Take Me Away, My Love - Chapter 40 - Picnic

After Jian Yiqing had waited for a long time, he finally saw Su Xin arrive with her boyfriend. Seeing the two of them cozying up together, especially witnessing the way the man looked at Su Xin, Jian Yiqing felt an intense anger welling up inside his chest.

“What do you need from me?” Li Minchun approached him with a warm smile.

Jian Yiqing’s expression was dark as he asked, “Who is that man?”

“That’s my boyfriend. Why, are we not allowed to have boyfriends here at Ling Kong?” Li Minchun looked at Jian Yiqing with a puzzled expression as she spoke.

Clearly, the other party was displeased, but he didn’t show it.

“I wanted to ask if I’m included in the picnic this weekend.”

Ugh.

So after all this effort, coming all this way, just to ask that? For a moment, Li Minchun was almost dizzy from frustration.

She smiled awkwardly, nodded, and said, “Of course, you’re included. But you’ll need to be available to join us.”

“Remember to notify me when we’re about to leave.”

After saying that, Jian Yiqing got directly into his car, started it, and drove off.

Watching him leaving, Li Minchun’s lips curled into a slightly bitter smile. It seemed like this was the only way both of them could stay safe.

Xian Cheng removed his mask and said to Li Minchun, “Although it’s tiring to act with you, if you need it, I’m willing to keep doing it. I have something else to take care of, so I’ll head off now.”

Li Minchun nodded.

Today’s dramatic start ended with such a result. Well, let’s just chalk it up to fate.

Jian Yiqing was about to explode with rage.

He had just started to develop a bit of affection for that girl, and then he saw her again with that man from last time.

And on top of it, she admitted right in front of him that the guy was her boyfriend.

As soon as he thought about this, Jian Yiqing was driven to madness.

Girl, just you wait.

The day of the picnic finally arrived.

It was a sunny day.

On the way, it seemed like the air itself felt much freer. There weren’t many people, just the three of them: Li Minchun, Jian Yiqing, and Jian Qingtian.

The three of them were joyfully driving towards the countryside, filled with happy chatter and laughter.

“How about we stop here? Look, there’s a small stream over there.” Gazing out at the refreshing scenery, Li Minchun felt a burst of joy and excitement in her heart.

Jian Yiqing didn’t say a word, but smiled and followed her suggestion, driving the car toward a nearby clearing.

The area was thickly wooded, with the branches above almost interwoven. Only a few rays of sunlight filtered through the leaves, creating patterns of light and shadow on the ground.

They found an open spot, spread out the tablecloth they had brought, and began clumsily preparing to take out the food and picnic supplies.

You wouldn’t have guessed it, but Jian Yiqing turned out to be an expert at picnicking. He not only brought rice balls and sandwiches but also a grill and charcoal.

Seeing these well-prepared items, the other two couldn’t help but be impressed.

“Dad’s car trunk is like a treasure chest,” Jian Qingtian marveled.

Li Minchun was equally surprised. In her memory, Jian Yiqing had never done anything like this before. When they were together, if she suggested a picnic, he would come up with all sorts of excuses to avoid it. It was nothing like today’s enthusiasm.

“When Jian Qingtian was very little, his mom and I often cooked like this. Back then, it was just fish, so we often had grilled fish. That’s when I honed my excellent fish-grilling skills. You wouldn’t know this, but my grilled fish could even amaze expectant mothers, and its aroma would drift for miles.” Jian Yiqing said with a happy smile.

As he reminisced about those days, his face lit up with a sense of bliss. It was clear that Li Minchun had a significant impact on his life.

Li Minchun, however, gave an awkward smile and thought to herself, “You’re exaggerating, aren’t you? Wasn’t it you who nearly set the house on fire? And you who almost poisoned us all by burning the fish?”

Unfortunately, given her current position, she had to keep these little anecdotes to herself.

Before long, everything for the picnic was ready.

Li Minchun and Jian Qingtian set out to wash the vegetables, leaving Jian Yiqing behind to prepare the seasonings.

Watching the two of them crouching by the river not far away, Jian Yiqing’s eyes filled with happiness.

Many years ago, Li Minchun would often take their son to the beach to play. The joyful laughter of their family of three would always linger in the air, an unforgettable memory even to this day.

While he was lost in his reverie, Li Minchun and Jian Qingtian came back, placing the freshly washed vegetables in front of Jian Yiqing. “We can start now. Let’s taste the culinary skills of Master Chef Shangguan,” she said.

With such enthusiasm coming from the two, Jian Yiqing was compelled to do his best.

He lit the fire, flipped the charcoal, and even expertly brushed oil and seasonings on the skewers, making the process look impressively skillful.

Before long, the delicious aroma wafted far and wide.

Even the squirrels in the trees seemed curious, bouncing around as if to ask who had brought such a delightful scent into the woods.

