On the third day after their wedding, Xiao Anlan accompanied Yu Wanru to her family home.

After getting up and having breakfast with the Xiao family, Madam Xiao handed Xiao Anlan a gift box to take to the Yu family and told him to spend the night there.

…..

At the Yu residence in the east of the city, the family eagerly awaited their return.

Although Master and Madam Yu sat in the main hall, they kept glancing at the entrance.

Yu Qing had already run to the door several times. When he tried to go out again, Madam Yu stopped him, “Stop running around. Sit here with me.”

Yu Qing obediently came over and asked, “Mom, why aren’t my sister and brother-in-law back yet? They’re supposed to return today, right?”

Madam Yu nodded, smoothing his collar, “They had breakfast at the Xiao home first. Just wait a bit longer.”

Just then, Han Qing ran in excitedly, “Master, Ma’am, Young Master! Miss and her husband are back!”

Madam Yu stood up immediately, and Master Yu straightened himself, while Yu Qing dashed out.

The Xiao family’s car had just arrived at the Yu residence. Xiao Anlan went around to open the door for Yu Wanru.

“Jie, Brother-in-law, you’re here!” Yu Qing ran out.

Yu Wanru, holding Xiao Anlan’s hand, got out of the car and smiled, “We’re back. Where are Dad and Mom?”

“They’re inside, waiting for you.”

Xiao Anlan put his arm around his little brother-in-law’s shoulder and held Yu Wanru’s hand, “Let’s go inside and not keep the elders waiting.”

Having not seen her parents for two days, Yu Wanru felt emotional.

Madam Yu’s eyes misted as she came forward to hold her daughter’s hand.

As a custom for the new son-in-law’s visit, Xiao Anlan greeted them naturally, calling them “Dad” and “Mom.”

Master Yu nodded, “Welcome, Anlan. Have a seat.”

Madam Yu wiped her eyes and said, “Yes, sit down.” Then she called for tea and turned to Yu Qing, “Ah Qing, come greet your brother-in-law.” 

Yu Qing said, “I already greeted him earlier.”  

Madam Yu laughed and gently nudged him. “That’s not the same. Greet him again.”  

Yu Qing didn’t understand but obediently walked over to Xiao Anlan again and said formally, “Hello, Brother-in-law.”  

“Hello, Little Brother-in-law,” Xiao Anlan replied with a smile, taking a red envelope from his pocket and handing it to Yu Qing.  

Yu Qing turned back to seek Madam Yu’s approval.  

Madam Yu nodded. “Take it and thank your Brother-in-law.”  

Yu Qing then said, “Thank you, Brother-in-law.”  

Xiao Anlan patted his shoulder. “When is your school’s soccer team playing next? I’ll come and cheer for you.”  

Yu Qing scratched his head and smiled shyly, revealing bright white teeth. “Brother-in-law, I’m just a substitute player. I barely have a chance to play.”  

Xiao Anlan said, “That’s fine. Keep practicing for a couple more years. Improve your skills, and you might make the starting lineup.”  

Yu Qing nodded enthusiastically. “That’s what I’m aiming for too.”  

After chatting in the main hall for a while, as it wasn’t yet lunchtime, Master Yu invited Xiao Anlan to the study for a game of Go.  

Yu Qing followed to observe, while Yu Wanru stayed with Madam Yu in her room for a conversation.  

Once back in the room, Madam Yu took another close look at Yu Wanru. Seeing her looking spirited and healthy with rosy cheeks, she finally felt at ease.  

“How have the past two days been? How are the Xiao family members?”  

Yu Wanru sat down beside her mother, pouring her a cup of tea. “Don’t worry, Mother. I’m doing well. Father-in-law and Mother-in-law treat me very kindly, and my brother and sisters-in-laws are all very warm and welcoming.”  

“And what about Anlan?” Madam Yu asked further.  

Yu Wanru said softly, “He’s very kind and takes great care of me.”  

Madam Yu nodded and patted her daughter’s hand. “As a new bride, you must be diligent in their household. Get up early in the mornings, even if you don’t need to do any chores. Leave a good impression on your in-laws. Their family is big, and since you’re not familiar with everyone yet, don’t talk too much. Just observe and listen more.  

