Chapter 371: Making Amends

In the villa at Longjing Garden, Yang Chen sat alone on the sofa in the living room, lazily watching the pale political news on the TV. He yawned, stretching out for a cup of English afternoon tea on the coffee table. The vibrant red hue and the aromatic steam were inviting, but he was too distracted to enjoy it. His attention was focused on the kitchen.

From the kitchen, he could hear the lively chatter of four women, laughing and talking for over an hour. Even Lin Ruoxi, who rarely smiled, occasionally burst into laughter. This baffled Yang Chen; it seemed the women had completely forgotten about his existence.

Why is it taking almost two hours to prepare a meal? Usually, Wang Ma could do it alone in less than an hour! And this delay in mealtime had been happening for three consecutive days, ever since Guo Xuehua arrived!

Guo Xuehua's presence had suddenly made the house a hub of activity, filled with endless conversations. To understand the reason, we must go back three days.

Three days ago, when Yang Chen brought Guo Xuehua home, Lin Ruoxi, Hui Lin, and Wang Ma were all taken aback.

Lin Ruoxi knew Yang Chen had gone to meet Guo Xuehua but hadn't expected him to bring her home to stay for a while. Her face flushed red, her heart pounding. The usually unflappable CEO didn't know how to face Guo Xuehua, who was now practically her mother-in-law in all but name.

"Ms. Guo... hello," Lin Ruoxi stammered. For the first time, she didn't know how to greet someone, feeling she must make an effort to be welcoming. The Ice Queen was at a loss for words, unsure what to call Guo Xuehua. Calling her "Mom" seemed too forward and difficult. "Ms. Guo" sounded too formal, and "Madam Guo" seemed too distant. Lin Ruoxi was nearly overwhelmed.

Hui Lin didn't have such concerns. Having known Guo Xuehua before, she simply called her "Aunt Guo." Wang Ma, who was older than Guo Xuehua, respectfully addressed her as "Madam Guo."

Guo Xuehua, after inquiring about Wang Ma's role in the household, greeted each of them warmly. When she reached Lin Ruoxi, she glanced at Yang Chen, who showed no particular reaction, and then said to Lin Ruoxi, "You must be Ruoxi. We've met a few times before but never got to know each other well. I never expected that after all this time, we would end up as family."

Lin Ruoxi blushed deeply. Guo Xuehua's words made it clear that she already considered Lin Ruoxi her daughter-in-law, confirming that she had accepted Yang Chen as her son and was willing to accept this sudden addition to the family.

Yang Chen himself was still in a state of bewilderment. Suddenly having an "adopted" mother at home was a new experience for him, one that he was struggling to adapt to. On the way home, he almost took the wrong route several times because of his distracted state. He was too preoccupied to worry about how Lin Ruoxi and Guo Xuehua, now forming an instant mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship, would get along.

On the way home, Yang Chen had secretly used his innate energy from the "Wang Nian Yansheng Sutra" to help Guo Xuehua regulate her internal energy flow, so she wasn't as fatigued.

The group ushered Guo Xuehua into the living room. After serving a pot of Tieguanyin tea, they started chatting casually about why Yang Chen suddenly had family and how Guo Xuehua planned to stay.

To everyone's surprise, Guo Xuehua's first words to Lin Ruoxi were, "Ruoxi, your mother is Xue Zijing, isn't she?"

Lin Ruoxi's body trembled, her eyes wide with astonishment. Her already flushed face turned pale, and she reverted to her usual cold demeanor. "Ms. Guo, how do you know that?"

Even Wang Ma, who knew a lot about the Lin family's history, looked at Guo Xuehua in disbelief, wondering how she knew about Lin Ruoxi's mother.

Xue Zijing had led a quiet life after marrying Lin Kun and had little contact with the outside world. Even the Xue family, who had emigrated abroad, had little contact with her afterward.

Guo Xuehua smiled warmly, "Years ago, I was close friends with Xue Zijing. We often met when she was still in Huaxia. Although we lost contact after she moved overseas, I still remember her well. You have her eyes."

Lin Ruoxi, still in shock, nodded slowly. "Yes, my mother is Xue Zijing. I didn't know you knew her."

