Xia Lan's expression made Xiao Ling laugh. Of course, she knew that everyone was speculating about her relationship with Minister Yang, but she really didn't want people to know about her relationship with her brother-in-law.
She didn't want people to think she got the job through connections. She got the job at the department store on her own merits. It just so happened that Minister Yang married her sister and became her brother-in-law.
“My sister and brother-in-law have been married for many years and have always had a good relationship. My brother-in-law and I work in the same unit, and there are always people who try to get close to my brother-in-law. Some of them even go so far as to try to get close to him. I can’t stand it, so my sister asked me to follow my brother-in-law and keep an eye on things for her.”
Xiaoling explained to Xia Lan.
Xiao Ling's words made Xia Lan smile. Xia Lan looked at Xiao Ling in front of her, and her initial indifference was gone. This must be Xiao Ling's true personality.
"When I first saw you, you knew what Minister Yang needed without even saying a word. I think you're really amazing," Xia Lan said, looking at Xiao Ling.
“I’ve been following my brother-in-law for three years, and I know his every move perfectly well. It’s all secrets that my sister told me,” Xiaoling said with a smile.
"It's also because of my older sister, otherwise I wouldn't pay any attention to him."
“He’s like a second father to me now. My mom actually made me marry someone like my brother-in-law.” Xiaoling also felt helpless. Her mother really liked her brother-in-law as a son-in-law, and she kept referring to him as her son-in-law.
The two sisters couldn't make their mother hold her head high in front of relatives and friends, but after the older sister married her brother-in-law, her mother, who had no status, was able to stand up straight thanks to him!
Those who had sons and mocked their mothers for not being able to have sons stopped praising them, since their own sons weren't as capable as their brothers-in-law.
Her brother-in-law would bring her sister home every few days, always with lots of bags and packages.
She was very filial to her mother. When she went to her parents' home, her sister was treated like a guest, while her brother-in-law was busy running around doing everything except cooking.
With such a good son-in-law, her mother naturally became the envy of everyone.
"Indeed, it's quite stressful." Xia Lan also had a good impression of Minister Yang; such a responsible man is indeed rare these days.
"That's right, do you know how many men I've gone on dates with? Compared to my brother-in-law, I didn't like any of them," Xiaoling said helplessly.
The person I was looking for couldn't find many flaws. After seeing more and more potential partners on blind dates, I realized that men like my brother-in-law are really rare.
"I've tried to lower my demands, but it just doesn't work!"
"You know what? My brother-in-law doesn't smoke or drink. As soon as he gets home, he helps my sister take care of the kids. Every time I visit my sister, she's at home. Her in-laws are very understanding and never ask her to do anything or serve them. My sister just cooks and writes her articles. She's very content." Xiaoling was very envious of her sister's life.
“That sounds great. Minister Yang’s standards are too high.” Xia Lan understood what Xiao Ling meant. Given the previous experience, how could she possibly let herself go and find a husband who was not as good as Minister Yang?
“That’s right.” Xiaoling nodded emphatically.
"Let me state upfront that I have absolutely no romantic feelings for my brother-in-law, not even a little bit. But it's just that my brother-in-law's starting point is too high."
“Whenever I hear men on blind dates say they like to have a little drink and ask if I mind, and then they say their parents have had a hard life and that I should take good care of them after I marry them.”
“And then there are my sister-in-law and brother-in-law, they’re still young, and I have to give in to them and take care of them. It’s like I’ll have to serve a whole house of people after I marry into the family. It’s terrifying. I really don’t want to get married at all.”
Xia Lan looked at Xiao Ling. In this era, most families had several brothers and sisters, and it was rare to be an only child. So once she got married, she would face a house full of people, and as a new bride, she would definitely have to serve them.
Xia Lan could understand Xiao Ling's rejection; anyone would have been unwilling in her shoes.
"I don't want to get married in the situation you described either."
Xia Lan was overwhelmed by the thought of coming home after a long day of work, only to find herself surrounded by a house full of people waiting to serve her instead of a hot meal.
They're all yelling that they're hungry and want you to cook for them.
They start eating before you even arrive, and by the time you sit down at the table, the food is almost gone, leaving only scraps.
After finishing your meal with just a few dishes, you return to the kitchen to find a sink full of pots and pans, all waiting for you to wash them.
When I got home, I couldn't even catch my breath; I didn't have a moment to myself.
Just thinking about it is terrifying and makes one shudder.
That's hell...
"Right? Do you know what my mom said? She actually said that if I don't get married soon, no one will want me, and that I should just settle for someone else and live a mundane life..." Xiaoling said angrily.
“My neighbor’s older sister already had two children when she was my age. She’s always looking forward to my marriage. Am I just going to get married for the sake of getting married?”
After Xiaoling finished speaking, she looked at Xia Lan and silently waited for her reaction.
Xia Lan smiled slightly when she saw the unease in Xiao Ling's eyes.
“I think you did the right thing. Marriage shouldn’t be for the sake of marriage, but for finding a man who is willing to spend the rest of his life with you and support each other. If two people are just trying to get by, then every little thing in life will be terrible.”
As Xia Lan spoke, the light in Xiao Ling's eyes grew brighter and brighter, and she excitedly grabbed Xia Lan's hand.
"Finally, someone understands me!" Xiaoling exclaimed, her hands trembling as if she had found an ally.
During this period, her mother has been putting pressure on her. Every day, the first thing she says to her is to keep telling her to get married, get married, get married... she keeps repeating this.
Xiaoling doesn't even dare to go home now, just to avoid her mother's pressure to get married.
The thought of going home and facing her mother made her not want to step through the door.
"If it doesn't work, have a serious talk with your mother. After all, you're the one who's going to spend your life with her after marriage, not her!" Xia Lan advised.
Xiaoling shook her head.
“My mom won’t listen to anything. All she wants is to marry me off so that her responsibility will be over…”
Xia Lan didn't know what to say after hearing this, since that was Xiao Ling's mother.
The older generation believed that their responsibility ended when they got married and had children.
Xiaoling's mother is already considered quite good; unlike some families who treat their daughters like commodities to be sold in exchange for dowries.
"If you haven't met someone you like, then wait a little longer! After all, marriage is a lifelong commitment. If you marry the wrong person, it will be your hell..." Xia Lan said earnestly. She didn't advocate for marriage and tried to instill her ideas in Xiao Ling.
She and the people she was in contact with had different philosophies.
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