The Crybaby Mistress GL - Chapter 13

“Hurry and get in the car. If we do not leave now, we are going to be late.” Chen Xin was already waiting by the car when Luo Jie finally jogged over. He had overslept and was clearly in a rush.

The two of them set off in a hurry, with Chen Xin behind the wheel. Because time was tight, she drove more aggressively than usual. Her tone left no room for patience. “If we are late, you are on your own. Do not count on me to help you.”

Luo Jie raised both hands in a gesture of surrender. “My fault.”

Chen Xin did not return home often. However, every time she did, she became noticeably on edge. Luo Jie did not want to irritate her, so he tried to steer the conversation elsewhere before she reached a breaking point.

After glancing around, he offered a change of subject. “You seem to be in a pretty good mood lately. That girl Luo Jing… does she suit your taste?”

Chen Xin shot him a cool look in response. Luo Jie quickly clarified, “Please do not misunderstand. I have no interest in her. I was just asking.”

Chen Xin reluctantly believed him. The moment someone brought up her new little darling, her face could no longer stay composed. She pressed her lips together, but the corners of her mouth lifted slightly. Even without saying a word, her expression revealed everything.

“Ah… looks like you are very pleased with her,” Luo Jie remarked, instantly understanding. He had never seen Chen Xin look this way before. A twinge of worry crept in. “Just be careful. Do not fall too hard.”

Still focused on the road, Chen Xin responded with a loaded tone. “And if I do fall too hard, then what?”

Luo Jie was unsure whether she was joking, but even the thought of the situation gave him a headache. “Do you really not know what will happen?”

If things were not handled delicately, their parents would surely step in. Once that happened, the situation would spiral into something unpleasant for everyone involved.

“That Luo Jing girl is like a little bunny. If you really like her, then please do her a kindness. When the year is over, let her go smoothly. Handle things so cleanly that there are no flaws. Most importantly, do not let your mother get involved. If she does, the one who will suffer the most is definitely Luo Jing. Do you believe me?” Luo Jie had spent plenty of time around women and had much more experience in such matters than Chen Xin.

Chen Xin did not respond. She simply curled her lips slightly.

Seeing this reaction, Luo Jie knew there was no point in continuing. He offered his final piece of advice. “I know you are truly satisfied with her. However, our positions are not the same. You need to think this through carefully.”

“Alright,” Chen Xin replied vaguely. She clearly wanted to end the topic and quickly changed the subject. “Are you heading to the United States next month?”

“Yes, and it is so frustrating.” Luo Jie explained that his father’s business in the United States had been doing quite well. He wanted Luo Jie to take over and kept assigning him to travel there. Each trip lasted over a month.

He went on to complain that the new office had just been completed. There were so many tasks that needed handling. On top of that, it was in a remote area, extremely inconvenient. Living there was miserable. There were not even any stores nearby.

As they chatted, the car arrived at the Chen family residence. Both parents were already home. Fortunately, the food had not yet been cooked. The rich aroma of dishes in progress wafted from the kitchen, where the chef was busy at work.

Chen Zhen was seated in the living room with a newspaper spread out, flipping through the pages. Xu Fangting sat beside him on his right, quietly watching television. The volume had been turned down low.

“Dad, Mom, I’m home,” Chen Xin said, walking over with a faint smile on her face. She hung her coat by the door.

Xu Fangting immediately gave her daughter a look, then turned her eyes to the clock.

Chen Zhen gave a soft cough but did not look up from the paper. He merely responded with a quiet grunt.

Xu Fangting glanced at her daughter again. With no other choice, Chen Xin murmured, “Sorry, Dad. I came back a bit late.”

Truthfully, she was not that late and had only arrived a few minutes before noon. However, Chen Zhen looked clearly displeased. His expression was stern. Around fifty to sixty years old, he sat in the central seat of the living room, radiating quiet authority. His hair was combed immaculately and his shirt was ironed perfectly straight.

Seeing her father’s continued silence, Chen Xin felt awkward. She quickly pulled Luo Jie over and said, “Dad, Luo Jie came along too. We thought it would be nice to have a meal together.”

