Qian’s mother felt proud and said, “She’s my daughter-in-law’s sister, and yes, she’s already married.”

As they walked, Lin Shu seized the opportunity to talk about how skilled Old Lu was as a doctor, mentioning that Dr. Yan from the county hospital and Dr. Shen from the city hospital both praised his ointments.

She also shared stories about Old Lu treating villagers and curing stubborn ailments, all to impress Qian’s mother.

Finally, she got to the main point: “Dr. Shen said that my sister’s condition is nothing serious, just a bit of inflammation that will go away with a course of antibiotics.

He specifically told her not to take random home remedies. Auntie, my sister is sometimes careless and forgetful when she’s busy, so you have to make sure she takes her medicine on time and doesn’t resort to any random remedies, okay?

She used to be stubborn and often took random home remedies, and Dr. Shen even criticized her for it.”

Qian’s mother suddenly felt a bit guilty, knowing she was the one who had found those home remedies.

She quickly reassured Lin Shu, “Don’t worry, I’m taking care of it. I won’t let her take anything randomly; she’s been taking her medicine on time.”

Lin Shu smiled and said, “People often say that relationships between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law are hard to manage, but I think it’s actually easy.

As long as we’re all sincerely looking out for each other and for the good of the family, how could we not get along? Just look at me and my sister-in-law, and how well we get along with our mother-in-law. Auntie, you’re also so good to my sister.”

Qian’s mother smiled and replied, “Of course, your sister is a good daughter-in-law—ambitious and hardworking.”

She made money and took care of the family.

Even though the job was originally given to her by her mother-in-law, she was earning 35 yuan a month now, compared to just 25 yuan back then.

Her daughter-in-law gave one-third of her salary to the mother-in-law, saying it was for her retirement.

Though it wasn’t as much as she used to earn, her expenses were lower now. She didn’t spend the money recklessly but saved it up for her grandchildren.

Back when her husband gave the job to their second son, she made sure to pass on her own job to her eldest daughter-in-law, keeping things fair.

They didn’t go to the state-run vegetable market.

Nearby, some local farmers were selling fresh vegetables on the sly, and it was cheaper. You could buy a whole basket for just ten cents.

While she was buying vegetables, Old Lady Jiang spotted Lin Shu and called out, “Girl, what a coincidence! I looked at you several times before recognizing you!”

Lin Shu was also surprised, “Aunt Jiang, do you live near the steel factory?”

Old Lady Jiang smiled, “Yes, my ungrateful eldest son works here.”

She pulled Lin Shu over for a warm chat. “I heard your hospital made that special ointment again, the one for burns? Could you help me get some, dear?”

Lin Shu replied, “Wow, Auntie, you have such up-to-date news! I don’t even know about it yet.”

Old Lady Jiang grinned, “Well, that’s my little talent. Please help me out, won’t you?”

Lin Shu quickly said, “Sure, sure, I’ll ask my father-in-law about it and get you a jar.”

Satisfied, Old Lady Jiang said, “Good girl! I knew you were kind-hearted. Come over to my place for a meal, won’t you?”

Mother Qian, who was watching this, was stunned.

Since when had her daughter-in-law’s sister become so close to the factory director’s mother?

People said that Director Jiang had a tough and stubborn personality, but he was extremely filial.

He was so worried about his mother being mistreated by a daughter-in-law that he was willing to stay single.

Maybe the part about staying single wasn’t true, but his devotion to his mother was real.

Everyone could see it.

Director Jiang himself dressed plainly, wearing an old military uniform patched up many times, but he constantly bought fabric to make clothes for his mother, got her snacks and fine grains, and treated her like a child.

Ask anyone in the neighborhood—they were all envious.

Even though her own son was filial, Mother Qian couldn’t help but feel a bit jealous too.

Seeing how well Lin Shu got along with Old Lady Jiang, Mother Qian had an idea.

If Old Lady Jiang could put in a good word with her son, wouldn’t that secure Li Sheng’s position as workshop supervisor?

When Old Lady Jiang learned that Lin Shu was Lin Xia’s sister, she became even more affectionate, holding Lin Shu’s hand and insisting she come over for a meal. “Your sister is such a wonderful girl…”

“You’re a good person, and Auntie likes you,” Lin Xia said.

She was quite skilled, learning to be an electrician, and even her eldest son praised her.

Lin Shu linked arms with Aunt Jiang, walking together.

As they returned to the factory, they happened to run into Lin Xia on her way out.

“Third sister!” Lin Xia was pleasantly surprised to see Lin Shu, especially since she was out shopping with her mother-in-law and Aunt Jiang.

After exchanging a few words, they all went their separate ways and headed home.

When Aunt Jiang got home, she found her eldest son, Jiang Weidong, sitting at the table reading a newspaper, with a plate of fragrant, golden-brown roasted chicken in front of him.

Aunt Jiang was really annoyed.

This son of hers was definitely her own flesh and blood, she had raised him herself, so how was it that the more she raised him, the less she understood him?

You could say he was lazy or greedy, but at least those were human traits.

