"Sister is right. At brother San's age, he should already be a father to several children."
Mother Yun pondered for a moment, "But he cannot go to the army yet."
Seeing that her persuasion hadn't swayed their mother, Yun Shuang sighed, "Mother, you're not understanding what I mean. I'm saying they should be together, only then can you quickly hold a grandson in your arms."
"Shuangshuang, I understand what you mean, but your sister-in-law is a teacher. If she goes with the army, someone else will take her job. In the future, it will be tough for your younger brother to raise the child alone. Let them work things out first."
When Yun Meng's eyes lit up, she said, "Sister, mother makes a good point, though Brother San receives an allowance every month, it would still be difficult to support his wife and child alone. Even a mere shallot costs money, just like people in the county."
Yun Shuang was at a loss for words, as her mother and sister seemed to have a long list of thoughts in response to her simple statement.
"When the summer vacations begins, let Hanhan go and visit him." Mother Yun also wants a grandchild, but she would not risk her daughter-in-law's job for it.
"Since mother has thought it through, I have nothing more to say." Yun Shuang loved her youngest brother dearly. Seeing that he was nearing thirty without marrying, she was anxious. Now that he had finally found a wife, she was relieved.
In the kitchen.
"Why are you making me steamed egg custard? Isn't it a bit strange to have me eat alone?"
"To replenish your strength." Yun Hao pulled her to sit on the stool. He covered the pot and sat next to Meng Yunhan, tending the fire.
"Why do you need to nourish me? Does mother-in-law know?" Would it be a problem if mother-in-law knew her son was cooking a special meal for her?
She didn't want a small meal to cause a disruption at home.
In her previous life, she tasted all sorts of delicacies until she ultimately lost her taste buds.
"Mother knows." Yun Hao bluntly responded, seemingly silencing Meng Yunhan
"Yun Hao, it's all your fault." Meng Yunhan thought about her still weak legs and wished she could take a bite out of him. She pleaded with him the night before, but he didn't listen, and it ended embarrassingly, especially when her sister-in-law looked over with a suspicious expression.
Yun Hao was busy stoking the fire.
A few minutes later, the egg custard was ready. He took it out and placed it in another dish. Handing her a small spoon, he said, "Eat!"
"Let's eat together."
"I've already eaten."
Seeing that Yun Hao didn't want to eat, and considering she was actually quite hungry, Meng Yunhan devoured the entire dish.
"Yun Hao, you go and chat with my brother-in-law and sister-in-law. I will prepare lunch." It was about time to prepare lunch.
Feeling full brought back some energy.
"Your eldest sister and younger sister are there."
Meng Yunhan didn't know what to say. However, she explained patiently, "They are the guests."
"Just go!"
Seeing that Yun Hao wasn't moving, Meng Yunhan had to resort to her coaxing tone, "How about this, after lunch, I'll take a rest?"
Seeing that Yun Hao still wouldn't move, Meng Yunhan got up and tried to guide him out. She nearly fell over in the process, thanks to Yun Hao's quick reflexes, saving her and preventing a potential embarrassing fall.
"Be careful."
An embarrassed Meng Yunhan gave Yun Hao a few taps, "It's all your fault, all your fault."
"I will call sister and the others."
Meng Yunhan's face turned red.
"Yun Hao, I can handle it." Meng Yunhan bites her teeth and stands upright. If you ignore her trembling legs, she might be able to bluff it through.
"We're all family."
Meng Yunhan knows the meaning behind Yun Hao's words, but it's because she knows that she doesn't want to leave a bad impression on her two sisters-in-law.
"I'm aware of my body's condition, don't worry."
Yun Hao stared at her for a long time before finally agreeing.
He left the kitchen then.
And Meng Yunhan began to prepare lunch.
Looking at the peanuts, she planned to make a multi-flavored peanut dish, which is a great appetizer.
Meng Yunhan hadn't been alone in the kitchen for long before Yun Shuang, Yun Men and their mother came to help.
Seeing Yun Shuang in the kitchen, dragging her tired, aching body to cook, she recalled a moment ago when their brother glanced at them and said, "It's getting late."
Yun Shuang was used to her brother's cold demeanor and didn't react immediately.
What did he mean 'it's getting late'?
In the end, the three women guessed for half a day before figuring out he meant it was almost noon.
"Hanhan, you tend the fire, let your eldest sister and younger sister cook." The mother-in-law understood and sympathized with her daughter-in-law. She saw her trembling legs so she gave her a less strenuous task.
"Yeah, sister-in-law, you tend the fire, we'll handle the cooking." Yun Men also suggested cheerfully.
Meng Yunhan appreciated their kindness, "Fine, I'll tend the fire. Those are peanuts; later, we'll make a multi-flavored peanut dish for them to enjoy with their drinks."
"Multi-flavored peanuts?" Yun Men moved closer to see the peanuts mixed with flour and appeared to contain eggs.
The mother-in-law had eaten food prepared by this daughter-in-law before, and it was better than anything the women in the family could make, though a little greasy.
However, since it was New Year's, she had nothing negative to say and hoped for a happy holiday.
The four women in the kitchen were bustling with activities.
The men in the main room were having an animated chat, and the kids outside were also having a great time.
"Little brother, are you going to take your wife with you to the army this time?" Li Yong knew his wife doted on his younger brother. After so many years, he had gotten used to his brother-in-law's icy expression, and his wife discussed this matter the night before.
"No." He answered briefly and clearly.
Zhang Jiang, the brother-in-law, didn't see his brother-in-law often, but he had heard about him from his wife.
"Brother, there's a soldier in our village; his wife went with him." Zhang Jiang thought about his son who was already a few years old, unlike his brother-in-law who was just married. He was somewhat afraid of his brother-in-law, with his cold face which was not welcoming.
"Too harsh."
Zhang Jiang and Li Yong looked at each other: their brother-in-law was as terse as always.
"Ahao, you have to think it through." Father Yun also sighed, if his son insisted on taking his daughter-in-law along with him to the army, the parents would not object.
"I've thought it through."
Father Yun couldn't force his son.
"Ah...." A cry of shock came from the kitchen, Yun Hao sprang up as fast as a sprinter, leaving Zhang Jiang and Li Yong, the two brothers-in-law, staring, stunned at the spot where he had been.
"Hanhan..." Meng Yunhan had not expected that she would cut her hand while peeling potatoes, nor that her sister-in-law would scream out aloud although she herself hadn't made a sound.
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