Oh no! My grandmother made me shoulder the responsibility for eight households!

Chapter 397 Neither Take Initiative Nor Refuse

Lin Chen sensed that something was wrong with Shan Lingkongya and looked away.

If we keep watching, who knows what might happen.

Lin Chen looked at the distant sea and chuckled softly:

"From now on, you can go wherever you want and do whatever you want with your daughter. No one will interfere."

A hint of disappointment flashed in Shan Lingkongya's eyes.

The disappointment came so quickly, so quickly that it was almost imperceptible.

But Lin Chen could tell that his divine sense had been watching Shan Ling Kongya from all angles.

Every expression of hers, every look in her eyes, even every inch of her skin.

Shan Ling Kongya lowered her head, her voice soft and trembling slightly: "Thank you, Your Highness."

Lin Chen waved his hand: "What are you thanking me for? You're Xue'er's mother, so you're one of us."

When Lin Chen said "our own people," his tone was very natural, as if he were talking about something perfectly normal.

But he knew in his heart that the phrase "one of us" could be interpreted in many ways.

Shan Lingkongya raised her head, looked at Lin Chen, her lips moved as if she wanted to say something, but she didn't.

Her gaze lingered on Lin Chen's face for a few seconds before shifting away.

Lin Chen patted the railing. "Alright, go to sleep early. The wind and waves are strong tonight, be careful not to catch a cold."

After saying that, Lin Chen turned and walked towards the cabin.

After a long while, Shan Lingkongya's voice came from behind, very softly, as if she were talking to herself.

"Do I really have to take the initiative?"

Lin Chen paused, standing at the entrance of the corridor with his back to Shan Lingkongya, a complex expression flashing across his face.

There was pride, anticipation, and a sense of expected composure.

Lin Chen's heart skipped a beat, and a scene flashed through his mind.

Yamarei Sora was wearing that plain-colored kimono, her hair was loose, her face was flushed, her eyes were glistening with tears, and her lips were slightly parted...

Lin Chen quickly took a deep breath and tried to banish the image from his mind.

No, I can't take the initiative.

The moment he takes the initiative, it becomes "seduction" and "moral depravity".

It became a case of an old cow eating young grass—no, he's a young cow, and Shan Lingkongya is old… no, she doesn't look old either.

It just won't work.

But if it was Shanling Kongya who took the initiative, then it has nothing to do with him; he is the victim.

He, Lin Chen, is a "gentleman".

A virtuous person will not take the initiative.

But even a "gentleman" would not refuse.

Lin Chen's lips curled up slightly, but he didn't turn around and continued walking forward.

He quickened his pace a bit, afraid he might not be able to resist taking the initiative.

However, Lin Chen was inwardly screaming: "Give me a break! Talk is cheap! Show me some real action!"

My body is getting increasingly agitated, like a boiling pot, bubbling and bubbling.

Lin Chen sensed the uncontrollable rage and turned to head straight for Liu Shengxue's room.

I had originally planned to sleep alone tonight so that Yagyu Yuki could get some rest.

Now?

We can only make things harder for Yagyu Yuki.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Shan Lingkongya stood at the bow of the ship, watching Lin Chen's figure disappear into the cabin, her fingers gripping the railing tightly until her knuckles turned white.

Her face was flushed, her heart was pounding, her chest was heaving, and her breathing was rapid.

She cursed herself inwardly: Shan Ling Kong Ya, are you crazy? He is Xue'er's husband, what are you thinking?

But another voice is saying: When Yagyu gave you to him, did he consider these things?

You are a gift, a commodity, a tool that Liu Shengxiong uses to curry favor with Lin Chen; you are nothing.

Shan Lingkongya's eyes reddened.

Nineteen years, a full nineteen years, for nineteen years no man had touched her.

Her body, like parched land, yearns for the nourishment of rain.

Her heart was like an empty palace, longing for someone to come and live there.

Lin Chen was the first man in her nineteen years, no, in her entire life, to make her heart flutter.

It wasn't because he was young and handsome, nor because he was powerful and influential.

It's because Lin Chen was the first person to treat her like a human being.

He took her away from Dongli not because she was "the Emperor's concubine," but because she was "Yagyu Yuki's mother."

He invited her to the table to eat, not because she was a "distinguished guest," but because she was "one of his own."

own people.

These three words moved her more than any sweet words.

Shan Lingkongya took a deep breath, raised her head, and looked at the moon in the sky.

The moon was round and bright, like an eye watching her.

She made a decision in her heart.

Lingbo lay on the bed, fully clothed, with her eyes closed, but she couldn't fall asleep.

She "saw" everything that happened on the deck.

Lin Chen's fox-like smile and impatient footsteps.

She could clearly "see" Shan Lingkongya's mutterings and her restless body.

"This scoundrel, is he really my destined one?"

Lingbo cursed inwardly, scanned Liu Shengxue's room with her divine sense, then immediately withdrew it, forcing herself into a meditative state.

……

Liu Shengxue, who had been asleep, opened her eyes groggily upon hearing the noise. Seeing Lin Chen, she asked with some confusion:

"Husband? Why...didn't you say you weren't coming tonight?"

Lin Chen didn't say anything, he just sat on the edge of the bed and looked at her.

Liu Shengxue blinked and gradually came to her senses.

She saw Lin Chen's expression clearly—an expression she had seen before.

Several times now, his eyes have been a little deep, his breathing is a little unsteady, and he exudes an aura of "I don't want to pretend anymore."

Liu Shengxue's lips slowly curved into a meaningful smile.

"Husband, didn't you tell me to rest and recuperate?"

Lin Chen coughed lightly: "Plans can't keep up with changes."

"What changes?" Liu Shengxue tilted her head, her eyes sparkling, asking a question she already knew the answer to.

Lin Chen reached out and flicked her forehead: "What do you care about changes?"

Liu Shengxue covered his forehead and burst out laughing.

She didn't ask any more questions, nor did she tease Lin Chen any further.

She simply lifted the blanket slightly and moved to the side, making room for Lin Chen on the bed.

"Come on up," Liu Shengxue said softly, her face slightly flushed. "It's cold outside."

Lin Chen looked at Liu Shengxue and suddenly felt a little guilty.

"you……"

"It's alright," Liu Shengxue interrupted Lin Chen, her voice soft but firm, "Whatever my husband wishes, may be so."

She lowered her head, her ears were red, but there was no hint of reluctance in her tone.

There was even a hint of anticipation.

Lin Chen didn't waste any more words, took off his outer robe and lay down.

Liu Shengxue leaned closer, her face pressed against Lin Chen's chest, her fingers drawing circles on his clothes.

"My husband,"

"Um?"

"Did you... run into Mother again?"

Lin Chen's body stiffened for a moment.

Liu Shengxue sensed it, looked up at Lin Chen with a smile in her eyes, but did not ask any further questions.

"I didn't mean anything by it," Yagyu Yuki said, pressing her face back against his. "I just wanted to say..."

She paused for a moment, then said, "My mother has had a very hard time these past years."

Lin Chen didn't speak.

"If my husband can make her happy," Liu Shengxue's voice trailed off, becoming almost inaudible.

"I...I don't mind, and neither does Piaopiao."

After saying that, Yagyu Yuki lowered her head and burrowed into the blankets...