221: Chapter 221 She said, "If you're my mother-in-law, then I'm not."

Qin Lin was absent-minded all day.

He had checked the data in the Drivers Cabin several times and revised the route planning over and over, but his mind was filled with Han Qing's words: "Don't come to my 003 anymore."

He had said those words yesterday at the worst possible time.

He knew he had misspoken; to Han Qing, saying "She is my mother-in-law" was no different from accusing her of "messing around."

But heaven knows, he really didn't mean it that way.

He sighed and leaned back against the chair.

Outside the window was eternal darkness, and the faint light from the protective shield flickered across his face.

No, he had to find an opportunity to apologize.

Aunt Qing might have a sharp tongue, but she was soft-hearted; as long as he explained things properly, she wouldn't stay truly angry.

The problem was whether she would be willing to see him.

Also, how should he apologize?

Go to her directly?

She was definitely still fuming; she probably wouldn't even open the door.

She hadn't given him a good look during breakfast, not even glancing his way once.

Have Han Yurou pass a message? That girl couldn't keep her mouth shut; the whole vehicle would know by then.

Wait until night and force his way into 003?

She had said "don't come anymore," so barging in would be even more inappropriate.

He sighed.

This matter had to be handled when she was alone.

In the morning, Qin Lin was looking at maps in the Drivers Cabin, his mind elsewhere.

The door was pushed open, and he looked up to see Su Yuran.

"What are you thinking about?"

Su Yuran sat down beside him, holding a cup of tea.

"You've looked distracted all morning."

Qin Lin shook his head.

"It's nothing."

Su Yuran looked at him but didn't press further.

She took a sip of tea and suddenly said,

"My mom asked me this morning; she said you went to 002 last night."

Qin Lin was stunned for a moment.

"What did you say?"

"I told her the truth." Su Yuran set down her teacup.

"She didn't say anything, she just nodded."

Qin Lin didn't know what to say.

Su Yuran looked at him and suddenly smiled.

"Did you make Aunt Qing angry?"

Qin Lin was dumbfounded.

"How did you know?"

"During breakfast, she didn't even glance at you. Usually, she'd at least give you a glare."

Su Yuran spoke nonchalantly.

"Tell me, what happened?"

Qin Lin hesitated for a moment before briefly explaining what had happened yesterday.

After listening, Su Yuran laughed.

"You deserve it."

Qin Lin gave a bitter smile.

"I know."

Su Yuran stood up, walked to the door, and looked back at him.

"Aunt Qing goes to the Medical Room every afternoon by herself. If you want to go, then go."

Qin Lin's eyes lit up.

"Thanks."

Su Yuran didn't say anything and pushed the door open to leave.

...

In the afternoon, Qin Lin "coincidentally" ran into Han Qing in the hallway.

She was coming out of the Medical Room holding a medical record. Seeing him, her footsteps paused for a moment, and then she walked past him expressionlessly.

"Aunt Qing," Qin Lin called out to her.

Han Qing stopped but didn't turn around.

"What is it?"

Qin Lin walked in front of her.

"I want to talk to you."

Han Qing looked up at him.

"What is there to talk about?"

Qin Lin looked at her.

"About yesterday... I was wrong. I didn't mean it that way."

Han Qing sneered, "You didn't mean it that way? Then what did you mean?"

Qin Lin opened his mouth, not knowing how to explain.

He couldn't exactly say, "I forgot you were also my mother-in-law," could he?

That would be even worse.

Seeing him stammering, Han Qing felt even angrier.

"Fine, don't bother explaining. I'm busy."

She turned and left, leaving Qin Lin standing alone in the hallway.

Qin Lin watched her back and sighed. This apology wasn't going very smoothly.

In the evening, Qin Lin went to the Medical Room to find Han Qing again.

The door was closed, so he knocked.

No one answered.

He pushed the door open; it was empty inside.

Han Qing wasn't there.

He checked the kitchen; she wasn't there.

He checked the living room; she wasn't there either.

Finally, he saw her at the entrance of the ecological box.

She was squatting in front of the strawberry rack picking strawberries, her back looking a bit lonely.

Qin Lin walked over and squatted down beside her.

"Aunt Qing."

Han Qing didn't look up.

"What are you doing here?"

Qin Lin looked at her.

"I came to apologize."

Han Qing's hand paused for a moment.

"What is there to apologize for?"

Qin Lin took a deep breath.

"I just said that casually at the time; I didn't think it through."

Han Qing looked up at him.

"Said it casually? Then tell me, what did you mean?"

Qin Lin thought for a moment. "What I meant was, she is my mother-in-law, there's nothing between us, and she definitely doesn't have any thoughts about me. I wasn't talking about you..."

He paused. "Your situation is different from hers."

Han Qing's eyes turned red.

"How is it different? She is Yuran's mom, and I am Yu Rou's mom. If she is your mother-in-law, then I'm not?"

Qin Lin grew anxious.

"Aunt Qing, listen to me. You are different from her, and your relationship with me is different. I have never viewed you as a mother-in-law."

Han Qing was stunned.

"Then what do you view me as?"

Qin Lin looked at her.

"As my woman."

Han Qing's tears began to fall.

She turned her face away so he wouldn't see.

Qin Lin reached out and took her hand.

"Aunt Qing, I'm sorry. I really didn't mean it."

Han Qing didn't pull away, nor did she speak.

After a long time, she said softly, "Do you know? That sentence of yours made me feel very cheap."

Qin Lin's heart twinged.

"Aunt Qing..."

Han Qing interrupted him.

"I've been with you for so long, and Yu Rou has been with you for so long. I thought that in your heart, I was different from others. But then you say she is your mother-in-law—so what does that make me?"

Qin Lin squeezed her hand.

"You are one of the most important people to me."

Han Qing turned her head to look at him.

"Really?"

"Really."

Han Qing looked at him for a long time.

Then she smiled, and as she smiled, she began to cry again.

"Hmph! Smooth talker."

Qin Lin smiled.

"Then Aunt Qing forgives me?"

Han Qing gave him a glare.

"Who said I forgave you? Did I say that?"

Qin Lin knew her anger had dissipated and pulled her into his arms.

Han Qing leaned against his shoulder and cried for a while.

When she was done, she pushed him away and wiped her tears.

"Alright, I'm fine now. You can go."

Qin Lin looked at her.

"Are you really okay?"

Han Qing glared at him.

"What? Do you want to see me cry more?"

Qin Lin laughed.

"Are you still angry then?"

Han Qing thought about it.

"Yes, but not that angry anymore."

Qin Lin breathed a sigh of relief.

"Then can I come to 003 tonight?"

Han Qing's face turned red.

"Come for what? I said Yu Rou needs to rest."

Qin Lin looked at her.

"Then what about tomorrow?"

Han Qing stood up and brushed the dirt off her clothes.

"We'll see tomorrow."

She took a few steps and then turned back.

"Qin Lin."

"Hmm?"

Han Qing looked at him.

"Don't ever say those kinds of things again."

Qin Lin nodded, walked over, and gave her a hug.

"Okay."

Han Qing had already returned to normal.

She pushed Qin Lin away and straightened her clothes.

"Alright, I'm leaving. It's not good if someone sees us."

Qin Lin smiled.

"If they see, they see. It's not like they don't know."

Han Qing gave him a glare.

"You're thick-skinned, but I'm thin-skinned."

Han Qing turned and left.

Qin Lin watched her back and smiled.

Then he also left the ecological box.

...