583. Outing 【6/20】
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The next day, Lin Nan’s mother showed up.
Auntie intentionally skipped going to the shop, wanting to take the two kids out with Lin Nan’s mother.
Their relationship as in-laws was getting better and better. Auntie felt sorry for Lin Nan’s mother, who divorced at over forty, so she took special care of her. Early in the morning, as soon as Lin Nan’s mother arrived at Chen Yao’s home, Auntie had already prepared a box of crabs.
“These crabs are for you to take home and eat, to help your grandpa’s health.”
“And these zongzi, we wrapped too many at the shop, so I packed some for you. Don’t forget to take them!”
“I know a great hair salon. After we eat, how about we go get our hair done together and then enjoy a foot soak?”
Lin Nan’s mother pushed back a bit, but eventually, she accepted Auntie’s good intentions with a sigh.
Meanwhile, Lin Nan had just woken up. Hearing the noise in the living room, she yawned and rubbed her messy hair before peeking out of her bedroom to see the two women.
“Mom, Grandpa has gout; he can’t eat seafood,” she reminded her mother.
Gout is a metabolic disease, not related to immunity, and the magical treatments Lin Nan knew didn’t work much either. Coastal folks eat seafood a lot, and with her grandpa washing down the crabs with booze daily, it’s no wonder he ended up with gout.
Auntie raised her eyebrows in surprise. “But I saw your grandpa drinking quite a bit?”
Lin Nan’s mother looked helpless. “Well, he’s not really afraid of the pain, is he?”
After chatting a bit about gout, Lin Nan’s mother beckoned her over. Reluctantly, Lin Nan sat on the couch, flanked by her future mother-in-law on the left and her own mom on the right. Before long, they diverted the conversation to her, each grabbing a handful of her hair to play stylist.
“Lin Nan should start calling me ‘Mom’; otherwise, your future mother-in-law might get upset,” her mother said cheerfully as she braided the right side of Lin Nan’s hair.
Lin Nan felt a bit helpless. While she got along well with Auntie, they had only known each other for six months, and she wasn’t married to Chen Yao yet. It felt too soon to call anyone “Mom.”
“But you both are here, I…” she tried to decline.
Auntie was more easygoing about it, waving off her hesitation. “No worries! Once Lin Nan and Chen Yao are married, she’ll call you ‘Mom’ naturally.”
“Is Chen Yao still sleeping?” Auntie clipped a butterfly-shaped clip onto Lin Nan’s left ponytail.
“Yeah, he’s still snoring; he didn’t sleep until past three last night,” Lin Nan replied with a nod.
Auntie’s face turned disapproving as she suggested, “The next time he snores, just pinch his nose with a clip and make sure he doesn’t disturb your beauty sleep.”
What a loving touch!
The hustle and bustle in the living room eventually woke up Chen Yao. He emerged from his bedroom shirtless and looking completely dazed, swaggering towards the kitchen for his breakfast milk.
But as he stepped into the living room, he spotted Lin Nan’s mother, and suddenly he was wide awake, awkwardly greeting her before scampering back to his room.
When he finally came out again, he was wearing a shirt.
Auntie, clearly displeased with Chen Yao’s arrival tactics, scoffed at him as he entered the living room again and ignored him, going back to fussing with Lin Nan’s hair.
Seeing Lin Nan’s hair in a chaotic ponytail on one side and a braid on the other, Chen Yao couldn’t help but burst out laughing but was quickly silenced by a glare from Auntie.
“Hey, why don’t we let the kids tidy up and head out?” Lin Nan’s mother glanced at the clock. “It’s nearly eleven!”
“Okay!” Auntie stood up and discreetly kicked Chen Yao’s calf.
How could this kid sleep in so late with company over? He should at least act like he cares instead of just standing there giggling like a fool, making people wonder if he’s got a screw loose.
Finally freed from her hairstyle nightmare, Lin Nan sulked as she undid the braid and removed the butterfly clip from her hair.
Chen Yao was still chuckling foolishly, and Lin Nan, annoyed, gave him a playful kick.
As for Lin Nan’s mother, the more she looked at Chen Yao, the more satisfied she became. She scooted closer to him on the couch and tightly grasped his hand with her slightly worn-out palms. “Lin Nan has known you for quite a while now. Honestly, in her eyes, I might not even compare to you…”
“How could that be?” Chen Yao was obviously taken aback by Lin Nan’s mother’s sudden statement.
“You know Lin Nan’s been a handful for a while, and you two are getting married soon. Be patient and forgiving. If she ever bullies you or makes you unhappy, you can come to me for comfort.”
Just for comfort? My mom told Lin Nan if I bullied her, she’d put me in a world of hurt.
Chen Yao nodded, “Don’t worry; I won’t make her mad. Besides, she has a pretty good temper.”
Though Lin Nan had changed quite a bit since becoming a woman, deep down, she still had that timid side—she might talk tough, but she quickly folded to avoid getting into a fight.
“Once you’re married, try to have kids early. Your dad and I are still young enough to help out. But a few years down the line when we’re all old and creaky, you’ll be the ones handling the kids…”
Lin Nan’s mother poured her heart out to Chen Yao for several minutes, practically handing over Lin Nan’s future to him.
She had said similar things at their engagement, but this felt more sincere without any other ears around. Chen Yao listened intently.
Lin Nan quickly washed up and changed clothes, emerging into the living room to find Chen Yao chatting with her mother. Curiosity piqued, she tiptoed closer.
But her mother noticed Lin Nan sneaking up, giving Chen Yao a gentle nudge on the back. “Go wash up already; don’t keep everyone waiting!”
“Okay!”
Chen Yao stood up and flashed Lin Nan a goofy smile, which made her feel a little creeped out.
Moments later, Auntie had finished changing and doing her makeup, transforming from the typical middle-aged housewife into a dazzling thirty-something stunner. She then whisked Lin Nan’s mother into the bedroom for a makeover, somehow making her mom look a good ten years younger.
They were similar in age and build, so when Lin Nan’s mother donned Auntie’s clothes and with her inherent beauty, she looked like a young lady.
As the four of them got ready, Auntie and Lin Nan’s mother each took one of Lin Nan’s hands and headed out, completely leaving Chen Yao behind.
With a face full of resignation, Chen Yao closed the door and glanced up at the three beauties waiting for the elevator.
So it seems it’s still girls who charm the middle-aged folk.
Why does it feel like Lin Nan stole my mom’s attention?
“What are we eating?” He stepped forward, standing behind the three women.
“EAT, EAT, EAT! That’s all you think about!” Auntie spun around, glaring at him. “Look at how fat you are! Go run a marathon tonight! Let Lin Nan supervise you!”
“A little extra weight brings good fortune,” Lin Nan’s mother added, and Chen Yao was so touched he nearly shed a tear.
