Just as Li Chen didn’t want Lin Yi to get hurt, similarly, Lin Yi didn’t want Li Chen to be too exhausted.
He was a man, true, but who said a woman must remain ignorant and wait in silence?
What Li Chen didn’t know was that every time he had to leave on a long trip, Lin Yi would feel restless. Even though she appeared normal on the surface, she would occasionally make mistakes at work.
"Alright, you’ve been working all day and must be tired, go rest first."
After letting go of Lin Yi, Li Chen kissed her forehead and said with a smile, "If there’s anything I need to tell you, I’ll let you know."
"Now, you should go up and rest. You have work tomorrow," Li Chen said with a smile.
"Okay." Lin Yi nodded and turned towards the stairs to go upstairs.
But Li Chen sat on the sofa, a contemplative look in his eyes.
Recently, there had been too many things for him to pay attention to, so much so that he had neglected Lin Yi’s feelings. At that thought, Li Chen couldn’t help but feel some self-reproach.
Perhaps he was indeed very busy, but if he became so busy he forgot about the people close to him, that would be going too far.
Yet, those were things Li Chen couldn’t neglect.
Thinking of this, Li Chen couldn’t help feeling a headache coming on.
First, he needed to figure out who the Black General really was.
Why did he harbor such immense hostility and killing intent towards him?
Remembering the way the Black General looked at him, Li Chen couldn’t help but feel a chill run through his body.
The Black General’s strength might indeed be formidable, but it wasn’t enough to make him fear. However, the Black General’s gaze made Li Chen shudder.
He was all too familiar with that look.
It was the way a predator stares at its prey, filled with greed.
Moreover, An Qin came from Holy Mountain. By the look of her, it was clear she knew that Andy had died at his hand, but why didn’t she show any hostility towards him?
This was Li Chen’s biggest puzzle.
In some respects, it wouldn’t have surprised him if An Qin and the Black General had joined forces to attack him. But in the end, An Qin chose to ally with him against the Black General.
Was it simply because the Black General was a bit stronger?
Li Chen frowned and took a jade pendant out from his chest.
This Jade Pendant was what he had taken from An Qin’s possession, but until now, he hadn’t had the chance to examine it closely.
Holding the Jade Pendant, Li Chen’s gaze suddenly became distant and unfocused.
Li Chen rubbed his eyes hard, confirming that he indeed hadn’t seen wrong.
On the Jade Pendant, a strong and vigorous "Chen" character was inscribed.
In that instant, thousands of thoughts whirled through Li Chen’s mind.
"Could it be related to me?"
Li Chen was still in a daze when he suddenly heard noise coming from outside the door. He raised an eyebrow. Who could be coming back so late?
Turning his head nonchalantly, he saw Lin Xiaoxiao carefully walking in from outside. When she saw Li Chen, her expression clearly stiffened.
"Brother-in-law... Uh, good evening!"
Lin Xiaoxiao said, then started to walk straight upstairs.
"Wait!" Li Chen’s voice calmly rose from behind Lin Xiaoxiao.
Lin Xiaoxiao’s figure involuntarily stiffened, then she said somewhat awkwardly, "Brother-in-law, it’s so late, I’m going to take a bath and go to bed, can we talk about it tomorrow?"
"You know it’s late, huh?" Li Chen’s voice paused, "Come here."
"Oh," Lin Xiaoxiao agreed somewhat reluctantly and then walked over to Li Chen.
"Sit down," Li Chen said, pointing beside himself.
Lin Xiaoxiao obediently sat down.
"Tell me, what were you doing out so late?"
As he spoke, Li Chen couldn’t help but twitch his nose, and a meaningful look appeared on his face.
"Alright, alright!" Lin Xiaoxiao quickly raised both hands, "Brother-in-law, I confess, I confess!"
"Tonight... I went to a bar," Lin Xiaoxiao said in a soft voice.
"A bar?" Li Chen’s eyebrows furrowed, "Do you realize you’re still a student and you should avoid places like bars?"
"Brother-in-law~~" Lin Xiaoxiao tugged at Li Chen’s arm, "I really don’t go to bars often, but this time was a special case."
"Special case?" Li Chen raised his eyebrows, "What special case? Going to a bar is wrong!"
Lin Xiaoxiao’s face scrunched up, "Come on! It’s just hanging out at a bar, what’s the big deal? Come on, brother-in-law, can you please not tell my sister about it, okay?"
"You want me to be your accomplice, huh." Li Chen couldn’t help but laugh, "No way."
Lin Xiaoxiao kept calling him while moving closer to Li Chen.
Looking at her, it seemed she was about to cling onto him.
"Don’t try that with me, I’m not falling for it," Li Chen deliberately turned his head away.
Seeing Li Chen’s reaction, a glint flashed in Lin Xiaoxiao’s eyes, and she laughed again, intentionally embracing Li Chen’s hand again.
"Brother-in-law~~ how can you be so heartless, have you forgotten who took care of you when you were injured?" Lin Xiaoxiao pouted, "It’s just a little thing, do you really need to tell my sister?"
"When it comes to safety, there are no little things," Li Chen replied, his face firm.
"I’ll definitely be careful in the future!" Seeing that acting spoiled was ineffective, Lin Xiaoxiao immediately ran behind Li Chen and started massaging his back.
Having just enjoyed Lin Yi’s massage, and now Lin Xiaoxiao was massaging him, Li Chen suddenly felt a strange sensation.
This... feels like something isn’t quite right.
"Brother-in-law, are you really my brother-in-law?"
"Of course!" Li Chen answered.
"Then do you care about me?" Lin Xiaoxiao asked again.
"Of course, I do. It’s because I care about you that I’m concerned for your safety," Li Chen replied with his eyes closed and a look of enjoyment, "But things have been pretty busy lately, so it’s better if you don’t run around outside when it’s not necessary."
"Then do you... love me?" Suddenly, such a question popped out of Lin Xiaoxiao’s mouth.
Afterward, Lin Xiaoxiao regretted saying it.
Perhaps it was because of the alcohol that Lin Xiaoxiao suddenly grew bolder; she knew that once the words were out, regret was futile.
So, after saying it, Lin Xiaoxiao didn’t back away but instead stared straight at Li Chen.
At this moment, Li Chen also turned his head.
To be honest, he didn’t know how to answer this question.
To love or not to love?
How could he answer this question?
This was his sister-in-law!
It’s true that a sister-in-law could be a brother-in-law’s comforting little cotton-padded jacket, but if that little cotton-padded jacket clings too tightly, it could catch fire!