Pampered by Short-Lived Bigshot

Jiang Xiaowai’s shrimp definitely didn’t come free; he had to yank down the ”Beijing King of Cars” crown, nearly making Jiang Chengsi die of anger. He just knew this brat never buttered people up for no reason—there had to be something up.

”Fourth Uncle, you’re the person who understands cars best in the whole world, and the coolest driver too, you’re the best!”

”There’s no uncle under the sky better than you.”

”You’re handsome, you drive cool, and you’re a great guy.”

...

Jiang Xiaowai’s compliments came one after another, and they were indeed very pleasant to hear.

But Jiang Chengsi wasn’t stupid after all; the kid’s flattery was way too obvious. He glanced at Jiang Jinsang, who was sitting diagonally across, and caught the faintest shake of his head.

He cleared his throat lightly. ”We’ll talk about buying a car later. Let’s eat first.”

Jiang Xiaowai pursed his lips, clearly quite unhappy.

After the meal, Jiang Jinsang sat down and had a proper talk with him, asking why he wanted a car.

”Juanjuan has one.”

”He has one, so you must have one too? Do you really like it, or is it just to keep up with him?” Jiang Jinsang wasn’t the type to spoil daughters and toughen up sons; he just felt some habits really couldn’t be indulged.

Jiang Xiaowai lowered his head and said nothing.

”I’ve told you a long time ago: if you want something, you have to put in the effort. You can come to me, instead of trying to hustle your Fourth Uncle.”

”You’re hard to hustle. I... I figured Fourth Uncle is easier to fool.”

”...”

Jiang Jinsang was choked by that line.

”If you want a car, fine. If you behave well these days—at Great-grandma’s place, help her water the flowers, massage her shoulders, take good care of your sister—then when your birthday comes, I’ll buy one and give it to you.”

”Really?”

Jiang Xiaowai had originally thought the car was a lost cause. Hearing this twist, his eyes lit up a few degrees.

”When have I ever lied to you? It depends on how you behave.” Jiang Jinsang rubbed his son’s hair. ”Also, what you did today at the tutoring center, standing up for your sister, that was great too.”

”Is that weird grandpa really Sese’s grandpa?” When Jiang Zhaolin shouted just now, Jiang Xiaowai had heard it too.

Jiang Jinsang just smiled without answering, and patted his head. ”These days you just stay with Great-grandma and your sister. If that weird grandpa shows up again, you must remember to tell us right away; don’t get into a confrontation with him.”

After all, he was just a kid—if things got physical, he’d be the one to suffer.

Jiang Xiaowai nodded seriously. At the moment, though, he had no room in his heart for any ”weird grandpa”; all he could think about was his little toy car.

He couldn’t wait for his birthday to come.

**

Feeling secretly delighted, Jiang Xiaowai was as busy as a little bee when he first arrived at the old house.

A child’s enthusiasm doesn’t usually last long. A few days later, he started counting on his fingers, calculating when his birthday would finally get here. Once he realized it was still far off, his whole person deflated.

That day, Tang Wan took him to the studio; she was busy preparing for an upcoming exhibition.

Jiang Xiaowai was squatting in the courtyard, holding a foxtail weed in his hand, fiddling with it nonstop.

Beside him, in a glass tank, lay a turtle.

One boy and one turtle, sunbathing together.

Tang Wan’s studio had moved, and Lord Wansui was being kept here now.

There were people at the studio almost every day, so it wouldn’t starve. If they kept it at home, Xiaowai’s ”Neck-Tree” self would probably throw it into a pot for turtle soup.

”Lord Wansui, how do you think I can make time go faster?” Jiang Xiaowai sighed.

”Time is going so slow.”

”Why is my birthday so late?”

...

”So you’re looking forward to your birthday.” While Jiang Xiaowai was muttering to himself, he heard a voice from behind and turned to look. It was Chen Zhi. Since Tang Wan called him ”Uncle,” he addressed him according to seniority as ”Grandpa Chen.”

”You’re already thinking about your birthday present?” Chen Zhi looked at him with a smile. ”Is there something you especially want? Tell me, and I’ll buy it for you when the time comes.”

”Dad said he’d give it to me.”

”So your birthday present is already decided...” Just then, the sound of a car came from outside. A nanny van pulled up in front of the studio courtyard. Chen Zhi glanced over. ”You play here; Grandpa will go greet our guests.”