Hidden Marriage, Overbearing Love: Mr! Please Let Me Go

Ling Mei looked at Xia Qingqian, who seemed to have let out a sigh of relief, feeling both pleased and a bit disappointed. She awkwardly laughed, ”Hehe, I was just joking, don’t take it seriously. Of course, I know who Qing Qian belongs to, how could I get it wrong?”

”Second Madam, you’re so humorous...” Xia Qingqian forced a smile, but her back was drenched in sweat; her greatest fear was being randomly paired with other men.

This Second Madam, who appeared steady and dignified, spoke so audaciously, leaving Xia Qingqian somewhat surprised.

”Alright, I won’t disturb you any longer. If the food is ready, have Sister Chen call me.” Ling Mei said, then turned and left the kitchen.

Ling Mei went to the medical room, opened the glass cabinet, took out a small white bottle, poured out a pill, and wrapped it in paper. As she exited the door, she encountered the family doctor. Perhaps feeling guilty, Ling Mei quickly pressed her hand to her chest, with a hint of anger in her voice: ”What are you doing here?”

The family doctor, George, was an American man, seemingly in his forties, looked at Ling Mei coming out of the medical room, then asked, ”Second Madam, are you feeling unwell?”

”No, I’ve been suffering from insomnia lately, unable to sleep, so I thought to get a sleeping pill. But you mentioned that taking too much is bad for the body. I just remembered, Qing Qian made me some soup, so I don’t need the sleeping pill.” Ling Mei said, and turned to walk towards the nearby stairs.

”Sister Chen, go to the underground wine cellar and fetch a bottle of red wine. Such a sumptuous meal wouldn’t be complete without a fine red wine.” Ling Mei looked at the table full of delicious dishes and said with a smile.

”Second Madam, Young Master Che taught me many dessert tips these past few days. This meal is my thank you to you! I just hope it suits your tastes.” Xia Qingqian said somewhat nervously.

”Just looking at the dishes and smelling the aroma is enough to know their deliciousness without tasting.” Ling Mei praised effusively, poured some already opened wine into three glasses, ”I’m fortunate thanks to Che to taste these homemade dishes, let me first toast you.”

Ling Mei picked up her wine glass, clinked it gently against Xia Qingqian’s glass edge in the air: ”I’ll drink first as a sign of respect!” Her eyes continuously watched Xia Qingqian, signaling for her to drink.

”Mommy, Qing Qian doesn’t drink alcohol, don’t make it hard for her. I’ll drink this glass for her.” Beitang Che furrowed his brows; his mommy never made things difficult for others; why now towards Xia Qingqian?

Ling Mei, thinking her son would surely intervene, shook her head and had Sister Chen bring Xia Qingqian a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, ”This way, is it alright? Qing Qian, actually, women drinking a little red wine occasionally is good for beautifying and health.”

The Second Madam said so, and Xia Qingqian had no choice but to nod and said, ”I’ll drink this cup then...” She picked up the wine glass, gently placed it against her lips, and drank it down in one go.

She didn’t understand alcohol nor drank it, seeing the Second Madam drink it in one go, she wouldn’t fall behind. Yet, that astringent feeling sent shivers down her spine; the wine wasn’t good.

”Qing Qian, really good at drinking!” Ling Mei signaled to Sister Chen who was standing by to fill all three glasses.

Beitang Che’s brow furrowed even deeper, reaching out to stop, ”Mommy, don’t overdo it. After drinking one glass, if she drinks more and gets drunk, what then? Let’s eat first.”

In just a few moments, Xia Qingqian felt her face flush red, warm and slightly weak all over. But her mind remained clear; she picked up the shared chopsticks, served Ling Mei some dish, and said, ”Second Madam, please try how my cooking is.”