Fated Deception: How I Accidentally Married a Nine-Tailed Fox

Chapter 50: Unwelcome Interest

Lu Yuan stood in the bathroom brushing his teeth when he heard the front door open, followed by his wife’s voice. Toothbrush still in mouth and water cup in hand, he emerged into the living room to discover Su Liyan had returned with Jin Meijing, his stepmother-in-law, and little Su Lina.

Before the adults could exchange greetings, Su Lina called out sweetly, “Brother-in-law!”

“Oh, Lina is looking beautiful again,” Lu Yuan smiled.

As the little girl moved toward him, Jin Meijing quickly caught her daughter’s arm. “Your brother-in-law is brushing his teeth. Don’t bother him now.”

“It’s okay, Mom,” Lu Yuan laughed, before turning to his wife with gentle reproach. “Why didn’t you call me this morning?”

Su Liyan looked at him apologetically. “You were still asleep. I wanted you to rest longer.”

Jin Meijing quickly intervened with a wave of her hand. “Yuan’er, it’s fine. We’re all family—why stand on ceremony?”

The matter settled, Lu Yuan returned to finish his morning routine. Su Lina tried to follow, but Su Liyan led her stepmother to the prepared bedroom instead.

The public housing unit was spacious—over 100 square meters with four bedrooms, two living rooms, a kitchen, and a bathroom.

“It’s wonderful, Liyan,” Jin Meijing sighed, looking around. “Living in such a nice house.”

Jin Meijing’s life had seen little comfort. She’d arrived from Korea at nineteen, becoming pregnant with Su Lina at twenty, just before tragedy struck her family. Left alone with a crying infant and limited language skills, she’d had nowhere to turn. Su Liyan’s mother, Zhao Qiaoer, had taken pity and welcomed her into their household.

Now, finally residing in comfortable quarters, Jin Meijing felt both grateful and awkward. This was her stepdaughter’s husband’s home, not rightfully hers, and she remained hesitant about her place here.

Su Liyan, sensing her stepmother’s discomfort, offered reassurance. “Mom, my brother is kind. Don’t worry. We’re family—please don’t think otherwise.”

Jin Meijing nodded repeatedly, trying to accept the encouragement.

Meanwhile, Lu Yuan finished washing up and noticed his little shadow. “Lina, have you had breakfast this morning?”

She nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, brother-in-law!”

Relieved, Lu Yuan decided they could wait for lunch together. He avoided interrupting whatever private conversation was occurring between Su Liyan and Jin Meijing in the bedroom. Instead, he carried a chair and small table into the courtyard.

Su Lina insisted on helping, her earnestness endearing. Lu Yuan found her sweetness irresistible—who could resist such a well-behaved child?

Once settled in the courtyard, Lu Yuan smiled at his sister-in-law. “There’s orange soda in the kitchen. Bring two bottles, one for each of us.”

Su Lina nodded obediently and hurried back inside. Lu Yuan returned to reading his “Craftsmanship” magazine, assuming the child might take some time finding everything. The kitchen location, the sodas, and the bottle opener would all present challenges in an unfamiliar home.

“Hey, you’re actually reading books now?” a voice called.

Looking up, Lu Yuan spotted Liu Haizhu at the courtyard entrance. Before Lu Yuan could respond, the man pushed through the low gate and entered uninvited.

Lu Yuan closed his magazine calmly as Liu Haizhu asked, “Is your mother-in-law here?” His gaze bypassed Lu Yuan, peering toward the house instead.

“Yes,” Lu Yuan replied, raising an eyebrow. “You’re well-informed.”

Liu Haizhu stood on tiptoes, still looking toward the residence. “Everyone in the yard saw her arrive this morning!” He turned accusingly toward Lu Yuan. “But you didn’t even go meet your mother-in-law—just stayed home sleeping?”

Before Lu Yuan could respond, Su Lina emerged carrying two bottles of orange soda.

Liu Haizhu’s face immediately brightened. “Oh my, aren’t you adorable!”

He took both bottles and opened them. As he raised one to drink, Lu Yuan snatched it away and handed it to Su Lina.

“This is for you,” he told her, before turning to Liu Haizhu with raised eyebrows.

Unfazed, Liu Haizhu grabbed the second bottle, drank half in one gulp, and grinned. “I’ll just take this one.”

Lu Yuan curled his lips but remained silent. He didn’t mind sharing food and drink with Liu Haizhu—to a point.

Still peering toward the house, Liu Haizhu asked, “How old is your mother-in-law?”

“About thirty,” Lu Yuan answered offhandedly. Su Liyan had never specified, but considering Su Lina’s age, it seemed a reasonable estimate.

Liu Haizhu’s face registered confusion. “What? Thirty?”

“My wife’s stepmother isn’t her biological mother,” Lu Yuan explained.

Understanding dawned on Liu Haizhu’s face. He’d been struggling to reconcile how Su Liyan, already twenty, could have a thirty-year-old mother.

He proceeded to ask several more questions about Jin Meijing—where she was from, whether she had remarried, if she was currently involved with anyone. The questions seemed casual, born of mere curiosity, though somewhat personal.

When it became apparent Jin Meijing wouldn’t be joining them, Liu Haizhu departed.

After he left, realization suddenly struck Lu Yuan.

“Damn it!” he thought. “He’s interested in my mother-in-law!”