Jiang Qingmi picked up the menu and looked through it: stir-fried potato slices 25 yuan, stir-fried greens 25 yuan, shredded pork with green peppers 35 yuan, scrambled eggs with green peppers 28 yuan, scrambled eggs with tomatoes 28 yuan, braised pork 68 yuan, braised fish 78 yuan, tomato chicken 88 yuan (small pot).
Ah… this.
This was the first time Jiang Qingmi had eaten out since transmigrating into this novel a week ago. Why did it feel a bit expensive?
Even a plate of vegetables cost 25 yuan?
If she successfully found the domineering CEO dad, it would be fine. The problem was she still wasn’t sure whether this man was Qing Yanshen. Judging from how he was injured, had lost his memory, and was still working construction, he probably didn’t have much money either.
She currently had 2,850 yuan left after deducting travel expenses to Beicheng.
Qing Yanshen came back after washing up and saw her staring blankly at the menu. He asked, “What’s wrong? Nothing you like? Then we can go somewhere else.”
Jiang Qingmi looked up at him, hesitating. “Um… this meal… are you paying?”
It wasn’t that she was being stingy. She really had no choice. If the man in front of her wasn’t the male lead, where would she find someone? She had a two-year-old child with her, no memories from the original host, and the original body was weak. Jiang Qingmi was truly worried.
If he really was the male lead, the situation wasn’t much better. Both of them were poor.
So she had to save wherever she could.
Qing Yanshen sat down beside his daughter and said, “It’s not about whether I’m paying.”
Jiang Qingmi immediately put down the menu, relieved she hadn’t ordered yet.
The man handed the menu back to her and said seriously, “It’s not about treating you. It’s my responsibility. From now on, I’ll cover all your living expenses. Order whatever you want. Don’t worry about the cost.”
He wiped his hands dry with a tissue and looked down at the child beside him. The little girl with a mushroom haircut was holding a toy car, her chubby hands spinning the wheels. Her big watery eyes blinked as she played happily.
“Tuantuan.” Qing Yanshen checked that his hands were clean before reaching out and gently touching her soft little hand.
It felt as if his heart softened along with it.
Jiang Tuantuan moved her hand slightly and blinked at him curiously. She didn’t recognize this uncle, so she ignored him and continued playing.
Jiang Qingmi watched the interaction with mixed emotions. In the end, she ordered a plate of potato slices and scrambled eggs with tomatoes. The baby could eat that too.
“I’m done ordering.”
Qing Yanshen frowned at the menu. “Why are they all vegetarian dishes?”
“Enough to eat is fine,” Jiang Qingmi said.
“You don’t need to save money for me. Don’t worry about money.” Qing Yanshen looked at her. “You’re so thin. You should eat more meat.”
He ticked off braised pork, braised fish, and tomato chicken.
Jiang Qingmi was stunned. “We can’t eat that much. It’ll be a waste!”
The woman in red cheerfully took the menu. “Little sister, your man is just worried about you. If you can’t finish, you can pack it up. Don’t worry.”
Then she quickly ran to the kitchen, afraid Jiang Qingmi would snatch the menu back.
Fine. Jiang Qingmi decided not to worry about the money. He ordered it himself anyway.
The kitchen started cooking. The roar of the range hood broke the quiet in the shop. It was a bit noisy but strangely comforting.
This was the sound of life. Most ordinary people lived busy and dull lives. Only in the idle moments while waiting for a meal could their hearts find a brief sense of peace.
After all, ordinary people didn’t have the time or money for greater pleasures. Being healthy and having three meals a day was already happiness.
“Do you come here often?” Jiang Qingmi asked in the calm.
“About twice a week.”
“What about the rest of the time?”
Qing Yanshen said, “Noodles, rice noodles, fast food.”
So coming here was when he improved his meals.
Sigh… what should she do? She felt like the man in front of her couldn’t be the male lead Qing Yanshen. How could the male lead live like this? He had already suffered in the countryside for twenty-three years after being swapped at birth. After being taken back by his wealthy parents, there was no reason for him to suffer again.
If it really was him, what kind of terrible script was this?
“If you’re not the child’s father, I’ll repay the paternity test money once I have it,” she said. “Just consider it a loan for now.”
