Chapter 76: Extra 10

During Jiang Nai’s pregnancy, she developed a strong craving for sour foods, even eating lemons raw without hesitation. As a result, the baby’s nickname became “Little Lemon.”

As Little Lemon grew older, she became increasingly adorable and charming. Her big, round eyes and long, curly eyelashes made everyone who saw her want to strike up a conversation and play with her.

Apart from her eyes, Little Lemon didn’t look particularly like Li Qingji, but surprisingly, her personality seemed to take after him.

Logically, personality traits aren’t inherited.

But occasionally, when Jiang Nai saw Little Lemon quietly reading children’s books or seriously asking questions, she couldn’t help but feel like she was seeing a glimpse of Li Qingji.

One day, Li Qingji was at Hengchuan.

When it was about time, he asked his assistant to pick up Little Lemon, who was at a riding club for her lessons.

Assistant Xiao Zhang, who had only been working for a few months and was a recent graduate, immediately drove to the club upon receiving his boss’s instructions.

Upon entering the club, he spotted Little Lemon, a seven-year-old girl in riding gear, coming out of the riding arena. She was accompanied by her riding coach, the nanny, and the driver.

Xiao Zhang approached and bent down to greet her: “Little Lemon, the boss asked me to pick you up and take you to Hengchuan.”

Little Lemon had just received a call from Li Qingji a minute ago, so she simply nodded and said to the people around her, “Auntie Lin, Uncle Ming, you can take my things home first. I’ll go with Brother Xiao Zhang.”

“Alright, Miss.”

Little Lemon then turned to Xiao Zhang: “Brother Xiao Zhang, wait for me a moment. I need to change.”

The little girl was incredibly cute, but Xiao Zhang felt that her eyes were too much like the boss’s—deep-set, with light-colored irises that gave off an exotic vibe… Every time he looked at her, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he needed to be extra careful.

It felt like the boss was watching him.

A moment later, the little girl came out, changed into her regular clothes.

She was on the phone as she walked out, and from the conversation, it seemed she was talking to her mom.

Xiao Zhang followed her out and opened the car door for her.

Forty minutes later, the car arrived at Hengchuan.

Xiao Zhang led her directly to the top floor. The little girl was already familiar with the place and found a seat by the window.

“How much longer until Daddy is done?” she asked.

Xiao Zhang replied, “Probably about twenty more minutes. Would you like something to drink or eat?”

The little girl thought for a moment. “Chocolate cake and a chocolate milkshake.”

Xiao Zhang: “Sure, just a moment.”

The top floor was Li Qingji’s domain, and all the staff here worked directly for him.

Xiao Zhang went to the pantry to get the chocolate cake and milkshake for Little Lemon, but after searching for a while, he couldn’t find any chocolate milkshake.

Just then, a female colleague walked in. “Looking for chocolate milkshake?”

Xiao Zhang nodded. “Yeah, how did you know?”

The colleague smiled. “Our little miss loves that flavor.”

Xiao Zhang: “I’ll go downstairs and buy one for her.”

“No, no, just get her a bottle of freshly squeezed juice. The boss has said before that she shouldn’t have too much sugar.”

Everyone in the office was well aware of the little miss’s preferences and the boss’s rules.

Xiao Zhang understood and thanked her, grabbing a bottle of freshly squeezed orange juice.

When he placed it on the table, Little Lemon glanced at it and then looked up at Xiao Zhang.

“Where’s the chocolate milkshake?”

Xiao Zhang: “Ah… well, we’re out of it. Sorry about that.”

Little Lemon’s delicate brows furrowed slightly. “If something’s out of stock in the pantry, it should be restocked promptly.”

Despite her young age and soft voice, there was an inexplicable air of authority in her words.

Xiao Zhang almost regretted not going downstairs to buy it for her earlier.

“Got it. I’ll make sure to arrange that.”

“Mm.”

The little girl didn’t say anything more and picked up her fork to start eating the cake.

Xiao Zhang sat nearby, watching her little cheeks puff up as she ate. She looked so adorable that he couldn’t help but think she was just a kid after all.

“Well, if it isn’t our Little Lemon,” a voice suddenly called out.

Little Lemon put down her fork and looked over. Seeing who it was, she greeted, “Uncle Zhi Xun.”

