Volume 1, Chapter 23: The Ten-Ingredient Tonic for a Second Child

Cheng Qian smiled and nodded: "I have already delivered it."

Jiang Meng’s gaze lingered on Cheng Qian’s forced smile: "Xiao Qian, there isn't any trouble between you and Zhinan, is there?"

Cheng Qian was startled for a moment, then shook her head: "It’s nothing, Mom. You don't need to worry."

Jiang Meng had long harbored such concerns; her eldest son’s marriage did not begin with love. It was more like a transaction of mutual exploitation. Now that the Li family had merged her father’s laboratory into Cheng Bio and forced Cheng Qian to resign, it felt as though a wound had been torn open, leaving a relationship that was never stable to begin with teetering on the edge.

"Xiao Qian, do you have any plans for after the New Year?" Jiang Meng asked with concern.

Cheng Qian nodded: "I’ve decided to join a newly established seed research institute."

Jiang Meng was taken aback: "Does that company have any prospects? Why don’t I have Zhinan pull some strings for you to see if you can get into a national-level research institution..."

"No need, I’ve decided to stay at the seed research institute," Cheng Qian said firmly.

Jiang Meng’s eyes flickered: "Zhinan is your husband. If you have needs, you can ask him for help."

Cheng Qian’s expression was indifferent: "If I do, I will."

A tall figure appeared behind them. Li Zhinan had changed into casual wear, looking youthful, charming, and every bit the devoted husband.

"Son, Daddy will take you to play ball." Li Zhinan’s handsome figure had already scooped up the little boy, lifting him high to sit on his broad shoulders.

The little one laughed happily, shouting: "Mommy, I’m flying..."

Watching the man take the child toward the nearby court, Cheng Qian’s feelings became complicated. The decision to divorce had already taken root in her heart. If not for the child, she wouldn't want to wait even a second longer.

Jiang Meng watched her son and grandson with a smile: "The two of them, father and son, get along quite well. Zhinan loves Xiao Ye very much."

This, Cheng Qian could not deny. But a man with a chaotic private life could surely not love his child wholeheartedly; otherwise, how could he bear to destroy this little family?

"Mom, I stayed up late working yesterday. I think I’ll go sleep for a while," Cheng Qian said in a low voice.

"Go on, I’ll come get you before dinner," Jiang Meng said gently.

Li Zhinan glanced back at Cheng Qian’s retreating figure as she headed toward the living room, his brows furrowing. The sapphire necklace he had given her yesterday—she hadn't worn it today. Was this a silent accusation?

Jiang Meng looked toward the court, then at the slender figure that had vanished into the living room. She let out a soft sigh. Could it be that what she had arranged earlier was a mistake?

Cheng Qian fell asleep and had a dream.

In the dream, Li Zhinan was embracing Cheng Yan and kissing her in public. After the kiss, he pointed at her face and scolded: "If you hadn't barged into my room back then... I would never have married you."

"Cousin, to save your parents' laboratory, there is nothing shameless you wouldn't do."

The scene shifted. A little boy stood in a corner, his small hands hanging by his sides, while a cold female voice reprimanded him: "If you don't stand there for a full hour, you aren't allowed to eat."

"Stealing from your brother again? Take your hands out." A stick struck a pair of soft, white little hands with force.

"Mommy... Mommy, take me away... I’m scared..." In the dream, her son, Xiao Ye, was locked in a dark room, crying heartbreakingly.

"Ah..." Cheng Qian woke up from the nightmare with a start.

Her forehead was covered in cold sweat, and the sky outside the window had already turned dark. In the dream, Cheng Qian felt as if she had glimpsed the future. After the divorce, she had not won custody of her son, leaving him at the Li residence. Cheng Yan had become his stepmother and given birth to a son, and Xiao Ye lived a miserable life.

Cheng Qian covered her face in agony, cold sweat and tears mingling, leaving her paralyzed with fear.

No, she would absolutely not leave her son alone at the Li residence, and she would never let a stepmother torment him.

"Mommy... Mommy, are you awake?" The door was pushed open, and a small figure stood at the threshold.

"It’s time to eat..." the little one said in a milky voice.

Cheng Qian quickly composed herself and turned on the light. Beside Xiao Ye, a tall, upright figure leaned lazily against the doorframe.

Li Zhinan had his arms crossed over his chest, his voice indifferent: "You didn't receive the gift I gave you yesterday?"

Cheng Qian threw off the covers and got out of bed. As she reached for her coat, a bundle of things fell out. With a clatter, the paper unfolded, revealing the sapphire.

Li Zhinan’s dark, deep eyes swept over it, and a second later, he walked over, bent down, and picked it up. Whether it was the angle of the fall or something else, one of the diamonds surrounding the sapphire had been shattered.

Cheng Qian looked at the broken diamond, her heart skipping a beat.

"I’m sorry... I didn't mean to." Knowing the price of the gem, Cheng Qian truly felt as if she had damaged a precious treasure, and she felt a twinge of guilt.

Li Zhinan’s expression was grim. This was something he had put great effort into acquiring, and she had smashed it on the very first day.

"This necklace... was it insured?" Cheng Qian asked him. Usually, such valuable items would have insurance.

Li Zhinan said coldly: "No. Since it’s broken, just throw it away."

"Don't..." Cheng Qian blurted out. "Give it to me."

