“Dear in-law, you all chat. I’ll go check on the kitchen.”

After sending Shen Zhilan away, Old Lady Yang ushered Shen Zhihuan’s family into the main hall and then found an excuse to leave.

She was well aware of her daughter’s intentions, but she had visited the Zhu family many times, and Zhu Dazhuang’s mother always skillfully changed the topic without agreeing to anything. What could she do about it?

Glancing at Yang Sanhong’s room, Old Lady Yang couldn’t help but sigh deeply.

“Little Sister, you look so much better recently. Have you been feeling okay?” Shen Zhimei beamed at Shen Zhihuan, relieved to see her no longer looking so frail.

Although still thin, she was far from the emaciated figure she had been before.

Hu Banxian’s (Fortune teller) words were like a thorn in her mother’s heart. Even though she claimed not to believe it, she was always anxious about her youngest daughter’s wellbeing.

But now, seeing Shen Zhihuan looking healthier, Shen Zhimei thinks good times are coming.

“I’ve been much better recently. At least I don’t have to drink that bitter, smelly medicine every day anymore. But Doctor Hua said I’ll probably have to rely on medicine for the rest of my life,” Shen Zhihuan replied with a sweet smile, as if she were talking about someone else’s misfortune rather than her own.

“I can make medicine now, Third Sister. From now on, I’ll prepare it for you,” Xiao Weidong said earnestly, clutching her hand in reassurance.

Shen Zhihuan chuckled. “Alright, from now on, I’ll leave all my medicine to you.”

Back in her old world, she wouldn’t have believed a four- or five-year-old could cut grass, dig wild vegetables, or cook. But here, Little Weidong not only did all that, but he could also cook meals and brew medicine proficiently.

It’s true: necessity makes the man.

“Zhimei, isn’t Xingwang or the two little girls coming?” Li Qiuhua asked as her eyes scanned the Yang family courtyard.

“Xingwang’s brother hurt his leg, so Xingwang is taking care of him at the hospital,” Shen Zhimei replied in a restrained tone, her expression conflicted.

“And what about the two girls?” Shen Zhihuan frowned, her clear, bright eyes locking onto her elder sister.

“There’s too much to do at home. They had to stay behind to help,” Shen Zhimei said, avoiding her gaze.

“Too much to do at home?” Shen Zhihuan snorted coldly.

What vast estate could Xingwang’s family possibly have? She knew it was all because of his meddling mother.

“Learning to do housework isn’t a bad thing. It’ll help them when they get married and make their mothers-in-law happy,” Shen Zhimei said quietly.

“Big Sister, did you have children just to raise good workers for other families?” Shen Zhihuan laughed incredulously.

“Little Sister…” Shen Zhimei lowered her eyes and bit her lip.

“Big Sister.” Shen Zhihuan’s tone grew serious. “I’m not saying Daya and Erya shouldn’t help at home, but you can’t take their contributions for granted. If even you, their mother, think like this, how can you expect others to treat them any better?”

Everyone chooses their own path in life, and Shen Zhihuan generally avoided meddling in others’ affairs. But Xingwang’s foolish obedience and Shen Zhimei’s meekness made it clear that the two little girls might spend their entire lives being exploited by the Qian family.

Some families that preferred sons over daughters would milk their daughters dry—sometimes even selling them into abusive marriages or worse.

“Little Sister, you don’t understand,” Shen Zhimei sighed.

“Do I not understand, or are you lying to yourself? Do you think Daya and Erya being more obedient and hardworking will make your mother-in-law appreciate them? Wake up, Big Sister!” Shen Zhihuan raised her voice.

“If she wanted to change, she would have done so long ago. You’ve been married into the Qian family for years. Has she ever treated you well because of all the work you’ve done for her?”

Bullies prey on the weak. Excessive kindness, compliance, and tolerance don’t make others appreciate you—they make them see you as easy to exploit.

Old Lady Qian took advantage of Shen Zhimei’s soft nature.

“Zhihuan, watch how you speak to your elder sister!” Li Qiuhua scolded.

Shen Zhimei gave a bitter smile. “Mom, Little Sister is right. It’s my fault. If only I could give Xingwang a son, maybe Mother wouldn’t…”

“…” Shen Zhihuan felt utterly drained.

That wasn’t the point she was trying to make at all!

Before she could respond, the sound of a bicycle bell rang at the courtyard gate.

Moments later, Yang Zhongyi entered, wearing his blue work uniform and accompanied by a man in his thirties. The man wore a white shirt with its collar slightly open, revealing tanned skin. His buzz cut and thick, neat eyebrows framed a pair of shrewd eyes.

“Mom, Big Sister, Little Sister, Little Brother—you’re all here!”

“Zhongyi, you’re back,” Li Qiuhua and Shen Zhimei stood up to greet him.

“Second Brother-in-law,” Shen Zhihuan greeted indifferently as she rose.

“Second Brother-in-law,” Xiao Weidong mimicked, his voice small.

The original Shen Zhihuan had rarely interacted with the Yang family, given her frail health and conflicts with Shen Zhilan. At most, she would bow her head and quietly acknowledge them.

“Mom, Big Sister, Little Sister, this is my friend Zhu Dazhuang. Dazhuang, this is my mother-in-law, my elder sister, my younger sister Zhihuan, and my brother-in-law, Weidong,” Yang Zhongyi introduced warmly.

“Hello, Auntie, Big Sister, Zhihuan, and Weidong,” Zhu Dazhuang greeted, flashing a wide smile that revealed his pearly teeth.

Li Qiuhua responded awkwardly, while Shen Zhihuan merely nodded before shifting her gaze away.

Sell her off cheap? Dream on!

“Brother Dazhuang!”

Hearing Zhu Dazhuang’s voice, Yang Sanhong emerged from her room, her flowery dress swaying as she walked coyly toward them. Her overly sweet voice made Shen Zhihuan cringe.

Zhu Dazhuang instinctively glanced at Shen Zhihuan, worried she might misunderstand.

“Sanhong, go help your sisters-in-law in the kitchen,” Yang Zhongyi ordered, frowning.

He was well aware of his sister’s feelings, but Zhu Dazhuang clearly wasn’t interested. Her persistent efforts only embarrassed their family.

“Fine!” Yang Sanhong shot Shen Zhihuan a glare before pouting her way out of the room.

“…” Shen Zhihuan was baffled.

What’s wrong with this woman?

She glared at her for no reason—it’s not like she told her to go help in the kitchen!