Li Zhi Xun walked over. “Hey, Little Lemon. Waiting for your dad?”

“Mm.”

“Did you have riding lessons today? Tuan Tuan went too. Why are you here now?”

Tuan Tuan was Li Zhi Xun’s son, a year younger than Little Lemon.

Little Lemon: “Uncle, the lesson is already over.”

“Oh, I see.” Li Zhi Xun wasn’t embarrassed and continued warmly, “Equestrianism isn’t easy to learn, so be careful. By the way, Tuan Tuan said he can already ride without the coach’s help. You should work hard too, Little Lemon.”

Little Lemon: “Uncle, I can already ride on my own without the coach.”

Li Zhi Xun’s expression faltered for a moment. “Wow, you’re so talented for a little girl. You’re learning faster than Tuan Tuan.”

“I’m older than Tuan Tuan, so it’s normal for me to learn faster.”

Li Zhi Xun was slightly taken aback and was about to say something when he saw Li Qingji approaching.

He had come up to discuss some business matters with him, so he stood up when Li Qingji appeared. “You’re here. About the Changxi project—”

“Let’s talk in the office,” Li Qingji said.

Li Zhi Xun: “Alright.”

Li Qingji walked over to his daughter. “Eating chocolate cake again?”

Little Lemon looked a bit uneasy. “…I haven’t had any in days.”

Li Qingji: “Your mom said you’re not allowed to have any recently.”

“I forgot…”

Seeing the meaningful look in her father’s eyes, Little Lemon silently pushed the cake away. “I won’t eat it.”

Li Qingji patted her head. “I need to discuss something with your uncle. Wait for me a little longer.”

“Okay.”

About ten minutes later, Little Lemon saw her uncle come out of the office first, his expression not looking great.

Then her father followed.

She walked over. “Dad, I just called Mom. She said she’s still at the office and hasn’t gone home yet. Should we go pick her up directly?”

Li Qingji took her hand. “Perfect, I was thinking the same thing.”

The father and daughter took the elevator down together.

“Did you and Uncle argue again?” Little Lemon suddenly asked.

Li Qingji glanced down at her. “No, we just had some differences of opinion about work.”

“Differences… Does Uncle still want to beat you?”

This surprised Li Qingji. “Still? Who told you that?”

Little Lemon: “Uncle Lu Feng said that you two used to compete fiercely for Hengchuan, and in the end, you won.”

Li Qingji pinched her cheek. “Don’t listen to Uncle Lu Feng too much.”

“But it’s true, isn’t it?” Little Lemon said. “Dad, will Tuan Tuan and I have to compete in the future too?”

Li Qingji’s brow twitched slightly.

“Don’t worry, even if we do, I won’t be afraid.” Little Lemon’s face was full of childish determination. “Uncle always thinks that because I’m a girl, I can’t compare to Tuan Tuan. But actually, my grades are better than his, I’m better at sports, and I learn everything faster than him. Dad, I won’t lose to him.”

Ding—

The elevator arrived.

Li Qingji led her out and smiled faintly. “Of course, you won’t lose to anyone.”

Little Lemon: “Then wait for me to grow up. When I’m older, I’ll definitely take over Hengchuan.”

“Alright, I’ll be waiting to see that.”

Soon after, the two arrived at Jiang Nai’s company.

Li Qingji didn’t disturb her. After sending her a message, he took his daughter to sit in the lobby’s reception area.

Even just sitting there, the two of them were a striking sight. The front desk staff and passersby couldn’t help but glance their way.

“Mr. Li, would you like something to drink?” one of the receptionists approached and asked.

Li Qingji: “Water is fine, thank you.”

“Of course. And for Little Lemon?”

“I’ll have water too, with lemon.”

“Sure, please wait a moment.”

The receptionist went back and exchanged a look with her colleague, whispering, “So handsome.”

Her colleague joined her to help pour the water. “Yeah, so handsome and so elegant!”

“Our Director Jiang is living the dream in her personal life. So envious…”

“Little Lemon is so adorable. She really takes after both of them.”

“Hey, did you notice Little Lemon has the same eye color as Mr. Li? It’s stunning up close.”

“Should I go take a closer look? I’ll bring them the water!”

“You’re really good at snagging opportunities!”

Jiang Nai had just finished a meeting and was escorting two representatives from the client company downstairs.

