be avoided if possible.
"Yes, I can go in by myself."
The shadows of the trees fell to the ground, and the sunlight filtered out the shapes of the branches. A slender boy in a white shirt rode past the car on his bicycle, and the hot wind blowing in his face made his clothes billow, exuding a vibrant life force.
Jiang Sui watched the boy's receding figure through the car window without saying a word, and the car suddenly became unusually quiet.
After a long while, she whispered, "Uncle Xu... please take good care of Dad for me. I'm afraid he'll be too tired by himself."
Jiang Sui was naturally happy about the fact that she would be able to see Su Yinian soon.
But after the initial euphoria, she realized for the first time with such clarity that living with her mother meant leaving Jiang Yunzhao.
This is the first time in her life that Jiang Sui has been away from Jiang Yunzhao for such a long time.
Thinking of this, the excitement gradually faded, and Jiang Sui suddenly felt a pang of bitterness and reluctance.
“Uncle Xu,” Jiang Sui paused before continuing, “If, I mean if something happens, you absolutely must not hide it from me.”
Just because Jiang Yunzhao doesn't say something doesn't mean Jiang Sui really knows nothing.
Her return to her biological mother meant that the illusion of peace that her father and grandfather had maintained for more than ten years had completely collapsed.
Xu nodded slightly, "Don't worry, take care of yourself. I'll take care of President Jiang."
Hearing Xu Ze's promise, Jiang Sui smiled and turned around. After taking a few steps, she waved her hand behind her. "Uncle Xu, you should go back now. Tell my dad that I will call him often and tell him not to miss me too much."
From birth, Jiang Sui has been experiencing separation.
This time, however, is different.
A note from the author:
The story begins! The story begins!
I hope you will like it.
Please add my pre-order novel, "Extreme Pampering," to your favorites!
Bright and spoiled x High-ranking official/age difference
Little Princess x Big Shot in Beijing's Social Circle
1. Mingxi, the little princess of the Ming family, posted her marriage certificate on her WeChat Moments.
However, the person she registered her marriage with was not Qin Yiming, with whom she had been entangled for nearly two years.
Because Qin Yiming was abroad with his ex-girlfriend that day.
Many people thought Mingxi did this to spite Qin Yiming, and even Qin Yiming himself believed it. Filled with regret, he called Mingxi, "Xixi, let's make up..."
Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by a lazy, satisfied male voice, "My wife is not available to answer the phone right now."
2.
After Mingxi announced that she had registered her marriage, she disappeared without a trace. Her childhood friend went to her house out of concern, only to find that the person who opened the door for her was Qin Yan.
Qin Yan, the head of the Qin family, has always been low-key and mysterious, decisive in killing, and is an unapproachable figure in the eyes of many.
Looking at Qin Yan's aloof and dignified face, his childhood friend was dumbfounded.
The next second, a pair of fair and delicate hands wrapped around Qin Yan's waist from behind, and the wide sleeves of his clothes slid down to his elbows, revealing red marks on his fair forearms.
"Who's here?" The voice was soft and sweet, and sounded a little dazed.
With his large, well-defined hand gently stroking her small hand, Qin Yan's tone was full of affection, "Baby, your friend is here."
His childhood friend was shocked: "You actually used President Qin as a stand-in! If he finds out the truth, even Uncle Ming probably won't be able to protect you!"
Mingxi glanced at the man busy in the kitchen and asked, "Is it possible that Qin Yiming is the stand-in?"
3.
On her coming-of-age day, Mingxi confessed her feelings to Qin Yan, but Qin Yan rejected her.
He said, "Xixi, you're still young. Your feelings for me might just be admiration."
From then on, the proud and arrogant little princess ignored him completely.
Later, seeing Mingxi linking arms with Qin Yiming and calling him "Uncle Qin" with a smile, Qin Yan, who was always indifferent and self-possessed, tasted the overwhelming "jealousy" for the first time.
Qin Yan thought that even if Mingxi only admired him, it didn't matter; he would personally teach Mingxi how to love him.
*
What he spoiled should be his.
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