The atmosphere at the dining table was suffocating.
In an attempt to ease the tension, Shen Xiao stood up and ladled a bowl of soup.
Straining every muscle to keep his hands from shaking, he slowly placed it in front of Mother Lin.
"Auntie, please have some soup," Shen Xiao said politely.
"Thank you!" Mother Lin replied, her tone sharp and clipped.
Lu Qingyue began to feel uneasy with her mother's attitude.
"Mom, I already explained that Lu Han was just talking nonsense. Why are you acting like Shen Xiao is the enemy?"
Mother Lin snorted coldly.
"Enemy? What have I done? I'm just asking questions, right, Shen Xiao?"
"Yes... Auntie can just call me Xiao Xiao or Xiao Shen," Shen Xiao answered stiffly, feeling a "Mother-in-Law" aura stronger than a Rank 9 Master.
Mother Lin continued eating, but her mind was a battlefield.
The news from Grandma Li at the village entrance had completely shattered her world.
Grandma Li said Qingyue had returned with a big, healthy baby boy!
A baby!
And the man in front of her must be the father!
How dare this scoundrel oppress my daughter when she's so young!
Mother Lin thought, fueled by rage.
She was convinced Qingyue had gotten pregnant during last year's winter break and only dared to come home now.
"So, Shen Xiao, you came back here to admit to something important, didn't you?" Mother Lin stared intensely.
"I'm listening. Speak up!"
Shen Xiao felt a pang of guilt.
Was I too rash in paying off that 3 million debt without talking to her first?
Maybe Auntie Lin feels her pride is wounded because a stranger settled the family debt.
Seeing Shen Xiao remain silent, Mother Lin's anger peaked.
He's done the deed, and now he's hesitating to take responsibility for my daughter and 'his child'?
"You're the one who did this, right?!" Mother Lin barked coldly.
"Yes... I did it," Shen Xiao answered honestly (referring to the debt).
SLAM!
Mother Lin slammed her hands on the table.
"Don't you have anything to explain?!"
Shen Xiao was confused.
Explain what?
That he had tons of money from the lottery?
"Auntie, I don't think there's anything to explain. It was my own decision. Qingyue didn't know anything beforehand, she even cried for a long time when she found out. It was indeed impulsive of me."
Hearing the words "cried for a long time," Mother Lin's imagination ran wild.
So my daughter was forced?
Drugged?
And then she cried because of that night?
This scoundrel is actually admitting it!
Mother Lin fought back tears of rage.
"So you admit it? You came here to face the consequences?"
Shen Xiao nodded firmly.
"Exactly, Auntie. It was an impulsive act, and I was wrong. You can punish me in any way you see fit; I will accept it!"
At least he's a real man enough to admit it, Mother Lin thought, her heart softening slightly.
"Qingyue, can you forgive Shen Xiao's impulsive actions? Don't be afraid, Mother is here."
Qingyue felt this was the right time to defend him.
"Mom, even though Shen Xiao acted on his own without telling me, it's already happened. And I... I accept it. Shen Xiao is a good person, I don't blame him."
Mother Lin let out a long sigh.
Her daughter had "accepted it." It was too late for regrets.
"Then, Shen Xiao, what is your next plan?"
Shen Xiao thought for a moment.
Next plan?
Oh, maybe about the debt confession letter so Qingyue wouldn't feel burdened?
"Auntie, as I said, I've thought about the consequences. I still did it because... because I want to fulfill my responsibility as a man!" Shen Xiao answered heroically.
...
"Responsibility?! You did something that ridiculous and you still call it responsibility?! I feel like beating you to death!" Mother Lin screamed, her eyes blazing.
However, seeing her daughter look at her with such anxiety, Mother Lin held back.
She felt she owed her daughter too much, she didn't want to add to Lu Qingyue's burden.
But seeing Shen Xiao resigned to his punishment, she felt at least the man had guts.
"You said earlier you're willing to accept any punishment? To do whatever I say?" Mother Lin asked.
Shen Xiao nodded firmly.
In his mind, this was just about the 3 million debt.
"As long as it doesn't violate morals or ethics, I am willing, Auntie."
After a long silence, Mother Lin said, "In that case, the two of you must get married immediately."
"Okay..." Shen Xiao answered reflexively, before his brain processed the words.
"Wait... Married? Who's getting married?!"
"Who else?! You and Lu Qingyue, of course! No more delays! Before the New Year, in a day or two, you must make it official so my grandchild has a clear status!"
Shen Xiao's appetite vanished instantly.
"Lu Qingyue... you... have a child?" Shen Xiao asked, his tone shifting drastically.
Qingyue felt like she had been struck by lightning.
"No! Mom! What are you saying?! Marriage? And whose child are you talking about?!"
"Qingyue! Still keeping secrets?! You brought this man home today surely to tell me this, right? Where is my grandchild? Don't hide him anymore, the poor thing must be suffocating!" Mother Lin cried emotionally.
"Mom! Explain to me, since when do I have a child?!" Qingyue screamed in frustration.
She looked at Shen Xiao, seeing the light in his eyes change.
Her heart shattered.
She felt slandered by her own mother in front of the man she liked.
"I'm doing this for your own good! Shen Xiao already agreed, this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance! If you don't marry, what will happen to my grandchild? He won't have a birth certificate, school will be impossible!" Mother Lin continued to press.
Qingyue felt like she wanted to die.
She knew she wasn't worthy of Shen Xiao, but she just wanted to be a regular friend.
Now?
How could she ever look him in the face again?
"Mom!..."
"Shen Xiao! Why are you quiet?!" Mother Lin challenged.
"You said you'd take responsibility, now why are you silent when told to marry my daughter?!"
Lu Han nodded along, though confused.
"Shen Xiao, you once said you were willing to fight the world just to be with my sister."
"Together... fight the world?" Qingyue's head spun.
Shen Xiao said that to her brother?
Did that mean he really cared for her?
No!
Now she had to prove her innocence!
SLAM!
Shen Xiao slammed his hand onto the table and shouted sharply, "ALL OF YOU, SHUT UP!"
Listening to the three of them argue, Shen Xiao was reaching his breaking point.
He realized they were talking about completely different things!
He needed to clear everything up.
Whether the Empress had a child or not was a matter of life and death!
He didn't believe Qingyue was that kind of person.
Even in his past life, the Empress never had a scandal or a child.
"Speak one by one. Mother Lin, you first!" Shen Xiao commanded sternly.
"Tell us everything you want to say from start to finish. Lu Han, Qingyue, don't interrupt, just listen until she's done!"
Mother Lin, though still angry, recounted everything.
"What's wrong with saying it again? You two brought the child back today, weren't you just trying to get me to agree to your marriage? I've agreed, isn't that what you wanted? Are you thinking of abandoning the child?"
Shen Xiao was silent, Lu Qingyue was silent, and Lu Han was also silent.
"Mom," Lu Qingyue said, her voice trembling, "What exactly are you talking about?"