CHAPTER 596: CHAPTER 596: TIRED OF IT

"I think you probably don’t want your sister and brother-in-law to suffer losses because of you, right?" Yu Xia said with a smile, squeezing Tang Zhongwei’s hand tighter until Tang Zhongwei finally gritted out a ’yes.’

"Xiaxia truly considers everything for her cousin, which makes me feel ashamed. I’m so straightforward, and sometimes I really can’t think of that much, unlike Xiaxia who has such a seven-orifice exquisite heart at such a young age." Although Tang Zhongwei seemed to be praising Yu Xia’s thorough consideration, she was actually implying that Yu Xia was conniving, urging Lin Mengyao to be wary of Yu Xia.

"Since you know your shortcomings, then learn more from Xiaxia. Let Xiaxia guide you well. Although you’re older than Xiaxia, Xiaxia is much more mature than you. You’re reaching an age when you can get married, so you can’t keep messing around like a child. Since there’s this opportunity, make good use of it, and learn as much as you can, it’s all for your good." Lin Mengyao spoke as if she didn’t understand Tang Zhongwei’s hint.

Lin Mengyao’s words carried a hint of dissatisfaction, but she mostly spoke from a senior’s perspective, advising Tang Zhongwei. Tang Zhongwei was quite attractive, with a gentle and graceful appearance. As long as she learned well, plus her support, she wouldn’t have a bad future.

Unfortunately, Tang Zhongwei didn’t see Lin Mengyao as having her best interests in mind. She felt Lin Mengyao was mocking her, humiliating her, demoting her to elevate herself, pretending to be kind to her. In reality, she was afraid Tang Zhongwei would outshine her, find a man better than her husband, step over her, leaving Lin Mengyao unable to wield her patronizing attitude. It was truly infuriating.

Tang Zhongwei’s hand under the table tightened unconsciously, wrinkling her dress.

"What’s wrong? Are you dissatisfied with my arrangement?" Lin Mengyao asked when Tang Zhongwei didn’t respond.

"No, I’ll follow my cousin’s arrangements." Tang Zhongwei pinched her thigh hard under the table before speaking.

"Alright then. Since you’re not dissatisfied with this arrangement, start learning from Xiaxia tomorrow. If you can’t keep up, I’ll arrange for a teacher to help you catch up." Lin Mengyao returned to eating nonchalantly after arranging matters for Tang Zhongwei, while only Xu Ke glanced at Tang Zhongwei.

Xu Ke had disliked Lin Mengyao’s cousin from the first moment he saw her, considering her dishonest and full of cunning. People say the eyes are the windows to the soul, and from the first glance at these windows, Xu Ke saw nothing but dirt and grime. Initially, he thought he was mistaken, but Tang Zhongwei’s behavior just confirmed it wasn’t an illusion.

Unfortunately, this person was Lin Mengyao’s cousin, so he couldn’t say much. Lin Mengyao might overthink otherwise. He really wished he could just kick her out. If she felt staying alone in Shangjing was pitiful and unsafe, he could simply buy her a house with good security and arrange for a bodyguard to protect her closely, instead of keeping her at home to disgust himself.

Even though Xu Ke thought this, he didn’t voice it, instead glancing at Yu Xia once more, then focusing on his meal as if nothing happened.

Tang Zhongwei found the dinner tasteless, leaving half the food on her plate.

"Why have you left so much? Was it not to your taste?" Lin Mengyao asked when she saw the food left on Tang Zhongwei’s plate.

"No, the chef did a great job, it’s just that I’ve gained some weight lately and need to diet, so I’m eating less." Tang Zhongwei explained.

Seeing Tang Zhongwei say this, Lin Mengyao didn’t pursue further. She could see Tang Zhongwei wasn’t happy, but didn’t take it seriously. She thought Tang Zhongwei just hadn’t figured things out yet and would realize it was for her own good in time.

Lin Mengyao dismissed the matter, but Xu Ke noticed it. Still, he said nothing, not wanting to upset Lin Mengyao. He thought of telling Grandpa Zhao about it later, knowing that with Grandpa Zhao watching, Tang Zhongwei couldn’t cause much trouble.

Yu Xia watched in slight bewilderment as Tang Zhongwei left. Turning around, she saw Xu Ke and Lin Mengyao cozy together, and her smile grew more sincere. She liked this kind of moment; it gave her a sweet sense of happiness that no one could destroy, no one! Yu Xia’s dark pupils seemed as though they could swallow any color.

"I want to go upstairs and talk to Sister Tang, so I won’t disturb you." Yu Xia’s flushed cheeks and soft, shy voice, akin to fluffy cotton candy, made Xu Ke pause before replying with a smile, "Go ahead."

He hadn’t heard Yu Xia’s voice for a long time, and suddenly hearing it again felt a bit unfamiliar. Xu Ke touched his nose, feeling he’s truly not a competent parent.

Watching Yu Xia walk farther away until she disappeared, Xu Ke sprawled on the sofa without regard for his image, resting his head on Lin Mengyao’s lap.

"Tsk, I feel like I’m not a competent parent." Xu Ke twirled Lin Mengyao’s hair with his fingers as he spoke.

Xu Ke’s seemingly out-of-context remark left Lin Mengyao momentarily puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"It’s just upon seeing Yu Xia, I suddenly felt like I’m not a good parent, unintentionally neglecting her. When Yu Xia stood up to speak, it only then reminded me that there’s still someone like a little sister with us. Do you think I’ve failed as a parent?" Xu Ke asked, gazing at Lin Mengyao with rare uncertainty in his eyes.

They were about the same age, and he had heard that having children after thirty could harm a woman’s health, so he originally planned to have kids earlier. But now, it seemed this plan might need to be postponed until he learned to be a competent dad before considering children.

Seeing Xu Ke in seldom-seen distress, Lin Mengyao didn’t just worry about him but even found it slightly amusing.

"I think you’re just fine, and this isn’t a big deal, right? You have to trust me to make up for your shortfall." Lin Mengyao ran her fingers through Xu Ke’s hair, stroking back and forth.

"It’s not about that, I can’t let our future children miss out on my share of fatherly love just for you to make up for it." Xu Ke shook his head in disagreement.

"Then what do you want to do?" Lin Mengyao’s heart fluttered slightly at the mention of children.

"How about we treat Yu Xia as a daughter for a while to experience being practice parents? Then we can consider having kids. What do you think?" Xu Ke suggested.

"Why suddenly bring up children?" Lin Mengyao’s heart pounded faster.

"I just thought that since we’ve been married for a while, and I’ve read online that it’s best for women to have children before thirty for their health, I thought maybe it’s time for us to have a baby. What do you think?" Xu Ke asked gently, gazing into Lin Mengyao’s eyes.

"I think you’re quite right." Lin Mengyao replied somewhat shyly.