When Cen Yan was still a baby, neither Ji Mingshu nor Cen Sen had fully embraced their roles as parents. The baby’s cries were mostly soft and gurgling, and the nanny could usually soothe him without much trouble.
But by the time Yan Bao reached a year and a half old, he could speak simple, broken sentences and had grown familiar with his novice parents. When he cried, he would now tearfully call out “Mama” and “Dada,” his cries heartfelt and heart-wrenching.
Simple soothing from the nanny was no longer enough—only Ji Mingshu or Cen Sen could calm him down.
Though dealing with a crying child was a headache, as Yan Bao grew day by day, Ji Mingshu and Cen Sen gradually realized he wasn’t just a little toy they could play with when they had time and ignore when they didn’t. He was an indispensable part of their lives, and many things shouldn’t be left to others anymore.
Both Ji Mingshu and Cen Sen came from broken families, and they understood how important a warm, complete family was for a child’s growth. So, they became increasingly attentive to Yan Bao.
Now, Cen Sen had officially taken over at Jingjian, serving as both the CEO of Junyi and Vice Chairman of Jingjian. His responsibilities were heavier, and his work was busier, but he still set aside two days each month for family outings. On days without business trips, he would return home early to spend time with Ji Mingshu and Cen Xiaoyan.
Ji Mingshu’s interior design studio was also running smoothly. It now had five formal designers, including herself, and ten design assistants.
The studio focused solely on creative interior design, serving clients such as art galleries, cafes, and private villas. Each year, they also took on a set number of pro bono projects for charitable causes.
Despite the studio’s high rates, clients flocked to it. Design services were typically booked three months in advance, and Ji Mingshu only took on projects that genuinely interested her.
There was no other way—her social calendar was packed, and her little one was very clingy. She simply didn’t have the energy to devote to projects that didn’t capture her interest.
When Yan Bao turned two and a half, it was time to start planning for kindergarten.
The capital city had an overwhelming number of public and private kindergartens. Ji Mingshu compared several of the better ones but found it hard to decide, as each had its pros and cons. In the end, she called Cen Sen for advice.
Cen Sen was playing cards with Chi Li and Jiang Che at a private club when he received the call.
Chi Li and Jiang Che were recently exploring a collaboration on a new internet platform project. Since they weren’t very familiar with each other, Cen Sen had stepped in as the intermediary.
After the call, Cen Sen set his phone aside, calmly fanned out the cards on the table, and pulled out a pair of Queens. Tapping them lightly against the edge of the table, he asked casually, “Which kindergarten does Jiang Sizhou attend?”
Jiang Che easily countered with a pair of Kings. “Is your Cen Yan starting kindergarten?”
Cen Sen gave a faint “Mm.”
Jiang Che added, “The kindergarten Jiang Sizhou attends is quite good, but it’s in Star City. Are you sure about that?”
Cen Sen paused briefly, only then remembering the issue of different cities. He then turned his gaze to Chi Li.
Without looking up, Chi Li tapped his knuckles lightly on the table, delivering a double entendre: “Pass.”
Chi Li was several years younger than them, unmarried, and indeed had no reason to know much about kindergartens.
Cen Sen didn’t ask further. Once the round ended, he stood up and took his coat from Zhou Jiaheng. “You two continue. Something came up at home—I’ll head out first.”The two men remained seated, neither making a move to stop him.
After he left, Chi Li lowered his eyes and shuffled the cards, scoffing lightly, "A slave to his wife."
Across from him, Jiang Che raised an eyebrow but didn’t respond.
Chi Li set the cards down, then suddenly remembered something and chuckled dismissively, "Forgot, President Jiang is one too."
"Being a slave to your wife isn’t such a bad thing," Jiang Che took a sip of whiskey, shifting the topic as he finally brought up the project.
While Chi Li and Jiang Che continued discussing their collaboration, the "slave to his wife" in question had already returned home to help his wife choose a kindergarten.
Ji Mingshu: "I think this international kindergarten has a good environment and teaching staff. Their elementary school is also excellent. If the child goes from kindergarten all the way through elementary school there, they’ll keep the same classmates and won’t have to adjust to a new environment when they start elementary school."
"Overall, I think it’s quite good, but they require a green card or Hong Kong residency. There should be room for negotiation on that."
Ji Mingshu pointed to another one, "This one is also good, with a great reputation and many years of operation. But their class sizes are a bit large, and the environment is a little outdated."
"And this one… there’s nothing majorly wrong with it, but the downside is that they only offer full-time boarding. I’d feel a bit reluctant to send Little Messy into full-time boarding when he’s still so young."
After finishing her introductions, Ji Mingshu was still torn. "Anyway, these are the options. Take a look at them all."
Cen Sen nodded, picking up the kindergarten materials Ji Mingshu handed him with the same seriousness he’d give to reviewing a contract.
Sitting beside him, Ji Mingshu rested her chin on her hand and continued muttering, "But why are kindergartens so exaggerated these days? It wasn’t like this when we were in school, was it? Every single one requires parents to attend an interview."
