Volume One, Chapter 22: It Will Surely Get Better

Xu Mi was innocent, but she was by no means a naive fool who knew nothing of the world. Since she had decided to live here, maintaining good relations with the neighbors was naturally important.

As she offered her greeting, the neighbor turned beet red and stammered, "Y-you guys are welcome. My name is Wang Zhi. It’s nice to meet you. If you ever need help with anything, just give me a shout."

Lin Chen spoke up directly, "No need. I’ll take good care of my wife myself; we don't need anyone else's help!" With that, he pushed Xu Mi back into the house and slammed the door shut with a loud bang.

Xu Mi couldn't help but giggle. Embarrassed by her laughter, Lin Chen simply handed her the flowers and couldn't resist adding, "Wife, you look so beautiful when you laugh."

If he hadn't said that, it would have been fine, but his words made Xu Mi shy. She clutched the large bouquet of flowers, using them to hide her face. She whispered, "You silly man, who talks to people like that? Aren't you afraid of being laughed at?"

He was a grown man in his twenties; why was he acting like this, proclaiming how beautiful his wife was to everyone like some reckless youth? If word got out, he would surely be the laughingstock of the neighborhood!

Lin Chen, however, was righteous and firm. "I’m not wrong! You’re so beautiful, my wife—I have to be on guard! What if my treasure gets snatched away by someone else?"

Hidden behind the flowers, Xu Mi listened to the deep possessiveness in his words, feeling a sweet warmth spread through her heart. Was this what love felt like? It was actually quite nice.

For a moment, the two fell silent, and a faint sense of awkwardness filled the air. Xu Mi peeked through a gap in the bouquet, and just then, Lin Chen looked over. As their eyes met, Xu Mi burst into laughter. Lin Chen joined in, his laughter growing louder and louder until the awkwardness vanished entirely.

Li Xiulan and Ye Yun were hiding on the balcony next door, stunned by the sound of their laughter.

"Xiao Yun, how long has it been since Tangtang was this happy?"

"In my memory, it’s been ten years, hasn't it? Ever since that incident, she has been..."

The two women exchanged a look, their eyes welling up with tears simultaneously, yet their faces held smiles of relief.

Just then, Xu Mi began to cough.

"Wife, what’s wrong!" Lin Chen’s expression changed instantly. He lunged toward her, clutching her hand with one hand and rubbing her back with the other, looking incredibly anxious.

Li Xiulan panicked as well and was about to rush to the house next door. Ye Yun grabbed her. "Auntie, where are you going?!"

"I need to go see what’s wrong with Tangtang!"

"Don't go. Her husband is right there; why do we need to worry?" Besides, this was a perfect opportunity to observe Lin Chen's attitude, wasn't it?

Li Xiulan calmed down. Although she remained deeply worried, she didn't go over, instead returning to the balcony to listen to the movements next door.

Xu Mi coughed until her face was flushed red, her chest heaving violently, and tears streaming down her face. Lin Chen was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, trying to soothe her breathing and fetching water. But Xu Mi’s body was already frail, and the severe coughing made these efforts futile.

In his desperation, Lin Chen knelt before the wheelchair and pulled her into his arms, rubbing her back rhythmically. He whispered gently, "Wife, take a deep breath. Take your time. I’m right here; I’m with you."

Held in his arms, hearing the steady beat of his heart, Xu Mi felt an unprecedented sense of security, and her emotions gradually stabilized. Finally, the coughing ceased.

Heart-wrenched, Lin Chen carefully wiped the tears from her face, then scooped her up and carried her into the bedroom. He brought a glass of water over. "Wife, sit up and have some water."

Having exhausted her strength from the emotional outburst, Xu Mi lay on the bed, her face pale, unable to sit up. Distressed, Lin Chen wanted to help her, but worried about causing her discomfort. He simply took a sip of the water himself, then leaned down and kissed her lips, carefully passing the water to her.

Xu Mi never expected him to feed her in such a way, and her eyes widened in surprise. Along with the soft touch of his lips came the cool, sweet water. Xu Mi could feel that this kiss carried no desire, only careful, tender cherishing.

Using this method, Lin Chen fed her most of the glass. Seeing her complexion return to normal with a faint rosy glow, he finally let out a sigh of relief.

"Wife, how do you feel now?" He held her hand, chiding himself, "It’s all my fault. I knew your health was poor and I wasn't careful enough, making you suffer." By the end, his eyes were red with heartache, and he added with concern, "Should we go to the hospital and get checked out?"

Xu Mi had been in the hospital for so long; even though she could be discharged now, her physical condition was still very poor and could not afford any mishaps. With that thought, Lin Chen prepared to pick her up.

"No need." Xu Mi held his hand and shook her head. "I just need to lie down for a while. Will you stay and chat with me?"

Lin Chen could never refuse her. He nodded immediately, "Of course. I’ll chat with you about whatever you want!" He sat on the edge of the bed, holding her hand, and said softly, "Work, life, or things from the past—anything you want to know, I’ll tell you!"

Xu Mi was amused, but she couldn't help coughing again.

Lin Chen panicked again, "Wife, let’s just go to the hospital!"

Fortunately, this time, Xu Mi recovered after two coughs. She shook her head, "I told you not to be so nervous; I know my own body."

"What a pity!" Lin Chen sighed.

"What’s a pity?"

"It’s a pity that I’m such a funny guy, but my wife is in poor health, so I have no place to show off my talents!"

"You glib talker!"

"Do you like it, though? If you don't, I support one-click style switching! For example, the 'cool and handsome' type, the 'pretentious' type, the 'erudite' type, and so on. Any version you like, I have it!"

"Then show me how the 'erudite' type works."

"Wait a second, let me check Baidu... no, wait, switching takes time. Please wait a moment, my dear wife!"

...

Listening to the laughter from next door, Li Xiulan found herself streaming with tears before she even realized it.

Ye Yun was startled. "Auntie, why are you crying? Tangtang is so happy—this is a good thing! You should be glad."

Li Xiulan wiped her tears and nodded repeatedly. "Yes, yes, it’s a good thing. I’m just too happy. Xiao Yun, do you think that with Lin Chen, Tangtang will ever fall ill again?" She could never bear the pain of learning her daughter had attempted suicide a second time.

The sound of Lin Chen telling stories with great animation continued to drift through the wall.

Ye Yun offered a smile. "I think..."

"Perhaps not only will Tangtang never fall ill again, but she will also become better than she ever was before!"

"No, not perhaps—definitely! She will absolutely get better."