The Sweet Rival (Mango Shen and Nathaniel Ye)

"Are you getting something for my mom?"

"Isn't that what I'm supposed to do?"

Hence, Mango felt that Nathaniel's reaction was quite interesting.

She was the daughter-in-law, but she hadn't managed to care for her mother-in-law while she was in the hospital. Even so, Madam Ye was still concerned for her well-being, so she should definitely show her appreciation, right?

However, Nathaniel did not say anything about it, and he just smiled as he replied, "It's all up to you."

Meanwhile, Mango was rather overwhelmed by the affection in Nathaniel's gaze.

"You really know how to use those bewitching eyes of yours. It's no wonder so many girls like you."

At that, Nathaniel felt speechless and aggrieved.

"They're not bewitching, they're charming."

"It's all the same."

Alas, Mango just dismissed his words casually.

Hence, Nathaniel could only acquiesce to what she said.

"Okay, whatever you say. But that's not my fault, but you can blame my genetics if you want to."

He replied with a bit of self- praise in his voice.

Hence, Mango felt that Nathaniel was becoming more shameless by the day.

Of course, Nathaniel automatically ignored Mango's disdainful gaze.

Then, both of them held hands as they entered a nearby mall.

"What does mom like?"

Honestly, Mango didn't feel like she'd done her part as a daughter-in-law because she still had no idea what Madam Ye liked despite so many years of marriage.

Nevertheless, Nathaniel chuckled and replied, "She'll like whatever you buy for her."

"Hey, I'm serious."

For some reason, Mango was rather nervous.

In fact, she'd never been this nervous when buying something.

Her anxiety was apparent to Nathaniel, who said, "I'm serious. She doesn't need anything because she has everything that she needs. You're doing this just to show your appreciation for her. If we're being serious, she misses my dad the most. Can you bring my dad back to life?"

"What are you talking about? I'm not almighty."

Mango felt that Nathaniel was making fun of her, but he was right. Madam Ye didn't wish for anything in particular.

Hence, this made Mango's task quite difficult.

"What do I do? I have no idea what to give her."

"Then forget it."

Nathaniel felt that there wasn't a need for Mango to give his mother a gift, but she still insisted on buying something.

Then, both of them strolled around before they stopped at a store that sold foot baths.

Mango felt that buying a foot bath would be a good idea.

"I've heard that there are many acupuncture points in the soles of the feet. Do you think that mom would feel better after using this?" Mango looked at Nathaniel as she spoke, and she hoped that he would give her a suggestion.

Then, Nathaniel nodded and said, "Sounds good to me."

Both of them returned to the Ye's Mansion after they bought the foot bath.

In fact, the Ye Family seemed different from before. The security had been increased, and everything was a lot more orderly.

However, Mango just glanced briefly at it silently before she entered the mansion.

"Madam Ye, Mr. and Mrs. Ye have returned!"

Nanny Huang was very happy to see them return, and she quickly relayed the news to Madam Ye.

After both of them entered, they discovered that Madam Ye was sitting in a wheelchair with a happy expression on her face.

"Oh, you're back? That's great! Come and sit!"

Meanwhile, Nathaniel and Mango were shocked.

"Mom, your legs..."

Recently, Nathaniel had been too preoccupied with taking care of Mango and he had assumed Nick would do the same for Madam Ye, so he hadn't been worried at all. Furthermore, Nick neglected to inform Nathaniel that something was wrong with Madam Ye, so he felt a lump form in his throat when he saw his mother seated in a wheelchair.

"I'm sorry, it's all my fault."

Nathaniel got down on his knees right away in front of Madam Ye.

At the same time, Mango was also astonished.

She had always thought that Madam Ye's recovery would be slow even with the antidote, but she never expected for Madam Ye's condition to turn out like this.

Nevertheless, Madam Ye replied rather indifferently, "This is nothing, and I'm very grateful that fate has allowed me to stay alive. The doctor told me that I would experience side effects from the toxins despite that I've taken the antidote because of the duration that they've been inside my body. Although my legs lack strength, I haven't lost feeling in them so they might recover fully later on. Don't be sad, my dears. I'm an old woman, and I can always find someone to help me if I can't move around anymore. I've spent my life in service of both of you and the Ye Family, so can't I slack off for a bit now?"

The more Madam Ye spoke, the more upset both Nathaniel and Mango felt.

"Mom, I'm sorry. Nathan and I should have come back earlier to see you."

Mango hurriedly knelt in front of Madam Ye and she felt a sharp pain in her chest as she gazed upon the kindly old woman.

Then, Madam Ye took Mango's hand and said, "Silly girl, how could you have come back to see me when you were sick? I already have one foot in the grave, so it's okay if anything happens to me, but you're still young. Why did you act so rashly for an old woman like me? How are you? Are you feeling better? Have you seen the doctor?"

"I have. The doctor told me that everything is fine, so don't worry."

Currently, Mango was acting like a child in front of Madam Ye.

When Nathaniel saw this, he said, "Mom, Mango bought a foot bath for you, so how about we try it out?"

"Let me do it."

