My Mother-in-Law and I Became the Internet's Hottest Power Couple-Chapter 98

Jiang Lan pushed Lu Yicheng away. "Don't kiss me, and don’t touch me either."

Sleep? She wasn’t sleepy anymore.

She had clearly heard Lu Yicheng speaking just now—saying "goodnight, baby"—so there was no way he was just watching videos.

Who says "goodnight, baby" while watching videos?

Why was he lying to her?

Jiang Lan sat up and looked at Lu Yicheng. "Give me your phone."

She glanced at the time—12:30 AM. It was already 12:30, and Lu Yicheng still wasn’t asleep!

What was he even trying to do?

Lu Yicheng was practically ready to swear an oath. "I really was just watching videos. Why don’t you believe me? I was literally just watching videos."

He had been recording a proposal video—how could he let Jiang Lan see it? If she did, his entire proposal plan would be ruined.

All the videos were saved on his phone. If Jiang Lan scrolled through, she’d find everything.

Before this, Jiang Lan could freely look through Lu Yicheng’s phone, and he knew her phone password too. Couples should trust each other, and Jiang Lan rarely checked his phone anyway.

She had her own phone, and his didn’t even have any fun games.

But now she couldn’t even look at it…

Fine. If he didn’t want her to see it, then she wouldn’t.

"Then answer me this—who were you saying goodnight to just now? Who were you calling ‘baby’?"

Lu Yicheng replied, "Of course I was calling you ‘baby.’ The goodnight was for you too. I’ve never called anyone else ‘baby,’ only you."

That much was true.

Jiang Lan was so angry she almost laughed, her voice trembling. "Me? You already said ‘goodnight, baby’ before bed. I was asleep just now! And when I asked you earlier, you said you were watching videos."

One lie required a thousand more to cover it up. At this point, Jiang Lan couldn’t tell which of Lu Yicheng’s words were true and which were false.

Lu Yicheng was at a loss for words. Before he could respond, Jiang Lan continued, "Lu Yicheng, even though we’ve met each other’s families, that doesn’t mean anything. Tell me the truth—who were you really talking to just now? I was sleeping right beside you, and you were video-calling another girl. What about when I’m not around? Who was it? Han Ningxia?"

Jiang Lan could only think of Han Ningxia. The plot of the novel truly couldn’t be changed. Indeed, once you strip away all illusions about men, every woman becomes a Sherlock Holmes.

"Get off my bed right now!"

Lu Yicheng raised his hands in surrender. "I wasn’t on a call. And who even is Han Ningxia? I wasn’t video-calling any other girl. Why won’t you believe me…"

No matter how much Lu Yicheng explained, Jiang Lan refused to listen.

"I ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‍don’t believe you. If you were asleep next to me and heard me say ‘goodnight, baby,’ would you believe I was just watching videos?" Jiang Lan’s nose stung, and tears welled up uncontrollably. "Stop talking. I don’t want to hear it anymore. I’m calling Teacher Yu to come pick me up."

The more she thought about it, the more upset she became. She hadn’t meant to cry, but the tears spilled over in an instant, soaking the blanket beneath her.

Lu Yicheng’s expression turned panicked.

"Fine, I’ll show you! Just stop crying. I really didn’t do anything to betray you." Frantically, he wiped her tears away. "I swear, I didn’t. Here, look."

His heart ached as he unlocked his phone, the screen still paused on the video he’d been recording.

He pressed play. In the video, Jiang Lan briefly appeared on screen.

Wait… that was her?

Jiang Lan’s tears clung to the tip of her nose. "What… is this?"

Lu Yicheng explained, "The woman I was supposedly video-calling—see, I didn’t even touch my phone. This is what was already open. I was just recording a video. Today felt special, so I wanted to capture the moment. You were asleep, and I couldn’t sleep, so I started recording."

Soon, Lu Yicheng appeared in the video, glancing occasionally behind him. "I took the train this morning, then drove to this little town in G City. I wanted to see the same sky as you. Otherwise, no matter how much you talk about how beautiful it is here, I just can’t feel it."

In the video, he turned to look at her sleeping form, his expression both tender and teasing. "Not like a little pig… more like a sleeping beauty."

