Treasure Hunt: Tycoon's Priceless Runaway Wife

Chapter 438: Baobao’s Birthday Wish

After the theme park’s opening ceremony, Ji Rui and Le Tong temporarily set aside all their work to spend a day with Baobao. The next day was Baobao’s sixth birthday.Baobao, perhaps feeling considerate toward how busy his mom and dad were lately or truly wanting to play with his friends from kindergarten, said when asked how to celebrate his birthday, he wanted to return to kindergarten during the day where his teacher and friends would throw him a birthday party. In the evening, he just wanted to be happily at home with his mom and dad for a meal, like usual.

Ji Rui and Le Tong were indeed busy, so since Baobao had said so himself, they didn’t push. They went to work as usual during the day, but in the afternoon, both made an unspoken agreement to leave work early to pick Baobao up from kindergarten together.

The three of them happily finished dinner at home. When it was time to cut the birthday cake, Ji Rui gave Baobao a limited edition fighter jet model as a birthday gift, which he had specially brought back from overseas. Le Tong gave Baobao a translucent green jade pendant.

Ji Rui suddenly saw the jade pendant, and a look of surprise appeared in his eyes. He couldn’t help moving closer for a better look.

"Le Tong, did you just buy this jade pendant?"

Ji Rui had some interest in jade antiques. If he remembered correctly, he had attended an auction some time ago where a similar ancient jade pendant was auctioned for nearly ten million.

Judging by appearance alone, this jade pendant had a naturally translucent quality and didn’t look fake or like an imitation. Conservatively estimated, it was worth at least three or four million. Where did Le Tong get such a large sum of money to buy this jade pendant?

Le Tong shook her head, "I didn’t buy it. It was left to me by my father. Although it may not be worth much, it’s at least..."

Le Tong’s eyes suddenly dimmed. After a pause, she pinched Baobao’s face and forced a slightly strained smile, asking, "Baobao, do you like it?"

Baobao immediately pounced over and kissed her cheeks twice, answering with a bright smile, "I like it. As long as it’s from Mommy, I like anything!"

"Alright, then Mommy is giving it to Baobao. Baobao must take good care of it, okay!" Gently hugging Baobao, Le Tong felt a mix of emotions inside.

This jade pendant was the only keepsake Le Tong’s father left her. Initially, Le Tong fantasized that one day her father would recognize her through the pendant. But as time passed, this fantasy became a complete illusion.

Now, she felt fortunate that her precious child no longer needed to paint the faces of loved ones with tears and longing, as she had in her childhood. Whether it was her or Ji Rui, they would always, always stay with this child until the end of their days.

Ji Rui’s gaze never left Le Tong’s face, seeing her lowering her eyes, faintly sorrowful. She was probably remembering unpleasant things from her childhood.

He stretched his long arm over, wrapping the pair, small and big, into his embrace.

At first, Le Tong resisted a little, perhaps feeling awkward or embarrassed. But gradually, she started getting accustomed to the warmth of the embrace, leaning languidly into him while holding their son. The three of them, two big and one small, didn’t seem inclined to speak, simply snuggling quietly together.

The doorbell suddenly rang with "ding dong ding dong", breaking the tranquility, prompting Le Tong to extract herself from Ji Rui’s embrace.

"Let me go see who it is!" Ji Rui let go of Le Tong and Baobao, quickly walking towards the entrance. The face of Mr. Ji appeared on the intercom screen.

"Grandpa!"

Ji Rui initially intended to pretend he wasn’t there to avoid dealing with the old man, but the sharp-eyed little one behind him noticed the elder on the screen and happily called out.

"Baobao, happy birthday. Grandpa is here to celebrate your birthday. Open the door quickly!" Mr. Ji immediately said as soon as he heard the voice.

Ji Rui’s face was cold and stern, he definitely didn’t feel like opening the door, but seeing his precious son’s enthusiastic face, he couldn’t bear to dampen his spirits. He pressed the button to open the door, picking up Baobao and carrying him back into the living room.

"Daddy, Grandpa likely brought Baobao’s favorite cake!"

These past few years, in order to please Baobao, Mr. Ji had invited quite a number of well-known chefs and dessert masters to stay at the mansion. In terms of understanding Baobao’s preferences, Ji Rui couldn’t compare to Mr. Ji.

"Well, then let’s first eat the cake Grandpa brought over later."

Ji Rui glanced at the customized birthday cake on the table. Although he increasingly disliked Mr. Ji, he couldn’t deny his son the joy of family ties.

He was well aware that Mr. Ji might not have much genuine affection for him as a son, but he invested about eighty to ninety percent of his heart into Baobao. Otherwise, Baobao wouldn’t have been able to enjoy such comfort over the past few years at the mansion.

Setting down Baobao, Ji Rui followed into the kitchen to find Le Tong.

"He probably won’t stay long; endure just a little longer." Ji Rui reassured softly, hugging Le Tong by the waist as she sliced fruit, facing away from him.

Although Le Tong also wasn’t fond of Mr. Ji, she felt the same as Ji Rui and didn’t want to disappoint Baobao.

"I’m fine; today, Baobao is the most important."

Her words held serious ambiguity. In her heart, Baobao was always the most important, no matter the time.

Each carrying a tray of fruit and tea, they walked out just as Mr. Ji was coming through the door.

Just as Baobao expected, Mr. Ji was holding a large birthday cake in one hand and a beautifully wrapped box, likely a birthday gift, with the other.

"Grandpa! Baobao thought you had forgotten!" The little one had already pounced over, wrapping his arms around the old man’s waist, snuggling his face against him.

"Heh, how could Grandpa forget Baobao’s birthday? This is Grandpa’s birthday gift for you. See if you like it?!"

Mr. Ji handed the big box to Baobao, lifting his gaze to glance at Ji Rui and Le Tong, his smile fading away quickly.

Le Tong nodded politely at him, "Hello, Chairman!"

She couldn’t think of a more suitable address for him than that.

Ji Rui coolly nodded at Mr. Ji, considering that as a greeting, placed the tea tray down on the coffee table, and sat down by himself.

"Mommy, Baobao wants to eat the cake Grandpa brought over!" Baobao had already set down the big box, struggling to hold the big cake box before handing it to Le Tong.

Le Tong said nothing, taking the box to get out the cake and placing candles on it.

"Baobao is six years old now. Do you have any birthday wishes?" Mr. Ji crouched down, hugging Baobao for a kiss.

Baobao hugged Mr. Ji’s neck, giving him a couple of kisses in return. Then, looking up at Le Tong and Ji Rui, tilting his head in thought, he seriously asked Mr. Ji.

"Grandpa, does that mean no matter what birthday wish Baobao makes, Grandpa will agree to it?"

Mr. Ji was momentarily taken aback, pinching his cheek with a smile, "Tell me what it is?"