"I know. I always listen to Handsome Guy, I won't run off again next time." Annie's little face was flushed as she spoke.
"This kid actually listens to you. When I talk to her it usually goes in one ear and out the other," An Xin said helplessly.
After she finished, An Xin asked, "Are you here alone?"
Jiang Cheng nodded. "Just dropped by to look around."
Seeing Jiang Cheng by himself, Annie's eyes lit up. She immediately grabbed his arm and shook it coquettishly. "Then can Handsome Guy come shopping with us? It's my birthday today, and Mom's going to buy me a present. Could you help me pick one?"
Worried Annie was about to make a scene, An Xin quickly pulled her hand away and said apologetically, "Annie, Brother Jiang Cheng is very busy. Mom can shop with you."
Seeing this, Annie pouted reluctantly, tugged her hand free, and latched onto Jiang Cheng again.
"No, I want Brother Jiang Cheng to come with me."
"Annie, don't be naughty, or Mom will get angry."
When An Xin scolded her, Annie's mouth drooped as though she might cry. "You promised you wouldn't be mad today."
Jiang Cheng looked at the little drama queen and shook his head helplessly. But on closer inspection, Annie didn't resemble An Xin at all. Her eyes were even brown, and she looked like a doll. With those looks, she'd probably grow up to be quite pretty.
Jiang Cheng tapped Annie's nose and asked, "Today's your birthday?"
"Mm-hmm. Mom promised to take me to the amusement park. Handsome Guy, will you come too?" Annie asked expectantly.
Right then the system chimed: "Ding!"
"Option 1: agree to accompany Annie and receive the skill 'Deep Affection Gaze'."
"Option 2: refuse and receive two 'Bad-Luck Cards'."
Jiang Cheng looked at the two choices and picked the first without hesitation.
The Deep Affection Gaze skill was a great thing to have.
As the saying goes, a pair of eyes that look even at a dog with deep affection is absolutely bewitching to most women.
"Sure, then let's pick something together. I'll buy you a birthday present too."
An Xin quickly waved her hands. "That won't do, we can't accept a gift from you."
In contrast to An Xin's restraint, Annie was over the moon. "Great! Jiang Cheng, let me tell you—Mom really likes you. Lately she keeps mentioning you to Grandpa. She'll definitely be super happy if you come with us."
Exposed by Annie, An Xin felt heat rush to her cheeks and softly scolded, "Annie, what nonsense are you spouting!"
"Jiang Cheng, I only told Dad about how you saved Annie—don't get the wrong idea."
Watching An Xin's shy, girlish manner, a gleam flickered in Jiang Cheng's eyes.
Something felt off.
Ignoring An Xin's words, Jiang Cheng took Annie's hand and said, "Come on, Annie—let's go pick your present."
After browsing, Jiang Cheng finally bought Annie a tiny Chanel kids' bag. Since it cost only a little over eight thousand, he didn't use a shopping-rebate card.
They strolled a bit more, and Jiang Cheng picked up some La Mer skincare for his mom, Li Yan.
La Mer is a titan in cosmetics; a single bottle of toner is nearly two thousand, but a whole set came to only about ten.
The price was still on the low side, so he didn't use a shopping card.
After the purchases they stopped shopping; if they waited too long, the amusement park might close.
The three arrived at a nearby large amusement park, and the moment they entered, Annie excitedly tried to dash ahead.
Jiang Cheng reacted quickly and grabbed her in time.
"Little mons—Annie, don't keep running off."
Caught, Annie looked up at him, stuck out her tongue, and nodded obediently. "Sorry, I forgot again. Next time I won't run off—so can Handsome Guy hold my hand?"
Once she had Jiang Cheng's hand, Annie immediately took An Xin's with her right.
"Perfect—let's go!"
Evening fell; neon lights in the park flickered on, the warm yellow glow even more atmospheric than in daytime.
The three walked hand in hand, a cozy little scene.
Annie wore a blissful smile, glancing at Jiang Cheng, then at An Xin, as though they truly were a family.
She kept sweetly asking for snacks from the park vendors.
The combo of Handsome Guy, beauty, and cute kid drew plenty of double-takes along the way.
"My God, are they a family? They look so happy."
"Super good-looking family—the guy's so handsome, the woman so pretty."
"I want kids now—though only if my husband's that hot."
"..."
An Xin naturally caught some of the passers-by's envious whispers.
She snuck a crimson-faced sidelong glance at Jiang Cheng, then watched Annie cuddling in his arms.
For a moment she felt that if the three of them were indeed a real family, it wouldn't be bad at all.
They played for more than two hours, finally heading back only after Annie ran out of energy and fell asleep.
By then a rolls-royce was parked at the park gate—clearly there to pick up An Xin.
Before getting in, An Xin said to Jiang Cheng, "Jiang Cheng, thank you for coming out with us today, and for the presents."
"No need to thank me—what matters is that Annie's happy."
As the two spoke, Jiang Jianming and another middle-aged man emerged from the side of the amusement park.
Passing by, Jiang Jianming spotted the heart-warming scene and stopped in surprise, eyes wide.
He saw a sleeping girl leaning against Jiang Cheng's shoulder, with a shy beauty standing beside him.
Instantly Jiang Jianmin's mind filled with stories he simply couldn't accept