Xiao Lang worked quickly and soon lunch was on the table: a plate of lush green vegetables, a plate of golden potatoes, and three bowls of steaming noodles.

"Mom, it's time for dinner." Seeing Xiao Lang bring the food to the table, Chen Xiaoru stood up and shouted towards Xiao's mother's room.

"Yes, I'm coming." Xiao's mother responded, opened the door, and walked slowly to the living room.

Xiao Lang said first, "Mom, come and eat. Let's keep it simple today. I didn't know you were coming. We don't have any meat at home. I'll go buy some early tomorrow."

Chen Xiaoru looked at her mother-in-law's face, her heart trembling. Would she find the meal too shabby? She rolled her eyes and quickly added, "Mom, don't underestimate this dish; it's Xiao Lang's specialty! The potatoes he makes are so delicious! Would you like to try some?"

As she spoke, she picked up a piece of potato with chopsticks and gave it to Xiao's mother, with a smile on her face, as if saying, "You must do me the honor, old lady."

Mother Xiao looked at the food on the table, then at Chen Xiaoru's attentiveness, feeling a mixture of emotions. It wasn't that she disliked the food, but... when she was pregnant, she hadn't received such good treatment.

She picked up her chopsticks, picked up a piece of potato, put it in her mouth, and chewed it slowly. The potato was stewed until it was soft and glutinous, with just the right amount of saltiness. It was really delicious.

"Mom, how is it? Is it delicious?" Chen Xiaoru blinked and looked at Xiao's mother expectantly.

Mother Xiao nodded and said lightly: "It's okay."

Chen Xiaoru was delighted when she heard this. "Not bad" meant "very good"! She knew her flattery had paid off!

"Mom, please eat more!" Chen Xiaoru picked up another piece of vegetables for Xiao's mother with chopsticks, "These vegetables are very fresh."

Xiao's mother didn't say anything, but just ate in silence.

Xiao Lang found it funny to watch the interaction between Chen Xiaoru and her mother. His wife was really a "shrewd person"!

He winked at Chen Xiaoru, signaling her to stop "performing." Chen Xiaoru stuck out her tongue and sat down to eat obediently.

Mother Xiao looked at everything in front of her and suddenly said, "It's good to have this to eat. I remember during the war, when there was nothing to eat, we even ate tree roots. Eat it."

After the three of them had a simple meal, Xiao Lang quickly cleared the dishes and went to the kitchen, leaving Chen Xiaoru and Xiao's mother in the living room. The two were silent for a while, and the atmosphere was slightly awkward.

Chen Xiaoru secretly glanced at her mother-in-law and thought, is this old lady still angry about that simple lunch? No, I have to take the initiative! She cleared her throat and spoke with a hint of flattery and a hint of tentativeness: "Mom, you... did you really hate me in the past?"

Mother Xiao sat upright, holding a cup of tea in her hand and blowing gently. When she heard Chen Xiaoru's words, she didn't even raise her eyelids and replied directly with one word: "Yes."

Chen Xiaoru choked. This old lady was too honest! She smiled awkwardly, wondering what to do now. Should she just admit her past "glorious deeds"?

Mother Xiao put down her teacup, raised her head, and stared at Chen Xiaoru with a piercing gaze that made her feel uneasy. Mother Xiao spoke slowly, her tone calm, "I don't just hate you, I really dislike you. You know what you were like before. Why should my son, whom I raised with so much effort, marry a lazy woman who will do nothing for his future?"

Chen Xiaoru blushed and her head almost dropped to her chest. She knew her mother-in-law was telling the truth. She had indeed been a bit erratic before, but now she had turned over a new leaf!

"Mom, I know. I admit, I used to be... a little... that." Chen Xiaoru's voice gradually became softer and softer, like a mosquito's hum. "But I've really gotten better now! Look, I've lost weight! I'm more diligent, and I cook better... Please don't be so prejudiced against me anymore, okay?"

As Chen Xiaoru spoke, she secretly observed Xiao's mother's expression. She knew that the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law was an eternal problem. If it wasn't handled properly, how uncomfortable would Xiao Lang be stuck in the middle?

"Think about it, if the two of us were arguing with each other all day long, causing chaos, wouldn't Xiao Lang be the one who suffered the most? How difficult it would be for him! You don't want him to be caught in the middle, right?" Chen Xiaoru used her trump card and tried to use Xiao Lang to impress her mother-in-law.

After hearing what Chen Xiaoru said, Xiao's mother was silent for a while, as if she was thinking about something. Seeing this, Chen Xiaoru felt a glimmer of hope in her heart.

"I still hate you now," Xiao's mother suddenly said, startling Chen Xiaoru. "But I have to admit, you've really changed a lot. I'm surprised you've lost weight and become so... well... good-looking."

When Chen Xiaoru heard this, her eyes lit up instantly, and she was overjoyed. This old lady finally gave in! She was about to say something else, but was amused by Xiao's mother's next words.

Mother Xiao paused and added, "Your transformation is even faster than the changing faces on the stage!"

Chen Xiaoru almost laughed out loud. This mother-in-law is quite humorous!

She quickly climbed up the pole: "Mom, what you said is true! How can I compare with the face-changing on the stage? This is a real transformation. You have to believe me!"

As she spoke, she patted her chest exaggeratedly to show that what she said was true.

When Xiao's mother looked at Chen Xiaoru like this, the corners of her mouth rose slightly, revealing a barely perceptible smile.

In fact, she had already changed her mind about Chen Xiaoru a lot, but she was still pretending to be so.

"Alright, stop playing tricks in front of me." Xiao's mother waved her hand, her tone much softer. "I know whether you've changed or not. But let me tell you, this level of mine isn't going to be easy."

My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!