Jiang Lan sniffled. What sleeping beauty cried like this?

She wiped her tears as Lu Yicheng continued, "See? Now you believe me, right? I was just recording this by myself. I didn’t want you to know."

A moment later, the video showed Lu Yicheng saying, "I’ve been recording for days now. Part of me wants you to know, and part of me doesn’t.

I’ve waited so long, but it’s only a few more days. I can be patient.

Look—perseverance pays off. Soon, I’ll be upgraded to the ‘big bed’ status."

Lu Yicheng grinned foolishly at the camera. "Today was really happy. I feel like you love me more and more each day. Yesterday, I thought I couldn’t love you any more than I did then, but today proved me wrong. Goodnight, baby. You’re the only one asleep here—just me and my camera."

Finally, he added, "I rambled a lot today… Goodnight, baby."

Hearing his own voice felt strange. Lu Yicheng’s ears burned red. "Now do you believe me?"

Jiang Lan’s eyes were still red, but her voice softened. "Then why didn’t you just tell me you were recording a video? Why lie?"

Lu Yicheng sighed. "Because I didn’t want you to find out like this."

Jiang Lan: "But in the video, you said you wanted me to know."

Not like this, though.

Lu Yicheng had wanted Jiang Lan to realize he wanted to marry her—to give her time to think about whether she wanted to say yes.

Not to stumble upon it like this.

He’d been terrified.

Lu Yicheng said helplessly, "I didn’t want you to find out this way."

This was nothing like how he’d imagined it. The more he thought about it, the angrier he got—not at Jiang Lan, but at himself. At least he hadn’t mentioned the proposal in today’s video.

If he had, everything would’ve been ruined.

Thankfully, Jiang Lan had only seen this one. Yesterday’s recording was the one where he’d actually talked about it.

Lu Yicheng crossed his arms. "You owe me an apology. You accused me of video-calling another girl.

That’s an insult to my feelings for you—a complete lack of trust!"

"Well, you lied to me first! No wonder I didn’t believe you. You didn’t even give me any convincing proof. I…" Jiang Lan sighed at Lu Yicheng’s sulky expression. "Fine, fine. I’m sorry. I believe you now."

Only after seeing the video, though.

Lu Yicheng grew even more aggrieved, especially after her apology. He yanked the blanket over his head and refused to speak.

A lump formed on the bed, like a giant mushroom sprouting in the corner.

Jiang Lan patted the blanket, but Lu Yicheng just scooted closer to the edge.

The bed was already small—any further and he’d fall off.

Jiang Lan thought to herself, Anyone would’ve jumped to that conclusion in that situation. Lu Yicheng hadn’t even explained properly, even though she’d given him the chance.

She tried to pull the blanket away, but Lu Yicheng’s muffled voice came from underneath. "Leave me alone. Let me sulk in peace."

No way she’d let him stay like that—he’d suffocate.

Jiang Lan tugged hard until the blanket came loose—and then froze.

Lu Yicheng’s eyes were red-rimmed, glistening under the bedside lamp.

As the blanket was pulled aside, Lu Yicheng turned his head toward the adjacent bed, his lips pressed tightly together.

Jiang Lan wasn’t wrong—if it were him, he’d have doubted too. But he had nearly ruined the proposal.

Nearly ruined it.

Lu Yicheng couldn’t stop himself from blinking, and a tear rolled down the bridge of his sharp nose.

Jiang Lan’s heart ached. "Why are you crying too? Stop, don’t cry."

"Why can’t I cry? You even asked my mom to pick you up. Is she my mom or yours? She already monopolizes your time enough, and now you’re stealing her from me too."

Jiang Lan explained, "That’s because Teacher Yu hadn’t left yet—she was still in City G. I don’t know anyone else here."

Lu Yicheng muttered, "You saw everything. You must be so smug."

Jiang Lan truly wasn’t. "I’m really sorry, okay? Don’t cry, Lu Yicheng. I’m not smug at all. Love is between two people. If you like me, I’d only be happy, never smug."

Lu Yicheng turned to face her. "Really?"

