Zhou Jiao replied cheerfully, "Okay, I’ll let Brother discuss it with you. Mother has the final say."
Mother Zhang gave her a glance. She talked nicely, but forgot about it once things were done. She felt both happy and worried inside. Today, her youngest son organized two tables of banquets all by himself. If it were a different daughter-in-law, wouldn’t there be an uproar!
Zhou Jiao grinned at her with a silly smile.
"Jiao Jiao, now that no one is around, can Mother tell you something?"
Hearing this, Zhou Jiao immediately brought over a stool for her to sit down, and she herself put down the wooden spatula.
Seeing her seriousness, Mother Zhang couldn’t help but laugh out loud. How could her Jiao Jiao be so thoughtful?
She patted Zhou Jiao’s hand, "Mother wants you to give your sister-in-law a hand."
"Mother, you just say it, as long as I can manage."
Zhou Jiao didn’t dare to agree right away. Although she knew her mother-in-law wouldn’t ask her to spend money to help others, she would rather spend money than exert effort and receive no gratitude.
Mother Zhang sighed lightly, "We women have it tough, dealing with both our husband’s family and our own family. If we’re not careful, we end up pleasing neither side."
Zhou Jiao blinked. She somewhat understood what her mother-in-law meant.
Helping Huang Cuilan’s family didn’t concern her much, but several times the Huang Family used Zhang Guoqing’s reputation, and this sister-in-law hadn’t even said a word of apology. Regardless of the reason, she wouldn’t step in if she felt she was being taken for a fool. She truly wasn’t willing.
"...Your eldest brother doesn’t seem to have wandering thoughts now, but today I saw that their interaction was very awkward. Since the morning, they haven’t exchanged more than a slap’s worth of words. Over the years, some things your eldest sister-in-law did have hurt your brother. That reticent man doesn’t like to speak up, and if this continues, the couple will drift further apart..."
Zhou Jiao couldn’t think of how she could help with their marital issues. Would she, as a sister-in-law, meddle in the eldest brother’s affairs and appear to be quite capable? But since her mother-in-law mentioned it, she must have her ideas.
"...Your sister-in-law would be fine if it weren’t for her unreasonable elder brother and sister-in-law’s meddling. Now she’s awakened, and if she can live well with the eldest, I’ll be satisfied..."
Zhou Jiao nodded, but didn’t agree in her heart. Now that Huang Cuilan felt threatened, if everything returned to normal, she would probably stir up trouble again. Ultimately, such women should live cautiously, going too far when given an inch often causes further trouble.
"...I overheard some things you said in the kitchen today..."
Mother Zhang proudly laughed, "Exactly. Having you all gives me confidence, so I don’t bother arguing with her. I’m just acting according to my conscience, and since we’re all women, thinking from her perspective keeps me from getting mad."
Hearing this, Zhou Jiao was truly impressed by her mother-in-law, truly broad-minded! But that’s also good. To be honest, she and Zhang Guoqing never planned that both brothers must support their parents.
"Mother, then how do you want me to help Sister-in-law? The couple isn’t fighting or divorcing, so what advice can we offer? If I’m not careful and speak a bit, Sister-in-law might blame me for being nosy."
Mother Zhang smiled and shook her head mysteriously, "Mother wouldn’t be that foolish. How about we make your sister-in-law look beautiful to overshadow those little vixens in the provincial city?"
Zhou Jiao chuckled quietly. Her mother-in-law was just so adorable. With her sister-in-law’s appearance, what could be done to overshadow the vixens? However, seeing her mother-in-law’s hopeful eyes, she still nodded.
All this just to make her happy. With such a mother-in-law, Zhou Jiao couldn’t refuse. If based on her impression of Huang Cuilan, she’d truly be unwilling to get involved and pay to be wronged!
Seeing her nod, Mother Zhang quickly shared her plan with Zhou Jiao. Simply, it was to have Lin Juhua prepare a new outfit tonight, and tomorrow let Zhou Jiao help Huang Cuilan get dressed. The four of them, mother-in-law and daughters-in-law, would wander around the school.
With such a mother-in-law, Zhou Jiao truly felt lucky for Huang Cuilan. If the other wasn’t filial, not being struck by lightning, she would have to assist the heavens in dealing with them!

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