Chapter 168 - 166: Son-in-law, I’m Sorry...

Chapter 168: Chapter 166: Son-in-law, I’m Sorry...

Jiang Xia had wanted to make a bowl of nutritious chicken soup to help his wife replenish her strength, but unfortunately, time was too tight, so he gave up the idea.

Before he knew it, his sister-in-law’s calls sounded from outside the door. Jiang Xia paid her no mind, keeping his head buried in the crook of his wife’s neck, deeply inhaling her scent.

With sultry eyes, she breathed softly, "Xiao Man is calling for me. Get up, quickly."

Only then did Jiang Xia reluctantly lift his head. He gazed at her blushing, alluring cheeks before leaning in to kiss her soft lips once more.

"Alright, go open the door."

Lin Yanwan managed to push him away. If they kept dawdling, who knew what others might assume.

"How can I open the door like this? You have to let me cool down a bit, don’t you?" Jiang Xia said helplessly, glancing down. The tent in his pants completely blocked his line of sight; he couldn’t even see the tips of his toes.

"Serves you right!"

"And whose fault is that? Why did you have to talk about drinking chicken soup? I was even going to make it for you from scratch. Have you no consideration? How is a healthy young guy like me supposed to handle that kind of stimulation?" Jiang Xia felt aggrieved. He was still suffering.

"Hmph!"

Lin Yanwan flushed and scoffed. She was clearly talking about the chicken soup her mother-in-law had made tonight!

’Not *his*...’

After a few rounds of bickering, Jiang Xia finally calmed down. He went to open the door while Lin Yanwan adjusted her straps, hiding the few "strawberries" on her snow-white skin.

’This guy is getting more and more brazen with me. He even tried to take my clothes off just now. My parents and his are still right outside!’

"Brother-in-law~ Mom asked me to get Sis. We’re going home now."

Xiao Man blinked, looking at her sister on the bed. The atmosphere felt a little strange. ’Were they just doing... something naughty?’

"Oh, so soon? You’re not staying a little longer?"

"All you do is hang out with my sister, you never hang out with me. I was bored all by myself," Xiao Man pouted, displeased.

Jiang Xia coughed awkwardly. "Ahem, your sister wasn’t feeling well just now, so she had me give her a little massage. Next time, I promise I’ll spend some quality time with you, Xiao Man."

Lin Yanwan’s expression soured. ’What does he mean, *I* wasn’t feeling well? Doesn’t he have any clue where he was "massaging" me just now?’

"Thanks so much."

"Don’t mention it. When it comes to giving you massages, I’m a pro," Jiang Xia said with a chuckle.

"...Move."

Jiang Xia moved aside sheepishly. Xiao Man studied her sister curiously. Her expression was calm, with nothing obviously amiss, but the tips of her ears seemed a little red, her lips were plump and glossy, and her hair was slightly disheveled.

’She instantly knew what had happened.’

’Oh my god, her brother-in-law pounced on her sister again~’

Elsewhere, Ji Wanqiu and Xia Shanshan were in the middle of a prolonged, friendly farewell, exchanging pleasantries like "you must come visit again soon." The two women were getting along splendidly.

"What are you spacing out for? Go help her father," Xia Shanshan said, glancing at her son and urging him on.

"Oh, right. Dad, take it slow."

Jiang Xia quickly draped his father-in-law’s arm over his shoulder. The man was completely drunk, swaying unsteadily. It would have been difficult for his mother-in-law to get him home by herself.

"Well, we’ll be heading home then," Ji Wanqiu said with a smile to Xia Shanshan. "Remember what we agreed—you’ll come to our place for dinner in a couple of days."

Xia Shanshan smiled. "Of course. I’ll have Jiang Xia see you out."

Ji Wanqiu nodded, not refusing the offer. Jiang Xia was her son-in-law now; it was only right that he help his father-in-law.

"Be careful on your way out. Take the stairs slowly."

"We will, don’t worry!"

Lin Yanwan led her sister by the hand, walking ahead. Jiang Xia and his mother-in-law each took one of Lin Gaoyuan’s arms, slowly helping him down the stairs.

"Honey... hon... you... you go get the car. I... I want to talk with my son-in-law for a bit." Lin Gaoyuan slurred, pulling his arm from his wife’s grasp. He was clearly drunk.

"Fine, fine, go ahead and talk. It’s not like I’m going to stand in your way, am I?" Ji Wanqiu rolled her eyes. ’Honestly, he gets so willful every time he drinks. But at least he doesn’t cause a scene.’

She followed close behind, just in case Lin Gaoyuan collapsed. Given his weight, Jiang Xia wouldn’t be able to hold him up alone.

’Ji Wanqiu was curious to see what on earth her husband wanted to say.’

"Son... son-in-law... HIC," Lin Gaoyuan stammered, letting out a drunken burp.

His eyes were half-open, his gaze hazy as he turned to look at Jiang Xia. ’So this was the kid who had secretly run off with the precious daughter he had painstakingly raised for eighteen years.’

"Yes, Dad?"

Lin Gaoyuan squinted. ’That "Dad" sounds pretty good.’ It warmed his heart.

"I’m entrusting Yanwan to you. From now on, you have to treat her well, you hear me? If you dare to bully her, I guarantee your father and I will team up to set you straight." He started with a threat, making Ji Wanqiu, who was listening in, roll her eyes repeatedly.

Jiang Xia chuckled and agreed. His words were identical to what his father-in-law had said in his past life. The only difference was that this time, he wasn’t drunk and hadn’t ended up calling his father-in-law "bro."

Lin Gaoyuan’s speech was slurred. "To be honest, I was against it at first. You and Yanwan dated for such a short time. After just a few months, you probably hadn’t even fully gotten to know each other’s personalities yet. I didn’t think it was a good idea to settle down so hastily. But..."

His father-in-law stopped walking, steadied his swaying body, and continued, "But I can see you really like Yanwan. And I’m willing to believe that you’ll treat her with all your heart. I don’t ask for anything else. As long as you’re good to Yanwan and never let her feel wronged, you’ll be a good son-in-law to me, Lin Gaoyuan."

"Can you do that?" He squinted at Jiang Xia. Though he was clearly drunk, in that moment, he seemed remarkably lucid, a light shining in his hazy eyes.

"Dad, I swear on my life," Jiang Xia said earnestly.

"Don’t be so quick to talk about laying down your life. That kind of talk is just for show," Lin Gaoyuan scoffed, then said loudly, "I just want you to never change. To always be the same as you are now. Whether it’s three months from now, six months, a year, three years, or ten, right up until you both grow old, I want you to hold onto the sincerity you feel today."

Lin Yanwan subconsciously slowed her pace, her heart filling with sweetness as she listened to the conversation behind her.

’Only she knew Jiang Xia was telling the truth. The moment the ceiling collapsed, he had shielded her with his own body without a second thought.’

"Dad, I can do it," Jiang Xia replied without a hint of hesitation.

"I hope the next time I hear you say that will be at your and Yanwan’s wedding. Then, I’ll truly be able to let go. My daughter’s all grown up. For the road ahead, I hope you’ll always be there to walk it with her."

A gratified look appeared in Ji Wanqiu’s eyes. ’Old Lin’s words were actually quite profound.’

She opened the car door, and Jiang Xia helped his father-in-law into the passenger seat. Lin Gaoyuan closed his eyes and grabbed Jiang Xia’s hand, his voice barely a whisper.

"Son-in-law, I was wrong before. I flew into a rage and hit you out of embarrassment... I’m sorry..."