A cool breeze blew by, dispelling the summer heat, but Lin Juhua's mood at the moment was like a roller coaster. She knew that she seemed to have brought up something that she shouldn't have.

"Talk to your sister-in-law. Don't worry about how much Jiaojiao gives as a return gift. Just treat her like a normal human being. Even if you don't return the favor, your two uncles won't mind. But no matter if you're relatives or anyone else, only reciprocity can last."

After hearing what her mother-in-law said, Lin Juhua quickly said, "My sister-in-law and I were worried for a long time this morning. Now that mother has said this, we know what's going on."

Zhang's mother glanced at her with amusement, thinking that she really was senile and confused.

She patted the ground, sat down, and said with a smile, "It's not a big deal, it's not worth your worry. The old relatives at home are not a big problem. Now you are the masters of your own family, so you should pay more attention to the etiquette when interacting with your men. Don't neglect anything.

When your grandfather was alive, he often said he'd rather tighten his belt than mistreat outsiders. Your grandfather had countless friends, but every time he had to do a favor, your grandmother would frown. She said a woman's responsibility was to protect a man's reputation. If she gave too much back, she wouldn't be able to afford it, and if she gave too little, outsiders would think your grandfather was stingy.

Lin Juhua smiled and said, "That's true."

"Your grandma always consulted your grandpa about everything all her life. When we first got married, your grandma asked what living together meant. It was just a life that the young couple discussed."

"Mom, you told me this."

Mother Zhang glared at her and scolded her with a smile, "Silly girl, it's good to know." Then she looked at her eldest daughter-in-law and said, "You too, don't keep everything in your heart. The only way to live a good life is to discuss and work things out as a couple."

Huang Cuilan nodded.

Mother Zhang didn't want to embarrass her eldest daughter-in-law by saying too much in front of her second daughter-in-law. She changed the subject, "Are you all right tomorrow?"

The two sisters-in-law shook their heads and looked at their mother-in-law with questioning expressions.

Zhang's mother wanted to speak, but then she remembered that things hadn't been arranged yet. She didn't rush and turned to see what her daughter Jiaojiao had to say. The skill of slapping someone in the face wouldn't work without this child.

"Go back and make the clothes first. I'll take you three to visit relatives in the next two days."

Lin Juhua and her friend didn't care, thinking they were visiting their two uncles, and they all said they had time.

After going down the mountain, Zhang's mother passed by her eldest son's courtyard and saw that the gate was open. She waved to her daughter-in-law and daughters who were carrying things, asked them to go back first, and went in herself.

As soon as I stepped inside, I saw the yard full of dried vegetables, dried fruits, and herbs, and the clothes hanging out to dry fluttered in the wind. The kitchen door was open, and a figure was busy in front of the stove.

Mother Zhang sniffed the fragrance and shook her head. This child is really busy all the time.

"Mom, it's hot in there. Please sit at the door for a while. I'll be right there."

Needless to say, the moment Zhang's mother stepped into the kitchen, she was immediately hit by a wave of heat. "Why don't you rest for a while? What are you doing?"

Zhou Jiao stopped and pointed at the pot, saying with a smile, "I see the tomatoes in the backyard are ripe. Let's make some sauce now and use it as a base for when winter comes and vegetables are scarce. You and my dad can use it to make rice or soup."

"You kid, I can do it myself."

"It's almost done. I can't learn mother's skills in other pickled things, but this one is definitely a master's disciple. I guarantee you'll be satisfied." Zhou Jiao smiled and pointed at the pot. "Big sister and the others haven't gone home yet, right? I didn't see them when I went home. Did they go up the mountain?"

"That's right. Take them to the mountains to pick some wild vegetables and firewood. We have to prepare for winter now. I'll let them have dinner before leaving. What do you want to see them about?"

Zhou Jiao took the jar handed over by her mother-in-law and shook her head. "It's no big deal. Mom, the child passed the exam. Do you want to set up two tables?"

"Your eldest sister's sisters-in-law are all very tough. She has no choice but to do something. I even advised her today that the decision should be made by her parents-in-law. She has no say."

"Mom, you are sensible. It is a blessing for Accountant Zhang and his family to become your in-laws."

Mother Zhang laughed cheerfully and said, "Silly child, how can one family boast about one's own family? Don't old people hope that their children and grandchildren will become successful? I guess her parents-in-law have been very happy these past two days. If your eldest sister said no, they wouldn't object, but they would always feel uncomfortable. Don't let a few superficial people ruin a good thing."

Zhou Jiao admired this aspect of her mother-in-law the most: her open-mindedness and generosity.

"This time when Ziwen goes to school, tell Xiaowu not to make a fuss. If this starts off too well, it will be difficult to deal with the next few nephews."

Come on, Zhou Jiao felt like she was slapped in the face. Where did she just say her mother-in-law was generous?

"Don't take it lightly. Your second sister wants to have more children. As your nephews grow up, this basket will never stop. How much favors will it cost? I've already given you a nephew, so how can I be less for several nephews? Listen to mother and follow the market."

Zhou Jiao answered readily, "Okay, I'll let my brother discuss it with you. Mom has the final say."

Mother Zhang rolled her eyes. She was all talk and no action. She was both happy and worried. Her son had been responsible for all the arrangements for today's banquet. If he had a different wife, there would be a huge uproar!

Zhou Jiao laughed at her.

"Jiaojiao, since there's no one around right now, let me tell you something."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Jiao immediately moved a stool for her to sit on and put down the wooden shovel.

