Chapter 121: The Promise 00

Madam Jin’s tears instantly turned to laughter, her kindly smile naturally enchanting. Were it not for the faint traces of tears still lingering at the corners of her eyes, Song Wan would have doubted everything she had just witnessed.

At this moment, Jin Youqian spoke again: “Mom, my grandmother passed away over thirty years ago. You probably hadn’t even met my father back then.”

So, where did the ‘mother-in-law’ come from?

Song Wan stared in stunned disbelief at Madam Jin, who remained calm and smiling: “...”

She glanced over and saw that Butler Feng was equally composed, as if he expected all of this.

Of course, Butler Feng had watched Jin Youqian grow up and surely knew a great deal about the Jin family affairs.

That explained why neither Jin Youqian nor Butler Feng had reacted at all earlier. Madam Jin was merely putting on an act, intending to make her—

Feel pity for Madam Jin and thus develop a favorable impression of Jin Youqian?

Song Wan wanted to ask Madam Jin one question: “How little faith do you have in your own son?”

Naturally, she was not foolish enough to say it outright.

But judging by her expression, even without a mirror, she knew it was utterly difficult to describe.

Jin Youqian’s eyes softened with sympathy as he reached out to pat her head. “You’ll get used to it...”

Song Wan: “...”

She just wanted to ask, how exactly was one supposed to get used to this?

She looked at Jin Youqian, then at Butler Feng, and finally at Madam Jin, whom she had just met. Suddenly, she lost all curiosity about Mr. Jin and Grandpa Jin, whom she had never seen before.

This whole family was truly bizarre.

Madam Jin, having been exposed by her own son’s revelation, showed no embarrassment and continued to smile warmly: “Song Wan, you can just ignore what I said. It wasn’t really meant for you anyway. But there is one thing you absolutely must remember!”

Song Wan was taken aback: “Huh?”

Why the sudden seriousness?

“My son really does like you,” Madam Jin said earnestly, making it impossible not to believe her.

Song Wan couldn’t help but glance at Jin Youqian.

He said nothing, nor did he deny his mother’s words.

A strange unease crept over Song Wan.

But when she thought carefully, she realized there had been signs all along. She had just refused to believe them... or perhaps she had believed but tried to downplay the truth.

Madam Jin’s expression softened, her gaze flickering between Jin Youqian and Song Wan. Finally, she spoke, directing her eyes at Butler Feng.

“Old Feng, let’s step aside and talk about what’s really going on.”

She stood and headed toward the kitchen, with Butler Feng immediately following.

Song Wan felt restless, but Jin Youqian patted her hand reassuringly: “Don’t worry, Uncle Feng won’t say anything inappropriate.”

Besides, although the relationship between them seemed strained, their married life recently had been harmonious, without a single quarrel. There was nothing for his mother to fret over.

“You…” Song Wan opened her mouth but didn’t know how to continue.

Jin Youqian pretended not to hear and pulled her hand as they headed upstairs. “You’ve been acting for so long without proper rest. Go to the bedroom and get some sleep.”

“But your mother…” Song Wan’s eyes were heavy with fatigue, vision blurring slightly. Madam Jin’s first visit made her hesitant to be rude.

Though their relationship was complicated by interests, appearances still had to be maintained.

After all, Madam Jin was her “mother-in-law.”

Jin Youqian was indifferent and tugged her along. “Don’t mind her. She just has too much time on her hands and is overly concerned about my marriage. She’s actually quite easygoing. You’ll understand more once you get to know her.”

Song Wan: “...” Though she hadn’t really gotten to know her yet, she already saw through the act.

Recalling Madam Jin’s pitiful tears from earlier, Song Wan couldn’t help but chuckle and stopped walking. “You’re all so used to Madam Jin’s tears, aren’t you? Does she cry like that often?”

They stood at the staircase, locking eyes.

Jin Youqian’s usually expressionless face suddenly tightened with a complex, hard-to-explain emotion.

“If you had a mother who burst into tears at the slightest disagreement, you’d become immune to her crying just like me.” He paused, his expression cold. “Actually, you’re going to go through everything I’ve experienced.”

He turned to Song Wan, his gaze meaningful. “After all, you’re now her daughter-in-law.”

Song Wan: Suddenly, a very bad premonition washed over her. Was it still possible to get a divorce now?

“Put those ridiculous ideas out of your head,” Jin Youqian said with a dangerous look. “If you dare get a divorce, believe me, my mother will definitely show up at your filming location and make a scene—crying, causing a ruckus, maybe even threatening to harm herself—painting you as a heartless woman who abandoned her husband. You’ll be trending on social media every day.”

