Chapter 237 - 237 182 A Misstep That Worked Out_2

Words : 1153 Updated : Sep 27th, 2025

237: Chapter 182: A Misstep That Worked Out_2 237: Chapter 182: A Misstep That Worked Out_2 It was before the engagement was set, when Zeng Meili visited the Zhou family, she specifically asked how much betrothal money he was going to give the Lin Family, considering that Zeng Meili had done him and Chuxia many favors, he told her straight away. At that time Zeng Meili asked him, whether he was giving the money to the Lin Family for them to spend or was it just to be kept temporarily? He replied with two words, “Nonsense!” Zeng Meili, however, seriously analyzed for him the personalities of Lin Baohe and Zhao Yulan. If they were given that money, they would definitely be reluctant to spend it, no matter how he tried to express his sincerity, they wouldn’t use it, so, the betrothal money he gave would ultimately return to where it came from. Then, she told Zhou Mikang about the housing conditions of the Lin Family which she saw during her visit, saying that it was basically a black hole built on the ground, which might be bearable in winter, but come summer, it was absolutely suffocating and potentially deadly from the heat. The rest didn’t need to be pointed out by Zeng Meili. He immediately used his family’s connections to get a residential land allotment from the county and hired a professional construction team. Otherwise, how could it have been so fast? At that time, his goal was to make Lin Baohe and Zhao Yulan live more comfortably. He never expected that it would also unexpectedly establish his father-in-law’s authority. Now, sitting on the heated kang and chatting leisurely with Old Master Zhao and Old Lady Zhao, Zhao Yulan was also a picture of contentment. After seeing the newly half-built large tile-roofed house, she also remembered something. Once, Zhou Mikang had specifically asked her and Lin Baohe whether they preferred to live in Dalin Village or Xiaolin Village. Back then without hesitating she said they would live in Xiaolin Village as it was closer to her parental home and further away from the annoyances of her husband’s family. Of course, she was happy with that. But, some people would criticize Lin Baohe, accusing him of marrying into the wife’s family. Li Aiyuan also chimed in, saying that if she weren’t concerned about gossip, she really wanted to have Lin Baohe and Zhao Yulan stay at her house during that time. Later, the topic changed and they didn’t bring that up again. But it turned out, when he asked, he was actually thinking about where to build their house. When Zhao Yulan mentioned this, Old Lady Zhao got so angry she knocked on her head: “You blockheads, if the house had been built in Xiaolin Village, who would dare to say Baohe had married into the wife’s family? This is a good opportunity to stay away from your unreasonable in-laws, and you wasted it, sigh!” Zhao Yulan replied with a helpless sigh, “Mom, how was I to know he was going to build us a house? Besides, having the house behind Gangshun’s Family is also good.” Old Lady Zhao couldn’t help but glare at her, “Is it better to be closer to your dad, your mom, your elder brother, and your sister-in-law, or better to be near Luo Gangshun and Fat Auntie?” Zhao Yulan said with a smile to appease her, “Mom, it’s already like this, can’t you just let me find a reason to make myself feel better?” Old Master Zhao knocked his tobacco pipe and asked, “You’ve established your reputation in the village, but if your in-laws come looking for trouble, what will you do?” “They personally said that they kicked us out of the Lin Family, what can they do? This house is being built by my son-in-law, what does it have to do with them?” “But he’s still their grandson-in-law.” Old Master Zhao paused, then sighed, “With such a big house standing here, the engagement can’t be kept secret. Just watch, those old folks will for sure not let you get by so easily. They didn’t want you easily before, and if you think you can cut ties with them, it won’t be so simple.” Zhao Yulan frowned, “Then what can they do? They want to move in too?” “Whether they want to or not isn’t the issue, they’ll definitely find every chance to bother you.” Old Master Zhao sighed again, “Why did I and your mom oppose your marriage to Baohe in the first place? Because we disliked the character of your in-laws; always scheming to take advantage when they can, and withdrawing at the first sign of difficulty.” “Let them make a fuss if they want to. Anyway, when we split from the family, we made it clear we wanted nothing from them and from now on, we’ll live our own lives; we only need to provide their share of maintenance each year, and we owe them nothing else. Everyone in the village was there when we said that, I don’t believe they have the shamelessness to deny it now. They plotted to make us marry Chuxia into the Xue family for their own comfort. Now, seeing Chuxia marry into a good family, they just think of reaping the benefits, but even if they have the cheek to ask, I don’t have the heart to give! Even if it means no one will speak well of me, I can’t let them take advantage of my daughter. When they were living well, when did they think of my daughter? Since the day I married in, when did they treat me as their daughter-in-law? And when did they consider Chuxia to be their own granddaughter? Now they remember? Too late!” Old Lady Zhao touched Zhao Yulan’s head with a laugh: “You’re almost a grandmother, and you’re still ranting like a child. Alright, now that we know you’re determined, your dad and I are reassured. People can be bottomless pits of greed; if you give in once, they’ll keep coming back. So, don’t give in this time, and after a few tantrums without gain, they’ll settle down.” “Mom, don’t worry, I definitely won’t give in to them! The annual food share that I owe them, I won’t short them, but they won’t get a penny’s worth of anything extra from me!” “That’s the spirit!” Old Master Zhao coughed on his pipe, then knocked it a couple more times, “People need respect, but not from such rotten folks. When Baohe comes back, I must remind him!”(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes, monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)

Chapter 237 - 237 182 A Misstep That Worked Out_2

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