◎For a Specific Person◎
Though Le Qing didn’t need to wake up early, she had slept with the two children last night, and since kids tend to fall asleep and wake up early, she had risen with them as well.
Seeing the elders preparing to take the little ones downstairs for square dancing, she felt she should also make exercising a priority. After all, the children would keep growing, and with her work responsibilities, she worried about lacking energy and stamina in the future.
So while the kids were engrossed in dancing, she jogged a couple of laps around the neighborhood. When she returned, she noticed Jiang Suizhi seemed somewhat distracted.
"Did you come down to look for the kids?" she asked.
Jiang Suizhi restrained himself and averted his gaze. "...Mm."
Le Qing didn’t pick up on his odd behavior, instead turning her attention to the children being taught dance moves by the grandparents. She joked, "They should cherish these carefree days while they last."
"Carefree?"
"Yeah." Le Qing shared the kindergarten she had chosen with him. "School starts in a couple of days. Feels like we’re in for a tough battle."
"You don’t sound too worried."
"I’ve looked up plenty of tips." Le Qing sat down on a nearby bench, hesitating slightly. "I should manage."
Then, with a fierce expression, she added, "If not, I’ll just hide and let Sister Wang force them to go."
Jiang Suizhi chuckled and sat beside her. "Why hide?"
"If I don’t, I might soften up."
It was true—whenever those two little rascals gazed at someone with pleading eyes, even the usually cold-blooded CEO Jiang had broken his own rules many times.
Noticing the faint smile on her face, he asked, "You’ve been in a good mood lately."
"Why wouldn’t I be?" Le Qing replied, half-jokingly. "Everything’s settled, the kids are on the right track, and so am I."
Her work and life were finally falling into place.
If it were anyone else, Jiang Suizhi might have doubted someone claiming their life was just now stabilizing after over twenty years. But this was Le Qing.
Thinking back, her past had indeed been tangled up by too many people and things.
Jiang Suizhi said, "If my father ever comes looking for you, you don’t have to see him if you don’t want to."
It seemed every member of the Jiang family believed Jiang Suizhi’s father was the one at fault.
Le Qing wasn’t in a position to decide whether others should forgive or resent, but truthfully, she wasn’t sure how to face him either. "What kind of person is your father?"
"Selfish and cowardly."
"..."
No mercy in that description—and it didn’t sound like he was a good person.
But from what she’d overheard on Old Master Jiang’s phone yesterday, he didn’t seem that terrifying.
"He struggles to see things from others’ perspectives," Jiang Suizhi said. "Now that he’s older, he talks a lot too. Annoying."
Though his words were harsh, Le Qing didn’t detect much negativity in his expression. Instead, he seemed indifferent, as if it didn’t matter. "But you don’t seem to hate him that much?"
"Hate him?" Jiang Suizhi smirked. "I’ve only known him for three years. Outside of work, we’ve talked less than you and I have. What’s there to hate?"
"Besides, everything I have now came from him." He gave a faint, humorless smile. "Whether I hate him or not doesn’t matter to me."
Le Qing was momentarily taken aback but didn’t press further.
After a pause, the man beside her chuckled. "I thought you’d try to talk me out of it."
After all, the old men had been quite kind to her.
Jiang Suizhi didn’t understand the point of their belated regrets and reflections. Did people really need to lose someone before realizing their past actions were wrong?
Then what was Jiang Yan—just an experiment?
"Me?" Le Qing shook her head. "I’m not part of your family, and I haven’t lived through what you have. What right do I have to advise you?"
Seeing her earnest expression, Jiang Suizhi suddenly laughed. "Right."
They fell into silence, but for the first time, Jiang Suizhi found this kind of quiet companionship rather nice.
In all his life, he had never sat like this with someone who knew all his secrets—no need to guard his vulnerabilities, no unwelcome words.
Le Qing always managed to touch the most fragile parts of his heart with perfect precision.
Had she spoken to Jiang Yan like this too?
Just sitting together, even without many words, could put one at ease, completely relaxed.
Now he understood Jiang Yan a little better.
And felt a twinge of envy.
Jiang Suizhi tapped his water bottle lightly, trying to suppress this unhealthy emotion.
Meanwhile, the two little ones had spotted their conspicuous aunt and uncle and came running over. "Uncle!"
Little Le Jia planted her hands on her hips. "Uncle was lazy today!"