Yet here he was, sitting in front of a roasted chicken without taking a single bite, a man in his thirties who didn’t seem to care about having a wife, children, or a warm home—this was not normal, not proper!

If she didn’t keep such a close eye on him and know that he led a disciplined life, Aunt Jiang might have suspected that he had the kind of “affection for men” like the characters in those operas, with a taste for Dragon Yang or the cut sleeve.

She couldn’t help but think about Lin Shu again.

That girl was really beautiful, and she had given birth to twins. How could she not be a good match for her son?

Aunt Jiang was well-informed and always had unexpected ways to gather information.

She happened to know that Lin Shu’s husband had “passed away,” and while she felt sorry for Lin Shu, she also thought she might be the perfect match for her son.

At that moment, Jiang Weidong was engrossed in reading his newspaper.

As a former military officer, he still had deep feelings for the army.

He didn’t necessarily read People’s Daily every day, but he always read the PLA Daily.

Of course, it wasn’t possible to get a new newspaper every day; getting two new issues a week was already good.

This particular issue happened to feature a few military wives, and one of them had a rather unique name—Lin Shu.

He was moved by the story of this military wife and her mother-in-law, who had made sacrifices for their family and country.

He felt quite emotional and wondered if there was a contact address included.

He thought he might secretly donate some money later.

Aunt Jiang had already started nagging him, “You’re so high and mighty, so clean and proper, while your mother here is dark and plain—I don’t care.

Hmph, I asked you to buy me some purple ointment, and you go on about how we shouldn’t pull strings.

Bah! Since when is buying some sanhuang ointment considered pulling strings? People who pull strings don’t spend money!

They ask for jobs, for permission slips! Did I ask for any of that from you? Did I ask you to get me a sackful of goods to sell?

Tsk tsk, just look at you, all proper on the outside, spending your days reading newspapers. You might as well stuff your head inside a dog’s stomach!”

She picked up a broom and started sweeping the floor angrily, deliberately sweeping wherever her son’s feet were.

Jiang Weidong was at his wit’s end. “Mom, what exactly do you want?”

Aunt Jiang said, “The daughter-in-law of that Qian family at your factory, her name is Lin…”

Jiang Weidong replied, “Lin Xia. What about her?”

Aunt Jiang said, “Yes, that’s her. She has a younger sister, in her twenties, with a pair of twins. They’re about four or five years old.”

Jiang Weidong asked, “What did she do to you? Did she outbid you for vegetables? I’m not going to help you fight.”

Aunt Jiang said, “Her sister’s name is Lin Shu. She’s the most beautiful woman you’ll ever see. I’m not exaggerating. You, with your height, have probably never seen such a gorgeous person in your life.”

Jiang Weidong was silent.

Aunt Jiang began her usual nagging, but her main goal was clear: she wanted Jiang Weidong to meet Lin Shu for a potential match.

Jiang Weidong immediately refused.

Aunt Jiang then started to make a scene, crying, “Why is my life so miserable? If you were like other sons—simple, honest, and not quick to talk back—I wouldn’t say anything. But you’re a proper factory manager, always so persuasive in meetings. Why can’t you use those skills to bring me back a daughter-in-law?”

Jiang Weidong’s face turned green.

“Mom, you had a daughter-in-law. She passed away, so now you don’t have one anymore.”

Aunt Jiang, enraged, picked up a broom and started chasing him, “Don’t run! Stand right there!”

Jiang Weidong stopped, letting her hit him.

After hitting him a few times, Aunt Jiang noticed that one of the broom’s bristles had broken off.

She started to feel sorry, “My poor broom, what a shame.”

Jiang Weidong tried to calm her down, “Mom, why don’t you have some roast chicken?”

Aunt Jiang replied, “I’ll take it to my future daughter-in-law.”

She picked up the roast chicken and left.

Lin Shu was helping Lin Xia and Qian’s mother cook when she saw Aunt Jiang coming over with the roast chicken.

Lin Shu was surprised, “Aunt Jiang?”

Aunt Jiang handed her the roast chicken, saying, “Dear, you’ve come to the rolling mill. This is my territory, and I must treat you well.”

Lin Shu quickly declined, but Aunt Jiang gave her a knowing look, as if they shared a secret.

She silently indicated that Lin Shu should accept the gift without hesitation, or else it might raise suspicion.

Lin Shu was a bit taken aback, thinking Aunt Jiang was trying to bribe her for more ointment.

Lin Xia offered Aunt Jiang money for the chicken.

At that time, even if you had money, it was hard to buy a roast chicken, so accepting the money was also acknowledging the favor.

Aunt Jiang tried to refuse but eventually had to accept the money.

She invited Lin Shu to visit her home again.

Seeing how well Lin Shu and Aunt Jiang were getting along, Qian’s mother became even more enthusiastic toward Lin Shu and Aunt Lu.

Soon, Qian Lisheng returned home. He was pleased to see Lin Shu and Aunt Lu, greeting them warmly, “Mom, is there no meat at home? I’ll go out and find something to add to the meal.”

Qian’s mother quickly said, “No need. Aunt Jiang just brought over a roast chicken.”