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

"You're meddling too much. People will hold a grudge, and behind closed doors, you'll only make things worse for your daughter-in-law. Sigh, there's nothing I can do. Some things you just have to stand up for yourself."

"If I get married in the future, and anyone dares to bully me, I'll dig up their ancestral graves and ask them how they gave birth to such a thing. No one will be able to use the child to control me."

Wen Yao gently patted her arm: "Yes, it's good to be a bit feisty in the countryside, but you have to be reasonable and know how to use public opinion to your advantage. Being straightforward and head-on will only make you suffer."

Jiang Baozhu blinked, looking at her with curiosity.

"Sister-in-law, please give me your guidance."

"Ha, I don't actually have much experience. I just know more from seeing more in the city. If someone is targeting you, you'd better try to be polite first and then resort to force."

"To resolve the conflict you're being targeted for, don't try to explain. Find a way to shift the blame and make those who aren't involved suffer losses. It's best if they get upset and you achieve your goal."

"Sister-in-law, for example..."

Wen Yao said softly, "For example, it's appropriate to show weakness and act pitiful. Any means to achieve your goal, if someone bullies you, you must retaliate."

"These days, you can tell if the in-laws are trying to control the young woman on her first visit. If they hint that you should do the cleaning and cooking, it means that this family doesn't know any manners and wants to manipulate you."

"In normal families, a girl who is visiting the family for the first time will not be asked to do housework. They will also observe the lives of the other sisters-in-law. If they ask a pregnant woman to do chores, then the family is not worth keeping."

"You have dishes you don't like to eat, the kind that make you want to vomit."

Jiang Baozhu thought for a moment and said, "It's celery. I feel uncomfortable after eating it. I've tried it several times and it doesn't work. I feel unwell."

Wen Yao said softly, "You clearly tell your partner that they can't eat celery. If they make dumplings with only celery and you take a bite, your future mother-in-law might say, 'I think it's okay to eat this too.'"

"Then you need to be careful. This is a test of your bottom line. They will gradually take advantage of you and bully you. If you back down now, you won't have a good life later."

"The best approach is to cut your losses, but it also depends on the man's reaction. If he sides with you and replaces the food with something edible, that's a clear sign of his protectiveness."

"If your partner doesn't care, that won't work. They can't be relied on. You'll feel wronged countless times in the future. The more you can't eat something, the more they force you to eat it. What's the point of living like that?"

Jiang Baozhu nodded repeatedly: "Oh, I get it now. Sister-in-law is really amazing. There are so many twists and turns in this."

Wen Yao nodded and said, "Just show your sincerity and see how the other party responds. If they are grateful to you, then they have good character. If they take your understanding as a sign of weakness and try to bully you, then you shouldn't accept them."

"Okay, I'll remember that. If I want to find someone to date in the future, I'll ask my sister-in-law to help me find someone."

"it is good."

The captain and his wife greeted them with smiles as they approached, saying, "Yaoyao, you've brought us food. Have you eaten yet?"

"Not yet. Parents have worked hard, so let's eat first. We can eat when we get back."

Zhang Shuhua glanced at her daughter: "Baozhu, when you go to your older brother's house for dinner, remember to clean up the dishes. Be a little more sensible, okay?"

Jiang Baozhu sniffed and said coquettishly, "Oh, Mother, I know, I have a good eye for things."

"Okay, let's go under the tree, it'll be cooler there."

The others gradually came to eat under the tree, chatting as they ate. Their gazes drifted over Wen Yao, and one of them tentatively asked, "Shuhua, your wife has been with you for almost two months now."

"I estimate it won't be long before I can stay home and take care of my grandson. That's wonderful. I've taken care of both my sons, all that's missing is a little girl."

Zhang Shuhua smiled and said, "No rush. Young people can decide for themselves. They can have children whenever they want. As for my Baozhu, she's still young. We can take it slow and there's no rush."

The long-haired woman leaned closer: "Oh dear, you're in a hurry. Your Baozhu is almost 18, right? You can take her to meet potential partners now. Finding a good match takes time."

"Your Baozhu is beautiful, so there's nothing to worry about. It's just that her personality is a bit too fiery. Otherwise, it would be great to introduce her to my nephew. He shows movies in town; it's an easy and respectable job."

"...Heh, my Baozhu has a good temperament. Being a little feisty doesn't mean she's unreasonable. Besides, even a soft-spoken girl needs to marry into a good family. Otherwise, she'll be bullied to death."

Zhang Shuhua smirked, her words carrying a subtle but sharp edge: "Oh dear, I heard your daughter is very sensible. She must be doing very well at her husband's family. It's so nice to have a man who cherishes his mother and takes good care of her."

The long-haired woman's smile froze. She knew her daughter's situation best. Forget about her husband being kind and understanding; she was beaten every few days, and when she couldn't take it anymore, she ran back to her parents' home.

She kept sending him back, and the last time he couldn't take it anymore and drank the medicine. He almost didn't make it back. What does Zhang Shuhua mean by this?

"Oh, Shuhua, what are you saying? If you don't want to, then forget it."

Zhang Shuhua looked at her little girl and instructed her, "Baozhu, we shouldn't be unreasonable, but we also shouldn't be pushovers. If anyone bullies you, just fight back."

"If you can't beat someone with a stick, you can always use a knife. Remember this: if a man dares to lay a hand on you the first time, he's testing how easy you are to hit. If he's not easy to hit, he won't hit you next time."

"No matter what, your family is always your support. You don't need to be afraid of anyone. If you're in the right, you should stand up for yourself."

Jiang Baozhu smiled, revealing her dimples: "Yes, yes, I've remembered everything Mother said, and I know what to do."

The long-haired woman's lips twitched slightly, and she silently moved away.

*

The postman stopped in front of Jiang Lie's house and called out, "Is Jiang Lie home? Here's your letter, come and get it."

Hearing the commotion, Wen Yao came out, took the letter, and brought it inside: "Ah Lie, there's a letter for you. Take a look."

"Wife, read it to me. I don't know many characters, and it's too much trouble for me to read. It's faster for you to read it to me."

"Okay, let me take a look."

Open the letter and pour out its contents: a stamped certificate of merit, several electrical appliance industry coupons, five ten-yuan notes, and a note with a phone number on it.

"Ah Lie, look at this. There's a phone number on this piece of paper, and on the back it says 'a favor,' meaning you can call this number directly if there's anything urgent. It seems to be from the military region. There's no name, just a surname—Zhao."

Jiang Lie looked at the string of numbers. Hmm, he didn't quite understand it. Anyway, since it was said to be a favor, he might as well keep it. Maybe he could use it in the future.

"Okay, then write down this number, honey. Keep the note safe; you might need it later, though I don't know why the military region would do you a favor."

Wen Yao nodded: "The favors from the military region might be related to that plague jar. Anyway, there's no harm in keeping it."