Country Love: Xie Dajiao, 37, is pregnant!

"What's wrong?"

Lin Chen raised an eyebrow, leaned forward, and an immediate sense of oppression rose up:

"So you're saying I've come too often? You're hoping I'll leave quickly so you don't interfere with your enjoyment, Mr. Liu, right?"

Liu Da Nao shook his head like a rattle drum, waving his hands repeatedly:

"I feel so reassured having you here, Mr. Lin. With you in charge, the resort's business is sure to take off! I couldn't be happier!"

"Then why are you talking nonsense?"

Lin Chen waved his hand impatiently:

"Hurry up and prepare a room for me. It needs to be sunny and quiet. Change all the bedding. Also, prepare that empty office next door for me to use as a workspace. Be quick and don't dawdle."

"Okay! I'll get right on it! I'll make sure it's spotless!"

Liu Da Nao, as if grasping at a lifeline, dared not linger and quickly slipped out of the office.

He knew in his heart that if he stayed any longer, he might say something wrong again and get scolded again, which would take at least half an hour.

Just as he stepped out of the corridor and was about to catch his breath, he saw Chef Li, the fat man, sneaking over with a thermos.

Fatty Li lowered his voice and whispered:

"Mr. Liu, Mr. Liu, you're finally out! I've prepared a special meal for you today, with abalone and sea cucumber stewed right there, piping hot. Should I put it in your office or your car?"

Startled, Liu Da Nao quickly grabbed Li Pang Zi, pulled him to the corner, and whispered:

"Are you out of your mind? Why are you yelling like that! Can't you see Lin Chen is here? He's sitting in the office! If he sees you waving this thing around, he'll eat me alive!"

Fatty Li panicked, his chubby face immediately fell:

"Oh? Mr. Lin is here? Then... what should we do? It's all cooked, it's a waste to throw it away."

He lifted the lid of the insulated container, looked at the plump abalone and sea cucumber inside, and couldn't help but smack his lips:

"These abalone are really good, each one is plump, and so are the sea cucumbers, all expensive stuff."

Liu Da Nao felt sorry for him, but given the current situation, he didn't dare to take it inside.

He gritted his teeth and waved his hand:

"Alright, alright, take it and eat it! Don't linger around me, hurry up and leave through the back door, don't let President Lin see you."

"Huh? You're giving it to me?"

Fatty Li's eyes lit up, then he pretended to be polite:

"Mr. Liu, I don't have that mouth, these are all expensive items..."

"Stop talking nonsense, just take it!"

Liu Da Nao gave him a push in annoyance:

"Get out of here, get out of here. Don't cause any more trouble. If I catch you loitering around during work hours again, I'll teach you a lesson."

"Oh, thank you, Mr. Liu!"

Fatty Li was overjoyed. He grabbed the thermos and skipped out the back door, muttering to himself as he went:

"This abalone is so fresh..."

Liu Da Nao looked at his retreating figure, his heart aching so much he kept sucking his teeth.

I had a perfectly good special meal prepared for me, but I didn't get a single bite and even gave it away for free. What bad luck!

He calmed himself down, cleared his throat, and called out towards the stairwell:

"Xiao Li! Xiao Li! Where is he? Come here!"

After calling out twice, Secretary Li slowly emerged from the stairwell.

Her eyes were red-rimmed, tears still clinging to her eyelashes; she was still distraught and listless.

"Mr. Liu... did you call me?" Xiao Li asked softly, head down.

Liu Da Nao didn't have time for small talk and went straight to assigning tasks:

"Go to the guest rooms and clean up the largest suite on the sunny side. Change the bedding and toiletries to brand new ones, and make sure it's spotless. Mr. Lin will be staying at the resort for a few days, so be careful and don't let anything go wrong."

Xiao Li panicked upon hearing this, looked up at him with a very uneasy expression:

"Mr. Liu... is my job... alright? Mr. Lin was so angry just now, he won't fire me, will he? I finally found this job, I don't want to leave..."

"Oh dear, who knows what's going on now?"

Liu Da Nao scratched his head, looking quite worried:

"You've seen Lin Chen's temper. He'll scold you without hesitation and won't give you any face. How can I know what he's thinking? Let's just take it one step at a time. You should focus on your work and be diligent so he can't find fault with you."

