Chapter 120: Mom, why is your face so red?

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Ten minutes later, Zhu Yan was full of disbelief. “You really did it that way?”

“Of course. Otherwise, what did you expect? Do you think that dull blockhead, Lin You, would ever court you on his own?”

Zhu Yan froze for a moment, then gave Xia Yan a thumbs-up. “You’re right. He really is a dull blockhead. Otherwise, how could he have remained unmoved after all my efforts over the years?”

As she spoke, she toyed with her short hair. “I’m not bad-looking either, am I?”

“If you’re considered bad-looking, then are there any beauties left in this world?”

The two women fell silent for a moment before breaking into laughter together.

Neither of them noticed Yuan Xiangqin hiding behind a wall not far away. Her fists were clenched tightly, and her eyes were filled with jealousy. She could not understand why Zhu Yan had such a close relationship with Xia Yan.

After bidding Xia Yan farewell, Zhu Yan returned to the office and sat down opposite Yuan Xiangqin.

She pondered for a while. “Xiangqin, you were my first friend after I came to the station. I can give you some money, but it really isn’t appropriate for you to keep living here with me...”

***

That evening, when Lin You returned home, he saw a large suitcase leaning against the wall, along with several packets of peach pastries they had bought. He smiled knowingly. Ever since Xia Yan had come, there was hardly anything at home that he needed to worry about anymore.

As he watched Xia Yan bustling about in the kitchen, he once again felt how fortunate he was to have met her...

While busy in the kitchen, Xia Yan sensed a pair of eyes fixed intently on her. Fortunately, the gaze did not make her uncomfortable, though it did leave her feeling somewhat self-conscious.

She suddenly raised her head and looked through the kitchen window toward the living room.

Sure enough, the man’s bright eyes were fixed on her.

Hmph. That man was secretly watching her again.

When Lin You was caught peeking, he cleared his throat. Then he simply walked into the kitchen, wrapped his arms around Xia Yan from behind, and said, “You’ve worked hard.”

“Just like our son said—you only know how to say those two pleasant things.”

An angry expression appeared on Xia Yan’s pretty face, and her expressive eyes were filled with grievance.

Seeing that she was upset, Lin You grew flustered. He had no idea how to coax a woman, and suddenly found himself completely at a loss.

Xia Yan merely pouted and gazed at him in silence.

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The look of grievance on her face was both adorable and impossible not to pity.

Lin You desperately searched his mind for some new words with which to placate his wife, but at that moment his mind seemed to have stalled. He could not think of anything at all.

“I...” Lin You stammered, unable to complete a single sentence.

Xia Yan snorted, wriggled free of his embrace, and turned her back to him.

Lin You grew anxious. In his confusion, he raised his hand and gently rubbed her head. “Don’t be angry. I’ll read more books, and I promise I’ll come up with some new ways to praise you in the future.”

What he had not expected was how effective the gesture would be. Xia Yan possessed the soul of someone who had lived two lifetimes; how could she withstand such an intimate touch? Her face instantly began to burn.

Who could possibly resist a head-patting killer move like that?

Xia Yan lowered her head shyly. “I’m going to make dinner. Go outside and look after the children.”

“Mom, what are we having for dinner?”

At that moment, Lin Hongzhuo suddenly ran in. Xia Yan was startled. “We’re having noodles tonight. We’re going down the mountain tomorrow to see your grandparents, so I won’t be making any dishes.”

Lin Hongzhuo gave a pleased hum. “Noodles? Great! It’s been so long since I’ve had Mom’s noodles. I want a fried egg with mine.”

“All right. You, your older brother, and your little sister can each have one.”

Seeing how uncomfortable Xia Yan looked, Lin You smiled and said to Lin Hongzhuo, “You’re quite demanding, aren’t you?”

As soon as Lin You spoke, Lin Hongzhuo stuck out his tongue at him and ran out of the kitchen.

“Go outside and play with the children for a while. You’re no use in the kitchen.”

After driving Lin You out, Xia Yan finally raised her hand and fanned her face, hoping to dispel the flush of heat spreading across it...

After dinner, perhaps because they would be going down the mountain the next day, the three children played noisily in the room for a long time before reluctantly crawling into bed.

As usual, Xia Yan kissed each child once on the forehead. Only then did they close their eyes and settle down to sleep.

Once she had lain down, Xia Yan finally had time to pick up the book beside the bed and read. When Lin You finished washing up and came in, he noticed the book on the bedside table. He picked it up and looked at it in puzzlement.

“The Art of War?”

“That’s right. I happened to see it in the principal’s office today, so I specifically borrowed it for you. This book is incredibly useful. There used to be a fish seller where I lived who was just like you—uneducated. After reading this book, he eventually became the biggest crime boss in the area.”

Xia Yan sat up straight and spoke with great seriousness, her pretty face filled with earnestness.

“The biggest crime boss? Uneducated?”

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Lin You felt that something about her words sounded strange. And why could he not remember there ever having been a fish seller who became a crime boss in his hometown?

“Mm. This is a divine book. It will definitely help you command troops! You should read it more often.”

“All right.”

Lin You did not think much of it. He picked up the book and began reading. Before long, he became genuinely engrossed. He discovered that the principles in the book could be used not only to lead soldiers, but also to “deal with” one’s wife.

For instance, if he had read this book yesterday, he would have known exactly how to handle things in the kitchen just now.

As he thought about it, his gaze drifted toward Xia Yan beside him.

Xia Yan, who had been reading, immediately felt uncomfortable all over. When she looked up and met Lin You’s eyes, unease filled her heart. If she had known that Lin You would actually apply The Art of War to her, she might have regretted giving him the book.

By the time Xia Yan grew sleepy, Lin You was still reading with great enjoyment. He only went to sleep after Xia Yan urged him to. Yet the moment she had done so, Xia Yan regretted it. A pair of restless hands slipped beneath her pajamas...

“You’re so annoying!”

......

Early the next morning, Xia Yan wanted to get up and prepare breakfast, but her entire body ached. She glanced at the man still sleeping beside her and felt both angry and pleased...

Sensing movement beside him, Lin You opened his eyes, affection filling his gaze. “Go back to sleep for a while. I’ll make breakfast today.”

“I rolled out some extra dough last night. This morning, crack five eggs into it, then add a little salt and seasoning...”

Before she could finish speaking, her lips were sealed by his. At that moment, Xia Yan became completely wide awake.

When their lips parted, Xia Yan gasped for breath. “You... you haven’t even brushed your teeth! How can you be so unhygienic?”

Just then, someone knocked on the bedroom door.

“Mom, Nuan Nuan wet the bed. Get up quickly!”

“I’m coming.”

Xia Yan struggled to sit up, then turned and glared at Lin You. “You’re so annoying!”

When she opened the door, she saw Lin Hongzhuo standing outside. Xia Yan was startled. She had thought the little boy would leave after calling out to her, but he was still waiting at the door.

Lin Hongzhuo stared at her for quite some time. “Mom, why is your face so red?”

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