Chapter 365: Jealousy – The Daily Life of the Sickly Aunt in the Courtyard

Chapter 365 Jealousy—The Sickly Little Sister-in-Law’s Daily Drama in the Courtyard

After bringing Lin Qing to Cen Xi’s room, Mrs. Cen went downstairs to prepare lunch.

Soon, only Cen Xi and Lin Qing remained in the room.

"Your mom is so welcoming!" Lin Qing said, sitting down on her own accord on the chair in front of the dressing table.

The dressing table before her was gleaming and clearly brand new—obviously a recent addition that looked a bit out of place compared to the original decor.

"Mom’s always been like that. It’s not like you’re just finding out today," Cen Xi said with a chuckle.

Lin Qing gave him a mock glare.

"You adapted so well just now! The two of you looked like you’ve known each other forever," Cen Xi remarked casually.

Lin Qing rolled her eyes at him. Since when were we that close? She hadn’t even recovered from the dizziness earlier, okay?

She’d been totally dizzy after Comrade Li drove them around, and the moment she got out of the car, she was too busy puking to react properly.

And then her first impression on her mother-in-law had been such an embarrassing moment—she felt humiliated.

Thankfully, her mother-in-law didn’t mention it at all. Otherwise, she would’ve wanted to dig a hole and bury herself right there.

Just now, her mother-in-law had immediately wrapped her in a hug, bombarding her with cheerful small talk. It would’ve been rude not to respond, right?

Where did he get the idea that they were so close?

She’d been uncomfortable the whole time, okay?

"I’m done talking to you. I’m going to take a shower."

"Want me to show you the way? The bathroom’s at the top left corner of this floor."

"Like I need your help? Mom already gave me a detailed tour earlier," Lin Qing sniffed.

Her cute little act amused Cen Xi greatly!

He’d worried Lin Qing might feel out of place visiting her in-laws for the first time, but she was doing way better than he’d expected.

"Alright, alright, your mother-in-law’s the best. Go ahead, then!"

"Right? Or do you think Mom isn’t good?"

"...Fine, fine! She’s great! Both moms are the best!" He not only praised his own mother but included his mother-in-law too. If Lin’s mom were here, she’d find it hilarious.

"Whatever!" Lin Qing decided not to argue further.

She’d taken only two steps toward the door when she suddenly remembered their luggage still hadn’t arrived.

"What now?"

"What now? Our luggage hasn’t been delivered yet. What am I supposed to wear?"

"Oh, right." Cen Xi walked over and opened the wardrobe in the room, where a few sets of his old clothes were indeed still stored.

Lin Qing followed him over. "You want me to wear yours?" She looked him up and down. "That won’t work—your clothes are way too big for me."

"I’ve got a couple of outfits from when I was around ten. These should fit." Cen Xi pulled out some clothes from before his growth spurt and dangled them in front of her to check the size.

Lin Qing took a look. "It's still a little long, but it'll work."

"No worries, these pants have a drawstring—you can adjust them."

"Okay!" Lin Qing had been on the train for two days, and now that she could finally take a bath, she couldn't wait. She'd make do with these clothes for now—their luggage was bound to show up soon.

Clutching the clothes, Lin Qing stepped out again.

Cen Xi couldn’t help but laugh at his wife’s “use and toss” attitude. Did she forget you can’t take a bath without hot water?

He sighed—what else was he supposed to do?

He went downstairs to haul up hot water for his darling wife.

"Why are you down here?"

"Mom, did you forget there's no hot water upstairs? I'm here to get some, of course!"

"Oh! You’re right—it completely slipped my mind! Hurry up—your wife’s probably waiting!"

"Mom, ever since you got a daughter-in-law, your son might as well not exist!"

"Took you long enough! You should’ve figured that out the day you married her!"

Cen Xi gave his mother a thumbs-up. "Nice. With that attitude, I’ll never be the meat in your sandwich."

"Pfft—" Cen Xi’s mother shooed him away. "Your wife and I are thick as thieves. Who needs you butting in?" She’d adored Lin Qing at first sight—her breathtaking beauty alone was enough to win her over.

If not for the fact that Lin Qing was her daughter-in-law, she might’ve hidden her away. Even after the long journey, her stunning looks remained untouched.

"Ouch! My feelings!"

"Scram!"

As Lin Qing came downstairs, she overheard the playful bickering. She’d never have guessed the usually rock-solid Cen Xi turned into such a kid around his mom!

She couldn’t help grinning—it was downright cute.

Cen Xi spotted Lin Qing from the corner of his eye and instantly stiffened, coughing awkwardly.

"Ahem!"

"Qing Qing, what're you doing down here?" Cen Xi’s mother rushed over the moment she saw her daughter-in-law.

"Mom."

"Is it about the hot water? Oh, honey! Let Xiao Nan handle it! With him around, why would you need to come down yourself?"

Before Lin Qing could get a word in, Cen Xi’s mother steamrolled ahead, talking a mile a minute.

"Chop-chop! How are you this clueless? Do you really need your wife to remind you? Honestly!" After doting on her daughter-in-law, she rounded on Xiao Nan.

Looking at his mother, who was bossing him around like a servant, Cen Xi could only sigh. "Yeah, yeah, I’m going."

"Alright, leave it to him. Let’s head back upstairs!"

Lin Qing barely got a word out before being herded upstairs.

"C’mon, let’s get you a nice, relaxing bath. When you’re out, I’ll have noodles waiting."

"Great! Thanks, Mom!" Lin Qing flashed a bright smile at Mother Cen, who was instantly captivated by it.

"Don't mention it! You go ahead. I'll go fix you some noodles." Mother Cen turned to head downstairs, still muttering to herself.

"I'll add two more eggs."

"Hmm, that might not be enough. Should I add some meat too?"

"Yeah, sure."

...

Lin Qing chuckled as she watched her retreating figure. It was just too amusing.

All her initial nervousness was gone. Mother Cen was nothing like the strict woman she'd pictured. Given that she was a military doctor, Lin Qing had expected someone stern and all-business.

But the reality was a bit different from her expectations. Though she had gotten a hint from their previous phone calls, she still couldn’t quite believe it until meeting her in person.

Cen Xi soon came upstairs. "What’s up? Now that you have a mother-in-law, you don’t need your husband anymore?"

"What kind of nonsense is that?"

"Just saying—you two are so close it’s like you’re one person." His tone reeked of jealousy.

After marrying Lin Qing, Cen Xi had imagined feeling jealous of other men—but never his own mother.

Lin Qing rolled her eyes. "She’s my mother-in-law, of course I want to get along with her. Or would you rather see us at each other’s throats?"

"Yeah, yeah. You two being lovey-dovey—so I'm the third wheel, right?"

"Enough already. She’s your own mother—can’t you be serious?"

"Get out! I need to take a shower!" Lin Qing shoved him out unceremoniously.

Once the door closed behind him, Cen Xi clicked his tongue and rubbed his nose. Rejected again, huh?