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

Chapter 61 The Second Sister-in-Law Falls

Chu Yueyao's hand trembled slightly, but she didn't pull it away; her face simply flushed.

"It's so late... Eighth Brother should rest."

"It's still early." Lin Chen pulled her to sit down. "Second sister-in-law, what do you think of what Grandfather said today?"

Chu Yueyao lowered her head and said softly, "Grandfather is doing this for our own good, I understand that."

"And what about you?" Lin Chen leaned closer. "What...are you thinking?"

A warm breath brushed against her ear, Chu Yueyao's heart raced, and her voice lowered even further:

"What...what can I think? Since Grandmother has made up her mind, we...we naturally have to listen."

"Just listening to your grandmother?" Lin Chen reached out and gently lifted her chin, making her look at him.

"Second sister-in-law, I want to hear your own thoughts."

In the candlelight, Chu Yueyao's cheeks were flushed like the sunset, and her eyes were brimming with tears.

She bit her lip, and after a long while, she whispered:

"Eighth brother... I know you've been good to me. These days, you've been working hard for the Lin family and worrying about us... I'm grateful."

"Just gratitude?"

Chu Yueyao avoided his gaze, her voice barely audible: "There...there are others."

"What other?" Lin Chen persisted.

"You...you know perfectly well why you're asking this." Chu Yueyao was so ashamed that she wanted to run away, but he held her hand firmly.

Lin Chen smiled, released her chin, and pulled her into his arms:

"Second sister-in-law, you know I'm straightforward and don't like beating around the bush."

I love you and want to take care of you for the rest of my life. I want to hear these words from your own lips today—are you willing?

Chu Yueyao leaned against him, able to hear his steady heartbeat and her own heart pounding like a drum.

She remained silent for a long time before slowly speaking:

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"Eighth brother, I...I'm six years older than you."

"So what?"

"I was once your second brother's wife..."

"My second brother is gone." Lin Chen hugged her tightly.

"Now, you are Chu Yueyao, the woman I love."

Chu Yueyao's tears finally fell.

She leaned on his shoulder, her voice choked with emotion: "Do you know how I've spent these past three years?"

During the day, I'm engrossed in studying medicine, seemingly busy, but every night when all is quiet... I always think of your second brother, and those days that can never be returned to.

Until you...you suddenly changed, like a different person, starting to work hard for this family, starting to care about us..."

She looked up at him, her eyes blurry with tears:

"Eighth brother, I'm not a block of wood. I see and remember all the kindness you've shown me."

But... but I always feel like I shouldn't... shouldn't have these thoughts.

"Why shouldn't you?" Lin Chen wiped away her tears.

"If my second brother is watching from heaven, he would surely want you to be happy, and that is the happiness I can give you."

Looking into his earnest eyes, Chu Yueyao finally broke into a smile through her tears:

"You...you always say things that make people blush."

"Does Second Sister-in-law like listening to that?"

"I don't like it." Chu Yueyao turned her head away, but the corners of her mouth turned up in a smile.

Lin Chen laughed and picked her up in his arms: "You're just saying that. Come on, I'll take my second sister-in-law home."

"Put me down... I can walk by myself..."

"I won't let go."

Lin Chen carried her out of the study, through the corridor, and into Chu Yueyao's courtyard, Xinglin Garden.

Several apricot trees were planted in the courtyard, their shadows swaying in the moonlight, creating a tranquil and beautiful scene.

Once inside the bedroom, Lin Chen gently placed her on the couch.

Chu Yueyao sat on the edge of the bed, head down, her fingers twisting the hem of her clothes, as nervous as a young woman about to be married.

"Second sister-in-law," Lin Chen sat down beside her and took her hand, "if you don't want to, I'll leave now."

Chu Yueyao looked up at him, the candlelight illuminating her blushing face: "I... I didn't refuse."

"So you're willing?"

"You...you shouldn't ask anymore." Chu Yuexia buried her face in his shoulder in embarrassment.

