Days of Living with My Sister-in-Law-Chapter 48: Unbelievable, So Unbelievable

"Lisan, listen to me, it’s not what you think!"

Xia Xue shot up reflexively, clearly traumatized by her husband’s abuse. The pain in her knee, however, made her legs give way, and she fell right into Chen Xiaobei’s arms.

Wow! So soft, so big, so warm!

Chen Xiaobei rattled off three compliments in his head.

But her husband is right there. It wouldn’t be right to act like a total beast, would it?

With that, Chen Xiaobei quickly pushed Xia Xue away and turned to explain himself to He Lisan. But just then, the unexpected happened. He Lisan looked ready to throw a punch, but he froze the moment he saw Chen Xiaobei’s face.

"Chen, Doctor Chen?" he stammered. "That’s right! It really is Doctor Chen! Oh my! What a misunderstanding. I thought someone was taking liberties with my wife. I’m so sorry, so sorry! My name is He Lisan, and I sincerely apologize, Doctor Chen."

As he spoke, the man bowed a full ninety degrees, his attitude one of utmost respect. He completely ignored the fact that Chen Xiaobei was still holding his wife’s hand.

Chen Xiaobei was baffled.

Where did this nutcase come from? And how does he know I’m a Divine Doctor?

"You... you know me?" Chen Xiaobei frowned.

"Oh! Of course, I do," He Lisan said, acting as if he’d just met his idol. "When you were treating the Li Family’s Third Young Master on the second floor just now, I was watching from the doorway. Your medical skills are truly peerless, surpassing even the great Hua Tuo! It’s a shame I didn’t get a chance to pay my respects then. I never expected to run into you here. This is truly the fortune of three lifetimes."

Under Chen Xiaobei’s astonished gaze, He Lisan turned to his wife and barked, "Xiao Xue, what are you spacing out for? Hurry up and greet Doctor Chen! He’s a favorite of the Third Young Master! If you’re disrespectful, don’t blame me for hitting you!"

"Ah, right, okay." Xia Xue quickly smoothed out her clothes and said nervously, "Mr. Chen, I apologize. I didn’t know about your status. I was a bit presumptuous earlier, please forgive me!"

Chen Xiaobei was dumbfounded.

You weren’t presumptuous with me, were you? And even if you were, it’s not like I’d mind!

It seemed she was truly traumatized by He Lisan’s abuse; her reactions were completely subconscious. Thinking this, Chen Xiaobei quickly explained, "Mayor He, please don’t misunderstand. I was just escorting that girl back to school and happened to run into Teacher Xia! We didn’t do anything at all. Her leg was hurting, and I was about to take a look when you showed up."

He Lisan burst out laughing. "Hahaha! I trust your character, Doctor Chen. Speaking of which, this must be fate. If you don’t mind, Doctor Chen, why not come over to my house for a drink? You were about to treat my wife, so I must thank you properly."

"That... isn’t that a bit inconvenient?" Chen Xiaobei scratched his head, speechless.

"Hey! What’s so inconvenient? It’s just around the corner," He Lisan said, slinging an arm around Chen Xiaobei’s shoulder. He then commanded, "Xiao Xue, what are you waiting for? Go to the supermarket and buy some groceries! Doctor Chen is an honored guest; we absolutely cannot neglect him!"

"Right, okay." Xia Xue nodded repeatedly, her expression pained. Her knee still hurt badly, but she didn’t dare disobey her husband. She could only limp toward the nearby supermarket.

Chen Xiaobei frowned as he watched, his heart filled with contempt for He Lisan’s behavior.

He has such a wonderful wife but doesn’t cherish her, even resorting to domestic violence. What kind of monster is he?

Soon, Xia Xue emerged from the supermarket carrying a pile of groceries. She was limping so badly that even Chen Xiaobei, an outsider, felt a pang of pity for her.

"Teacher Xia, let me carry that," Chen Xiaobei said, taking the plastic bags from her.

"Doctor Chen, no need, I can handle it!" Xia Xue said, awkwardly trying to take them back. She couldn’t help but glance nervously at her husband, afraid He Lisan would fly into a rage and hit her.