Jiang Suizhi leaned back in his chair. "So what?"
"Bad for health," An'an lectured. "Uncle can’t be like this."
What a joke—someone claiming Jiang Suizhi was unhealthy.
Now these two were not only monitoring his meals but also his exercise.
Just as he was about to defend himself, Little Le Jia piped up, "Second Grandpa said Uncle is weak!"
Jiang Suizhi: "?"
No need to ask who had spread that rumor. He shot a cold glare toward Jiang Heling, who was surrounded by a group of aunties in the crowd.
He began contemplating the logistics of transferring him from the northwest to Africa.
"Mm-hmm!" Oblivious to the trouble they’d just caused, the two kids each grabbed one of their uncle’s wrists. "Let’s go exercise!"
Seeing them act so boldly, Le Qing’s eyelid twitched. She picked up a stray twig from the ground and lightly tapped it against Jiang Suizhi’s wrist, blocking their hands.
Little Le Jia blinked up at her aunt in confusion.
Le Qing stood up, using the twig to gently nudge the little girl’s hand toward Jiang Suizhi’s fingers, then did the same with An'an. "Only fingers."
The kids were baffled. "Why?"
"Haven’t you watched cartoons?" Le Qing fibbed without batting an eye. "In cartoons, touching fingers lets the hero transfer energy to you. Uncle’s fingers are the strongest."
"Wow!"
Their tiny hands immediately clamped around his fingers. Jiang Suizhi hadn’t taken his medication today, but whether it was because he’d grown used to the kids’ sudden touches or the lingering itch from the twig’s light brush against his skin had dulled his usual cravings, he found himself tolerating it better than expected.
"Only for a little while," Le Qing continued coaxing. "Too long and it won’t work."
Eager for their uncle’s "superpowers," the two kids pouted. "What if we want more?"
"Then you’ll have to ask Uncle properly every day. ‘Can we touch fingers?’ If he says yes, then you can. That way, the energy will keep flowing."
As she spoke, Le Qing turned and winked at Jiang Suizhi, her playful grin completely unguarded.
"Mm." He played along with a nod. "That’s how it works."
Little Le Jia tilted her head. "Does Aunt get energy too if she touches?"
"Adults don’t—"
"They do." Jiang Suizhi cut her off abruptly.
"Aunt should touch too!" The little girl immediately released her grip to make room. "Aunt needs to be strong to beat up bad guys!"
"Just like how Auntie hit that bad lady! Turn into a superhero."
"Really?" Jiang Suizhi raised a finger and extended it toward Le Qing. "Then should Auntie try too?"
"It’ll make you super strong," he mimicked the child’s tone.
Now she had to dig herself out of the lie she’d spun. Le Qing eyed him suspiciously—since when had he become so adaptable?
Jiang Suizhi smirked. "Auntie?"
Not wanting the kids to doubt her, Le Qing quickly tapped her fingertip against his and withdrew. "There."
Jiang Suizhi lowered his gaze to where her touch had lingered. Little Le An had already grabbed his hand again, but his fingertip still burned strangely.
It was odd.
Unlike his usual hypersensitivity, this reaction seemed stronger only when Le Qing touched him.
But he soon had no time to dwell on it—the kids had pulled him over to join the elderly folks in square dancing. The moment he stepped forward, the uncles and aunties nearby locked their eyes on him, scrutinizing him from head to toe.
Jiang Suizhi stood face-to-face with Old Master Jiang. Even Jiang Heling, who usually chatted with the aunties, couldn’t resist sneaking glances their way.
Silence stretched between them as the two little ones urged their uncle to learn the dance.
Old Master Jiang suddenly asked, "Is this our last meeting?"
He’d sooner believe the sky was falling than that his youngest grandson would willingly dance in public—especially where acquaintances might see him.
Jiang Suizhi: "."
Even he couldn’t accept it.
"Uncle’s leg is injured," he said solemnly.
The little girl tilted her head doubtfully. "Uncle’s lying."
"Internal injury," Jiang Suizhi continued smoothly, not even pausing to think. "I transferred too much energy to you earlier. Now I can’t stand properly."
Such a big deal!
Horrified, the two kids immediately let go of his hand. So it was true—Auntie had said they could only hold his hand for a little while!
They had no choice but to let Uncle rest.
Watching his tall yet stubborn retreating figure, the children felt a mix of joy and worry.
