Volume 1, Chapter 65: Advanced Warning

Whenever Li Xiulan saw Lin Chen, she always wore a warm and affectionate expression.

Especially after Xu Mi’s health improved, she became immensely fond of Lin Chen, beaming with smiles every single time.

Wearing a stern face like the one she had today was an unprecedented first.

Xu Mi was still piggybacking on Lin Chen when she caught sight of Li Xiulan out of nowhere, her face instantly flushing bright red.

Although she and Lin Chen had long shared plenty of intimate moments in private,

this was the first time it happened right in front of her mother, and how could she possibly bear it?

"Lin Chen, quick... put me down!"

Xu Mi’s voice trembled with embarrassment.

Feeling somewhat awkward as well, Lin Chen hurried to carry Xu Mi into the house and gently set her down on the sofa.

Only then did he look up at Li Xiulan and ask, "Auntie, why are you here?"

Even though they were married, he still couldn't bring himself to call her "Mom," always addressing her as Auntie instead.

With a solemn expression, Li Xiulan replied, "If I hadn't come, you would have nearly worked Tangtang to death!"

With that, she looked over at Xu Mi, and upon seeing her pale lips, her eyes instantly welled up with tears.

"You silly girl, the doctor said your body hasn't fully recovered yet. Even though you need exercise, you can't just be reckless!"

"If Auntie Zhou hadn't told me, I wouldn't have known at all!"

"And you!"

Turning her gaze to Lin Chen, Li Xiulan didn't pull any punches. "Tangtang doesn't know her limits, but don't you either?"

"Taking her out to fool around, staying out for so long, and exhausting her like this—if anything had happened to her, could you bear the responsibility?!"

Standing nearby, Auntie Zhou explained apologetically, "Lin Chen, you sounded so serious over the phone, so I just casually mentioned it to the elderly madam."

Lin Chen instantly felt a dark shadow pass before his eyes.

Earlier, worried about Xu Mi's physical condition, he had exaggerated a bit when calling Auntie Zhou, saying that Xu Mi was too exhausted from walking and had lost her appetite for dinner.

He never expected Auntie Zhou to actually invite the elderly madam over!

Observing Li Xiulan's expression, Lin Chen couldn't help but inwardly groan.

"Mom, it's not Lin Chen's fault."

Tugging at the corner of Li Xiulan's blouse, Xu Mi said in a weak voice, "I was the one who wanted to go out..."

Li Xiulan cut her off directly. "What do you mean you wanted to go out, it was clearly..."

Catching herself mid-sentence, she abruptly stopped and swiftly changed her tune: "Even if you wanted to go out, he should have kept an eye on your health!"

"Did he just let you do whatever you wanted? There are so many bacteria and viruses out there! Your body is so frail right now, how could you possibly withstand it if you caught something?!"

Upon learning that Lin Chen had taken Xu Mi out during working hours, she had immediately called the company to inquire.

She had almost let it slip just now.

Not wanting Lin Chen to take the blame, Xu Mi simply leaned against Li Xiulan and acted coquettishly. "Mom, I already told you I was the one who wanted to go out, and Lin Chen couldn't say no to me."

"Besides, I'm completely fine, aren't I? I had a wonderful time today, so please stop scolding him."

As she spoke, she kept shooting winks at Lin Chen.

Taking the cue, Lin Chen chimed in, "Auntie, it was my oversight today. Rest assured, there won't be a next time."

Hearing the two of them back each other up, Li Xiulan's expression softened somewhat.

Yet, keeping a straight face, she said, "Lin Chen, I know you dote on Tangtang, but you know what her health is like. Even if she's recovered a bit, she can't weather any storms."

"If you take her out like this and she falls sick, it would be a disaster. You are not allowed to do this again!"

Lin Chen nodded repeatedly.

Xu Mi chimed in as well, "Don't worry, Mom, we know what we're doing."

"You girl!"

Li Xiulan shook her head helplessly, then smiled again. "Where did you go today? Did you have a good time?"