“And as for Anlan, he’s a good man with a kind nature and he cares for you. You should put more effort into caring for him too—pay attention to his work and his health, and spend time talking with him. Don’t always lock yourself in the room reading. Understand?”  

Yu Wanru nodded repeatedly. “I understand, Mother. How have things been at home the past few days?”  

Madam Yu said, “What could happen at home? Your father and I are doing well. Your brother may be a bit lively, but compared to others, he’s quite well-behaved. Now that you’ve left the house, your father and I are just waiting for your brother to grow up, marry a wife, and give us a grandchild.”  

Yu Wanru laughed and said, “That’ll take a while. Ah Qing is only fourteen.”  

Madam Yu laughed along with her.  

At lunchtime, the family ate together. Before leaving for her parents’ house, Yu Wanru had repeatedly insisted to Xiao Anlan not to serve food onto her plate in front of her parents.  

In exchange, Xiao Anlan had demanded two kisses before reluctantly agreeing.  

So at the dining table, Yu Wanru kept sneaking glances at him, worried he might suddenly put food on her plate.  

While he often did so in the Xiao household, doing it in front of her own parents felt too embarrassing.  

After the meal, Master Yu dragged Xiao Anlan back to the study. Earlier, they had played two games of Go, each winning one. Master Yu, having found a worthy opponent, couldn’t stop himself.  

Yu Qing, lacking the patience to watch, asked his mother for permission to leave and ran off to find his playmates.  

Yu Wanru planned to visit Su Xiaoman, whose family lived just a hundred meters away on the same street.  

But before she could leave, Su Xiaoman arrived at her house first.  

Yu Wanru greeted her joyfully. “Xiaoman, I was just about to come find you.”  

Su Xiaoman smiled. “That shows how in tune we are, thinking the same thing.”  

She looked Yu Wanru up and down, nodding in approval. “Not bad, you look great.”  

Yu Wanru was wearing a new floral qipao. She had worn a similar modern qipao during the wedding toast, feeling very uncomfortable at the time. But after wearing it for the past two days, she found it far more convenient than her previous attire.  

Su Xiaoman compared their waistlines and laughed. “I never realized your waist was this slender—so trim and graceful. This outfit looks great. I should get a couple of these made for myself.”  

Yu Wanru eagerly asked, “When will you go? I’ll go with you.”  

Su Xiaoman shook her head. “I was just saying it casually. I’m not sure if I’ll go. But I do need to get out more these days to clear my mind. If you ever want to go shopping, let me know.”  

“What happened? Something troubling you recently?”  

Su Xiaoman gave a wry smile. “It’s my sister-in-law. I’ve been staying at home for over two months now, and it seems I’m getting in her way. She’s been trying to marry me off again.  

“Recently, she mentioned a wealthy widower looking for a second wife, hoping I’d agree. My mother looked into it and found out the man is in his forties, older than me by quite a bit. When my mother confronted her about it, she got upset, took my nephew, and went back to her family’s house.  

“Yesterday, her family sent a message saying she’s pregnant. My brother immediately went to bring her back, and now the two of them are all lovey-dovey. My parents don’t dare say anything to her anymore, but I’ve ended up as the scapegoat, accused of disrupting their marital harmony.”  

Yu Wanru exclaimed, “How could she suggest that? A man in his forties! Xiaoman, you’re only 19! I remember your sister-in-law wasn’t like this before. What happened?”  

Su Xiaoman sighed lightly. “People change, especially when circumstances change.  

“My family, as you know, has a house the same size as yours but twice as many people. My younger brothers are getting married soon, and my brother already has two children. Now that my sister-in-law is pregnant, there’ll be even more people in the house. Their east wing is nearly full, so naturally, they’ve set their sights on my room.  

“Also, my parents feel sorry for me and give me extra attention, which makes her jealous.  

“Plus, being a divorced woman living in my parents’ house invites gossip. Even though the divorce wasn’t my fault, people love to talk. They don’t care about the truth; they just want something to chatter about.  

