Chapter 56: Everyday Trifles 1

In the West Garden of the Jinling Presidential Office, spring sunlight filtered through the fresh leaves of century‑old French plane trees, weaving moving patches of light across the neatly trimmed lawn. Jiang Jieshi, dressed in a dark long robe, accompanied Song Meiling as they strolled along the bluestone path. Song Meiling wore a light teal qipao over a knitted cardigan, walking at a leisurely pace.

About ten steps behind them, a boy of roughly ten years old squatted by the flowerbed, carefully using a grass stalk to tease a line of ants carrying breadcrumbs. Though his little suit was neatly pressed, his back was dusted with bits of grass.

The kid was lively, Song Meiling turned her head and smiled slightly, thinking, "Is it that Jianfeng who sent a letter from Russia?"

Jiang Jieshi's steps faltered briefly, and he shook his head: "Jianfeng is still in Moscow; he probably won't make it to our wedding." He gestured backward, "Li Nian'an, come here."

Li Nian'an tossed the grass stalk aside, jogged forward, and stopped in front of the two. He first bowed properly to Jiang Jieshi, then turned to Song Meiling, his dark eyes quietly appraising her curled short hair and the pearls on her earlobes.

"This is Ms. Song," Jiang Jieshi introduced.

"Hello, Aunt Song," Li Nian'an said, his voice crisp, still holding the rose he had just picked, the dew on its petals wetting his fingertips.

Song Meiling laughed at his affectedly mature yet unmistakably childish demeanor, reaching out to gently brush the grass off his shoulder: "What a clever child. Whose son is he?"

"His father is Li Yuxuan, who is now on his way to Badong," Jiang Jieshi said, his gaze lingering on Li Nian'an for a moment. "Jingxing left him in Jinling, entrusting me to look after him for a while."

Song Meiling nodded thoughtfully, "So he's Staff Officer Li's son." She turned to Li Nian'an, "Li Nian'an, would you like to go play golf with Aunt Song? The residence just finished a new golf course."

Li Nian'an blinked, staring blankly, and asked, "Is there any money to take?"

When those words were spoken, Jiang Jieshi laughed first, pointing at him to Song Meiling: "Hahaha, beauty, look at this kid! He's really different from his father. His father never takes oil or salt, not swayed by wealth or beauty, while you, kid, are greedy for money and blunt."

Li Nian'an stuck his neck out in rebuttal: "My father is my father, I am me, different, Chairman." He lifted his small face, his eyes full of a stubbornness that refused to be like that old stickler.

"Oh? How are they different?" Jiang Jieshi asked with interest.

"My father always says he wants to serve the nation and the people, yet he can't even protect himself," Li Nian'an counted on his fingers, "I'm different; I need money and a gun first before I can think of anything else. Without money or a gun, everything's useless."

Jiang Jieshi's eyes lit up as he listened, laughing heartily: "Good kid, you've got potential! I'll send you to the Central Party Affairs School someday, so you can learn properly how to handle affairs."

"Oh…" Li Nian'an drew out his tone, his little face instantly drooping, looking like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

"Beauty, look," Jiang Jieshi said with a smile, pointing at him, "the moment he hears about going to school he gets unhappy, just like his father when he was young—doesn't like to bite into books."

Song Meiling smiled at the teasing: "Fine, the child is still young; playing is his nature. You go out and have fun yourself, but don't run too far."

When Li Nian'an heard that, as if granted a pardon, he let out a sigh, turned, and vanished; his little leather shoes clattered "teng‑teng" on the stone slab, and in an instant he darted behind the rock garden.

Watching his retreating back, Song Meiling turned her head and asked softly, "Jieshi, you really value this kid, don't you?"

Jiang Jieshi stared at the pavilion at the far end of the lawn, sighing: "Alas, I have both love and hatred for his father. Jingxing that kid is good at cards, but his mind is constantly clouded by those 'Revolutionary Ideals,' and he keeps twisting around with me all day."

