After Divorce: Why My Aloof Ex Starts Chasing Me?

Chapter 319: Madam Jiang’s Precious Ones

Shen Qingqing hadn’t been home for long before she made the two kids cry.

Madam Jiang said a few words, "Why are you and Zhixun both alike, always teasing them?"

Shen Qingqing replied, "I’m just testing their self-control; it’s their greed that made them fail the test."

The food in the pot was about to burn, so Madam Jiang returned to the kitchen, "Hurry and coax them, it’s almost time to eat."

Shen Qingqing gently patted the two little ones on their backs, and with just a little coaxing, they stopped crying.

Not only did they stop crying, but they also reached out, wanting her to hold them.

Their affectionate looks made it seem like Shen Qingqing was the best in the world!

Madam Jiang came out of the kitchen with the dishes and saw this scene, feeling a mix of tears and laughter.

"These two kids really don’t hold grudges; they were just crying and now they’ve forgotten it."

Shen Qingqing laughed and said, "It’s because they’re young now and forgetful, that’s why I dare to play like this. I wouldn’t dare tease them like this once they’re two years older."

"You’re bullying little children."

As they spoke, the dishes were served, and Father Jiang had returned from work.

The first thing he did when he got home was to hold his beloved grandson and granddaughter.

"I missed them quite a bit after not seeing them for a day."

Madam Jiang said, "They didn’t miss you."

Father Jiang wasn’t discouraged, "Did they cry today?"

"Cry? Of course they did."

Even kids over ten might not be able to stay away from their mothers, let alone when they’re so small.

Not seeing them for a day is truly heartbreaking.

Father Jiang said to Shen Qingqing, "You make sure the furniture is sorted out, and I’ll have someone help you move when the time comes, no need to wait for Zhixun."

Xiao Man and Xiao Xi are like treasures of the Jiang Family; the elders can’t bear to see them cry.

Shen Qingqing thought for a moment, "I’ll go take a look on Sunday, make arrangements, and have the furniture store deliver it directly; no need to hire movers."

For smaller items, she could sort them out herself.

Madam Jiang said, "The house won’t run away; settle the essentials first, and you can add the rest gradually."

Shen Qingqing thought the same.

She had experience living alone; initially, the house didn’t have much, just enough for daily life.

Later, she gradually added more, and the home filled up bit by bit.

When she used to rent, Shen Qingqing was reluctant to buy too many things.

She always thought that she’d move one day, and too many things would be a hassle to take away.

Leaving them behind, she’d feel it’s a waste.

After all, money was spent on them.

So she restrained herself, avoiding buying things she didn’t frequently use.

But now she has her own house, and the situation is different.

Shen Qingqing thought she would have to spend some good time shopping, choosing everything to her liking.

After chatting a bit about Shen Qingqing’s house, the family sat down to eat.

Jiang Zhixun wasn’t in Beijing; he went out of town on an advisory task.

It would take a few days for him to come back.

His absence at home was already a norm, and it did not affect everyone’s mood for eating.

Father Jiang held his little granddaughter, eating and playing with her at the same time.

He picked a piece of meat, let the kid smell it, but didn’t let her eat it, driving her almost to the point of spoken protest.

Madam Jiang scolded, "One after another, none of you are sensible, always teasing the kids until they cry, what’s the benefit for you?"

Shen Qingqing didn’t dare to chime in, eating her meal quietly.

Sister Zhou also kept silent.

The old man couldn’t be bothered with them, eating while chatting with Xiao Man in the cradle.

Father Jiang asked, "Isn’t a bit of teasing alright?"

Madam Jiang replied, "You just have too much free time!"

She said to Xiao Xi, "That piece of meat he’s holding is spoiled; it was touched by flies; let’s not pay attention to him."

Father Jiang tutted, "We’re eating; don’t mention things like that."

"If you have no appetite, then don’t eat!"

Madam Jiang took the little granddaughter over and wiped her drool.

