Endless Fall

171 Mr. Xue Dotes On His Wife

“It’s the same for any job.” Lin Jiao pursed her lips and continued eating the cake.

“It’s different.” Meng Qi opened the thermos. “If I go home to inherit the family business, I definitely won’t have to deal with this.”

“Inheriting the family business also requires learning.”

“No need.” Her take on things was too naive. “There are many people who can do things for me.”

Lin Jiao shook her head speechlessly.

She threw the empty cake box into the trash can and stopped talking about Meng Qi’s family matters. “Change your proposal first.”

“Sigh.” Meng Qi shook her head.

When she looked at the screen, she asked suddenly, “How often does President Pei go to the cafeteria?”

“I’m not sure.”

“I think it’s too difficult to meet him.”

Lin Jiao smiled and typed on the keyboard without saying anything.

She glanced at the ring that reflected light and focused on work.

Day and night alternated. The setting sun on Thursday evening dyed the clouds red and decorated the sky.

A Mercedes-Benz drove west under the neon lights and stopped at a residential building behind the municipal government building.

The second year after Xue Taiyao and Lan Ying got married, he bought a house here to make it easier for them to get to and from work.

Although the environment was not comparable to a high-end neighborhood, the property prices were still very high.

“Knock, knock—”

There was a knock on the door of the apartment on the left on the third floor.

Hearing this, Xue Taiyao walked to the entrance and pressed the door handle. He smiled and welcomed them into the house.

He had a square face and thick eyebrows, giving off an easygoing and gentle aura.

He poured tea into the cup. “Your mother took Jing to buy crayons. They’ll be back soon.”

Lin Jiao replied, “Where’s Sister Yu?” Xue Shuyu was the daughter of Xue Taiyao’s ex-wife and was a year older than Lin Jiao.

“She’s still in Bin City.”

“I heard from her some time ago that she’s preparing to be promoted to form teacher. How is she now?”

“She didn’t. She doesn’t want to get promoted again.” Xue Taiyao chatted with her about Xue Shuyu.

He turned to look at Pei Zhi. “When did you two get together? It’s so sudden.”

“Since August.” Pei Zhi had seen him many times and was not as nervous as he was when facing Lin Hongyuan.

He said, “At first, I was busy chasing after her. Then we went to Paris, so I didn’t have time to tell you.”

“Are you two planning to get married?”

“Yes, we are.”

When Pei Zhi talked about his future plans, Xue Taiyao could feel how much he valued this relationship.

He placed his right hand on Pei Zhi’s shoulder and raised his chin at the kitchen. “Do you usually cook?”

“Yes, occasionally.”

“Then come over and help.”

Pei Zhi took off his coat and walked to the kitchen.

Lin Jiao, who was left in the living room, picked up the remote control and looked for an interesting television channel. As she watched, she ate the fruits on the table.

“Sister!” Xue Jing pounced on her from the entrance, his eyes bright. “When did you arrive?”

“Half an hour ago.”

“Where’s Brother-in-law?”

“He’s in the kitchen with your father.” Lin Jiao carried him to the sofa and handed him the remote control.

She forked a piece of fruit and looked at Lan Ying. “Miss Lan, you’ve become prettier again.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, your face is very bubbly.”

Lan Ying patted her cheek and smiled like a teenage girl. “This means that the skincare I’ve been using recently is quite effective.”

“It has nothing to do with skincare.” Lin Jiao touched her face. “You are a natural beauty.”

Her serious tone made Lan Ying overjoyed.

Lan Ying was grinning from ear to ear. She looked at Xue Jing. “Jing, don’t you think I look like a fairy?”

Xue Jing looked at his mother. “Mom, you’re so narcissistic.”

Although Xue Jing also admitted that his mother was beautiful, he still thought his sister was way prettier.

Lan Ying crossed her arms and shouted into the kitchen, “Xue Taiyao, your son is saying something bad about me.”

“Xue Jing!” Xue Taiyao, who was holding the spatula, rushed out of the kitchen the next second. “Are you itching for a beating?”

He looked like he was about to hit Xue Jing’s palm with the spatula.

“No.” Xue Jing guessed that his mother would complain to his father, so he hid behind Lin Jiao.

He whispered, “I just said she’s narcissistic.”

“How can you say that?” Xue Taiyao put his arm around Lan Ying’s shoulder. “How is your mother narcissistic?”

“She said she looked like a fairy.”

“Your mother did so much to bring you up. Why can’t she be a fairy?”

Xue Jing nodded. “Sure.” He apologized to Lan Ying. “Mom, I’m sorry.”

“I’ll forgive you this time.” Lan Ying pinched his chubby face.

Seeing that he was instantly obedient, Xue Taiyao lowered his hand that was holding the spatula. “If this happens again, see if I’ll beat you up.”

Xue Jing, who did not want there to be a next time, praised his mother repeatedly until Xue Taiyao left.

While Lan Ying was in the bedroom, he said to Lin Jiao like an adult, “Mommy is becoming more and more like a child.”

“That’s because your father dotes on her.”

“Does Brother-in-law dote on you?”

“Of course.” Lin Jiao leaned against the sofa. “Your brother-in-law also dotes on me like a little kid.”

“Why is that?”

“It’s a way to show your love.” She played with his chubby hands. “You’ll understand when you grow up.”

Xue Jing did not think too far ahead.

His attention was attracted by the two bears on the TV. It was not until Xue Taiyao called for dinner that he was led into the washroom by Lin Jiao to wash his hands.

“Brother-in-law.” When he picked up his chopsticks, he said to them sensibly, “Thank you for cooking for us.”

“Not at all.” Pei Zhi picked up some food for him and treated him as his own brother. “Jing, eat more vegetables.”

“I don’t want veggies.”

“What did you say?” Xue Taiyao glanced at him, making Xue Jing quickly change his words. “I want more veggies.”

Lan Ying, who was watching their interactions, smiled.

She picked up a piece of fish and looked at Pei Zhi and Lin Jiao’s fingers. “What’s the brand of the ring you are wearing?”

“Cartier.”

“Is there a style that suits me?”

“Most of them are suitable for you.” Lin Jiao ate braised pork ribs made by Pei Zhi. “You can find it on their official website.”

Xue Taiyao then opened the official website.

“Buy whatever you like.” He fed Lan Ying as if no one was around, his eyes filled with warmth.

“How is the one with diamonds?”

“Not bad.”

Pei Zhi put his arm around Lin Jiao’s waist and finished the meal in silence.

He held her hand and led her back to the living room. “It’s rare to see someone as loyal and devoted as Uncle Xue.”