Chapter 45: His favourite noodles

A few minutes later Shen returned to the dining hall where Lina was eating.

As he looked over at the dishes that had been full before he left to speak to Ro-kun and Ayu, he was shocked.

"Who ate all the food? Was it my wife alone?!"

Lina glared at him. Indeed she had finished most of the food but did he really have to say it like that?

"Mother made it for ME. What are you complaining about?"

The truth was Lina had lost a lot of energy during the day and her body needed serious replenishment. Rika was a brilliant cook, and used to regularly feed her daughter-in-law before the coma as well. She knew everything Lina loved and had brought over at least four of her favourite dishes.

"Yes, yes it was all for you. I just meant to compliment your figure despite your appetite!"

Shen thought he was appeasing his wife, but the henpecked husband didn't know he had ignited another fire.

What did he mean 'despite her appetite?'

Lina glared at him even harder and was about to snap at him, but her mother-in-law intervened first.

"Enough, son. Someone has to do a good job looking after her, don't they? That's why I'm here."

Now it was Shen's turn to glare.

Why was his mother so insensitive towards him!

And he would have to deal with this all week!

Lina giggled and quickly covered her mouth, catching a glimpse of the hangry devil fuming at his mother, who didn't seem to care.

She quickly got up from her chair and looped her arm through his and spoke sweetly.

"Come hubby, I'll make you something to eat since I didn't leave any food for you."

All of a sudden the dark cloud over Shen's head dissipated. His wife would cook for him? He was ready to wait for this dinner!

"Lina, sit down, you were just having a fever! I will go prepare more food for Shen!" Rika didn't want her going into the hot kitchen and tiring herself out.

Shen almost pounced on his mother now. This was going too far! Was she going to also deprive him the first time his wife offered to cook for him?!

Lina had always been a good cook, even though she didn't have much time to spend in the kitchen. She'd try to make him a meal at least once a week, and would quietly watch as he finished all of it before she even started eating.

She'd never be satisfied until he had finished it, and given her approval by telling her the cooking was good.

She loved seeing him happy to eat her food.

He used to love vegetable noodles she made him. And he'd missed the taste of them.

Lina reassured her mother-in-law that she had been sleeping all day anyway, and felt reenergised.

After much deliberation Rika let Lina go to the kitchen.

The maids and cooks rushed to help her but she made them all leave.

Shen had been taking care of her day in day out, feeding her, sleeping on the sofa, comforting her nightmares, taking care of her medications and check ups.

A sudden burst of affection towards her amazing husband came over her, as she thought of the words she had said to him after awakening from her coma.

How hurt must he have been?

And today, she caught a glimpse of the very first instance her heart had warmed towards him, and the look in her eyes had transformed. She gazed at his face with wonder and warmth.

Her hands instinctively began chopping vegetables to begin preparing the noodle dish Shen loved. She didn't know how she had decided upon this dish, but her body seemed to know what to do.

As she prepared the food, her thoughts drifted to what had happened earlier in the afternoon. She couldn't keep thoughts of Tachi blocked any further.

Shen would ask her sooner or later about him and this time around, she wanted to be completely honest with him.

Lina knew that Shen was always gentle with her, but even he was beginning to get restless, because of his inability to intervene and protect her. There were things she had been secretive about before the coma, and the most important thing now was to be transparent.

She didn't know who Tachi was, but she definitely had some kind of relationship with him before. What was clear, was that he was dangerous and that her instincts were telling her to stay away from him.

As Lina pondered, in a few minutes, a beautiful, scrumptious looking vegetable noodle dish lay prepared in front of her, ready to be served to her husband.

She smiled to herself. It was as if she was cooking and feeding her husband for the first time. As a wife, she felt a sense of pride and affection as she brought the tray out for him.

Shen was in conversation with his mother, when he saw Lina walk out with his favourite dish!

He got up immediately and went up to her, helping her with the tray.

His eyes softened, full of adoration and gentleness.

When she put the food down, she was suddenly wrapped up in his embrace.

Lina froze. She quietly whispered to him.

"Shen...mother is here. Release me."

Even though she used a commanding tone, this husband didn't give in.

Rika, understand the situation, once again decided to take her leave.

"I'm going to bed now, you two. I've had a long day. Son, let your wife rest tonight."

The last bit was said with a twinkle in her eye.

Lina was speechless as she blushed, still trapped in his arms.

"Baby, how did you know this is my favourite food that you make?"

Lina pushed back and looked up at him. Each time, she looked directly into his eyes, she realised just how much taller he was. She could feel his taught muscles as he held her, sending butterflies fluttering in her stomach.

"Darling...today I saw us for the first time."