Once Meimei officially started her vacation, she no longer went to school. And once little kids entered holiday mode, it was basically a nightmare for the adults.
For example, at just before six in the morning, Jiang Yiyan’s bedroom door was already being pounded loudly.
“Mom, Mom, wake up!” The child was full of energy. This wasn’t a mere knock; she was practically smashing the door with both fists.
The door rattled violently, and yet her small hands didn’t seem to hurt at all. Seeing no response, she continued pounding.
Don’t underestimate little children—they may be young, but they’re clever and shrewd. Wen Meimei had noticed that her mother had been kind to her lately, which gave her the courage to bang on the door like this.
If it had been her old mother, she never would have dared.
Kids also like to test boundaries. If the interactions are pleasant, they’ll push further, using their little hands to press their luck.
Because of work, Jiang Yiyan was used to staying up late and waking up late. She had suffered some insomnia the previous night and gone to bed even later. At five or six in the morning, she was in her deepest sleep. Being woken like this naturally left her annoyed.
Too sleepy to move, she stayed glued to the bed, her voice weak and soft as she called out to the door, “Meimei, stop it. Go play by yourself, let Mom sleep a little longer.”
But Wen Meimei didn’t hear a word and continued excitedly pounding the door.
“Is Mom still sleeping? I want to sleep with Mom a little more too. Let me in, Mom!”
Jiang Yiyan couldn’t tolerate it any longer. With a sudden grunt, she swung herself up, tousled her messy hair, slipped into her slippers, and stormed toward the door full of frustration.
She unlocked the door and pulled it open.
Without looking outside, she squinted and vented, “Keep pounding! How can kids be so unlovable, banging on the door so early in the morning, don’t you let people sleep? Haven’t grown-ups taught you any rules?”
After this outburst, she gradually became more awake. Yawning, she opened her sleep-heavy eyes and looked around.
Then she froze, dumbfounded.
Somehow, Wen Mochuan was standing there outside the door.
Her reflexes were still sluggish from just waking, but once she fully realized what was happening, Jiang Yiyan exaggeratedly grabbed her sleep shirt to cover the exposed skin.
But Wen Mochuan didn’t seem to mind. Calm as always, he said, “I already told Meimei that pounding the door early in the morning isn’t good. Tell her not to do that again.” Then he added, “It’s still early. You go back to sleep. I’ll take Meimei downstairs.”
He, too, had evidently been woken by the pounding. He was in pajamas, his face showing signs of a poor night’s sleep.
After speaking to his wife, he looked at his daughter: “Daddy is going upstairs to change. Meimei, you go downstairs first.”
Meimei was a well-behaved child, eager to follow her parents’ instructions.
When her father asked her to go downstairs, she immediately said, “Then I’ll wait for Daddy downstairs,” tugging lightly at his hand before reluctantly turning away.
Mom had scolded her earlier, and she still felt sad, but Daddy’s words reminded her that it wasn’t right to disturb Mom.
Children are transparent, and Wen Meimei’s worry and emotions were all plainly written on her face. Jiang Yiyan, the sharp-minded working adult, naturally noticed.
Seeing her little one so pitiful and wronged, her heart ached.
Though the pounding was wrong, what did it matter? She was just a little child, why should she get upset with her?
“Wait a moment…” Jiang Yiyan suddenly called out to the distracted child descending the stairs.
Meimei, as if she had eyes on her back, immediately stopped and looked back.
“Mommy!” She looked at her mother expectantly.
Jiang Yiyan: …Eh, seeing her little cotton jacket like this made her feel even guiltier.
Her tone softened.
“Since you’re already awake and can’t sleep, let’s just get up and play together.” Jiang Yiyan’s attitude was completely different from the moment she first opened the door.
Meimei, halfway down the stairs, ran back and hugged her mother’s leg.
“You’re the best, Mommy! I love you the most!” She clung to her mother, acting adorable.
Glancing at her still-standing father on the stairs, she didn’t show favoritism at all.
“I love Daddy the most too! In Meimei’s heart, Mommy and Daddy are equally loved.”
Jiang Yiyan couldn’t help but laugh.
Seeing his daughter, Wen Mochuan nodded with a smile.
But it was still just before six, and what could a family of three do if they got up so early?
Noticing the morning was cool and the air fresh, Wen Mochuan suggested, “Why don’t we take a walk or jog around the community?” He addressed his wife, seeking her opinion.
Jiang Yiyan had no objections. Her good sleep had been disturbed, and whether they went for a jog, a walk, or stayed indoors didn’t matter. Remembering his small help last night, she chose not to argue.
“All right,” she agreed.
Fifteen minutes later, the family of three, all dressed in sportswear, gathered in the living room.
Feng Ma noticed and asked, “Sir, Madam, where are you taking Miss Meimei? Going hiking?”
Before they could answer, Meimei proudly said, “Mom and Dad are taking me to run in the community!”
Feng Ma, genuinely fond of the little lady, bent down and smiled at her.
“You must run well and not give up halfway. I’ll make a beef burger later to replenish your energy.” She couldn’t help brushing her soft cheek.
Meimei’s eyes lit up. “Great!” But soon she frowned, “But I’ve been a bit chubby recently. I want to slim down a little to look better.”
Jiang Yiyan: ?
A five-year-old already worrying about dieting to maintain her figure?
Jiang Yiyan quickly said, “Meimei, you can’t think like that. You’re still growing. You should eat what you want without worry, as long as you don’t overeat.”
Had she not said anything, Wen Mochuan would have explained the same. But seeing his wife speak, he remained silent.
Meimei hesitated but eventually consented after some humming and reluctance.
“All right, then I’ll have a beef burger for breakfast,” she said, still adding, “More vegetables, less meat.”
“Got it,” Feng Ma replied helplessly.
Cui Ming Shui Yuan was a high-end community in Shen City. Over the years, it had developed well, with complete facilities.
Buildings were spaced widely, ensuring ample sunlight for every household. The greenery was abundant and well-maintained daily, giving the community a picturesque quality.
It felt like a hidden paradise, impossible not to feel uplifted by the scenery.
Before leaving, Jiang Yiyan had been somewhat reluctant, but now immersed in this serene environment, she felt utterly refreshed.
Though she had been out before, she had never taken the time to enjoy the surroundings.
Now, with Wen Mochuan leading her, they practically circled the community, noticing sights she had previously missed or overlooked.
The community had a rubberized running track, along which the family jogged.
Wen Mochuan had the best stamina; this light exercise was nothing to him.
But the mother and daughter behind him struggled. After only a few steps, they were already panting, unable to keep up.
Meimei did slightly better, thanks to her small size, keeping pace with her father.
Jiang Yiyan herself had decent stamina, thanks to years of running around in her mall planning work. But this body seemed frail, likely unused to exercise, and she was already gasping for air, feeling like she might collapse—worse than her old eight-hundred-meter school run.
Watching her daughter and husband ahead, she pressed her hands to her stomach while continuing, “I can’t… I can’t run… I can’t…”
Her stomach churned violently, and luckily there was a nearby trash can, into which she rushed and vomited.