The group messed around, playing board games for a while, and before they knew it, evening had arrived.

"Linlin, we're eating soon."

Lin Zhu tossed aside the cards in his hand, looking very helpless.

"But... I was about to win!"

Lin Yilin pouted, clutching the cards in her hand, feeling utterly frustrated.

She was finally about to win a round!

Lin Zhu glanced at the grinning Su Muzhi across the table, and at Zhang Juntang, who was sneaking glances at Jiang Linyuan.

He felt that Linlin's fate was pretty much sealed.

Did you seriously come here to play board games? And you think you're about to win?

They were deliberately letting you win so they could trick your husband into bed!

"Eating? How are all these people going to eat?"

Jiang Linyuan looked a bit surprised.

Between the first and second floors, there had to be over a dozen people.

"Feast!"

Lin Lan beside him giggled, hands on her hips:

"They've set up several tables downstairs, there's plenty of room for everyone!"

Su Muzhi shook her head when she heard this:

"I'm not planning to go."

Too many people, too noisy—she couldn't handle it.

"Senior Su isn't hungry?"

Lin Yilin asked.

"Hehe, I brought emergency rations; I can eat tonight."

Su Muzhi fixed her gaze on Jiang Linyuan, a sly smile playing on her lips.

That demon girl was about to devour him. His body was so weak, and he wasn't even thinking about eating!

Still, it was going to be me who suffered!

Lin Yilin was about to say something else to Su Muzhi, but Jiang Linyuan cut her off:

"Little Yilin, don't worry about Xiao Su. She's a greedy cat; when everyone's asleep, she'll sneak out to find food."

"Isn't that a rat?"

Lin Lan blurted out instinctively, then realized what she'd said and quickly hid behind Lin Yilin.

"Little Sister! How can you say that about her!"

Lin Yilin grabbed Lin Lan and dragged her in front of Su Muzhi, her expression stern:

"Apologize to Senior Su!"

"S-sorry."

Linlin-jie was tough at home but weak outside!

Su Muzhi looked at Lin Lan, a smile on her face:

"Hehe, kids say the darndest things, I understand."

If you really didn't care, you wouldn't have said that.

Jiang Linyuan looked at Lin Lan and felt her days ahead wouldn't be too pleasant.

Lin Lan didn't dare look at Su Muzhi and immediately bolted downstairs.

"Little Sister, don't run so fast!"

Lin Yilin, worried she'd fall, chased after her like a doting mother.

Everyone gradually headed downstairs, leaving only Su Muzhi and Jiang Linyuan.

"You're really not going?"

Jiang Linyuan looked at her and asked.

"I'm not used to that kind of environment."

Su Muzhi sat on the couch, smiling at him:

"What's wrong? I give you a chance to be alone with Little Yilin, and you have a problem with that?"

"Stop joking. There's a bunch of relatives downstairs; you can hardly call that being alone."

Jiang Linyuan sat beside her and gave Xiao Su a hug:

"Should I borrow Little Yilin's kitchen and make you something you like to eat later?"

"Hehe, staying at someone's house, borrowing their kitchen, cooking to win me over?"

Su Muzhi couldn't help but laugh, nuzzling her chin against his shoulder.

"I'll talk to Little Yilin about it."

"And about you being my boyfriend, too?"

Su Muzhi bit his ear.

"Let's hold off on that. She doesn't even want to admit it herself, so why should I be the one to bring it up? Taking it slow like this is fine."

"...Hehe, today it might seem like I was the one teasing her the most, but really, you've been the one teasing her all along."

"And that's why Xiao Su is such a kind person."

"I'm only kind to you. Remember that."

She said this, wrapped her arms around Jiang Linyuan's neck, gave him another kiss, then waved her hand with a smile:

"Go on, or else she'll come up and see you like this with me, and she won't even be able to fool herself anymore. I'm going to your room to sleep for a bit. Call me when it's time."

"Alright."

Jiang Linyuan nodded and headed downstairs.

He hadn't gone two steps when he saw someone standing there.

Zhang Juntang.

"You haven't gone down yet?"

Jiang Linyuan asked.

"Yeah, I... I was waiting because Senior Jiang hadn't come down yet."

She said quietly.

"Yeah, I'm coming down now. Let's go."

