Chapter 56 - 55: Let’s Give the In-laws a Call

Chapter 56: Chapter 55: Let’s Give the In-laws a Call

Besides, if he switched chopsticks now, wouldn’t she think he was disgusted by her?

Xiao Ran was no fool!

He suppressed his nervousness and picked up the chopsticks from the bowl with a calm expression. "So what if we mixed them up? It’s fine. We’re family, we don’t need to be so formal."

With that, he lowered his head and started eating the noodles.

’It’s already come to this, what else can I do!’

’Just find a way to save face for everyone.’

Watching Xiao Ran use her chopsticks with such a calm expression...

...the girl’s heart, which had just calmed down, started pounding shamefully again.

’If using Brother Xiao Ran’s chopsticks counts as me kissing him... ’

’...then doesn’t him using my chopsticks mean he’s kissed me too???’

’They’d kissed each other!!!’

Oh my god!

’This is way too exciting!’

The girl with a secret crush was truly feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness, shyness and thrill, along with a secret sense of joy.

It was such a wondrous feeling!

She licked her lips, lowered her head, and quietly started eating the beef noodles in her bowl.

She didn’t know if it was because his saliva was on the chopsticks, or if it was in the bowl.

In any case, the noodles were just plain delicious.

Exceptionally fragrant!

So much so that she actually finished the entire, enormous bowl of beef noodles.

Not a single bit went to waste!

After the time it took to eat a bowl of noodles, both of them had pretty much recovered their energy.

Xiao Ran got up and paid, then the two of them picked up the large and small bags from their shopping spree and walked out of the noodle shop together.

By now, the sky outside had already darkened.

In just a short while, the sun had clocked out for the day, and the pale shadow of the moon was faintly visible in the sky.

Even the air had cooled down.

The two of them once again got on Xiao Ran’s little electric scooter, riding toward home in the pleasant evening breeze.

Back home, they placed all their purchases on the dining table.

Seeing all the bags on the table, the girl finally let out a sigh of relief.

’Today’s mission is finally complete!’

After a full day of activity, she felt sticky all over and was desperate to take a shower.

She looked at Xiao Ran and said seriously, "Brother Xiao Ran, I’m going to take a shower."

Xiao Ran paused, looking at her with a blank expression.

’Does she have to report things like this to me?’

’But since she brought it up, I guess I might as well reluctantly grant my approval.’

Xiao Ran waved his hand. "Mm, go ahead."

Having received his approval, the girl scurried happily back to her room.

She opened the closet she had just organized that morning and pulled out a set of lounge clothes from a neatly arranged stack to change into.

And her undergarments, of course.

Only then did she head to the bathroom with a cheerful spring in her step.

Not long after the sound of the lock clicking, the SPLASH of running water could be heard.

The girl inside was showering happily.

Xiao Ran was also exhausted. After gulping down a glass of water, he made a pleasant decision.

He would go back to his room and write for a bit!

After all, for a seasoned author, writing was basically a form of rest.

Doing something you love is, in itself, a comforting activity.

Besides, his novel was going to be featured in a few days, so he couldn’t afford to be careless now.

Xiao Ran’s room was the master bedroom, slightly larger than the one across the hall.

It had a white wardrobe and a double bed.

Over there was a writing desk. It was simple, but that was exactly the style he liked.

He took out his laptop, placed it on the desk, plugged in an external keyboard, and got to work.

He didn’t rush to start writing, however. Instead, he pulled up yesterday’s draft to read it over again.

The biggest advantage of doing this was to check for and fill in any gaps.

As everyone knows, romance novels are very dependent on writing quality.

Many things can’t be depicted in great detail on the first pass and need to be fleshed out.

Moreover, since Xiao Ran had no experience with the "girl-next-door" character archetype, he often found himself stumped.

He couldn’t help but wonder, ’If Yan Xici were in this situation, what would she do?’

The sound of splashing water in reality, her brilliant smile in his mind.

At this moment, his heart was in a bit of a mess.

...

Meanwhile, the more Mrs. Yan thought about it, the more anxious she became.

Finally, after being rejected twice, she called Yan Li again.

Yan Li wasn’t idle either; she was still working overtime when she heard her phone ring.

She continued with her work without even looking up, until Wang Meng, who was beside her, reminded her, "President Yan, your phone."

Only then did Yan Li pick up the phone.

Seeing the caller ID "Mom," she couldn’t help but frown slightly.

Still, she answered. "Hello, Mom."

On the other end of the line, Mrs. Yan said earnestly, "Li, Mom still wants to try and persuade you. This divorce is no small matter. It’s been so many days, your anger must have subsided by now, right? Hurry up and apologize to Xiao Ran, then remarry him."

She sincerely hoped the two of them would remarry quickly.

After all, they had been together for so many years, and a man like Xiao Ran was truly hard to find.

When it comes to building a life, reliability is what’s most important!

Yan Li knew her mom would definitely bring this up if she called.

She placed the pen in her hand on the desk, a look of helplessness on her face.

"Mom, we’re not getting back together. I have no feelings for him anymore."

"Aiya, Mom has been through this before, just listen to me! What’s all this nonsense about feelings? I have experience, I know better than you!"

"That kid Xiao Ran’s character is impeccable. Let’s not talk about other things; let’s be realistic. I guarantee that when you’re old, if you ever get sick or face some disaster, Xiao Ran will absolutely not abandon you. That’s what matters."

Mrs. Yan pleaded with all her heart.

Unfortunately, Yan Li didn’t hear a single word of it.

She said disdainfully, "In short, there is no way I’m remarrying Xiao Ran. Besides, even if I do get old, why must I have a man to take care of me? Can’t I just hire a caregiver?"

"You child, you...!"

"Aiya, Mom, I really don’t like Xiao Ran anymore. Can you understand? That feeling in my heart is just gone."

"Besides, he doesn’t want to face my cold shoulder every day either. Ending it like this is actually better for everyone."

Though her tone was helpless, it was laced with seriousness.

She knew clearly that she was no longer in love. When you’re not in love, you’re just not in love.

She was only 24 this year. She had a long life ahead of her, and the thought of spending it with someone she didn’t love filled her with regret.

"Let me tell you..."

"Mom, I can’t talk anymore. I’m working overtime. If you’re bored, why don’t you go for a walk downstairs?"

"Hey, hey..."

"Okay, bye-bye."

After saying that, Yan Li tossed the phone onto her desk.

Then she let out a long sigh and looked at Wang Meng with a helpless expression.

"Where were we on the spreadsheet?"

’It’s all because of my mom’s call. I was right in the middle of reviewing the sheet, and that one phone call made me completely lose my place.’

Mrs. Yan stared at the phone her daughter had hung up on, her eyes filled with helplessness.

It was clear that there was no hope with her daughter.

If she wanted them to remarry now, she would probably have to start with Xiao Ran.

Thinking of this, Mrs. Yan picked up her phone, opened her contacts, found a name listed as "In-law," hesitated for a moment, and then pressed dial.

...