Volume One, Chapter 26: Sweet Life

It was Xu Mi’s voice!

Lin Chen’s face paled instantly. He scrambled up and rushed to Xu Mi’s room, not even bothering to knock before throwing the door open.

Xu Mi was sitting on the bed. Her face was a mask of panic, and tears still clung to her pale cheeks. His heart ached for her instantly.

"Darling, what's wrong? Did you have a nightmare?"

"Don't be afraid, don't be afraid. I'm right here!"

Lin Chen lunged forward and pulled her into his arms. He stroked her back and smoothed her hair, murmuring soft words of comfort.

Cuddled in his embrace, listening to his familiar heartbeat, Xu Mi finally calmed down. She wrapped her arms around his waist, buried her face in his chest, and rubbed against him, taking a satisfied breath.

"What happened?"

Lin Chen looked down at her, his heart filled with pity. "Did you dream of something? It’s all my fault; I should have slept on this side."

Xu Mi didn't speak; she only tightened her grip on him.

She was too embarrassed to say that she had felt anxious because she woke up and found him gone. In that moment, she had even suspected that everything from yesterday was an illusion and that upon waking, Lin Chen would have vanished. The intense anxiety and fear had nearly caused her to break down. Only by holding him and listening to his heartbeat could her panicked heart find peace.

Since Xu Mi remained silent, Lin Chen stopped asking. He simply held her quietly and hummed a soft tune. The gentle melody soothed her, and before she knew it, she fell back asleep.

When Xu Mi woke up again, she saw Aunt Zhou.

"You're awake?"

Aunt Zhou, still wearing her apron, smiled warmly. "I was just about to call you! Get up and have some breakfast!"

Xu Mi sat up slowly and peeked outside the room.

Aunt Zhou quickly said, "Looking for Xiao Chen? He’s gone to work! He specifically told me to wait until you woke up before I left." She teased, "He really cares about you. He was only going to work and would be home by the afternoon, yet he was so reluctant to leave."

Xu Mi’s face flushed red, but her heart felt sweet.

And here Lin Chen claimed he had never been in a relationship! He was so thoughtful in every little thing he did!

...

After leaving the house that morning, Lin Chen was already missing Xu Mi.

Fortunately, they were living together now, so they would be able to see each other every day. He needed to work harder to earn money so his dear wife could live a good life! Lin Chen made a silent resolution in his heart.

Although his current job was good and the pay was decent, there would be endless expenses ahead—from helping Xu Mi recover her health to raising children in the future. As a man, he had to take on the responsibility of being the head of the household and make his wife the happiest woman in the world!

Lin Chen arrived at the company and was just about to clock in when he bumped into Jiang Yao.

"What were you up to last night, kid?" Jiang Yao nudged his shoulder, winking. "You didn't come back all night. What's up? Out on a date?"

Lin Chen rolled his eyes. "Mind your own business!"

"By the way, I might be moving out of that apartment."

"Huh? We agreed to rent that place together. Now you’re just leaving? What am I supposed to do?"

"What do you mean, 'what are you supposed to do'? Aren't you moving in with your girlfriend? Wouldn't it be better without me being a third wheel?"

"Damn, you can't say it like that. Give it to me straight—where are you moving to? Did you start dating behind my back?" Jiang Yao stared at him, scrutinizing him. "I never heard you mention anyone before, and now you’re moving in together without a word. You’re being sneaky, kid!"

"Don't tell me you're seeing a married woman and are afraid to go public?"

Lin Chen threw a punch at him. "Shut your dirty mouth! Do I look like that kind of person?"

Realizing he couldn't hide the truth about Xu Mi, he weighed his words and said, "Actually... I am in a relationship, but it's a serious one. Don't go thinking of all that messy stuff!"

Jiang Yao’s eyes lit up. "You sly dog, doing big things in silence! Where is she from? Is she pretty? How did she end up with someone like you? When are you going to introduce us?"

