CHAPTER 42: CHAPTER 32: A LEISURELY CHAT BETWEEN MOTHER-IN-LAW AND DAUGHTER-IN-LAW

"Mom, I’ll listen to you from now on and consult you in my affairs. I just feel that if Brother Xiao Wu is dressed well and there’s extra, the two older brothers shouldn’t be too different. Otherwise, what are real brothers for? You can’t just think of yourself." She knew she had a lot to learn to integrate into society and this family, but she wasn’t worried. Her mother-in-law was quite nice.

"You two young couples are good-hearted; I just hope they remember your kindness. We can rest easy if your brotherhoods remain strong," Mother Zhang sighed. Xiao Wu had been one for loyalty since childhood, and marrying a kind wife who was never stingy with her in-laws and nieces and nephews was fortunate.

Big sister-in-law Huang Cuilan came in with the second sister-in-law. "Mom, we seem to be taking advantage of our sister-in-law here. Why are you getting involved too? Xiao Wu is still young, and after the New Year, the separation will need money to support the household. Jiao Jiao, we accepted this time, but please, no more next time."

While speaking, she gently patted Ping’an and looked at Mai Sui, "Xiao Miao, does the milk taste good? Would you like to let your aunt have a taste?"

"You still don’t understand Jiao Jiao; she treats you like her real sisters-in-law. If she wants to give, then take it. I’m just happy to see you three so harmonious. Look at those other families in the village, always fighting and making a mess, even becoming enemies among brothers."

"Folks in the village praise you, saying it’s because you sisters-in-law do well. From your grandfather’s generation, we sisters-in-law never had quarrels either. Your great aunt is kind-hearted and will help whenever needed, and your little aunt may seem cold to others, but she is the first to help your dad’s three brothers’ families."

"When your grandfather was alive, he often said it wasn’t that the sons were dutiful, but the daughters-in-law were. A son’s duty is superficial; a daughter-in-law’s is genuine. Before passing, he even thanked the three of us and said, ’A harmonious family prospers in everything.’

Huang Cuilan and the three of them listened and seemed to understand, exchanging smiles as Zhou Jiao said, "I particularly admire the second sister-in-law’s skills and specifically asked for her help, so don’t talk about these niceties. Big sister-in-law, wouldn’t you like to see the three brothers go out in matching outfits like triplets? Just thinking about it makes me giggle. Mom, don’t you think so?"

The women in the room thought and realized it was true. Normally, everyone wore black or blue, looking the same on the road. This military green was rare in the village; standing together, they’d look like triplets, prompting laughter. Even Mai Sui laughed along.

Once the fabric was cut and the styles finalized, Mother Zhang saw there wasn’t much for her to do here and was worried about the men, so she left them to it, saying, "Alright, I’ll go check on them. You all take this rare free time to chat a bit. No need for you to clean the kitchen."

As she left, she winked at Zhou Jiao and glanced at her pillow. She feared Zhou Jiao might be naive and give everything away, remembering what was under the pillow.

Zhou Jiao bared her teeth mockingly, "Do you think I’m that silly?" She laughed out loud. "Alright, mom’s gone. Sisters-in-law, let’s get moving. The sewing machine is in the little living room outside, and the brown sugar and dates are in the drawer by the entrance. Help yourselves; I won’t be getting up with you all. Xiao Miao, would you like to stay with auntie?"

Huang Cuilan didn’t stand on ceremony and went with Lin Juhua to the little living room to sew clothes. Xiao Miao nodded, tugging at Zhou Jiao’s clothes, "Aunt, I want to drink more, but if I do, my little brother won’t have any milk."

"Didn’t grandma give you some? What’s left with grandma is for you to drink." It shouldn’t be; her mother-in-law wasn’t like that.

Mai Sui cautiously looked at her expression, appearing so timid it made Zhou Jiao heartache. Such a young child already understanding expressions, missing the innocence of childhood, acting like a timid little wife. "Grandma gave us each one cup during the meal, saying we’d wait for brother to come home and drink more together."

"Xiao Miao really is a good child! Your aunt’s milk is for your little brother here, okay? Would you like to take some milk powder home?"

Xiao Miao quickly shook her head, glancing swiftly at the little living room, ensuring they couldn’t hear, and beckoned with her little claw-like hand, "Aunt, I don’t want to take it home. If my mom sees it, there won’t be any left. Many brothers and sisters cry, and my mom cries, too. I cried as well. I don’t like going there to cry."

Zhou Jiao couldn’t help but smile; this little one couldn’t articulate it but knew that taking it home meant her mom would give it away and she wouldn’t get any.

"Then Xiao Miao, when you want to drink, bring your sister Mai Miao here to aunt’s place, okay? Drinking at night will make you wet the bed, and your mom will scold you," Zhou Jiao promised quickly.

"Okay, brother can drink too." Xiao Miao nodded sensibly and went to play with her little brother.

The child was truly sensible. Zhou Jiao recalled there was the Dove white chocolate she liked in space; just seeing the packaging would give it away. Zhang Guoqing was supposed to bring back 2 catties of sugar today. Look at her tiny stature, can’t even climb down from the kang.

"Then when your uncle comes back, he’ll give you candy."

"Mm-hmm, I’m obedient, I’m so good. My grandma, my uncle, my dad, my grandpa, my sister, and many, many say I’m good." The little one counted on her fingers, becoming anxious when she couldn’t count or say it right.

Zhou Jiao laughed non-stop, "Yes, Xiao Miao is very good, that’s why I want to give you candy."

In the little living room, the big sister-in-law was cutting the last piece of fabric while the second sister-in-law was working on the sewing machine, and they worked quickly together.

Oddly enough, Lin Juhua learned things incredibly fast, picking them up after just a glance. Her knitting was the trendiest in the village, and she could replicate what she saw on the street.

No one could match her skills. Her cooking was also the tastiest, though it used a lot of oil, which frightened her mother-in-law. Additionally, since she sneaked food back to her maiden home, her access to the kitchen was limited to festive occasions, and otherwise, she was tasked with feeding the pigs.

Zhang Guoqing once joked that her pig feed was probably tastier than the family meals.

She had many flaws, but also virtues, like her laid-back nature—quick to anger, quick to let go. She especially loved and was compliant with her husband, following his words to the letter, barring the few times she sneaked some coarse grains home. She wouldn’t touch the family’s finances even if she saw them, which was a good trait. If she were dishonest, no one would dare interact with her.

She might gossip, but never fabricates stories, just sometimes careless, easily coaxed into speaking and unable to keep secrets. But, when it came to serious matters, she understood priorities. She was a bit vain, loved to show off, and enjoyed comparisons.

She was lazy, but she’d complete any task given to her, doing no more and no less even if idle. Most rural women kept busy all year, like the big sister-in-law, who spun twine in her downtime to supplement income. But Lin Juhua avoided chores outside her responsibilities, preferring to chat with friends in the village rather than being active, somewhat selfish, calculating gains and losses, but after venting, she’d let things go without grudges.

Perhaps because of being brought up in a male-biased environment, deeply influenced by it, she too valued sons over daughters. She took meticulous care of her son Shi Tou, afraid he’d suffer any grievance. Thankfully, Little Stone, growing up with his brothers here, didn’t develop any spoiled traits. But she lacked patience with her daughter Xiao Miao, believing being born into the Zhang Family was already a blessing for her, and any more indulgence was too much. She was particularly dismissive of her mother-in-law’s habit of secretly favoring the two little granddaughters and often complained privately.

The Zhang Family was generous and warm-hearted, treating people with sincerity and magnanimity. They all disliked Lin Juhua’s fondness for comparison, competition, and scheming ways.