CHAPTER 101: TO CHEER UP DELICATE MEILIN

Zhao Yiming exhaled slowly, knowing this route would surely make him see a different side of Su Meilin and her past.

He wasn’t ready for it. Because he knew, deep down, that the beautiful, delicate woman in front of him—the one who smelled like jasmine and always smiled so softly—couldn’t have had a peaceful life. Not with how she cried like that.

He couldn’t bear seeing her like this anymore. And so, Zhao Yiming made a silent vow: this route would end with a happy ending for her. He would make sure she’d finally be free from the chains of her past.

Then, the system chimed again.

---

[Ding!]

[New quest triggered!]

[To Cheer Delicate Meilin]

• Easy Mode: Hug her until she stops crying and bring her favorite dessert.

• Medium Mode: Whisper sweet nothings and binge the opera soap drama she secretly loves.

• Hard Mode: Cook her favorite dish from scratch... and let the kitchen heat turn into bedroom heat.

[God of Richness & Love leaves a message!]

["My disciple! The easiest way to stop a woman’s tears is to make her cry in bed! Choose hard mode! We need more sex scenes!"]

---

’Damn, this perverted deity! Can you read the room, for once?!’ Zhao cursed internally. But... oh well. He could cook. And his bed skills? Top-tier.

So why not?

Zhao Yiming pulled away from their embrace and looked straight into her eyes, kissing the tears from her cheeks until her face turned red.

"I hate seeing you cry like this," he said, his voice low. "So let’s go back to our apartment... and let me cook your favorite food. Alright?"

Su Meilin blinked, surprised. "You can cook?"

He laughed. "Of course I can. And I’m pretty damn good at it too."

She smiled softly. "Umm... I want braised pork ribs. And garlic stir-fried bok choy."

"Consider it done. I’ll make you the best braised pork ribs you’ve ever tasted."

They left for the supermarket, walking side by side like any normal couple. Su Meilin smiled as she watched two children picking out snacks. One of them tried to reach a biscuit box that was too high.

She stepped forward and grabbed it for them. The little girl took it with bright eyes and bowed. "Thank you, beautiful miss!"

Her brother followed, bowing politely. Then both ran off happily.

"So cute..." Meilin murmured as she watched them go.

Zhao watched her watching them. Something about the way she looked at those kids stirred something inside him. A question slipped out before he could stop it.

"You like children, Meilin?"

"Yeah," she said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "They’re adorable."

He watched her for a moment, then looked at the children again. A hint of regret swirled in his heart. He had a lot of women now... but in China, monogamous marriage was strictly enforced. Marrying all of them? Illegal. A crime.

But having children without marriage? That wasn’t illegal at all.

So he leaned in and whispered in her ear, "Do you want to try making a child with me?"

Su Meilin turned beet red and swatted his arm. "Hmph! I’d feel bad for the child. He wouldn’t even have a legal father!"

Zhao laughed. "Right... but making one would still be fun, yeah?"

She didn’t answer, only frowned, and picked up a pack of premium pork ribs. He followed behind like an obedient husband.

Then, without warning, he asked, "Why didn’t you ever have a child with your ex-husband?"

She stopped.

"You... You know what kind of person Jin Haolong was. Do you think he could be a good father?" Her voice was quiet. "I didn’t want my child to become like him."

Zhao rubbed her back gently. "Sorry. I shouldn’t have asked that."

But Meilin gave him a warm smile instead. "Don’t worry. That man can’t hurt me anymore... and I’m grateful for that."

They continued shopping in silence, side by side.

***

Zhao Yiming was on a mission.

An apron with a cartoon pig on it tied around his waist, sleeves rolled up, and hair slightly tousled from stress and pride.

He stood in the kitchen with the seriousness of a chef preparing for a Michelin review, even though the only judge watching him was currently perched at the kitchen counter, swinging her legs and munching on a grape like a princess.

Su Meilin leaned on her elbows, eyes sparkling with amusement as she watched him dramatically inspect a pork rib.

"You know you’re just cooking dinner, right? Not performing surgery on a dragon."

He glanced at her, narrowed his eyes, and with a full poker face said, "Meilin. Braised pork ribs are sacred. You don’t rush sacred things. They demand respect."

She giggled. "Yes, yes, great Pork Ribs Master."

He smirked, then tossed the pork ribs into the pot with flair—causing oil to sizzle dramatically like a fireworks display.

Su Meilin yelped and leaned back, hands in front of her face. "That’s dangerous! I didn’t sign up for fireball magic!"

"Relax," he grinned, stirring the pot like a kung fu chef from a cooking anime. "Everything’s under control."

The aroma of soy sauce, star anise, and caramelized sugar began to fill the kitchen, and even Su Meilin had to admit—it smelled amazing.

Zhao was moving around like he’d been born in a wok, tossing bok choy into another pan and adding garlic with a wrist flick so elegant it almost looked choreographed.

Of course, it was because he was once a chef in his and his ex-wife’s restaurant. Even when it was a noodle shop, sometimes he tried to make another menu.

Though, not long after that he succumbs to alcohol and gambling. But today he was glad, he learn how to cook.

"Mmm... it really smells good." She rested her cheek on her palm, watching him like a housewife watching her husband show off for once. "I didn’t know you could cook like this."

"I told you, I’m a man of many talents," he said, striking a dumb pose with the spatula like it was a sword. "The kitchen is my battlefield."

"You look more like a dork with a frying pan," she teased.

He laughed, then flipped the ribs with a satisfying sizzle.

But then, out of nowhere, he paused. Remembered how panicked he was and tried to call Su Meilin to find her location.

And asked, "By the way... why’d you turn off your phone?"

Su Meilin’s hands froze around her glass of water. Her smile twitched. "H-huh?"

"You never turn off your phone," he continued while stirring. "You’re always on Weibu uploading those weird time-lapse videos of you knitting scarves and cat plushies. It’s like your digital diary."

"But today? You didn’t answer my phone or messages and didn’t check on your phone even once."

Su Meilin lowered her gaze, fingers tracing the rim of her glass.

"I just..." she hesitated. "I didn’t want to deal with it anymore. My father kept calling..."

Zhao Yiming’s face darkened. The spoon in his hand paused mid-stir.

’So this bastard was still pestering her, even after all that?’

His voice dropped with calmness. "When he calls again, I will be the one who answers it."

"W-what?" She blinked. "Why?"

"I want to talk to him. Once and for all."

His tone left no room for argument.

Su Meilin stared at him, wide-eyed.

But Zhao Yiming had already wiped his hands on a towel and reached for her phone. His eyes were stormy now.

This wasn’t just about a phone call anymore. This was about protecting what was his.

And her father?

Was about to learn not to mess with his woman anymore.