Jiang Wanyue arrived at the hotel with her daughter, just as her son's fifth birthday party was already underway.Fu Hanchuan sat beside their son, the warm candlelight flickering against the child's delicate face.
Doudou pressed his hands together and made a wish, his voice clear, "I hope Aunt Nansheng can be my new mommy."
Jiang Wanyue flinched. The rain outside was pouring, and to keep her daughter and the birthday cake from getting wet, half of her body had been drenched. Her clothes clung to her, cold as ice.
Jiang Nansheng burst into laughter, unbothered. "How many times do I have to tell you? Don't call me Aunt, call me Sheng-ge! Your dad and I are best bros—I only be your second dad!"
Her laughter echoed in the private room. Her closest friends were all there, and their laughter followed suit. Only Jiang Nansheng could tease Fu Hanchuan so boldly in front of everyone.
Doudou blinked his bright eyes and gave her a flattering grin.
Jiang Nansheng ruffled his playfully, grinning. "Why do you suddenly want a new mom, huh?"
Doudou glanced at Fu Hanchuan quickly, then said with conviction, "Because Dad likes Sheng-ge!"
Jiang Nansheng chuckled in amusement and pulled Doudou onto her lap, casually throwing an arm around Fu Hanchuan’s. She raised an eyebrow triumphantly. "See? The kid knows what’s up."
Fu Hanchuan frowned slightly and addressed the room. "He's just a kid. Don't take it seriously."
But kids don't lie.
Everyone knew Fu Hanchuan and Jiang Nansheng had grown up together.
Jiang Nansheng had been part of the boys' circle, never quite fitting in with the refined expectations of the Fu family elders.
At 18, Jiang Wanyue had been brought back by the Jiang family, carrying all their hopes and expectations. She married Fu Hanchuan and bore his children.
The room filled with teasing voices.
"Who's better, mom or Sheng-ge?"
Doudou declared eagerly, "Sheng-ge is the best! Mom’s just boring!"
A flicker of something cold flashed through Jiang Nansheng's eyes, so fast it was almost unnoticeable. She held Doudou closer, placing a light kiss on his forehead.
Jiang Wanyue her blood run cold.
Doudou had never liked physical contact, not even as a toddler.
Whenever Jiang Wanyue tried to hug him, he'd squirm away, avoiding her touch.
Just like his father—distant, hard to get close to.
But right now, Doudou sat comfortably in Jiang Nansheng arms, his eyes crinkling in delight.
The way Fu Hanchuan looked at Jiang Nansheng then—it was a look Jiang Wanyue had never been on the receiving end of.
They looked more like a family than she ever had with him.
"Mommy." Her daughter's voice pulled her back to reality.
J Wanyue looked down at her, her vision blurred with unshed tears.
"What's your birthday wish, Zhouzhou?" Her voice trembled.
"All I want is Mommy."
"And Daddy? Doudou?"
A burning tear fell onto Zhouzhou’s small hand. She panicked.
"Mommy, don't cry! go tell Doudou to stop clinging to Auntie!"
Doudou and Zhouzhou were twins.
When Jiang Wanyue had given birth to them, she'd nearly died from excessive bleeding.
She'd called Fu Hanchuan from the delivery room—only for Jiang Nansheng to pick up.
"Hanchuan went to popcorn. He’s with me at Disneyland, watching the fireworks. Just focus on delivering the babies, alright?"
Fireworks exploded in the background, loud against Jiang Wanyue’s ear.
Since that night, her heart had been shattered beyond repair.
Jiang Wanyue gripped her daughter's small hand tightly and pushed open the private room door.
The laughter stopped instantly.
"Why is Mrs. Fu here?"
It was her son’s birthday. Her daughter's too. Yet her presence was treated like an intrusion.
Like she didn’t belong here at all.
Jiang Nansheng held Doudou close, her posture casual—but the message was clear.
J Wanyue placed the cake box on the table, raindrops still clinging to her face.
Doudou looked up.
Jiang Nansheng’s makeup was still flawless, her long black hair soft and neatly styled.