As she walked into the lobby with her team, she spotted Li Qingji and their daughter sitting not far away. Her heart leapt with joy, and she gave them a subtle glance.

The father and daughter, mirroring each other, smiled warmly at her but made no move to interrupt.

Jiang Nai quickly turned her attention back to the client representatives, exchanged a few words with them, and saw them off as they got into their car.

When she returned, she saw her daughter standing up from her seat and running over. “Mom, are you off work now?”

Jiang Nai bent down to hug her and kissed her cheek. “Yes, I’m done. Did you wait long?”

“Not too long. I just finished a glass of lemon water before you came down.”

“Lemon water? You’re being so good, just drinking that?”

“What’s so good about that… It’s not strange for me to drink lemon water.”

Jiang Nai didn’t believe her and looked at Li Qingji behind her. “Did you give her a chocolate milkshake at Hengchuan?”

Little Lemon: “…”

Li Qingji: “She didn’t have any.”

Little Lemon breathed a sigh of relief. “Right, I didn’t have any. Dad can vouch for me.”

Li Qingji: “Mm, I can vouch for her. She just had a slice of chocolate cake.”

Little Lemon: “…”

Jiang Nai narrowed her eyes. “Lemon, didn’t we agree you wouldn’t have sweets these past few days? You had way too much last week.”

Little Lemon hadn’t expected her dad to sell her out so quickly. She could only say, “I only had half… I won’t have any more, I promise.”

Jiang Nai glanced at Li Qingji. “You promise too.”

Li Qingji looked a bit innocent. “I didn’t give her the cake.”

“Then make sure to tell the staff not to give her any.”

Little Lemon was usually very well-behaved and disciplined, but when it came to sweets, especially anything chocolate, she had a hard time controlling herself. So, it was mostly Jiang Nai who kept an eye on her.

Seeing how serious his wife was, Li Qingji nodded. “I’ll make sure to remind them next time. Lemon, you heard that?”

“…Okay.”

Jiang Nai had only come down to see off the clients and still had a few things in her office. She asked the two to wait a little longer and went back upstairs to her office.

After grabbing her laptop and bag, she headed to the elevator. Someone stood next to her.

“Director Jiang… I’m sorry about the mistake I made during the meeting today.”

It was a new intern at the company, in his early twenties, very young. Despite his age, he had an impressive academic background and strong skills, which was why he was involved in the company’s key projects even as an intern.

However, during today’s meeting, he hadn’t prepared his data thoroughly and couldn’t answer the client’s questions, causing an awkward moment. Jiang Nai had stepped in to smooth things over.

“Next time, make sure to consider every angle. Not every client will have the patience to listen to our explanations.”

Ding—

The elevator arrived, and Jiang Nai stepped in. The intern followed.

“Yes, I’ll be more thorough next time. Thank you for covering for me earlier.”

“I was covering for the project.”

“Then… can I still stay on this project?”

Jiang Nai said, “I didn’t say you were being removed.”

The intern’s face lit up. “Thank you, Director Jiang!”

Jiang Nai turned to him. “If there’s anything you don’t understand or are unsure about, don’t hesitate to ask others. Don’t try to figure everything out on your own, okay?”

“Got it. Can I ask you too? I mean… when you have time.”

Jiang Nai: “Sure. If it’s related to the project, feel free to bring up any questions anytime.”

The elevator reached the first floor, and the two stepped out.

“Director Jiang, aren’t you going to the basement to get your car?”

Jiang Nai knew Li Qingji had driven them here, so she didn’t plan to take her own car. She simply said, “The car is parked outside the lobby.”

“Oh, I see. It looks like it’s raining outside. Wait a moment, I’ll grab an umbrella.”

“No need—”

“Dad, it’s another handsome guy,” Little Lemon yawned from the small couch not far away.

Li Qingji looked over and saw Jiang Nai talking to a young man in the distance. The guy was very young, and the way he looked at Jiang Nai was full of admiration and concern.

Little Lemon turned to him. “Aren’t you going over?”

Li Qingji: “Don’t disturb her work.”

Little Lemon said, “Last time, that handsome guy also said it was about work, but then he started flirting with Mom. Remember, Dad?”

Li Qingji: “…Go tell Mom that the driver has pulled the car up to the entrance. Hurry up.”

Of course.

