Chapter 212: I Can Write My Own Name

Jinjin also politely thanked.

Then came Wang Shifu, Sun Shifu, and Ma Shifu; the three senior masters jointly gave a big red envelope.

There were also a few core employees of the company, and they all brought gifts.

A little after ten, Gu Yanshen supported Jiang Jiaojiao as they arrived. Jiang Jiaojiao's belly was now very noticeable, and she walked a bit slowly.

"Aunt!" An'an ran over, carefully feeling his aunt's belly, "Is the little sister coming out today?"

"Not yet," Jiang Jiaojiao said with a smile, patting An'an's head, "We still have to wait a few months. Today is Jinjin's and An'an's birthday, so aunt wishes you both a happy birthday first.

Gu Yanshen took out the gifts, a small astronomical telescope for Jinjin and a music box for An'an.

"Thank you, uncle, thank you, aunt!" the two children thanked in unison.

At eleven, a few preschool children also arrived, accompanied by their parents.

The small living room instantly became lively, with children's laughter rising and falling.

Lunch was buffet-style, convenient for the children to serve themselves.

Li Huijuan and Jiang Jianguo prepared many dishes that children love to eat.

The adults sat on one side chatting, while the children played on the other side.

Jiang Ran and Su Ruan were busy greeting guests, their faces always wearing a smile.

"General Manager Jiang, General Manager Su, the atmosphere in your home is really great," a colleague sighed, "Just looking at it makes people envious."

"Indeed," another colleague nodded, "Balancing career and family is truly not easy."

Su Ruan smiled and handed over a drink, "It's the result of everyone's joint effort."

After lunch came playtime.

Douzi volunteered to be the kids' king, leading them to play Eagle Catches Chickens and Throwing Handkerchief.

The adults sat beside them watching, occasionally laughing at the children's innocent antics.

"Jiang Ran, look at Jinjin," Su Ruan said softly, "Usually she looks composed, but she plays quite wildly too."

Jiang Ran looked over, and indeed, Jinjin still had that little‑adult demeanor, but when she ran she was not at all sloppy, and her face bore a bright childlike smile.

"That's how it should be," Jiang Ran said, holding Su Ruan's hand, "A four‑year‑old should be like this."

After the games got tiring, the main event arrived!

First‑birthday rite!

Grandma Jiang brought out the already‑prepared First‑birthday items, spreading a red cloth in the center of the living room, on which she placed an array of objects: books, pens, abacus, ruler, stethoscope, microphone, small hammer, coins…

"Come, Jinjin, you first," Grandma Jiang beckoned.

Jinjin walked over, stood before the red cloth, and looked at the items attentively.

The adults all held their breath watching.

Jinjin looked for a while, squatted down, picked up a book, and then picked up a pen.

"Good!" Jiang Jianguo was the first to speak, "Loves reading, will have a promising future!"

Next was An'an.

The little girl hopped over, without hesitation picking up the microphone, and then picking up a small drawing board.

"Is she aiming to be a singer or a painter?" Jiang Jiaojiao laughed.

"She could also be a host," Gu Yanshen said.

The First‑birthday rite ended, and everyone offered blessings.

Although everyone knew it was just a ceremony, seeing the children's earnest expressions made it feel both amusing and warm.

At three p. m., the cake made its appearance.

Li Huijuan's personally made double‑layer cake was decorated with two little figures made of buttercream, unmistakably Jinjin and An'an.

Four colored candles were inserted around it.

"Come, make a wish and blow the candles," Su Ruan lit the candles.

The living‑room lights were turned off, leaving only the flickering candlelight. The two children closed their eyes and made their wishes earnestly.

"What did you wish for?" Jiang Ran asked.

"Can't tell," An'an said mysteriously, "If I say, it won't work."

"Then don't say it," Jiang Ran laughed, "Let's blow the candles."

The two little ones blew out the candles together. Applause rang out, and the lights came back on.

When cutting the cake, Su Ruan specifically reminded, "No smearing on the face this time."

"Got it!" An'an replied crisply.

But the children are still children after all.

When Jiang Ran handed the cake to An'an, the little girl's fingertip had a dab of buttercream; her eyes flicked, and she quickly smeared it onto dad's face.

"Haha! Dad turned into a big spotted cat!"

Jinjin saw this, hesitated a moment, and then, copying her sister, smeared a bit on mom's face.

The adults all laughed.

Jiang Ran and Su Ruan exchanged a glance, and simply dabbed buttercream on each other.

Soon, a buttercream battle broke out in the living room, with big kids and little kids playing together in a tangle.

After enough chaos, everyone had become a spotted cat.

Li Huijuan laughed while handing towels to everyone, "Look at you, just like kids."

"Feeling happy today," Jiang Ran hugged Su Ruan, kissed her on the face, not caring that buttercream was still on her cheek.

"Oh dear, I'm filthy," Su Ruan scolded, but didn't move away.

The Birthday Party continued until evening.

After seeing off all the guests, the house finally quieted down.

But the living room still held a joyful atmosphere—Ribbons, Balloons, the scent of cake—all speaking of today's happiness.

"Are you tired?" Jiang Ran asked Su Ruan, who was tidying up.

"A little," Su Ruan straightened her back, "but happy. The children had a lot of fun today."

"Hmm." Jiang Ran walked over, massaging her waist, "Seeing them happy makes any fatigue worth it."

The children were also tired today and fell asleep early. After bathing, Su Ruan and Jiang Ran lay on the bed; their bodies were weary, but their hearts were full.

"Daughter-in-law." Jiang Ran turned his body sideways.

"Hmm?"

"Thank you."

"Thank me for what?"

"Thank you for giving me these two lovely children," Jiang Ran's voice was especially gentle in the darkness, "and thank you for running this home so well."

Su Ruan turned around, facing him, "You gave me a home."

They looked at each other and smiled in the dark; though they couldn't see each other's faces, they could feel each other's heartbeat.

"Jiang Ran."

"Hmm?"

"Time flies. In the blink of an eye, we've been married five years, and the kids are already four."

"Indeed," Jiang Ran squeezed her hand, "but these five years have been the best of my life."

He paused, "There are still ten years, twenty years, thirty years ahead... we'll walk them together slowly."

"Alright," Su Ruan nestled into his arms, "let's take it slowly together."

On Wednesday night, Jiang Ran unusually left work on time and returned home.

As soon as he entered, he heard Jiang Jianguo teaching Jinjin how to recognize characters in the study.

"This character is pronounced 'meng', the 'dream' of a dream."

"Meng…" Jinjin echoed.

In the living room, An'an was lying on the carpet drawing, while Su Ruan sat beside her.

When Jiang Ran returned, An'an immediately raised the drawing, "Dad! Look at what I drew!"

Jiang Ran walked over and took the paper.

It depicted four people.

Two adults and two children, hand in hand, with a house and sun in the background.

Though the lines were childish, it was clear it was a family of four.

"What a wonderful drawing!" Jiang Ran praised sincerely, "Is this our family?"

"Yes!" An'an nodded vigorously, "Dad, Mom, big brother, me."

Su Ruan also smiled, "An'an spent the whole afternoon drawing today, saying she wants to give the picture to dad."

Jiang Ran felt warmth in his heart, lifted his daughter and kissed her, "Thank you, sweetheart, dad especially likes it."

At that moment, Jinjin emerged from the study, notebook in hand, "Dad, I wrote characters."