My Mother-in-Law and I Became the Internet's Hottest Power Couple-Chapter 53
Lu Shuangchen's expression carried a hint of confusion—could outsiders really stay at the production team's place?
He had just gone up to the fourth floor for a cup of tea, and then Yu Wanqiu mentioned she needed to freshen up, so he politely excused himself.
There did seem to be three rooms on the fourth floor, but wasn’t the middle one the computer room for livestreaming? Had Lu Yicheng stayed here before?
"It’s closer to my workplace, so I’ll leave directly from here tomorrow morning," Lu Yicheng said, fishing out his car keys. "Want me to leave the keys with you?"
Lu Shuangchen shook his head. "No, I’ve had a bit to drink. Can’t drive. Let’s go."
Lu Yicheng paused. "...Go where?"
Yu Wanqiu had already started getting ready for bed when the elevator doors opened, revealing three people returning—one of whom had left half an hour earlier.
She raised an eyebrow.
Jiang Lan placed a cake on the table. "Teacher Yu, I brought you a little cake."
Lu Yicheng quickly explained, "I was just dropping Jiang Lan off. It’s closer to the office, so I thought I’d stay the night and leave from here tomorrow."
"My assistant drove my car back. I was planning to hitch a ride with Yicheng, but he said he wanted to stay here tonight. I had a bit to drink, so I can’t drive," Lu Shuangchen said politely. "Would it be possible for me to stay as well?"
This was Jiang Lan’s first time meeting Lu Shuangchen. Setting aside his identity as Lu Yicheng’s father, purely from Yu Wanqiu’s perspective, his appearance was easily a ninety out of a hundred.
Well-maintained, undeniably handsome.
Yu Wanqiu asked, "Can’t your assistant come pick you up? Doesn’t Lu Yicheng have a car? Why don’t you two just go back together?"
Lu Yicheng immediately clarified, "Actually, it’s not just about the office being closer. I wanted to spend more time with Jiang Lan. Mom, I’ll just stay one night—the room will be exactly as it is now when I leave tomorrow. If Dad can’t drive, I can drop him off first and then come back."
Lu Shuangchen gave his son a long look. That wasn’t what he’d said outside the villa.
Rubbing his temples, Lu Shuangchen admitted, "...Actually, my assistant isn’t asleep. He could come get me. But I’d like to spend more time with you too. How about Yicheng and I leave together tomorrow morning?"
Jiang Lan couldn’t hold back anymore—she really wanted to laugh. She’d been curious about what kind of person Lu Shuangchen was, and he was nothing like she’d imagined. Around Yu Wanqiu, he had zero presence.
This 𝓬ontent is taken from fгeewebnovёl.co𝙢.
Was this really the titan of the internet industry?
Yu Wanqiu rolled her eyes at the two of them. "Why didn’t you just say that from the start? No need for all these excuses. Your pride is truly priceless."
Lu Shuangchen nodded. "Right, right."
Lu Yicheng had spare clothes here, but Lu Shuangchen didn’t. His assistant would have to bring some over—his current outfit reeked of hotpot from dinner.
Both men stood over six feet tall. Sharing a small bed would be cramped, but if they preferred squeezing in here over their spacious beds at home, that was their choice.
Yu Wanqiu beckoned Jiang Lan closer and whispered, "Let’s share a room tonight. I’ve got things to tell you. You wouldn’t believe how clueless Lu Shuangchen was today..."
Her gaze flicked to the empty middle room. "I’ll fill you in later. Let’s have the cake first—ask if they want any."
The spicy hotpot had left Yu Wanqiu craving something sweet.
Lu Shuangchen took off his trench coat, revealing his usual attire—a dress shirt and slacks. Decades of the same boring look.
Lu Yicheng shed his vest, and the father-son duo sat side by side, an oddly harmonious sight.
Lu Shuangchen had no objections to Jiang Lan. As a father, his role was to support his son’s choices in love and marriage. Besides, since Yu Wanqiu liked Jiang Lan, his opinion was irrelevant.
As Yu Wanqiu had pointed out, Jiang Lan had qualities worth learning from. If both of them admired her, it spoke to her strengths.
Lu Shuangchen reflected—tonight, for instance. If he wanted to stay, he should’ve just said he didn’t want to leave. No need for convoluted reasons.
Truthfully, this year’s Qixi Festival felt more meaningful than past ones. Yu Wanqiu had been happy.
Peering at her through his glasses, Lu Shuangchen wished he could compliment her before bed.
She’d looked stunning today.