Guo Xuehua's eyes softened with reminiscence. "She was a dear friend. It's a small world, isn't it?"

From that moment, the conversation flowed more easily. The four women bonded over shared stories and experiences, gradually easing the initial awkwardness.

Back in the present, Yang Chen sighed, taking another sip of tea. He was grateful for the newfound family connection but couldn't shake the feeling of being sidelined. Just then, the kitchen door opened, and the lively chatter spilled into the living room as the women emerged, carrying trays of food.

Guo Xuehua led the way, smiling brightly. "Dinner's ready! Sorry for the wait, Yang Chen."

Yang Chen put down his cup, standing up with a grin. "No problem at all. It smells wonderful."

As the family gathered around the table, Yang Chen felt a sense of warmth and contentment he hadn't experienced in a long time.

When Lin Ruoxi was in high school, her mother, Xue Zijing, passed away quietly from leukemia. In fact, it was uncertain whether it was because her husband, Lin Kun, often indulged himself outside and neglected the family, that Xue Zijing became cold and distant, seemingly detached from worldly matters.

Lin Ruoxi didn't have much communication with her mother, but her aloof nature was greatly influenced by her. Besides this coldness, it seemed there wasn't much left for Lin Ruoxi from her mother. For so many years, no one had ever mentioned her mother's name in front of Lin Ruoxi, not even Lin Ruoxi herself. When thinking about the past, she mostly remembered her grandmother, not her quiet and unnoticed mother.

Guo Xuehua smiled faintly and said, "There's nothing strange about it. From the first time I saw you, I thought you resembled your mother. I just didn't realize it at the time. Recently, I learned you were the president of Lin's Yu Lei International, and I confirmed you were Zijing's daughter. Ruoxi, your mother and I actually grew up together as close friends. We went to the same schools and even the same university."

Lin Ruoxi paused for a moment, recalling the faint image of her mother, feeling her eyes moisten. "Really, my mother never mentioned it."

"Yes, Mrs. Lin was always very quiet and never mentioned Mrs. Guo to us," Wang Ma also commented.

Guo Xuehua's face showed a hint of sadness, and she sighed before turning to Yang Chen with a smile. "Yang Chen, I also found it quite miraculous initially, perhaps it's fate. Zijing and I once joked when we were young that if we had children, they should become godsiblings if they were of the same gender, and marry if they were of different genders. I thought I'd never have the chance to fulfill that promise after we lost you, but it seems fate has brought you two together."

Yang Chen looked at the sorrowful Lin Ruoxi, who seemed lost in memories. He then spoke with a sense of nostalgia, "It's not that strange. I used to think I'd never get married and would be alone for the rest of my life."

Lin Ruoxi snapped out of her thoughts and looked at Yang Chen with a complicated expression. She bit her lip, a blush spreading across her cheeks. The idea of being "destined by fate" made her feel shy and a little sweet.

Hui Lin, hearing Guo Xuehua's words, felt a bit downcast, thinking how truly destined Yang Chen and her sister were.

Guo Xuehua continued reminiscing, "Over twenty years ago, I married into the Yang family, while Zijing married Ruoxi's father. Since Yanjing and Zhonghai are far apart, and I rarely had the opportunity to come here, and Zijing being the way she was, our relationship grew distant. A few years ago, I heard from an old classmate that Zijing had passed away from illness. I was heartbroken for a long time."

"Ms. Guo, can you tell me more about my mother?" Lin Ruoxi asked timidly, feeling a bit embarrassed. Her vulnerable look was quite endearing.

Guo Xuehua smiled a bit oddly. "Ruoxi, it feels a bit formal to call me Ms. Guo, given that I was like a sister to your mother. And considering you're married to Yang Chen, you really shouldn't call me 'Ms. Guo.' If you can't call me 'Mom' yet, you can call me 'Aunt Guo' like Hui Lin does. That works too. You can always change it later when you feel ready."

Wang Ma quickly signaled Lin Ruoxi, obviously hoping that she would quickly improve her relationship with Guo Xuehua by calling her 'Mom.'

Surprisingly, Lin Ruoxi, as if finding relief, smiled sweetly and called out, "Aunt Guo."

