Volume 1, Chapter 25: Xu Mi, A Treasure of a Girl

Go for a walk in the park? Like an old married couple, taking a stroll hand-in-hand after dinner?

A flicker of longing crossed Xu Mi’s eyes, though it was quickly overtaken by shyness. Even though she had kissed and hugged Lin Chen, those moments had been impulsive, driven by the atmosphere. Now, facing a planned date, she felt she wasn't mentally prepared.

Thinking this, Xu Mi shook her head and said, "I’m a little tired. Could we go next time?"

Lin Chen quickly replied, "Of course, no problem! Let’s go back to your room and rest first."

He pushed her wheelchair back to the bedroom. After helping her onto the bed, he said, "Wait here for a moment."

Xu Mi looked confused. Soon, Lin Chen returned, carrying a basin of hot water.

"Wife, let’s soak your feet first. I’ll give your legs a massage."

Xu Mi’s face flushed, and she instinctively shook her head. "There's no need for that..." Although Lin Chen had massaged her at the hospital, she had been unconscious at the time. Even after waking up, she hadn't opened her eyes or faced him directly. Now that she was fully awake, the thought of him massaging her was mortifying.

Lin Chen set the basin by the bed without hesitation and said seriously, "I added herbal powder to the water. Soaking your feet improves blood circulation and is very good for your health. Plus, the massage will help your recovery. You have to listen to me on this!"

Before she could object, Lin Chen knelt down and removed her shoes. Xu Mi’s feet were slender and, thanks to careful pampering, incredibly fair and delicate. Held in Lin Chen’s hands, they looked even more petite, her toes like polished jade. Xu Mi didn't dare lift her head, covering her face as she murmured, "I really don't need a massage, just soaking is enough..." She had never had anyone touch her feet before, let alone hold them in their hands. It was too embarrassing!

Lin Chen remained perfectly composed. "We are married, aren't we? Isn't it only natural for a husband to wash his wife's feet? Don't move, just test the water temperature." He gently placed her feet into the basin.

The warmth of the water eased her shyness, and Lin Chen’s earnest expression helped her relax.

"Is it too hot? Should I add some cold water?"

"No... it’s perfect."

"Good."

Lin Chen began to wash her feet. Once finished, he sat on the edge of the bed, placed her legs on his knees, and began to massage them. From her calves to her thighs, his touch was steady and rhythmic, performed with such focus that it carried no hint of desire. Xu Mi’s initial embarrassment gradually melted into genuine comfort.

"Wife, let me sing you a song," Lin Chen said with excitement. "What kind of songs do you like?"

Leaning against the headboard, Xu Mi met his gentle gaze and whispered, "Anything is fine."

"Then..." Lin Chen searched his memory and had a sudden inspiration. "I’ve got it!"

He began to hum softly while continuing to massage her legs.

"Walking through how many intersections, hearing how many sighs, I take your bewilderment to heart; this kind of confusion, I think everyone has, but I am lucky to share your sorrows. Can you come a little closer, can you come a bit nearer? Satisfy the small vanity in my heart. Actually, you don't know that in my heart, you are the most beautiful, just like the rainbow after the rain..."

As he sang, Xu Mi froze, her eyes wide. "This song is..."

Lin Chen looked up at her with a smile and continued, "If you don't know which way to go tomorrow, why not stay by my side and be my wife? My arms, though not broad enough, will be your warm embrace. If you are tired of the storms outside, why not stay by my side and be my wife? I will surely endure your occasional little temper, and perhaps I can give you a surprise, a bit of laughter, and a simple, safe little nest. Accompanying you from sunrise to sunset, until we grow old..."

Xu Mi’s cheeks were as red as a ripe apple. The melody was simple, and he was singing a cappella, yet she could hear the tenderness within it. Deep in her heart, a sense of longing blossomed. A life of simple meals and the changing seasons—wasn't that exactly what she wanted?

Lin Chen kept humming, his hands never stopping as he diligently massaged her legs. Watching his focused face, Xu Mi couldn't help but smile. How lucky she was to have met him.

Lulled by his gentle singing, Xu Mi drifted off to sleep. Only when he was sure she was sound asleep did Lin Chen stop, carefully placing her legs down and tucking her in. Her sleeping face was peaceful, her features as delicate as a porcelain doll. Lin Chen watched her for a long time before leaning down to press a kiss to her forehead. "Goodnight, wife."

He tiptoed out of the room and turned off the lights. Only then did he have a moment to look around their new home. It wasn't large, perhaps eighty square meters—a simple two-bedroom apartment with a warm, cozy layout. It was fully furnished, likely prepared in advance by Li Xiulan. This would be his and Xu Mi’s home from now on.

*Home...* Lin Chen grinned to himself.

After a while, he washed up and went into the other bedroom. It wasn't that he didn't want to sleep with Xu Mi, but the events of the evening had truly frightened him. Xu Mi’s body was far too weak, and any emotional upheaval was too much for her to bear. Lin Chen didn't trust his own self-control; if they slept together, the consequences of any potential impulse were unthinkable. Thus, he made the painful decision to sleep in separate rooms until she had fully recovered.

Meanwhile, at the Xu family villa, Li Xiulan was sitting restlessly, staring at her laptop. On the screen was a live feed from the living room of Lin Chen and Xu Mi’s new home.

"I didn't expect that boy to be so self-aware," Ye Yun remarked with surprise. "The nurses told me he once climbed into Tangtang’s hospital bed to sleep, so I didn't expect him to be so well-behaved now that they’re living together!"

She had been the one to suggest the camera. Given Xu Mi’s health, she couldn't help but worry about them moving out alone without a nanny. They had only installed one in the living room. Seeing Lin Chen carry water into the bedroom, exit a long time later, and then head into a separate room to sleep, both women exhaled in relief.

"Good, good, good!" Li Xiulan finally felt her heart settle. She nodded in satisfaction. "Seeing him like this, I can rest easy."

Ye Yun was more cautious. "It’s only the first day! Who knows what will happen later..."

"We'll see," Li Xiulan replied. Time would reveal his true nature. Of course, if Lin Chen truly was a good man, nothing could be better. But if he showed his true colors later on, she wouldn't be so polite.

The night passed quietly. The next morning, as Lin Chen was still drifting in sleep, he suddenly heard a faint call.

"Lin Chen, where did you go?!"