My Aloof Husband Can't Stop His Devoted Affection

Chapter 267 - 263:

"Ah, why didn’t you tell me you were coming back? I wasn’t prepared at all. Does my mom know?" Cen Jin was fully awake now, speaking while she lifted the covers and got up."Wanted to surprise you! Aunt said you got your marriage license, but both my mom and I didn’t have time to come back. Since I happened to have work here in Nancheng, I decided to come straight over. I wanted to give you a paper surprise too."

"Really? Then I’ll come and pick you up now..."

"No need, I’ll just take a cab to Aunt’s place. Is Aunt at home or at the shop around this time?"

Cen Jin sighed softly, a bit helpless as she said, "What do you think? She’s not one to idle around. A while ago, she had a relapse of her back injury yet still wouldn’t rest. Just when it got better, she started worrying about the shop again. I even suggested she transfer the shop, but she was reluctant to let go."

"Is Aunt’s back injury not healed yet?" Shen Xiangchen’s tone on the other end of the line clearly shifted from teasing to worry and dissatisfaction.

"Same as always."

"The last time I called her, she said she was fine."

"Funny, she often tells me the same thing."

"Aunt’s really something. I have to take her for a thorough check-up this time and have a good talk with her."

"Okay, Cousin, I support you." Cen Jin nodded vigorously, fully agreeing with his action.

Her mother, Ms. Qin, was a strong-willed person, especially after Cen Jin’s father passed away. She never talked about her struggles and only shared when she absolutely couldn’t endure it anymore.

This habit of hers had infuriated Cen Jin countless times, but she felt helpless as well.

Her aunt’s family settled abroad many years ago and rarely came back. The two families often kept in touch via phone, and sometimes her aunt would come back for her dad’s memorial day or during Qingming Festival to stay for a day or two.

Her cousin, Shen Xiangchen, was someone Ms. Qin had watched grow up, almost like her own son. Sometimes, when Cen Jin wouldn’t listen, Shen Xiangchen’s words would be more effective.

At times, Cen Jin even felt she might not be the biological child, thinking her aunt and Ms. Qin must have swapped her and her cousin. On this, Shen Xiangchen and Cen Jin felt quite connected.

"By the way, is Aunt not back?"

"No, she’s coming back with my dad for the New Year."

"Really? Aunt and Uncle are coming back together for the New Year?" Cen Jin’s eyes lit up with joy, sparkling a little, "This New Year will be lively then."

"Of course, they have to come back. It’s such a big event, your wedding! We’re your family, so we have to come back to back you up. Even though we know Jiang Baizhou’s family well and his parents treat you well, we can’t show weakness, understood? This way Jiang Baizhou won’t dare to mistreat you." Shen Xiangchen spoke with utter conviction and vigor.

Cen Jin felt speechless listening to this, wondering if they were going to war. She was only getting married, not fighting Jiang Baizhou. Was this really necessary?

Despite feeling speechless, her heart was warm. No matter how good her relationship with Jiang Baizhou was, having someone protect her like this felt different.

It was like the fatherly love she lacked growing up; she suddenly felt that warmth from Shen Xiangchen now.

"I’ll take a cab to Aunt’s place first. If you have time, come over later."

"Sure, I’ll come over for lunch with you later."

"Okay, how about Jiang Baizhou?"

"Something came up at his school, he probably can’t leave. He should be free tonight though. I’ll call him later to check."

"Hmm, okay."

After hanging up with Shen Xiangchen, Cen Jin quickly changed and freshened up, briefly explaining the situation to Ye Lingran on WeChat, saying she wouldn’t be coming over in the afternoon.

After leaving the house, she tried calling Jiang Baizhou, but he didn’t answer. Judging by the time, he probably hadn’t finished class yet, so she left him a message on WeChat and called a cab to Ms. Qin’s ’Time Inn.’

＊＊＊

Elsewhere, when Shen Xiangchen arrived at ’Time Inn’ by cab, it was close to half-past eleven. He looked at the sign with its four characters, raised an eyebrow, pulled his suitcase in, and found the shop not too busy at that hour. He casually took a seat and called a waiter to order a dessert and a coffee.

After a bite of the dessert and a sip of the coffee, the familiar taste made him call the waiter again: "Where’s your boss lady?"

"Ah! Is there something that didn’t satisfy you?" The waiter was a little flustered by his question, worried he was about to lodge a complaint against the boss lady.

"Relax, just tell me where your boss lady is." Seeing the waiter looking so nervous, Shen Xiangchen couldn’t help but laugh, softening his tone and no longer looking as serious.

"Oh, okay, please wait a moment. Our boss lady is in the back, I’ll go get her." The waiter was still a bit uneasy, but since Shen Xiangchen put it that way, she had no choice but to comply.

"No need, if she’s in the back I’ll just go find her. Please keep an eye on my luggage for me." Shen Xiangchen took another small sip of coffee, then put it down, got up slowly, and said with a smile.

Perhaps it was because his smile was too captivating, especially those peach-blossom eyes like stars; the waiter’s heart was pounding and she completely forgot to react. It was only when he disappeared from her sight that she snapped back to her senses and rushed after him, "Sir, sir, I’m sorry, non-staff members aren’t allowed in there."

By then, Shen Xiangchen had already reached the kitchen, only to be stopped by another male waiter: "Sorry, sir, customers are not allowed beyond this point."

Shen Xiangchen paused, about to explain, when a familiar voice called from inside, "What’s happening? What’s going on?"

Raising an eyebrow, Shen Xiangchen decided to stay silent, turning his head towards the voice’s source. After a while, Ms. Qin walked out from the back kitchen, her hair tied up and a kitchen mask over her mouth. She wore a light gray long down coat paired with their shop’s signature apron, her raised hands dusted with flour.

When Qin saw him, her expression visibly froze. When she snapped back to reality, she excitedly pulled off her mask and caught hold of his shoulders, "Oh my! Xiangchen, you rascal, when did you come back? And didn’t tell me either! Let Aunt have a good look at you. It’s been over a year since we met—how come you seem thinner?"

"Aunt, I thought you might want to say, ’We haven’t met in over a year, yet I haven’t grown taller!’" Shen Xiangchen hugged Ms. Qin close, laughing as he spoke.