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

Lin Fengjiao lowered her head, her eyes dimming slightly: "But Mother, I was so angry back then. I've never suffered such injustice in my entire life."

Those two kids did something wrong, why couldn't I discipline them a little? Why are you even saying I'm wrong? Did I really go that far?

Fearing she might get stuck on something, Zhang Lan patiently advised, "Fengjiao, you're not a child anymore. You need to be careful in handling things at your in-laws' house, so you don't give anyone cause for gossip."

[You and your in-laws don't understand each other. If you offend your sister-in-law and mother-in-law, think about whose side your husband will be on—his family or his wife.]

That would put you in a difficult position. You shouldn't have taken matters into your own hands. You should have pretended not to know, waited for your son-in-law to return, and then pretended to have found it. How he handles it is his business.

Now that you've done this, the children are frightened and have a fever. Do you think their mother won't blame you? What will your husband think of you? From now on, when you encounter problems with your in-laws, don't try to handle them yourself, understand?

Lin Fengjiao lowered her voice: "But back in Jiang Lie's family, I didn't have to worry about anything, and my in-laws treated me the same way."

Why is Qing Shu being so mean to me? He's my man, shouldn't he be on my side? Mom, don't I feel wronged?

Zhang Lan sighed: "Silly girl, Shen Qingshu is from the city, and you're a country girl. You two weren't a good match to begin with, not to mention he's not as devoted to you as Jiang Lie."

You can't be as willful as before; you need to change your ways, otherwise you won't have a good time in your husband's family. City people are full of tricks and schemes, and you're not shrewd enough to handle them.

[Remember next time, if you encounter these kinds of things, go to Shen Qingshu. Let him handle it however he wants; don't try to interrogate him.]

If you act like the eldest sister-in-law, the other Qing Shu will see it. He'll be on your side, and he'll naturally handle any minor issues that might cause you trouble.

Lin Fengjiao hummed in agreement: "Mother, I understand."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Fengjiao went outside to reflect on the matter. She realized that she was indeed in the wrong and needed to do something to make amends.

She went to the supply and marketing cooperative and bought some of the children's favorite foods. She then took them to her in-laws' house, intending to bring the two children over. Her attitude was very sincere: "Mom, I really know I was wrong, and I won't do it again."

Zhao Jinhua gave a lukewarm "hmm," secretly observing her daughter-in-law's expression. Only after confirming that she wasn't faking it did she relent: "Alright, seeing that you genuinely know you were wrong, don't let it happen again."

"The child is too young. As the mother, you shouldn't make a big deal out of it. Be patient and talk things out."

Hurry up and take them back; taking care of these two is exhausting.

Lin Fengjiao nodded repeatedly: "Okay, Mother, I remember. I will never do it again. I'll go find the two children, talk to them, and then take them back."

"Okay, go ahead, those two are in the room on the bed."

*

The two brothers, sharing a blanket, whispered to each other: "Brother, do you think that wicked woman will come again? She's not going to take us back, is she? That won't do."

"Once we leave, they'll have even more time to cause trouble. When the younger brother is born, there won't be any place for us."

"Shh, keep your voice down, someone's coming."

Lin Fengjiao brought in the food and looked at the two fluffy heads. To be honest, she still didn't like them, but for the sake of their relationship, she had to coax the children back.

She smiled gently and said, "Congmong, look what your mother has prepared. There are candied hawthorns, cotton candy, and White Rabbit candies, which you all love. Do you like them?"

Two heads immediately looked up, swallowed hard, and their eyes showed a hint of eagerness.

Lin Fengjiao sat on the edge of the bed and took out the food, waving it in front of them: "Look at this, have you thought it through? Are you coming back with your mother? Let's go home and eat."

"Yes, we'll eat right here in the courtyard. If the other kids see what you're eating, they'll be so envious of you having such good food."

The two brothers exchanged a glance, and Congcong nodded, his little face tense: "Okay, since you've said so, then we'll go back. You can't hit us like that again."

"Okay, I'll reason with you properly from now on and I won't hit or scold you anymore. But you have to be obedient and not be too naughty, okay?"

"understood."

Lin Fengjiao led one child by the hand back to the courtyard, a bright smile on her face. She greeted the onlookers in the courtyard, "Auntie, are you sunbathing? Aren't you hot? Why don't you go under the big tree?"

The woman glanced at the child she was holding in her hand: "...Oh, wait a minute, go down to the tree. Qing Shu, are you going to pick up your child?"

"Yes, I went to my in-laws' house to pick up the child. As a new mother, I'm really not very good at taking care of the child. I've reflected on it and will definitely correct it in the future."

"Haha, it's good that you've changed. New mothers are all like this; they have a hard time being patient with their own children, let alone other people's children."

The others glanced at her, not really believing her. How many stepmothers are good? She's just pretending now; the two children will suffer later.

Lin Fengjiao took the child upstairs and into the house. People sitting in the courtyard taking a second look and muttered, "Has she changed her personality? She actually knows to greet people first now."

"That's right, she's probably going to have to play the role of a good stepmother. Let's make a bet, this girl isn't easy to get along with. Once her own child is born, these two kids' good days are over."

"Oh, how pitiful."

*

When the two children got home, they sat on the sofa much more obediently, eating candy and calling out, "Mom, we're hungry and want to eat shredded pork noodles. Can you make some for us?"

Lin Fengjiao came out of the house and saw them sitting obediently. She smiled slightly and said, "Okay, I'll go make you some shredded pork noodles."

The steaming hot noodles were served, and the twins each got a bowl. They picked up their chopsticks and started eating, looking like they were starving.

"Eat slowly, be careful not to burn yourself. You didn't eat well at Grandma's house."

"Yes, Grandma is too busy to do it."

While eating his noodles, Congcong mumbled, "We just eat dry steamed buns with pickled vegetables. Grandma has to take care of Grandpa, so no one takes care of us."

Lin Fengjiao pondered: It seems these two children have become more sensible and know that they can only get a hot meal at her place. From now on, I'll try to coax them with food; maybe that will make them more obedient.

"If you behave well and listen to me from now on, I'll make you all sorts of delicious food. Wouldn't it be great if we grew taller and stronger?"

"Okay, Mom."

"Eat up, I'll make more if you want."

After eating and drinking their fill, Lin Fengjiao cleaned up the dishes, and the three of them sat in the living room watching black and white television. They didn't argue or make a fuss all afternoon, which was a rare moment of peace.