Little Lemon walked over to Jiang Nai: “Mom, Dad wants to know if you’re ready. The car is here.”

“I’m ready.” Jiang Nai said to the intern, “There’s nothing else for today. You can head home early. Keep the umbrella for yourself.”

The intern looked at the little girl who was silently staring at him and paused for a moment. “Oh… okay.”

Little Lemon stepped forward and took Jiang Nai’s hand. Before leaving, she gave the intern a faint smile and then walked away.

After getting into the car, Jiang Nai was still handling some work matters in a group chat. Once she finished, she said, “Tomorrow’s Saturday. I want to visit my mom.”

Jiang Nai had made it a habit to visit her late mother periodically over the years.

Li Qingji said, “Sure, I’ll go with you.”

Little Lemon: “Mom, I want to visit Grandma too.”

“Alright, we’ll all go together.” Jiang Nai opened her phone to check the weather for tomorrow and casually asked, “I heard someone say the Jiang family has been having some trouble recently?”

Li Qingji replied, “Not just some trouble—it’s pretty serious. Several of their recent projects have blown up.”

“Is that so?”

“Ever since Old Master Jiang passed away, the company has been declining day by day.”

Jiang Nai hummed in acknowledgment and didn’t say more.

After cutting ties with the Jiang family, she had no further contact with them. The only time she had appeared was when Old Master Jiang passed away…

Looking back now, everything from the past felt like a fleeting cloud.

“What’s wrong?” Li Qingji asked when she didn’t continue.

Jiang Nai shook her head. “Nothing, just feeling a little sentimental.”

Li Qingji reached out and took her hand.

Jiang Nai smiled at him and said, “I’m so hungry. What are we having for dinner tonight?”

“I asked the housekeeper to make a few of your favorite dishes.”

“Is there plum-glazed ribs?”

“Yes.”

“Great, I haven’t had that in a while.”

When they got home, Jiang Nai put her bag down and went to the walk-in closet to change. Li Qingji followed, hanging his suit jacket on the side and unbuttoning his shirt.

Jiang Nai finished changing first and turned to see Li Qingji had already taken off his shirt.

No matter how many years passed, his physique was always something to admire…

Jiang Nai handed him the T-shirt he was going to wear and casually touched his abs.

Li Qingji looked down at her. “What?”

Jiang Nai smiled. “Nice abs. You’re really disciplined, boss.”

“Mm, I have to be. Otherwise, I wouldn’t stand a chance against those young guys.”

Jiang Nai: “Young guys?”

Li Qingji grabbed her wrist. “I mean, with so many young men around you, I have to stay on guard.”

Jiang Nai was stunned for a moment, then couldn’t help but laugh. “What nonsense are you talking about?”

“I’m not talking nonsense. The client manager last time, the colleague from the neighboring department the time before that, and now this… young guy.”

Jiang Nai acknowledged the first two—there had indeed been some situations—but this young guy?

She suddenly remembered the intern who had followed her in the lobby earlier and poked Li Qingji’s waist. “What are you talking about? That’s just an intern. He didn’t do anything.”

“Mm, he didn’t do anything, so I didn’t do anything either,” Li Qingji said calmly. “I’m just being cautious.”

Li Qingji put on his shirt, and Jiang Nai stepped forward to wrap her arms around his waist, leaning comfortably against him. She muttered softly, “What are you being cautious about… No one could ever be better than you.”

Li Qingji raised an eyebrow. “What?”

Jiang Nai wasn’t going to repeat herself. “If you didn’t hear it, forget it.”

Li Qingji had, of course, heard her. The corner of his mouth lifted as he hugged her back.

“Are you two done hugging? Dinner’s ready.” A slightly exasperated voice came from the doorway.

The two turned to see their daughter leaning against the doorframe, holding a few cherries in her hand, munching on them as she watched them.

Jiang Nai stepped out of Li Qingji’s embrace and cleared her throat. “Dinner’s ready. Don’t eat too much fruit.”

“Okay~”

Jiang Nai headed to the dining room first. Little Lemon stopped eating the cherries and blinked at Li Qingji.

“Dad.”

“Yeah?”

“Did you ask?”

“Ask what?”

“Who was that handsome guy at Mom’s company earlier? Did you ask?”

Li Qingji lightly patted her head and walked out. “Just a regular subordinate. Nothing worth asking about.”

