Seven years after transmigrating, he was cornered at the head of the bed by a cold and aloof empress

Chapter 77 A Family Affection! Lin Zhou's Social Butterfly Syndrome Strikes

Su Zhentian's words, "Your judgment is better than mine," were like a supreme pardon, instantly shattering the last vestige of tension in the living room.

The originally suffocating three-way trial took a sudden turn, fast-forwarding directly to a harmonious "father-in-law and son-in-law tea party" segment.

Lin Zhou didn't stand on ceremony. Since his father-in-law had offered him a way out, he naturally took the opportunity. Although he hadn't yet redeemed the [God-Level Social Skill] in his mind, the vast knowledge base given by the system made dealing with this kind of situation a piece of cake.

"Dad, actually, the move you just made was risky, a bit like the 'throw the enemy into a desperate situation and then they will survive' strategy in Sun Tzu's Art of War. If I hadn't been lucky enough to guess the right way to sacrifice a pawn to save the chariot, I would have been routed by now."

While refilling Su Zhentian's hot tea, Lin Zhou subtly flattered him, and also quoted classical texts to discuss the commonalities between military strategy and chess.

Su Zhentian's eyes lit up when he heard this.

Although he was respected at school, the students only felt awe towards him. His wife and daughter at home were not interested in these old-fashioned things. It was rare for him to meet a young man who could keep up with him and have a deep conversation. Once he started talking, he couldn't stop.

They talked about everything from the Chu-Han Contention to the spirit of the Wei and Jin Dynasties, from antique appreciation to international affairs. The more they talked, the more they clicked, and they couldn't wait to chop off a chicken's head and burn some yellow paper on the spot.

Li Yuehua, who was standing to the side, had initially tried to maintain her composure and preserve her dignity as a mother-in-law. But how could Lin Zhou possibly neglect this "Empress Dowager"?

He changed the subject, his gaze falling on Li Yuehua's well-maintained hands, and he praised them sincerely:

"Mom, your hands are so well-maintained; they're definitely an artist's hands. But I notice your knuckles are a little red. Could it be from practicing the piano for too long lately? Maybe it's a sign of tendonitis?"

Li Yuehua was taken aback and subconsciously touched the back of her hand: "You can tell? It has been a little sore lately."

"Then you'd better be careful."

Lin Zhou immediately drew upon his knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine and spoke eloquently: "Although playing the piano is elegant, it can also hurt your hands. I'll write you a medicinal diet recipe later, using safflower and angelica to boil water for soaking your hands, along with my massage techniques, and I guarantee that your fingers will be as nimble as an eighteen-year-old girl when you play the piano."

"real?"

Li Yuehua's eyes lit up instantly, all traces of her previous picky demeanor vanished, and she unconsciously leaned closer to Lin Zhou. "Then tell me quickly, what other beauty secrets do you have? The noodles you made for Qingge seem quite healthy too."

"There are so many secrets! Mom, let me tell you in detail..."

Thus, the originally serious living room was completely transformed into Lin Zhou's one-man talk show.

With his left hand, he charmed his father-in-law, making him beam with joy, and with his right hand, he delighted his mother-in-law. One moment he was a learned scholar, the next a caring and meticulous health expert; his words were like honey, completely captivating the two elders.

Su Qingge sat on the single sofa next to her, holding a glass of water that had long since gone cold, completely dazed.

Looking at the bizarre scene before her—a harmonious relationship between father and son, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law… no, father-in-law and son-in-law—she felt as if she were dreaming, and an extremely unreal fantasy dream at that.

Is this still the same Lin Zhou who hides from people and can't even speak a complete sentence in front of his elders?

When did he become so eloquent?

Moreover, that confidence, composure, and even aura of complete control made her feel incredibly unfamiliar, yet... damnably charming.

"How many more surprises is this bastard hiding?"

Su Qingge bit her lower lip, her gaze fixed on Lin Zhou's figure, her heart skipping a beat.

Time flew by amidst laughter and joy, and before we knew it, it was late at night.

It wasn't until the wall clock struck twelve that Su Zhentian and Li Yuehua reluctantly stood up to leave.

"Dad, Mom, it's so late, why don't you stay here for the night?" Lin Zhou warmly invited them to stay.

"No, I'm not used to sleeping in unfamiliar beds."

Li Yuehua waved her hand, verbally refusing, but the satisfied look on her face was impossible to hide. She went to the entryway, changed her shoes, then suddenly turned around, naturally taking Lin Zhou's hand and patting the back of it.

"Alright, that's enough. You should all get some rest too; you'll have work to do tomorrow."

After speaking, she paused, as if it were a casual remark, yet also as a solemn promise:

"If you're free next weekend, bring Qingge and Nuonuo home for dinner. I'll have your dad bring out that bottle of Moutai he's been keeping for twenty years."

Go home for dinner.

These four words might just be a polite remark to an ordinary son-in-law. But for Lin Zhou, who had been married into the Su family for seven years but had always been excluded from the inner circle, this was a belated "entry permit."

This means that the two elders of the Su family have finally accepted him from the bottom of their hearts.

"Okay! Mom, don't worry, I'll cook you a big meal myself!"

Lin Zhou grinned so wide his eyes disappeared, and his fawning manner made Su Qingge want to laugh as well.

After seeing the two elders off, the villa gate was closed again.

The once lively living room instantly fell silent, leaving only a lingering aroma of tea in the air.

Lin Zhou leaned against the door, let out a long sigh of relief, and wiped away non-existent cold sweat from his forehead.

"Phew... I've finally gotten through this hurdle."

He turned around, intending to boast to his wife, but found Su Qingge standing at the top of the stairs, staring intently at him.

Those eyes were frighteningly bright.

"Wife...?" Lin Zhou felt a chill run down his spine. "Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?"

"Lin Zhou".

Su Qingge did not answer, but quickly walked forward.

Just when Lin Zhou thought she was going to settle scores again, she suddenly stretched out her arms, hugged his waist, and buried her whole body in his chest.

"Honey, you're amazing!"

Her voice was muffled, with a barely perceptible tremor and excitement, "Really, it's amazing."

Lin Zhou stiffened for a moment, then softened. He wrapped his arms around her slender waist, rested his chin on the top of her head, and a smug smile played on his lips.

"Of course, don't you know whose husband I am? Dealing with your parents is a piece of cake!"

"You wish."

Su Qingge snuggled against him, looked up, and her usually cool eyes were now shimmering with tenderness. "However... since you've been behaving so well, I can't just leave without showing my appreciation."

"express?"

Lin Zhou's eyes lit up, his gaze involuntarily drifting towards the upstairs bedroom. "What does that mean? Is it... a sign that the door needs to be locked?"

"What are you thinking, you pervert!"

Su Qingge slapped him lightly, her cheeks flushed slightly, but she didn't let go.

Instead, she grabbed Lin Zhou's wrist and pulled him towards the basement of the villa, her steps as light as a little girl showing off a treasure:

"Come with me, I'll show you something."

"Where to? The basement?"

Lin Zhou looked completely bewildered, stumbling as she pulled him along. "Honey, is there some kind of dark secret hidden in our basement? Like... your ex-boyfriend's corpse?"

"Shut up! If you keep talking nonsense, I'll sew your mouth shut!"

Su Qingge glared at him and pushed open a heavy fire door.

As rows of motion-sensor lights illuminated, an underground space comparable to a small stadium unfolded before Lin Zhou.

When he saw the scene before him, Lin Zhou's witty remark, which he hadn't yet uttered, instantly got stuck in his throat.

"Holy crap..."

His eyes widened, his pupils dilated, and he let out the most unsophisticated exclamation of the night.