Chapter 13: The Mother-in-Law Arrives

Lingxin Kong maintained that pitiable posture well into the night. Ze Xiao Meng was tempted several times to rush over and order her to sleep, but his reason held him back. Only when he saw her finally lie down did he relax, though even then she curled up tightly.

Ze Xiao Meng had fallen asleep in the study. Morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting mottled patterns across his sharply defined features. His eyes stung as he awoke and the first thing he did was check the surveillance footage.

On the screen, Lingxin Kong leaned half against the bed, her brows tightly furrowed—clearly still troubled by the events of the previous evening.

Seeing her so listless, Ze Xiao Meng suddenly felt a surge of irritation. As the second young master of the Meng family, he had never had to coax a woman before. He had finally managed to soothe her once, and yet she refused to appreciate it and was sulking all night! Besides, pulling off her bath towel wasn’t such a grave offense—they were legally married! With that thought, he stormed out of the study.

Just as a storm seemed about to break over the villa, the housekeeper, Sister Qi, hurried upstairs looking for Ze Xiao Meng. She caught sight of him emerging from the study on the fourth floor and, with a hint of surprise, asked, “Young master, did you sleep in the study last night?”

Ze Xiao Meng shot her a displeased glance that clearly said, “Is this any of your business?”

Realizing she had overstepped, Sister Qi quickly shifted to the matter at hand. “Second young master, the madam just called to say that the kitchen at the old residence prepared some nutritious porridge. She personally brought it over with some people. It should be here soon. You and the young mistress should get ready.”

Ze Xiao Meng was startled. If his mother saw that they were still sleeping apart, Lingxin Kong might not fare well.

He replied, “Alright, I understand. You may go now.”

Without delay, Ze Xiao Meng headed to the fifth floor. The drive from the old residence took barely half an hour, and by the time of the call, his mother was likely already on her way. Time was of the essence.

“Bang! Bang! Bang!” Ze Xiao Meng knocked forcefully on the door.

He expected to have to fetch a key to open it, but to his surprise, Lingxin Kong came to the door within seconds. She stood with arms crossed against the frame, wearing a cold expression, silent as she stared at him.

Was this the same woman from the surveillance footage who stirred a fierce urge in him to protect her?

Confused, Ze Xiao Meng had no time to dwell on the enigma that was his wife. Expressionless, he said, “My mother brought breakfast for you. If you know what’s good for you and want to avoid trouble, you’d better get your clothes and come back to our room.”

Lingxin Kong had heard enough about Madam Meng’s stern nature from her sister’s diary. Though she had never met her, she harbored a natural fear of her mother-in-law.

Startled, she turned and went inside to pack and tidy the bed.

Her movements were swift and deft, rivaling those of the professionally trained servants of the Meng household. Ze Xiao Meng watched dumbfounded.

Hugging the clothes, Lingxin Kong dashed out. Ze Xiao Meng remained rooted at the guest room door, still reeling from his tangled thoughts.

Noticing he wasn’t following, Lingxin Kong glanced back, displeased at his sluggishness.

She grabbed his arm and pulled him downstairs. “Hurry up! Look at that scruffy beard! If my mother sees you like this, who knows what she’ll say about me! Don’t make things harder for me!”

Pulled along, Ze Xiao Meng felt awkward—both physically and emotionally.

Back in their room, Lingxin Kong appraised him from head to toe, frowning. “You didn’t shower or change last night before sleeping? That’s a terrible habit. Go, take a shower and shave that beard.”

Before he could protest, she pushed him into the bathroom.

Then she began searching for his change of clothes.

Opening the wardrobe, a dazzling array of garments met her eyes. Unsure what to pick, she chose a casual outfit according to her own taste.

At the bathroom door, she knocked softly. “Hey! Your clothes!”

Ze Xiao Meng answered in a teasing tone, “The door’s unlocked. Come in.”

Clearly deliberate.

Lingxin Kong bit back her anger; she had no choice but to cooperate. If her adoptive father’s real estate company, Chang Yue, wanted to gain support from the Ding Sheng Group, she must not offend her mother-in-law, Chen Mei Lan. Otherwise, if her mother-in-law told her father-in-law, Meng Hao Quan, unfavorable things, Chang Yue would never recover. That meant she had to tolerate Ze Xiao Meng, this devil, a little longer.

She took a deep breath—good women don’t suffer losses easily.

The door opened just wide enough to slip a hand inside. She handed him the clothes. “Here, take them.”

Ze Xiao Meng stared at her slender, delicate hand reaching in, and an unmistakable stirring swept through him. “Wife, I can’t quite reach. Come in a little more.”

Lingxin Kong knew it wouldn’t be so easy, but she had no choice but to comply.

The door opened wider, her shoulder slipping inside. She grumbled, “Can you reach now?”

Ze Xiao Meng opened the door fully and gently pulled her in. She blushed furiously and tried to push him away, but it was as if she were stuck to him. No matter how hard she struggled, she couldn’t break free from his embrace.

Looking up, she glared at the man towering almost a head above her. “Ze Xiao Meng! What exactly do you want?”

Ze Xiao Meng feigned innocence. “It’s broad daylight. What else could I want? Besides, my mother is coming soon. We can’t be doing anything in here and make her wait outside.”

Lingxin Kong rolled her eyes. “If that’s all you want, then let go of me!”

At that moment, he pressed a formidable presence against her lower body. Having never had a boyfriend, she found the sensation strange and unsettling.

Suddenly, the sound of a car horn brought Ze Xiao Meng back to his senses. He released Lingxin Kong. “Go downstairs quickly. I’ll be down as soon as I’m dressed.”

Ignoring his words, Lingxin Kong moved to the sink, squeezed out a generous amount of hand soap, and scrubbed vigorously until a thick lather appeared before turning on the faucet.

Ze Xiao Meng dressed while watching her every move, feeling frustrated. What was she trying to say? Did she think he was dirty?

After hanging up the towel, she saw him dressed in a collared T-shirt and casual pants, looking effortlessly handsome.

“In clothes, you look presentable; without them, you’re worse than a beast,” she thought to herself.

Yet Ze Xiao Meng was unfazed. Like a devoted husband, he took her hand and led her downstairs. She didn’t resist, for she needed him to help her put on a show for her mother-in-law.