Chapter 301: CH: 300 Mei Yuxian is jealous!
Jade is bald?
****
{Chapter: 300 Mei Yuxian is jealous!}
The three of them sat down to enjoy their dinner together, and the atmosphere at the table was warm and relaxed. Laughter rang out occasionally, and the clinking of chopsticks against porcelain bowls echoed softly through the cozy dining room.
It had been a long time since Mei Yuxian had experienced such a peaceful meal shared with people she genuinely liked. And to an outside observer, the three of them sitting around the table might have looked like a picture-perfect family—two parents and a cheerful daughter—if only Lin Yuan appeared just a little more mature.
Lin Yuan, ever the gentleman, picked up a juicy slice of meat and gently placed it into Mei Yuxian's bowl. "Sister Yuxian, you've been working hard all day. Eat more and take care of yourself," he said with a smile.
Across the table, Gui Qingtong grinned brightly and said in a teasing tone, "Wow! Mom, I've been counting! Brother Lin Yuan has already given you food five or six times!"
Although she herself had served Lin Yuan more dishes throughout the meal, she didn't feel jealous or neglected. On the contrary, Gui Qingtong was genuinely happy to see her mother being cared for.
Because of Mei Yuxian's life experiences and the strong, independent persona she maintained in the business world, she often came across as emotionally distant—reserved even in private. The only exception to that stoic mask was her daughter, Qingtong. She was the one person Mei Yuxian allowed herself to be openly affectionate with.
So to Gui Qingtong, seeing Lin Yuan not only show concern for her mother but also get along with her so naturally brought her a unique sense of comfort and joy. It felt like things were finally falling into place.
Lin Yuan continued serving Mei Yuxian with apparent sincerity, and Gui Qingtong didn't read too deeply into it. After all, she herself had already picked out the tastiest pieces and served Lin Yuan more than a dozen times during the meal.
But while Gui Qingtong remained blissfully cheerful, Mei Yuxian's feelings were considerably more complicated.
Behind her calm and composed expression, Mei Yuxian was secretly gritting her teeth.
Because every time Lin Yuan offered her a piece of food, it wasn't just simple courtesy—it came with a subtle flirtation, a hidden touch, a deliberate brush of his fingers.
The last time the three of them had breakfast together, Lin Yuan had already teased her, but it was relatively subtle and easy to overlook.
Tonight, however, he was getting bolder.
His little tricks were no longer disguised. When he picked up food for her, his fingers would lightly graze her hand or rest on her wrist for a moment too long. At one point, his knee even nudged hers under the table, sending an electric current up her spine.
It was outrageous!
And what was worse—what truly made her want to scream in frustration—was the fact that she wasn't entirely angry. She should be furious. She should have stood up and scolded him for being so inappropriate.
But she didn't.
Instead, a strange, shameful warmth had spread through her chest. A feeling of subtle satisfaction mixed with helpless embarrassment. That was the most frustrating part.
Trying her best to maintain composure, Mei Yuxian finally put down her chopsticks and stood up.
She spoke calmly, but her slightly flushed cheeks betrayed her.
"Qingtong, Xiao Yuan, you two continue eating for now. I'm going upstairs to change… my clothes. This work uniform is a bit tight and uncomfortable for eating."
She paused, realizing she had nearly slipped. Her face grew redder.
"I meant clothes. I'll go change into something more casual."
Gui Qingtong looked up from her bowl and nodded nonchalantly. "Okay, Mom! Take your time."
She didn't think much of it at all.
But Lin Yuan, of course, caught every subtle change in Mei Yuxian's expression.
The hint of panic in her voice, the blush on her face, and the sharp glare she gave him before turning around—it all added up to something incredibly satisfying.
Watching her retreat upstairs, Lin Yuan allowed a small, smug smile to curl on his lips.
Mei Yuxian, meanwhile, was in turmoil. She felt hot and confused. That man had become increasingly brazen, and yet… she hadn't stopped him. Why? Why did his teasing make her heart race instead of making her furious?
It didn't make sense. She was an adult. She was a businesswoman. She was a mother. This shouldn't be happening.
But it was.
When she came back downstairs a few minutes later, she had changed into an elegant purple sling strap dress. It hugged her curves gently and left her smooth shoulders bare. Her long golden blond hair was down, and she carried a more relaxed but still mature and noble air.
The moment Lin Yuan turned around and saw her, his eyes visibly lit up. The sight was breathtaking.
Mei Yuxian looked refined and composed—elegant like a noble lady, and yet stunningly alluring like a woman in full bloom.
She didn't give him a chance to say anything.
Instead of sitting next to him again, she deliberately chose to sit opposite him and beside Gui Qingtong, keeping a safe distance.
She had learned her lesson.
Lin Yuan, noticing her firm boundaries, didn't push it further.
The rest of the meal was peaceful, and soon they were all done. Lin Yuan and Gui Qingtong both looked satisfied, having eaten their fill. Even Mei Yuxian, despite the teasing, felt somewhat fulfilled. The dinner had been warm and lively—something she hadn't experienced in a long time.
Afterward, the three of them moved back to the living room. They sank into the sofa, watching television together, casually chatting and laughing.
As the night wore on, the atmosphere became more relaxed.
However, while laughing along with the show, Mei Yuxian's mind was still turning rapidly. She wanted Lin Yuan to stay the night—but how could she do that without arousing Gui Qingtong's suspicion?
She couldn't very well just tell him to sleep over without a reason.
