Volume 1, Chapter 11: The Elders Urge Them to Hurry and Have a Second Child

Undeniably, Cheng Qian’s presentation was exceptionally professional. Supported by precise data, her theories were all the more persuasive. The experts in the room, all authorities in the medical field, understood exactly how much potential and commercial value lay in the research direction she had proposed.

The expressions of the Cheng father and daughter were grim. In truth, they had wanted to pursue this same line of research, but due to a lack of technical maturity—and the fact that the findings they had previously obtained from Cheng Qian’s parents had long since been exhausted—they were still searching for opportunities to innovate.

As Cheng Qian stepped off the stage, Ji Nan clapped enthusiastically, then reached out to pat her arm, offering encouragement and validation with his gaze.

Ji Yichen sat lazily in his chair, one hand propping up his handsome face. Seeing Cheng Qian walk over, he curved his lips into a smile. He had underestimated this girl; no wonder his father held her in such high regard.

Just as Cheng Qian sat down, a low male voice resonated beside her: "Well presented."

Cheng Qian ignored him, her clear eyes fixed straight ahead.

Li Zhinan had tried to strike up a conversation several times, only to be met with a cold shoulder. His expression darkened slightly.

Cheng Yan glanced at the man beside her, noticing his striking profile, his thin lips pressed into a tight line, and his jawline set with a formidable, intimidating tension. Cheng Yan exhaled in relief; perhaps she had simply misread Li Zhinan’s expression earlier because she had been too shocked. If he truly admired Cheng Qian’s talent, he wouldn't have merged her laboratory under her own supervision with a single word. Besides, they had been husband and wife for four years; if there were any sparks between them, they would have ignited long ago. Now, she could sense that their marriage was little more than a piece of paper.

During the intermission, because of the content of Cheng Qian’s speech, Ji Nan was surrounded by people; everyone wanted to hear the esteemed Dr. Li’s insights. Cheng Qian was among them, but standing beside Uncle Ji, she was as quiet as a child. She only replied when someone initiated a conversation with her.

Cheng Yan handed a glass of warm water to Li Zhinan, her voice gentle: "Zhinan, Cousin did a great job today. Let’s go over and say hello."

Li Zhinan turned to look at the Ji family and Cheng Qian surrounded by the crowd, his eyes darkening. "No need."

Cheng Yan had only been testing the waters, and hearing Li Zhinan’s cold refusal, a sense of sweetness flickered in her heart.

"Zhinan, compared to Cousin, my theories seem a bit thin. I still have a lot of room for improvement." Cheng Yan wore a modest expression, appearing somewhat dejected.

Li Zhinan affirmed in a low voice, "You are already doing very well; there is no need to compare yourself to others."

Cheng Yan felt the satisfaction of being comforted and smiled tenderly. "Thank you for your affirmation. For the sake of Xiao Wei’s health, my father and I will certainly not slack off." Her expression turned firm.

Li Zhinan nodded. "I believe in you."

To Cheng Yan, the man’s resolute, deep gaze felt like a declaration of love—or perhaps something even sweeter.

Through the crowd, Cheng Qian glanced at Li Zhinan. He was chatting with Cheng Yan. Although she had already foreseen this outcome, it still stung. In their four years of marriage, beyond her work, she had devoted herself entirely to their little family. When she was pregnant, Li Zhinan had taken good care of her, never missing a single prenatal check-up. These past events only proved that Li Zhinan was a responsible man, but he did not love her.

By the end of the seminar, the Ji family’s Seed Laboratory had captured significant attention and established its reputation. Around six in the evening, Ji Nan hosted a dinner, and Cheng Qian stayed to officially meet the team members. Many of them were students of her parents, and Cheng Qian integrated quickly, becoming a formal part of the team.

However, she still faced skepticism from a few. One girl, He Xue, came from a prestigious background. Before Cheng Qian arrived, she had been the most sought-after person on the team, thanks to her lineage, striking appearance, and passion for academia. But the moment Cheng Qian appeared, she stole all the spotlight. He Xue had an ulterior motive for joining the laboratory: she wanted to win Ji Nan’s favor to facilitate a relationship with Ji Yichen.

After dinner, Cheng Qian had to leave to pick up her son from her mother-in-law’s place, so she didn't stay for further conversation.

As Cheng Qian headed downstairs, she dropped her scarf. Ji Yichen immediately picked it up and walked out of the restaurant to catch up with her. He Xue watched that handsome figure leave and rose to follow. From the second-floor corridor, she saw Ji Yichen call out to Cheng Qian below.

"Little Qian, you dropped your scarf." Ji Yichen teased her with a smile, as that was how Ji Nan had instructed him to act.

Cheng Qian smiled. "Thank you, Mr. Ji."

"What did you call me?" Ji Yichen raised his handsome eyebrows. "I’ll give you one more chance. Say it again."

Cheng Qian felt a bit bashful. "Thank you, Brother Yichen."

"That’s a good girl." Ji Yichen said, then cautioned her, "Be careful on your way; it’s going to snow again."

Cheng Qian nodded, wrapped her scarf around her neck, and walked out.

On the second-floor railing, He Xue, who had seen Ji Yichen heading back upstairs, darted behind the wall. She had heard their exchange—the "brother" and "sister" talk—and they seemed very intimate. He Xue’s beautiful face turned pale with anger, her chest heaving. *Well played, Cheng Qian. Ji Yichen has barely returned to the country, and you’re already desperately trying to hook him.*

...

At the Li family’s old villa, Xiao Ye had eaten his fill and was playing with a ball in the living room on his chubby little legs. Jiang Meng sat nearby, watching the child tenderly. His features were a perfect inheritance of Li Zhinan’s, making him incredibly handsome even at such a young age.

Outside, a silver Bentley pulled up. The rear door opened, and Li Zhinan, smelling faintly of alcohol, stepped into the living room.

"Son, come to Daddy." Li Zhinan crouched down, wanting to hug the child.

The little one ran into his arms like a penguin, but in the next second, he pressed his hand against Li Zhinan’s chin to stop him from kissing him. "Daddy drank alcohol. No kissing allowed."

Li Zhinan was amused by his son’s cuteness. Since he wasn't allowed to kiss him, he pinched his soft little cheek instead. "Fine, Daddy won't kiss you, I'll just give you a hug."

The sound of a car engine cutting out came from outside. The door of a white Mercedes opened, and Cheng Qian walked over.

"Mommy..." Xiao Ye had been spending more time with Cheng Qian lately and had become somewhat dependent on her.

Li Zhinan carried him outside to the living room entrance. In the night air, Cheng Qian approached with light steps.

"Xiao Ye, let’s go home with Mommy," Cheng Qian said gently.

"Okay!" The little one immediately wiggled his waist, wanting to get down from Li Zhinan’s arms.

Li Zhinan simply carried him over to Cheng Qian. "My