But He Lisan’s reaction was surprisingly different. "Xiao Xue, since Doctor Chen wants to help, just let him! You’re a bit older, so just treat him like a younger brother!" he said. Then he beamed at Chen Xiaobei. "Honestly, the more I look at you, Doctor Chen, the more I like you. Why don’t you just call me brother-in-law from now on? Hahaha!"

Spoken like a true official. The man’s shamelessness left Chen Xiaobei speechless.

Chen Xiaobei couldn’t be bothered to respond. If he weren’t curious about what the man was scheming, he would have left in disgust long ago.

Upon arriving at He Lisan’s home, Xia Xue put on a red apron and went into the kitchen to start cooking. Her long, flowing hair was tied back simply, making her look both scholarly and gentle. However, her pained expression made it clear she was still enduring the pain in her leg.

It pained Chen Xiaobei to see this. "Mayor He," he said, "we shouldn’t trouble your wife any longer. It’s getting late, I should be going. Your wife’s leg is injured; she should get some rest."

"No need," He Lisan scoffed. "She’s tough as an ox. She won’t break. Besides, my wife is an excellent cook. You absolutely have to try her food today!"

"Really, there’s no need." Chen Xiaobei was at a loss for words. He decided to be blunt. "Mayor He, we’re practically strangers. Just get to the point. What is it you want from me? I’ll help if I can."

"You’re a straightforward man, Doctor Chen. In that case, I’ll be direct," He Lisan whispered. "Actually, I was hoping you could ask the Third Young Master for me when the Li Family plans to start investing in Shanhe Village. You see, the elections are coming up, and this is directly tied to my political record! Shanhe Village is the most impoverished village in the entire county. If I can turn it around while it’s under my purview, my future will be limitless!"

"What? Invest in Shanhe Village?" Chen Xiaobei thought he had misheard.

What’s there to invest in a godforsaken place like that? Has the Li Family gone mad?

"No, that’s not right," Chen Xiaobei muttered, frowning. He remembered overhearing Luo Wentian say that the Four Great Families were all planning to move into Mangniu Town. No reason was given, but now, it seemed highly likely they were all after Shanhe Village.

Something’s off. There’s definitely something fishy going on.

He grew more and more unsettled. Just then, Xia Xue brought the food to the table. It was a simple home-cooked meal of four dishes and a soup, but she had prepared it exquisitely, and the aroma was tantalizing.

"Doctor Chen, don’t stand on ceremony! Make yourself at home!" He Lisan said, pulling Chen Xiaobei to a seat at the table. As for Xia Xue, she stood by like an obedient kitten, unlikely to even pick up her chopsticks without her husband’s permission.

"Doctor Chen, I’m begging you, please ask the Third Young Master about this for me. If this works out, you’ll be my, He Lisan’s, greatest benefactor!" He Lisan said excitedly, raising his cup.

"Alright, I’ll ask the Third Young Master when I have the chance," Chen Xiaobei nodded.

It had to be said, Xia Xue’s cooking was incredible. Chen Xiaobei wolfed down three bowls of rice before he could reluctantly put his chopsticks down.

"Xiao Xue, come here for a moment." Just as Chen Xiaobei was about to say goodbye, He Lisan pulled Xia Xue into the kitchen.

The next moment, Chen Xiaobei saw the scoundrel whispering nonstop in Xia Xue’s ear, occasionally pointing in his direction. In contrast, Xia Xue’s face went deathly pale, and her delicate fists clenched so tightly that it looked as if tears were about to spill from her beautiful eyes.

What is that bastard up to?

Chen Xiaobei frowned.

Just then, He Lisan suddenly picked up his briefcase and said with a sheepish grin, "Doctor Chen, my apologies, something urgent has come up at the office. I’ll let Xiao Xue have a few drinks with you. I’ll be back in a bit!"

With that, he shot Xia Xue a menacing glare before turning and hurrying out of the house.

What the hell!

Chen Xiaobei was stunned.

A man and a woman, alone in a room.

It was obvious He Lisan intended for him to sleep with his wife! This is fucking insane!

Sure enough, after a fierce internal struggle, the reserved Xia Xue actually sat down beside Chen Xiaobei...