“Women’s lives are hard. Married, they’re outsiders in their husbands’ homes. Returning to their parents’ homes, they’re guests. And for someone like me, divorced and living at home, I don’t even count as a guest.”  

Yu Wanru frowned in concern. “Xiaoman, what do you plan to do?”  

Su Xiaoman took a deep breath. “I’ve thought it over. I’ll gradually talk to my parents and persuade them to let me move out. I have some savings, enough to rent a small house and hire an older woman to help with chores.  

“These past two years in the provincial capital, I’ve accomplished a few things. Zhou Junsheng may not have been a good husband, but he did encourage me to write articles for the newspaper. At first, it was just a pastime. Now, I think I might be able to support myself with the income.”  

Yu Wanru hesitated and said, “Xiaoman, didn’t Mr. Yang express interest in you before? Are you sure you don’t want to reconsider?”  

Su Xiaoman smiled softly and shook her head. “The Yang family is prestigious. Even if I hadn’t been married before, my family’s background wouldn’t match theirs. Now, as a divorced woman, there’s no chance.  

“Even if they reluctantly agreed, I’d face constant friction in their household. Why put myself through that?  

“Besides, as I told you before, I’m not interested in marrying again for now. Zhou Junsheng’s betrayal hurt me deeply and made me question the validity of romantic relationships. If over a decade of love can’t be trusted, how can I believe in a bond formed after just a few meetings?”  

Yu Wanru sighed softly. Matters like these were hard for bystanders to fully empathize with, so all she could do was offer a few comforting words. She said, “If you decide on when to move, make sure to let me know. I’ll help you find a place, somewhere safer.”

Su Xiaoman nodded. “Don’t worry. If I make any plans, I won’t keep them from you. All right, enough about these unpleasant matters. Tell me about the Xiao family. Are they treating you well?”

The two talked for the better part of the afternoon before Su Xiaoman finally got up to leave.

That night, Yu Wanru and Xiao Anlan stayed in her old room.

Xiao Anlan had spent most of the day playing Go with Master Yu, and now he still felt like his vision was filled with black and white dots. He glanced around Yu Wanru’s room and noticed two large bookshelves lined up against the wall. Clicking his tongue, he said, “My wife sure loves to read. You have more books here than my father does in his study.”

He casually picked up a book and flipped through it. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw that Yu Wanru had finished washing up. He immediately put the book aside, sidled over to her, and murmured, “Darling…”

Yu Wanru instinctively glanced toward the door. Seeing that it was closed, she relaxed and said softly, “You must be tired today. My father can’t resist a good match; once he finds a worthy opponent, he could play Go all day and night. Even my mother can’t stop him.”

Xiao Anlan wrapped an arm around her and gave her a playful shake. “Not tired, just a little eye strain. Darling, could you blow on them for me?”

Yu Wanru blushed. “How would I even do that? Your eyes are tired, so let’s just go to bed early.”

The moment Xiao Anlan heard “go to bed,” his eyes lit up. He immediately agreed, pulling her into his arms and heading toward the bed. “Let’s do that, then.”

Yu Wanru, red-faced, tried to fend off his wandering hands. “My parents might hear us…”

Xiao Anlan kissed her and reassured her, “They won’t. I’ll be gentle, and you can be quiet, too.”

Yu Wanru, now thoroughly embarrassed, protested, “When have I ever made noise?”

“Never?” Xiao Anlan leaned down to her ear and mockingly mimicked her voice, “Please, please, I beg you, mmh—”

Yu Wanru covered his mouth with her hand, her eyes glistening with embarrassment. “How can you say such things?”

Seeing her getting upset, Xiao Anlan quickly said, “I was just joking. Don’t be angry, darling.”

He grabbed her hand and pressed it to his face. “Here, hit me to vent your anger.”

Yu Wanru withdrew her hand and sniffled softly. “I’m not angry.”

“Good, good, not angry,” Xiao Anlan said, leaning against her and refusing to move. “Darling, does it still hurt? Let me check for you.”

Yu Wanru refused, but unable to match Xiao Anlan’s persistence, she finally said, “It’s fine now, it doesn’t hurt anymore.”

Xiao Anlan’s eyes brightened as he immediately suggested, “Then let’s do something fun tonight.”