Mango was about to go and fetch water as she spoke, but Nathaniel stopped her.

"You've just completed your confinement period, so let me do it. You can just sit and talk to mom."

Then, Nathaniel took off his coat and rolled up his sleeves before he took the foot bath to the bathroom.

Madam Ye gazed at Nathaniel's retreating figure and smiled, "My son is so filial. I'm very glad to have children like you both."

"It's all my fault. I should have asked Nathan to come home and visit you earlier."

Honestly, Mango felt like her mother-in-law was far too kind.

If it were any other woman, she would have been pissed that her son hadn't returned home for over a month, but Madam Ye was not angry at all.

The old lady patted Mango's hand and replied, "You should take better care of yourself. I heard that Nathan was planning to take you and the kids on a vacation?"

"Yeah, that's what we planned. But I've given up on that now and I want to stay with you until you get better."

How could Mango still have the mood to go on a vacation with her family now that Madam Ye was wheelchair-bound?

Nevertheless, Madam Ye smiled and said, "Don't worry about it, Nick is home with me. Over the years, the Ye Family has owed you and your children far too much. Now that Rita is cured, you might as well let Nathan take you out. The world is vast and beautiful, so I'm sure you and the children will find much joy in that. Conversely, I'm an old woman who's worked all her life, yet I don't want to spend my twilight years anywhere else but here in the Ye Family mansion. I want to stay and watch over the memories that your father-in-law left behind. So, don't let me hold you two back from living your lives, okay?"

"But it would be extremely unfilial of us to leave while you're like this."

The more Madam Ye insisted on them going, the more upset Mango felt.

"Silly girl, why are you acting like a child who's overly attached to her mother? If people didn't know better, they would think that you're my daughter instead."

Although Madam Ye said so, her eyes were filled with a sense of contentment.

Then, Mango threw herself into Madam Ye's arms as she cried, "I am your daughter."

"All right, all right, you're my daughter. Hey, stop crying, if not Nathan will think that I've hurt you somehow."

The old lady coughed a little as she spoke.

After that, Mango quickly stood up and poured a cup of water for Madam Ye.

Meanwhile, Nathaniel left the bathroom carrying the foot bath before he got down on one knee before Madam Ye.

He suddenly realized that it had been many years since he had been so close to Madam Ye.

When he was a child, Madam Ye was too busy for him and the situation was reversed when he got older because he was always occupied with work. Hence, he had not only nearly lost his wife, but his own mother as well.

Hence, Nathaniel felt very guilty.

"Mom, the salesperson at the mall said that the foot bath will help to increase blood circulation in the soles of the foot, so you should use it as often as you can."

"Sounds good to me!"

Madam Ye readily agreed with whatever Nathaniel and Mango said to her.

Then, Mango suddenly realised that Madam Ye was indeed getting older. An inexplicable air of loneliness surrounded the old lady, which made Mango feel sad for her.

"Mom, what would you like to eat? I'll go and make it for you."

Mango was about to stand up as she spoke, but Madam Ye stopped her.

"Nanny Huang is already in the kitchen, so are you planning to steal her job? Furthermore, you shouldn't be on your feet so much as you've just finished your confinement period. Just stay here and chat with

me."

After that, Madam Ye retrieved a card from inside her blouse and gave it to Mango.

"Although you and Nathan aren't lacking any money, I still have to give you something as your mother-in-law. It's not much, so don't fight me on it. Just take the money and keep it, so you would at least have some emergency funds if Nathaniel does anything to make you upset."

Madam Ye said this with a smile, but Mango's eyes filled with tears.

"Mom..."

"If you still want to call me your mom, then you'd better listen to me and take the money."

Then, Mango glanced over at Nathaniel, who nodded his head before she took the card, "Thank you mom."

"Good girl!"

The three of them chatted for a while longer as Nathaniel washed his mother's feet and Nick had returned home by the time everything was put away.

This was the first time that Mango had properly met Nick.

Previously, she had nearly mistaken him for Nathaniel as she was fighting for her life. After that, she'd never seen him again, so she was rather shocked to see him. Nathaniel and Nick looked exactly the same.

"Hello, Mango."

Nick smiled slightly, showing off his dimples. At a glance, Nick seemed more mischievous and less serious compared to Nathaniel.

"Hi Nick, nice to meet you."

On the other hand, Mango felt rather awkward as she wasn't used too seeing someone who looked exactly like her husband.

"Go away, can't you see that Mango's nervous?"

Then, Nathaniel kicked Nick in the side.

Meanwhile, Nick complained woefully to his mother, "Mom, Nathaniel is bullying me. Not only did he thrust the company to me without warning, but he also doesn't want to see me."

"If you don't want to keep being a thorn in your brother's side, then hurry up and find a wife. Oh yeah, where's Wisdom? Did you take him with you?"

Madam Ye's words confused Nick for a moment before he exclaimed loudly, "Oh no! I've forgotten about him, I think I've left him locked inside my office."

As he spoke, he hurriedly rushed outside, which caused Mango's lips to quirk up in amusement.

Could this brother-in-law of hers really manage the company?