"Since you didn't want to come over to see me, I decided to make the trip myself. After all, I can still move about, I'm not bedridden." Her mother-in-law retorted.

"Mother it's not I never wanted to come over to the house. I've been busy at work, and work hasn't been so easy for me lately." Liu Huiling half-lied. 

​​

"You can always take some time off from work. And I know you wouldn't have trouble taking a leave because the company belongs to your family." Her mother-in-law replied as she carried some dishes to the dining room.

"Mother, even if the company belongs to my family, I can't jeopardize my work." Liu Huiling said as she carried the rest of the dishes out.

"Alright, let's not dwell on it. Wash your hands and come and eat." Her mother-in-law says to her after she put the food down on the table.

Liu Huiling returned from the kitchen after washing her hands.

"Mother, where are the children?." Liu Huiling asked as she took a seat at the dining.

"They are sleeping after playing for some time." Mrs. Zhang replied as a doting smile appeared on her face.

"I guess they played for a long time for them to be sleeping at noon. They rarely take naps in the afternoon." Liu Huiling replied as she watched her mother-in-law dish some food out on a plate for her.

"Those little ones... You said you were not feeling so good a few days ago, how are you now? Did you go to see a doctor?." Mrs. Zhang asked as a worried look replaced the smile that was on her face.

Liu Huiling faked a cough before replying with a soft smile on her face.

"I didn't go to the hospital. I'm better now." 

Mrs. Zhang gazed at her as she advised, "Don't stress yourself too much. You have two children who need you to spend time with them. You also have a husband who needs your love. Take things one at a time."

At the reminder of her husband, Liu Huiling felt pain in her chest, but she managed to control her facial expression and body language.

She can't let her mother-in-law find out that something was wrong.

She has managed to keep things under wraps for long months now, she can continue to do that only if she trod carefully.

That's right, Liu Huiling has never divulged the things happening in her marriage to anyone.

Although there is suspicion from some people, she has still refused to comment on anything about the matter.

"Yes, mother." Liu Huiling replied as she began to eat.

Her mother-in-law kept piling up food for her.

Liu Huiling saw the mountain of food that was heaped up for her. She had to raise an alarm, or who was going to eat the food,?

"Mother it's okay, I'm still struggling to finish the one on my plate." 

"See how skinny you are. Who would believe you are already a mother of two? I want you to look healthy and radiant just like over a year ago." Mrs. Zhang said as she picked a few side dishes for herself.

'Mum, your son is the reason I'm this way.' Liu Huiling said to herself as she managed to eat two more spoonfuls of her food, before putting down her spoon.

"You're done eating? So fast?." Mrs. Zhang gave her a look of surprise.

"Mother thank you for the food, I enjoyed it." Liu Huiling replied as she stood up to carry her plates.

"Leave the plates here, I will send them away. Just go up and freshen up, and probably take a nap. I will set food for the children when they wake up." Mrs. Zhang said to her in a kind voice.

"Thank you, mother." Liu Huiling replied with a grateful smile on her face as she turned to walk away.

That night, Mrs. Zhang kept checking the time with a worried look on her face. 

Well, I'm quite sure that she must have checked the time more than a hundred times.

Not being able to bear the suspense any longer, she hurried over to her daughter-in-law's side to ask, "Ling, does Zhang Wei normally come home this late?."

Liu Huiling was taken aback by the sudden question, so she glanced at her wristwatch to check the time.

When she discovered that it was very late, there was one option left for her, and that was to lie as usual.

"Not really mother, he comes home late on some days when the company matters are really serious. He doesn't come with any work, so he has to finish them at work before coming home."

"Even at that. Take a look at the time, it's almost 11 pm. What kind of work will keep him out by this time of the night?." Mrs. Zhang asked, not buying that idea.

"Mother, he has lots of work to do these days, because there is a promotion that is coming up in his company." Liu Huiling told another lie.

She was truly becoming an expert at telling lies!

"He had better be promoted, otherwise, all of these would be a waste. It's so late, he needs to come home. Did he forget that he has a wife and children at home?. I think shouldn't be talking too much, let me give him a call." Mrs. Zhang said as she walked away.

Liu Huiling breathed a sigh of relief after she left, She was truly relieved.

She forgot to inform her husband about his mother's surprise visit. She must not have put him in mind.

Maybe she didn't care anymore 🤷‍♀️

As for Zhang Wei, he had already promised his girlfriend earlier that day, that he would be staying over at the apartment he rented for her.

Now suddenly receiving a call from his mother, he saw himself flying back home from his girlfriend's apartment.

"Where are you?." Mrs. Zhang questioned with authority in her voice.

"Ma? I'm at the office." Zhang Wei lied as he winked at his half-naked girlfriend.

"Why is it so quiet over there?." Mrs. Zhang asked with furrowed brows.

"Mum that's because we are few that is working overtime." Zhang Wei replied as he blew a kiss on his girlfriend.