Chen Shuo was driving while observing the situation in the car through the rearview mirror.
What's going on?
How could the aloof goddess Su Xiyan and the strong-willed old lady Xu Mei get along so well? This defies common sense!
Logically speaking, strong personalities clashing is bound to lead to arguments!
But how could they be getting along like a real mother and daughter?
On the contrary, Chen Shuo felt like the outsider.
Auntie Zhang, who sat in the middle, chimed in a few words occasionally.
The atmosphere in the car was lively and harmonious.
"Xiyan, is this your car?" Xu Mei looked at the interior décor that exuded luxury everywhere, then glanced at the emblem on the steering wheel, "This car is not cheap, is it? At such a young age, you already bought a car, awesome!"
Chen Shuo couldn't help but retort, "It was bought with her family's money, not money she earned herself. What's there to praise?"
Su Xiyan and Xu Mei said in unison: "Shut up!"
The words slipped out instinctively for both. Right after uttering those words, Su Xiyan felt she might have been a little rude.
Scolding someone else's son in front of an elder on their first meeting?
What was she doing?
Fortunately, Xu Mei was not the conservative type. Her eyes were now all on Su Xiyan with no room left for her own son.
She seemed to realize Su Xiyan's concerns and patted the back of her hand, "It's fine. This brat Chen Shuo deserves a scolding! From now on, help me discipline him more!"
Su Xiyan smiled gently, "Sure."
The two women happily reached an agreement, leaving Chen Shuo all by himself, lost for words.
One man's sacrifice brings happiness to tens of thousands of families!
What mother-in-law/daughter-in-law issues? They simply don't exist here! Chen Shuo thought he would end up sandwiched between two overbearing women in the future, getting scolded left and right. But apparently that wasn't the case. Instead, there seemed to be one more person to scold him now?
It looked like no matter how Su Xiyan and Xu Mei would get along, Chen Shuo would always be ranked the lowest in the family!
Although it seemed a little pathetic, a blissful smile emerged on Chen Shuo's face nonetheless.
Perhaps this was what a bit of family warmth felt like!
After picking up Xu Mei and Auntie Zhang, they drove for another hour before finally arriving home in Su City.
Seeing the tidy and clean house, Xu Mei was very pleased.
Even Auntie Zhang couldn't help but praise Chen Shuo and Su Xiyan for being so sensible and competent with household matters, unlike the delicate children of this day and age.
Faced with compliments, Chen Shuo would be a little modest, while Su Xiyan held her head high with ease, a matter-of-course smile hanging on her elegant face as she readily accepted the elders' praises.
Taking advantage while the two elders went to unpack, Chen Shuo moved closer to Su Xiyan and whispered, "I was the one who kept this place clean and tidy, alright? What are you so smug about accepting the credit?"
Su Xiyan smiled faintly, "You and everything about you belong to me. So the housework you do can be considered as my contribution. Anything wrong with that?"
Well, can't argue with that logic...
Chen Shuo was speechless.
Watching Chen Shuo and Su Xiyan whisper to each other, Xu Mei and Auntie Zhang saw nothing but sweet intimacy!
Xu Mei couldn't help exclaiming, "Old Zhang, look at the youngsters these days, so sweet!"
Auntie Zhang also nodded, "Yes, to be young again!"
"Speaking of which, who was it that said she would spank her son's butt to a pulp if it was her own son back at the airport?"
Xu Mei: "..."
"Ahem! Well...that was the original plan, but now he already has a girlfriend. Spanking his butt should be his girlfriend's business from now on. His mother doesn't need to do that anymore."
What twisted words were those??
Xu Mei and Auntie Zhang, longtime colleagues and BFFs, exchanged amused glances. Indeed, youth is bliss!
After a simple tidy up at home and some rest, it was around lunch time.
Su Xiyan took the initiative to ask: "Auntie, it's noon. What would you like for lunch?"
"I'll go buy ingredients and cook. I insist on cooking the meal myself."
Both Xu Mei and Auntie Zhang were surprised: "Xiyan, you know how to cook?"
"Not many youngsters these days still cook by themselves!"
"Our Xiyan is simply outstanding!!"
Hearing Su Xiyan say that, Chen Shuo's jaw nearly dropped to the floor. He couldn't help but squeeze Su Xiyan's arm to signal her with his eyes.
Yet Su Xiyan seemed oblivious to it all.
Exasperated, Chen Shuo could only message Su Xiyan on his phone: "Are you sure the food you make is edible??"
Though sitting face to face on the sofa, they communicated via phone: "Do you really think your mom would let me cook? Ultimately you'll be the one doing the cooking!"
After the message, Su Xiyan threw Chen Shuo a fox-like grin.
So the vixen wanted to claim credits again without lifting a finger?
No way would he fall for her tricks!
Thus, Chen Shuo put on a gentle and considerate front, saying "Let's just eat out for lunch today! Haven't used the kitchen for a while, would need to restock seasoning and ingredients...quite troublesome."
"Mainly, I don't want Xiyan to overexert herself either." Chen Shuo turned his head and asked: "Right, Xiyan?"
Su Xiyan: "..."
"Fine, whatever you say."
Seeing Su Xiyan discussing things amicably with Chen Shuo, Xu Mei was grinning from ear to ear.
How blissful!!
Chen Shuo wiped the cold sweat off his forehead, thinking he had narrowly escaped disaster! No way would he fall for Su Xiyan's tricks and end up doing all the cooking himself in the end.
They found a nice, clean restaurant with great food near their residential area. The four got a quiet private room and started ordering.
Right after sitting down, Su Xiyan's expression suddenly changed!
She then resumed normal, handing the menu to Xu Mei and Auntie Zhang for them to order first.
After randomly picking a few dishes, while waiting for the food, Su Xiyan stood up: "Auntie, excuse me for a bit, I'm going out to buy drinks."
Xu Mei asked: "Xiyan, what would you like to drink? The restaurant also sells beverages!"
Su Xiyan: "It's cheaper buying outside than in the restaurant."
With that, Su Xiyan left the eatery.
Xu Mei grinned from ear to ear: "What a thrifty and good housekeeper!"
"Hey hey, Shuo Shuo, where are you going?"
Chen Shuo didn't even turn his head back: "Obviously going with her to buy drinks!"
"How could I let her go alone?"
Then Chen Shuo also exited the restaurant.
Only Xu Mei and Auntie Zhang were left in the private room.
"Look at that, young couples can't bear to separate even for a bit."
"So sweet!"
"Yes, sweet indeed!"
......
After leaving the restaurant, Su Xiyan quickened her pace, a frosty blue glint flashing faintly in her eyes.
With long strides, she headed straight for the alley behind the restaurant.
Behind her, Chen Shuo caught up.
"You also noticed the vampire?"