News of Shen Zhihuan being gravely ill and bedridden spread like wildfire, with some even claiming that Li Qiuhua had started preparing burial clothes for her third daughter.

Soon, rumors of Shen Zhihuan’s impending death swept through Panshi Village like a storm.

Even the long-deceased fortune-teller Hu Banxian was resurrected in gossip as people passed on the tale.

In Xilin Village, at the Zhu Family Home

“If you can’t deliver these things today, don’t even think about getting a dowry when you get married!” Boss Zhu dumped a collection of items on the dining table—milk powder, malted milk, sponge cake bought in the morning, and a slab of pork belly.

“Big brother, you can’t blame me for this. Last time I went, no one was home . What could I do?” Zhu Xiaoxiu pouted, looking aggrieved.

“Your sister-in-law wasn’t home, so you couldn’t wait a bit longer? Do you think they wouldn’t come back after dark?” Boss Zhu snorted in disbelief.

“…” Zhu Xiaoxiu was speechless.

Most men forget their mothers after marrying, but her brother didn’t even have a wife yet and had already sidelined his sister.

If her sister-in-law came into the picture, wouldn’t she become a neglected “small cabbage”.

Old lady Zhu hesitated before speaking. “Dazhuang, the rumors outside about Shen Family’s third girl…”

“Mother, stop listening to people’s nonsense,” Boss Zhu interrupted, frowning in irritation.

He had heard the gossip a few days ago and, unable to rest easy, had gone to check for himself—though it was late at night.

Although she still looked frail, her face was noticeably rounder than the first time he saw her, and her complexion had improved.

The family had been sitting happily under the grape trellis, laughing and chatting. Where was this bedridden girl on the brink of death?

“Dazhuang, have you thought about it? While Xiaoxiu and I are here now to manage the household, she’ll eventually get married, and I won’t be around forever. Who will help you then? That Shen girl—always falling ill, with one ailment after another…” old lady Zhu sighed deeply.

“Mother, I can take care of her,” Boss Zhu replied firmly.

“Dazhuang…”

“Mother, if you really care for me, help me think of a way to bring her into the Zhu family as my wife.” Boss Zhu cut her off directly.

“What spell did she cast on you?” old lady Zhu jabbed her finger at his forehead, exasperated.

No matter how much she reasoned, no matter how much she pleaded, this stubborn son wouldn’t listen.

Fine! Let him deal with the consequences.

What’s meant to be will be. If it’s a disaster, there’s no escaping it.

Once she closed her eyes for good, she’d leave him to his chickens running wild.

Shen Zhihuan had been resting at home for several days, which also gave Xiao Weidong some rare leisure time.

With sugar cakes today and steamed buns tomorrow, the siblings were enjoying a comfortable, indulgent life.

Xiao Weidong’s cheeks had visibly rounded, a change noticeable even to the naked eye.

“Third Sister…” Xiao Weidong frowned.

“What’s wrong?” Shen Zhihuan set aside her broom and gently touched his face.

The little boy had been acting odd since he returned from running errands, occasionally casting her worried glances but quickly looking away whenever she noticed.

Xiao Weidong twisted his fingers and pursed his lips, reluctant to speak.

“Did someone bully you?” Shen Zhihuan knelt down, holding his little hand as she asked softly.

“Su Ziyong said… you won’t live much longer. Third Sister, I don’t want you to die.” Xiao Weidong suddenly threw himself into Shen Zhihuan’s arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

Shen Zhihuan frowned.

“Won’t live much longer…”

Why didn’t he just say she’d be dead before midnight?

What was this nonsense? Did he want to change his surname to Yan, as in Yama, the King of Hell?

“Stop crying! Su Ziyong is full of nonsense. Your third sister is going to live to a ripe old age. I’m counting on you to take care of me when I’m old. How could I not live much longer?” Shen Zhihuan gently patted Xiao Weidong’s back, coaxing him softly.

“Really?” Xiao Weidong sniffled.

“Of course! Third Sister hasn’t even worn the new dress you promised to buy me. How could I bear to leave?” Shen Zhihuan wiped his tears with a smile.

Little did she know, this promise would become her unfulfilled regret, as she would never get to wear a dress bought by Xiao Weidong.

“Third Sister, let’s make a pinky promise.” Xiao Weidong extended his tiny finger.

“Okay, let’s make a pinky promise.” Shen Zhihuan hooked her finger around his with a smile.

“Pinky swear, hang it high, a hundred years without change—whoever breaks it is a puppy!” Xiao Weidong declared seriously.

“Deal!” Shen Zhihuan chuckled.

“Don’t listen to others’ nonsense anymore, okay? If you don’t understand something or can’t figure it out, come ask Third Sister. Got it?” She gently tapped his nose.

“I got it, Third Sister.” Xiao Weidong nodded obediently.

“Bang, bang, bang…”

The sound of knocking came from the courtyard gate.

“Go open the door,” Shen Zhihuan said, giving Xiao Weidong a light pat.

He scampered toward the gate but quickly returned.

“Third Sister, I don’t know that person…”

Before he could finish, Zhu Xiaoxiu walked in, carrying large bundles.

At first glance, Zhu Xiaoxiu confirmed that the woman before her was her future sister-in-law.

She had once thought all the poetic descriptions of beauty were exaggerated. But now, seeing this woman, she realized such radiance truly existed.

No wonder her brother was so determined to marry her.

If she were a man, she’d fight her brother to the death for her too.

Shen Zhihuan raised an eyebrow. “And you are…?”

Standing straight, Zhu Xiaoxiu introduced herself, “Sister Zhihuan, I’m Zhu Xiaoxiu. My brother is…”

“I see. You can leave now.” Shen Zhihuan grabbed Xiao Weidong’s hand and turned to head inside.

“Sister Zhihuan, my brother said if I can’t deliver these things, I won’t get a dowry. Please have mercy on me. A girl without a dowry will have a miserable life!” Zhu Xiaoxiu pleaded pitifully.

Shen Zhihuan laughed. “If someone loves you, they’ll love you with or without a dowry. If they don’t, even the biggest dowry won’t change their heart. Do you want your future husband to spend your dowry on another woman?”

“Of course not.” Zhu Xiaoxiu clenched her teeth.

“Then why worry about it? What’s the point of a dowry?” Shen Zhihuan shrugged.

“But without a dowry, a mother-in-law might…”

“It’s your husband, not your mother-in-law, who’ll be with you for life. If she’s kind, you treat her well. If not, why bother with her? Your parents didn’t raise you to be her servant.”

“A daughter-in-law should be filial to her mother-in-law, right?” Zhu Xiaoxiu asked, confused.

“Yes, but only if the mother-in-law treats her well first. Respect goes both ways.”

Shen Zhihuan ushered her out the door, along with all her things. “Think about it.”