On the way back, Jiang Mian looked out the window, silent.
Ji Zhixiu held her hand and whispered, "Missing Heng Bao?"
Jiang Mian snapped back to attention and chuckled, "No, he'll be back the day after tomorrow."
She wasn't thinking about Heng Bao, but about how to handle the relationship between father and son.
Heng Bao was still young and didn't understand Ah Xiu's feelings for him.
Everyone in the family doted on him, except for his dad who always wore a cold expression, leading Heng Bao to believe he didn't like him.
This made Jiang Mian feel helpless, as the last thing she wanted was for Ah Xiu to be misunderstood.
As the car pulled into the villa, Xiao Bai rushed over, stammering, "President, Madam... we caught a thief today, but he claims to be your friend."
The two exchanged a glance, surprise evident in each other's eyes.
"Where is he?" Jiang Mian asked.
"In the living room!"
When they returned to the living room, Director Li was sitting calmly on the sofa, sipping tea.
The bodyguards were quite polite to him.
The tea was good, too; one sip and one knew it wasn't ordinary.
Seeing Jiang Mian, his eyes lit up, and he quickly stood up, "President Ji! Madam Ji!"
Jiang Mian couldn't hide her surprise, "Director Li, how did you..."
Director Li rubbed his hands together, "This is a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding. I wanted to pay a visit to you both..."
Xiao Bai chimed in from the side, "He was caught climbing the wall."
Director Li looked embarrassed, "But I was afraid they wouldn't let me in through the main gate..."
Ji Zhixiu's arrival clearly made him a little nervous.
Jiang Mian smiled slightly, "Director Li, please have a seat."
Director Li had come with a thick skin today, so he naturally sat down.
"Let's be upfront. I've already found four out of the five guests for the first season, and I'm still missing one. I wanted to reserve this spot for President Ji. Little Jiang, will you reconsider?" He directed his words to Ji Zhixiu but looked at Jiang Mian.
He had brought all the contract documents and laid them out on the coffee table, "You can examine them carefully."
Jiang Mian flipped through the contract and glanced at it. "Can we consider it and give Director Li our reply later?"
"Yes, yes!" Director Li was overjoyed. Her willingness to consider was a significant step forward for him.
Director Li quickly stood up, "Then I'll take my leave. We'll keep in touch."
Jiang Mian nodded, "Alright, Xiao Bai, please see Director Li out. Also, next time, Director Li can use the main entrance."
Director Li paused, clearing his throat uncomfortably, "Absolutely, absolutely!"
After Director Li left, Ji Zhixiu asked, "What was that all about?"
Jiang Mian replied, "Come and see."
The two sat together, and Jiang Mian handed the documents to him.
She rested her chin on her hand, her peach blossom eyes sparkling, "Are you going to consider it?"
Initially, she wasn't interested, but now she felt it might be a good opportunity to improve Heng Bao and Ah Xiu's relationship.
As for Heng Bao appearing on camera, he was young, and his appearance would change as he grew.
It wasn't a big problem.
Now, it all depended on this man.
Ji Zhixiu flipped through a couple of pages, "You want me to take Heng Bao?"
Jiang Mian nodded, "Yes, to train our son."
Ji Zhixiu paused for a moment, then said, "No."
It was the answer she expected, so Jiang Mian wasn't too disappointed. She gathered the contract and tucked it into the lower drawer of the coffee table, "Alright."
...
A rare evening for just the two of them.
Jiang Mian took a bath, and when she emerged from the bathroom, Ji Zhixiu was still leaning against the headboard, reading reports.
She reached for the light switch, "Should I turn off the lights?"
Ji Zhixiu put away his laptop, "Okay."
In the darkness, two hot bodies pressed together, and soon they were kissing, unable to tell who initiated it.
Even the air became scorching and thick.
No matter how much time passed, the two still had a fatal attraction to each other's bodies.
Whether it was a tacit glance or a teasing gesture.
Ji Zhixiu gripped Jiang Mian's soft waist, his kisses trailing downwards.
Jiang Mian held his head, "Ah Xiu..."
Ji Zhixiu's voice was hoarse, "I'm here."
"Will you take Heng Bao... mmm... to participate, please?" Jiang Mian pleaded softly.
Ji Zhixiu didn't answer but gently nipped her small earlobe with his teeth, causing Jiang Mian to tremble.
But she still remembered her goal for the evening. By the time Ji Zhixiu reached her, Jiang Mian clung to his shoulders.
Her eyes were reddened, with a faint mist that made her look endearing, "Husband... please..."
"You really want me to go?"
Jiang Mian nodded, humming like a kitten, "Want to... really want to..."
"Alright." He kissed the corner of Jiang Mian's lips, unable to refuse any of her requests, "I promise."
...
The two took another shower and had some fun in the bathroom.
Back in bed, Jiang Mian was extremely sleepy but still turned over to lie on his chest, "Ah Xiu, you really promised me?"
Ji Zhixiu looked at her, her eyes barely open from sleep as she still asked, and curved his lips, "Not sleepy yet? Want to go again?"
Jiang Mian let out a soft hum and finally couldn't stay awake any longer, falling asleep?
The next day, Jiang Mian contacted Director Li.
She had reviewed the program's flow; it was divided into twelve episodes of recording.
Each episode, arranged by the production team, would involve traveling to different locations to experience local customs and traditions, with five father-son families completing corresponding challenges to foster their relationship.
A week later, the program officially began recording.
Early in the morning, the production crew arrived.
Cameras and equipment filled the living room. The beginning was live-streamed.
