Hades, the Urban Legend

Chapter 567: Chapter 568: Smashing the TV

With his mind full of thoughts on how to bring up the topic with Guo Xuehua, Yang Chen had a rough drive home. Although he wasn't aware that Ma Guifang already suspected his relationship with Mo Qianni, he still felt anxious.

Knowing his mother would definitely not be pleased to find out he had not just two, but now three women outside of his marriage, Yang Chen felt uneasy. Despite being his mother, she was still a woman, and what woman would like a man having multiple women, even if that man was her own son?

It was around ten in the evening when Yang Chen arrived home. After parking his car in the garage, he walked slowly into the living room. The scene in the living room made his face twitch.

Guo Xuehua and Wang Ma were sitting on the large sofa directly facing the TV, both with red-rimmed eyes, wiping away tears. They didn't even bother to greet him as he walked in.

On the large TV, a Korean drama was playing, with a middle-aged woman shouting "Oppa! Oppa!" at a middle-aged man, who was tearfully professing his undying love, saying something like, "I've never let go of my feelings for you in thirty years."

Yang Chen didn't need subtitles to understand the Korean dialogue, which annoyed him even more. If only he didn't know so many foreign languages, he could have pretended not to understand and spared himself the nausea from the overly sentimental lines.

Since when did his mother start watching Korean dramas? And with Wang Ma? This used to be something Lin Ruoxi and Hui Lin would do together!

Just then, an unexpected figure emerged from the kitchen. It wasn't surprising that it was Lin Ruoxi, but rather the fact that she came from the kitchen.

Dressed in a white home dress, Lin Ruoxi looked like a graceful and charming housewife. She wore a floral apron over her chest and carried a tray of cut watermelon, strawberries, and pineapple—a sumptuous fruit platter. She gracefully placed the tray on the table in front of the sofa.

As she passed by Yang Chen, Lin Ruoxi glanced at him briefly without saying a word, like a waft of fragrant air.

After taking off her apron and placing it aside, Lin Ruoxi sat down next to Guo Xuehua, leaning closer and gently holding her arm, with a warm smile on her face. "Mom, isn't it touching? You and Wang Ma are both crying."

Guo Xuehua, too absorbed in the drama, patted Lin Ruoxi's hand lightly and nodded repeatedly. "Ruoxi, this show you recommended is so good, so touching. It's worth all the woman's hardships over the years."

"I think the man has it tough too. That second female lead is much prettier, yet he remains devoted. Such a man is worth a woman's trust," Lin Ruoxi said softly.

Guo Xuehua agreed, "Yes, I thought he had resigned himself. His mother is really something, forcing him to marry another woman. How can you force love?"

"Snow, Snow, stop talking, look, the vixen is here again!" Wang Ma interjected nervously.

Guo Xuehua immediately stopped talking and stared at the TV intently.

And so, the three women continued watching the tear-jerking Korean drama, discussing the characters and plot, completely ignoring the fact that the only man in the house had come home and was now standing awkwardly by the sofa.

Yang Chen's heart felt like it was breaking into pieces. Could life get any worse? He already had a low status at home, often playing the role of a laborer and bodyguard in what felt like a girls' dormitory. And now, he was completely invisible?

Seeing the look of frustration and despair on Yang Chen's face, Lin Ruoxi threw him a teasing glance, as if to say, "Look, with just a little effort, even your own mother couldn't care less about you."

Yang Chen knew all too well that this was Lin Ruoxi's revenge plan for his refusal to meet her requests. Normally, at this hour, only Guo Xuehua and Wang Ma would be watching TV in the living room, with Zhenxiu either upstairs doing homework or staying at school. Lin Ruoxi was almost always in her study working or reading, only coming down occasionally if she had nothing else to do. Even if she wanted to watch TV, she'd do so in her own room. She'd never come downstairs to accompany them and even serve fruit.

Angry but unable to express it, Yang Chen had no choice but to sit on a chair behind them, silently waiting for the episode to end.

Finally, as the episode came to an end, Yang Chen quickly got up and approached the sofa, trying to be pleasing as he spoke to Guo Xuehua, "Mom, can I talk to you about something?"

Guo Xuehua, finally paying attention to her son while still wiping her teary eyes, turned and asked, "What's the matter?"

Before Yang Chen could continue, Lin Ruoxi suddenly picked up a toothpick with a piece of watermelon and brought it to Guo Xuehua's mouth, coquettishly saying, "Mom, I cut all this fruit, and you haven't eaten any yet. Come on, ah—"

Guo Xuehua immediately shifted her attention to Lin Ruoxi. After all, her daughter-in-law had rarely been this considerate, helping with household chores, recommending a good TV show, and serving delicious snacks. She couldn't let her filial efforts go to waste.

Guo Xuehua smiled appreciatively at Lin Ruoxi and opened her mouth to eat the watermelon.

Wang Ma, feeling slightly envious, said, "Miss, I fed you a lot when you were little. Now you're only thinking of pleasing your mother-in-law?"

Lin Ruoxi's face blossomed into a sweet smile, her previously cool demeanor now radiating like a rose, filling the living room with her glowing presence.

"How could that be? Wang Ma has always treated me the best," Lin Ruoxi said affectionately. She then picked up half a strawberry with a toothpick and offered it to Wang Ma, saying, "I know Wang Ma loves strawberries, so I specially bought the freshest ones today. They were air-shipped from Plant City, Florida, just this afternoon. They're very sweet."

Wang Ma, delightedly munching on the juicy strawberry, said, "There's no need to go through such trouble. You shouldn't always be so extravagant, even if you have money."

"It's okay. After all, the money we earn should be spent. Better to use it to honor our elders than to let it sit and mold in the bank," Lin Ruoxi replied sweetly.

Guo Xuehua, beaming, gently stroked Lin Ruoxi's hair, saying, "Our Ruoxi has grown so much since coming back from Europe, her words are as sweet as honey."

Lin Ruoxi pouted slightly, her voice filled with affection, "During my trip to France, I felt so lonely without you all by my side. It made me realize how important it is to cherish you. You're more important to me than anything else."

Her words moved Guo Xuehua and Wang Ma to tears. Such touching sentiments were common in dramas but rare in real life.

Women, regardless of age, are often sentimental and emotional.

Lin Ruoxi wasn't done yet. She continued sincerely, "Mom, Wang Ma, don't worry. I won't work so tirelessly anymore. I'll take good care of you. I'll learn to cook well so you can enjoy your lives."

"Silly child, Wang Ma and I aren't that old yet. You manage such a big company, and it's doing so well. It's only right that you stay busy," Guo Xuehua said cheerfully, with Wang Ma nodding in agreement.

Lin Ruoxi showed a grateful expression, then picked up the remote and pressed a button on the TV.

"Mom, you can start the next episode right away. This drama still has about ten episodes left. Once we finish it, I'll recommend another one that's even better," Lin Ruoxi said, introducing the next show.

Guo Xuehua and Wang Ma's spirits lifted once more as they saw the next episode start playing on TV, their eyes glued to the screen. The matter Yang Chen wanted to discuss with his mother was long forgotten.

Watching all this unfold, Yang Chen was left speechless, especially when Lin Ruoxi threw him a smug glance, her lips curling into a mischievous smile. He was so frustrated that he wanted to smash the TV.