The moment Huang He thought of a solution, his mind was filled with colliding inspirations. Of course, only Huang He himself knew this. In the eyes of others, Huang He was currently spacing out, his eyes unmoving, as if lost in some bad mood or memories.
"What's wrong with Xiao He?" his mother-in-law asked with some worry.
"Oh no! I remember now!" Leng Zhiruo exclaimed, "Zhiwen, which shampoo did you use? Was it the one on the very top of the shelf?"
"So what? Do I not even have the right to use shampoo?" Leng Zhiwen replied irritably.
"No!" Leng Zhiruo shook her head vigorously. "That shampoo is different. It's the last half bottle left by Eldest Sister. Eldest Sister always used this brand, this scent. As soon as Brother-in-law smells this scent, he'll definitely think of Sister!"
"Ah!" A flicker of unease crossed Leng Zhiwen's eyes, and she quickly explained, "I didn't know. My original shampoo was finished, so I took another bottle!"
"But I had already put a new bottle next to it, why didn't you use it?" Leng Zhiruo stamped her foot in anger.
"It's because it was new, and I couldn't bear to use it, so I thought I'd finish the old one first. That's why I used the one on top!" Leng Zhiwen's answer left everyone speechless. However, upon careful consideration, their family had always been frugal and managed their household diligently; they truly had no habit of wasting things.
"What should we do now!" Seeing Huang He still lost in his own world, Leng Zhiruo was filled with worry. She wanted to wake Huang He up, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. After all, Brother-in-law was reminiscing about Sister, and she, his sister-in-law, had chased Sister away. The sentiment felt a bit off...
Since Leng Zhiruo didn't call out, the others also felt it inappropriate to do so. Thus, the entire dining table fell into a slightly eerie atmosphere. No one dared to speak, and the meal was exceptionally silent until Huang He finally woke up on his own, and the atmosphere at the dining table gradually returned to normal.
"Mom, I have something to do right now. I'm going back to the company to work. After I'm done, I'll come home for dinner!" Huang He was eager to deal with matters. He casually took a few bites of food and hurried away.
"I'll go with you, Brother-in-law!" Leng Zhiruo also prepared to leave with him.
"Wait, Zhiruo, you stay and help me with the housework!" Unexpectedly, her mother-in-law spoke up. Huang He also asked Leng Zhiruo to stay. It was already dark, and it would be quite dangerous for Leng Zhiruo to stay alone with him at the factory. So, Huang He left in a hurry by himself, leaving Leng Zhiruo, who was somewhat annoyed, stomping her feet and saying, "Mom, what are you doing? I still need to help Brother-in-law with his work. Do you know how bad Brother-in-law's situation is now? Thousands of people are waiting for him to feed them, he'll wear himself out!"
"I only kept you here because I saw your Brother-in-law was too tired!" Mother-in-law tapped the table, then ordered the two youngest, Leng Zhiting and Leng Zhiyuan, to go write their homework. Leng Zhiwen was also about to leave but was called back by her mother-in-law, who asked the three of them to gather in her room, saying she wanted to have a family meeting.
"Mom, there's no need for a family meeting. I'll listen to you regarding family matters. Just inform me of the results later. I'm going to sleep now. The team has training tomorrow!"
"Then if I say you should marry your Brother-in-law, will you agree?" Mother-in-law asked coldly. Leng Zhiwen froze for a moment, almost falling over.
"Mom, what nonsense are you talking about?" Leng Zhiruo said.
"I'm not talking nonsense, I'm speaking the truth, the future of our family!" Mother-in-law sighed. "You all saw just now how heartbroken He He is without Zhi Xuan. I watched this pair grow together. He He loves Zhi Xuan very deeply, he's had such a hard time!"
"Mom, you know Brother-in-law is deeply devoted to Eldest Sister, so why did you say that just now!" Leng Zhiwen said irritably.
"That's right! He He is an excellent child. Now that his parents are gone, I consider myself half a mother to him, so I have to be responsible for his later life!"
