Chapter Eleven: A Mother-in-Law Discusses Her Son-in-Law

"Xia Junshan is getting bolder these days, isn't he? Taking Huanhuan and Chaochao out to play and leaving you all alone at home. When he gets back, I’m going to have a word with him."

Zhao Na lay on the sofa, a facial mask covering her face, pressing it down with her fingers as she spoke.

Nan Li, who was busy tidying up the room, heard her mother’s words and quickly replied, "Mom, what are you thinking? Xia Junshan took the kids to the sports center to play ball with Yan Peng. I didn't want to go, so I came over to see you as soon as I had some free time."

"Yan Peng? That son-in-law of the 'old mistress'?"

Zhao Na suddenly sat up. As she did, her mask started to slide off, and she scrambled to press it back into place in a flurry.

"Yes, that’s Tian Yulan’s husband. He often asks Xia Junshan to go play ball with him. Since the weather was nice today, I told him to take the kids along."

"Mom, I've told you how many times now? Take the trash out the same day. If you leave it for too long, it’s going to start smelling."

Nan Li pulled the trash bag out of the bin, looking at her mother with a helpless expression.

Zhao Na said, "It’s only from yesterday. There’s barely anything in it, so I didn't bother. What smell?"

Nan Li sighed. Her mother, this "Grand Princess," was truly a handful. If Nan Li didn't come over for a week, there was no telling what kind of state the place would be in. Even after being divorced for nearly twenty years, Zhao Na still required someone to look after her. That was the very reason Nan Li had insisted on buying an apartment in the Shidai Huating complex—it was nearby, so she could keep an eye on her mother.

"Li, let me tell you something. It’s fine if you go visit the old man, and it’s fine if Xia Junshan associates with Yan Peng, but you need to be on guard against that woman and her daughter. They aren't good news. That old fool is so completely bewitched by them that there’s no telling what kind of mindless things he might do."

"Mom, don't worry. I can't be bothered with that mother and daughter. If it weren't for the fact that the old man insists we go back, I wouldn't want to go either. I'd much rather spend time with you."

"Good, as long as you know."

Her daughter’s words satisfied Zhao Na. She only had Nan Li left as her daughter, and she didn't want to see her being fooled by that "old mistress" again.

"By the way, I heard from Chaochao that you've been doing all the housework lately. What’s going on? Didn't Xia Junshan used to handle that? Does he have a problem with something?"

Nan Li replied, "Mom, can you stop overthinking? Xia Junshan has been busy lately. I just go home and make dinner; it’s not tiring, and we have a part-time cleaner for most of the chores."

"That won't do. Your job is already exhausting enough; how can you come home in the evening and wait on those three? And what is so busy about Xia Junshan’s work anyway?"

Zhao Na felt sorry for her daughter. She hadn't been thrilled when Nan Li first chose Xia Junshan, mostly because she looked down on him for coming from a small county and having a complicated family background. However, since he had treated Nan Li well after they married, she hadn't said anything more.

But discovering recently that Nan Li had started taking on the housework made her unhappy. This simply wouldn't do.

Nan Li said helplessly, "Mom, please don't worry about it so much. He’s working hard for our family. He’s just busy lately; it’s not a big deal, nothing worth making such a fuss about."

"I’m just worried about you. Fine, if you don't mind it, I won't say anything more."

"I know you have my best interests at heart, Grand Princess. What would you like for lunch? I'll make it for you."

"There’s some steak in the house, fix that for me."

Zhou Chen and the others arrived at a Western restaurant. They ordered a few things, and the bill was already several hundred, but Yan Peng didn't care at all. For him, this amount was pocket change, as he didn't usually spend much money anyway, save for the occasional top-up for his video games.

"Huanhuan, I heard from Ziyou that the singing competition you're in is about to enter the finals. How is it? Are you confident?"

While waiting for their food, Yan Peng asked Huanhuan.

Huanhuan said confidently, "As long as Mom and Dad come to cheer me on, I’ll definitely win first place."

Growing up, while her academic grades weren't spectacular, she was quite talented in extracurricular activities, especially singing and dancing; she could even act as a little hostess.

"Really? If you really win first place, your uncle will treat you to a big feast again." Yan Peng patted his chest to guarantee it.

"Really? Uncle, then I want to go to the Fairy Tale Restaurant."

The Fairy Tale Restaurant was a very famous children's restaurant in the city. It not only had food and drinks but also areas for leisure and play. Many children loved going there, but because it was quite expensive, Huanhuan couldn't go often.

"Win first place first, then we'll see," Zhou Chen said, patting Huanhuan on the head.

Since it was Sunday, the restaurant was quite crowded for lunch. To Zhou Chen's surprise, there was even a violinist playing in the dining area.

The food arrived quickly. Huanhuan and Chaochao both ordered ice cream. Zhou Chen told them, "Eat slowly and don't have too much, or you'll get an upset stomach and your mother will scold me."

"Got it, Dad."

Huanhuan and Chaochao were busy eating, while Zhou Chen used his knife and fork to cut the steak for them.

Yan Peng said enviously, "Brother, it's nice at your place. Unlike me—even if I want to take Ziyou out for a meal, I have to ask for Tian Yulan’s permission."

"That’s your own fault for being a hands-off father."

Zhou Chen rolled his eyes. Yan Peng had a great personality, but in some ways, he really didn't fulfill his responsibilities as a father. Of course, it wasn't entirely Yan Peng’s fault; Tian Yulan was just too intense, and even if Yan Peng wanted to get involved, he couldn't.

Once Huanhuan was full, she took advantage of the moment Zhou Chen went to the restroom to whisper to Yan Peng, "Uncle, let me tell you, my dad is amazing. He’s been writing a novel at home lately. He even said that once he makes money, he’s going to take me and Chaochao to Disneyland."

"Writing a novel? You mean your dad is writing a novel?"

Yan Peng was shocked. They had known each other for so many years; how did he not know Xia Junshan had such a talent?

"Yeah, I think Dad will definitely make a lot, lot of money, and then he’ll take us to play and buy me lots of dolls." Huanhuan looked forward to it with a blissful expression.

When Zhou Chen returned, he found Yan Peng looking at him with a strange expression. "What’s wrong?" he asked, puzzled.

Yan Peng leaned in and asked, "Brother, you can write novels?"

Zhou Chen knew immediately what was going on. He glanced at the smiling Huanhuan and could only answer, "Yeah, I’ve been writing a novel recently."

Yan Peng immediately pressed him, "Brother, I like reading novels too. Where are you posting it? Tell me, I want to check it out."

Zhou Chen felt a bit awkward. "Forget it, I’m just writing it for fun; it’s nothing special."

"Don't be like that, brother, tell me! Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. And if it's good, I can even help you promote it. I’m telling you, a lot of the guys in my gaming group love reading novels, and quite a few of them are wealthy, too."

Pestered by Yan Peng, Zhou Chen had no choice but to tell him.

"Don't go spreading it around."

"Brother, you still don't trust me?"

*It’s precisely because it’s you that I don't trust you,* Zhou Chen thought to himself.