JR Chapter 32

Today, Jiang Yuanmu and Ji Ming met with an investor. After some socializing, they chatted until around 9 PM. Since it was on the way, Jiang Yuanmu decided to drop Ji Ming off first.

Ji Ming, having had a few drinks, was quite talkative. He was quickly typing on his phone, replying to messages while chatting with Jiang Yuanmu:

“Boss Jiang, you’re quite the family man, eager to get home.”

“Got to walk the dog.”

“Isn’t that dog rented? You’re taking such good care of it.”

Jiang Yuanmu paused for a moment, remembering that the dog was indeed still being rented…

He remained silent but made a mental note to buy the dog when the rental period ended.

It needed a name. They had been calling it “Little Border Collie,” and now, at Mo Lin’s place, it was really just called “Little Border Collie.”

Not hearing a response from Jiang Yuanmu, Ji Ming continued with another topic, “I see your wife’s business is doing well lately. I’m envious.”

“You get a share.”

Ji Ming pouted, “The company gets a share. I say, why not sign your wife and Cheng Lulu’s accounts with the company? It would be convenient for the whole family. It would be a bit busy, but we could do some marketing planning and have her cooperate with the promotion. The profits would be even greater…”

“She won’t agree,” Jiang Yuanmu said, focusing on the road as he skillfully turned the steering wheel and drove into Ji Ming’s apartment complex garage. “She has other plans.”

Ji Ming’s phone continued to click and clack as he typed. Without looking at Jiang Yuanmu, he teased, “What plans? Are you two having a baby?”

“Yes, we want a child.”

Ji Ming chuckled, “Boss Jiang, do you want a boy or a girl?”

“Either is fine, it’s up to Mo Lin.”

As the car jolted over a speed bump in the underground garage, Ji Ming’s phone slipped from his hand and rolled under the seat. Ji Ming’s face showed surprise:

“Seriously? You’re not joking?”

Jiang Yuanmu parked the car under Ji Ming’s building, “We’re at your place.”

“But…”

Who would go home at a time like this?

Ignoring the constant “ding-dong” sounds from his phone under the seat, Ji Ming stared intently at Jiang Yuanmu:

“Weren’t you two talking about divorce before? I handled those photoshopped pictures and investigated the rival for you. It hasn’t been that long…” Ji Ming realized, teasing, “Wow, Boss Jiang, you must have done well recently to make your wife want to have a baby with you.”

Jiang Yuanmu stared at him silently. Ji Ming’s phone continued to ring, the most jarring sound in the car. Suddenly, Jiang Yuanmu thought of something. He glanced at Ji Ming’s fallen phone, raised an eyebrow, and looked at Ji Ming with a new plan in mind.

Jiang Yuanmu restarted the car.

“Huh?” Ji Ming was puzzled, “Answer me, where are we going now?”

“Finding a temporary parking spot. I’m going to your place.”

“What!?”

“You need to come up with a few plans for me.”

Ji Ming, sprawled awkwardly on the spacious living room sofa, stared at Jiang Yuanmu, who sat beside him, “So you’re saying that you two were going to divorce because your wife wanted a child and you didn’t.”

It was harsh, but true.

Jiang Yuanmu nodded with a serious expression.

“Then, with my help and some ‘scheming,’ you managed to extend the marriage by three months, and she changed her mind.”

“I didn’t change her mind,” Jiang Yuanmu corrected. “She changed it herself.”

“So she changed her mind, decided to choose you, and then you said you disagreed.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Jiang Yuanmu frowned, “I’m not a tool.”

“Then what are you?”

Jiang Yuanmu hesitated for a moment, “I…”

Memories surged, countless moments together flashed before his eyes and settled in his heart. Finally, he looked at his fingertips, feeling as if a string connected his soul to another person in this city.

“I want to be her lover.”

The words slipped out, as if they unlocked his own heart.

The long-silent morning bell rang, resonating in his chest and head. The stormy waves within him turned into ripples, stirring every inch of his skin.

Jiang Yuanmu felt the hairs on his face stand up for a moment.

“Not just a tool. I hope…” Jiang Yuanmu’s voice was soft, almost a whisper, “that she loves me too.”

“What’s the difference? You’re legally married. How can having a child make you a tool?” Ji Ming’s voice seemed both close and distant. Jiang Yuanmu heard it, but his body was still immersed in the epiphany-like feeling.

His body and soul felt electrified by the realization.

To Ji Ming, Jiang Yuanmu just seemed momentarily dazed. The intense emotions Jiang Yuanmu felt didn’t show on the surface.

So Ji Ming continued, “You don’t want a divorce, she wants a child. Isn’t that a perfect match? Just go along with her suggestion and stop worrying.”

“It’s different.” Jiang Yuanmu looked at Ji Ming, steadying himself, “We’re not talking about the same thing.”

“Isn’t it about your marriage?”

Jiang Yuanmu thought for a moment and said calmly, “It’s about love.”

Ji Ming stared at Jiang Yuanmu, finally falling silent for a moment. When he spoke again, it was a slow, “Huh?”

Jiang Yuanmu had never fully understood the definition of love. It was a vague concept, difficult to measure. Some people spoke of it easily, while others were more reserved. He had never tried to understand it before, but now… he wanted to try.

Or rather, he had already been trying, without even realizing it.

Jiang Yuanmu remembered his resistance to divorce three months ago. At first, he thought he just didn’t want change. Then he believed he couldn’t find someone as compatible as Mo Lin. Later, he used schemes and lies to keep Mo Lin in the marriage.

Jiang Yuanmu didn’t have time to think about why.

Recently, with Mo Lin going through a storm, he hadn’t thought about why until now, as their three-month extension was coming to an end…

Having a child with Mo Lin was, of course, the best way to continue the marriage.

But why hadn’t he agreed before? Why did he feel emotional turmoil and hidden anger when he heard Mo Lin’s proposal?

Today, Jiang Yuanmu understood that his expectations for the relationship had shifted.

He hoped Mo Lin wanted him not because she needed a father for her child, but simply because she wanted to be with him.

Mo Lin said she wanted to connect with the world. What she didn’t know was that perhaps they were already connected, with countless threads entwining their nerves and bones.

So when the connection breaks, it hurts.

Jiang Yuanmu feared the pain too.

He opened the sparkling water Ji Ming gave him and took a sip. The cold bubbles fizzed in his mouth, stimulating his senses. “I’m not good at this. I need your advice and plans,” he asked Ji Ming. “How can I make Mo Lin fall in love with me?”

It took Ji Ming a while to respond, rubbing his temples. “Boss Jiang, why do you think I can give you advice and make plans?”

Jiang Yuanmu pointed to Ji Ming’s still-ringing phone. “You have more experience than I do.”