He paused, his tone gaining a hint of satisfaction: "A few days ago I tested this kid, and he gave me a great surprise. When I asked how he wins battles, he didn't spout empty grand theories; he said first figure out where the enemy's granary is and find a traitor as an inside agent—practical methods, all of them."

"I can guarantee this kid is different from his father, certainly not a paper‑talking soldier." Jiang Jieshi's eyes brightened; "I think in the future he'll lead troops, perhaps surpassing his dad. Enough talk, let's go see the golf course."

Song Meiling watched Jiang Jieshi's back as he headed toward the golf course, thoughtful. She knew the principal's lingering regret—Jianfeng is in the Soviet Union, lacking a younger companion to nurture closely. Though Li Yuxuan is a trusted aide, a layer of political differences always separates them; now leaving his son by his side, perhaps he hopes to make up for something through this child.

At this moment, behind the rock garden, Li Nian'an was prying at a stone crevice, listening to the conversation. He curled his lip, pulled several Silver Yuan from his pocket—taken casually from Jiang Jieshi's desk earlier. The Silver Yuan flipped between his fingers, catching the dappled sunlight.

"Which Party Affairs School…" he muttered, his dark eyes flashing with a shrewdness beyond his years, "once I save enough money, I'll go straight to find my father."

He recalled his father, before leaving the capital, patting his head and advising: "Be careful in Jinling, observe more, listen more, speak less." Yet Li Nian'an has his own ideas—the path he wants to take is certainly not the one bound by his father's ideals, nor the one Jiang Jieshi has planned for him.

From afar came the fading laughter of Jiang Jieshi and Song Meiling as they walked away; Li Nian'an emerged from behind the rock garden, dusting himself off. The sunlight was just right, shining on his still‑youthful yet already stubborn face.

Li Nian'an ran out of the President's Office and saw a guard in a suit waiting at the door; seeing him emerge, the guard stepped forward: "Young master, where are you headed? Do you need a subordinate to accompany you?"

This was someone Jiang Jieshi had sent to follow him, claimed to be for protection but actually more like surveillance. Li Nian'an's eyes flicked, and he grinned, "You follow me. I buy things, you pay."

The guard hesitated a moment, then nodded: "Alright, young master. Anyway, the Chairman has already instructed that whatever Li Nian'an wants should be fulfilled as much as possible."

Li Nian'an cheerfully led the guard toward Fuzi Temple. He wasn't interested in golf; Jinling had plenty of fun places. Sugar paintings, shadow puppetry, clay figurines… as they walked, his eyes widened.

"I want a tiger for this sugar painting."

"That shadow puppetry, give me a set."

"Boss, does this figure look like me? If it does, I'll buy it."

The guard followed behind, paying so much that his hand…

…became limp, silently exclaiming in his mind—this young master may be young, but he's not stingy with money.

Li Nian'an, clutching a pile of items, sat on the stone steps by the Qinhuai River, munching a candied hawthorn while watching a young woman on a decorated boat sing. The guard stood nearby, reminding him: "Young master, it's getting late, we should return."

"What's the hurry?" Li Nian'an said vaguely, "My father went to Badong, no one watches me; what's wrong with playing a bit longer?"

He gazed at the flickering lights on the river, then sighed. In truth he knew Jiang Jieshi's leaving him in Jinling wasn't that simple.

The evening breeze brushed by, carrying Qinhuai River's mist and a faint scent of perfume. Li Nian'an shoved the last candied hawthorn into his mouth, stood, and patted his rear: "Let's go back."

The guard hurried after him, watching his hopping silhouette, suddenly feeling that although this kid is greedy for money and loves to play, he possesses a few indescribable wits beyond his peers; perhaps one day he'll truly make a mark.

【44】 Meanwhile, inside the President's Office, Jiang Jieshi was discussing wedding details with Song Meiling.