Qing Yanshen was playing with the baby. He lifted his eyelids slightly. “Hm? What did you say? I didn’t hear you.”
Jiang Qingmi: …
Fine. If he didn’t hear it, then forget it.
She felt like this man didn’t just have amnesia from hitting his head. His ears might have problems too!
Although the restaurant was a bit expensive, the dishes came quickly and tasted great. At first, Jiang Qingmi thought they had ordered too much, but after eating enthusiastically, there was barely anything left.
She rubbed her round belly and burped.
It wasn’t her fault for having a big appetite. In the week since she transmigrated, she hadn’t eaten anything good. The original host had once lived luxuriously, eating rich food every day. After having a child, she didn’t stop, gained weight, stayed home with the baby, and didn’t exercise, which ruined her stomach.
The doctor had told her directly: no greasy or spicy food, eat light meals for better health.
The original host was afraid of dying, so she started cooking for herself and ate too lightly. Raising a child alone made her busy, her meals irregular. Now she was both weak and thin.
But the food here wasn’t greasy or spicy. It tasted excellent.
During the meal, the man had already finished eating and even went to a nearby shop to buy toys for Jiang Tuantuan.
Jiang Qingmi didn’t stop eating until she was stuffed and could barely walk.
So Qing Yanshen carried several bags in one hand and Jiang Tuantuan in the other, taking the mother and daughter to a nearby hotel.
Jiang Qingmi held her waist and walked slowly, her belly sticking out like she was pregnant. She thought that if he hadn’t been so gentle and bought toys to amuse the child, Jiang Tuantuan wouldn’t have let him carry her.
On the way, Qing Yanshen blamed himself. “I should’ve told you to eat less. Does your stomach feel uncomfortable? If you like it, we can come often.”
Jiang Qingmi felt embarrassed. It made her look like she had never eaten good food before.
“Once we settle in at the hotel, I’ll go buy digestive tablets for you.”
“Thank you,” Jiang Qingmi said sincerely. He was quite considerate.
They arrived at the hotel within a few minutes. Qing Yanshen set down the luggage and took out his ID to check in at the front desk. He never put Jiang Tuantuan down.
Jiang Qingmi leaned against the wall, resting. She only caught a glimpse of the ID photo and the name “Yanshen” flashed by.
So she didn’t notice that the name on the ID was actually Qing Yanshen.
The landlady quickly completed the check-in. “Three days, right? Room 605 on the third floor. Hurry and take your wife up to rest. Pregnancy isn’t easy.”
Jiang Qingmi immediately straightened up. “Sis, I’m not pregnant. I just ate too much.”
The landlady laughed. “Oh, sorry, sorry.”
Qing Yanshen put away his ID and picked up the room card. He glanced at her belly, his lips curving slightly.
Seeing that smile, Jiang Qingmi became embarrassed and annoyed. “What are you laughing at? Is it that funny?”
Realizing she might get angry, Qing Yanshen quickly suppressed his expression and shook his head as he entered the elevator.
She didn’t speak the entire way to the room. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment.
Qing Yanshen carefully observed her expression, thinking he had upset her.
She had no income and came all this way with a child to find him. It must not have been easy.
Also, he hadn’t sent her any living expenses in the past two months. She had even asked earlier if he was paying for the meal.
Thinking this, Qing Yanshen felt guilty.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have laughed.”
Jiang Qingmi didn’t expect him to apologize. She waved it off. “It’s fine. I’m not angry.”
Qing Yanshen looked at her while holding the baby. “I just thought you were cute.”
Jiang Qingmi pressed her lips together and said nothing.
This man really had a slick tongue.
Qing Yanshen was about to go buy digestive tablets. Reluctantly, he put down his daughter. “Daddy’s going to buy toys for you. Stay with Mommy, okay?”
“Um… before the paternity test, don’t let her call you Dad,” Jiang Qingmi said.
“If the result isn’t what we expect, it won’t be good for either of you. You’re getting too involved. I’m afraid you won’t be able to accept it later. Just treat her normally.”
Qing Yanshen fell silent for two seconds, slightly unhappy. “Tuantuan is obviously my daughter. She is my baby.”
He stood up, opened the door, and looked at Jiang Qingmi with a hint of grievance. “You’re taking advantage of my amnesia to bully me.”