So, while sipping a cup of warm tea, she leaned slightly toward Lin Yuan and whispered in a low voice, "Think of a good excuse to stay tonight. Something Qingtong won't question."
Her tone was firm, but her eyes betrayed a flicker of anticipation.
But before either Lin Yuan or Mei Yuxian could come up with an excuse for him to stay the night, Gui Qingtong beat them to it.
She turned to her mother with a sweet, pleading look and asked in a soft, spoiled tone, "Mom~ Can Brother Lin Yuan stay the night at our house today? Please? Pretty please?"
"Uh… okay," Mei Yuxian replied, momentarily speechless and clearly caught off guard by the sudden request.
Gui Qingtong, overjoyed by her mother's permission, immediately leaned closer to Lin Yuan on the couch, a radiant smile lighting up her face.
In the spacious and warmly lit living room, there were two single-seater sofas and one large three-seater couch. Lin Yuan and Gui Qingtong were curled up on the big sofa together, sitting close enough for their shoulders to occasionally brush.
Mei Yuxian, on the other hand, had deliberately chosen one of the single sofas. Her instinctual fear of Lin Yuan's teasing behavior had made her keep some physical distance—just in case he acted up again.
As they settled in, Gui Qingtong once again grew comfortable in Lin Yuan's presence, her natural intimacy with him showing through. She stretched out with a soft sigh and gently rested her slender, porcelain-white feet on Lin Yuan's lap, just like she had done before.
Only this time, she had a specific reason in mind.
"Brother Lin Yuan," she said in a pitiful voice, pouting slightly and holding out a small nail clipper, "can you help cut my toenails? My hands are super sore from all the practice I did on the guzheng today…"
Her delicate expression and soft voice added a layer of charm to her already adorable demeanor.
But before Lin Yuan could even respond, Mei Yuxian's sharp eyes locked onto her daughter, and she immediately snapped, "Cut them yourself, Qingtong! You're not a child anymore. You need to learn to do things for yourself. Don't trouble others with such personal things—especially not your Brother Lin Yuan! That's improper for a lady."
Startled by her mother's stern tone, Gui Qingtong flinched and hurriedly began pulling her feet back in embarrassment.
But just as she was halfway through retracting them, Lin Yuan gently caught one of her feet with his hand.
"It's alright," he said with a warm smile. "It's just trimming toenails. Qingtong actually helped cut mine earlier this afternoon, so now it's my turn to return the favor."
He accepted the nail clippers from her, unfazed by Mei Yuxian's displeased expression.
Lin Yuan looked down at Gui Qingtong's feet. Though her toenails were a little long, they were immaculately clean and well-maintained—soft, smooth, and clearly untouched by the hardships of manual labor.
As the pampered daughter of Mei Yuxian, Gui Qingtong lived a life of comfort. With access to a chauffeured service car and little need to walk for long periods, her feet were as delicate and soft as her hands.
Without glancing at Mei Yuxian's increasingly heated gaze, Lin Yuan patiently and carefully began trimming her toenails.
His movements were steady and tender, more like someone grooming a cherished pet than someone simply helping a friend. He was gentle and precise, taking care not to nick the skin or make Gui Qingtong uncomfortable.
The small act of care made Gui Qingtong's heart flutter. Despite Mei Yuxian's earlier scolding, she couldn't stop herself from smiling happily.
In her mind, it wasn't just a favor—it was an intimate moment.
[Ding! Gui Qingtong's favorability +1! Reward: 500 counterattack points!]
The familiar system notification echoed in Lin Yuan's mind, but he kept his expression composed.
Meanwhile, Mei Yuxian's feelings grew increasingly conflicted.
Unlike before, this wasn't about personal boundaries or Lin Yuan's flirtatious behavior.
No.
Now, it was something deeper… and more uncomfortable.
Watching Lin Yuan so carefully tend to Gui Qingtong stirred something unexpected in her heart.
She felt a twinge of bitterness.
An odd sense of... jealousy.
Mei Yuxian blinked rapidly, trying to shake off the foreign emotion. She couldn't believe herself.
Was she really feeling envious… of her own daughter?
But no matter how she tried to rationalize it, the emotion lingered like a bitter aftertaste.
Her face shifted through a mix of frustration and disbelief as she tried to suppress the complicated thoughts bubbling inside her.
Lin Yuan, who had grown more sensitive to the subtle changes in Mei Yuxian's expressions, noticed immediately. And he understood.
Jealousy was a deeply human emotion—even the most composed woman couldn't completely hide it.
And then, something happened that took both Lin Yuan and Gui Qingtong completely by surprise.
After a moment of quiet hesitation, Mei Yuxian suddenly stood up from her small sofa.
Her steps were slow but deliberate as she walked over to the larger sofa and sat down next to Lin Yuan, her presence making the already intimate space feel even more charged.
Then, without any of her usual poise or restraint, she gently lifted her leg—exposing her elegant, jade-like foot—and rested it near Lin Yuan.
Her cheeks were slightly flushed, but her voice remained soft and composed as she spoke:
"Xiao Yuan… my hands have been tired lately from all the paperwork and cooking, and my lower back's been aching too. I don't think I can manage this myself. Could you… help me cut my toenails too?"
For a moment, the room fell completely silent.
Both Lin Yuan and Gui Qingtong stared at Mei Yuxian in disbelief.
Was this really happening?
Even Mei Yuxian herself couldn't quite believe the words that had just left her mouth.
But she didn't take them back.
Something inside her had shifted—and there was no stopping it now.