Xiao Xi turned her head, staring straight at the dishes on the table.

Occasionally smacking her little lips, clearly showing she really wanted to eat.

Madam Jiang was amused by her little expressions, "Except for Qingqing, no one eats the snacks I make. It’ll get better when Xiao Xi grows up; I can make all sorts of delicious things for her."

Shen Qingqing said, "Just don’t overfeed her and make her chubby."

Madam Jiang pinched her granddaughter’s chubby little arms, the love in her eyes about to overflow.

"Chubby is cute."

Shen Qingqing gave her mother-in-law a heads-up, "When she grows up, she might care about her looks and not like being too chubby."

"Just a little bit of food, how can she get that fat? When she plays with the kids in the neighborhood, running around everywhere, it’ll be hard to get fat."

The granddaughter is fair and chubby, with particularly fine facial features; being a bit chubby doesn’t mar her looks.

That’s a blessing!

Shen Qingqing knew her mother-in-law would say that, "Eating too many snacks isn’t good for health, especially sugar."

Madam Jiang replied, "Then I won’t use sugar; I’ll just steam some rice cakes or something."

Father Jiang nodded, "Eating whole grains is good."

He didn’t like the sweet, oily pastries sold outside.

Children shouldn’t eat too much either.

It could cause tooth decay.

There could also be other issues.

Father Jiang used to think the family’s children should be raised robustly to grow strong.

But now he has changed his mind; it’s fine to raise them with care, at least it spares the children some suffering.

As long as they’re not spoiled.

Men eat quickly; Jiang Zhixun is like that, and so is Father Jiang.

After just a brief conversation, Father Jiang was already full and put down his chopsticks.

With a cheerful grin, he took back his little granddaughter from Madam Jiang, "You all finish your meal; I’ll take care of the kids."

Holding Xiao Xi in one arm and lifting Xiao Man from the cradle with the other.

Taking them to the yard to see the flowers and plants.

Father Jiang had to work, so he wasn’t home much on weekdays; every time he came home from work, he made sure to spend as much time as possible playing with Xiao Man and Xiao Xi.

After a bit of play, he’d have to head into the study to handle some work.

Reading and catching up on the news.

He was very busy every day.

Sister Zhou sighed, "Once you all get off work, I have nothing to do."

Shen Qingqing ladled two pieces of ribs into her bowl, "Thanks for working hard taking care of the kids during the day; now’s a good time to relax and recharge."

Everyone needs a break.

If pushed too hard, one might not have the energy to keep up, making childcare more difficult.

Shen Qingqing understood this well.

Madam Jiang agreed, "Staying cooped up at home isn’t good; you could go out for a walk."

Sister Zhou said, "When I take the children out to play during the day, that’s a walk too; it’s not like I’m always stuck inside."

Madam Jiang replied, "It’s not the same. With kids around, you’re always on high alert."

Childcare demands attention to detail.

If Sister Zhou is in a good mood and state, she’d be more patient and responsible while taking care of the children.

It benefits the kids, too.

That’s what Madam Jiang thought, so she always took the opportunity to let Sister Zhou rest well.

Recharging would allow her to better care for the kids.

Of course, Sister Zhou was good-hearted, honest, and diligent, never cutting corners or being sly.

Otherwise, Madam Jiang would have sent her away long ago.

Xiao Man and Xiao Xi were her precious ones; she’d rather take care of them herself than risk someone doing it half-heartedly.

Sister Zhou used to help neighbors with childcare; some people, having paid her, treated her almost like a beast of burden.

Expecting her to both look after kids and do household chores.

From laundry to cooking to cleaning, everything would fall on her shoulders.

Being able to help at the Jiang Family was really quite a stroke of luck for her.

She mused, planning to give her brother’s family extra gifts when New Year’s came around.

If Little Jie hadn’t recommended her to Mr. Jiang, such a good job wouldn’t have come her way.