Chapter Twenty-Six: The Helplessness of the In-Laws

Su Zheng was moved as well, immersed in the inexplicable emotions that welled up inside him. He gazed at Chen Muxue’s lovely face, her eyes as intoxicating as water, and those bright red lips, unconsciously leaning in closer and closer.

Chen Muxue didn’t pull away; instead, she closed her eyes ever so slightly, letting herself be carried by Su Zheng’s emotions.

The distance between them dwindled until they could feel each other’s breath. At that very moment, Su Zheng’s phone rang.

“Who’s calling me so late?!”

Chen Muxue pulled away. Su Zheng answered the call, irritation in his voice.

The call was from Qiao Lan.

This woman really knew how to pick her timing. Couldn’t whatever she had to say wait until tomorrow?

Su Zheng grumbled inwardly.

“Brother Zheng, you’re still up, right? I just got a call—your wife’s car is fixed, it’s at the Li family’s dealership. Brother Jun asked me to tell you that you can pick it up tomorrow. He also left you a little token of appreciation—I’m not sure what it is, you’ll have to see for yourself.”

Qiao Lan rattled off everything in one breath, not caring whether Su Zheng wanted to hear it or not.

“All right, I got it. That’s all for now.”

With that, Su Zheng hung up.

When he turned around, he saw Chen Muxue had already seated herself in front of the mirror again, inspecting her face.

“Ahem… I…”

“It’s late. Go get some sleep. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

Before Su Zheng could finish, Chen Muxue cut him off coldly.

Su Zheng froze. Well, there it was again—the frosty demeanor of old. Women truly were unpredictable!

In fact, he’d misunderstood her. Chen Muxue was deliberately using that icy tone to cover up her nervousness. Moments ago, she’d been swept up by Su Zheng’s presence, her thoughts in disarray. Now that she’d calmed down, she didn’t dare meet his eyes.

“All right, we’ll head to the dealership tomorrow to pick up the car—it’s already fixed.”

With that, Su Zheng left the room.

“Su Zheng! Do you know what time it is, and you’re still in my daughter’s room? You’ve gotten bolder lately! I’m warning you, if you try anything, I’ll scratch your face to ribbons!”

As luck would have it, his mother-in-law Lü Hongmei came out of her room for some water, catching Su Zheng as he was leaving.

It was almost eleven o’clock—this was practically inviting trouble.

Lü Hongmei was both shocked and furious. On one hand, she was angry at Su Zheng’s audacity; on the other, she was amazed at how her daughter had changed these past few days, actually allowing Su Zheng into her room!

Su Zheng only smiled, heading straight for his small room and closing the door behind him.

Lü Hongmei, now wide awake, gently knocked on her daughter’s door before entering.

“Muxue, don’t think I’m nagging, but you really need to keep your distance from that useless Su Zheng. Don’t let a few sweet words fool you. I’m telling you, someone like him—wait, my heavens, your face…it’s all healed?!”

Lü Hongmei had only just started her usual lecture when she saw Chen Muxue’s flawless face and almost jumped with surprise.

“This…this isn’t a dream, is it? Oh, my precious girl, how did this happen? Did you take some magical elixir? This is wonderful, just wonderful! My precious daughter, you make me so proud. I love you so much!”

Unable to contain herself, Lü Hongmei hugged her daughter and kissed her cheek, her face alight with joy and relief.

“Mom, I’m not a little girl anymore. And by the way, my recovery is all thanks to the person you said was trying to deceive me—he just finished the last treatment for me in my room.”

As she spoke, a hint of pride and natural affection flickered in Chen Muxue’s heart—something she herself didn’t even notice.

When she mentioned Su Zheng, there was no longer any trace of the former disdain. On the contrary, there was even a subtle sense of contentment.

“Don’t be ridiculous. How could he possibly have that kind of ability?” Lü Hongmei was, of course, skeptical, her eyes full of doubt and scorn.

“Who else could it be? Have you seen me visit any doctors lately?”

Chen Muxue gave her mother a sidelong glance, her beautiful face radiating confidence.

“What are you two doing up so late, making all that noise?” Chen Jianguo, disturbed by the commotion, called out from the hallway, not wanting to enter his daughter’s room.

“Dad! Look at me.”

Chen Muxue opened the door, beaming, and even spun in place, her face aglow with happiness and joy.

“Uh…you’re all better? Hahaha…”

Chen Jianguo was stunned for a moment, then broke into hearty laughter, genuinely pleased for his daughter.

“Yes, I’m completely better. Su Zheng healed me!” Chen Muxue deliberately credited Su Zheng once more.

“Him? Hmph! My dear, you’re too naïve. Don’t let him into your room so much—it bothers me.”

Chen Jianguo’s tone was less than pleased.

“He’s my husband. What’s wrong with him being in my room? If you keep this up, I’ll move him in with me!”

In her happiness, Chen Muxue spoke without thinking. Although she felt a bit embarrassed after saying it, she didn’t take it back. In fact, she looked at her parents with a touch of defiance.

“What?!”

“No way! Absolutely not. Do you want to drive your mother and me mad?”

The couple were both anxious at her words and dared not say more, afraid that if they pushed too hard, their daughter’s rebellious streak might lead to something they’d regret too late.

Meanwhile, Su Zheng was still awake, listening to the conversation outside, a faint smile playing at his lips.

He was surprised by what Muxue had said, and for the first time, he looked forward to the days ahead.

The next morning after breakfast, Su Zheng and Chen Muxue left together.

Lü Hongmei pinched the arm of Chen Jianguo, who was sitting and reading the news on his phone. “Old man, you really need to think of something. I’m telling you, our daughter is less and less resistant to that good-for-nothing. What are we supposed to do?”

“What can I do? We had it all planned out before. For her happiness, we hoped she’d get closer to that Liang Xiaoyu, but that kid hasn’t even called lately. What am I supposed to do?”

Chen Jianguo put down his phone helplessly, looking thoroughly annoyed.

“No, I can’t just watch my daughter jump into the fire like this. I’m going to ask my friends to help find a few more good young men for her.”

Tossing aside her cleaning cloth, Lü Hongmei grabbed her phone and headed back to her room.

Chen Jianguo sighed heavily, lit a cigarette, and took a drag, his face full of resentment.

After leaving the house, Su Zheng and Chen Muxue didn’t drive the car borrowed from Qiao Lan, but chose to hail a taxi to the dealership.

On the way, Chen Muxue asked about Su Zheng’s relationship with Qiao Lan, and he simply explained that she was a former patient of his.

But Chen Muxue’s skeptical look remained, her expression less than pleased.

When they got out in front of the dealership and were about to go in, they ran into someone familiar.

Chen Peng.