The original storyline also mentioned that Han Xiaofen’s family couldn’t afford food and constantly went to her parental home for meals, yet she borrowed money to make a dress for dancing at the Workers’ Club.

When her sister-in-law criticized her, she had a big argument, leading to her mother and elder brother scolding and even hitting the sister-in-law.

The disputes eventually led to her elder brother and sister-in-law contemplating divorce, but Han Xiaofen continued to rely on her parental home for food and drink, indifferent to the situation.

Lin Shu thought it would be more effective to inquire directly at Han Xiaofen’s parental home rather than her workplace or neighborhood, as this was where the conflict was most evident, and more information could be gathered.

While Lin Shu and Grandma Jiang were discreetly investigating, Han Xiaofen received a call from Han Yun.

Seeing that she had time off from work, she took a half-day leave to visit her parental home.

At home, Han Mu was reading a book, and Han Daisao had gone out to buy groceries.

Han Xiaofen shared her good news with Han Mu, “The deputy factory manager from the steel mill, who has always refused to go on blind dates, has suddenly agreed to meet with me the day after tomorrow.”

Han Mu was pleased and smiled, “It must be because he was impressed by your photo.”

Her daughter was attractive, had a good figure, and had a respectable job.

Although the salary wasn’t high, it showed she had some education.

The deputy factory manager was also a cultured person, so they should get along well.

Since her son-in-law had passed away, many people had tried to introduce matches for her daughter, but Han Xiaofen was selective and had high standards.

This time, Han Mu had sought the help of the Glass Factory’s union chairman to make the introduction.

Happy, Han Mu took out some fine fabric she had saved, “This was meant for your sister-in-law’s summer dress, but I’ll let you have it to make your dress instead.”

Her daughter-in-law didn’t work and spent all day at home cooking and caring for children, so it was a waste to use such good material on her.

If Han Xiaofen succeeded in her match, it would secure her future and also reduce the complaints from her sister-in-law about having to eat with them.

Han Xiaofen was thrilled, “I’ll start cutting it now. The sewing machine is right here.”

Just as she was finishing the cutting, Han Daisao came back with a basket of groceries.

Seeing her younger sister-in-law at home, Han Daisao’s irritation flared up, and she couldn’t help but complain, “I don’t understand why you keep running to your parental home…”

Han Mu interrupted, “That’s enough. This is Han’s family. She’s Han’s daughter. There’s nothing wrong with her coming back home.”

Han Daisao was silenced but still frustrated.

She went to the kitchen to work, and upon hearing the sewing machine, she came out to see what was happening.

She thought Han Xiaofen was making clothes for her, but suddenly…

There was a bit of awkwardness earlier when she had been unhappy about her younger sister-in-law going back to her family home.

She said with a smile, “Sister-in-law, what do you want to eat? I’ll cook for you tonight.”

Han Xiaofen glanced at her and said, “Sister-in-law, right now, we only have cabbage, radishes, and potatoes. Do we have any eggs? Maybe we could make a stew with eggs.”

Han Dajie replied, “Sure.”

She reached out to feel the fabric, which was smooth. “Sister-in-law, my size hasn’t changed much from before.”

“Remember to loosen the waist a bit. Otherwise…”

Han Xiaofen and Han Mu looked at her with strange expressions.

Han Dajie thought they were laughing at her for gaining weight from sneaking extra food, so she pinched her waist and laughed, “Actually, I haven’t gained weight. I’m still quite slim.”

Han Mu said lightly, “Your younger sister-in-law is going on a blind date. The suitor’s conditions are very good; he’s the deputy director of a steel mill. This fabric is for making her a dress.”

“What?” Han Dajie was confused, thinking she had heard wrong. “What do you mean, making her a dress? Isn’t this fabric for making me a dress? Her father said he owed me a dress for our wedding, and now someone’s helping to send the fabric.”

The reason her husband was willing to get her another dress was to prevent her from always complaining about her younger sister coming home to eat.

She had agreed to it.

So why was it being used for the younger sister-in-law’s blind date?

Han Xiaofen said with a smile, “Sister-in-law, don’t be petty. I’ll make you two dresses later.”

If she married Jiang Weidong, who was rich and had a high salary, she could make not just two, but three dresses.

But Han Dajie suddenly exploded, stamping her foot and shouting, “Why? Why? You said you’d make me a dress, so why is it going to her instead? Is there such a thing as a younger sister-in-law like you? Always going back to your family, afraid that your family is having a good life? People are helping their family while you’re always going back and sucking the life out of your family?”