"What do you think they’ll test us on in the interview? Do we need to prepare resumes or something? I don’t think it’s absolutely necessary… It’d be best if you have someone pull some strings to skip the interview. It’s been years since I last interviewed, aside from when I applied for university."
Cen Sen listened to Ji Mingshu’s chatter while carefully comparing the kindergarten data.
Just then, the newly promoted general manager of Junyi suddenly called him, saying they were planning to hold a routine meeting with the Australian branch and asking if he had time to attend.
He replied directly, "No time, I’m at home." The general manager immediately understood, politely ended the call, and wisely didn’t disturb him further.
When he turned back to relay the message to the executives in the meeting room, the general manager simply said, "President Cen is at home." They exchanged knowing glances, each understanding the situation perfectly.
Cen Sen’s dedication to his family over the past two years was well-known throughout the group and even joked about in public circles.
In the years since his return from Australia, Jingjian’s commercial empire had expanded significantly. The Ji family, with the support of the Cen family, had also begun to recover toward its former peak, especially with Ji Mingshu’s Second Uncle rising rapidly through the ranks year after year, a pace that left many astonished. Within the capital, the unbreakable marital alliance between the Cen and Ji families was common knowledge.
The reason it was called unbreakable wasn’t just due to the intertwined interests of the two families. Over the years, Cen Sen’s obvious and subtle affection for Ji Mingshu had been clear for all to see.
The most direct manifestation of this was Ji Mingshu’s unshakable status within the circle of socialites and wealthy wives.
Even during a rare financial interview, Cen Sen never forgot to mention his wife and son with restrained fondness.In recent years, when attending social events, he not only refrained from bringing female companions himself but also prohibited his business partners from doing so.
Once, an oblivious person tried to offer him a woman. Somehow, a nearly finalized deal fell through afterward. Initially unaware of the reason, the other party later discovered it was because offering the woman had displeased Cen Sen. Over time, this became an unspoken, unwritten rule in Cen Sen's circle.
Moreover, rumors often circulated within the industry—such as Cen Sen leaving a banquet as soon as his wife called, or gifts for him being most appreciated only if they were useful to Mrs. Cen and their little prince. In private moments, many jokingly discussed his family affairs.
After all, in today’s society, wealthy, powerful, young, and affluent men are rarely devoted. Those who don’t cheat are already rare, and those who are family-oriented and wholeheartedly committed could almost be called "wife slaves."
Cen Sen was discussing kindergarten options with Ji Mingshu when their little one, Cen Xiaoyan, woke up. Under the nanny’s watchful eye, he toddled down the stairs with his short legs, making a "da-da-da" sound.
At two and a half years old, Cen Xiaoyan was as adorable as jade and snow. His soft bangs rested on his forehead, bouncing with every step he took, melting hearts with his cuteness.
After descending the stairs, he rushed over, planted a "mwah" on Ji Mingshu’s cheek, then another on Cen Sen’s, and chirped brightly, "Mommy! Daddy!"
Cen Sen scooped Cen Xiaoyan up with one arm and placed him between himself and Ji Mingshu, saying, "Mommy and Daddy are picking a kindergarten for you."
A question mark popped into Cen Xiaoyan’s mind. "What’s a kindergarten?"
Ji Mingshu lifted him onto her lap, pinched his chubby little cheek, and gently stretched his tiny hands as she patiently explained, "It’s a place where lots of cute kids like you can play together."
Cen Xiaoyan asked innocently, "Then, will my little sister be there?"
Cen Sen and Ji Mingshu paused simultaneously and exchanged a glance.
Cen Xiaoyan continued questioning, "Why do Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa always say I have a little sister, but I’ve never seen her?"
Cen Sen asked casually, as if it were nothing, "Do you want a little sister?"
"Yes, yes!" Cen Xiaoyan nodded eagerly like a pecking bird, counting on his chubby little fingers, "One, two, three, four! With a little sister, there’ll be four of us, and I won’t be the youngest anymore! I can take my sister to play at kindergarten!"
Ji Mingshu held his chubby little hands up high, pretending to be stern and fierce. "No, you can’t! You little messy thing!"
Cen Xiaoyan pouted, turning his head pitifully toward his mother, and whispered softly, "Yan Bao isn’t messy, Yan Bao can do it!"
Cen Sen let out a faint, almost imperceptible chuckle, his tone light. "It’s not impossible for you to have a little sister, but your mommy needs to cooperate."
Hearing this, Cen Xiaoyan blinked his bright, round eyes and looked expectantly at Ji Mingshu. "Mommy, hurry up and cooperate!"
"..."
"Do you think your mommy is a scallop?"
Cen Xiaoyan didn’t understand yet, his little face filled with confusion.
Cen Sen crossed his legs, leaned back on the sofa, and flipped through some documents, casually remarking, "Ask your mommy if she wants braised pork ribs for dinner tonight."Cen Xiaoyan shook Ji Mingshu's arm, "Mommy, do you want to eat braised pork ribs tonight?"
Ji Mingshu replied expressionlessly, "Mommy doesn't want to, mommy refuses."
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