252. A Loving Breakfast Isn’t Heartbreaking

"Alright, alright, I'm not even married yet, and my own daughter's siding with someone else already. This is heartbreaking!" Dad Lin gave an exaggerated sigh, dramatically placing a hand over his heart. "My sweet little girl used to be my warmest coat in winter, and now she's turning into some black-hearted cotton robe!"

"Oh, Father, what nonsense are you speaking now?" Lin Xiaohan leaned against his shoulder, cheeks turning pink as she clung to him playfully. "I'm still your cutest and prettiest little padded jacket! Where's the black heart in that?"

Lady Lin raised a brow and stared at her daughter from across the room, her gaze sharp and unblinking.

Feeling the weight of her mother's eyes, Lin Xiaohan shifted nervously. She tucked her chin in and asked in a softer voice, "Mother… why are you looking at me like that?"

Lady Lin didn't speak at first. She furrowed her brow, as if mulling something over seriously, then said in a firm tone, "No wonder people say love is like magic. You've barely started courting, and already you're giggling and acting silly. My silly girl, be careful. Love can turn smart women into fools. Don't let your heart carry your head."

Lin Xiaohan's face flushed deeper. "Oh come on, Mother! You're overthinking it! I haven't lost my mind. If anything, Hanhan—he was the one who confessed first! He chased after me, not the other way around. If anyone's going to lose their head, it'll be him, right?"

Lady Lin looked at her daughter, all smiles and glowing like someone in love. She rolled her eyes and muttered, "Whatever you say. Just remember to keep a close eye on this Jason Liu fellow. Men with money are quick to change these days. Don't trust too easily."

"We've only just started dating! Why are you talking about marriage already?" Lin Xiaohan huffed. The idea of marriage hadn't crossed her mind seriously—after all, she was only twenty-three. This was the time to enjoy life, not rush into tying herself down.

"Exactly!" Lord Lin chimed in. "Let them date for a couple of years. If they still feel right for each other after that, then they can talk about marriage. No need to rush."

Lady Lin folded her arms. "I'm not saying she must get married right away. I'm just saying—if she wants to, I'd support her! A girl's heart can rest easier when she knows the man truly loves her enough to make it official."

"Alright, alright! I'm going to my room!" Lin Xiaohan grabbed her things and ran off before her mother started bringing up babies and childbirth next.

Lady Lin opened her mouth to call after her but was stopped by her husband. "Let it be. She's grown up now. You can't control every part of her life forever. You've protected her all her life, but now it's time to let her grow on her own."

Lady Lin sighed. She knew her husband was right. Still, she muttered under her breath, "I just don't want her to get hurt. That's all. What mother wouldn't worry?"

Lord Lin quickly raised both hands in surrender. He wasn't about to argue with a woman approaching her menopausal years.

On the eighth day of the new moon, the company resumed work after the festival break. Surprisingly, Jason Liu was seen arriving early at the office—something so rare it had all the employees whispering behind their desks.

"Good morning, Mr. Liu!" one staffer greeted politely.

Jason smiled and nodded, walking briskly through the main floor toward his office. His presence caused quite a stir. After all, since the company was established, he had only shown up a handful of times. That he arrived before the sun was fully up was, frankly, a miracle.

Of course, Jason Liu hadn't suddenly found a new love for work. No, he'd gotten up early because Lin Xiaohan—his new girlfriend—had told him she'd be bringing breakfast to the office.

Now that he was no longer a lonely bachelor, and with Lin claiming him with a ring on his finger, he could no longer live as freely as before.

So, he set an alarm, took a hot bath, dressed up properly, and drove straight to the company—without being even a minute late.

Well, that's commitment… for a boss.

Over in the finance department, Lin Xiaohan heard the greetings to Mr. Liu from outside and couldn't help but smile behind her stack of documents.

"He really did come early today," she whispered to herself, pleased.

She pulled a lunch box from her desk drawer—inside was the breakfast she'd worked on with her mother that morning. Two steamed buns, two fried dough sticks, two fried eggs, and a bowl of warm millet porridge.

Okay, fine. The buns and dough sticks were bought by her mother, and the porridge was cooked by her too. The only thing Lin Xiaohan personally made were the two slightly burnt fried eggs… but hey, it's the thought that counts, right?

Jason Liu blinked as Lin Xiaohan opened the box in front of him. The smell was inviting, even though the eggs looked... well, dark.

"You made all this?" he asked, eyebrows raised as he poked at the eggs.

Looking at the scene, anyone could tell something was off—the buns and fried sticks looked professionally made, but those eggs were half-paste, half-burnt.

Embarrassed, Lin Xiaohan admitted softly, "My mom bought the dough sticks and buns… and cooked the porridge. I only made the eggs."

Jason chuckled. "Ah, that makes sense. Most girls these days can't even light a fire. Thank the gods you didn't burn the house down!"

But just as the words left his mouth, he felt a chill in the air.

He looked up to see Lin Xiaohan glaring at him, eyes wide and fierce, leaning over the desk like she might jump across it and bite him.

Jason shut his mouth immediately.

"Oh, thank you so much for acknowledging that I didn't burn the house down," Lin Xiaohan hissed through clenched teeth. "Here I am, waking up early, trying to make you a loving breakfast, and all you've got to say is that I'm lucky not to set the place on fire?"

She wanted to bite him. She really did. This was the man she fell in love with? What kind of dick makes a comment like that?

Jason realized he'd messed up. "Wait, wait, I didn't mean it like that! I swear—"

"If you're not eating, I'll take it back," she snapped, folding her arms. "I woke up early for this, you ungrateful ."

"I'll eat it! I'll eat it!" Jason grabbed a pair of chopsticks and shoved the fried egg into his mouth without hesitation.

It tasted like slightly burnt disappointment—but also, strangely enough, a little bit like love.

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