Mother Lin agreed to stay, and no one was happier than Qin Luoli.

Even though it was late at night, she tied on an apron and busied herself in the kitchen, frying dishes and simmering porridge.

Mother Lin couldn't bear to watch and wanted to help, but Qin Luoli pushed her out.

"Mom, you're here to enjoy yourself. It wouldn't be right to have you work," Qin Luoli said with a spatula in hand and a smile. "Please, just take a seat. Dinner will be ready soon. If you're bored, you can watch some TV."

With no other option, Mother Lin had to sit down.

Lin Mu sprawled on the couch and said, "Mom, don't fuss over it. Isn't a woman's job to do laundry and cook? You'll have to get used to it."

Mother Lin became furious on the spot.

A pillow flew toward Lin Mu as she scolded, "You ungrateful little wretch! You don't even offer to help, and you have the nerve to make such snide remarks? You have such a wonderful wife and you don't know how to cherish her. I don't know what good deeds you did in a past life to deserve her."

Mother Lin kept ranting, while Lin Mu could only smile and didn't retort.

To think, the mighty Emperor Zun himself was being scolded like this. Not only was he not angry, but he actually felt somewhat pleased.

Perhaps this is what a home feels like.

Soon, Qin Luoli came out with bowls and chopsticks. "Mom, it's late and we didn't have much in the house, so I just threw something simple together."

On the table were three dishes, a soup, and a pot of steaming millet porridge, all looking delicious and presentable.

Lin Mu looked at Qin Luoli with surprise.

This woman can cook?

He took a bite. It was quite good, actually delicious.

"You, why aren't you serving your wife some rice? Don't you have any sense?" Mother Lin rapped Lin Mu with her chopsticks and continued to lecture him.

Lin Mu opened his mouth, looking gloomily at his mother.

Who's your real son here?

Qin Luoli shot Lin Mu a triumphant glance before putting on a pitiful expression for Mother Lin. "Mom, please don't say that. I... I'm used to it."

Seeing Qin Luoli's tearful, pitiful look, Lin Mu was stunned.

This woman... she's this good at acting? He should have known.

Mother Lin's heart immediately ached for her. Taking Qin Luoli's hand, she said sympathetically, "You've been wronged."

Then, assuming her authority as the head of the family, she declared, "Girl, don't be afraid. If this little rascal dares to bully you again, just tell me. I'll teach him a lesson for you."

"Mom, you're the best!"

Appearing deeply moved, Qin Luoli obediently served Mother Lin some food. "Mom, have some of this. It's delicious. Eat more."

"Alright, alright. You eat too."

Mother Lin was beaming, her face a picture of happiness. The more she looked at Qin Luoli, the more she liked her.

Such a beautiful, virtuous, kind, and filial girl... she's simply the most perfect daughter-in-law in the world. I've decided, while I still have the strength, I'll stay here for a while and discipline my son properly. It's simply outrageous that he doesn't cherish such a wonderful wife!

Meanwhile, Qin Luoli gave Lin Mu a sly look, her heart brimming with triumph.

Hmph. Let's see you try to escape my grasp now!

That meal was a joyous affair for Qin Luoli and Mother Lin, full of laughter and pleasant conversation. As for Lin Mu, he was utterly ignored by the two women. After hastily gobbling down a few bites, he went upstairs.

"You rascal, where are you going?" Mother Lin called out.

"To sleep. What else?" Lin Mu said, a mix of amusement and resignation in his voice.

Mother Lin glared at him. "Sleep? What about Luo Li?"

"She's sleeping in her room," Lin Mu said reflexively.

Mother Lin paused. Her gaze followed his, and her eyes instantly reddened. Lin Mu's room was a small, single room next to the stairs, containing only a bed and a desk. This obviously wasn't their marital bedroom.

Seeing this, she understood everything.

"Xiao Mu, you..." Mother Lin grasped Lin Mu's hand. No matter how much she reprimanded him, he was still her son. Seeing the way he was treated in this house, she began to cry silently.

"Mom, this room was actually saved for you! Lin Mu was just tidying it up," Qin Luoli explained, rushing over.

Mother Lin asked in confusion, "Prepared for me?"

Qin Luoli shot desperate looks at Lin Mu. "Yes. Lin Mu said you might come to stay, so he's been keeping it for you all this time."

"Xiao Mu, is that true?" Mother Lin asked.

Seeing Qin Luoli's pleading gaze, Lin Mu nodded. "Yes, that's right."

Mother Lin breathed a sigh of relief. She walked into the room and announced, "Then this room is mine. You two, go back to sleep in your room."

She wasn't foolish. She could see the awkwardness in their earlier reactions. Staring at the closed door, Mother Lin was left speechless.

"What now? Am I really supposed to go to your room?" Lin Mu frowned, looking reluctant.

Qin Luoli became instantly furious. This jerk! What's with that expression? Is he disgusted with me?

"Hmph. In your dreams!" Qin Luoli had only been trying to placate her mother-in-law, but now she was at a loss.

Lin Mu turned to leave. "I'll sleep on the couch."

Qin Luoli hurriedly chased after him and grabbed his arm. "Hey, you can't do that! If Mom gets up in the middle of the night and sees you, she'll scold me to death! You might be able to take it, but I can't."

I just made a good impression on her. How would she see me if she found out we sleep in separate rooms?

"This won't work, that won't work. What do you want?" Lin Mu asked impatiently.

Qin Luoli thought for a moment, then her eyes lit up. "Follow me."

She pulled Lin Mu into her room.

It was a sea of pink, filled with countless toys. A desk by the window was likely her workspace. However, on the large pink bed, Lin Mu saw several pairs of panties and some bras, all very trendy...

Qin Luoli's face flushed crimson. She scrambled to gather the items, stammering, "You keep looking and I'll gouge your eyes out!"

Lin Mu smirked and lay down on the bed.

"Hey! What are you doing?" Qin Luoli fumed.

"I'm sleeping on the bed. You figure something else out," Lin Mu said, turning his back to her.

Qin Luoli was enraged. This jerk is going too far!

"Get up right now!" She stepped forward to pull at Lin Mu. This is my bed! How can I let a man sleep on it?

"AH!"

However, with so many toys on the floor, Qin Luoli lost her footing and stumbled, falling right toward Lin Mu. He turned and instinctively wrapped his arms around her.

His arms were filled with a sweet fragrance. She felt warm and soft.

"You... let go of me!" Held by Lin Mu, the strong masculine scent from his body made Qin Luoli's heart pound wildly, her face flushing a shade of red so deep it looked like it might bleed.

"Don't move!" Lin Mu said suddenly.

Qin Luoli's body stiffened, and she froze in his embrace. Outside the door, the soft sound of footsteps slowly faded away, sending a shiver through her.

Just now... was Mother Lin actually eavesdropping on us?

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