Lu Yicheng, meanwhile, kept his eyes glued to Jiang Lan, smiling whenever she glanced his way.
Jiang Lan asked, "Uncle Lu, would you like some cake?"
Lu Shuangchen glanced at his son, unsure if he should accept or decline.
Lu Yicheng answered, "Just a small piece for me, thanks."
The cake was petite—under six inches—meant to be delicate and pretty. Girls loved sweets, so refusing outright might seem dismissive, but eating too much would leave them short.
This was the perfect response.
Lu Shuangchen echoed, "A small piece for me as well."
The cake was divided neatly, one slice each. Yu Wanqiu had eaten well at the hotpot place—the flavors were great. She’d have to go back with Jiang Lan sometime.
The fluffy cake, layered with tangy strawberry jam and topped with light, sweet cream, brought a blissful satisfaction.
Yu Wanqiu murmured, "Your room or mine?"
They had two rooms to choose from—one could stay empty—while Lu Shuangchen and Lu Yicheng were stuck sharing.
Jiang Lan briefly considered offering them a room, but why should she? If they disliked the small bed, they could go home. "Your room!"
After dessert, Jiang Lan showered and changed before joining Yu Wanqiu, who locked the door behind her. "Jiang Lan, you have no idea—Lu Shuangchen was like a different person today."
"I’ve never seen him so nervous, not even on our wedding day." As an actress, Yu Wanqiu could read micro-expressions effortlessly.
"He pulled out my chair at the hotpot place, poured my water, handed me napkins—it’s a hotpot restaurant, not some fancy Western joint. The waitstaff didn’t even know what to do."
"Then he asked if I was cold and tried to drape that ugly trench coat over me. I was dressed to kill, and that coat was hideous." She tossed her hair. "What was he thinking? Zero logic."
Lu Shuangchen’s company was based in City B, but he’d been on a business trip in Shanghai. They rarely called unless necessary, so Yu Wanqiu hadn’t known he was back.
"The craziest part? He still thinks I didn’t reply to his message but posted on social media because I ‘missed’ his text. How dense can you be?"
Yu Wanqiu had a laundry list of complaints. Jiang Lan stifled laughter, rolling on the bed. "Teacher Yu, in this regard, Lu Yicheng takes after his dad. Today, he wore a knitted vest—in this heat! We went for barbecue, and he was the only one dressed like that."
In summer, girls wore dresses, guys wore shorts and tees. These two? Bundled up like it was winter.
Anyone would call them ridiculous.
Still, Yu Wanqiu had enjoyed herself—thanks to Lu Shuangchen’s uncharacteristic little gestures.
Jiang Lan hugged the blanket, wondering if Lu Yicheng had washed off the fluorescent paint on his hand. She’d gotten flowers and gifts, and she was happy too.
The walls were soundproof. Lu Yicheng pressed his ear against one, hearing nothing.
What score would Jiang Lan give him?
Lu Shuangchen changed into his silk pajamas and browsed the news on his phone for about ten minutes before setting it down. "How’s your internship going?"
Father and son most often talked about work, and Lu Shuangchen had never really had to worry much about this son of his.
"The internship lasts until the end of the month, and the projects are all going smoothly."
Lu Shuangchen nodded. "Good. If there’s anything you don’t understand, you can ask me or the department head in Lu Yicheng’s field."
"As a man, be generous when you go out on dates. Don’t let the girl pay—show some responsibility. You’re about to graduate, so plan your future well. When do you plan to meet Jiang Lan’s parents? We should all have a meal together."
Lu Shuangchen’s meaning was clear: after the show ended, the two families should meet first. They could get engaged during winter break and marry after graduation.
It was the natural progression of things.
Admittedly, father and son were on the same page.
Lu Yicheng had the same plan—if everything went smoothly, he could marry Jiang Lan by this time next year.
Lu Shuangchen chuckled and shook his head. "You’re early. I was already thirty when I married your mother."
There had been no dating—just straight to marriage. If you really thought about it, Lu Shuangchen had waited for Yu Wanqiu for years. They had an arranged marriage, and Lu Shuangchen wasn’t the type to fool around. The Yu family decided when they would marry, and he complied.
Looking back now, after marriage, they had spent more time apart than together, missing out on a lot.
The next morning, father and son woke up early. Having shared a bed, neither had rested well.
By five in the morning, Lu Shuangchen was already awake. At home, there was Aunt Zhao to handle meals, so he never had to cook. But Lu Yicheng had gone straight to the kitchen, and Lu Shuangchen felt it inappropriate to just sit around.
