That's why it's said to be a wake-up call!

Zhang Yan's words completely awakened Liu Xiaohong.

"How could I not have thought of that!"

Liu Xiaohong's eyes lit up.

Zhang Yan poured cold water on the idea, saying, "It's no use thinking about it now. You couldn't even seize this opportunity that was presented to you."

"It will be difficult to have such an opportunity again in the future!"

Liu Xiaohong immediately regretted it and slammed her hand on the table: "Why didn't I think of that before? I should have asked you first!"

Zhang Yan shook her head: "Who could have known that he could resist a beauty like you? It's not your fault, the book says you're blinded by your own involvement."

Liu Xiaohong regretted it more and more, and couldn't help but ask, "Then Yanzi, what do you think we should do next?"

She grabbed Zhang Yan's arm, her face full of trust: "Yanzi, you are my strategist. I will definitely ask you for advice first in the future!"

She was completely panicked at this point, fearing she would lose control of Li Weidong.

Zhang Yan became smug, shaking her head and saying, "Don't worry, we still have me as our strategist."

"Let me think about it..."

She stroked her chin and quickly came up with an idea: "After this incident, Li Weidong will definitely be wary of you. Trying to get to him again is definitely not going to work."

"In other words, we can only find a breakthrough elsewhere."

Liu Xiaohong was completely confused: "Other places? What places?"

"Are you stupid?!"

Zhang Yan poked her on the head with a finger: "If Li Weidong won't work, why don't you start with his mother?"

"Doesn't the mother have to approve of her son getting married?"

"If you can appease Li Weidong's mother, why worry that Li Weidong won't marry you?"

Then she added, "Besides, Li Weidong is known for his filial piety. Once his mother approves of you as her daughter-in-law, you can just go home and wait to be the bride!"

Liu Xiaohong finally realized what was happening!

She was both surprised and delighted: "Yanzi, it had to be you! I always thought you were exceptionally smart, and I was right!"

"I've made up my mind, we'll do it your way!"

...

Li Weidong didn't take Liu Xiaohong seriously at all.

He's busy right now!

The company has been registered, but next we need to find an office address, recruit staff, and make subsequent work plans.

Even a year later, we have to consider what else to grow besides mushrooms, and all aspects of the process.

Shen Xiaoyan and Zhang Bin didn't understand any of these things, and they were all attributed to him.

That's why he stayed in Chengli and never went home.

Naturally, they were unaware of Liu Xiaohong's shady dealings.

After receiving Zhang Yan's advice that day, Liu Xiaohong immediately put it into practice.

Every day, as soon as it was light, he would arrive at the Li family's house early to sweep the floor, feed the chickens, clean the pigsty, and even do the laundry, cooking, and washing the dishes—he took care of everything!

At first, her parents were not happy, but after learning that it was for her to marry Li Weidong, they immediately agreed wholeheartedly. The elderly couple even wished they could come along and fawn over her.

After all, everyone in the surrounding area knows Li Weidong's situation very well. He's a golden goose; if a daughter marries into him, it's like a mouse falling into a rice jar—she'll enjoy endless blessings.

The bride's family can also benefit from this.

This is such a good thing, we definitely have to support it!

Zhao Xiulian and Li Xiaoli, however, were complaining bitterly.

The reason is simple: Liu Xiaohong is just too much of a troublemaker!

"Auntie, put the clothes down, I'll sweep the floor and then go wash them!"

"I'll cook when I get back. You and Lili can just wait and eat what's ready!"

"Why feed the pigs? I'll do that!"

On the surface, Liu Xiaohong is incredibly diligent; she's always there wherever there's work to be done.

She even wanted to take over Li Xiaoli's homework and do it together.

After all, you have to please your mother-in-law, and your sister-in-law is also of utmost importance!

He's diligent as he is, but this job...

"Mom, why did my brother ask her to come and help?"

While Liu Xiaohong was out doing laundry, Li Xiaoli complained, "She seems diligent, but she's useless at everything and just makes things worse!"

Zhao Xiulian said with a bitter face, "That's right!"

When sweeping, they don't know to first bury the chicken droppings with stove ash. With a sweep of the broom, the chicken droppings are all over the yard.

When wiping the table, they only wipe the visible parts, leaving their hands oily from touching the corners and edges.

The cooking was even more outrageous; a pot of rice would either be as hard as pebbles or so watery that it couldn't be scooped up.

She washed the clothes clean, but just the two sets of clothes for the mother and daughter used up a huge amount of soap, which made her very distressed!

Li Xiaoli looked worried: "I'm scared whenever I see her now. Mom, why don't you send her away?"

Zhao Xiulian hesitated before speaking: "Keren said that your brother asked her to come. Your brother is really something, he's already engaged to Xiaoye, why is he still bothering other girls?"

"People are starting to gossip outside!"

Li Xiaoli suddenly gasped, "Mom, something feels off about this... my brother..."

"Is he really that clueless?"

The mother and daughter stared wide-eyed at each other, then Zhao Xiulian slapped her thigh: "Why didn't I think to call your brother and ask?!"

...

Liu Xiaohong carried a bucket of clothes toward the Li family's house, feeling a sense of joy in her heart.

These past few days, I've been arriving at the Li family's house before dawn and working until dark every day. I've been incredibly diligent, so Li Weidong's mother must be very satisfied with me.

After all, she took on all the household chores even before marrying into the family. What daughter-in-law is so virtuous?

As long as the future mother-in-law agrees, there's no need to worry about Li Weidong disagreeing!

Liu Xiaohong was already dreaming about the blissful days she would enjoy after marrying Li Weidong.

Unexpectedly, as soon as she entered the house, Zhao Xiaoli snatched the clothes from her hands.

"Lili, what are you doing?!"

Liu Xiaohong said reproachfully, "Didn't I already say I'd do all the housework? You and your aunt don't need to worry about it! Here, I'll go dry it..."

"No."

Zhao Xiulian interrupted her, saying coldly, "Xiaohong, you're a good girl, don't come to my house again."

Liu Xiaohong was stunned: "Huh? Why? Auntie, did I do something wrong? If I did anything to upset you, tell me and I'll change!"

If I offend my future mother-in-law, then my dream of marrying Li Weidong will be ruined.

Zhao Xiulian stared at her: "Then tell me the truth, did Weidong really send you to work at my house?"

Liu Xiaohong's face turned pale instantly, but she still forced herself to stammer, "Yes...yes! Brother Weidong said he's busy in the city, and asked me to come over and help with some chores and take care of his family whenever I have time..."

"You're talking nonsense!"

Li Xiaoli, quick to speak, blurted out the truth: "My mom just called my brother!"

"My brother said he never asked you to come to my house!"

"You have ulterior motives; you're not allowed to come here again!!!"