Lin Chen smiled and lowered his head to kiss her lips.

The kiss was tender and lingering, carrying the sweet scent of medicine and the tenderness of affection.

Chu Yueyao was initially a little stiff, but gradually softened in his arms and responded awkwardly.

For a long time, the lips are divided.

Chu Yueyao was panting, her eyes glistening with tears: "Eighth Brother..."

"Call me by my name," Lin Chen said softly.

"Chen... Chen'er," Chu Yueyao called out, her face flushed.

"Mmm." Lin Chen responded with satisfaction and kissed her again.

That night, the candlelight in Xinglin Garden stayed on very late.

……

When Lin Chen woke up in the early morning, Chu Yueyao was no longer by his side.

He sat up and found a clean set of robes on the bedside table.

Just as she finished dressing, Chu Yueyao pushed open the door and came in.

She had already washed and dressed herself neatly, changed into a light green ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), and styled her hair in a neat bun.

However, the faint bluish-black tinge under her eyes and the flush on her face betrayed the fact that she hadn't slept well last night.

"Awake?" She walked to the bedside, handed Lin Chen a bowl of porridge, and then naturally straightened his clothes.

"The porridge is still warm, drink it quickly."

Lin Chen took the bowl of porridge, and looking at her gentle appearance, a warm feeling welled up in his heart:

"Second sister-in-law, you're up really early."

"I'm used to it." Chu Yueyao sat down next to him. "For years, I've gotten up before dawn to go to the pharmacy to get my medicine and brew it."

Lin Chen held her hand: "You don't need to work so hard anymore. If there's anything, just let the servants do it."

"I don't find it hard." Chu Yueyao shook her head. "Medicine is my duty, and it's also... what your second brother appreciated most about me when he was alive."

Her eyes dimmed slightly when her second brother was mentioned.

Lin Chen pulled her into his arms:

"My second brother is gone, but you still have me. Your medical skills can be used to benefit more people in the future, not just for the Lin family."

Chu Yueyao leaned against him and whispered:

"Chen'er, thank you... for not making me give up on these things because of what happened last night."

"Why should I ask you to give up?" Lin Chen said with a smile.

"What I like about my second sister-in-law is this kind of gentle, kind, and principled woman."

Tears welled up in Chu Yueyao's eyes, but she smiled and nodded, "Mm."

Suddenly, a system notification sounded in my mind:

"Ding! A breakthrough in the relationship between the host and a core member of the family has been detected, triggering a stage reward!"

"Obtained: [Character Summoning Card - Divine Physician Hua Tuo] (Peak of Celestial Being, Divine Medical Skill, Capable of Bringing the Dead Back to Life and Healing Bones)"

"Obtained: [Item - Qingnang Book] (A superior-grade medical classic of the Heavenly Rank)"

"Received: 10000 taels of gold"

Hua Tuo! A divine physician at the pinnacle of human skill!

Lin Chen's eyes lit up.

This is a true medical master; with him around, the health of everyone in the Lin family is guaranteed.

Moreover, a cultivation level at the peak of the Celestial Realm is also a formidable fighting force.

"System, summon Hua Tuo and arrange for him to disguise himself as a traveling doctor and temporarily hide in the city. He will reappear when I need him."

"Ding! Command being executed..."

"Hua Tuo has been summoned and is currently practicing at the Jishengtang Clinic in the West Market of the capital. He is a reclusive divine physician, and his cultivation at the peak of the Celestial Realm has been concealed to the early stage of the Grandmaster Realm."

With everything arranged, Lin Chen felt even better.

After a brief moment of tenderness, Lin Chen finished his porridge and prepared to go to the brothel to listen to music.

Before leaving, he gently kissed Chu Yueyao's forehead: "Second sister-in-law, I'll come again tonight."

Chu Yueyao blushed and said softly, "Okay."

Lin Chen was in a good mood as he left Xinglin Garden.

Second sister-in-law Chu Yueyao is gentle and reserved, so it was not easy to get her to open up.