Han Xiaofen was so angry that tears were streaming down her face. “Sister-in-law, what do you mean? This is my family too. How am I sucking blood from you?”

Han Dajie, feeling desperate, shouted, “You’re a bloodsucker, ruining your own family and coming back to drain your own family. You don’t care for your children and just dump them on your family. You’re always out showing off, flirting around. Today you want to marry this person, tomorrow that person…”

Han Mu was so angry that she slapped Han Dajie. “What nonsense are you talking about?”

“Ah— I can’t take it anymore!”

Han Dajie slammed the door and went outside, sitting on the ground, crying and throwing a tantrum.

Han Dajie was throwing a fit on the ground, Han Mu was shaking with anger, and Han Xiaofen was crying sadly.

The people in the courtyard came out to point and gossip.

There were those who looked down on Han’s elder sister-in-law and those who murmured about Han’s mother being biased.

Old Madam Jiang, who came to inquire about the situation, showed a look of disdain.

Although she didn’t know the specifics, the family quarrel left a very bad impression.

Old Madam Jiang asked the elderly woman beside her, “Why is it so ugly here?”

Although the elderly woman didn’t know her, older people naturally have common topics and can start a conversation with just a glance.

The elderly woman then proceeded to gossip about the Han family’s situation to Old Madam Jiang.

Old Madam Jiang listened with a frown.

It seemed that city people weren’t much different from country folks; both were wrapped up in matters of food and drink.

With this bad first impression, her favorable opinion of Han Xiaofen disappeared.

She pulled Lin Shu aside and said, “It’s a good thing we came early.”

She hoped that her son would get married, but she didn’t want him to forget his mother once he had a wife.

Lin Shu pretended to sympathize and whispered to a few gossipy old women, “Auntie, hearing you say that, Han Xiaofen seems so pitiful. With her husband gone and two children to support, it’s understandable she would seek help from her own family.”

One elderly woman sniffed in disdain and said, “She’s diligent in coming back, but does she help her sister-in-law with any work? She should be more sweet-talking. Besides, with her salary of just over twenty bucks a month, how can she support a family of three? What about men working for a whole month to support their wives and children? Isn’t it just that she’s too wasteful?”

“Look at her always dressing herself up so prettily. Last year she made a whole new outfit. Even if the fabric is free, the material for that outfit must have cost at least ten bucks. Isn’t that money better spent on food and eggs?”

“Talking about not being able to support the children—she’s just deliberately making things difficult for her sister-in-law, wanting to return to her own family without spending money.”

Hearing such discussions, Old Madam Jiang lost interest and took Lin Shu away from the glass factory’s residential area.

By the time they went back, it was dark.

Lin Shu hailed a human-powered tricycle.

Old Madam Jiang sighed, “Let Jiang Weidong be. I won’t care anymore. Let him remain a bachelor.”

Hearing the old lady’s complaints, Lin Shu smiled and linked her arm, “Auntie, you always say that people are destined to meet. Who would have thought we’d get along so well back in the hospital? Manager Jiang’s fate hasn’t arrived yet, so he’s not in a hurry. When it does, he’ll definitely take action.”

Old Madam Jiang: “You’re still…”

“…you really know how to comfort people.”

She envied Lin Shu’s parents and in-laws, especially the in-laws.

How lucky they were to have such a wonderful daughter-in-law!

When they returned to the factory, they happened to run into a woman helping Qian Mu with her walk.

Qian Mu looked much thinner compared to when Lin Shu saw her last year.

Her eyes were sunken, and her eyelids were drooping into triangular shapes.

Lin Shu was surprised; it had only been a few months, yet Qian Mu seemed to have aged several years.

Seeing Lin Shu and Old Madam Jiang approaching, Qian Mu immediately straightened up and said loudly, “Shuxia, cook a few eggs tomorrow morning—one for you and one for me. At noon, go buy some meat and make meatball soup. I want cabbage with meatballs.”

The woman helping her sighed and then looked up at Lin Shu and Old Madam Jiang, nodding in greeting to Old Madam Jiang.

Although Second Sister had divorced Qian Lisheng, they weren’t enemies, so Lin Shu naturally wouldn’t ignore Qian Mu.

Basic politeness was still necessary.

She smiled and greeted, “Auntie, out for a walk?”

Qian Mu snorted through her nose.

Old Madam Jiang smiled and said, “We were just out for a stroll. Shopping with a daughter is always enjoyable.”