Aunt Dong saw her daughter’s red eyes and knew she had been crying. Her own eyes were so full of heartache that she didn’t even notice her daughter’s swollen lips.

"Mom, I’m okay now. This is Xiao Wen. You know him. I want to marry him."

Hearing her daughter’s words, Aunt Dong was so shocked her eyes nearly popped out of her head. She stared at her daughter in disbelief. ’Did I hear that right?’

’Her own daughter wants to marry Sheng Shijing’s brother? What on earth could have happened to provoke such a decision!’

Although Aunt Dong was a bit slow to react, she quickly came to her senses and a smile appeared on her face. "Xiao Wen is a good kid. Well then, you two can get engaged first!"

She knew there was a high chance her daughter was just acting out of spite, but it wouldn’t do for the bride’s parents to be the first to object.

’What if they really do get married? The son-in-law would surely hold it against them, saying things like, "Your parents had their doubts about me back then."’

Aunt Dong didn’t want her daughter to suffer grievances in the future. She had been around the block and knew what it took to be a good mother-in-law.

She knew that if her daughter had agreed to marry Xiao Wen, the two of them must have already come to an understanding.

’But that boy, Xiao Wen, is just too soft-hearted. He’s like a fool, letting his younger sister lead him around by the nose.’

If Sheng Yueyue hadn’t been sent to a mental asylum, she would never in a million years have agreed to this match.

Now, with Sheng Yueyue no longer dragging him down, things were different. Xiao Wen had liked her daughter since they were children, so perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad if they married and learned to get along.

After all, they had watched Xiao Wen grow up. Still, she decided to ask her husband’s opinion. "Old Dong, what do you think?"

"You make all the decisions at home. If you say it’s fine, it’s fine. We watched that boy Xiao Wen grow up. He’s always been honest and decent; he’s never had a devious thought in his head."

’In his heart, Father Dong’s ideal son-in-law was definitely Sheng Shijing, not the weak and useless Second Sheng.’

’But his wife and daughter had both agreed. What could he do?’

’His daughter would be twenty-three after the New Year—a month older than Xiao Wen!’

"Dad... how could you..." Dong Lili looked at her father, who seemed one step away from calling Xiao Wen a brainless idiot.

She opened her mouth, but didn’t know what to say. ’My father is usually such a warm person, but right now he’s acting so cold. Why?’

Dong Lili was extremely confused. ’Could it be that Mom and Dad aren’t very optimistic about my marriage to Xiao Wen?’

At that moment, a flicker of hesitation went through Dong Lili. ’Was I too impulsive?’

’But she and Xiao Wen had already kissed. Could she really not marry him now?’

’Besides, if I don’t marry Xiao Wen, who else is there for me to marry?’

Seeing her daughter’s conflicted look, Aunt Dong couldn’t help but sigh. "Xiao Wen, you know what’s on Lili’s mind. Are you really willing to marry her?"

"Auntie, of course I’m willing to marry Lili. I don’t mind what’s on her mind. As long as she’s willing to marry me, I’ll be eternally grateful."

Sheng Shiwen said quickly, a wide grin spreading across his face. He was truly willing to marry Lili.

’It wasn’t just because Lili was the person he loved most. More importantly, she could help him deal with his future sister-in-law.’

’After I get revenge for my sister, I’ll treat Lili with all my heart. I won’t let her suffer even the slightest bit.’

’In the future, I’ll give at least half my salary to Lili, and the other half to my sister.’

As Sheng Shiwen happily calculated his brilliant plan, his face overflowed with a blissful smile.

’He had thought the Dong Family would give him a hard time, but unexpectedly, his future parents-in-law seemed to think quite highly of him. I’m not that much worse than my older brother, am I?’

’Otherwise, why would they agree so easily to let their daughter marry me?’

Dong Lili breathed a sigh of relief when she heard Sheng Shiwen’s unhesitating words and saw him grinning like a child who’d just been given candy.

She thought Sheng Shiwen was marrying her purely because he loved her, unaware that he wanted to use her to get revenge for Sheng Yueyue.

That was why he had so readily agreed to marry her; he was smiling so happily because he was imagining his wonderful future.

Dong Lili had been worried her parents looked down on Sheng Shiwen. Whenever they ate together, they often expressed their disdain for Xiao Wen, calling him unpromising.

Now that her parents had agreed, she was still anxious about their true feelings. She asked worriedly, "Dad, Mom... do you... really agree?"

Aunt Dong smiled and shook her head. "Silly girl, why would we disagree? How could your father and I possibly stand in the way of such a good thing?"

"Really?" Dong Lili asked happily, though deep down, she was still hoping they would refuse.

"Lili, of course Mom and Dad genuinely like Xiao Wen. He’s so good-tempered, he’ll treat you well. We’ve all seen that his younger sister is young and has a bit of a temper..."

Sheng Shiwen didn’t like the tone his future mother-in-law used when speaking about his sister, so he quickly cut her off.

"Auntie, it’s getting late. I should go home. My father and I will come over for the formal proposal tomorrow."

"You’re right, you’re right, it is getting late. You should head home, Xiao Wen." Aunt Dong could tell Sheng Shiwen was displeased.

She walked Sheng Shiwen to the gate, her face all smiles. The moment he was gone, she turned back and asked with concern, "Lili, why did you suddenly agree to marry Xiao Wen?"

"Mom, do you not approve? If you didn’t approve, why didn’t you say so just now?" Dong Lili asked, a touch of resentment in her voice.

"You walked in and announced you were marrying Xiao Wen. You weren’t asking for our opinion, were you?" Father Dong snapped.

"Lili, why don’t you tell your mother what really happened?" Eldest Sister-in-law asked gently.

"Dad, Mom, don’t worry. Xiao Wen will take good care of me. He absolutely won’t let me suffer any grievances." 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Seeing her parents’ worried expressions, Dong Lili said with conviction, certain that Sheng Shiwen was one hundred percent in love with her.

"Good. But no matter what, you’re not to bully him, you understand?" Aunt Dong said sternly.

"Don’t worry. I’m going to go wash up and head to bed," Dong Lili said before heading upstairs.

When Sheng Shiwen got home, he gave the main gate a gentle push. It wasn’t latched, which made him feel much better.

He saw a light on in his sister’s room and thought she had come home. Elated, he ran upstairs and pushed open her door.

"Mom? What are you doing in Yueyue’s room—Mmph!" Sheng Shiwen cried out in disappointment.

Mrs. Sheng quickly clamped a hand over her second son’s mouth. "Xiao Wen, don’t be so loud! Your father and brother are already asleep. There’s food in the pot. Do you want a late-night snack?"

"I’ll go grab a bite. Why aren’t you sleeping in Dad’s room?" Sheng Shiwen was famished and had no patience to get into it with his mother.

Without waiting for her reply, he clattered down the stairs to the kitchen in search of food.

"..." Mrs. Sheng didn’t know what to say. Her second son was just so single-minded. She could only shake her head and close the door.

「Early the next morning.」

The sky had just started to brighten when Erya and Little Stone woke up. "Grandpa, are we going to sell buns today?"

"Not today. Your grandma steamed the buns for your aunt to sell. Grandma is going to make you something delicious to eat," Mr. Su said with a grin, teasing his grandchildren.

"Hehe, she’s making it specially for our aunt, right?"

"Oho, is our little Erya jealous of her aunt?" Su’s mother said as she came in to help Little Stone get dressed.