I Only Choked on Noodles, Why Am I Here?! [BL]

Chapter 3: Chapter 3 – The Call for Separation

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She wanted him dead and would dance on his grave if she could. Han Yan let himself chuckle quietly.

"Mother-in-law," Lin Xin acted as if he didn’t hear anything and walked up to Madam Wei, speaking softly,

"Yan-ge is still weak and only just got up. I had to stay with him, so I couldn’t help prepare the meal or set the table. Please forgive me."

Madam Wei’s lips curled, and she let out a sharp snort.

"Hmph, excuses again. A ger who can’t even do a bit of housework useless." She gave Lin Xin a cold glare before turning away.

"Come quickly. Dinner has been served. Don’t complain if you see nothing left." She swept her eyes over Han Yan once more, her face full of dislike, before walking off.

Lin Xin’s shoulders tensed at the harsh words. His lashes trembled, lowering his head like a scolded child.

Han Yan, still sitting on the edge of the bed, clenched his jaw at Madam Wei’s cruelty. Rising slowly to his feet, he looked down at Lin Xin. A small, quiet smile curved across his lips as he reached out.

Lin Xin’s heart fluttered. His cheeks flushed pink as Han Yan’s hand found his. For a brief moment, they held hands, a quiet reassurance passing between them. Lin Xin lowered his gaze, feeling both comforted and shy.

They walked together toward the hall. Han Yan subtly shielded him as they entered. The room was simple and practical, with long wooden tables and straight-backed chairs. Paper lanterns hung from the ceiling, casting soft, flickering light, and plain wooden beams held up the roof.

At the head of the table sat Old Man Han, his father, eating steadily, eyes barely glancing toward them. Madam Wei’s sharp glare followed, clearly displeased.

On the left, Han Qiang, the eldest brother, wore his sly smile. His wife, Madam Zhang, fussed over their young son, Han Bo, while the five-year-old twins, Han Ling and Han Qing, sat quietly and timidly.

On the right, Han Sheng, the third brother, mostly stayed silent. His wife, Madam Liu, served their daughter Han Lan with a sweet smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

Han Yan’s eyes swept the table. The weak furniture, the anxious children, the greedy glances, the unspoken favoritism it all made him sigh inwardly. This family table is really too pitiful, he thought.

Lin Xin whispered softly,

"There are too many people... Mother-in-law will be angry."

Han Yan smiled faintly and sat down. The noisy table fell silent as everyone’s eyes turned toward him. He calmly placed food into Lin Xin’s bowl, even giving him meat.

Immediately, Madam Wei’s glare sharpened, cutting across the table like a knife.

First Sister-in-law Madam Zhang protested,

"Second Brother-in-law, it’s not only Second Sister-in-law Lin Xin who needs to eat. My son doesn’t have much either since you haven’t gone hunting." She added more to her child’s plate.

Madam Wei’s eyes narrowed.

"Exactly. You should let my only grandson eat first."

Old Man Han nodded, silently favoring the first branch of the family.

Han Yan ignored them, continuing to put food into Lin Xin’s bowl. Lin Xin’s hands trembled, but he ate what was placed before him, his bowl quickly becoming a small mountain of food. Quiet, grateful glances toward Han Yan were unavoidable.

Finally, Han Yan’s voice cut through the tense silence, calm and steady:

"Father, I want to split up."

Madam Wei jumped to her feet, slamming her hand on the weak table. Dishes rattled dangerously.

"You, you! How dare you! You want to leave? Never!"

Old Man Han looked at her sharply.

"Sit," he said coldly, slamming his chopsticks down. The table trembled again under the force, but his command silenced her instantly.

Han Yan continued eating, calm and composed. Lin Xin, beside him, felt a faint warmth as the steady presence of his husband made even the harshest glances tolerable.

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