Chapter 119
On one side, Xu Ke happily took Lin Mengyao to work, while on the other side, Li Lihua took a day off, lying in bed stretching her arms and legs, her brows never relaxing, feeling uncomfortable. At this particular time, Lin Shichang still went to work as usual, showing no intention of apologizing or accompanying her because of yesterday’s matter, making Li Lihua so furious her chest felt suffocated with pain.
“Who is it?” After having sulked all day yesterday, Li Lihua’s attitude when answering the phone wasn’t good, or even downright awful.
“Oh my, who made you so angry? This is Song Meishu. Didn’t you say last time that you bought a house? It’s been more than a month, almost a month and a half, and your house still isn’t renovated? Or did you not buy a house at all and were just fooling us?” Song Meishu’s affected voice crawled out of the phone, immediately waking Li Lihua.
“I didn’t lie to you. I really bought a house. It was just renovated yesterday. I was just about to call you when you called me first.” Li Lihua said through gritted teeth.
“Is that so? How coincidental. Can we visit today? See how your new house is, maybe even lend a hand.” Song Meishu laughed into the phone, her laughter gave Li Lihua goosebumps.
“Today is possible, but others might not have time, and today is too rushed. I’ll call you when there’s a day when everyone is free.” Li Lihua recalled what Xu Ke said yesterday, her body shook slightly, and she quickly found an excuse to delay things.
But Song Meishu wasn’t going to let her off the hook. She laughed almost immediately, “What a coincidence, we are all free today. Where’s your address? We’ll find you, you just need to cover the travel expenses, no need to pick us up.”
Her excuse blocked, Li Lihua could only grit her teeth and say, “I live in the villa at Kangshi Mountain’s summit, come over.”
After Li Lihua’s words, there was a long silence on the other end of the phone, faint sounds of gasping could be heard. The feelings bottled up since yesterday finally eased, she didn’t even feel so uncomfortable anymore.
“Why aren’t you saying anything?” Li Lihua asked, feeling relieved, a deliberate affectation in her tone, almost wiping the smile off Song Meishu’s face.
“Do you mean the Kangshi Mountain villa, the one we are thinking of?” Song Meishu tightened her grip on her phone, feeling she could crush it anytime, but her voice remained as sweet as ever.
“Isn’t there just one Kangshi Mountain in Luocheng? Or is there another?” Li Lihua deliberately feigned ignorance.
“No, we just didn’t expect you to be able to move there.” Song Meishu said dryly.
“Well then, I won’t say more over the phone, we’re heading over now, see you soon.” Song Meishu hurriedly hung up the phone.
Unable to hold back, Li Lihua laughed out loud in the bedroom once she hung up, but remembering Xu Ke’s words made her smile fade. She thought for a while and dialed Lin Mengyao, “I have a few friends coming today, let the property management know to allow them in,” she instructed as soon as the call connected.
“What friends?” Lin Mengyao frowned, instinctively glancing at Xu Ke beside her and asked back.
“Why are you asking so many questions? You don’t know my friends, why ask so much? Just let the property management know to let them in, nothing for you to worry about. Do you understand? If anything like last night happens again and I lose face, don’t bother acknowledging me as your mom anymore, I’ll act as if I never gave birth to a daughter like you.” Remembering what happened last night, Li Lihua’s face darkened and her words turned sharp.
“Can you agree or not, give me a definite answer.” Li Lihua urged Lin Mengyao from behind a monitor.
Lin Mengyao looked at Xu Ke beside her and silently repeated what Li Lihua just said to Xu Ke. Only after Xu Ke nodded did she reply to Li Lihua, “Okay, I will let the property management know soon, but let me say first, they can’t mess around with things at home, and this is the only time, absolutely no next time.”
Lin Mengyao’s warning barely registered with Li Lihua. Before Lin Mengyao could finish speaking, Li Lihua hung up eagerly, paced the room trying to put on makeup only to realize she didn’t bring any. Hesitating for a moment, thinking the house was empty, she sneaked up to the second floor and began rummaging through Lin Mengyao’s things to apply makeup.
In the office, Lin Mengyao looked at the phone after the call was disconnected and let out a bitter smile, “My mom doesn’t listen to what I say, sorry.”
“You never need to apologize to me. This isn’t your fault, and the villa was bought in both of our names, so you own half of it too. Next time something like this happens, you don’t need to ask me, make your own decision. You are my future wife for life, not my subordinate who needs to consult me about everything, you have decision-making power.” Xu Ke walked to Lin Mengyao, held her hand, and said.
“Xu Ke, thank you.” Xu Ke’s words moved Lin Mengyao deeply, she wasn’t good at expressing her feelings, only tightening her grip to convey her unease.
“Alright, get on with your work, I’ll wait by the side, don’t work overtime.” Xu Ke ruffled Lin Mengyao’s hair, smiling as he spoke, a glint passing in his eyes where Lin Mengyao couldn’t see.
Worried that Li Lihua might cause trouble, Lin Mengyao worked non-stop, using all her might to finish work quickly, and headed to the villa with Xu Ke.
Unexpectedly, when Lin Mengyao and Xu Ke returned home, the anticipated chaos hadn’t occurred. The house was full of twenty or so people, old and young, forming a circle, occupied with lively chats, while Li Lihua sat at the head enjoying everyone’s flattery.
With a broad smile, Li Lihua left the sofa to come to Lin Mengyao, first glaring sharply at Xu Ke, then making a proud face before taking Lin Mengyao’s arm and pushing her before the crowd.
“This is my eldest daughter Lin Mengyao, isn’t she pretty? I also have a younger daughter who hasn’t finished school yet. She’s just as pretty as her sister, and I’ll introduce her once she’s back.” Li Lihua held Lin Mengyao firmly, preventing her from leaving while she cheerfully introduced her to the crowd.
“Mom, what are you doing?” Lin Mengyao turned her head, whispering softly to Li Lihua.
“Won’t harm you, don’t worry,” Li Lihua glared at Lin Mengyao, muttering softly.