Jiang Qingmi was stunned. “What? I didn’t—”
“I’m going to buy the digestive tablets.”
He felt upset and didn’t want to listen. He quickly closed the door.
“Hey! You—” Jiang Qingmi stared at the closed door, speechless.
This man really loved overthinking!
What kind of male lead was like this?
He had none of the domineering CEO aura. She was even more convinced he wasn’t Qing Yanshen.
Forget it. She lay down on the sofa to let her stomach settle.
Jiang Tuantuan looked at the door, holding the toy excavator. “Mommy, he’s going to go.”
“It’s okay. He’ll be back soon.”
Qing Yanshen indeed returned quickly. Seeing him panting and drenched in sweat, Jiang Qingmi was stunned. “No one was rushing you. Why run like that?”
He didn’t answer. He took out the digestive tablets from the bag, along with some fruit and two stuffed animal toys.
Jiang Tuantuan pointed. “Kitty, doggy!”
Qing Yanshen’s gaze softened. “Yes. Do you like them?”
“I like them!”
Jiang Qingmi said, “Tuantuan, did you say thank you? You should thank uncle.”
“Okay~ Thank you, uncle.”
Qing Yanshen immediately looked up at Jiang Qingmi, his eyes full of dissatisfaction and grievance.
Jiang Qingmi ignored it. “I said we’ll wait until after the paternity test.”
“Also, don’t buy her too many toys. She has enough. Save your money. Thank you for your kindness.”
“Toys aren’t expensive,” Qing Yanshen said.
Then he took out a stack of cash and handed it to her. “Here’s 3,000 for now. I’ll get paid in half a month. My monthly salary is 7,500. From now on, I’ll give you all my earnings.”
Jiang Qingmi shook her head. “Keep your money. Why give it to me?”
“Use it,” he said. “Or do you think it’s too little?”
“I’m not saying it’s little. It’s just… our relationship is complicated right now.”
He had amnesia. She had no memories either. They were basically strangers.
At most, he was a kind stranger.
Thinking this, Jiang Qingmi saw he was sweating heavily. She handed him tissues and then opened a bottle of water for him. “Wipe your sweat. Drink some water. Why were you running so fast? Aren’t you tired?”
Qing Yanshen took the tissue and water, glancing at her. He thought she was quite caring.
He wiped his sweat and drank deeply.
If he hadn’t rushed back, what if they were gone?
He was afraid this was all just a dream.
When he returned home, his wife and daughter would disappear.
“How much is a night here?” Jiang Qingmi asked.
“150.”
She thought it would be about 100 at most. This “hotel” was really just a small inn.
He booked three days.
He would only get paid in half a month. After paying for the paternity test, there would be little left. She didn’t know how much he still had. Asking felt inappropriate.
Staying in a hotel long-term wasn’t realistic.
“Let’s rent a place,” Jiang Qingmi said.
Qing Yanshen’s heart stirred. “Okay. Take this money. I’ll go look.”
She refused again. “You’ll need money to find a place. Keep it.”
Qing Yanshen said, “I still have money. This is for you.”
Seeing she still refused, he felt a sense of distance, like she might leave at any time.
He added, “Isn’t it for the paternity test? Take it. We can save up together.”
Only then did Jiang Qingmi accept it.
He quietly sighed in relief.
“I’m off this afternoon. I’ll go look for a place now.”
She wanted him to rest, but thinking he had work tomorrow and she couldn’t easily search with a child, she said, “Thank you. Walk slowly. Don’t run.”
Hearing her concern, Qing Yanshen smiled. “Okay.”
“Take your medicine and rest. Watch Tuantuan. I’ll be back once I find something.”
After leaving the hotel, Qing Yanshen felt warmth filling his chest, as if he had gained something incredibly precious.
For the first time, his world felt full and meaningful.
He was no longer empty and lost.
He smiled unconsciously. He needed to find a place quickly, move out of the workers’ dorm, and live together as a family of three.
He strode forward, feeling like a happy life was waiting for him ahead.
Meanwhile, in the room, Jiang Qingmi thought that the house didn’t need to be big. As long as it was enough for her and her daughter, it would do. Renting for one month first was fine.
As for Qing Yanshen’s imagined life of a family of three, that was only his own fantasy.