Song Wan opened her mouth, forcing a laugh. “No way, Madam Jin is a socialite…”

“She is now, but who told you my mother was born a socialite?” Jin Youqian looked puzzled. “Don’t you know she was just a nurse at a small hospital?”

He thought for a moment and looked seriously at Song Wan. “You’ve probably seen those ‘Dominant CEO and Charming Nurse’ stories, right? Don’t worry, just picture my mother as the female lead in one of those. The details might differ, but the general plot fits perfectly.”

Song Wan: “...Dominant CEO and Charming Nurse?” What was this heavily outdated CEO romance trope?

If she remembered correctly, she’d read something like that back in middle school in her previous life.

Jin Youqian nodded without hesitation, as if it were perfectly normal.

“I remember when my parents’ love story became known, there was a long trend online pairing CEOs with nurses. My mother said it was quite realistic,” Jin Zongquan said with a complicated expression.

Song Wan was utterly confused, her mind a vast field filled with endless, galloping alpacas—

I think I married into a fake wealthy family.

“Of course, my mother’s personality isn’t that of a delicate flower. It’s impossible for only one parent to have average intelligence and produce a son as smart as me,” Jin Youqian couldn’t stop mocking. “But only my father—who completely loses his mind around my mother and is supposedly the ‘Dominant CEO’—has yet to figure this out.”

Song Wan: “...Got it.”

Judging by Madam Jin’s naturally flawless acting skills, she was no schemer but certainly no fragile flower either.

Mr. Jin must have been blinded by love.

Still...

Song Wan said seriously, “If your family’s story were a book, shouldn’t the title be ‘Dominant CEO and Charming Nurse: The Hot Mom Runs Away with the Baby’?”

Jin Youqian was speechless and choked on his words: “...”

Then, embarrassed and angry, he snapped, “Aren’t you tired yet? Why don’t you just go to bed?”

Song Wan blinked. “But your family’s story has me wide awake now. I’m not sleepy at all.”

Jin Youqian: “...”

“Do you even remember what you were supposed to ask?”

“...” Song Wan snapped back to reality, recalling the terror those over-the-top heroines once held over her.

“So, it’s too late to get a divorce now, right?” She felt like crying.

“What do you think?” Jin Youqian glanced sideways at her.

Song Wan looked up at the sky, tears welling inward, bitterness threatening to drown her—

What kind of karma have I brought upon myself?

“My mom always thought I was either gay or asexual because, compared to my father’s pre-marriage playboy ways, I was far too virtuous,” he shamelessly used his father as a comparison, subtly praising himself. “So to avoid me dying alone or bringing home a son-in-law, my mother will cling to you like a lifeline.”

Though Madam Jin was no delicate flower, she couldn’t match her son’s cunning.

Jin Youqian could almost read her mind with just a glance.

Song Wan felt like she had fallen into a den of wolves again.

“Wanwan—”

Madam Jin’s voice came from the kitchen even before she appeared, sending a chill down Song Wan’s spine.

Recalling her earlier conversation with Jin Youqian, she now wanted nothing more than to avoid Madam Jin. Before she arrived, Song Wan quickly hid behind Jin Youqian.

Madam Jin stood at the kitchen door, puzzled. “What are you two doing? Why are you standing at the staircase?”

Jin Youqian said bluntly, “Song Wan just got back from filming and you stopped her. She’s so tired she can barely keep her eyes open. Of course she’s going to bed.”

Without waiting for a response, he took Song Wan’s hand and headed toward the bedroom.

Song Wan turned her head. “Jin…”

“You should call me Mom!” Madam Jin feigned displeasure.

Song Wan tugged at Jin Youqian, then turned seriously to Madam Jin and said, “Mom!”

“Ah! That’s better!” Madam Jin beamed. “From now on, you’re my daughter-in-law.”

After thinking for a moment, she decided not to disturb the couple any longer. “The news of your marriage probably won’t stay a secret for long. Be sure to find time in the next few days to visit my husband’s father and grandfather at the old family home. Otherwise, they’ll be upset.”

She gave Jin Youqian a look full of reproach.

Jin Youqian paid no mind. “It’s not time to announce it yet.”

Song Wan sighed and cut off whatever Jin Youqian was about to say next. She agreed in advance, “I’ll find time to visit your family elders soon, but I can’t confirm the exact date yet. Please don’t be upset.”

Jin Youqian thought about it. Taking a day to visit the family home with him wasn’t such a bad idea.

With that in mind, he didn’t deny it.

Madam Jin’s face lit up instantly.

She had been too excited upon hearing the marriage news and came over without thinking. Now that she had fulfilled her purpose today, she didn’t want to overstay her welcome. After saying a word, she turned and left the villa.