Together, they made ham and egg sandwiches and heated milk, waiting for Yu Wanqiu and Jiang Lan to emerge.
But by seven, there was still no sign of them.
Lu Shuangchen checked the time. He always left for work on schedule, and the office was far from here—he had to go. Lu Yicheng also had work. With a sigh, he left a note on the table. "Dad, let’s go."
"..."
Lu Shuangchen hadn’t expected the note. Where had Lu Yicheng even learned this? "Wait a moment."
He tore off a sticky note, scribbled a few words, and stuck it on the table.
"Let’s go."
Jiang Lan woke up at eight. Beside her, Yu Wanqiu was still asleep. They had chatted until past one in the morning, only stopping when exhaustion took over.
The topic of their conversation? Lu Shuangchen—to the point where Jiang Lan joked she might be "silenced" if he found out.
No one would have guessed that the award-winning actress’s assessment of Lu Shuangchen would be: rigid, boring, a rich man with nothing but money.
Jiang Lan wouldn’t mind being that kind of person!
Yu Wanqiu woke up at eight-thirty. Jiang Lan had been lying in bed scrolling through her phone. Yu Wanqiu hadn’t slept enough, but their flight was at ten-thirty—she could sleep on the plane.
Jiang Lan’s passport was ready. Once they packed their luggage, it would be time to leave.
In the dining room, breakfast was already prepared. Lu Yicheng had left a note with five words: "See you tonight, baby."
Lu Shuangchen’s note to Yu Wanqiu read: "Safe travels. Work well."
Yu Wanqiu nearly tossed it in the trash.
In August, Milan’s daytime temperatures hovered around 30°C, dropping to the teens at night—quite different from B City’s climate. After packing, Jiang Lan took a car to the airport. This time, they weren’t flying private but first-class, courtesy of Yu Wanqiu’s expense account.
Zheng Jinyang had flown to Milan on Wednesday for the fashion show, which required extensive preparation. Xia Jing was very pleased with him—running a studio and managing artists wasn’t charity; it was about making money, and Zheng Jinyang had excellent prospects.
With his mixed-ethnic features and youthful charm, if he got proper acting training, his future would be bright.
This fashion week had drawn many celebrities from the entertainment industry, such as Liang Yun, Xie Zheng, and the new face of IE’s brand—Ou Mingyang, the other half of the popular "Zhengzheng Rising" CP.
Ou Mingyang was widely regarded as the sweetheart of the new generation, a rising star with solid acting skills. Her latest drama was a hit, though netizens often compared her to Ming Yao.
The two were around the same age—one dominating TV dramas, the other films—and Ou Mingyang usually ended up on the losing side of the comparisons.
Beyond these rising stars, several A-list actors had also been invited to fashion week. All in all, it was a grand gathering of the entertainment world.
Before boarding, Jiang Lan received a WeChat message.
[Lu Xingran: See you in Milan, sis-in-law!]
[Lu Xingran: If there’s a celebrity you really like but feel awkward asking Yu Wanqiu about, let me know—I’ll get their autograph for you.]
[Lu Xingran: Or a photo, if you prefer.]
Lu Xingran was also heading to Milan.
Jiang Lan sighed at the "sis-in-law" address. [I only stan Yu Wanqiu.]
[Lu Xingran: Is my singing not good enough?]
Truthfully, Jiang Lan preferred classical music—modern rock and rap weren’t her thing.
She sent Lu Yicheng a message saying she was about to board. It was her first time abroad, and she was a little nervous.
At boarding time, Jiang Lan put away her phone. Yu Wanqiu tucked hers into her bag as well. With boarding passes in hand, at ten-thirty, Jiang Lan turned off her phone at the flight attendant’s reminder, and the plane soared into the sky.
Thus, she missed the heated debate unfolding on Weibo.
Around ten-thirty, Ming Yao posted:
[Ming Yao: Wait for me [photo]]
The photo showed a plane ticket from Shanghai to Milan.
[Yao Yao’s going to fashion week?!]
[Milan Fashion Week?! What kind of god-tier resource is this?!]
[Congrats on "The Storyteller of Jianghu" hitting 3 billion at the box office!]
[No one can deny Yao Yao’s the top of the new generation, right?]
[Yao Yao’s the absolute best!]
[Not just the new generation, honestly [dog emoji]]
[This kind of access is insane.]
[Not to be rude, but that other person didn’t get invited, did she?]
[Forget Milan—she doesn’t even attend domestic shows. Everyone says Yu Wanqiu’s acting is amazing, that she’s an award-winning actress. If she’s so great, how come she can’t even get into fashion week?]
