Rebirth: I Am Not the Movie Queen This Time

After a lively day, when evening arrived and all the visitors had left because they had to help receive guests coming the next day, Wan Chu’er and the family of four, Jiang Kechu’s, continued to stay in the old residence.

When it was time to sleep, just like the night before, Chuanqi and Hunter locked their parents in the room with a big lock after shooing them inside. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Having gotten used to Jiang Kechu through last night, Wan Chu’er was no longer very resistant to him and, willing to follow the children’s wishes, obediently complied with the arrangements. However, once the door was locked, she still threw her blankets onto the floor, demanding that Jiang Kechu sleep on the makeshift bed.

Jiang Kechu spoke softly for a while, but seeing that Wan Chu’er was unmoved, he didn’t insist any longer. Instead, he actually laid down on the floor and started chatting with Wan Chu’er.

Anyway, once Wan Chu’er fell asleep, he would get into the bed and hold the beauty in his arms.

Wan Chu’er asked him, "How did you handle today’s affairs? When do we take action? What can I do?"

She liked the thrill of adrenaline pulsing through her body, eagerly awaiting to be unleashed.

Jiang Kechu, hearing Wan Chu’er’s excitement, helplessly threw cold water on it, "Chuchu, this matter is not that simple. It involves many complex aspects, with intricately interwoven situations that allow no room for rash actions. Moreover, my task is only to ensure the leader’s safety. You’re my partner, therefore all your actions must follow my command, otherwise, you’ll be kicked out by the higher-ups."

But Wan Chu’er didn’t take his serious warnings to heart at all and retorted with a huff, "Don’t treat me like a three-year-old. Grandfather said I could be involved, so naturally, I can be."

Jiang Kechu felt helpless, regretting that he had agreed to Old Sir Zhong’s terms. In fact, he believed he and the children alone could have reconciled with Wan Chu’er. Now, it seemed impossible to suppress Wan Chu’er’s combative spirit.

He thought it over carefully; with Old Sir Zhong’s backing, although there wouldn’t be any serious trouble, he still couldn’t let Wan Chu’er recklessly disrupt the strategic planning.

Thus, he had to thoughtfully assign Wan Chu’er tasks that would satisfy her cravings without letting her cause any trouble.

Jiang Kechu continued to stall, "Tomorrow the old master will be celebrating his birthday, and many guests will come to visit. I’ll introduce you to some people, let you get acquainted with the situation first. After tomorrow’s event, I’ll arrange something for you to do."

Wan Chu’er readily agreed upon hearing this, "Okay."

Jiang Kechu repeatedly admonished, "Do not act independently, follow the commands in everything you do."

He was still very worried. He remembered the mission in K country from several years ago, where Wan Chu’er’s unilateral actions had resulted in a severe punishment for the accompanying staff.

Unaware of Jiang Kechu’s concerns, Wan Chu’er soon fell asleep peacefully after getting what she wanted. After she was asleep, Jiang Kechu naturally crawled back into bed stealthily, embracing his wife.

The next day, from the morning, people began to visit continuously. First came the organizational visits, including a bureau level and two department level officers, which was considered very significant.

Jiang Kechu later explained to Wan Chu’er that the bureau chief had once been under Old Sir Zhong’s command, now holding a critical position in the national security system.

That meant the person was part of Grandfather’s side. Wan Chu’er wondered if his name was mentioned in that letter.

Shortly after, two ministers in their sixties arrived. After a round of pleasantries, they dismissed everyone else and closed themselves in with Old Sir Zhong for an hour-long talk.

Jiang Kechu told Wan Chu’er that those two probably came to seek Old Sir Zhong’s support. Even if they couldn’t get it, they wanted to gauge his thoughts. However, Old Sir Zhong had dealt with human hearts all his life; it wasn’t easy for them to have their way.

In the afternoon, another key figure visited, an elderly man in military attire, who also had a closed-door talk with Old Sir Zhong, though it only lasted half an hour.

Jiang Kechu pointed out to Wan Chu’er, "We should respect this Old General."

Wan Chu’er agreed outwardly, but secretly planned to comb through the information on everyone who visited today, researching up to their ancestors, before considering whether to respect or guard against anyone.

Besides those few significant figures, other less important visitors also came. Jiang Kechu swept over these mentions lightly, and Wan Chu’er paid them no mind.

As in previous years, the visitors tactfully avoided meal times, which also meant Mrs. Zhu didn’t need to go through the trouble of making arrangements; just serving a few pots of good tea would suffice.

To everyone’s surprise, at dinner time, Old Man Kong actually came with Kong Zifeng.

"It’s better to come at the right time than to come early. Just when my old stomach gets hungry. Come on, let me see how good the food is here. With you hardly leaving the house, the meals must be delicious," Old Man Kong bellowed as he walked in the door.

Mrs. Zhu, sharp as ever, immediately went to the kitchen to add more dishes.

Old Sir Zhong said indifferently, "The food here is simple and plain, not comparable to the imperial cuisine at your home."

Old Man Kong laughed heartily, "Don’t be stingy now; I love the simple fare of your house."

Old Sir Zhong shook his head, no longer bickering with him. After sizing him up, he asked, "How’s your health?"

"I might live another couple decades, striving to be a sly old fox," Old Man Kong joked.

At this point, Kong Zifeng respectfully wished Old Sir Zhong a happy birthday and presented him with a gift box, "A small token of appreciation. I hope you’ll kindly accept it."

Old Sir Zhong asked directly, "What is it?"

"A selection of pastries, decent in taste," replied Kong Zifeng.

"Then open it."

Upon opening the box, everyone expressed their admiration. The pastries inside were exquisitely crafted, each only the size of a thumb, clear and lustrous, colorful, and very attractive.

Hunter and Chuanqi couldn’t help but ask, "Uncle, what is this? Can we eat it? It looks so pretty."

Kong Zifeng smiled amiably and personally took two small forks, each spearing a piece of pastry to offer to Hunter and Chuanqi.

The two children looked back at Wan Chu’er with hopeful eyes. Only after Wan Chu’er nodded did they cheerfully thank him and accept the treat.

Old Man Kong watched, enviously commenting, "You’ve raised your grandson well; he’s very obedient." His own son and grandson were all too independent, if not covertly defiant, then directly confrontational, causing him to lose years of his life in frustration.

Everyone completed the meal politely, then Old Man Kong went to the study for a talk with Old Sir Zhong, while Kong Zifeng stayed to chat and laugh with Jiang Kechu.

Nobody knew the real purpose of this grandfather and grandson’s visit. Why was Kong Shiyuan missing? Was it his own reluctance to come, or had they deliberately left him out?

Wan Chu’er patiently played with the two children for a while until Old Man Kong came out of the study and signaled to his grandson to leave.

Wan Chu’er and Jiang Kechu escorted them to the door. Old Man Kong smiled warmly, "Bring Zifeng around to play more often in the future. He spends all day working and making money, not even making friends."

Wan Chu’er smiled in acknowledgment to the friendly overture but said nothing, leaving Jiang Kechu to handle the conversation.