Chapter 8: Grandma Hired a Nutritionist (Part 1)

She tugged her collar higher, yet it could not conceal the mark; a surge of frustration welled within her. She had done nothing, yet if others saw it, they might think how intense last night had been. Silently emerging from the bathroom, Cold Mo Han had already tidied up and neatly laid her clothes by the bedside. “Wear this today. We’re attending a gathering together,” he said.

Lin Yan glanced at the outfit on the bed: a powder blue wool skirt paired with a black sweater. It looked elegant but not overly formal. In truth, she liked the clothes but, thinking of the mark on her neck and annoyed by his flirtation with Zi Yan, she retorted coldly, “It’s hideous. I’m not wearing it.”

Cold Mo Han lowered his eyelids and chuckled softly, offering no rebuttal. He leaned against the wardrobe quietly watching her rummage through her clothes.

Lin Yan selected a pink top and white pants from the wardrobe.

Once dressed, she looked fresh and neat.

However, if she had known what the day would bring, she would never have chosen this attire. But the world offers no such foresight.

Downstairs, Madam Leng had risen early and sat by the dining table reading the newspaper. Lin Yan descended and respectfully greeted, “Mother.”

Then, sticking out her tongue at Aunt Zhang who was carrying breakfast, she whispered, “You’re late.”

Aunt Zhang winked but said nothing, placing a bowl of fragrant, glutinous porridge on the table before returning to the kitchen.

Lin Yan picked up an empty bowl and ladled the porridge, head bowed slightly. Madam Leng put down her newspaper, watching her with an inscrutable expression.

Morning sunlight streamed through the large floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing Lin Yan in a sacred radiance. Her naturally fair skin, combined with the pink top and white pants, made her look pure and pristine. Madam Leng smiled softly, then her gaze fell on the faint pink mark on Lin Yan’s slightly turned neck — a clear kiss mark. Finally, Madam Leng laughed and pulled Lin Yan down to sit beside her. “Alright, sit and eat. Don’t keep moving about.”

Lin Yan nodded and sat beside her. Madam Leng took a sip of porridge and casually asked, “Yan Yan, have you had a physical exam in the last two years?”

“Ah?” Lin Yan, with a mouthful of porridge barely swallowed, quickly grabbed a tissue from the box and covered her mouth, staring blankly at Madam Leng.

“You and Xiao Han should both get a checkup soon. I’ll arrange it for you,” Madam Leng continued after another sip. “Also, I’ll find a nutritionist for you. You need to strengthen your nutrition. You’re too thin and not suitable for childbirth.”

At these words, Lin Yan’s face flushed again, and she nodded softly.

When Cold Mo Han sat down at the table, Lin Yan was nearly finished with her first bowl of porridge. Under Madam Leng’s insistence, she had to eat another bowl. The morning porridge was a glutinous eight-treasure concoction. Lin Yan loved sweets, so two bowls were not difficult. But Cold Mo Han struggled; he disliked overly sweet food and drinking that porridge felt like torture to him. Throughout breakfast, he kept frowning.

As breakfast was winding down, the doorbell rang. Aunt Zhang opened the door, and Lin Yan followed her to the entrance.

Outside stood a particularly beautiful young woman wearing a grass-green slip dress with a white shawl draped over her shoulders. Her lips were painted with a bright red gloss—the very shade Lin Yan disliked most. Her skin was not pale but a healthy wheat color, and surprisingly, the vivid red suited her beautifully.