"I can't enjoy this blessing. You might not mind, but I do. I've never heard of any in-laws getting together like this. I don't need your help. If I can't take care of myself, I can solve it with a packet of rat poison. I definitely won't be a burden to you, so don't even think about it." Sister Liu felt that her son must have something up his sleeve. He was a man of honor and wouldn't try to match her up with his in-laws for no reason.

Cao Jun: "Mom, what are you saying? Would I ever harm you? I'm only doing this for your own good. You're hardworking and capable, and my father-in-law is well-off. It's reassuring and convenient for us to take care of you both when you're together."

Sister Liu waved her hand, "Don't waste your breath on me. If you really care about me, give me some living expenses every month. Don't just talk the talk."

Cao Jun knew that Sister Liu wouldn't agree so easily, so he took out two thousand yuan from his pocket and said, "Mom, I think you have a pension and you run a small stall in your spare time, so you're not short of money."

"I don't lack money. Why would I set up a stall at my age? I'm exposed to the wind and sun. I don't know if it's good for me to stay here?" Sister Liu said irritably as she took the money.

“Mom, you’re just too strong-willed. I’m just worried about you. Your father-in-law has a good monthly salary and a lot of gold. I’ll give it all to you so you won’t have to set up a stall anymore. You can just enjoy your retirement. Isn’t that great?” Cao Jun said, seizing the opportunity.

Sister Liu sneered, "Give me all the gold? I can take it with me. It'll still be yours in the future. Is that for me? Isn't it just passing it from one hand to the other? Do you think your mother is stupid? Salary? With your wife's salary, how could I possibly get my hands on that salary card? Otherwise, her father would still have to rely on me to support him."

Cao Jun: "Mom, what are you saying? The gold will still be ours in the future, so you can wear it for now. My wife doesn't want the salary; it can be used for your living expenses. Don't think of us as so insignificant."

"I wish I could think the best of you. Have you ever done human affairs? Hurry up and go to work, and stop trying to scheme against me." Sister Liu shooed Cao Jun away like flies.

"Mom, please think about it carefully. I'm really doing this for your own good. You're so old, how many more years can you live on your own? Think about yourself more." Cao Jun said as he walked out.

"I'll die the day I can't move. Don't worry, I definitely won't be a burden to you. Just leave me alone." Sister Liu slammed the door shut on Cao Jun.

Cao Jun sighed as he looked at the door and left first.

As Sister Liu sat in the house watching her son's departing figure, she felt increasingly uneasy. She was convinced that the couple was plotting against her. The old man was such a good man; why didn't he find a partner himself? Why did he need his daughter to help him find one?

Thinking of this, Sister Liu went straight out. Before Cao Jun's father-in-law retired, he was a minor leader and lived in an apartment building allocated by his work unit.

It's been many years since we last had any contact, and Sister Liu doesn't even know if her in-laws still live here.

When Sister Liu arrived at the residential compound, it was still cold, and there were few people in the downstairs corridor. After waiting for a while, she saw an old lady come out of the compound carrying a basket, seemingly going to buy groceries.

"Hey little sister, going to buy groceries? I need to ask you about someone, does Liang Guangming still live around here?"

“He lives here? His family lives upstairs from me. Are you a relative of his, big sister? Are you here to visit him?” The old lady was very enthusiastic.

Following the old lady's words, Sister Liu said, "Yes, it's been so many years since he last came. I've forgotten which building he lives in. How is his health?"

“He was just discharged from the hospital a few days ago. His son-in-law has been taking care of him these past few days. The day I came back, I went to see him. He couldn't speak clearly, he was drooling, his left foot was kicking and his right foot was throbbing, and he even wet his pants. Who knows if he'll get better with rest? He used to be such a clean and capable person, how did he end up with a cerebral thrombosis?”

The old lady sighed, "But his daughter and son-in-law are very filial; they said they want to find a full-time caregiver to look after the old man."

Sister Liu felt as if her heart had been squeezed hard. She knew that her son's matchmaking with her father-in-law was not a good thing. She never expected that he wanted her to be a full-time nanny. No, nannies get paid. He wanted her to take on the role of a servant for free.

"That's quite filial piety," Sister Liu said, suppressing her anger and keeping a stiff face.