Chen Jin hadn't expected that when Su Li said she didn't care, she really stopped caring about everything.
Every day, aside from the children's special meals for Dou Dou and Ya Ya, she didn't even cook meals anymore.
Chen Jin was overwhelmed by the sudden onslaught of trivial household chores, but finally, with Liu Yin's help running up and down, she got everything sorted out before the deadline.
"Yin Yin, thank you so much for these past few days..."
"If you really want to thank me, then treat me to a meal," Liu Yin said, rushing to voice her thoughts.
Chen Jin responded with a smile, "Of course."
She contemplated to herself that the new, ridiculously expensive private restaurant that had recently opened was quite good.
Liu Yin's eyes darted about, her head tilted to the side in a playfully mischievous manner, she looked longingly at Chen Jin, "Well, since it's you treating, I get to make all the decisions today..."
Though Liu Yin spoke casually, if one listened carefully, it wasn't hard to detect the nervousness and agitation hidden in her voice.
"Alright, you're the hero, you get to call the shots."
What Chen Jin hadn't expected was that Liu Yin actually dragged her to the market.
"What is this..."
"Outside food is expensive and doesn't taste good, it's better to cook ourselves... Besides, your stomach isn't good..." As she spoke, Liu Yin kept stealing glances at Chen Jin.
Such bold, yet not quite discreet gazes set Chen Jin ablaze.
Chen Jin wasn't oblivious to the subtle feelings Liu Yin harbored for her during their time together, but...
She could only give a bitter smile, finding herself unable to voice the words of discouragement, since the young girl was thin-skinned and she feared that piercing through this facade would cause embarrassment.
Indeed, that was the case.
Though besides this consideration, whether Chen Jin had other thoughts in her heart, only she knew.
"Dudu...."
The phone rang.
Chen Jin glanced at the mobile screen, turned her back, and signaled to Liu Yin, "I'll take a call."
Liu Yin bit her lip, her fingertips fidgeting, her eyes filled with reluctance, yet she had no choice but to stomp her foot and walk towards a fresh produce stall not far off.
She had caught a glance just now.
The caller ID showed, "dear wife"...
Chen Jin's wife... Someone she hadn't met yet...
However, in her view, given how Chen Jin never uttered a single word about his wife, it wasn't hard to deduce that she must either be unsightly or haggard.
After all, how many housewives who fall out of touch with society, revolving around children, husbands, and the kitchen, can really stand out?
Men... especially successful men, always needed an "understanding flower" by their side.
Thinking this way, Liu Yin felt much better.
The image of the haggard wife took shape in her mind, and she couldn't help but snort with laughter.
Su Li, dressed in a tender yellow dress with little white shoes, and a light yellow straw hat on her head, stood at the corner of the street, holding more than ten sticks of skewered food, eating happily.
Whispers surrounded her, but Su Li pretended not to hear, just continued to demolish the food in her hand one skewer at a time.
"You go...."
"Better you go..."
At the entrance of a bohemian milk tea shop not far off, stood three handsome young men.
They were pushing each other around, eyes fixed on Su Li.
It wasn't surprising they reacted this way, since Su Li's beauty was just too striking.
Her outfit today made her look like an early-twenties, pure and beautiful college fresh flower, and one would never guess she was actually over thirty and a mother of two.
No wonder these young men in the throes of infatuation were smitten.
The skewer restaurant Su Li found wasn't in the best location, but that couldn't outweigh its deliciousness, which she had scoured the internet to find.
Now, the spot she occupied was conveniently located right across from a market at the corner.
By coincidence, Chen Jin's conspicuous Mercedes-Benz came driving by, landing straight in her line of sight.
In his crisp business suit, Chen Jin hardly seemed like someone who belonged in this noisy and chaotic setting.
However, Su Li's reaction with her hands was quicker than the speed of her thoughts.
She swiftly finished the skewer she was holding, wiped her hands and face, then pulled out her phone and started snapping pictures of the all-too-familiar Mercedes-Benz.
As expected, the woman getting out of the passenger side and the intimate interaction between them....
So, it had all started this early.
After finishing the photos, Su Li casually made a call to Chen Jin.
"Where are you?"
------------------------
Chen Jin, true to the sharp reflexes of an urban elite, jerked his head up the moment the call ended and started scanning his surroundings.
Yet his tone remained steady, "A colleague at work helped me out with a small favor, so I promised to fulfill a small request for her."
"What request?"
Playing with her fingernails, Su Li's tone seemed intent on getting to the root of the matter.
Chen Jin was uncomfortable with Su Li's current attitude towards him. Glancing at Liu Yin, who was picking seafood nearby, he stiffened his face and said lightly, "I'll tell you when I get back."
"Are the kids behaving at home?"
"Uhh... they're fine..."
"You forgot, today Doudou went to the kindergarten, and Yaya also went for her early education class."
Her sardonic laughter over the phone was distinctly heard by Chen Jin, making a vein on his forehead bulge involuntarily.
"Oh, then it's me who forgot, I've had too much on my plate recently... been so busy my mind has turned to chaos, please bear with the household matters a bit more, I'll make it up to you later, darling."
It was rare for Chen Jin to actually praise Su Li for her contributions to the family.
Su Li couldn't help but think sarcastically, no wonder they say if a man suddenly becomes soft towards you, it must mean he has done, or plans to do something he shouldn't.
This was compensation out of guilt...
"Alright then, let's leave it at that, I won't disturb your work."
Chen Jin still hadn't moved from his spot even after the phone emitted the noise of the line being cut.
He didn't like Su Li's current attitude.
Nor did he understand what had prompted such a change in her.
Taking a deep breath, Chen Jin decided he had to have a good talk with Su Li that evening.
Unfortunately, good intentions as his may have been, he would never get the chance.
-----------------
"Have you finished the call? Then come take a look at these lobsters, they're all so big. Should I choose this one or that?"
Seeing Chen Jin put away his phone with a troubled expression, Liu Yin pretended not to notice and cheerfully pulled him towards her, showing off a large lobster.
Chen Jin gave it a cursory glance, appearing quite distracted, "Either is fine..."
This lackluster response dissatisfied Liu Yin.
But she knew if she wanted to succeed, she couldn't rush things.
Looking dejected, Liu Yin placed down the lobster and said quietly, "Do you have some urgent matter to attend to?"
"Then you better go take care of it... otherwise, you can thank me next time..."
Looking at the insincere words of the girl in front of him, Chen Jin's eyes flickered, he steadied his thoughts and said gently, "It's nothing urgent, and besides, I've already promised you..."
"I cannot break my word... otherwise, how would I have any credibility as your boss in the future..."
At his words, the sparkle in the young girl's eyes lit up instantly, and Chen Jin's mood lightened slightly as well.