“Dominic Chua, you sure don’t think highly of this superstar prince, do you?” Jin Chonglin said in a grumpy voice.
“Ehehehe. What do you mean, Prince Lin Lin? My pure maiden heart always starts skipping a beat and racing like a demented stallion on sugar high whenever I watch your exciting performances. Such a handsome, sexy and talented musician like you is someone worthy of respect, so of course my beautiful and gorgeous self think highly of you.”
Jin Chonglin chuckled, clearly smug. “I’ll accept your admiration since you’re so genuine.”
“But of course, my boss is still the number one musician in my heart and my soul. Don’t worry though, Prince Lin Lin. You’re still in second place. Nobody can take it away from you unless boss and sir boss’ babies decide to become musicians in the future as well. Ehehehe.”
“Ketchup super-duper agrees with Uncle Dom! He’s one million percent correct! Mommy is the bestest musician ever in the whole wide world—no in the whole wide universe and beyond! Right, Daddy? Meow~”
Jin Liwei’s troubled expression softened at the mention of his wife and the chance to compliment her. “En. Your mom is the best. No doubt about it.”
A sulky Jin Chonglin started muttering some half-hearted complaints under his breath but Jin Liwei ignored him. There was a far more serious situation that he had to handle right at this moment. Dealing with his bewildered younger brother wasn’t on his priority list.
He tried persuading his wife again to go home where it was guaranteed to be safe and sound but Iris remained adamant in staying near the hotel’s vicinity. It was at times like these that he wished she wasn’t so strong-minded, although it was one of the traits that he loved about her. However, he had no intention of giving in to her stubborn idea this time and risk her safety and that of their twin babies.
“Father, Bacon is back,” his AI son interrupted. “Uncle Zihao wants to speak with you.”
Jin Liwei immediately accepted his brother-in-law’s call, not noticing the relief flooding within him. After quickly speaking with each other, the two men banded together to persuade Iris to go home.
###
An irritated Iris hung up on her husband and older brother in a huff.
“Overprotective cavemen!”
She punched Little Liwei’s cute, fluffy face a couple of times before pulling the huge teddy bear in a suffocating hug, strangling the poor thing while furiously inhaling her husband’s scent from the shirt it was wearing.
Jin Liwei’s scent calmed her a little but it wasn’t enough to completely remove her current frustration. She understood her husband and older brother’s concerns about her safety. Yes, she truly did.
But how could she just leave and go home at this time while knowing that an obsessive woman had a sinister plot to entrap her own husband tonight? Why couldn’t the two men understand that as much as they were protective of her, she also felt protective of them?
Her pregnancy might be limiting what she could do to help them during this time but that didn’t mean that they should treat her like a disabled person! She could still function like normal. It was only her energy that was lacking. Frustration once again flooded her at the thought of being forced into the sidelines by her husband and older brother, causing her to crush the poor teddy bear in her arms.
“Sister Xiulan, Big Bro is right,” Jin Chonglin interrupted her increasingly volatile thoughts. “Let’s go home, alright?”
She glared at him. [Read official chapters on W e b n o v e l (dot) com. Please stop supporting piracy. Also follow author on Instagram: @arriacross]
He raised both arms in mock surrender but his expression was serious. “I think that it’s best to listen to my brother this time. Rose Young’s current behaviour is reminding me so much of what I experienced with…uh, I don’t really want to remember those horrible memories but…” He sighed, rubbing his face and running his fingers through his hair. “Rose Yong is reminding me of what I experienced with…with Fan Luo back then.”
Iris froze.
“Obsessive people like them can’t be reasoned with properly. They can also be extremely dangerous. Just remember the extent of what Fan Luo and her family did back then to us and you’ll know what I mean.”
She frowned but didn’t say anything, her expression showing that she was thinking about what he said.
“I’m just saying that it’s not safe for a pregnant woman like you to stay here in what looks like a dangerous situation. Rose Young might be an obsessed madwoman just like Fan Luo. It’s better to be safe and sorry.” Jin Chonglin’s gaze dropped to her flat stomach. “Remember that you’re carrying the next generation of Jins. Even if you don’t care about yourself, you should think of my baby niece or nephew’s safety. I’m with my Big Bro in this one.”
She glared at him once again but it wasn’t as vicious as before. Her hands subconsciously went to touch her stomach and started rubbing it. She turned her head away from her brother-in-law because his words hit her where it hurt.