[Can we not bring her up? Yao Yao’s been stuck with the "Little Yu Wanqiu" label for ages—it’s honestly unfair.]
[Ou Mingyang didn’t get invited either [shrug]]
[??? Are you serious???]
[What kind of nobody dares to drag our award-winning actress? Get an award first before you start gloating.]
[I don’t get it.]
[You haven’t even won an award, yet you’re here celebrating like you’re the best? Do you think we fans are so obsessed with shipping we’ve lost our minds?]
[Check the trending list before you try to hype yourself.]
[Calling yourself the top of the new generation? More like the top at self-promotion.]
[Ungrateful much?]
[Let’s focus on Episode 6 of "Mother-in-Law Is Coming"—tonight’s the Firefly Forest scene!!!]
Yu Wanqiu’s fans were formidable, and Ou Mingyang’s fans weren’t about to take this lying down either. Ou Mingyang had been compared unfavorably to Ming Yao since her debut—her fans had had enough.
Still, Ming Yao’s attendance at fashion week was real, and her resources were indeed top-tier.
But top-tier resources didn’t equate to top-tier skill. If she wanted to compare herself to Yu Wanqiu, she was still a few award-winning films short.
The turning point came at nine in the evening when Ou Mingyang posted:
[Ou Mingyang: Ran into Yu Wanqiu and Jiang Lan~]
The location tag: Milan.
Though she didn’t explicitly mention attending fashion week, it was a silent rebuttal.
Ou Mingyang was fed up—completely fed up. She was two years older than Jiang Lan, twenty-three, and had debuted over four years ago. Her latest drama was a smash hit, yet Ming Yao’s team kept riding her coattails.
Calling her the "Queen of Clout-Chasing" wouldn’t be an exaggeration.
Ou Mingyang and Yu Wanqiu took the same flight and even stayed at the same hotel. The weather in Milan was lovely, and Ou Mingyang, dressed in a bohemian-style long skirt, whispered to Jiang Lan, "I’m so sick of Ming Yao. She knows Xie Zheng and I are promoting a CP, yet she still clings to him!"
Jiang Lan had also been following their drama. "Promoting a CP?"
Ou Mingyang: "Yeah, it’s all for the CP hype. I’m actually a fan of the 'Lanzhou Noodles' CP."
Hehehe.
Ou Mingyang added, "But Xie Zheng and I are just good friends."
The two were close pals—strictly for promotional purposes. Unlike them, Jiang Lan and Yu Wanqiu were the real deal!
Jiang Lan let out an "Oh," surprised that her and Yu Wanqiu’s CP had gained such popularity.
"Tomorrow during the fashion show, she’ll probably come over to say hi. I really want to smack her with my shoe," Ou Mingyang grumbled, frustrated but helpless. She had thought revealing Yu Wanqiu’s husband’s identity would stop Ming Yao from stepping out of line, but no—either Ming Yao was recklessly fearless, or her backers were even more powerful than the Lu family’s influence.
Ou Mingyang and Jiang Lan exchanged WeChat contacts, ensuring she’d get first-hand access to their sweet moments. Initially, she had been a die-hard fan of the "Irreplaceable CP" (a sweet campus romance leading to marriage), but over time, she found Yu Wanqiu and Jiang Lan’s dynamic even more heart-fluttering.
Yu Wanqiu waved at Jiang Lan. "We have to wake up early tomorrow. Let’s chat another time."
Jiang Lan nodded. "Alright, I’ll head off then."
Ou Mingyang waved back. As a newcomer, she didn’t dare speak casually around Yu Wanqiu, who, naturally, wouldn’t go out of her way to greet her either. It was clear—Yu Wanqiu only had eyes for Jiang Lan.
Another dose of sweetness for Ou Mingyang to savor.
She needed to rest early—the fashion show was a battlefield for female celebrities, and she refused to show up in anything less than perfect condition.
But first, Ou Mingyang had to catch up on the latest episode of Mother-in-Law Is Coming before bed. This was the sixth episode, and she only cared about Yu Wanqiu and Jiang Lan’s segments.
This time, the show featured the "Firefly Forest." Professional cameras captured the scene far more vividly than a livestream—so clear that even the fireflies’ delicate wings were visible.
Every girl adored dreamy settings, and Ou Mingyang was no exception. If someone proposed to her there, she might just say yes in a rush of emotion.
After the Firefly Forest, the two went mushroom-picking in the mountains of Yunnan the next day. The scenery was breathtaking, the air crisp, and the duo looked like fairies wandering through the woods.
