Zhu Ning looked older and haggard. There were now more wrinkles on her skin and white strands on her hair. She also looked thinner. Jail time hadn’t been kind to her. She looked defeated unlike her previous arrogant self.
Despite this change, she didn’t look grateful towards Iris or Jin Liwei. To be more precise, there was no other expression on her face aside from defeat. It was as if she was just following her son without thinking or feeling on her own.
The butler led Long Jian, Zhu Ning and Atty. Hong Shaoqiang to the nearby seats. Jin Liwei kissed his wife’s forehead before leaving her on the bed to sit with the visitors. Long Jian and Atty. Hong handed Jin Liwei some flower arrangements and baskets of fruits for Iris. Long Jian brought an extra care package filled with sweets. It seemed that he remembered Iris’ sweet tooth. Jin Liwei thanked them both before handing the items to the butler.
“Don’t mind that we’re meeting in our bedroom,” Jin Liwei said while refreshments were being served. “My wife is in bed rest so she has to stay here and recuperate.”
Long Jian glanced at his half-sister on the bed and frowned. “I saw Brother-in-law in the news at the opening of LXC Studio and you revealed that Xiulan is ill and is in bed rest, that’s why she hasn’t made any public appearance for so long. What’s wrong with her? Why is she so ill to the extent that she has to stay in bed rest like this?”
It was Iris herself who answered him. “Big Brother Jian, my health has just not been ideal for quite a while. I feel better now. My husband is taking care of me.”
“You look thinner.”
“I’m already working on gaining weight. Thank you for your concern.”
Long Jian sighed but still nodded. After the short conversation, he began to feel awkward and even nervous. It was so unlike his usual confident self. Both he and his mother didn’t look like their usual selves today.
Jin Liwei had no intentions of helping to ease the atmosphere for them. In fact, his already cold intimidating gaze turned even icier. Long Jian couldn’t look directly at him. As for his mother, Zhu Ning remained quiet as a mouse while sitting beside him. A closer look revealed that she was trembling under Jin Liwei’s icy gaze.
Unbeknownst to Long Jian, Jin Liwei already went to meet Zhu Ning days ago. She hadn’t been released from jail yet that time. He gave the woman a thorough warning not to mess with his wife ever again or he would make sure that she would rot in jail next time.
Zhu Ning must have been traumatized by her time inside the jail because she took his words to heart. Back to the present, she didn’t even dare to breathe too loudly for fear of upsetting Jin Liwei.
Atty. Hong Shaoqiang started summarizing the conclusion of Zhu Ning’s case, finally breaking the awkward atmosphere. Not completely but enough to make it easier for both the mother and son to breathe a little easier.
After the lawyer finished speaking, Long Jian cleared his throat and looked at the married couple. “We came here today to personally thank you for helping to free my mother from jail and also for clearing her for the crimes pinned against her once and for all. We owe you so much, Little Sister and Brother-in-law.”
He didn’t mention his deal with Iris in the presence of his mother and the lawyer. Iris and Jin Liwei were married so Iris should have already told Jin Liwei about her deal with Long Jian. Nevertheless, his gratitude looked very sincere.
“Mom.” He nudged his mother and urged her to say something.
It took Zhu Ning a few seconds to gather the courage to speak. Her trembling, bony hands were clutching her pants. She finally looked up and made eye contact with Iris on the bed. She quickly looked down on her lap upon seeing Iris’ straightforward gaze. As for looking at Jin Liwei…no way! The man had put the fear in her days ago.
“T-thank you…” This was all she could say.
Long Jian encouraged her to say more but her mouth refused to open again. All he could do was sigh and give an apologetic smile at the husband and wife.
“It’s fine,” Iris said with disinterest. “I’m getting tired.”
Jin Liwei stood up. Both Long Jian and Atty. Hong understood the meaning and stood up as well, ready to leave. Long Jian pulled his mother with him.
Before they could leave, Iris called, “Big Brother Jian.”
Long Jian turned to her.
“It’s good to see you again,” she said.
He looked a little surprised but he smiled and nodded. “Likewise. Good to see you again, Little Sister. Get better soon.”
She nodded.
After the group left, Jin Liwei returned to his wife’s side on the bed. Iris was already back to reading the guide that Theresa gave her.
“That went better than I expected,” he commented while gathering her in his arms.
She gave him a side eye. “Zhu Ning is frightened of you.”
“She should be. This way, she won’t dare do anything harmful to you or I’ll fulfill my promise to send her back to jail and let her rot inside there for the rest of her life.”
“As long as she doesn’t harm us, we can forget about her. Our energy is better spent on more important people and things than that woman.”
“En. I’ll listen to you, wife.”
She smiled and lifted her head up, clearly asking for a kiss. He gave her what she wanted.
The kiss started out light but quickly became hot. Both of them were panting afterwards.
“Theresa says it’s not safe for us to make love yet,” Iris said with a sigh. “It has been too long.”
He sighed as well but chose not to say anything. It was difficult for him too but his worry for his wife’s wellbeing trumped over his desire to make love with her.
“Patience, baby. Get better quickly and I promise to give it to you.”
She tossed the guide on the bed and hugged her husband instead. Her softness made Jin Liwei’s little brother stiffen but he restrained himself as usual.
‘Patience, Liwei,’ he repeated to himself.
