CHAPTER 1382: CHAPTER 1382: YOUR MAN IS TERRIFIED OF LOSING YOU

The rain was still falling when the four of them stepped out of the restaurant.

Ji Lin smiled and said, "I’ll wait until you all leave, then I’ll go back."

Luo Qiao glanced at the car not far away and said, "It’s raining; you should head back quickly. I’ll drive them home."

Just as she finished speaking, she heard Lu Yichen’s voice: "Qiaoqiao."

Luo Qiao turned her head and saw the man standing not far away. "Why are you here?"

Lu Yichen took a few steps toward them and said, "I came to pick you up."

Ji Lin raised her eyebrows playfully at Luo Qiao. "I bet he’s worried you’ll get drunk and cause trouble."

Luo Qiao blushed. "Am I really that bad when I’m drunk?"

Ji Lin laughed. "Not bad. You’re actually kind of adorable."

But inwardly, she thought, Lu Yichen must be worried that Luo Qiao would drink too much again and attract the attention of other men.

By this time, Lu Yichen had walked over and greeted the others.

Miao Shuang nudged Luo Qiao’s arm lightly. "Your man is afraid you’ll get lost."

Shen Juan added, "You two should head back. We’ll get a cab."

Luo Qiao handed her car keys to Miao Shuang. "You can drive my car and drop off Shen Juan. Just bring the car to school tomorrow."

Miao Shuang had gotten her driver’s license last summer and occasionally practiced driving Qiao Yu’s car when he was home. Luo Qiao wasn’t worried about her driving skills.

After making their plans, they were about to part ways when someone came over holding an umbrella and called out, "Ji Lin."

Luo Qiao turned to Ji Lin. "Looks like Ji Wei came to pick you up."

Miao Shuang teased, "He’s so close by, yet he still came to pick you up."

It felt like they were being fed dog food and were completely stuffed.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the group finally dispersed.

As they got into the car, Shen Juan watched the departing couple and said, "I really envy relationships like theirs."

Miao Shuang started the car and said, "Happiness doesn’t just depend on fate or luck. You also need to fight for it yourself."

Shen Juan gazed out the window, lost in thought.

Miao Shuang saw her like this and didn’t say anything, understanding that Shen Juan hadn’t fully made up her mind yet. This was something no one could help her with. No matter what decision she made, there would be challenges ahead.

It would depend on what kind of path she wanted to follow and what kind of life she wanted to lead in the future.

******

When Ji Lin got home, she told her family about Shen Juan’s situation. With an angry look, she turned to Ji Wei and said, "If I were Shen Juan, I would’ve left that man at the very beginning. She’s attractive, has a good job—why put up with such nonsense?

Suffering mistreatment and hiding it from her family, afraid of being laughed at, always swallowing her anger.

With those kinds of in-laws and that kind of sister-in-law? If it were me, I wouldn’t last even a day. I’d get my family to march over, file for a divorce, and live freely on my own. Isn’t that much better?"

Ji Lin’s mother looked at her daughter, who was fuming with righteous indignation, and said, "With your personality, only Ji Wei can deal with you. Anyone else would’ve returned you already."

Instead of siding with her, her mother undermined her. "Mom, are you really my mom?"

Ji Lin’s mother stood up and teased her daughter by poking her forehead with a finger. "Talk about divorce like it’s so easy. These days, unless absolutely necessary, who would choose that route? The gossip alone would be enough to drown someone."

Seeing Ji Lin’s forehead getting red from the poking, Ji Wei quickly pulled her to his side. "Mom, Ji Lin’s personality is great—she’s straightforward and kind. She’s much better than those people who keep everything bottled up inside. I like her just the way she is."

Ji Lin’s mother watched her son-in-law defend Ji Lin and said irritably, "Stop shielding her all the time. Sometimes you do need to say something to her."

Ji Wei stepped forward. "Mom, her personality is just fine as it is. This way, I don’t have to worry about her being bullied outside."

Well, after all that, it was clear he hadn’t taken in a word she said. Instead, she ended up being the bad guy—one willing to scold and one willing to take it.

Shaking her head, she coughed lightly. "Alright then, I’m going to rest."

Once the mother-in-law left, Ji Wei looked at Ji Lin expectantly and said, "Sweetheart."

Ji Lin smiled at her man, stood on tiptoes, and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Wei-ge, you’re amazing."

If Luo Qiao were here to witness this, she’d probably laugh until her stomach hurt.

The two shared this little intimate moment, just as Ji Lin’s mother came back to grab something and caught them. The awkwardness was palpable. She didn’t even bother taking what she came for and quickly turned around and left her daughter’s room, muttering softly, "You two better be careful."

The young couple exchanged smiles, shut the door, and then Ji Lin exclaimed, "Oh no, I haven’t washed up yet!"

Ji Wei whispered teasingly, "I don’t mind."

Back in her own room, Ji Lin’s mother heard her daughter’s voice and thought she might just start sleeping at her own place at night. If this kept happening, she wouldn’t be able to take it.

Though she was happy about her daughter and son-in-law’s strong relationship, it was still undoubtedly awkward.

Young people just couldn’t seem to control themselves. Thankfully, she had insisted on waiting until over a hundred days had passed for them to return to the country. Thinking about what Ji Lin had brought up earlier, she felt reassured that her son-in-law was truly a good person. He cared deeply about Ji Lin, practically treating her like a treasure. At least she could feel at ease.