Luo Jie’s eyes widened slightly. Chen Xin, you liar. You said your dad specifically invited me!

She nudged him with her elbow, and Luo Jie took out a small, refined jar. He handed it to Chen Zhen. “Uncle, this is some tea. Auntie told me you enjoy this variety.”

Seeing Luo Jie, Chen Zhen relaxed a little. Since there was a guest present, he did not want the atmosphere to grow tense. He nodded. “Join us for lunch. Ask the kitchen to prepare a couple of extra dishes.”

“I will go tell them,” Xu Fangting said as she stood and walked toward the kitchen.

Soon, everyone was seated at the dining table. Thanks to Luo Jie’s lighthearted conversation, the mood was fairly pleasant. Chen Xin picked up some shrimp and peeled a few for her father. She also talked about her recent business trip overseas. Chen Zhen responded briefly, mostly making a comment or two on work-related matters. Even though he did not say much, Chen Xin was able to carry the conversation and hardly touched her food.

“Go ahead and eat. I have a meeting with Weiguo at two o’clock,” Chen Zhen said after finishing most of his meal. He glanced at Xu Fangting, then stood up and took the jar of tea to the backyard. He always enjoyed a cup there after lunch.

Chen Xin stopped mid-sentence. She lowered her head and finally started eating something, although the food no longer tasted good.

Xu Fangting noticed Chen Xin’s furrowed brow. Luo Jie, sensing the shift, wisely finished his meal and went to the backyard to make tea for Chen Zhen. That left only the mother and daughter at the table. Xu Fangting’s expression turned grim.

“Why did you come back so late? You know your father despises tardiness.”

“Mom, I am truly sorry,” Chen Xin replied as she half-heartedly picked at her rice.

“Let us put that aside. You and Luo Jie have been married for two years. Why have you still not had a child?” Xu Fangting shifted the conversation abruptly. “Look at Weiguo’s son. He is already several years old. How is it that you two have not even started yet?”

Chen Xin choked slightly and answered, “Having a child is a big responsibility. We are thinking of focusing on work for a few more years.”

“Work will always be there! Once you grow older, having children becomes much more difficult!” Xu Fangting cut her off. “Your father is already at the age where he wants grandchildren. As his child, is it not your responsibility to give him that? If not now, when?”

“Mom, we really are not ready…” Chen Xin frowned. “Did you not tell me I should secure my position at the company first?”

“You still need to judge the right moment!” Xu Fangting’s voice grew more anxious. “You know how much your father loves children. Lately, he visits Weiguo’s place every week just to see Chen An. Can you not show a bit more initiative?”

Chen Xin put down her chopsticks. She could already see that this entire meal had been a ploy to pressure her. Her head throbbed, but she managed a smile. “Mom, Weiguo is Uncle’s son. Since Uncle passed away a few years ago, it makes sense for Dad to visit him often. It is just concern.”

“It is exactly because he is your uncle’s child that I am worried!” Xu Fangting slapped the table. “You know your father wants to adopt Weiguo formally. How can you speak so casually? Do you even care about this family at all?”

Chen Xin remained silent. Xu Fangting glared at her with frustration. “If you care so little about this home, then maybe you should not come back again. Do not call me Mom either!”

“Alright, Mom. I was wrong, alright? I was wrong.” Chen Xin let out a sigh. She could not bear to see her mother this angry. “I will talk to Luo Jie. Please do not be upset anymore.”

“I do not want to be upset either. Just stop making everyone worry.” Seeing Chen Xin’s softened attitude, Xu Fangting’s tone also eased. She offered one final instruction. “Talk to him seriously. Hurry and have a child. Do you understand? Your mother is just worried about you.”

After speaking, she rose to her feet. “It is getting late. I cannot keep your father waiting. I will go change clothes and get ready to leave. Take your time finishing your meal. Make sure you eat enough before you go.”

Chen Xin nodded and watched as her mother left the room. Sitting alone at the dining table, her last bit of appetite faded. She stared at her plate and slowly continued her solitary meal.