“Ah, no wonder I couldn’t find this photo—it was hidden here.” Shen Lingyi hadn’t expected Jiang Shunnian to spot the one picture of Fu Yanli in split pants right away. She explained helplessly, “After Yanli grew up, he went through all his childhood photos and pulled out every single one that didn’t meet his standards—the weird ones, the overly revealing ones. This was the only one I managed to sneak away and save.”
Speaking of Fu Yanli, Shen Lingyi felt like she had a belly full of complaints to air. “You have no idea. He snuck over while his dad and I were out of town to do the purging. There were even some of him in little skirts—hilarious, right? But he took those too.”
Jiang Shunnian: “……”
Jiang Shunnian could easily picture the scene: a young, handsome teen grimly sorting through the photos, face stern as he discarded anything that didn’t fit his aesthetic or expectations.
Kind of funny, isn’t it?
Nono curiously craned his neck to look too. “Aiya!” He slapped his hands over his eyes. Daddy taught me not to look at other people’s private parts. Of course, I shouldn’t let others look at mine either.
But Big Daddy really does look just like me.
Jiang Shunnian compared them carefully and realized Fu Yanli and Nono truly shared the same eyebrows and eyes—clearly father and son.
Thirty years ago, Shen Lingyi had captured Fu Yanli with an ultra-high-definition camera, perfectly preserving the golden shimmer in his eyes.
No wonder Shen Boheng had recognized him at a glance. Those eyes were like a foolproof watermark.
The rest of the album was Fu Yanli’s handpicked selection—every photo perfectly composed, every pose and expression flawless. Excellent. Reinforces the stiff impression even more.
Still, watching that tiny (serious-faced) dumpling gradually grow into a tall, handsome young man really made one marvel at the wonders of time.
Jiang Shunnian couldn’t help imagining what his Nono would look like grown up.
He’ll be healthy and lively, like a sturdy little sapling nestled by my side, soaking up sun and rain, thriving strong.
I have to see what Nono looks like all grown up with my own eyes this lifetime.
The photos only went up to age thirteen. According to Shen Lingyi, Fu Yanli had gotten into a top overseas university at fourteen and left to study abroad.
After viewing the photos, Jiang Shunnian returned the favor by pulling up Nono’s photos and videos for Shen Lingyi. Fu Shizhang leaned in too, and the two of them pored over them intently. Midway through, Shen Lingyi nearly burst into tears again.
Seeing this, Jiang Shunnian hesitated, then decided to come clean. “Auntie, I’d like to talk to you about Nono’s background.”
It couldn’t stay hidden forever. Sooner or later, it had to come out.
But Shen Lingyi didn’t agree right away. Instead, she asked, “Shunnian, you don’t have to force yourself. I know what kind of person you are, and I adore Nono. He’s the Fu Family’s child, but he’s also your son—that won’t change.”
The Fu Family’s restraint and upbringing were etched into their bones, setting them apart from the dog-blood tropes of those old-school abuse novel worlds.
Hearing this only strengthened Jiang Shunnian’s resolve. “Auntie, I want to tell you.”
“Alright.” Shen Lingyi nodded. “Let’s go to the Shizhang Tea Room then. It’s quiet there.”
The serene room carried an ancient charm, infused with the fragrance of tea. Elegant rows of calligraphy adorned the walls. Fu Shizhang personally brewed tea for them. Nono had climbed down from Shen Lingyi’s lap and stood before the writing, head tilted back as he studied it intently.
“Grandpa, did you write this one?” Nono pointed to a piece and asked.
Fu Shizhang was astonished. “How did you know?”
Is it some grandfather-grandson telepathy?
“I guessed.” Nono flashed a sweet smile. “Because I recognize the ‘Fu’ and ‘Shi’ characters. Daddy just taught me ‘Fu,’ and I already knew ‘Shi.’ Plus, on the way here, Grandpa Shen told me my grandpa is Fu Shizhang and that he loves calligraphy.”
The three-and-a-half-year-old little one had such sharp logic and memory—adorable and astonishing.
Fu Shizhang couldn’t resist scooping Nono up. My good grandson is truly exceptional!
“If Nono’s interested, you can learn calligraphy with Grandpa later.”
“Yes! I’d love to learn from Grandpa.”
Nono loved picking up new things.
Fu Shizhang burst into laughter, looking years younger in an instant.
The frustration from his son was completely offset by his little grandson.
Overcome with excitement, Fu Shizhang carried Nono straight to the desk, pulled out the Four Treasures of the Study, and started teaching him on the spot.
Shen Lingyi: “……”
Fine, let them bond. We’ll talk.
Jiang Shunnian was thrilled that Nono was winning over the elders. He turned to Shen Lingyi, choosing his words carefully. “Auntie, you know I met Mr. Fu by chance four years ago. But afterward, I discovered I was pregnant with Nono. My checkups had always been normal—no extra organs or anything—so I had no idea how it happened. But Nono is definitely mine. I gave birth to him.”
A month earlier, Jiang Shunnian hadn’t known. After resting a few days to recover, he’d gone to terminate his contract with the agency—only to receive a blacklist notice instead.
His agent had gloated, “So what if you ran? One word from that big shot, and no more roles for you. No company will touch you. Shunnian, you’re too naive. The industry is full of pretty boys and girls. Why should you stand out? He liked you—you could’ve skipped ten years of struggling. Bow your head, and maybe there’s still a chance.”
