Volume 1, Chapter 31: Domestic Routine

Although he was eager to return home, Lin Chen took a slight detour on his way back to the residential complex to take care of some business. Because there were no parking spaces available, he had to leave his car in the public lot at the park. He then grabbed his luggage—which, in truth, consisted of nothing more than a few sets of clothes and shoes packed into a single suitcase—and headed home with a brisk, lighthearted step.

He arrived at his door in no time. As soon as he reached for his keys, the door swung open.

"You're back!"

Xu Mi was still wearing her pink pajamas, her long hair pinned back, looking at him with a gentle smile.

Lin Chen was startled. "Honey, why are you standing? Be careful!"

Xu Mi was standing at the doorway instead of sitting in her wheelchair! What if she were to fall?

Seeing the look of alarm on his face, Xu Mi felt a surge of sweetness. She teased him playfully, "I'm not made of glass, you know. What’s wrong with standing for a moment?" She had already managed to bathe on her own; what did walking a few steps matter?

"No. Even if there’s a one-in-ten-thousand chance of you falling, I won't take the risk!"

Without a word of further argument, Lin Chen scooped her up into his arms and kicked the door shut behind him.

On the dining table sat four dishes and a soup, though they had grown cold from the wait. After setting Xu Mi down on a chair, Lin Chen frowned. "You haven't eaten yet? I told you not to wait for me!"

"But I didn't want to eat alone," Xu Mi admitted. It was the truth. Over the past two days, she had grown accustomed to Lin Chen’s company, and to listening to his interesting stories from the outside world while they ate. Even though Auntie Zhou had offered to keep her company, she felt that Auntie Zhou was simply not the same as Lin Chen. She only wanted Lin Chen by her side.

"You!" Lin Chen shook his head, smiling with doting indulgence. "Wait here. I’ll go heat these up, but only this once—don't make it a habit! From now on, if I’m delayed, you must eat first. If you go hungry and get sick, my heart will ache."

As he spoke, he tied on an apron and carried the dishes back into the kitchen. Lin Chen wasn't much of a cook, but reheating food was no problem, and he soon brought the steaming meal back to the table. "Can we eat now?"

Xu Mi looked up at the helpless, affectionate smile on his face and couldn't help but laugh. "Mhm!"

While eating, Xu Mi couldn't resist asking, "By the way, what was the surprise you mentioned?"

Lin Chen played it coy. "Wait until we finish eating, and I'll take you to see it."

"You're annoying! Now I can't even enjoy my meal!"

"Shall I feed you, then?"

"No, I'll eat myself!"

"Come on, come on! Let your husband feed you; it’ll taste even better!"

"Shameless!"

The small room was filled with the sound of their joyful laughter. After the meal, Lin Chen quickly cleared the dishes and urged Xu Mi to change her clothes.

"We're going back to the park?" Xu Mi asked, looking somewhat reluctant. "I don't want to go. You just show off your wife to everyone you meet; I can't bear the embarrassment!"

It was only because her health was poor and she couldn't leave the house that she had been spared so far. If she were out and about, anyone who saw them would surely be laughing at her for a good long while!

Lin Chen quickly apologized. "Don't be angry, my Queen. I won't do it again. Besides, I've prepared a surprise for you! Are you sure you don't want to go see it?"

Xu Mi wrinkled her nose and held out her hand. "Since you’ve invited me so sincerely, I’ll show some mercy and go take a look with you! Well? What are you staring at? Help me up!"

Lin Chen immediately reached out, helping her rise as he switched to a high-pitched, court-attendant voice, "At once, Your Majesty! This servant will watch your step!"

Xu Mi giggled, mimicking his tone, "Not bad, Little Linzi. A reward for you!"

"And what might that be?"

"A one-foot-long red whip!"

"Oh, no, Your Majesty!"

What was supposed to be a quick change of clothes turned into a long session of laughter and play. It was fortunate that Xu Mi had been eating and sleeping well, making her body stronger than it had been days ago; otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to handle the exertion.

Once she was dressed, Lin Chen went to lift her into the wheelchair, but this time, Xu Mi shook her head. "I don't want to sit in the wheelchair. Hold onto me, and let’s walk slowly, okay?"

Lin Chen was worried. "But is your body up to it?" Even the earlier excitement had left her slightly breathless. It was a ten-minute walk to the park parking lot; if something happened...

"If I can't walk anymore, don't I still have you?" Xu Mi looked down, her voice soft, a blush creeping across her ears and delicate neck.

Lin Chen’s eyes widened in disbelief. "Honey... what did you say?"

Did that mean she was saying if she couldn't walk, he could carry her back? But Xu Mi was so shy; she was embarrassed even when he held her at home. Could she really be willing to let him carry her out in public?

Xu Mi blushed even deeper and pivoted, "Forget it, let's just use the wheelchair!"

"No, we'll walk!" Lin Chen insisted immediately. "If you want to walk, we walk! The doctor said you need more exercise to help your recovery. If you can't make it, I’ll carry you back!"

This worked out perfectly—he wanted to take her for a drive, and a wheelchair would be hard to stow in the car. He quickly fetched a pair of flat shoes. "Honey, wear these; they’re more comfortable for walking than slippers." He knelt down to help her put them on. Xu Mi tried to refuse, blushing, but she couldn't win against him and let him change her shoes.

"Let’s go! Time to see the surprise I prepared for you!" Lin Chen’s eyes sparkled. He was excited to see her reaction to the Mercedes-Benz. Although it was a company car, Shen Wei had told him he could use it whenever he liked, so it was as good as his own. With a car, he could take Xu Mi out for drives and dates on his days off. Just thinking about it made him happy.

They stepped out, and Lin Chen instinctively reached for Xu Mi’s hand. Xu Mi blushed and hid her hand behind her back.

"Honey..." Lin Chen looked at her with a pitiful expression. "If I don't hold your hand, I’m worried you’ll fall."

Xu Mi remained blushing, refusing to bring her hand out. "I'll walk slowly. I won't fall."

Even though they had shared many moments of physical contact, she still felt shy about holding hands in public. Deep down, the fact that she was nearly twenty years older than Lin Chen caused a lingering sense of insecurity that she couldn't shake.

Lin Chen felt a little dejected, but his concern was greater. Seeing her already walking ahead, a thought struck him.

"Well... if you won't hold my hand, I’m the one who will fall! Be a dear and hold onto me, won't you? Please?"

Xu Mi’s figure froze.