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n

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nThe three of them continued to stroll around the forest. Lu Qiang happily toured her around the place, whimsically introducing her to the other animals in the forest.

nXiu Mei felt like she was in some fairytale book, kinda like Snow White where she's surrounded by some animals and they are able to communicate with her. Much like what Lu Qiang is doing around right now.

nLu Chen casually walked alongside her, his hand gripping hers. He must've thought that she hasn't noticed it until now but she was feeling overly conscious about the contact.

nShe was even nervous at the fact that Lu Chen might discover how fast her heart is racing at the moment.

nAfter walking for almost an hour, the three of them finally stopped walking after arriving at their destination.

nXiu Mei gasped in awe as she stared at the very scenic view in front of her. From the spot she was standing at, she can see the mountain ranges spanning widely in front of her eyes. The lush green trees decorating beautifully the place and even from afar, she could hear the sound of the waterfalls. Every now and then, she would hear various bird noises of different types.

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"It's beautiful!

" She exclaimed as she continued admiring the place. To think that such place still exists up to know, she really couldn't help but admire it even more.

n

"Mom.

" Lu Qiang called. Xiu Mei halted her admiration on the view in front of her to shift her attention to the little kid that she was holding in her other hand.

n

"Hmm?

"

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"Let's have lunch here!

" He said, as he pointed at the direction of the lake a few steps away from them.

nShe followed the direction he was pointing at and saw a blanket sprawled on the ground and a basket on it.

nBefore she could even respond to Lu Qiang, she felt her hand being pulled by Lu Chen towards the lake. He then pressed down on her shoulders to make her sit down on the blanket. After doing so, Lu Chen opened the basket and took out everything inside it.

nWhile he was still preparing the food, she felt something shuffling just behind her that made her look back. Xiu Mei almost jumped off of her seat upon discovering that it was Lu Qiang's pet lion, King. She turned stiff on her seat realizing how close she was to the lion.

nKing felt her staring at him, opening one of his eyes to stare back at her before growling softly and started ignoring her.

nScared stiff, Xiu Mei didn't remove her gaze at King. Even though Lu Chen had clarified it to her so many times that they won't hurt her or anything, she couldn't help but be scared.

n

"Xiu Mei.

"

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"Oh?

" She answered him but kept her gaze behind her back.

n

"Eat.

" Feeling something soft on her hand, she hesitantly moved away her gaze to look at what was handed over to her. She looked at the sandwich on her hand then raised her eyes to look at Lu Chen.

n

"Or do you want me to feed you?

"

nXiu Mei's eyes jumped seeing the playful smile on Lu Chen's face as if he would really feed her if she don't start eating any time soon. Like an obedient kid, she quickly took a bite of her sandwich and munched on it.

nSeriously, Lu Chen seems to be having so much fun teasing her. Xiu Mei glared at Lu Chen who was smiling and watching her eat the food similar to a parent proudly smiling at his good kid.

nDamn it, did she just really compare herself to a little kid?!

n

"You… I wanna file for resignation!

" Xiu Mei blurted out in frustration.

n

"Oh?

" Lu Chen wasn't a tidbit surprised at her statement. His reaction sounded like he did not believe anything from what she said.

n

"I..

"

n

n

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"You're resigning to be my housewife?

" Lu Chen teased.

nWhat the fudge?! Where did that come from?!

nXiu Mei looked at Lu Chen in disbelief hearing his words. How shameless was he to be able to come up with that?

n

"Who said about being your housewife?!

"

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"You.

"

n

"!!

"

nReally shameless!!!

n

"Mr.Lu, you're being delusional.

" She crossed her arms as she said that and straightened her back as if she was proving how true it was.

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"Mrs.Lu,

" Crease showed between her brows after hearing his endearment to her but she still did not speak.

"I'm just telling the truth.

"

nLu Chen said that so confidently like it was really going to happen. Like hell, it wouldn't!

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"First and foremost, I AM never going to be a housewife. Married or not, I'll decide my own path whether I want to work or not.

" Xiu Mei even raised her index finger showing number one.

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"Second, I can still turn you down and stop you from pursuing me any further. After all, I really don't care since I'm not really that interested in going into a relationship with anyone for that matter.

"

nXiu Mei spoke everything as a matter-of-factly. She wouldn't let anyone decide her future for her, and if she wants to continue working after marriage, no one won't be able to stop her.

nAnd right now, she thinks Lu Chen is speaking too highly of himself. Where did he get the guts to be so assured that she would marry him?

nEven though she's having butterflies in her stomach and heart-racing moments whenever he was around, she's still clear that this wasn't at the level of love yet. She can still grasp her feelings very well and she can turn down Lu Chen at any moment.

nAfter all, the only reason she accepted Lu Chen's courting in the first place was that she felt his sincerity the last he had asked her, and she was actually also considering his proposal due to Lu Qiang's sake.

nEvery little kid thirsts for a maternal love. And that's the thing that Lu Chen wouldn't be able to give Lu Qiang no matter how hard he try thus, even if she hasn't decided to accept the marriage proposal of Lu Chen, she can try being a 'mom' for Lu Qiang right now.

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