If you don't consummate the marriage for three years and then marry a successful educated youth

Zhao Jinhua nodded: "That's good. No one is allowed to ruin your brother's plan. You should know that our Shen family relies on your brother. He's rising to the top, and we're enjoying the benefits along with him."

"Sigh, you know how hard it was for him. We struggled to get out of that wretched place in our hometown, relying on sheer grit. You know how ruthless your brother is to himself."

"He won't give up until he gets what he wants. He doesn't show any mercy to anyone who tries to ruin his plans, understand?"

Shen Yueyao hummed in agreement, then, as if remembering something, she subconsciously shivered: "Mother, how long until Brother reaches that position?"

Zhao Jinhua narrowed her eyes and whispered, "Three years. Your brother said to give him another three years, and that old man will be drained dry. Then he'll have the right to find you a good husband."

"With him protecting you, who would dare to give you a hard time?"

"We're all in the same boat. Your brother is the one at the helm. If he's doing well, we'll all be doing well. We'll do whatever he says."

"Now I can focus on taking care of the children. After they get married, I'll send them to your new sister-in-law's care. That way, I can relax and take care of your old man, Dad."

Shen Yueyao said with some dissatisfaction, "Mom, that's my father. Can you please stop saying such hurtful things? He has a hard life at home too. His grandparents have never been good to him."

Zhao Jinhua snorted coldly: "That's what he deserves. This is the consequence of blind filial piety. If your brother hadn't been ruthless and smart enough, our family wouldn't be living such a good life."

"Don't think that the one who died earlier was wronged. Our family didn't mistreat her. It was her own fault for dying young, leaving behind two burdens."

"Otherwise, your older brother could have just married Lin Fengjiao and had children without all the trouble. But your new sister-in-law's family background isn't good, so if you think about it, the former one is more cost-effective."

Shen Yueyao pursed her lips and remained silent.

Thinking of what she had just seen, she asked in a low voice, "Mom, how could you bear to buy your new sister-in-law a gold bracelet that costs over a thousand? That must have been your savings for your funeral. You're being so generous this time."

Zhao Jinhua glanced at her and said irritably, "Idiot, how could I possibly buy her a pure gold bracelet? That's just gold-plated copper, it only costs a hundred or two."

"I'll use the one from before that's been melted down. I won't wear that unlucky thing. It's perfect for your new sister-in-law. With this bracelet, she'll owe me a lifetime of gratitude."

"Not anymore. What I say goes."

Shen Yueyao's eyes widened slightly as she looked at her in disbelief.

Zhao Jinhua urged, "Alright, stop asking questions. Hurry up and go to the kitchen to help your sister-in-law make lunch as soon as possible. I'm getting a little hungry."

"...Okay, got it."

Shen Yueyao quickly went to the kitchen to help with the cooking, and greeted, "Hello, sister-in-law, my name is Shen Yueyao, you can just call me Yueyao from now on."

"I don't have much money to buy you anything nice, but I bought this pearl bracelet. Do you like it?"

Lin Fengjiao quickly waved her hand, saying with some concern, "No need, little sister. It's not easy for you to raise a child on your own. If you have money, spend it on yourself. Look how thin you are."

"It's alright, I've always been like this. I'm not as good-looking as my brother, and my skin is dark. I've bought everything, please keep it safe."

I left it on the table and went about my other business.

Lin Fengjiao opened the box and took a look. The small pearl bracelet was very pretty. Although it wasn't as valuable as a gold bracelet, it was still very beautiful and suitable for everyday wear.

She put it away and looked at her taciturn sister-in-law with a touch of heartache: "Yueyao, thank you. I really like this pearl bracelet."

"Yes, as long as you like it."

The two were busy in the kitchen and soon prepared a table full of dishes. When Shen Yueyao bent down to clean up the trash, she saw a fleeting glimpse of gold on her neck.

He frowned slightly: "Sister-in-law, is that a gold necklace around your neck?"

Lin Fengjiao nodded and said, "Yes, it's a betrothal gift from your brother. I like it very much, it's very beautiful, look at it."

Shen Yueyao looked at the familiar pattern, her eyes darkening. This style was the same as her former sister-in-law's, but she didn't know if it was the same one. No, it couldn't possibly be.

She watched as her elder brother put the necklace in and buried it with the body. He couldn't possibly be so heartless as to dig up his former sister-in-law's grave, take the necklace out, and give it to his current sister-in-law.

"Yueyao, what's wrong?"

"Oh, it's nothing. I just think your necklace is very pretty, and the style is very special. Look, it's even made of gold wire in the shape of a heart."

"Really? I like this one too. It's perfect for everyday wear and complements my skin tone."

Shen Yueyao didn't want her to take it off, so she looked at the back of the pendant to see if there were any words engraved on it. She smiled and looked away, constantly telling herself that her older brother wouldn't be so heartless.

The lunch table was filled with joy as Shen Qingshu served her food, saying, "Come on, wife, have a chicken leg."

"Yes, thank you, Qing Shu."

"It's alright, thank you for cooking lunch, my wife. I think it tastes pretty good, it's just a little too spicy. Our family prefers milder flavors."

"Just use less chili next time, honey, don't you think?"

Lin Fengjiao nodded repeatedly: "Okay, I'll remember."

At the dinner table, the two little ones were shouting, "Chicken leg, that's my chicken leg, give it to me, Mom gave it to us."

"Your mother?"

Shen Yueyao felt a kick to her shin and quickly said, "Yes, that's right, but today my sister-in-law is a special guest, so the chicken leg is naturally for you."

Lin Fengjiao had no right to take the chicken leg from the children, so she put the chicken leg from her bowl into the children's bowl and said softly, "You must be Xiao Cong and Xiao Ming, right? You're so good-looking."

The two children looked at her with hostility: "Bad woman."

"...??"

Shen Qingshu's face darkened: "Shen Cong, Shen Ming, hurry up and apologize to your mother. If you don't behave, I won't take you anywhere next time."

The two children were scolded and burst into tears, crying, "Mommy, we want Mommy! We don't want this bad woman!"

Shen Yueyao quickly took the two children to their room, gave them chicken legs to eat, and patiently coaxed them, "Shh, keep your voices down, don't talk like that anymore, or your dad will really beat you."

"Your dad is the boss at home, and your aunt has no other choice. If you behave yourselves, you'll suffer less at home in the future."

"But Auntie, we don't like that bad woman. We just want Mother to come home. We don't want to call that bad woman Mother. She's not our mother."

"Shh, keep your voices down and don't make a sound. She'll be your mother from now on. You'll have a better life if you listen to her. Otherwise... no one can help you."

The two children looked at each other, and tears streamed down their faces.

They missed their mother so much, but she was gone and would never come back. Their little bodies trembled with sobs.

Shen Yueyao's nose tingled, and she hugged them tightly, letting out a deep sigh: "If you listen to us, we'll have a good life. Auntie has no other choice, sigh."

"Waaah, we miss our mother so much."