Later, a local grandma prepared a full-course mushroom feast.
After the meal, Jiang Lan ended up in the hospital.
That afternoon, Lu Yicheng arrived—flying from City B to Yunnan in just a few hours—only to also land in the hospital after eating a bowl of mushroom noodles.
The show’s editors added a cheeky caption next to them: Always ensure wild mushrooms are thoroughly cooked. Otherwise, you’ll end up like these two. Cherish your life—eat fully cooked mushrooms.
Ou Mingyang laughed so hard she nearly snorted.
Just how delicious were Yunnan’s wild mushrooms to land people in the hospital?
After finishing the episode, Ou Mingyang couldn’t shake off the Firefly Forest scene from her mind. Those two were just too sweet. She needed to sleep—tomorrow, she’d witness their chemistry up close.
While she slept, the fans stayed wide awake.
The show had already dropped a Valentine’s Day special, and fans had been eagerly awaiting the sixth episode.
The later episodes only got better, and Yu Wanqiu and Jiang Lan’s segments were so tightly knit that nothing else could squeeze in. This episode gave them over forty minutes, while Zhang Lin’s pair only got twenty. Li Jia was practically a background character, appearing for less than three minutes in total.
Fans noticed: Couldn’t a whole week’s worth of interactions be edited into thirty minutes? Are there issues between this mother-in-law and daughter-in-law duo?
Shen Xingyao also visited the Firefly Forest but spent the rest of her time guiding Du Wanzhou through workouts. Though Du Wanzhou constantly complained, she stuck with it for the week.
Both skipped dinner, sticking to fitness meals for breakfast and lunch. With Shen Xingyao’s company, Du Wanzhou couldn’t slack off. Though they didn’t go for a medical checkup, Du Wanzhou lost two pounds that week.
The change wasn’t visible yet, but the scale didn’t lie.
Every pound lost made Du Wanzhou ecstatic—as if she’d conquered a monumental task.
Maybe in a few months, she’d shed ten, even twenty pounds. Who knew? She might even regain her youthful figure.
Though the process was grueling, this was the most meaningful thing Du Wanzhou had done since joining the show.
Chen Shuyun and Aunt Zhao’s relationship was relatively harmonious. Though their interactions had their share of debates, the discussions were milder compared to Yu Wanqiu’s segments.
This episode, Aunt Zhao was unusually considerate—cooking, washing dishes, and doing laundry without being asked, as if she’d undergone a personality transplant. Li Jia’s behavior had shaken her. Aunt Zhao rarely interacted with outsiders and couldn’t fathom how someone could be so malicious. Then again, she hadn’t treated Chen Shuyun well in the past either.
She, too, had been a terrible mother-in-law.
Aunt Zhao even quietly asked Chen Shuyun if she’d ever considered divorce. "If you’re tired of me, I can go back to the countryside. Little Xuan’s grown up anyway. I was foolish before, and you’ve put up with so much. Shuyun, I…"
Aunt Zhao stumbled over her words, unsure how to express herself.
Chen Shuyun sighed. Life had always been bumpy, but she worked during the day, and by the time she returned, Aunt Zhao was already asleep. She hadn’t suffered too much.
Still, it was good that Aunt Zhao had come around.
"Mom, I can always find another job. I want to work—being idle for a month has driven me crazy."
Aunt Zhao replied, "Do whatever you want. If you’d rather stay home, make Little Xuan’s dad earn more. If you want to work, make him handle more chores."
Aunt Zhao had finally realized—why should men get away with doing nothing? Chen Shuyun was exhausted after work too. Did only men’s jobs count as labor?
She was tired from raising kids too!
Chen Shuyun was touched. Aunt Zhao had never spoken like this before. But while the words were comforting, what if this was just a fleeting change? What if she reverted to her old ways later?
So she couldn’t fully trust it yet.
Zhang Tian handled both filming and editing. Due to Ming Yao’s trending scandal, this episode included a two-hour Qixi Festival special, uploaded to the show’s official Weibo.
The moment the post went live, Lu Yuan’s official account reposted it. By 11:30 PM, Ming Yao’s name had vanished from the hot searches.
At 11:50 PM, Yunnan’s official Weibo reposted the sixth-episode promo, including a screenshot of Lu Yicheng hospitalized: "It’s mushroom season, but always prioritize food safety. Ensure mushrooms are fully cooked to avoid incidents like this. If poisoning occurs, seek medical help immediately. Protect your life. [Image]"
"Sorry, I’m trained to stay professional… but I can’t help laughing."
"If these two don’t get married, I’ll riot."