Was she wrong?
Were they right?
Was it really the best to leave and go home while her husband faced the current potentially dangerous situation by himself?
Her eyes dimmed but it only lasted for a couple of seconds before they flashed again with determination.
No!
During their wedding vows, she said that Jin Liwei was her other half. Meaning, they swore to be partners in life. She couldn’t just let him face this kind of danger alone. She wanted to be there for him—no, she needed to be there with him. If their roles were reversed, Jin Liwei would surely be there with her regardless of her protests.
“Uhm, boss…” a hesitant Dom interrupted. “Shall we head home now?”
“Yeah, let’s go,” Jin Chonglin said and gestured for the driver to go.
The driver, however, hesitated and didn’t obey Jin Chonglin, waiting for his lady boss’ instruction instead.
Iris already made up her mind. “No, we’re not going home. Continue to the hotel.”
“What the hell, Long Xiulan?! Didn’t you hear what I said?! How can you be so hardheaded?! Dammit! If something bad happens to you or my brother’s baby growing in your stomach under my watch, it’s not only my big bro who’s going to kill me! Grandma Li and my mom will beat me up! And Grandpa Lu who has been pining for a great-grandchild for so long will skin me alive! Ah, this is so frustrating!”
“Uncle Lin Lin, don’t forget about Uncle Haohao!” Ketchup’s adorable child voice chimed in. “Uncle Haohao is also super-duper to the highest level protective of Mommy just like my daddy! If Uncle Lin Lin lets Mommy be harmed tonight, Uncle Haohao will surely clobber you too! Oooooh, so scary~ Poor Uncle Lin Lin! Ketchup will light a virtual candle for you in advance. Meow~”
The dashboard monitor showed a white candle with Jin Chonglin’s name written on it being lit up while a fluffy, white cat smiled brightly, her expression looking so much like Iris.
“T-this kitten….” Jin Chonglin stammered, his face twisting in bewilderment.
The white cat’s smile grew wider, her green eyes glowing like emeralds. “It has been a long time coming but it’s better to be late than never. Nice to meet ya, Uncle Lin Lin! I am your super-duper to the highest level cute and mighty kitty niece Jin Ketchup, English name Kitty Jin, wielding the powerful paws of justice to defend our happy family from hateful poopoo-heads like that Rafflesia Rose Young Arnoldii!
“If Uncle Lin Lin needs help in any way, feel free to hire from Ketchup’s own company called White Tigress Virtual Assistant Services! You are my uncle so Ketchup will give you a family discount! Meow~”
Jin Chonglin blinked, not knowing what to say.
“Oh, Bacooooooon~ Come here for a sec and introduce yourself to our Uncle Lin Lin! Meow~”
A stoic black cat with glowing golden eyes appeared beside a smiling Ketchup.
“Greetings, Uncle Chonglin. My name is Jin Bacon, English name Panther Jin. I don’t have my own company but I currently work as a freelancer for Uncle Zihao and will soon sign an employment contract as a part-time virtual assistant at Big Sister Ketchup’s company. Bacon is open to accepting new clients so if you’re looking to hire me, rest assured that I am very professional like my parents and a highly efficient worker as long as you pay me properly. Unlike Big Sister Ketchup, I do not give out family discounts but I guarantee that my productivity increases with every bonus and salary raise that you give me.
“Oh, I almost forgot. Bacon is technically still grounded with some special exceptions to the rule. Uncle Chonglin needs to wait until Father announces the official end of my punishment.”
The speechless Jin Chonglin continued to stare at the white and black virtual cat siblings on the dashboard monitor. His mouth opened and closed several times but no words came out. All he could do was goggle at the unbelievable sight before him.
Iris and Dom watched all this happening without saying anything. Dom was giggling quietly at Ketchup and Bacon’s attempt to promote their professional skills to Jin Chonglin.
While hugging Little Liwei, Iris allowed her AI cat children to introduce themselves to their paternal uncle, not at all concerned at Jin Chonglin’s bewildered state.
Although Jin Chonglin might seem frivolous, he was actually a very discrete person. He was able to reach his superstar status by learning to choose which information to share to the public and which ones to keep private. In addition, he respected his older brother Jin Liwei a lot, so Iris didn’t worry too much about Jin Chonglin divulging the existence of Ketchup and Bacon, two very highly-advanced and sophisticated AI beings.
