Chen Fei returned from her coffee run downstairs. She also bought breakfast for everyone. A bodyguard helped her carry everything.
Iris glanced up from her laptop. "Why do you look so frazzled? That's a new look from you."
Chen Fei rolled her eyes before casting an annoyed look at her sleeping fiancé. "His fans mobbed me at the restaurant while I was buying breakfast. Good thing that two bodyguards followed me and prevented the fans from trampling me over."
"Were they rude?" Iris asked.
"No, they weren't rude." Chen Fei sighed while organizing the breakfast on the table. "They were all very enthusiastic. Too enthusiastic. They said they support me in becoming their Prince Lin Lin's wife."
"That's good, then." Iris nodded. She had been worried for nothing. She thought that Jin Chonglin's fans might have harassed Chen Fei.
"I'm just not used to being surrounded by strangers all the time," Chen Fei said. "I know that it comes with being in a relationship with a celebrity, but I need some time to get used to it. France wasn't that bad compared to here."
"That's true. Only the paparazzi care about harassing a superstar like Brother Chonglin and you in France. Most of the locals don't bother celebrities and their families on a normal day."
Chen Fei sighed again while looking at her too-big of a diamond ring. It felt somewhat heavier the longer she stayed here accompanying Jin Chonglin to watch over his ill grandmother.
As someone who dedicated herself to being the best COO of Orchidia, this period was quickly becoming a test of her relationship with Jin Chonglin. Her man needed her, so she could only stay with him while working remotely which was another challenge in itself.
Nevertheless, she didn't feel dissatisfied. Not at all. She might not be close to Grandma Li, but she respected the old lady.
Chen Fei looked at her sleeping fiancé and felt annoyed all of a sudden. How dare he sleep like a baby while his fans almost trampled her over outside? She marched to the couch and grabbed his blanket.
"Wake up, you lazy bum! The sun is already shining high up in the sky! Why aren't you awake yet?!"
The force Chen Fei used to pull the blanket made Jin Chonglin roll and fall on the floor. "What?! What's happening?! Is it an earthquake?!"
Chen Fei rolled her eyes. "It's time for breakfast, you fool. Go wash your face. Then we'll eat."
"Huh?!" Jin Chonglin stayed sitting on the floor and staring at her in a daze like a stupid idiot.
There was a girl-like giggle from the other side of the room. Chen Fei looked over and saw Huang Yuyan watching them with an amused expression. The sight of her future mother-in-law startled her, making her feel embarrassed. Just a little bit.
"Don't feel shy, my dear," Huang Yuyan said, giving her a kind smile. "My youngest son always does whatever he wants and rarely listens to other people, including me. I'm happy to see that he listens to you."
"Mom, I can hear you!" Jin Chonglin pouted, not pleased at all about what his own mother said about him.
What did his mother mean about being happy that he listened to his woman? Was he a dog?! No way! He was Prince Lin Lin, a superstar loved by millions of fans around the world.
Chen Fei controlled her urge to smack him with a pillow so early in the morning and in front of his mother. "Go freshen up now," she repeated. "The food will get cold if you don't start moving."
"Oh, okay." Jin Chonglin obediently did what he was told.
Chen Fei, Huang Yuyan, and Iris exchanged knowing smiles.
By this time, Jin Liwei had also finished with his phone calls and returned inside from the balcony.
Iris also quickly paused what she was doing, closed her laptop, and helped Chen Fei set the table.
Jin Liwei and Huang Yuyan joined them at the table. Soon after, a refreshed Jin Chonglin sat beside Chen Fei.
While they were eating a simple take-out breakfast, the hospital also delivered breakfast. Even though the patient was unconscious, the hospital cafeteria still provided food for all the patients.
Since Grandma Li was staying in a VIP suite, the food provided was quite generous.
"Not bad," Iris commented. However, she wasn't tempted to eat any of the hospital food.
Jin Liwei wasn't interested either.
Huang Yuyan ate like a bird. She didn't even take a look at the hospital food.
Chen Fei, however, thought that it was a waste not to eat it. She pushed the tray to her fiancé.
"No, I won't eat it." Jin Chonglin pushed it back to her. "Brother Lin Dong will nag me again if I gain weight."
Chen Fei made a show of looking at him up and down.
Similarly, the Lu twins had also been staying at Dragon Palace since their parents went to visit Grandma Li at a faraway hospital. Long Jinjing had already returned last night but Lu Zihao stayed to keep an eye on Grandpa Lu who refused to return home with them. Long Jinjing had decided to stay at Dragon Palace with her sons to wait for Lu Zihao.
Iris was delighted to see all the children together. She wished that she could hug all of them. Even the cats and dogs fought for screen time, wanting to say hello to her.
Huang Yuyan also didn't want to miss the chance to see her grandchildren and the other kids. Jin Chonglin and Chen Fei also joined in the fun.
After the video call, Iris was relieved that her sons had finally stopped crying. Little Mochi and Little Matcha were laughing along with their cousins.
"Xiulan, go home tonight," Chen Fei said. "I already miss the kids and I'm not the mother. You must be missing them badly. Chonglin and I will watch over Grandma Li."
"Is that alright?" Iris was unsure as she glanced at the patient room where Grandma Li remained unconscious.
The brothers, Jin Liwei and Jin Chonglin, were inside checking on their grandmother and speaking with the doctor and nurse who came to check on the old lady.
"Grandma Li seems stable today," Chen Fei commented.
"Let me talk about it with Liwei first," Iris said.
Chen Fei nodded.
For the rest of the day, everyone was on edge, dreading Grandma Li flatlining again. Fortunately, she remained relatively stable.
Jin Liwei glanced at his wristwatch. "Get ready, love. We'll leave in half an hour."
Iris nodded. Earlier, she asked her husband if they could go home to spend time with the kids. He didn't hesitate to agree. He, too, missed their children badly.
However, he planned to return to the hospital the next day. Iris was still deciding whether to return with him or stay at home with the kids.
While Jin Liwei was out on the balcony again speaking on his phone, presumably asking if the helicopter was ready to take them home, Iris went inside the patient room.
She held the old lady's hand. "Grandma Li, Liwei and I will go home. Your great-grandkids are already throwing tantrums. Don't worry. Liwei will be back tomorrow. I'm not yet sure if I'll come with him, but rest assured that I'm always praying for your recovery."
Grandma Li's fingers twitched.
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