"Second Grandpa was right," An'an fretted. "Uncle is really weak."
Old Master Jiang swiftly covered their mouths.
Kids say the darndest things.
But it was strange. His grandson was already 26. Back in the day, even when his older brother was swamped with work, he’d still sneak off to date and secretly had kids.
Meanwhile, 26-year-old Jiang Heling had already added every eligible young lady in their social circle.
Yet his youngest grandson showed zero interest.
Not just girls—even his male employees kept their distance during reports. Not a single mosquito could get close.
Old Master Jiang grew concerned. Could there really be something wrong with the boy?
Nearby, eavesdropping aunties and uncles widened their eyes. After two days of square dancing together, they’d grown familiar and now probed casually, "Old Jiang, is that your kid?"
Old Master Jiang nodded. "My youngest grandson."
"Such a fine young man! Is he seeing anyone?"
"No." Old Master Jiang sighed. Though he grumbled internally, he’d never air family grievances outside. "The boy’s married to his work. Never mentioned any plans in that regard."
"Kids these days are all like that. Us parents worry sick," the elders commiserated, eagerly inviting him into their matchmaking circle. "We’ve got a premium singles group. Want us to add you? If any of the kids catch your eye, we can arrange introductions."
Old Master Jiang perked up. Such a golden opportunity?
After his eldest son’s failed marriage, he’d let go of old-fashioned notions. As long as the kids were happy, status didn’t matter—a peaceful life was enough.
"Add me, add me," he said.
Even if the boy was eccentric, there was no harm in looking, right? It wasn’t like he’d force an introduction now.
However, the group they added him to wasn’t the core matchmaking chat.
After a wholesale vendor once nearly got the group reported, new members now had to pass vetting before joining the inner circle!
Once Old Master Jiang was in, the elders immediately updated their core group with the fresh intel:
"Good looks, good family, but seems to have... performance issues."
"Put him on the pending list for now."
The convenience store owner, upon seeing the message, promptly updated his records and shelved the matchmaking request for the wholesale guy—no sense ruining some nice girl’s life.
Le Qing deserved better anyway.
Meanwhile, Jiang Suizhi, now banished from the group and oblivious to the rumors, had returned upstairs.
Two old men sat across from him, desperately trying to convince him to let them stay and play with the kids.
"They start kindergarten tomorrow," Jiang Suizhi said flatly, scrolling through his phone to order school supplies. "What’s the point of you staying?"
"Playing mahjong."
"Chatting."
Jiang Suizhi lifted his gaze. "You’re heading northwest soon. Really think this is appropriate?"
Jiang Heling opened his mouth but found no rebuttal.
Suddenly, work didn’t seem so appealing.
How infuriating.
"What about me? I’m not going northwest," Old Master Jiang gloated. "I can eat two extra bowls of rice here."
"And rub it in my dad’s face."
Jiang Suizhi finished the thought without missing a beat.
The two elders stared—since when did this little uncle act like an actual father, laying down the law like this?
Truthfully, Jiang Suizhi had once considered the role.
When first investigating Le Qing, he’d resolved that if she mistreated the kids, he’d bring them to the Jiang family and raise them as their father, revealing the truth when they were older.
Even now, he hadn’t fully shaken that mindset.
His fingers flew across his phone’s photo-editing app as he spoke without hesitation:
"First, my father isn’t ready to meet them yet. Your presence will only make him restless."
"Second: You being here adds pressure on Le Qing."
Old Master Jiang stiffened.
His grandson had said the same yesterday—Le Qing struggled with strangers and only tolerated their stay out of respect. It weighed on her.
That’s why the two had tried sneaking out last night, only to get caught red-handed.
"Once the kids are in kindergarten, she’ll focus on her own work," Jiang Suizhi continued. "Sister Wang helps at home, but Le Qing still worries. Grandpa, you’re eighty. Should she really have to stress over both kids and elders?"
The old man sat back, chastened—then blinked. "How’d you know I’m eighty?"
Jiang Suizhi ignored him.
"Secretly keeping an eye on me, huh?" Old Master Jiang chuckled. "Figures—no one in our family ever admits anything."
But he wasn’t unreasonable. He made a decision on the spot: "Fine, I’ll go back. But can I visit the kids once a week? Spend weekends with them, stay at your place."
Then he frowned at the cramped space: "Or maybe we should buy them an apartment nearby."
