195: Heart in turmoil

Xue Wanrong nodded and said nothing more.

But her eyes still drifted toward Wang Chen involuntarily.

That inexplicable attraction was becoming stronger and stronger.

She could even smell the faint scent coming from Wang Chen; it was very pleasant and made her heart race.

Wang Chen clearly felt that Xue Wanrong was looking at him in a strange way.

It wasn't the scrutiny of a mother-in-law looking at a son-in-law, nor was it the kind affection of an elder toward a junior.

It was just... a feeling he couldn't quite describe!

"Auntie," Wang Chen spoke tentatively, "Are you... alright?"

"Ah? I'm fine, I'm fine." Xue Wanrong waved her hand, making up an excuse while feigning composure. "Seeing you just reminded me of Yan Qiu. He's just as handsome and sensible as you!"

Wang Chen: "..."

This change of topic was so abrupt that he didn't know how to respond.

He had no choice but to change the subject to avoid making Xue Wanrong sad. "How is Uncle? He drank quite a bit yesterday."

"He's fine." Xue Wanrong smiled. "His alcohol tolerance is actually okay; he just hasn't drunk that much in a long time. He slept all day yesterday and headed to the military base early this morning."

"He probably won't be back for over a week." For some reason, Xue Wanrong blurted this out as if possessed.

Perhaps feeling that saying this to her son-in-law was inappropriate, she quickly stood up. "Um... I'll go see if A Li is awake."

After saying that, she fled upstairs.

Watching her departing back, Wang Chen looked bewildered.

What's the situation?

"The constitution strengthening fluid and life origin fluid don't have side effects, do they?"

system space.

Youyou was already doubling over with laughter on that pink cloud sofa.

Watching Wang Chen scratching his head outside, Youyou playfully made a face at the screen. "Master, I forgot to tell you. If the constitution strengthening fluid, life origin fluid, and Charisma Halo are used separately, they have no side effects on the human body. However, when put together, they are a lethal poison to members of the opposite sex who aren't blood-related—especially high-quality ones!"

"It's not that Youyou meant to trick you; it's just that you didn't ask!"

...Upstairs in the master bedroom.

Xue Wanrong pushed open the door. Bai Li was already awake, sitting on the bed in a daze.

Seeing her mother enter, Bai Li's face flushed crimson, and she subconsciously pulled the quilt up.

"Mom..."

Xue Wanrong walked to the bedside and sat down, looking at her. "Does it still hurt?"

Bai Li's face turned even redder, and she lowered her head. "A... a little..."

"It's always like this the first time." Xue Wanrong stroked her head. "You'll be fine after a day's rest."

"Mom, you... you know?" Bai Li asked in a small voice.

"What do you think?" Xue Wanrong glared at her. "Did you think I wouldn't know you snuck out in the middle of the night?"

Bai Li stuck her tongue out. "I was just... afraid you wouldn't agree."

"If I didn't agree, would I have let him stay at our house?" Xue Wanrong said crossly. "Alright, stop acting. Get up and wash up. Xiao Chen is waiting for you downstairs."

"Oh," Bai Li replied, but she didn't move.

"What's wrong?" Xue Wanrong asked.

"I..." Bai Li said sheepishly, "My clothes are in the room next door..."

Xue Wanrong: "..."

She turned and left the room, returning a moment later with Bai Li's clothes.

"Hurry up and change. I'll go prepare breakfast for you."

"Thanks, Mom!" Bai Li took the clothes and gave a sweet smile.

Seeing her daughter's happy smile, the complex emotions in Xue Wanrong's heart dissipated significantly.

As long as her daughter was happy, nothing else mattered.

She turned and went downstairs, heading back into the kitchen.

It was half an hour later when Bai Li finished washing up and came downstairs.

She still walked a bit awkwardly, but she tried her best to act normal.

When Wang Chen saw her come down, he quickly went over to support her. "Why did you come down? Why not rest a bit longer?"

"I'm hungry." Bai Li leaned against him and whispered, "Moreover, I can't just stay in bed forever, right? That would be so embarrassing."

Wang Chen helped her sit down at the dining table.

Xue Wanrong brought out a bowl of poached eggs in brown sugar water and placed it in front of Bai Li. "Eat it while it's hot to replenish your Qi and blood."

Bai Li, who had disliked sweets and eggs since childhood, looked at the two eggs in the bowl, her face scrunched up. "Mom, this isn't necessary..."

"Be good," Xue Wanrong said firmly. "Eat it."

"Fine!" Bai Li wailed in resignation. She picked up the bowl, took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and gulped down the brown sugar water in one go.

Having watched her daughter finish the "breakfast made with love," Xue Wanrong cleared the dishes, satisfied.

As soon as Xue Wanrong left, Bai Li glared at Wang Chen, who was gloating nearby.

Wang Chen rubbed his nose sheepishly, pretending not to see.

Bai Li suddenly lunged at him fiercely, her wicked claws reaching for Wang Chen's waist.

The two of them began to frolic together.

When Xue Wanrong came out of the kitchen, they were still fooling around.

"A Li, look at you! What's this behavior?" she scolded loudly on purpose.

Wang Chen and Bai Li stopped at the same time and straightened their messy clothes. Bai Li sat to the side, looking as pitiful as a well-behaved child.

Thinking she had been too harsh, Xue Wanrong walked over to Bai Li, pulled her head close, and gently stroked her hair.

Then she said to Wang Chen, "Xiao Chen, go check on the Old Master. I want to talk to A Li for a bit!"

Wang Chen nodded. "Okay!" Then he stood up and walked out.

When he got there, Old Master Bai was dressed in a Tang suit, practicing Tai Chi in the courtyard in front of the villa.

Seeing Wang Chen approach, the old man stopped, took a towel from Butler Zhang, and wiped his forehead. "Xiao Chen is here!"

His voice was full of vigor.

Wang Chen looked Old Master Bai over. The man, who used to look very old, now looked fifty at most, and his overall complexion was quite good.

He took a few steps forward and stood by Grandpa Bai. "How are you feeling, Grandpa Bai? Any discomfort?"

The old man tossed the towel to Old Zhang, took Wang Chen's hand, and patted it firmly. "Xiao Chen, thanks to you, I feel wonderful now. I could even run ten kilometers without a problem!"

"Come, come, let's go inside and chat."

...After chatting with the old man for a while, Wang Chen's phone suddenly rang. It was a message from Bai Li.

"Brother Chen, Mom said she's taking us shopping to buy some clothes for you!"

It was followed by an expectant emoji.

"Okay, I'll be back right away."

Old Master Bai didn't interrupt. Only after Wang Chen put down his phone did he ask, "Xiao Chen, is something the matter?"

Wang Chen looked at the old man apologetically. "No, it's just that A Li wants me to go shopping with her and Auntie."

"Then go ahead, don't mind this old man!" Old Master Bai waved his hand understandingly.

Wang Chen stood up and took his leave.

By the time he returned to the villa, Bai Li had already changed into a white dress.