Volume One, Chapter 21: The Encounter
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Lin Chen held the carefully chosen bouquet of fresh flowers, with a custom-made cake placed before him. Dressed in a suit and tie, he was incredibly nervous.
He glanced at his watch more than a dozen times in a single minute.
It was almost one o’clock—soon, he would be reunited with his beloved wife!
Just the thought made him almost uncontrollable with excitement.
A nearby young couple glanced at him several times and couldn’t help but tease, “Hey man, is this a blind date? You’re so nervous.”
The girl grinned, “Actually, you’re pretty handsome. No need to be so anxious. Any girl with eyes would be interested in you.”
Lin Chen shook his head, “Not a blind date. I’m waiting for my wife.”
“Waiting for your wife and making it this formal? Did you mess up and need to apologize?”
“No way. My wife and I...” Lin Chen paused, then smiled, “It’s a case of marriage first, love later.”
Though he had always regarded Xu Mi as a goddess since childhood, they had now registered their marriage but hadn’t officially met yet. That counted as marriage first, love later, didn’t it?
The young couple laughed heartily, “Marriage first, love later? That’s trendy!”
Their interruption eased Lin Chen’s nerves somewhat.
But as one o’clock passed, Xu Mi still hadn’t arrived.
The couple teased again, “You’ve been waiting nearly an hour now. Don’t tell me your wife regrets getting married and doesn’t want to come?”
Lin Chen’s face paled. “Don’t say that!”
He really was worried Xu Mi might regret it.
Thinking this, he hurriedly took out his phone to call Li Xiulan.
Unexpectedly, Li Xiulan’s call came first.
“Hello? Auntie, have you arrived?!” Lin Chen asked eagerly.
Li Xiulan glanced at Xu Mi beside her and smiled helplessly. “We’re not going to the café anymore. Come into the community now. Apartment 1208, Building 3. Tang Tang’s waiting for you at home.”
“From now on, you’ll live here.”
After hanging up, Li Xiulan sighed, “Tang Tang, are you sure you don’t want a housekeeper?”
“Lin Chen has to work and can’t stay home with you all day. During the day, if you’re alone, having a housekeeper around would put my mind at ease.”
Besides, even though she liked Lin Chen, people’s hearts were hard to read. Having a housekeeper around was better.
Xu Mi shook her head. “Mom, since I’ve decided to live with him, I don’t want anyone else in the house. Besides, my health is gradually improving. No need to worry.”
Most importantly, she trusted Lin Chen.
Someone who had promised at the Buddha’s altar to bear her pain wouldn’t let her suffer!
Li Xiulan couldn’t argue further and sighed, “If that’s the case, then I’ll respect your wishes.”
“But you still need to hire a housekeeper to come daily, cook, clean, and then leave. That should be alright?”
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That was her greatest concession.
Xu Mi knew this and nodded, “Okay, thank you, Mom.”
“Silly girl, why be so polite with your mom!”
Li Xiulan reached out to smooth the strands of hair by her ear and sighed deeply, “As long as you’re healthy, I’m satisfied.”
Both mother and daughter’s eyes reddened.
Ye Yun glanced at her watch anxiously. “Auntie, Tang Tang said she wants to meet Lin Chen alone. We should leave now, or we might run into them.”
Reluctantly, Li Xiulan gave many last-minute reminders before following Ye Yun out the door.
They went straight into the neighboring room.
“Auntie, don’t worry. I’ve arranged everything,” Ye Yun said proudly. “The soundproofing here isn’t great. If we wait on the balcony, we can hear what they say.”
The two of them sneakily hid on the balcony.
Meanwhile, Xu Mi anxiously stared at the door, her heart nearly leaping from her throat.
She was about to meet her little husband. From now on, she would live with him, just like a married couple...
No, they already were a married couple by law...
So, the things couples do...
Xu Mi covered her face with her hands, feeling the warmth radiate, and couldn’t help but recall Lin Chen’s words at the hospital.
It was utterly embarrassing!
Yet deep inside, a faint hope stirred.
At that moment, Lin Chen dashed forward, clutching roses in one hand and the cake in the other.
“Make way! Make way! It’s urgent!”
He ran shouting, wishing he had wings.
He was beyond eager to see his beloved wife!
Once inside the elevator, he miraculously calmed down.
“Lin Chen, don’t panic. You can do this!”
He checked himself in the elevator mirror, taking deep breaths to encourage himself.
Hair was perfect—he had spent 280 yuan on styling that morning.
The suit was flawless—custom-made by Jiang Yao, every crease carefully ironed.
His shoes gleamed brightly.
The flowers were fresh, and the cake unharmed. Everything was perfect...
Lin Chen solemnly nodded. “All set. Here I come, wife!!!”
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“Dude, are you crazy? Dressing up so fancy just to see your wife?” someone in the elevator sized him up.
Lin Chen lifted his chin. “Can’t you be formal when seeing your wife?”
“Listen, my wife is a goddess. She’s willing to see me now, and I’d burn incense and bathe three days in advance if I could!”
“Crazy!”
Ding—the elevator doors opened.
Coincidentally, the man lived on this floor too and followed Lin Chen out, sneering, “Come on, let me see what your goddess wife looks like.”
He’d lived in this community for ten years. There were beautiful women, but a true goddess was extremely rare.
Lin Chen glared at him. “My wife? You don’t deserve to see her.”
His beautiful treasure of a wife—he wanted to hide her away, never letting anyone lay eyes on her!
Xu Mi had already heard Lin Chen’s voice from inside the house.
She had planned to wait for Lin Chen to come in, but hearing his familiar voice, she couldn’t hold back anymore.
Xu Mi maneuvered her wheelchair out the door.
Lin Chen, facing away, was arguing with the man, unaware of what was behind him.
The man was staring fixedly, murmuring, “Such... a beautiful beauty!”
“I’m telling you!” Lin Chen warned, “My wife really is a goddess, but she’s married to me. We have a marriage certificate!”
“Even if you see her, you’re not allowed to have any thoughts. She’s mine!”
Just then, a clear, crisp laugh came from behind.
Lin Chen was stunned.
He turned to see Xu Mi smiling at him.
Xu Mi was already beautiful, and after some recovery, her face had filled out nicely.
Her smile curved her brows and eyes beautifully.
“Wife!”
Lin Chen was both shocked and overjoyed. He rushed forward. “Why did you come out? Come inside quickly!”
“There are too many perverts these days. You’re so beautiful, I have to watch out so no one with ill intentions targets you,” he said, shooting a glare at the neighbor behind him.
Xu Mi giggled, “Silly, you said I’m your wife. Even if someone’s looking, I’m still your wife. It doesn’t concern anyone else!”
Then she greeted the neighbor, “Hello! We just moved in. I’m Xu Mi, and this is my husband, Lin Chen. Please take care of us in the future.”