The Jiang family estate was vast, and the surrounding area was a restricted development zone, so there weren’t many properties available. But a little further out, there were some villa districts.
Jiang Suizhi replied, "If you really gift them a place, don’t expect them to want to see you afterward."
"Why?"
Who wouldn’t want a house?
"Before she became their mother, she was just an ordinary person," Jiang Suizhi said. "Don’t pick up Jiang Hechang’s bad habit of making everything about yourself."
Some people were ruthless enough to scold their own father by full name.
Old Master Jiang didn’t dare say another word.
"And one more thing." Jiang Suizhi recalled what Lin Jian had told him after the cocktail party. "She’s a public figure now. More and more people will come to know her. So until she agrees, don’t mention her relationship with the kids to anyone."
It would only invite unnecessary speculation.
"I do remember her modeling for some magazine," Old Master Jiang mused. "I’ll buy a few copies to give to friends."
What a shame—he couldn’t even brag about her being his granddaughter-in-law.
Despite saying they’d leave, the two elders lingered until dinnertime.
Hearing their conversation, Le Qing froze for a moment before quickly regaining her composure.
It wasn’t until she saw them off and returned home that she realized how much quieter the house felt now.
The little ones were young and full of chatter, usually guided by her or Sister Wang. But these past two days, the elders had taken over, seemingly tireless, their voices rarely pausing.
Not just with the kids—they’d also glance her way now and then, reminding her not to overwork herself and to eat well.
Normally, only the two little ones would say things like that. But hearing it from others felt different.
Almost as if… she were part of their family too.
After changing the bedsheets in the master bedroom with Sister Wang, Le Qing suddenly asked, "Is there a bed missing in the guest room?"
Sister Wang nodded. "Yes, I was about to ask if we should move the kids’ toys there."
"Not yet," Le Qing said. "I’ll have a new bed delivered tomorrow."
"Is the current one not enough?"
"Grandfather and Uncle said they’d visit on weekends. If they stay over, we can’t have them squeezing in like last night."
Sister Wang almost pointed out that Jiang Suizhi’s place was just two doors away, but seeing Le Qing’s subdued mood, she held back and simply smiled. "It’s nice to have more people around—makes the place livelier."
After tidying up, Le Qing prepared the kids’ school supplies for the next day.
Small backpacks, water bottles, pencil cases, sketchbooks, colored pencils.
Did kindergarten really need all this?
These were things the grandfather and uncle had bought for them today.
She’d never attended kindergarten herself and wasn’t sure about the specifics, so she messaged Jiang Suizhi to ask what he usually bulk-ordered for kids during the school season.
The reply came instantly—several photos of "back-to-school bundles."
Le Qing was stunned. Not by the price (Jiang Suizhi never carried expensive items), but by how much kids apparently needed for school.
"Will all this fit in their backpacks?" she asked.
Jiang Suizhi replied, "Some for school, some for home—the educational toys."
Le Qing humbly asked, "Which ones should stay at home?"
A moment later, another photo arrived, this time with the items neatly sorted into two categories.
She snapped a picture of what she’d prepared and sent it: "Should I separate these too?"
Meanwhile, "Jiang-ge" was multitasking—consulting parenting experts on his work account while answering Le Qing’s questions on his personal one.
They were both new to this, but when Le Qing asked something particularly basic, something felt off. "Did you have this much stuff when you were in school?"
Le Qing didn’t feel embarrassed—she just didn’t want her inexperience to shortchange the kids. "I never had these growing up, so I want to make sure they’re fully prepared. If it’s too much, I’ll take some out."
Never had them… or never had the chance to?
For the first time, Jiang Suizhi regretted only listening passively when Jiang Yan spoke about Le Qing.
Now he knew nothing of her past.
The realization gave him pause. Since when had he become this curious about her?
This should’ve stayed surface-level.
He tried to suppress it, but his body refused to cooperate.
His eyes darkened as he fumbled open a drawer, swallowing a suppressant dry.
Yet doubt crept in.
His episodes used to be rare, triggered only by physical contact. The self-loathing and aversion manifested as what others called "germaphobia."
His therapist said it stemmed from an intense craving he couldn’t accept—hence the violent recoil when touched.
He’d retch, feeling like scorched flesh needed excision.
Then the kids happened. Their touches didn’t repulse him, so he’d hoped they could desensitize him. But now, while the physical reaction was milder, the hunger inside had grown worse, gnawing at him relentlessly.
