Chapter 85 - Family Time
"Oh, I’m going out with my brothers for dinner today." Xiu Mei mockingly uttered the moment Lu Chen stopped in front of her table. She was still doing some quick preparations before she clocks out for the day because she was strictly reminded by Lu Chen yesterday regarding her work habits.
Contrary to how she acted hours ago, Xiu Mei has already calmed down. She didn’t actually have any plans with her brothers for dinner, she was just lying now to provoke Lu Chen in return for how he teased her before.
Disappointingly, Lu Chen didn’t show any reaction on his face and just stared hard at her before eyeing the bag beside her desktop.
"Oh." Was the only he said before snatching her bag from where she placed it and marched towards the elevator. Xiu Mei watched in disbelief at his silly actions.
So that was his plan? Grab her bag to keep her from going out?
Xiu Mei eyed her left side drawer where she kept her secret stash of money and thought for a bit. Should she continue acting as if she was still going since she still has enough money to go and have dinner with her brothers?
She gave a quick glance at Lu Chen’s back as he stood in front of the elevator.
"Forget it." Xiu Mei sighed and surrendered. She gave a quick nod at Lu Shao and to her assistant before reaching Lu Chen’s side.
It’s better to cooperate with the boss for now since this is just her first day. She’d be doomed if he pulls out the ’Do not work’ card again and stop her from coming to work for the next days.
Upon reaching the ground floor, she received the confusing and teasing gaze from her colleagues. She decisively ignored them and continued walking beside Lu Chen.
The car was already waiting for them outside the building. Lu Chen, being the gentleman husband, opened the passenger door for her. Xiu Mei climbed inside the car, she opened her arms waiting for Lu Chen to hand her bag to her but he just calmly closed the car door on her side and walked over to the other side.
He opened the car door at the back and placed the two bags on the seat before finally climbing in on the driver’s seat.
Xiu Mei glanced at her bag that was obviously being kept away from her and then she glanced at Lu Chen who looked like he didn’t do anything.
...really childish, ah.
Xiu Mei just sat quietly on the car, watching by the window every time they turned to a corner or stopped at the intersection since she couldn’t play with her phone that she put inside her bag. The silence was broken when Lu Chen finally spoke to her.
"Empty your schedule on Thursday and Friday this week."
Xiu Mei looked at him questioningly with her eyes.
"It’s the death anniversary of Lu Qiang’s biological parents. It would be the best time for you to introduce yourself to them and also help in lightening up Lu Qiang’s mood on that day."
"Oh, yeah. Sure, uh, I’ll make time." She awkwardly replied.
Xiu Mei was startled with the sudden announcement. She thought they were just going to some family trip somewhere but to be informed that they’ll be visiting the grave of her son’s biological parents, she felt her heart ache.
Remembering how Lu Qiang grew up without having the chance to meet his parents, that was the most unfortunate that could happen to a child.
Fortunately, he grew up with Lu Chen’s guidance and love. And now, she’ll be taking over the role of being her mother. Meeting his parents is definitely needed so that his parents watching over him wouldn’t have to worry too much about Lu Qiang.
The moment she got home, a bullet-like child attacked her with a hug. Since she was still on the weaker side, she almost fell backwards due to the unstable balance but Lu Chen was quick to catch her as he supported her back, preventing her from falling.
She gratefully nodded at him before turning her attention to the child. She squatted to be on the same level as him and cupped his face to pepper him with kisses.
"I’m home, love." She lovingly said.
"Welcome home, mom." Lu Qiang replied. He just glanced quickly at his dad and nodded before hugging her mom again.
The only person he’s ever comfortable with being intimate like this is with his Mom. His Dad?....he wouldn’t dare at all. His Dad was the type to dislike intimate skinship like this.
After the two of them changed into a more casual wear, Xiu Mei sat in the living room with Lu Qiang as she carefully listened as he reported what he did throughout the day.
Lu Chen was still in his study finalizing some doc.u.ments and finished in an hour. Since it was almost dinnertime, the three people all made their way towards the kitchen.
Ever since last week, she already had enough energy to cook. Because she was too bored at home, the thing she mostly enjoyed doing was cooking. At first, it was just Lu Qiang who was her assistant in the kitchen.
She noticed his interest in cooking so she enjoyed sharing her skills and recipes with him most of the time. He would follow her around like a little duck and obediently listen to her instructions like washing this, slicing that, and stuff. The kid being the genius that he is all did it perfectly.
She was already confident that Lu Qiang can at least slice some stuff without cutting his finger.
It was after the fourth night when Lu Chen noticed this family time of the two. Because he would often finish his work at home, the dinner would always be ready the time he finishes his work. He thought it was the nanny doing the cooking, but he was surprised to see the mother and son having some bonding time in the kitchen. They both looked like they were enjoying it.
At first, he warmly gazed at them as he enjoyed the scene but a little bit later, he grew slightly annoyed when he saw how Xiu Mei would always hug and kiss the kid after praising him.
Why is his wife so intimate with that smelly kid?!
He didn’t notice that a pouting expression could be seen in his face as he complained to Xiu Mei in his heart.
The wife is so heartless ah.
What’s the point of marrying her if she doesn’t look his way?
He did his best in spending time with her for the past weeks. Since he couldn’t hug, nor touch, or even sneakily attack her, he was having the most difficult time of his life in conquering the wife’s heart.
It’s a very long road ah.
Looking at the scene before him, he finally made up his mind. He followed them in the kitchen and forcefully joined the two of them. Ever since that day, the three of them would often cook their own dinner and spend time together.
Xiu Mei also saw this as an opportunity for the father and son to bond together. Since she knew that Lu Chen and Lu Qiang do not actually spend so much time together, even just cooking a simple dinner and eating together would be a great bonding time for them.
Today’s dinner is pasta. Xiu Mei divided their work, with Lu Chen and Lu Qiang handling the ingredients and her the main cooking. From time to time, she would also give some pointers to Lu Chen in cooking. He has a fair talent in cooking but remembering the French toast with eggshells, it wouldn’t hurt to teach him a little bit more.
"Wife."
Xiu Mei turned around as soon as she heard it. At first, she wasn’t used to Lu Chen calling her wife but after two weeks, she slowly got used to this endearment. It was just a bit awkward though since ’Wife’ is a very intimate endearment and Lu Chen was calling her that even if the two of them aren’t really that much in love. Perhaps people with just a spark, that’s all.
"Is it like this?" Lu Chen pointed at the seafood he was cutting.
Xiu Mei examined their work and nodded. "Perfect, just cut the rest of them and we can basically start doing the sauce now."
She was about to turn around and focus on cooking again but her eyes noticed Lu Chen’s sleeve that got a bit wet with handling the ingredients.
"Wait, show me your arm." She said as she walked to Lu Chen’s side.
The husband obediently followed and stretched out his arm. She then starts rolling his sleeve upwards to keep it from touching the counter. After finishing one arm, she quickly did the same to the other one.
She was too focused in folding the sleeves that she didn’t notice how close she was touching Lu Chen. This time, she unconsciously lessened their distance and was very comfortable with touching him.
It was only when she finished rolling both sleeves that she looked up to talk with Lu Chen. She was just about to open her mouth when she got startled seeing Lu Chen’s chin almost a few inches away from her.
"What are you doing?" She suspiciously asked, thinking that Lu Chen was taking advantage of her again. "The contract!!" she added but in a lighter voice.
"Nothing." He was really innocent this time ah! He was behaving okay since the wife is scary when mad.
"Then what’s this?"
"Mrs.Lu, it is of your own volition to stick this close to me." Lu Chen smiled, tempted to lower his arms to hug her, and pull her to him.