Xiao Li bit her lip and hesitated for a long time. After looking around to make sure no one was watching, she muttered to herself:

"Mr. Liu... then why did he make me make the bed? He wouldn't... wouldn't he be trying to take advantage of me? I'm a virgin, I can't..."

Liu Da Nao was completely speechless after hearing this, and rolled his eyes at her:

"Hey Li, can you stop thinking about all that useless stuff? Look at Lin Chen, he's the chairman's nephew, handsome and rich, and his wives are all gorgeous, their legs are almost as long as yours. Why would he even look at you?"

"Go and clean the house, do your job well, be quick and efficient, don't overthink things, and say some nice things to Lin Chen. If you really upset him and he fires you, you'll be crying your eyes out. Also, don't do the secretary job for now, I'll find you another job to do temporarily."

"Huh? Then what should I do?"

Liu Da Nao thought for a moment and said:

"As long as Mr. Lin is at the resort, you'll be there to serve him. Serving him tea and water, and you need to be sweet-talking. Don't always try to copy me, but you absolutely must."

After hearing this, Xiao Li finally felt relieved, and his face brightened.

"Oh...I see. Then I'm relieved. Okay, Mr. Liu, I'll go clean it up right now and make sure it's spotless!"

After saying that, the little girl ran out lightly, no longer feeling wronged.

Liu Da Nao watched her retreating figure and couldn't help but roll his eyes. She was really just wasting her time thinking about things without considering her own abilities. She was just being delusional.

He leaned against the wall, lit a cigarette, and pondered. With Lin Chen now permanently residing at the villa, he knew his days were numbered.

Forget about slacking off, being lazy, getting special treatment, or trying to get something for nothing.

The corridor outside was shrouded in gloom, but Lin Chen in the office was unusually relaxed.

He leaned back in his chair, took out his phone, and called Xie Xiaomei.

The call was quickly connected, and Xie Xiaomei's gentle voice came through the receiver, with Chen Yannan's laughter and chatter in the background, making it sound particularly lively.

"Hey, Chen-ge? All done with the business? When are you coming back?"

"I'm not going back tonight."

Lin Chen's tone softened:

"The resort is a mess. Liu Da Nao is useless. I have to stay here for a few days. I'll be eating and sleeping at the resort. You stay here and behave yourself. Don't run around. If you want to eat something, I'll have the kitchen make it and send it back to you guys."

"Oh? You're staying there?"

Xie Xiaomei was a little surprised, but quickly smiled and said:

"Alright, then you go ahead with your work. Don't worry about home, don't bring food. I'm not the only one at home, nothing's wrong."

"After Xiaomeng finishes her work at the bean product factory in a couple of days, my sisters and I will go to visit you together. It'll be a good way to relax. But since I'm pregnant now, I can't go to the hot springs. We can only take a stroll around."

"If you can't soak in the water, then don't. You can just wander around the resort and have some good food."

Lin Chen smiled:

"When you arrive, I'll have the kitchen prepare something light for you. Just let me know what you'd like to eat in advance. I don't mind having Big Foot overseeing things at home."

"Okay, I understand."

Xie Xiaomei carefully instructed:

"Don't get angry, don't stoop to Liu Da Nao's level. It's not worth getting sick from anger. Go to bed early tonight and don't stay up too late."

"Okay, whatever you say."

Lin Chen chatted with her for a couple more minutes before hanging up the phone.

At night, every household in the village turned on its lights.

At Xie Guangkun's home, the family of three were eating at the kang table, which was piled high with food, looking very substantial.

The steaming sticky corn was served alongside a side of vegetables with dipping sauce: cabbage leaves, scallions, cucumber strips, chili peppers, and pickled vegetables. In the center was a bowl of egg sauce that smelled delicious. There was also a large pot of stewed potatoes and green beans, stewed until very tender.

The TV was on, and the family of three was eating around the table. At first, it was quiet, with only the clinking of bowls and chopsticks.

Xie Guangkun silently munched on corn, making smacking noises that filled the entire room.

As Yongqiang's mother ate, she would occasionally put a piece of green bean on her son's plate.

Xie Yongqiang munched on corn, secretly glancing at his father. Seeing that Xie Guangkun's mood seemed relatively stable and good today, he thought to himself that this was a good opportunity to bring up the matter of getting their marriage certificate.