Atlas Studios

  Atlas Studios

  Zhou Shuang could sense her concern, and a streak of surprise shot across her eyes. But she didn’t stop.

  Lu Yinan’s mother stared at Zhou Shuang’s back and she softly muttered, “I don’t understand the minds of the young people these days. Why is being as skinny as a monkey considered pretty?”


  Lu Huanyan overheard her grandmother, and she quipped, “It’s ugly when you’re fat.”
……

  Lu Yinan’s mother disregarded Yanyan’s remarks and poured soup into a bowl. She bent and sat on the edge of the bed and scooped some with a spoon. “Jiaojiao, drink some,” said Lu Yinan’s mother as she blew on the soup.

  Jiaojiao drank it and she asked, “Grandmother, where is Daddy?”


  Lu Yinan’s mother pointed in the couch’s direction. “He is sleeping there. Be quiet.”


  “Mommy and Daddy are together,” Jiaojiao proclaimed happily.

  Lu Yinan’s mother’s widened her eyes in surprise. “Really?”


  Jiaojiao nodded ferociously. “They slept together just now.”


  Lu Yinan’s mother sized up Lu Yinan, who was still sleeping on the couch. She pressed her lips silently.

  It didn’t seem as though they’ve reconciled.

  They were just putting on a show for the child.

  She averted her gaze and her eyes darted to the triplets. She whispered, “Mommy is still angry with Daddy. All of you must help Daddy, understand? If not, Daddy will not be together with Mommy. Then all three of you will be poor little things.”


  “Okay.” The triplets nodded earnestly at the same time.

  They looked solemn and eager.

  As though they truly understood the seriousness of the situation.

  Zhou Shuang washed up and came out of the bathroom as she flung droplets of water on the floor.

  She walked towards the bed and Lu Yinan’s mother stood up with a bowl of soup. “Have some. You like pork ribs and corn soup, don’t you?”


  “Oh!” Zhou the bowl of steaming soup startled Shuang. The corn was swimming enticingly in the bowl.

  Was she dreaming?

  Why was this old lady so nice to her?

  Every time she quarreled with Lu Yinan, she always treated her coldly.

  Why was she…… being so nice to her?

  Lu Yinan’s mother became annoyed when Zhou Shuang froze. “If you skip meals, how can you be a role model for the triplets?”


  Zhou Shuang frowned and quipped, “I didn’t skip meals.”


  She lost weight by exercising alright.

  “Anyway, don’t lose any more weight.” Lu Yinan’s mother sized her up from top to toe and pushed the bowl towards her.

  Zhou Shuang had exercised daily in the morning and at night for the past six months. She ate lesser and lost a substantial amount of weight. She had reverted to her pre-pregnancy weight.

  Since she became a mother, she appeared to be more feminine and mature.

  Her hair was longer.

  And indeed, her looks and temperament seemed to have improved……

  Lu Yinan’s mother scrutinized her carefully.

  “Madam Chen, why are you scrutinizing my children’s mother?”


  Lu Yinan’s lazy and sleepy voice sounded with a hint of amusement.

  Lu Yinan’s mother turned and peered at her son, who was yawning away. “Rascal. Wake up and drink some soup.”


  Lu Yinan put down his hand and asked, “Isn’t the soup for your granddaughter and daughter-in-law? You cooked my share too?”


  He had blurted

  so casually and naturally that it seemed as though there was nothing wrong. But indeed, Zhou Shuang was the rightful daughter-in-law of the Lu family.