After that, Guo Xuehua shared many stories about the past, especially about Lin Ruoxi's mother, Xue Zijing, which included many amusing incidents. The four women often laughed heartily together, and Lin Ruoxi realized that her mother hadn't lived her entire life in cold isolation after all.

To be honest, Guo Xuehua, having traveled extensively and run numerous orphanages, had excellent social skills. Her presence brought endless joy and laughter to the household.

Yang Chen, however, felt a bit strange. Given that his mother and Lin Ruoxi's mother were such close friends, why hadn't his mother ever visited Xue Zijing's grave or paid respects after her passing? Even if she was busy, she should have managed to meet up over the years after marriage.

These questions, though curious, were secondary. Yang Chen didn't dwell too much on them; he was more irritated that the women's conversation had turned cooking into a meeting.

Yang Chen had watched the morning news, then the afternoon news, and soon it would be the repeat of the morning news.

"Hey, are you done yet? I'm starving!" Yang Chen finally couldn't hold back and shouted.

From the kitchen, Wang Ma's voice came, "Master, hold on a bit, it's almost ready. We'll bring it out soon."

In no time, the four women emerged from the kitchen, carrying dishes and utensils. After placing a plate of braised fish chunks on the table, Guo Xuehua smiled and frowned at Yang Chen. "Yang Chen, you're the only man in the house. Even if you don't want to eat, you could at least help carry a plate. Why are you leaving all the housework to Wang Ma, Ruoxi, and the others?"

This was a mother teaching her son. Guo Xuehua, having experienced a tumultuous life, was a woman of clear insights. While she felt a deep sense of guilt towards Yang Chen and wanted to fulfill her maternal responsibilities as much as possible, she didn't believe in indulging him unconditionally or assuming he was always right.

She hoped to make up for her missed maternal duties while also helping Yang Chen grow into a more responsible head of the household. Over the past three days, she had observed some issues in the household. For instance, the house, the car, and everything else belonged to Lin Ruoxi, and her poor son appeared to be penniless!

Moreover, Yang Chen and Lin Ruoxi were clearly sleeping in separate rooms. While she couldn't be certain about their physical relationship, she knew they weren't a close, affectionate couple. At their age, sleeping in separate rooms indicated problems.

Guo Xuehua easily discerned Lin Ruoxi's dissatisfaction with Yang Chen. His laziness, carefreeness, occasional crudeness, and lack of seriousness were traits Lin Ruoxi wouldn't appreciate. Even as his mother, she found some of his behavior difficult to accept.

Therefore, before addressing matters with Lin Ruoxi, Guo Xuehua felt it was necessary to help her son improve some of his less admirable habits. She hoped Yang Chen could stand tall and confidently as a man in front of Lin Ruoxi. Despite some misunderstandings, Guo Xuehua's intentions were driven by her parental love and desire for Yang Chen's well-being.

Listening to his mother's scolding, Yang Chen scratched the back of his head. He wasn't used to doing housework, having had Wang Ma efficiently manage everything since he moved in. But hearing Guo Xuehua's advice, he didn't get angry. Instead, he felt a warm sense of comfort. Blushing slightly, he awkwardly laughed and ran into the kitchen, coming back with two of the hottest dishes.

Lin Ruoxi was surprised to see Yang Chen so obediently listening to Guo Xuehua. This was something she had always wanted him to do but never expected him to comply with. When she glanced at Guo Xuehua, their eyes met, and Guo Xuehua gave her a subtle wink.

Lin Ruoxi quickly looked down, feeling as if her thoughts had been seen through, embarrassed yet smiling softly.

The atmosphere at the dinner table was warm and lively. As everyone took their seats, Guo Xuehua made sure everyone had their favorite dishes. Yang Chen felt a bit out of place, unused to the bustling family dynamic but also finding it heartwarming.

As they began eating, Guo Xuehua continued to share stories from her and Xue Zijing's past, filling the room with laughter and nostalgia. Lin Ruoxi, who rarely showed her emotions, found herself opening up, smiling and even laughing along with the stories.

For the first time in a long while, the house felt like a real home. The barriers that had once seemed insurmountable between the family members began to dissolve, one meal at a time.