Li Zhinan held it firmly in his palm, refusing to give it back, and turned to walk out.

"Mommy, it’s broken..." Xiao Ye ran over and picked up the small piece of diamond.

Cheng Qian reached out to take it, holding it in her palm, a sense of exhaustion washing over her. This marriage was like a chicken rib—a pity to discard, yet tasteless to consume.

At dinner, Jiang Meng had the housekeeper place a bowl of soup in front of Li Zhinan.

Li Zhinan lifted the lid, took a look, and cast a subtle glance at Cheng Qian.

"Mom, what rare trinket is this again? If I eat it, will I become immortal?" Li Zhinan’s tone was sarcastic.

Li Zhishi chuckled: "Big brother, just eat it. You’ll understand once you finish."

Jiang Meng had realized that afternoon that their marriage might be in trouble, which is why she had the housekeeper bring out precious ingredients to stew this "all-inclusive" tonic that evening. Xia Mengjiao seemed to sense something; she smiled but said nothing, merely glancing at Cheng Qian. If Big Brother actually finished that bowl of soup, she feared the bed frame would be shaken to pieces tonight.

Cheng Qian pretended not to understand and turned to feed Xiao Ye.

Li Zhinan pushed the soup away directly: "Mom, I don't need to eat this."

The old lady on the side said calmly: "Xiao Meng, Zhinan is only twenty-eight and in the prime of his health. Did you have him eat this too early?"

Jiang Meng had her own thoughts. Her expression turned serious: "Zhinan, Mom isn't joking. You must drink it."

Li Zhinan’s dark eyes narrowed, fixing on Cheng Qian. Could this be her idea again?

Under his mother’s gaze, Li Zhinan finished the soup, broth and all, and immediately felt a surge of energy and blood in his body.

After dinner, Jiang Meng immediately took Xiao Ye away: "You two, go back to the villa. Xiao Ye will stay with me tonight; I’ll look after him."

"Mom, this is way too obvious," Li Zhinan said, speechless.

Jiang Meng didn't hide it, saying: "I hope you two can have another child soon. Xiao Qian is so beautiful; if you had a daughter, she would definitely be cute too."

Li Zhinan glanced at Cheng Qian beside him. Her expression was indifferent, as if the matter being discussed had nothing to do with her.

"Mom, Xiao Ye will fuss at night. Let me take him back," Cheng Qian said, reluctant to be separated from her son.

"Xiao Qian, just let Xiao Ye stay with me. You two can come over on the second day of the New Year. Don't worry, I’ll take good care of him." Jiang Meng also wanted to build a bond with her little grandson.

Cheng Qian couldn't forcibly take her son away, so she had no choice but to stop insisting and drove home herself. She hoped Li Zhinan wouldn't return tonight; she didn't want to face him.

Cheng Qian drove slowly. When she returned to the villa, the lights were on in the master bedroom on the second floor. Li Zhinan had arrived first. The housekeepers were all on holiday for the New Year, so there were no outsiders in the house.

Cheng Qian lingered in the car for a moment before entering the living room. She didn't go upstairs but turned on the television; it was past nine, and the New Year’s gala was playing. The festive songs diluted the silence of the living room.

"Cheng Qian, don't do these boring things in the future."

Suddenly, a tall figure stood on the stairs. Having showered and wearing a gray bathrobe, Li Zhinan looked like a king of the dark night.

Cheng Qian looked at him, stunned: "I don't know what you’re talking about."

The man walked down the stairs with long strides, carrying an air of oppression.

"That bowl of soup—wasn't that something you asked my mom to prepare?" Li Zhinan’s thin lips curled into a sneer.

"It wasn't me." Cheng Qian didn't have time to argue with him and kept her eyes on the TV screen.

Just then, several handsome men were performing an energetic dance on stage. Cheng Qian’s gaze was drawn to it.

The tall figure stepped forward, directly blocking the TV screen. A second later, he turned off the power: "It’s getting late. Go upstairs and rest."

Cheng Qian’s pretty face stiffened, and she immediately said: "I slept enough this afternoon. I don't want to sleep now. Turn the TV back on."

Li Zhinan raised an eyebrow and walked toward the sofa step by step: "There’s no one home tonight. Perhaps you’d like to do it here..."

Cheng Qian was instantly repulsed by his crassness, instinctively shrinking backward.

Li Zhinan felt a flame burning within him, desperately needing someone to extinguish it. A young body, full of vitality, was already hard to resist, and with the potent tonic from the New Year’s dinner, he was now parched and itching for action.

Cheng Qian was wearing a white sweater, her long hair draped softly by her sides, and her fair, oval face was filled with panic.

Li Zhinan leaned over, his sturdy arms easily trapping her on the single-seat sofa.

"Cheng Qian, it’s really been a long time since we..." Li Zhinan stared at her fair, exquisite face, his mind flooded with memories of past passion.

Cheng Qian’s breath hitched, and she tried to escape.

But in the next second, the man reached out, playfully pinched her small, delicate chin, and leaned down to stare into her eyes: "Don't worry, you won't be disappointed tonight."

Cheng Qian was terrified and instinctively slapped his hand away: "Li Zhinan, I’m not interested."

With that, Cheng Qian reached out to push him away, wanting to return to her room.

The man was instantly enraged by her actions. As soon as she stood up, he gave her a shove. She fell back onto the sofa, and the next second, the man’s hot lips forcefully sealed hers.