When Father Zhou mentioned Li Yuxiang, Zhou Hanying sheepishly lowered her head. She knew that, until now, Li Yuxiang still had feelings for her brother. However, going to and from work alone was incredibly boring, and having a companion made it safer. Eventually, the once distant relationship between them returned to its former state.

Unknowingly, her attitude towards her sister-in-law was also influenced by her. She hadn’t realized it before, but as soon as her father mentioned it, she became aware of it.

Seeing his daughter’s flushed face, Mother Zhou, feeling sorry for her, quickly intervened, "Her dad, the child is already grown up, don’t get angry so easily. She knows what’s going on in her own heart. She might complain at home, but she’s not like that when she actually meets her sister-in-law."

"Don’t stick up for her. When your in-laws came just now, what kind of face did she put on? Anyone with eyes can see that she’s acting out!" Father Zhou snorted coldly, "If your sister-in-law gets upset about this, just wait for your brother to take it out on you."

"My brother isn’t that petty," Zhou Hanying couldn’t help but quietly argue. She knew her attitude was somewhat wrong, but hearing her father say that made her very unhappy.

Since childhood, her brother had always doted on her. Surely, he wouldn’t forget her just because he has a wife and no longer have a place for her in his heart, with not even a shred of care?

"You’re still speaking for her?" Father Zhou frowned at Mother Zhou. "Earlier, you complained about Doudou not living with us. If she really did, wouldn’t she be driven to anger?"

"Dad, aren’t you being a bit biased?" Zhou Hanying looked at her father with red eyes. "Why is it that whatever my sister-in-law does is right, and whatever I do is wrong?

Just because her family background is better, does that mean we have to live carefully by her side, catering to her every whim, never contradicting her?

It’s normal for my brother to love his wife; even if I’m occasionally a bit jealous, I would never mindlessly envy without knowing my place. But now, Dad’s attitude is something I don’t understand at all.

The doctor said earlier that my sister-in-law’s health wasn’t particularly good and she should stay home to recuperate quietly. But then she’s going to the Capital City with a pregnant belly, what’s the meaning of that?

True, even her parents have agreed, making it not our place to question them, but we are allowed to ask questions, aren’t we? It’s for her own good, isn’t it?

All my previous unhappiness was due to this, not anything else. Yet she didn’t hear a word, while I ended up being scolded half to death. Dad, do you think this is fair?

Or is it because I’m a daughter meant to marry into another family, so Dad doesn’t consider me part of the Zhou family, allowing no complaints about my sister-in-law?"

"Look at your fine daughter, becoming more capable by the day..." Father Zhou’s forehead veins bulged with anger, eyebrows knotted, looking at his wife, "Keep spoiling her, someday you’ll regret it!"

"I... I’m not spoiling her..." Mother Zhou mumbled, stepping forward to hold her daughter’s arm, speaking softly, "Hanying, have you faced any troubles? Talk to Mom."

Before Zhou Hanying could speak, Father Zhou snorted, "What troubles could she have? She’s just pampered by you!"

"Dad, am I really your daughter?" Zhou Hanying looked at her father, disappointed. "Before my brother got married, you treated my brother and me the same. But ever since my sister-in-law came in, you’ve found faults with me. No matter how understanding I am, I can’t accept such a drastic change from you.

I keep telling myself, Dad’s attitude is because my sister-in-law is an outsider and needs to be treated with courtesy. But Dad, is that really the case?"

"How can you be so inconsiderate?" Father Zhou looked at his daughter with frustration. "Why do I favor your sister-in-law over you? Ask yourself honestly, why did your sister-in-law marry into this family?

Hanying, as people, we must have a conscience. If it were you, knowing your husband would be soon deployed and uncertain about the situation, would you rush into marriage just to give him peace of mind and reassure his parents? Could you do that?

Your sister-in-law did this to ensure the Zhou family continues. For this alone, she is a great benefactor to the Zhou family. Not just you, but your mother and I, too, must be below her!

If you can’t understand even this simple logic, I’m truly disappointed. How do you think your brother would feel knowing your attitude?"

"Dad..." Zhou Hanying looked conflicted at her father, "Is your kindness to my sister-in-law really because of this reason?"

"What do you think?" Father Zhou glared at her, "You’re already in your twenties, still disputing like a child over favoritism and envy. You really should know better at your age!"

"I thought Dad favored having a daughter-in-law, feeling daughters aren’t important anymore. Otherwise, I..." Zhou Hanying’s face flushed, her eyes filled with shame, "Dad, rest assured, I won’t act like this anymore. Should... should I go and apologize to my sister-in-law tomorrow?"

