Chapter 14: Acting Better Than a Star

Chen Meilan’s sudden visit was not simply to see Kong Lingxin. After Peng Nan was kicked off the car by Meng Zexiao yesterday, he was utterly frustrated. Gazing toward Meng Zexiao’s seaside villa, the sight of Kong Lingxin’s face filled him with a burning desire to return and slap her.

He had almost reached his goal, so why did that damned Kong Lingxin reappear before Meng Zexiao as if reborn? And Meng Zexiao seemed so attentive to this changed woman—it was maddening!

The more Peng Nan dwelled on it, the harder it was for him to calm down. Sitting by the roadside and thinking for a long time, he came up with a brilliant plan.

From his observations, although Kong Lingxin had changed toward Meng Zexiao, she still feared her mother-in-law as before. Thus, the only way to deal with Kong Lingxin was to enlist Madam Meng’s help.

Since it wasn’t too late, Peng Nan called Madam Meng, telling her he had already visited the second young mistress, but her condition seemed off. Although she appeared fine, as a doctor, he had his own judgment—he suspected the second young mistress might be mentally unwell.

Madam Meng was shocked by the news and barely slept that night. A madwoman as a daughter-in-law would become the laughingstock of the entire city if word got out.

No, as the lady of the Meng family, she had to stop this rumor before it spread.

Now that Madam Meng held her position, she had everything she wanted; losing face was her greatest fear.

But before confirming anything, caution was necessary. Madam Meng and Lu Fang had been sisters for years. Though the Meng family now far outmatched the Kong family in power, she could not sever their sisterly bond over baseless rumors.

Using her connections, Madam Meng summoned a renowned psychiatric expert to accompany her to her son’s seaside villa. Under the pretense of delivering a nutritious breakfast to the second daughter-in-law, they intended to assess Kong Lingxin’s true condition.

Three cars arrived grandly at the villa. Kong Lingxin, arm-in-arm with Meng Zexiao and smiling brightly, descended the stairs. She frowned at the impressive scene at the door.

The Meng family was so meticulous—three cars just to deliver breakfast?

At that moment, a middle-aged woman dressed like a noble lady, adorned with a luxury watch and bag, entered accompanied by servants.

Surely, this must be Madam Meng, admired by all the elite women in City B. Kong Lingxin felt an involuntary tension rise within her. The aura of this mother-in-law was indeed formidable—no wonder her sister feared her so much.

But she was not her sister; fear solved nothing.

Their eyes met, and Kong Lingxin immediately withdrew her arm from Meng Zexiao and hurried downstairs, smiling as she spoke: “Mother, I just came back from my family yesterday. I had planned to visit you at the old residence today since Zexiao doesn’t work on Sundays. I didn’t expect you to arrive first. How can we, as juniors, feel comfortable with this?”

Madam Meng was momentarily taken aback. Peng Nan had not lied—this daughter-in-law had indeed changed. In the past, she would never have spoken such flattering words.

Yet, experienced as she was, Madam Meng concealed her surprise behind a broad smile, taking Kong Lingxin’s hand and saying, “Let me take a good look at you, to see if you have truly recovered.”

Kong Lingxin smiled gently. “Mother, you are truly attentive. Before, I was thoughtless—hurrying back to my family right after leaving the hospital, afraid you would be unhappy, I didn’t even dare call you. Please don’t take it personally, Mother. I won’t act so willfully again.”

Hearing this, not only was Madam Meng surprised, but Meng Zexiao was too. Previously, if Madam Meng scolded Kong Lingxin, she would lower her head, tears streaming, whispering only “I’m sorry.” Those three words were almost all they heard from her.

The mother and son exchanged a brief glance.

Madam Meng continued smiling: “This child is becoming more sensible—truly gratifying to me. Enough standing here, come to the table. Today I brought you barley lily porridge. The old residence hired a new chef from Guangdong who not only makes various soups but also cooks many porridges. This barley lily porridge is said to nourish and beautify—it’s good for girls to drink.”

As they spoke, the servants had already taken the insulated box from the old residence’s servants, pouring the porridge into bowls and setting them on the table.

Kong Lingxin looked blissful and then said to Meng Zexiao, “See, Mother cares for me more than you do. This barley lily porridge is for me—you’re just benefiting from it! Let’s see if you still dare bully me in the future!”

She finished with a playful face at Meng Zexiao.

Madam Meng noticed every detail. This daughter-in-law had indeed changed, though she was still far from the “madwoman” Peng Nan described.

As Kong Lingxin sipped the porridge, she praised its taste. “Mother, this chef’s skills are extraordinary. If you don’t mind, I’ll often come back to the old residence for meals. Zexiao often doesn’t eat at home, and I find eating alone tasteless. It’s much livelier with the whole family.”

Madam Meng laughed. “That would be wonderful. You used to refuse to come home to live, but you don’t work anyway. You can come back often and go shopping with me.”

Kong Lingxin nodded. “I’m not as capable as my sister-in-law. I studied Chinese literature and can’t help Dad and Zexiao much. I’ll just spend more time with you from now on.”

Throughout, Madam Meng and Kong Lingxin were in perfect harmony, as if Meng Zexiao didn’t exist. Meng Zexiao even felt a strange suspicion—was the Kong Lingxin he’d just seen the same person as this one? Her acting surpassed even the celebrities he had dated!

After breakfast, the three moved to the living room.

Madam Meng pointed to a bespectacled middle-aged man among the entourage. “Lingxin, this is Dr. Liu. Let him examine you again so I can feel more at ease.”

Kong Lingxin felt uneasy. Madam Meng’s visit clearly had an agenda. Had she discovered she was an impostor? Was the doctor here to take blood samples for a DNA test?

Thinking this, Kong Lingxin shifted uncomfortably and said, “Dr. Peng already saw me yesterday. Why do I need another check?”

If it were truly about her health, why not take her directly to a hospital for blood tests, ultrasounds, and urine exams—all in one go?

Madam Meng explained, “Dr. Peng is still young and inexperienced. To reassure everyone in the Meng family, I think it’s necessary for Dr. Liu to give you another check.”

With no reason left to refuse, Kong Lingxin nodded. “Alright.”