In the silence, his ragged breaths were deafening. Gritting his teeth, he kept replying to Le Qing while opening his therapist’s chat.
Le Qing: "One more thing—do you still have those women’s clothes from last time?"
Finally, something for herself.
Jiang Suizhi typed, "Yes. What style?"
Le Qing: "The ones you picked last time were perfect. I’m not sure—just send me some options."
He replied, "Thought you said you didn’t need new clothes?"
Le Qing: "I’m traveling abroad for work soon. Might meet some colleagues, so I need something more formal."
Abroad?
He knew she worked, but she’d never mentioned leaving the country.
Do models really jet-set that much?
Jiang-ge: "Got it."
Le Qing: "Oh, and do you wholesale bedding too?"
Jiang-ge: "Yes."
Le Qing: "I need a new bed—mattress, pillows, duvet, full set. Let me know when you can share some photos."
Jiang Suizhi frowned. A new bed?
Sister Wang had said hers was recently replaced.
Before he could type, another message popped up: "The mattress should be suitable for seniors."
Seniors.
Se. Ni. Ors.
Jiang Suizhi reread the message several times. Despite having taken his medication, the discomfort in his body only seemed to intensify. His fingertips tingled, and his palm clenched tighter and tighter.
A full minute passed before he managed to type out a single word in reply: "Okay."
At the same time, his therapist sent a lengthy follow-up message: "Mr. Jiang, this development is actually positive. It indicates that you no longer react as strongly to physical contact as before, nor do you experience the same severe physiological responses. This suggests significant progress in your condition."
Really?
Jiang Suizhi didn’t feel any better. If anything, he was more agitated than ever.
The doctor continued: "Most patients with skin hunger disorder develop symptoms due to unmet emotional needs. If your symptoms are triggered by a specific person, it’s likely because they fulfill those psychological and emotional needs for you—someone you trust and subconsciously rely on. Communicating with them could further aid your recovery."
Jiang Suizhi: "..."
"However, your case is unique. Given your history of extreme aversion to external contact, if such a person has now emerged, you may experience heightened possessiveness toward them, along with an intensified craving for physical touch. You must exercise caution and restraint."
Jiang Suizhi glanced down at his palm, once again bloodied from his own nails.
He realized he was facing something far more complicated than child custody battles or hunting down criminals.
He stood and walked to the bathroom, rinsing the blood from his hand under cold water. Yet, the persistent vibration of his phone distracted him, each notification piercingly clear.
After a long moment, he turned off the faucet, ignoring the wound, and contacted his secretary to forward the list of items Le Qing needed.
The urgent supplies would arrive that very night. As for the bed—
A good bed wasn’t so easy to find.
A selfish thought crossed Jiang Suizhi’s mind.
Genetics truly were a powerful thing.
He had already vacated a room for those two old men. He hoped they wouldn’t push their luck.
As for Le Qing’s clothes, aside from the remaining pieces from last time, the brands would arrange for immediate delivery whenever he requested.
Sitting on the sofa, he leisurely scrolled through the new arrivals.
But his mind involuntarily replayed the scene he’d witnessed in the restroom at the banquet.
Her gown had clung to her figure, the lines of her back striking and flawless. Her waist was slimmer than he’d imagined, yet it held an irresistible allure.
He hadn’t paid much attention at the time—so why could he recall it so vividly now?
His finger hovered over the screen, frozen for a long moment.
Much later, after sending the message, he calmly plucked a tissue and wiped away the blood droplets that had fallen onto the screen from his palm.
Then he walked into his room, retrieved the glasses he’d sealed away in a drawer, and slowly put them on, studying his reflection in the mirror.
Le Qing received Jiang Suizhi’s message two hours later, informing her that the workers had arrived with the deliveries and needed her to open the gate.
She threw on a coat and stepped out, only to find a tall figure standing by the elevator.
Jiang Suizhi, clad in a black overcoat, stood by the window, seemingly observing something below.
"You’re still awake?" Le Qing asked.
He turned at the sound of her voice. The gold-rimmed glasses on the bridge of his nose caught the light, casting shadows under his eyes and obscuring his gaze.
"Yeah," Jiang Suizhi replied, lifting his hand.
"Do you have any more band-aids?" he asked quietly.
Jiang Suizhi was never a good man to begin with.