The official Weibo announced the participation of Ji Zhixiu and his son, attracting a large audience.
It wasn't just because of their sweet love story, but also Ji Zhixiu's background and Heng Bao's appearance, all of which were popular with viewers.
The camera focused on the door. Before anyone appeared, the bullet comments were already flooding in.
[So excited to see Heng Bao soon!]
[Oh my god! My wife's house is so luxurious!]
[The painting behind them looks like a genuine Tang Dynasty artifact...]
[Ji Jiang Xiu Mian is real!]
The door opened gently, and Ji Zhixiu walked out first.
Jiang Mian, downstairs preparing breakfast, heard the movement and looked up, "Where's Heng Bao?"
Ji Zhixiu replied, "Coming soon."
Ji Zhixiu was dressed casually today, of course, in an outfit chosen by Jiang Mian, and he and Heng Bao were wearing matching father-son outfits.
He came downstairs and held Jiang Mian in his arms, naturally kissing her, "Hard work."
[Ahhhhhhh so sweet, I'm shipping it!]
[As expected, the parents are the true love, and the child is an accident, right?]
[President Ji is so handsome! I really want to know how stunning their son will be with such good-looking parents!]
At this moment, the camera panned upstairs.
Heng Bao pushed open the door, his face tense.
His skin was fair and tender, his eyes inherited Ji Zhixiu's phoenix eyes, and his features were delicate and beautiful. He combined the best of Ji Zhixiu and Jiang Mian.
When he wasn't speaking, he had the same cold demeanor as Ji Zhixiu.
He appeared calm facing the camera.
His mommy had told him last night that these people were here to film him and his dad, so he should behave well.
The little guy trotted downstairs.
[Wow wow wow wow!! Heng Bao is so handsome!]
[Absolutely breathtaking, this appearance!]
[This sister can wait for him for ten years!]
[One can imagine how many girls he'll charm when he grows up!]
Jiang Mian looked up, "Heng Bao, come and eat. After breakfast, you and Daddy will be leaving."
Ji Zhixiu lifted Heng Bao onto a chair.
Heng Bao looked up, "Mommy isn't going?"
Jiang Mian poured him milk, "Mommy has to work at home. This is a unique adventure for you and Daddy. Will you wait for me at home? Heng Bao, you promised me last night, right?"
Ji Zhixiu peeled an egg and put it in Jiang Mian's bowl, "Eat first."
Jiang Mian sat down, constantly observing Heng Bao's reaction.
Heng Bao ate silently.
[Children from wealthy families have such good bearing.]
[I'm impressed, this child is so handsome.]
[He's so well-behaved!!]
After breakfast, Jiang Mian went upstairs to pack Heng Bao's luggage.
The first stop was a village in Dali, Yunnan.
Jiang Mian packed a few sets of clothes for Heng Bao. Little Fish also came to join the fun, lying down in the suitcase.
Heng Bao picked up Little Fish.
His gaze remained fixed on Jiang Mian.
[Is he about to cry?]
[He must be reluctant to leave his mother, after all, he's only three.]
[Heng Bao crying, I want to laugh.]
Zipping up the suitcase, Jiang Mian hugged Heng Bao and kissed his forehead, "Listen to Daddy. Mommy will wait for you to come back."
Tears welled up in Heng Bao's eyes, but he stubbornly refused to let them fall. He whispered, "I want to go with Mommy."
Jiang Mian patted him, "It's okay, didn't we agree, Heng Bao? Mommy will wait for you at home, and you'll share with Mommy when you get back, right?"
Ji Zhixiu glanced at his watch, "We can leave now."
Jiang Mian also knew it was time. She handed the suitcase to Ji Zhixiu and kissed his cheek, "Take care, wait for you both to come back."
[Ahhhhhhhh!! So natural, real couples are the sweetest!]
[Didn't you have any instructions for President Ji? Jiang Mian is too confident about him taking the child!]
[Heng Bao doesn't seem to be close to Daddy.]
Ji Zhixiu smiled faintly, "Okay, I'll take good care of my son."
Jiang Mian naturally trusted him. She handed Heng Bao to the man, "Go, Heng Bao."
Heng Bao suddenly said, "Mommy!"
"Hmm?" Jiang Mian crouched down.
Heng Bao kissed her face and said seriously, "I'll miss you!"
Jiang Mian chuckled, "Okay."
[Oh my god, the son is so well-behaved!]
[What kind of winner is this? Husband is handsome, son is obedient...]
[Cloud parenting.]
Father and son got into the production team's car and left.
The live broadcast ended here, and the program recording would begin next.
The official live stream was closed, but the comments section had already reached a high level.
Some sharp-eyed netizens had noticed that the father and son's interaction seemed a bit off; the father was aloof, and the son was silent.
[Help, are these father and son putting on different faces? One face for Jiang Mian, another for each other.]
[I'm dying of laughter, President Ji is so cold to his son.]
[Heng Bao doesn't seem to like President Ji.]
[What's going on with these father and son?]
Director Li asked Jiang Mian, "Aren't you worried about President Ji having problems with the child?"
Jiang Mian curled her lips, "No, he's more attentive with Heng Bao than I am."
Director Li nodded, "Then you have a lot of confidence in President Ji."
Jiang Mian wasn't as calm as she appeared. She wasn't worried about Ah Xiu, only about Heng Bao.
She hoped that through this program, Heng Bao would understand that Ji Zhixiu's love for him was no less than anyone else's.
And soon, father and son would face their first challenge.