Volume 1, Chapter 32: The Feeling of Living a Life

Xu Mi never imagined that Lin Chen would resort to such a trick! A grown man, claiming he would trip if not holding hands? He wasn't even afraid of being laughed at! Xu Mi was speechless; she turned her head to retort, but the moment she met Lin Chen’s clear, earnest eyes, her defenses crumbled immediately.

"Wife~" Lin Chen drawled, stretching out his hand. "Hold my hand, okay? Please?"

Xu Mi let out a sudden giggle.

"You laughed, so I'll take that as a yes!" Lin Chen lunged forward and grabbed her hand, his fingers firmly interlacing with hers. Xu Mi’s face flushed a deep red, but she didn’t pull away.

As they entered the elevator, the doors were about to close when a voice called out, "Wait!" A neighbor from next door rushed in, pulling a small child along behind him. Lin Chen reflexively stepped in front of Xu Mi to shield her.

"Going for a walk? What a coincidence!" The neighbor looked at Xu Mi, unable to hide the look of awe in his eyes. The child shouted out loud, "Look, a fairy princess!"

Lin Chen, initially annoyed, felt a surge of pride at the child’s comment. "That’s right, my wife is a fairy princess!"

Xu Mi couldn’t help but pinch his waist. "Don't talk nonsense to the kid!"

"I'm not talking nonsense." Lin Chen leaned down toward the child. "Hey little one, don't you think my wife is beautiful?"

"Yeah!" the child nodded emphatically. "She’s as pretty as the stars on TV!"

"See?" Lin Chen shot a triumphant look at Xu Mi. She was amused by his smug expression.

The neighbor’s admiration deepened, and he couldn't help but add, "Brother, your wife is truly stunning, like a movie star..." The envy in his tone was impossible to mask.

Lin Chen grew jealous. He pulled Xu Mi into his arms and nodded, saying, "My wife isn't just beautiful; she’s also incredibly devoted! She only loves me!"

Xu Mi couldn't take it anymore and pinched him again. "I told you to stop with the nonsense!"

Lin Chen looked aggrieved. "Did I say something wrong? Don't you only love me, wife?" He pressed, "Tell me! Do you only love me?"

Faced with his persistent questioning, Xu Mi finally nodded, shy and bashful.

Lin Chen was satisfied. The neighbor’s expression dimmed, and he forced a smile. "That’s great. You two are a perfect match. I wish you a lifetime of happiness." He regretted even asking! But such a beautiful woman was a rare sight; who could blame him for looking? As soon as the elevator doors opened, the neighbor hurried away with his child.

Xu Mi chided him, "I told you not to spout nonsense. Now the whole building is going to laugh at me!"

"Laugh at what?" Lin Chen argued confidently. "I think they’re just jealous that I was lucky enough to marry you! Anyway, you just nodded earlier without saying it. Since no one is around now, why don't you say it?"

"Say that you love me the most."

"No!"

"Say it, please!"

"Absolutely not, I'm just not going to say it!"

"You're going to break my heart if you do this!"

Holding hands, they bickered all the way to the park. Finally, they reached the parking lot. Xu Mi suddenly understood what the "surprise" was, but she feigned confusion. "So, where is this surprise you promised me?"

Lin Chen looked proud, pointing at a brand-new Mercedes. "Ta-da!" he exclaimed. "Look, this is the surprise I prepared for you! Do you like it?"

"A Mercedes..." Xu Mi frowned slightly. She had contacted her company to have a car arranged for Lin Chen, though she hadn't specified the model. In her eyes, this Mercedes E300 was a bit underwhelming; after all, she was used to driving Porsches.

Noticing her reaction, Lin Chen looked puzzled. "What's wrong? Do you not like the car, honey?"

Xu Mi regained her composure and quickly asked, "Where did you get the money to buy this?"

"I didn't buy it; the company provided it!" Lin Chen pulled her toward the car and explained, "I have to tell you, it's actually quite strange. I’m just a small fry in the marketing department, but the company suddenly raised my salary to 12,000 and even gave me a private office. Isn't that weird?"

Xu Mi wanted to laugh. She figured the old lady must have seen Lin Chen during his interview and put in a good word with HR. The company executives, being shrewd, would naturally scramble to curry favor with anyone the old lady brought in. A salary of 12,000 and a private office were actually quite conservative estimates. Thinking this to herself, she put on a look of surprise. "Really? Maybe they just saw your potential. I had no idea you were so capable!"

Lin Chen was so flattered by her praise he looked ready to puff out his chest like a peacock. "My buddy and I spent ages discussing it, and we came to the same conclusion—there must be some hidden talent I have that the company discovered!"

He grew more excited as he spoke. "Don't you worry, wife. Since the company values me so much, I'll surely rise through the ranks. My salary will keep going up, and taking care of you will be a breeze!"

Xu Mi chuckled. "Yes, I believe in you."

"Don't laugh, honey!" Lin Chen said urgently. "I'm serious! Your health isn't great, so you should stop working and just rest at home. I'll take care of everything."

Xu Mi teased him, "So, I don't have to work even after I get better?"

"Of course not! A man should support his wife—isn't that the natural order of things?" Lin Chen said solemnly. "Besides, the outside world is so chaotic; I don't want you out there suffering! From now on, whenever you want to go shopping, go shopping. If you want to stay home, stay home. Just do whatever makes you happy; leave the money-making to me!"

He still didn't know why Xu Mi had tried to take her own life, and he didn't dare ask. All he could do was try his best to create a carefree world for her, ensuring she was no longer haunted by depression. That was enough.

Xu Mi felt a lump in her throat and quickly changed the subject. "So, is this car the only surprise?"

"That's right!" Lin Chen nodded. "Even though it's a company car, I have full use of it. When I have time off, shall we go on a date? We can go hiking, visit the beach, go to amusement parks or the zoo—anywhere you want to go!"

A look of longing appeared in Xu Mi's eyes. "Okay!"

"So, do you want to sit in the car now?" Lin Chen suggested with a playful glint in his eyes. "It's still early; let me take you for a drive!"

Xu Mi agreed. However, she was puzzled when Lin Chen, who usually pampered her hand and foot, walked straight to the driver's side and got in. Xu Mi stood outside, stunned.

Lin Chen leaned out. "Honey, what are you waiting for? Get in!"

Xu Mi suppressed her confusion and opened the passenger door. Instantly, the scent of flowers filled the air. Before her eyes lay a massive bouquet of roses! Vibrant red roses intertwined with pure white ones; the stark contrast and visual impact made the bouquet incredibly striking. In an instant, Xu Mi fell in love with the magnificent flowers.

"Surprise!" Lin Chen spread his arms. "Wife, this is the real surprise! Do you like it?"