Little Lemon didn’t believe him at all: “…”

Sure, let’s pretend you didn’t ask.

After dinner, Little Lemon went to do her homework.

Jiang Nai went back to her room, took a shower, poured herself a glass of milk, and then went to Little Lemon’s room.

“Are you done?”

“Almost.”

Jiang Nai sat down beside her. “Is there anything you don’t understand?”

Little Lemon shook her head. “I understand everything. Don’t worry, Mom.”

Little Lemon’s studies had never been a concern for Jiang Nai.

Jiang Nai ruffled her hair. “You’re so amazing.”

Little Lemon smiled and leaned affectionately against her shoulder. “Mom, I haven’t told you yet, but I got a perfect score on this week’s test. I came in first in the class.”

“Really? That’s amazing, our Little Lemon.”

Little Lemon was thrilled by Jiang Nai’s praise and said, “Mom, since I did so well, will you sleep with me tonight?”

Jiang Nai chuckled and naturally agreed. “Of course, I’ll sleep with you.”

As the night deepened, Little Lemon packed up her schoolbag and got into bed.

Jiang Nai lay down beside her, listening to her talk about what had happened at school.

After a while, there was a knock on the door.

Little Lemon stopped talking. “It must be Dad.”

Jiang Nai hummed in acknowledgment. “Come in.”

The door opened, and Li Qingji glanced at the two under the covers before walking to the bedside. “Lemon, it’s time to sleep.”

Little Lemon said, “I know. I’m going to sleep.”

“Then let’s go. We’re going back.”

Li Qingji reached out to Jiang Nai, his words directed at her.

Little Lemon immediately protested. “Mom’s mine tonight. She promised to sleep with me.”

Li Qingji looked at her. “You’re old enough to sleep by yourself.”

“I know I can sleep by myself, but I want to sleep with Mom tonight.”

“No.”

“Why not? You get her every day. It’s my turn.”

Li Qingji remained unmoved. “When do I get her every day? She slept with you the day before yesterday, and the day before that. Last week, she slept with you for three days.”

Little Lemon: “…”

He remembers way too clearly.

“Alright, we have to get up early tomorrow. Go to sleep.”

Little Lemon wasn’t giving up and looked to Jiang Nai for help.

Jiang Nai couldn’t bear it and said, “How about I sleep with her tonight?”

Li Qingji: “I have something to discuss with you.”

Little Lemon: “Dad, then just say it now.”

“Adult conversations aren’t for kids,” Li Qingji said calmly. “Get up. Let’s go back to our room.”

Jiang Nai: “Is it important?”

“Yes.”

Seeing Li Qingji’s serious expression, Jiang Nai went to comfort her daughter. “Lemon, Mom needs to go talk to Dad for a bit. You go to sleep first, and I’ll come back later.”

“But what if I fall asleep?”

“If you fall asleep, I’ll sleep with you tomorrow.”

Little Lemon glanced at her dad, who was waiting nearby, and reluctantly gave in.

“Okay… but hurry back after you’re done talking.”

“Mm.”

Jiang Nai got up, tucked Little Lemon in, and followed Li Qingji out of the room.

Just as the door was about to close, Li Qingji said, “Wait.”

“Hmm?”

“Go back first. I need to talk to her for a moment.”

Li Qingji returned to his daughter’s room. After making sure Jiang Nai wasn’t at the door and couldn’t hear them, he said, “Next week, come to Hengchuan. There’ll be better chocolate cake.”

Little Lemon’s eyes lit up instantly.

Li Qingji added, “Don’t fuss about sleeping with your mom this weekend. If you come next week, I’ll let you have some.”

“And you won’t tell Mom?”

Li Qingji: “If you behave, I won’t tell.”

“Deal.”

Jiang Nai waited at the door of the master bedroom for a while until she saw Li Qingji return.

“What did you say to her?”

“Nothing much. Just told her not to wait for you and to go to sleep early.”

Jiang Nai laughed. “Since when does she listen to you?”

“She does,” Li Qingji said. “Let’s go back to our room.”

Jiang Nai took his hand and walked back to their bedroom. “So, what important thing did you want to talk about?”

“Sleep with me.”

“Huh? That’s the important thing you wanted to say?”

Li Qingji smiled. “Yes, it’s very important.”

The End. Thank you to everyone who read this story!

Previous