"Whether you apologize is up to you. However, you should indeed talk with your sister-in-law. With your attitude, what would people think? They might even believe your mother and I instructed you to behave that way."

Mother Zhou quickly responded: "Yes, your dad is right. You should go find your sister-in-law and explain properly. She must have misunderstood me and your dad. We’re not really worried about her misunderstanding; we’re more concerned about her health being affected.

When your brother left, he specifically told us to take good care of your sister-in-law, but it seems we’re just creating trouble instead. How can this work, right?"

"Right!" Zhou Hanying nodded, looking a bit embarrassed, "Mom and Dad are correct. Earlier, I was really blinded by my own foolishness. I secretly cried over this several times."

"You silly girl!" Mother Zhou playfully tapped her daughter’s forehead, "You’re about to be married off, yet you keep thinking about nonsense. With your temperament, can your husband’s family tolerate you?"

"Then I just won’t get married!" Zhou Hanying coyly hugged her mom’s arm, "I’d rather stay by Mom and Dad’s side and not get married. When sister-in-law has the baby, I can help take care of my little nephew, wouldn’t that be great?"

Father Zhou teased knowingly: "Then stay home and don’t get married. Your mom and I certainly won’t chase you away."

"Dad, I’m really going to take that seriously."

"I’m not joking."

"Dad, I’m really going to tell Xiang Tao."

"Go ahead." Father Zhou waved his hand, "Hurry up."

"You think I won’t dare, huh?" With that, Zhou Hanying got up, straightened her clothes, and walked out.

"Hanying!" Mother Zhou was anxious to follow her, but Father Zhou smiled and held her back, "Relax, do you really think she’ll tell Xiang Tao about that? She’s chosen him herself. I just gave her an excuse to get out and have some fresh air. Do you really believe it?

Even as a mother, why are you so dense? You think she doesn’t care just because she says she doesn’t? This child was spoiled by you since she was little. Now, suddenly there’s someone competing for attention, do you think she’s really happy about it?

Look at your daughter, gentle and quiet, her thoughts are heavy. She used to rely on her brother a lot, now..." Father Zhou shook his head, "Forget it, let’s not talk about this anymore. One day she’ll understand, children always grow up and they will eventually have their own families, alas!"

"Are you happy about this or not?" Mother Zhou asked, puzzled, as she looked at her husband, "When you talk, it sounds like you’ve got it all figured out. But when you sigh, it sounds like you’re not happy about it?"

"I just can’t bear the thought of her getting married, okay?"

"You really mean that?" Mother Zhou stared at her husband in surprise, "Listening to you talk, it seemed like you were eager for her to get married and have her own family, but it turns out you were just saying it?"

"If I don’t say that, can the child confidently find a husband’s family and get married? Moreover, it’s rare that Hanying and Xiang Tao are so well-suited, and the Xiang family is a good family. I can’t hold back my daughter.

Our Hanying looks meek but she’s quite decisive. Whenever she’s made up her mind on something, have you ever managed to persuade her otherwise?" Father Zhou chuckled, "But her personality is like mine, which is good!"

"You..." Mother Zhou shook her head helplessly, "In any case, you say all the good traits are like you, and all the bad ones are like me. All these years, you just can’t see anything good in me."

"After all these years, you still insist on arguing about this..." Father Zhou laughed as he looked at his wife, "Fine, this time I’ll give in to you—good traits are like you, stubbornness is like me, okay?"

"Are you saying that sincerely?"

"What do you think?" Father Zhou furrowed his brow, "If you keep nagging, I might change my mind."

"Fine, fine, I believe you, isn’t that enough, alas..." Mother Zhou shook her head with regret, "If only we had a tape recorder, I’d record what you just said. When our son comes back, I’d play it for him. When our grandson is born, I’d play it for him too, let them know that I have a place in this family!"

"You’re so petty. How about this, when our son comes back, I’ll say it to him, and when our grandson grows up, I’ll say it to him too, giving you some authority, is that okay?"

"Why have you become so agreeable?" Mother Zhou stared incredulously at her husband. All these years, he’d never been this accommodating to her. Was it the sun rising from the west, or had he been driven to insanity by their youngest daughter?

"You’re so hard to please, no matter if I go along with you or not..." Father Zhou said as he shook his hand, getting up to leave, only to see their daughter rush back in, which startled him into taking a step back to avoid colliding with her! (To be continued. If you like this work, you’re welcome to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast votes and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to read.)