At the word "snacks," An Ni's attention snapped back.
She squirmed in her seat, tilted her little face up, and blinked at An Xin: "Mommy, can I have chips later?"
"A little is fine."
"Just a little? I want two littles."
Seeing An Ni talk nonsense, Jiang Cheng kept his face stern: "An Ni, you're a Girl; you can't say such things."
"Ah, why not?? If it's only a little, I can't share with these sisters—I'll finish it in one bite. But if you give me more, I can share with everyone."
The moment the words landed, Jiang Cheng's stiff face cracked with a stifled laugh.
So the little rascal had been circling around just to share.
He reached out to ruffle An Ni's hair, the severity in his eyes melting: "Tiny but crafty, and you still think of others."
All three women burst into laughter.
Qiao Yinyin said with a smile, "An Ni is too cute—and so loving."
Bai Xiaoxiao added, "Mm, Onii-chan looks like he adores kids. Sister Yinyin said during our chat these two days that she loves children too; Onii-chan will surely love Sister Yinyin's babies in the future."
At that, Qiao Yinyin's mind filled with question marks??
She didn't remember saying that—had she been talking in her sleep?
But she quickly caught Bai Xiaoxiao's meaningful glance.
Facing Jiang Cheng's inquisitive look, she answered awkwardly, "Uh… it's not just me—Jiang Cheng will definitely love our kids."
An Xin sat nearby, fingertips absently tracing the armrest's grain.
Hearing this, she curled her lips faintly, tone unreadable: "Jiang Cheng really does like children, and An Ni is so obedient to him. Usually the tutor can't control her, but whatever Jiang Cheng says, she follows."
The words sounded like praise, yet Jiang Cheng caught a different flavor.
Weren't we talking about naughty children??
How did blades and swords just flash by?
Terrifying, terrifying~
Chen Jiaxue and Zhao Yihan heard this; both pairs of CL-red-soled heels slid half a step forward in unison.
Their eyes instantly burned with fervor.
Chen Jiaxue especially twisted her silk skirt into creases, her heart in turmoil.
Right—why hadn't she thought of that??
So many cases of marrying into wealth with a baby in tow.
Even as a mistress, she'd accept it.
Better than dangling in limbo… Jiang Cheng had thought Qiao Yinyin and Bai Xiaoxiao's suggestion reasonable.
But one look at Chen Jiaxue and Zhao Yihan's eyes and the world suddenly felt treacherous.
He recalled a news story from years ago.
A tycoon checked into a hotel; the cleaning lady got pregnant afterward.
The tycoon denied it, but the paternity test was undeniable.
He racked his brains yet couldn't figure out how he'd become a father without feeling a thing.
The truth came out: the cleaning lady had fished a little raincoat from the trash.
How she used it to get pregnant…
The answer was obvious.
Auntie is still auntie—evolved from a young woman.
Aunties have "broader paths."
They handle things smoothly on their own.
And they're more uninhibited.
Some people go to wild lengths for their goals.
Luckily, the boarding call sounded at that moment.
Jiang Cheng told the women to return to their seats.
Temporarily escaping this clash of blades and swords."
After checking everyone's seatbelts, Chen Jiaxue and Zhao Yihan had wanted to attend to Jiang Cheng.
But one glare from him sent them sulking back to their seats to buckle up for take-off.
These past nights Jiang Cheng had been harvested in turns by the two women.
Right now he was in full sage mode.
Not a single stray thought.
Besides, three women were on the plane; he wasn't starving.
So he chose the safest option—play on his phone like a good boy.
Clouds churned outside like crumpled cotton candy; Jiang Cheng snapped a photo and posted it to Moments.
Why post to Moments?
Of course not to show off—just to avoid mass-texting every Girl.
Though Jiang Cheng typed fast, mass messages could backfire.
If everyone invites you out the same day, what then??
A man who needs time management at every second.
A single post is the safest method.
Jiang Cheng: "Back to Shanghai."
Jiang Cheng: [photo]
As always, once you're rich people watch your Moments like hawks.
Likes popped up instantly.
Chen Jiaxue: like.
Sina Li Songbo: like.
TikTok Zhang Yiming: like.
Cheng Gui: like.
Lin Qingxue: "Baby, you're finally back—miss you~~"
Ye Wan: like.
Zhao Linger: Mr. Jiang's vacation is over? Wait, forgot you never need vacations (envious wage-slave stare).
Fang Yuan: like.
Huang Yuqi: like.
Zhou Ying: Thought it was a selfie… Yu Xiaoxiao: Ping me your location when free.
Zhong Chuxi: like.
Si Qing: Back at last—your girlfriend missed you.
Si Nian replied to Si Qing: So, which one is his girlfriend?
Soon the plane climbed above the clouds.
Jiang Cheng, watching the lively comments, replied to Si Nian: The one surnamed Si, of course.
The plane jolted lightly, leveled off; the seat-belt sign dinged off.
An Ni unbuckled at once, a bird freed from its cage, tiptoeing to the window: "Wow! Clouds under our feet!"
An Xin glanced at her, then turned to Jiang Cheng.
He was still scrolling on his phone.
She spoke suddenly: "I saw Cheng Gui liked your post. Rumor has it Cheng Xiaodong's still in detention—looks like Cheng Gui intends to teach him a lesson."
Jiang Cheng was rather surprised by Cheng Gui's like.
According to his intel, the other families were pulling every string to bail their kids out.
They'd nearly torn their networks apart hunting connections.
Only Cheng Gui had done nothing.
And he could still calmly like Jiang Cheng's post.
Interesting guy… "If Old Cheng has that awareness, he's still sensible," Jiang Cheng said, pocketing his phone. "But the rest won't get out so easily."
Hearing him say "Old Cheng," An Xin's fingers paused on the armrest. She lifted her eyes to him, curiosity flickering, and asked softly, "Cheng Xiaodong being locked up I understand. But why won't you spare the people around him?"