Jiang Banyue placed her son on the bed and went into the bathroom to wash up.
Suddenly, a loud thunderclap exploded outside, followed by heavy rain pouring down.
Startled, she hurried out of the bathroom to close the window.
Jiang Huaijin was lying by the window, looking outside.
Jiang Banyue didn’t pay much attention, thinking he simply liked watching the rain.
“Baby, it’s raining. Don’t lie there,” she said.
Jiang Huaijin didn’t respond. She called him again.
“Baby, Jiang Huaijin, go back to bed!”
She walked over and closed the window. When she looked down, she saw her precious son lying on the windowsill, tears streaming down his face.
Panicked, she quickly crouched down and picked him up.
“Baby, what’s wrong? Don’t cry. Talk to Mommy.”
Jiang Huaijin hugged her tightly, tears falling uncontrollably, his lips pressed together.
“Mommy… Daddy is outside in the rain.”
Jiang Banyue sighed in relief. So that was it.
“He has a car. He won’t get wet. Don’t worry.”
She carried him back to the small bed and tucked him in.
“Baby, it’s time to sleep.”
Jiang Huaijin grabbed her sleeve, his eyes red as he looked at her.
“Mommy… don’t bully my dad. He’s very good, really very good.”
“When did I ever bully your father? He’s so tall—how could I bully him?”
“But the things you said hurt his feelings. Mommy, Daddy is still outside in the rain. Please let him come in, okay?”
Jiang Banyue tapped his forehead lightly.
“You really are your father’s son. The moment he shows up, you side with him, huh?”
“Mommy… in my previous life, after I died, I became a wandering spirit. I saw with my own eyes Dad die. Until his last breath, he kept calling for me and my younger siblings. He had a very hard life in his past. Please don’t make him sad. It hurts me.”
At the thought of his father, Jiang Huaijin felt a tightness in his chest. Tears burst out uncontrollably, his small shoulders trembling as the pillow beneath him became soaked.
“Mommy… I miss Dad…”
Jiang Banyue stood frozen by the bed, silent.
She had only wanted to keep the children away from their father and Liu Juan so they wouldn’t get hurt—but she had forgotten that her eldest son in his previous life had been raised by Shen Yunhe, forming deep attachment and father-son bonds that could not be severed.
She couldn’t stop it. And she couldn’t change it.
Seeing her son cry so heartbreakingly, she felt a tightness in her chest, almost suffocating. She wiped her face and found tears falling as well.
“Baby, don’t cry. I’ll go downstairs and open the door for your dad. Let him come in and stay with you, okay?”
“Okay. Thank you, Mommy.”
Jiang Huaijin’s eyes were red as he sat up and raised his arms.
“Mommy, hug me. I want to go downstairs too.”
“Alright.”
Jiang Banyue carried her son downstairs, turned on the light, and opened the door.
Outside stood a man, lonely and desolate. Rainwater slid down his hair to his chin. His thin shirt was soaked and clung tightly to his body, outlining his firm muscles.
Hearing the door open, Shen Yunhe looked up with burning anticipation.
Jiang Banyue stood at the door holding their son.
“Come in quickly. If you get sick from the rain, your son will be heartbroken.”
A faint smile appeared on Shen Yunhe’s lips as he strode inside.
Jiang Banyue handed him a clean towel.
“Take off your shirt and dry yourself.”
“Alright.”
With long fingers, he unbuttoned his shirt and removed it, revealing a strong, well-built chest. His honey-toned skin glowed under the warm yellow light. Water droplets slid down his sharp jawline, along his defined abs, and fell to the floor.
Jiang Banyue placed her son on the carpet and picked up an umbrella from the door.
“Watch the kids. I’ll go out for a moment.”
“Banyue, where are you going?” he asked.
She stepped into the rain.
“There’s a clothing shop next door. I’ll see if it’s still open and buy you some clothes to change into.”
Shen Yunhe turned around and saw his son staring at him without blinking.
He walked over, picked the baby up, and kissed him hard.
“Baby, I’m Daddy. Say Daddy!”
Jiang Huaijin rolled his eyes. He wanted to say it—but he was only seven months old. What seven-month-old could speak?
“Ah ah…” he babbled, imitating his younger siblings.
Shen Yunhe, delighted, held him tighter.
“Good baby! You can talk to Daddy already!”
Jiang Huaijin’s mouth twitched. He sighed inwardly—his father really seemed a bit foolish.
Meanwhile, Jiang Banyue returned from the clothing shop with a black shirt, black pants, and after hesitating, even a pair of men’s underwear.
Back inside, Shen Yunhe was sitting on the carpet with the child, playing building blocks.
She handed him the bag.
“There’s a bathroom upstairs. Go take a shower and change.”
“Thank you.”
He stood up holding the baby and took the bag. Looking down at his son, he said softly,
“Baby, Daddy’s going to shower. I’ll come play with you later.”
Jiang Banyue took the child back.
After going upstairs, Shen Yunhe saw the twins, Erbao and Sanbao, sleeping in small beds. He slowed his steps, walked over, and gently touched their cheeks with his large hand—his eyes filled with overflowing tenderness.