Li Minchun took a deep sniff and with a smile said, “The technique is not bad, but I wonder about the taste.”

Jian Yiqing, full of pride, replied, “Don’t worry. I promise you won’t be disappointed.”

With that, he handed two skewers of juicy grilled meat to them.

As Jian Qingtian, unable to resist the tempting aroma, was about to take a bite, he was stopped by Li Minchun.

Seeing his puzzled expression, she leaned closer, gently blowing on the meat to cool it before smiling and saying, “Now you can eat.”

In that moment, touched by such a small yet caring gesture, Jian Qingtian happily took his first bite. It had to be said, with love and warmth as the secret seasoning, the skewer tasted even better than one made by a top chef.

Jian Yiqing watched with gratitude. It seemed that ever since Li Minchun disappeared, there hadn’t been anyone apart from himself to care for their son like this.

The motherly love that had been missing seemed to be found again in Su Xin.

If only Li Minchun could be by his side now, he thought.

Lost in thought, Jian Yiqing forgot about the skewers in his hands until the smell of charred meat finally brought him back to reality.

Seeing the two gazing at him with amused eyes, Jian Yiqing laughed awkwardly and said, “Oops, that was a mistake. Just a slip-up, this time.”

After the meal, the three of them lay side by side on the sun-dappled grass, enjoying the gentle, slightly cool breeze that brought a sense of peace.

“Aunt Su Xin, are you married?”

Suddenly, Jian Qingtian’s innocent voice broke the temporary silence. Li Minchun, slightly puzzled, kept her eyes closed and replied, “No, why do you ask?”

“How about marrying my dad?”

“What?”

Although Jian Qingtian spoke softly, the words startled the two adults almost to the point of jumping up. With wide eyes, they both fixed their gaze on Jian Qingtian.

“This isn’t something to joke about. Don’t say that again in the future,” was Li Minchun’s response.

However, Jian Yiqing was curious, asking, “You usually oppose me being with anyone else. Why are you suggesting this now? Are you testing me?”

Despite his words, Jian Yiqing was secretly observing Li Minchun’s reaction.

“It’s simple. I think she’s like my mom. I like her, so I want her to be my mom.”

No matter how clever he might be, Jian Qingtian was still just a child.

Li Minchun glanced over at Jian Yiqing, whose thoughtful expression made her emotions complex.

Wanting to refuse, she instead patted Jian Qingtian’s head and said gently, “These things depend on fate, you know? Perhaps your mom and dad’s story isn’t over yet; they might both be with you again someday.”

“Really?”

Whenever someone talked about his mom, young Jian Qingtian became very sensitive. This time was no different. Hearing Li Minchun mention his mom, his eyes sparkled with hope as he asked his question.

Li Minchun smiled and said affirmatively, “Of course. You’re so sweet and smart; your mom couldn’t possibly bear to leave you. If she can’t be with you now, it’s certainly due to some reason she can’t explain. When the time is right, she will return.”

“Yeah, I believe it too. The mom who loves me will definitely come back,” Jian Qingtian nodded with a cheerful smile.

Next to them, Jian Yiqing stayed silent, keeping his thoughts to himself.

As he remained quiet, no one could tell what was really on his mind.

“It’s getting late, we should head back,” Li Minchun suggested, wanting to keep her time with Jian Yiqing short to avoid revealing her identity.

Both Jian Yiqing and Jian Qingtian nodded in agreement.

Unlike their lively journey here, the return trip was marked by silence. Each of them was lost in their own thoughts.

After getting Jian Qingtian to sleep, Li Minchun came downstairs, her mind lingering on how the boy had clung to her, asking for a bedtime story. It made her heart ache.

This child had missed out on so much motherly love.

If given a chance in the future, she would definitely stay by his side more.

“I’ll drive you home,” Jian Yiqing offered as soon as Li Minchun came down.

Recently, Gu Xing, Ru Long, and Zhang Mi had been busy with matters related to Changyun Group, while Jian Yiqing was preoccupied with concerns related to Ling Kong.

Li Minchun nodded silently, quietly following behind him.

Once in the car, Li Minchun finally spoke up, “Cheng Mo and Cheng Duo have infiltrated our organization and are working under me.”

Hearing this, Jian Yiqing simply asked, “What’s the reason for keeping them close? You know these two have offended many people. A single slip, and we might find ourselves in a precarious situation.”

“Keeping them close allows for better control,” Li Minchun explained, continuing, “As of now, they don’t know you are the Ling Kong chief. I was thinking, maybe you should appoint someone to take your place so you don’t get targeted if you’re discovered.”

“Do you think that’s necessary?” Jian Yiqing frowned.

Li Minchun nodded affirmatively.

“Alright, let’s do it your way,” Jian Yiqing agreed.