Jiang Lan raised her hand. "I swear it’s true. I was just too angry earlier, and you—"

"See? There you go again, making excuses. You always have a dozen reasons ready." Lu Yicheng wiped his tears with the back of his hand. "Stop pressing on me."

Jiang Lan wrapped her arms around him. "I’m not making excuses. I’m not heavy either, so I’ll keep pressing."

Lu Yicheng cupped her head and warned, "Then you’re not allowed to tell anyone about this."

"I won’t, I won’t. It’s our secret. And you can’t tell anyone I cried either."

Lu Yicheng scoffed. "Only useless men make girls cry. I’d never admit to being useless."

Jiang Lan looked up at him. "You’re the most capable and amazing."

A small smile tugged at Lu Yicheng’s lips. Seeing this, Jiang Lan asked, "Are there any other videos?"

Lu Yicheng instantly schooled his expression. "Even if there are, I won’t show you. And definitely not now."

That would have to wait for another time. If they watched it tonight, neither of them would sleep.

No matter how sweetly Jiang Lan coaxed him or how nicely she massaged his shoulders and arms, Lu Yicheng refused to budge. Eventually, Jiang Lan gave up.

"Fine! Even if you beg me to watch it later, I won’t!"

Begging later was a problem for future Lu Yicheng. Right now, it wasn’t happening.

He adjusted the blanket, pulled Jiang Lan close, and kissed her. "Do I have permission now?"

He still remembered her earlier words—Don’t kiss me. Don’t touch me.

So petty and vindictive. His memory was annoyingly sharp when it came to these things.

"You have permission." Jiang Lan wrapped her arms around his waist. He was lean and easy to hold, though a bit too firm. "Do you really not remember Han Ningxia or whoever?"

Lu Yicheng thought hard. He hadn’t remembered at first, but now that Jiang Lan mentioned it, it came back to him.

Only someone like Lu Shuangchen would admit to remembering in a situation like this.

Lu Yicheng shook his head. "Who?"

Jiang Lan mirrored him. "How would I know? She’s your acquaintance. Lu Yicheng, can I watch the video again? Please?"

Lu Yicheng met her pleading gaze. Who could say no to those eyes? "Fine."

Jiang Lan rewatched it several times.

He looked so silly smiling like that while she slept.

Lu Yicheng was such a dork.

This was something he’d remember for life. "Want to check WeChat too? See if that Han whatever is there?"

Jiang Lan shook her head. "No, I believe you."

Lu Yicheng huffed. "You made such a fuss. I told you to sleep earlier, but you wouldn’t listen. Look how late it is now."

Jiang Lan checked her phone—it was past 1 a.m.

"We can just sleep in tomorrow. Lu Yicheng, tell me a story. The one about the little turtle telling stories to the little monk."

Lu Yicheng suppressed a smile. "It’s the old monk telling stories to the little turtle..."

After all the commotion, Lu Yicheng wasn’t sleepy anymore. Crisis averted—thankfully, he hadn’t mentioned anything about marriage today.

Otherwise, he really would’ve cried all night.

They talked until past 2 a.m. before finally falling asleep, and naturally, they overslept the next day.

By the time they got ready, it was already past 10 a.m. Lu Yicheng’s first order of business was changing their twin room to a king-size.

One bed, two pillows side by side—plenty of space for both of them.

Lu Yicheng took a couple of photos of the room and, as usual, checked for hidden cameras. He glanced at Jiang Lan, who was still lingering by the door. "Come in already."

Jiang Lan wheeled her suitcase to the corner. "What’s so interesting? Let’s just go to Fengtuo Mountain."

The wishing tree was at the temple atop the mountain.

Lu Yicheng said to wait. He lined up their suitcases, double-checked their belongings, and finally nodded. "Alright, let’s go."

They hadn’t eaten lunch yet, planning to grab snacks along the way. Lu Yicheng carried a backpack stuffed with food, water, and a mini fan.

Jiang Lan offered to share the load, but Lu Yicheng held out his hand. "Just hold this."

She laced her fingers with his. "Let’s go see if our red thread is still there."

Fengtuo Mountain was a famous tourist spot in City G, always crowded with visitors.

