The Crybaby Mistress GL - Chapter 44

The atmosphere around the dining table was tense and uncomfortable.

Although the restaurant was upscale and the dishes were excellent, Luo Jing quietly kept her head down and focused on eating. She had not forgotten the conversation she previously had with Xu Fangting, and she was certain the other woman remembered it just as clearly. What puzzled her was why she had been invited out to this meal at all.

Luo Jing and Chen Xin had promised to face any hardship together. Despite that shared vow, Luo Jing felt flustered and unsure of herself in front of Xu Fangting.

Chen Xin, however, seemed unfazed by Xu Fangting’s piercing stare. She acted as if this meal was nothing more than a private date between her and Luo Jing. She served food for Luo Jing, wiped her mouth, and even offered her water. Watching this, Xu Fangting felt her teeth ache. Although she had always held high standards for Chen Xin, she had still raised her with the care of a treasured heiress. Never had she seen her daughter so willingly attend to someone else during a meal.

Unable to hold back any longer, Xu Fangting cleared her throat to draw Chen Xin’s attention.

“This pasta is especially delicious. You should try it. The topping is shrimp roe,” Chen Xin said. She continued to ignore her mother’s presence entirely, not even sparing her a glance, as if she had not heard anything at all.

Even Luo Jing picked up on the signal. She quickly glanced at Xu Fangting before turning back to Chen Xin. Just as she was about to speak, Chen Xin gently fed her a forkful of pasta. Her lips were now stained with shrimp roe sauce, and the look of awkward tension on her face was immediately replaced with surprise and delight. She nodded and chewed with puffed cheeks, clearly enjoying the flavor.

“Take your time. There is still an entire plate left,” Chen Xin said with a soft smile. She gently wiped Luo Jing’s mouth, then licked the shrimp sauce off her own finger without a second thought.

The subtle intimacy between the two women grew increasingly obvious. Realizing that her signals had been completely ignored, Xu Fangting finally spoke.

“Chen Xin, I am sitting right here. Should you not be more mindful of your table manners?”

Only then did Chen Xin glance over, her tone cold. “I assumed you were not here. You are always so busy.”

There was no mistaking the sarcasm. Xu Fangting found herself momentarily at a loss for words. In truth, she had not handled things well today. On a day this important, she had left Chen Xin to attend the memorial alone. She could understand how hurt her daughter must have felt. Still, had Chen Xin always been this petty?

“Fine, I admit it. I was wrong. I should not have let you go there by yourself,” Xu Fangting said at last. This was not just any occasion. The day they paid their respects to her sister and brother-in-law came only once a year.

“I was not alone. Luo Jing was with me,” Chen Xin replied, wrapping her arm around Luo Jing’s shoulders. The gesture made them seem even closer. “We have also decided to start dating.”

“Dating?” Xu Fangting’s expression tightened. She looked at Luo Jing. “Did you not say you would leave in a year?”

“I… I…” Luo Jing stammered, unable to respond immediately. She took a deep breath and gathered her courage. “I sincerely care about Miss Chen. I hope you will give us your blessing.”

Chen Xin could not stop smiling. She looked so pleased that Xu Fangting felt the urge to roll her eyes. Were they trying to flaunt their affection in front of her as if she did not even exist?

Chen Xin continued to nod. “That is exactly what is going on.”

By all rights, Xu Fangting should have begun scolding them or at least strategizing how to get rid of Luo Jing. Yet she already felt overwhelmed. Pressing her fingers to her temples, she tried to hold back a headache that was beginning to surface.

Chen Xin quickly noticed something was wrong. “Mom, did you not say you were going to Weiguo’s to help take care of the child? Why are you suddenly here instead?”

Xu Fangting raised her head and looked like she was about to explain. However, upon seeing Luo Jing, she changed her mind. Family matters were not something she wanted to share in front of outsiders. Her hand slammed against the table, her expression dark. Clearly, something serious had happened, and she was struggling to contain her frustration.

Chen Xin glanced at the table and tried to calm her. “Mom, just tell us. Luo Jing is not really an outsider. She will not speak of it to others.”

It was obvious that Chen Xin was trying to smooth things over, but Xu Fangting had reached her limit. She picked up her phone and tossed it to Chen Xin. “See for yourself. I took photos.”

Chen Xin took the phone with some confusion. The most recent photos were clearly screenshots of a phone, specifically of conversations. As she read through each one, her expression grew increasingly grim. The messages revealed a disturbing relationship between Chen Zheng and Liu Ruoya.

Romantic affairs were not uncommon. However, what Chen Xin could not accept was Chen Zheng’s constant display of moral superiority. Ever since she had been adopted, he had never truly acknowledged her. His expectations for Xu Fangting were unreasonably high, and he frequently criticized the chaos and scandals among wealthy families.

In reality, he was no different. While judging others for their lack of ethics, he had been exchanging vulgar messages with his young sister-in-law. The hypocrisy disgusted her.

Chen Xin placed the phone on the table. “So, what is your plan, Mom? These photos are more than enough to justify a divorce.”

The evidence was more than sufficient for a court case.

Xu Fangting, however, said, “I have no intention of divorcing him yet.”

Chen Xin stared at her in disbelief.

“Your father has kept this hidden for years. That must mean he still wants to maintain this marriage.”

“What are you planning to do then?” Chen Xin asked.

Xu Fangting gave a small smile, with a faint attempt to appeal to her daughter. “Let me stay at your place for a few days. Once your father realizes I have seen the messages, he will definitely come looking for me. I need to make a statement. I am leaving home for now.”

Chen Xin hesitated, then nodded. “Alright, Mom. Why not stay at the villa on Jin Street? You always enjoyed it there whenever you vacationed.”

Xu Fangting shook her head. “Your father will look for me there right away. I want to stay at your apartment in City B.”

Both Chen Xin and Luo Jing were stunned. That was the apartment where Luo Jing currently lived.

When Chen Xin looked at her with suspicion, Xu Fangting confessed, “Yes, I know Miss Luo lives there. Do you not want me to accept your relationship? How can I if I do not observe for myself?”

To her, this plan killed two birds with one stone. On one side, she could leave home and wait for her husband to regret his actions. On the other, she could keep a close eye on the woman who had captured her daughter’s heart. If she could force Luo Jing to leave during that time, all problems would be solved.

“Mom, that apartment will not work. I will arrange another place for you,” Chen Xin said firmly. She saw through her mother’s plan immediately. There was no way she would put Luo Jing in such an uncomfortable position.

Just as the mother and daughter were about to argue, a small hand tugged at Chen Xin’s sleeve. A soft voice interrupted their discussion.

“Let Auntie come stay with us. There is an extra room in the apartment.”

At once, both women turned to Luo Jing. Their faces were filled with surprise, as if they could not quite believe what she had just said.