Lin Chen felt a headache coming on. He brushed it off, saying, "We just got together; it’s too early to talk about that. Maybe later!"

"You're moving in together and you say it's too early?"

"Anyway, mind your own business. I'm done talking about it. Isn't there a meeting today? Let's go!"

"Changing the subject! Damn it, don't let me catch you slipping!"

The two continued bickering as they entered the office.

...

After the meeting, Lin Chen and Jiang Yao were about to return to their desks when they were called over.

"Xiao Lin, Xiao Jiang, how have the past two days been? If you’re not adjusting well to anything, just let me know. Don't be shy!" their department head, Shen Wei, said with an incredibly kind smile.

Lin Chen and Jiang Yao exchanged glances and sighed in their hearts simultaneously.

Here it was! That inexplicable care was back! Was he trying to force them to pick a side?

Jiang Yao made a face and shook his head frantically.

Lin Chen sighed again, then put on a smile. "Thank you for your concern, Director Shen. Everything is great. The company is excellent, and the work is going smoothly."

"That’s good, that’s good." Shen Wei continued to make small talk. "By the way, if you have any difficulties at work, just tell me. Don't be afraid. Think of the company as your own home, you hear?"

Lin Chen and Jiang Yao nodded helplessly.

After listening to him prattle on about trivial matters for ages, Shen Wei finally let them go. They rushed away, only letting out a collective sigh of relief once they reached their office.

"This is not right. The more I think about it, the weirder it feels!" Jiang Yao slapped his thigh. "Why do I get the feeling he has his eyes on us?"

Lin Chen felt a chill. "Give it a rest! Can't you think of anything positive?"

"Then you tell me, if he isn't interested in us, why would he be so attentive?"

He had been treating them to meals, arranging business trips, and repeatedly hinting that they should ask if they had any problems. Was this not how a patron would act?

"Could it just be office politics? Maybe he wants us to stand on his side?"

"Do we even have a mirror? If others don't know, surely we know our own worth?"

The two fell silent. Suddenly, Jiang Yao slapped his thigh again.

"I’ve got it!"

"Got what?"

"It’s not about pulling us to his side or being interested in us. It’s probably that the company has clients who like this sort of thing. We’re both young and handsome, so he’s buttering us up to make us entertain them later!"

"No way, right?"

"No, the more I think about it, the more it makes sense! What do I do? I have a girlfriend! Lin Chen, you’ve only been with yours for a short time, the relationship isn't that deep yet—how about if a wealthy woman client comes along, you take one for the team for your brother?"

"Get lost!"

Lin Chen rolled his eyes. "If there really is a wealthy woman client, I’m pushing you out first!"

He sighed. "Alright, enough nonsense. I have work to do."

Regardless of Shen Wei’s motives, the most important thing right now was to do his job well. He still had to earn money to support his dear wife!

Thinking of Xu Mi, the corners of Lin Chen’s mouth curled upward, and even the work in front of him seemed more agreeable.

After a busy day, it was finally time to get off work.

Jiang Yao approached him with excitement. "We haven't hung out in a while. Let's go grab a drink tonight?"

Before he could finish, Lin Chen had already grabbed his coat and rushed out. "No time, see you next time!"

"Damn, you son of a b—! Why are you running so fast? Is there a goddess waiting for you at home or something?!"

Lin Chen heard the mournful cry behind him and couldn't help but laugh.

Indeed, there was a goddess waiting for him...

On the way home.

During rush hour, Lin Chen was packed into the subway like a sardine in a can. Looking around, everyone was a hollow-eyed office worker, and the entire carriage was filled with a faint sense of listlessness.

Just then, his phone rang.

Lin Chen checked his phone, and a smile immediately spread across his face.

It was his dear wife!

As soon as he answered, Xu Mi’s gentle voice came through: "Lin Chen, have you finished work yet?"

"Why haven't you come home yet!"