To please others? It's better to please yourself.

It had just snowed heavily, and the cold wind was biting. Shen He picked up a red woolen scarf and helped Xu Jing'an put it on. The floral scent of the face cream was so strong that he could smell it as soon as he looked down.

As soon as the weather turned cold, Xu Jing'an started using snow cream. Snow cream is fragrant and white, moisturizes the skin, and when applied to the skin, it disappears immediately like snowflakes, hence the name snow cream.

Watching the two sweetly leave the house, Shen's mother thought to herself that she needed to quickly discuss and finalize the wedding date.

Through the matchmaker "Sister Zhao," the two parties agreed to set the wedding date for January 15th, 68 (the 1th day of the twelfth lunar month).

Shen He originally wanted to apply for housing allocation at his workplace, but Xu Jing'an stopped him. Housing is so scarce right now; Xu Jing'an has a place, and Shen He's family also has a place. It's best to keep a low profile and avoid attracting attention at this time.

Besides, if we live separately, who will cook and take care of the kids?

Xu Jing'an calculated the time and wrote a letter to her parents, then waited patiently for her mother to arrive.

As we know from the book, when it comes to asking for a bride price, let alone the three-day train journey, Xu's mother would come no matter how far away it was!

Why was it decided that only Xu's mother would come? Of course, it's because more people means more money! And with Xu's mother's fighting prowess, there's no doubt she'll skin Xu Jing'an alive!

Xu Jing'an already has her dowry in her spatial storage; she can take it out after her mother leaves.

Shen He was actually the busiest. He would come to Xu Jing'an every few days to get advice on how the house should be decorated, what kind of furniture she liked, etc. Every day, there were many trivial matters in life that gave Shen He an excuse to see Xu Jing'an.

When her colleagues saw her, they would only tease Xu Jing'an a couple of times. Each time, Xu Jing'an would hold her breath and turn her face bright red.

On January 10th, Xu Jing'an finally received her mother, who rushed over after taking a day off from work. If she arrived too late, her daughter would be married, and it would be difficult to ask for a higher price then.

After receiving the news, Xu Jing'an went to the station to pick up her mother. As soon as they arrived at the entrance of the alley, neighbors greeted them in twos and threes.

"Is Little Xu's mother here?"

"They're here, they're here."

"My daughter is wonderful, and my son-in-law is also a good match."

"That's because her boss recommended her; otherwise, what would a young person know?"

"As soon as Xiao Xu came here, I thought the girl was pretty good."

"That's because you've been kind to her, and it's also thanks to the help of the neighbors."

……

Xu's mother replied with a smile all the way, but her face immediately changed after entering the courtyard and closing the gate.

After looking Xu Jing'an's house inside and out, Xu's mother asked, "Is this the house you bought yourself without giving the family a single penny since you started working?" She plopped down on the bed.

Xu Jing'an nodded. "Yes, otherwise we'd have nowhere to stay."

"No dorm room?"

"There's only one bed left, and it's already been taken." Xu Jing'an poured her mother a glass of water. "Besides, as an outsider, do you think I can afford to offend them?"

"Can't I rent it?"

"It's not that easy to rent a place! There are two places, but large families are crammed together, so they've squeezed out a room, and they're both in the same courtyard."

"Putting everything else aside, just when it's mealtime, other people's kids stand here looking at you longingly, do you give them any or not? If you don't, they cry, shout, and yell! It's a never-ending problem." Xu Jing'an moved closer to her mother.

"Furthermore, if there's any conflict, wouldn't their whole family unite and come after me? So, I borrowed money and bought a room. It's small, but it'll be enough for me."

Xu's mother looked at Xu Jing'an: "You're not stupid, third son. Alright, I won't say anything more. I'm going to meet my in-laws."

"We've been waiting for you to meet. Just let me know how much you're planning to ask for in the dowry, so I'll have a better idea of ​​what to expect."

"I don't think you're planning to sell this house."

Xu Jing'an nodded: "That's right, my family lives far away, so I need to have a backup plan."

"Fine, I told you you're the only honest one in the family. Looks like you're also a member of the Xu family." Xu's mother snorted twice as she said this.

"Consider this house your dowry. You witnessed your eldest and second son's weddings. I won't ask for more. 300 yuan! I don't need the ticket; it's not valid in either place."

Xu Jing'an calculated that it was exactly the amount of money she needed to send home since she started working.

The next day, the in-laws met. Xu's mother was all smiles, and the Shen family was equally hospitable; the two families got along very well.

The dowry of 300 yuan didn't bother Shen's parents. Shen He kept his achievements hidden, saying that as long as the marriage went smoothly, the money was negotiable. He'd already washed enough bed sheets; he was happy to wash more after the wedding.

Xu's mother booked the train for the next day. That evening, Xu's mother and Xu Jing'an had their first conversation since she was born. Regarding how to get along with her mother-in-law after marriage, Xu's mother shared her own personal experiences over the years and the conclusions drawn from those around her.

Xu Jing'an didn't say anything else. She opened the drawer, took out clam oil, and applied it little by little to her mother's rough hands. While gently rubbing her mother's hands, she nodded in agreement from time to time.

Clam oil, also known as "clam shell oil," is named for the use of clam shells as packaging. In winter, frostbite, cracked skin, and chilblains are common occurrences; applying clam shell oil can be quite effective.

As Xu Jing'an touched her, and looking at the girl who had grown up so quickly, Xu's mother's hardened heart softened.