The Overnight Chosen Wife: Darling, Kiss Me Deeper

"When Xiehan was born, I wanted him to take my surname. Huifen and I fought over it so much that I gave up on it. I didn't even suggest the same thing with Feifei." She let it out in one breath, which made Lanni want to scoff.

"So you were jealous that my husband agreed to what I wanted when yours didn't?" What kind of childish reason was that?

"When you put it that way, it sounds so childish and embarrassing." Wen Lin looked down in her cup. "But basically yes. It's because Yuming gets to have what I couldn't."

Lanni raised an eyebrow. Wow.

She remained silent for a while trying to process it. "I can't lie that it's okay. It's my child, mother-in-law. If I decide to give it to my mother to raise it, that's up to Xiehan and me."

"I understand that now,"Wen Lin admitted. "My thoughts were clouded. I hope our relationship doesn't become strained because of this. But if you would like me to keep my distance for a while, I will respect that."

Lanni shook her head. "I don't want to be the reason for a mother to stay away from her son."

"Don't worry, we changed our minds. Our child will bear its father's surname like every other kid." She added.

"Lanni, don't do that because of me." Wen Lin felt guilty and even she found herself strange. How ironic that when what she wanted to happen was happening, she didn't feel happy about it.

Lanni offered a smile. "Let's not argue about this. It's all good.#

"Okay."

The two continued to take their soft drinks, until Xiehan returned and shifted his gaze between them. "You're all good?"

"Perfectly, yes." Lanni smiled.

Xiehan heaved a sigh of relief. He had been worried that they would no longer see eye to eye.

"Mother, would you like to stay for lunch?" He invited.

"If you don't mind having me." She didn't mind spending time with them.

….

While they ate much lunch later, Xiehan finally said, "Lanni and I will be away on a business trip."

Wen Lin frowned at him. "You punk, why do you rush into work mode as soon as you get married? Spend more time with your wife."

"That's exactly why I'm taking her along." He reached to take her hand to tease it.

Wen Lin didn't think the idea of a workaholic honeymoon would be fun. "How about you leave the company to me and your father for a week or two?" She suggested, which Xiehan turned down.

"It's okay. I got this." He didn't want to bother his father with the company when he had already taken over. Besides, it was nothing that he could not handle.

Hence, the couple left for Italy the following day.

…

"Italy is beautiful." Lanni couldn't hold back her awe as they had a walk down the street, a few hours after their arrival. She had taken a short nap and couldn't wait to explode Rome.

"It's calming as well." He seconded. "We can use this trip to check out possible destinations for our honeymoon. Of course, that's not limited to Italy. We can go to France too, or Belgium… anywhere you want to go."

She thought about all the destinations in her mind and ended up shaking her head. They all seemed like a blast." I can't seem to decide yet."

"We have five months to figure it out." He kissed the top of her head and took her hand in his.

"Is your meeting starting soon? And do I need to accompany you to the meeting?" She asked, looking up at him and almost bumping into a biker with her eyes away from the road.

He smoothly pulled her closer to him. "Yes and yes. We are meeting in Ristorante Six for Brunch. Mr. Ricci is bringing his wife along so I don't think he minds me bringing mine."

"Okay."

…

Just as he predicted, Mr. Ricci was thrilled to see Lanni—because his wife could make a friend and would not be bored. She paid attention to their discussion but halfway, she had to go to the bathroom. She was just in time to bump into someone she would never have expected

"It would be an understatement to say that you are everywhere." She shook her head.

"Am I? I don't think we have met for the past two years and a couple of months." Flynn grinned, crossing his arms.

"What are you doing here anyway?" Lanni asked.

"The same thing you are doing here. I'm on a business strip."

"How do you know I'm on a business trip?"

"You don't randomly travel the world and if you were on your honeymoon, you would be in your room rolling in bed with your husband, not here in a restaurant." His unfiltered words made her uncomfortable. He chuckled and added, "Congratulations."

"What?" She raised her eyebrows.

"On your marriage. I mean, it's quite natural for a brother to only find out that his sister is married from social media." He huffed sarcastically.

"I'm sorry." She had really forgotten about him since they didn't once communicate in the past couple of years.

"It's okay. I'm messing with you." He gave an odd smile. "Say hello to our niece, will you? And our nephew too. Make sure he doesn't eat your hand when you pet him."

She laughed. "You can go and say it yourself, you know."

"I would, but I'm chasing a girl. If I step away for a second, the hungry wolves will steal her away." He winked.

"Then she must be gone. Follow her, quick." She laughed at his antics. He was still crazy. That might never change.

Just as she was about to enter the ladies room, she heard him call after her. "Lanni,"

"Yeah?" She turned back to face him.

He was silent for a long while and she was about to probe what he wanted to say when he spoke with what seemed like a forced smile. "Take care of yourself and of Luna, okay?"

She nodded. "Take care of yourself too."

"Will do." He smiled, and then he was gone.

____

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