Knowing he couldn’t fight it, Jiang Shunnian had felt utterly defeated. He’d terminated the contract, quit the industry, and moved to a remote little city far from his old life. He rented a place and planned to work online. He’d trained his lines and studied voice acting, so narrations and audio dramas were easy. But he couldn’t risk public gigs for fear of recognition, so he stuck to minor side roles.
In the second month, he’d felt faint nausea, but it passed quickly, so he ignored it—no hospital visit.
By the fourth month, his belly had started swelling, and something inside seemed to move. Terrified, Jiang Shunnian rushed to the hospital and learned he was pregnant.
Shen Lingyi was stunned—such a thing was possible? She didn’t doubt him; Jiang Shunnian’s eyes were too clear. She’d dealt with all types and could spot them at a glance.
“Maybe it’s Yanli who’s the issue,” Shen Lingyi concluded flatly. “When he gets back this time, we’ll have him checked.”
Jiang Shunnian paused, then smiled. “Thank you, Auntie, for accepting this.”
“Birthing him alone must’ve been so hard.” Shen Lingyi gazed at the outstanding young man before her, aching with sympathy. “Did you recover properly afterward? The Fu Family invests in a private hospital—we can do a full checkup if needed. As a public figure, I’ll have someone encrypt your info tighter. Yanli’s useless—how could he not find you all these years? You’ve suffered so much.”
“It’s fine, Auntie. I was young then; I bounced back well.” Jiang Shunnian lowered his eyes, hiding the tears.
An orphan raised in a welfare home, he had no idea who his parents were. He’d been adopted briefly as a child but fled overnight from his foster father’s leering gaze. So when he learned he was pregnant, he’d kept Nono without a second thought.
That’s why, in the book, Nono forgave that scum Qin Huan over a pregnancy.
Good thing Nono’s family found us.
Even if he couldn’t fight “fate” and died early, Nono wouldn’t be alone.
“Will you change Nono’s surname? I have no objections—it’s up to you.” Jiang Shunnian asked.
He didn’t care about the name, as long as Nono was safe and healthy.
But wealthy families seemed particular about such things.
“No need to change it,” Shen Lingyi said firmly. “Jiang Yunnuo is perfect. You worked hard to birth him; Yanli did nothing and gets a great son. No change needed.”
Jiang Shunnian was moved again by the Fu Family’s generosity.
After their talk, both women’s gazes turned to the grandfather and grandson. Fu Shizhang held a child-sized wolf-hair brush, guiding Nono’s hand as he wrote. Nono’s delicate little face was gravely serious, fully focused.
Shen Lingyi said, “Let them practice. I’ll show you around the house? We rushed to set up Nono’s bedroom and playroom yesterday, and sorted a room for you too. See if anything’s missing.”
“Thank you, Auntie.”
In just one day, the children’s room was perfect: soft blue eco-paint, matching luxury furniture, even a spacious tent like a secret base.
The playroom adjoined via a small door, stocked with every learning aid suitable for Nono’s age, neatly arranged. It had swings and slides for breaks.
Jiang Shunnian’s room neighbored Nono’s—a sunny master suite, understated yet luxuriously refined. A handwoven blue-white gradient carpet evoked a sky reflection; the king-sized bed draped in silky blue-gray linens promised heavenly comfort.
“Auntie, you didn’t need to prepare a room for me.” Jiang Shunnian saw the thought put into it—this was clearly the master bedroom, meant for Fu Yanli’s future partner.
He and Fu Yanli had a child, but they were still strangers. He couldn’t stay here.
Shen Lingyi read his hesitation and reassured him. “Rooms are for living in—no labels needed. I won’t meddle in you and Yanli’s affairs. Let it happen naturally. If Yanli’s not right for you and you want a partner later, I can introduce someone.”
Jiang Shunnian: “……”
Auntie sure drops bombshells.
He was focused on earning money for Nono’s future—no romance on his mind.
He had a good impression of Fu Yanli, but that was it.
“Besides, with Nono staying here, you gonna squeeze into the kids’ room?”
Jiang Shunnian was convinced. Nono’s bed was toddler-sized with rails—he wouldn’t fit.
As Shen Lingyi predicted, they stayed for lunch. The exquisite dishes delighted the senses. Shen Lingyi and Fu Shizhang watched Nono eat on his own with smiles—using a spoon was a big deal here. A compliment per bite left Nono’s cheeks flushed pink.
That afternoon, Jiang Shunnian meant to leave, but Fu Shizhang took Nono to the outdoor pool for swimming lessons.
Nono was usually so solemn and focused, echoing Fu Yanli’s style, but that didn’t mean he disliked fun.
In the pool, Nono beamed with huge smiles, buoyed by a Little Lu duck floatie, splashing with tiny limbs, calling “Grandpa!” every other breath—enough to melt hearts.
So Jiang Shunnian stayed for dinner. Afterward, Fu Shizhang brought out a puzzle and played on the floor with his grandson. Shen Lingyi insisted he spend the night.
“Old Fu hasn’t been this lively in ages. You can’t bear letting us old folks see Nono just this once, right? Plenty of room here.” Shen Lingyi wheedled pitifully.
Jiang Shunnian, ever soft-hearted, agreed.
Then, at around seven in the evening—sky not yet fully dark—the Fu Yanli who was supposedly away on business suddenly returned!