The paths were bustling, many couples among the crowd.

The mountain itself was lush, its dense canopy casting cool shadows, the air fresh and serene.

Vendors lined the trails, some with stalls, others carrying their wares in baskets. At the foot of the mountain, Lu Yicheng bought a blue child’s safety harness—one end looped around Jiang Lan’s wrist, the other around his.

"Lu Yicheng, are you five?"

He was in full righteous mode now. "Are you wearing it or not?"

"...Fine."

Incense sticks were sold at the base, and Lu Yicheng bought two. The temple atop Fengtuo Mountain was dedicated to love—rumor had it the Matchmaker frequented this place, making wishes here especially potent.

Lu Yicheng also wanted to draw a fortune slip and make a wish.

Even though the hospital had cleared Jiang Lan, the missing memories felt like a hole.

Those memories included moments with her parents, friends, and him. It’d be a shame if she never recalled them.

Lu Yicheng still didn’t understand why she’d lost them in the first place.

Jiang Lan hadn’t either—until now.

She and Lu Yicheng had been together for three years when it suddenly hit her: the world she lived in was a book, and she was merely a side character in someone else’s story.

Even if she accepted Lu Yicheng’s explanations, what could she have done when faced with Yu Wanqiu later?

There was no denying she got along with Yu Wanqiu now.

But back then, Yu Wanqiu was just a stranger—her boyfriend’s mother.

An acclaimed actress, someone she’d never met, inviting her to a variety show? Jiang Lan would’ve refused outright.

No preparation, no warning—meeting his mom like that would’ve made her question the entire relationship.

Without the memory loss, Jiang Lan would’ve never joined the show. She and Lu Yicheng would’ve followed the script—broken up.

The ending might’ve mirrored the book’s.

Lu Yicheng, haunted by an unforgettable ex, would’ve eventually married someone chosen by his family.

But in reality, the issues between her and Lu Yicheng—that book and Han Ningxia—were minor.

The biggest problem was whether their past feelings could help them face the emotional trials together.

Their social compatibility, Lu Yicheng’s secrecy, and her interactions with Yu Wanqiu.

Still, Jiang Lan was certain that back then, she had truly loved Lu Yicheng. That was why she had sealed away her memories, giving herself another chance.

When she deleted their chat history and contact information, she must have felt heartbroken too.

"Lu Yicheng, have I ever told you those three words?"

Lu Yicheng knew this game. "Which three? 'You're a pig,' 'You're so dumb,' or what…?"

Jiang Lan walked ahead of him before turning around. "I love you, dummy."

Lu Yicheng froze for a second before tugging her close with the leash. "Why say that so suddenly? And in public too."

Jiang Lan shrugged. "Just felt like it. Straight from the heart."

"Sounded nice. Say it again," Lu Yicheng grinned, delighted. "One more time, one more time."

Jiang Lan refused.

"Let’s hurry up the mountain before the sun sets."

They had started late, and by the time they reached the summit, it was already 3 PM. Fortunately, it wasn’t peak summer, so the heat was bearable.

Inside the temple, the sight of the Buddha statues filled Jiang Lan with a sense of peace.

After offering incense, Lu Yicheng drew a fortune slip—its message hinted at wishes coming true and smooth sailing.

That meant his proposal would go well, the wedding would go well, everything would go well.

Lu Yicheng was thrilled. "Want to draw one too?"

Jiang Lan shook her head. "What did you wish for?"

Lu Yicheng smirked. "Can’t say. It won’t come true if I tell you."

Stingy. Fine, she didn’t care.

"Let’s go see the love tree," Jiang Lan said.

She never liked hiking—coming here was purely for that tree.

The old peach tree’s trunk was thirty centimeters thick, sturdy and imposing.

Its lush canopy spread like a giant umbrella. Beneath it, a robed monk sold wooden plaques.

Names could be carved onto the plaques for free, and hanging them on the tree would grant the couple the tree’s blessings.

Lu Yicheng wasn’t in a rush to buy one. "I still remember which branch we used. If it’s gone, the temple staff must’ve taken it down."

Scammers.

They had come here during their first winter together.