"He He's future life is still very long. Although Zhi Xuan is my daughter, I can't just watch He He continue to be so lonely. He's only 25 years old, in the prime of his youth, and he can't be delayed like this. He doesn't even have a child!"
"Moreover, you've all seen that He He's living conditions are very poor, and he doesn't have anyone close to take care of his daily life. If this continues, his health will also suffer!"
"No, Mom, haven't I been taking care of Brother-in-law by his side? I'm responsible for cleaning his clothes, his office, and his home. I am taking care of him!" Leng Zhiruo said unhappily.
"Heh, then do you dare to climb into your Brother-in-law's bed?" Mother-in-law was truly shock-waving, and Leng Zhiruo instantly slumped onto the boat, a blush spreading across her skin.
"Child, don't blame me for speaking harshly. Mother just speaks directly, and it's all for your own good!" Mother-in-law said without changing her expression. "Therefore, Mother is preparing to arrange for He He to find another wife. This is a must, preferably getting married within these two years. He He cannot be delayed any longer."
"Mom, there are so many bad women outside who are eyeing Brother-in-law, they're all after his wallet, not one of them is a good woman!" Leng Zhiruo raised her head and argued forcefully.
"Yes, you're right about that. Those outside are bad women, we can't let those bad women snatch He He away!" Mother-in-law also looked very approving. "Actually, come to think of it, aren't good women whom we know well right here in our own home? All three of you are of age. As the saying goes, 'never let good fortune go to outsiders.' Therefore, Mother has decided to have one of you marry He He!"
"What!" The three women screamed in unison.
"Mom, I'm just a spectator, I'm just here to watch the show. Don't count me in! I have college entrance exams this year, and I need to go to college!" Leng Zhimeng, who had been watching, finally spoke.
"Forget it, your teacher called me. She said unless a miracle happens, you won't even get into a vocational college. You only scored 250 on the third mock exam. You might as well have lost another point; it would sound better than this!" Mother-in-law said angrily. Leng Zhimeng stuck out her tongue.
"It's not my fault. Who told them not to test computer science in the college entrance exams? If they did, I guarantee I'd score 100 more points!"
"Even with 100 more points, you wouldn't get into university and would still end up working for others. It's better to get married early, you're 18 anyway."
"Ahem, Mom, the law stipulates that girls can only get married at 20!"
"When your household registration was done, to meet the policy, your birthday was moved forward by a year. So you'll be 20 next year, it's not a problem!" Mother-in-law's reply was very assertive, leaving Leng Zhimeng speechless.
"This is completely ridiculous, Mom. This is New China now, how can you still have such feudalistic, old-fashioned ideas? I am Brother-in-law's sister-in-law, how can we get married!" Leng Zhiwen recovered from her shock, stood up angrily, and retorted loudly.
"Does any law state that a brother-in-law and sister-in-law cannot marry?" Mother-in-law sneered. "The prohibition of brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law marrying is feudalistic thinking. Nowadays, unless it's a third-generation blood relative, marriage is permissible. This is true marriage and love freedom. You're a university student and you don't even understand this, yet you dare to call me an old fossil!"
"I..." Leng Zhiwen was also speechless.
"And you? Do you also want to object to me?" Mother-in-law saw Leng Zhiruo.
"Mom, if Sister in heaven knew, she would be so angry she'd die!" Leng Zhiruo said weakly.
"She's already in heaven, how can she be angered to death?" Mother-in-law waved her hand authoritatively. "Even if your sister really knew, she wouldn't be angry. Your Brother-in-law is only 25 years old and will eventually get married. If you don't take the initiative, those women outside will benefit. Instead of that, it's better for you three. This way, in the future, with children, there will still be a blood connection with your sister, and no one will forget to offer her filial respect on Qingming and Winter Solstice!"
At this point, Mother-in-law's eyes suddenly turned slightly moist. "My poor daughter, if other women were to come into this family, perhaps after we are all gone, no one will remember her. She won't even have a piece of yellow paper on festivals. She's too pitiful, sob sob sob..."