Seeing her serious look, Zhang's mother couldn't help but laugh out loud. How could her daughter Jiaojiao be so considerate?

She patted Zhou Jiao's hand and said, "Mom wants you to help your sister-in-law."

"Mom, you said, as long as I do it."

Zhou Jiao didn't dare to agree outright. Even though she knew her mother-in-law wouldn't let her spend money to help others, she would rather pay than go through the trouble of asking for favors.

Mother Zhang sighed softly, "It's hard for us women. Besides our husband's family, we also have our own family to deal with. If we're not careful, we'll end up in trouble with both sides."

Zhou Jiao blinked. She began to understand what her mother-in-law meant.

Huang Cuilan's support for her family had nothing to do with her, but the Huang family had repeatedly used Zhang Guoqing's name, and the sister-in-law hadn't offered a single apology. Whatever the reason, they had crossed her line and treated her like a fool. Why did Zhou Jiao reach out? She really didn't like it.

"...Your eldest brother doesn't seem to have any unfaithful intentions right now, but I saw today that they're getting along really awkwardly. From this morning till now, they haven't said a single word to each other. Over the past few years, your eldest sister-in-law has done things that have hurt your eldest brother. That taciturn guy doesn't like to talk about things out loud, and if this continues, the couple will only grow further apart..."

Zhou Jiao couldn't figure out what she could do to help the couple. As a younger sister-in-law, how could she appear so capable by meddling in the affairs of the eldest wife? However, since her mother-in-law had spoken out, she must have had her own reasons.

"...If your sister-in-law hadn't been so instigating her unruly brother and sister-in-law, she'd be fine. Now she's finally come to her senses, and I'm content to be able to live a good life with the eldest brother in the future..."

Zhou Jiao nodded, but inwardly she disagreed. Huang Cuilan was the one feeling the pinch now. If things returned to the way they were, something strange would happen again. Ultimately, a woman like that deserved to live in fear; she'd be swayed by the slightest hint of trouble. Her actions might seem harmless, but she harbored too many hidden agendas.

"...I heard a few words of what you said in the kitchen today..."

Zhou Jiao was really surprised. She didn't expect her mother-in-law to be so magnanimous as to ask her for help after hearing those words?

Mother Zhang glanced at her and laughed out loud. After a while, she sighed, "No one is perfect. I won't compare her with the good ones, but with the bad ones. She's still not bad. For Xizi and the others, and for your eldest brother, I have to think positively of her. She was a little girl who married into our family over those years and suffered so much. Now that we're finally living a good life, divorcing her just to help her parents would be so heartless."

Zhou Jiao understood. It wasn't surprising that her mother-in-law had such thoughts. For the sake of family harmony, parents would rather take a step back.

"Besides, do you think marrying someone from outside is good? I don't think so! Knowing that your eldest brother has four children and still wanting to marry him, she's not a decent person and has complicated thoughts. A woman like this will only bring chaos to the family."

Your eldest brother is only in his thirties, and he will definitely have more children in the future. Those four children are too pitiful. If there is a stepmother, there must be a stepfather. And I'm not saying anything about my own son, but he can't manage his wife well. If a little devil comes along, won't it cause chaos? I don't need grandchildren, why would I marry her?"

Zhou Jiao pursed her lips and smiled.

"So, mother has to help your sister-in-law hold your brother back. We must not let him have even the slightest idea. Once a person has even the slightest unfaithful thoughts, if a powerful little devil comes along, it will really be the end. Your sister-in-law, that fool, even complained about me going to the provincial capital, as if it was my fault that your brother didn't like to go home. I'm too lazy to argue with this fool. Didn't she tell Xiaowu about what she said?"

Zhou Jiao shook her head. "I dare not say it. If I tell him, he will be furious."

"Yes, please don't tell her. Mom doesn't plan to rely on her in the future! No matter whether she is truly filial or not, I'm thankful that she can manage her own little family well."

Zhou Jiao comforted her, "Mom, you and Dad have us."

Mother Zhang smiled proudly and said, "That's what I mean. I have the support of you, so I don't bother to argue with her. I just follow my conscience. We are all women, so if I think about her, I won't be angry."

Zhou Jiao was impressed by her mother-in-law's generosity when she heard this. But it was okay this way. To be honest, she and Zhang Guoqing had never planned that the two brothers had to support their parents.

"Mom, how do you expect me to persuade my sister-in-law? They haven't had a fight or divorce, so it's hard for us to try to persuade them. Maybe before I even say a few words, my sister-in-law will blame me for being nosy."

Mother Zhang smiled and shook her head, then said mysteriously, "Mom wouldn't be that stupid. What do you say? We should dress up your sister-in-law and take her to the provincial capital to outwit those little devils?"

Zhou Jiao laughed heartily. Her mother-in-law was truly adorable. With her sister-in-law's talent, how could she possibly suppress this little devil? But seeing her mother-in-law's expectant eyes, she nodded.

Just let her be happy. Zhou Jiao couldn't refuse such a mother-in-law. If it were based on her feelings towards Huang Cuilan, she really didn't want to get involved and would just pay for it!

Seeing her nod, Zhang's mother quickly told Zhou Jiao her plan. It was simply to have Lin Juhua prepare new clothes tonight, have Zhou Jiao dress Huang Cuilan up tomorrow, and then the four of them, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, would go for a stroll around the school.

Zhou Jiao felt really lucky for Huang Cuilan to have such a mother-in-law. If her husband was unfilial and not struck by lightning, she would help God.