Mentioning this immediately revived Xu Mi's spirits.

She excitedly recounted everything from heading out to visiting the live-streaming base, and even pretending to negotiate business with the people there, her eyes dancing with animation.

Watching her like this, Li Xiulan couldn't help letting out a soft sigh.

Startled, Xu Mi asked, "Mom, what are you sighing for?"

Shaking her head, Li Xiulan replied, "It's nothing. I'm just happy. You used to... it's been so long since I've seen you this happy."

As she spoke, she raised a hand to press at the corner of her eye.

She remembered clearly that when Xu Mi first founded her company, she was full of drive and radiating vitality.

Yet, she didn't know when it had started—Xu Mi's life had eventually been reduced to nothing but work, and all the smiles had vanished from her face.

By the time she developed depression, she had been completely consumed by dark emotions, surrounded entirely by an aura of lifelessness.

She hadn't seen her looking so vibrant and full of life in many years.

Deep down, Li Xiulan knew that all these changes were brought by Lin Chen.

Lifting her gaze, she happened to see Lin Chen coming out of the kitchen with a bowl of congee.

"Auntie, why are you staring at me like that?"

Befuddled by the look, Lin Chen asked, "Come and have some congee first! Wife, let me blow on this bowl to cool it down for you."

Speaking softly, he carefully scooped a small portion of congee, blew on a spoonful to cool it, and brought it to Xu Mi's lips. "Wife, say 'ah'!"

Xu Mi's face instantly flushed scarlet, even the tips of her ears turning completely red. She chided, "What are you doing? I'm not a three-year-old child, I can eat by myself!"

"Isn't it the same if I feed you? Be careful not to burn yourself!"

Insistent, Lin Chen kept the spoon held out.

Joking aside, this was a rare opportunity for intimacy with his precious wife; how could he possibly let it slip away?

Growing even more embarrassed, Xu Mi couldn't help blurting out, "Mom is still right here!"

Instantly, Li Xiulan stood up. "Since Tangtang is fine, I should be heading back as well. I won't stay here and be an eyesore to you two youngsters."

Auntie Zhou immediately untied her apron and chimed in, "Lin Chen, the congee is already cooked, so I'll head back first and come back before dinner time."

Lin Chen quickly replied, "Auntie Zhou, you've cooked more than enough congee. I'll just stir-fry a vegetable later, no need to make another trip."

Although he was quite busy with work, he hadn't forgotten to study recipes, and stir-frying greens was well within his capabilities now.

Auntie Zhou readily agreed and prepared to leave along with Li Xiulan.

However, just as she reached the doorway, Li Xiulan stopped and turned back to look at Lin Chen. "Lin Chen, step outside for a moment, I have something to say to you."

Lin Chen exchanged glances with Xu Mi.

Xu Mi promptly took the bowl from his hand. "Go ahead, I'll eat by myself."

If Lin Chen continued to feed her, she felt she would combust from embarrassment entirely.

Thus, Lin Chen followed her outside.

Walking over to the elevator lobby, Li Xiulan lowered her voice and said, "Lin Chen, I've seen all the goodness you've shown Tangtang. You've had a hard time lately."

Quickly shaking his head, Lin Chen replied, "It's not hard at all, not hard at all. This is only what I should be doing."

What hardship was there in taking care of his own wife?

He found it thoroughly sweet!

Continuing her thought, Li Xiulan said, "I've lived for more than half a lifetime, and I know that the human heart is the most difficult thing to fathom."

"Now that Tangtang has completely trusted and grown accustomed to you, and I am handing her over to your care, you must mentally prepare yourself to look after her for the rest of her life."

"If you ever dare to have a change of heart in the future, or do anything to wrong Tangtang, I will risk this very life of mine and never let you off!!!"

She could tell that her silly daughter had entirely surrendered her heart to Lin Chen.

Yet, should Lin Chen ever change his mind one day, it would deal a fatal blow to Xu Mi.

Therefore, she needed to administer this preventive warning beforehand to shield Xu Mi from any possibility of getting hurt!