G City, located in southern China, was humid and rainy. But that year, it snowed.

A thin layer of white covered the mountain, dusting the old peach tree too.

Jiang Lan had dragged him here to hang their plaque. Back then, Lu Yicheng had no idea couples did things like this.

They were each other’s first love—what he didn’t know, she didn’t either. But she learned faster.

Lu Yicheng was tall, so Jiang Lan made him hang their plaque on the highest branch, ensuring it would be just the two of them there.

Now, years later, that branch was crowded with plaques.

After checking a few, Lu Yicheng exclaimed, "Found it!"

One side bore his name, the other hers.

"Baby, let me lift you so you can see," Lu Yicheng offered, worried she might miss it.

"I can see just fine!" Jiang Lan insisted.

She snapped a photo of the plaque, then scrolled through her old pictures. "Lu Yicheng, let’s take another photo here, same spot as before."

Back then, they had stood before the tree, smiling at the camera.

Lu Yicheng rarely smiled when she wasn’t around, but with her, he didn’t need to force it—his eyes always lit up naturally.

A passerby took two shots for them. They turned out great.

"Lu Yicheng, look—we’re so photogenic. Want me to take a solo shot of you?"

He refused. He never took selfies and had few single portraits. "Only if you’re in it with me."

Fine.

Jiang Lan thought they looked good together in photos anyway.

After exploring the temple and having a vegetarian meal on the mountain, they watched the sunset before heading back.

Birds scattered across the crimson sky as dusk fell.

Lu Yicheng gazed at the view, eyes sparkling. "Let’s go home."

Dinner, then the hotel.

A good night’s sleep in a double bed.

Lu Yicheng tugged Jiang Lan downhill excitedly. "Homeward bound!"

Jiang Lan regretted her choice. Maybe she shouldn’t have asked for a double bed. But it had been her idea.

"Lu Yicheng, if you didn’t want to share a bed, you could’ve just told me."

He laughed. "No take-backs. You’d be a puppy if you did."

Jiang Lan debated whether to bark. Before she could, Lu Yicheng kissed her. "Don’t go that far. Really, it’s fine."

Jiang Lan drove them home safely. Too tired for their planned hotpot, they ordered takeout instead.

After showering, Lu Yicheng collapsed onto the bed. "Big beds are the best."

Hmph.

"Comfortable, huh?" Jiang Lan didn’t want him too comfortable.

"Lu Yicheng, my legs ache." She stretched them out. He sat up. "Let me massage them, or they’ll hurt tomorrow."

The kneading felt so good Jiang Lan nearly dozed off.

But every time she drifted, Lu Yicheng tickled her ribs playfully.

"Lu Yicheng, are you recording your video tonight?" she mumbled.

"...Just sleep, baby. Goodnight."

He still had to record—daily uploads, no exceptions. He just worried she’d pretend to sleep like last time. That would be… awkward.

Once she was out, he whispered in her ear, "Baby, really asleep? Wake up."

On the third try, Jiang Lan rolled over. "You woke me up. Go record on the balcony. So annoying."

Lu Yicheng scurried off.

The night breeze on the balcony was cool. Jiang Lan fell back asleep, unaware when he returned. His skin was chilly, so she instinctively pulled him closer to warm him.

Lu Yicheng’s calm heart raced again.

Another cold shower later, she clung to him once more.

A sweet torment.

The next morning, Lu Yicheng woke early to work.

Jiang Lan lounged in bed, binge-watching dramas and novels.

Lu Yicheng held a meeting with his team—Lu Yuan was launching new projects, expanding into different investments.

They considered ventures like video platforms and entertainment.

Broadening their horizons.

"What kind of entertainment investments are we looking at? Films, TV series, or variety shows?" Lu Yicheng asked.

The manager replied, "We’re eyeing films, web dramas, and reality shows."

"Reality shows sound great. Some dating ones seem promising," Lu Yicheng mused.

Jiang Lan lobbed a jelly at him.

He pocketed it. "Let’s research trending dating shows. Meeting adjourned."

After shutting his laptop, he ate the jelly. "Now let me show you what a grape-flavored kiss tastes like."