"Your ear..."

"Huh?"

"Senior Jiang's ear and lips are both a little damp..."

"Haha, I got ambushed by the faucet when I was washing my face just now."

"Oh..."

They didn't say much else and went downstairs.

What was the point of asking all that? Was that any of your business? You low-EQ little crazy woman!

If you saw my pants wet later, would you ask about that too, and then watch me squirm as everyone laughed at my awkward situation?

Thinking about it like that, he suddenly felt that such a public spectacle was also kind of romantic. That day my pants got wet, everyone was laughing at me, but only I knew I was thinking of you.

You have me in your heart, and I have you in mine, disregarding the judgment of the world.

Downstairs, it was feast time!

Third Future Father-in-Law was reasonable: the kids sat at one table, and the elders mostly didn't bother them.

By "kids," he didn't mean only minors; anyone who wasn't married sat with the kids.

Lin Zhu proudly claimed the title of the oldest kid in the group.

There was no toasting; at most, they fought over the drinks. The feast lasted until evening, and then they started cleaning up.

Jiang Linyuan planned to borrow the kitchen to make Xiao Su something to eat, so he jumped in to help. He put on work gloves, gathered the dishes, and moved tables and chairs.

"Why aren't you playing upstairs on the second floor? You're our guest, and you're working. If word gets out, people will definitely make fun of us."

A beautiful woman saw Jiang Linyuan busy at work and came over with a smile to lend a hand.

She wore an apron, had delicate features, and her faint smile was unforgettable.

She looked a bit like Little Yilin. He wondered which sister she was.

He had seen several sisters that night with faces faintly resembling Little Yilin's: a thirty-percent resemblance, a fifty-percent resemblance.

This sister in front of him was the closest: a seventy-percent resemblance Little Yilin!

Jiang Linyuan looked at the woman, unsure how to address her, so he casually joked:

"Sister, isn't this a family dinner tonight? There are no outsiders here."

"Sister?"

The woman laughed and blinked:

"Even family members don't often help with chores. Linlin rarely helps out."

"That just means Little Yilin's parents have taken good care of her. They really cherish their daughter."

Jiang Linyuan wiped the table.

"Haha, I'd call it spoiling, actually. She still acts like a high schooler. Doesn't it feel like she's always throwing childish tantrums?"

The woman said cheerfully.

"Not at all. If anything, that's what makes Little Yilin so interesting. She's kind and generous, doesn't hold grudges or envy others, and says whatever's on her mind. Even if she's angry or upset, she can't wait to share the moment she's happy. It's really easy to get along with her."

He had no idea which sister this was, but praising Little Yilin was always the right move.

"Oh... so Linlin looks that good in your eyes."

The woman smiled sweetly, then changed the subject:

"But from what you're saying, it sounds like you only want to be friends with Linlin?"

"Mom! What are you talking about?"

Lin Yilin appeared out of nowhere, her face bright red, and shoved herself between them.

Mom?

Jiang Linyuan looked at the seventy-percent resemblance Little Yilin in front of him in surprise. She was Little Yilin's mother?

She looked so young.

"Haha, why are you butting in? Your big sister and I, your senior, were having a wonderful chat."

Lin's Mother laughed and pushed Lin Yilin aside.

You were eavesdropping, so why did you have to jump out?

"What 'big sister'! Mom, how old are you? Stop pretending to be young!"

Lin Yilin fumed.

"Hey, but your senior called me 'sister'?"

"Only because you got married too early! Your appearance is way too deceptive!"

Lin Yilin's face turned bright red.

What kind of senior called her mom "sister"! The generational hierarchy was all messed up!

Lin's Mother looked at her daughter with a smile, then turned to Jiang Linyuan:

"You can still call me 'sister,' you know."

"Little Yilin has too many sisters to keep track of, but there's only one 'auntie.'"

"Doesn't that make me sound old?"

"No, no. 'Sister' is for closeness; 'auntie' is a sign of respect. It's just my way of showing respect."

"You're really good with words."

Lin Yilin was grinding her teeth. Her senior had never said things like that to her!

All he ever said were teasing remarks!

She asked:

"So what does 'Little Yilin' mean to you, Senior!?"

"It's an expression of liking, isn't it?"

"Huh?"

Lin Yilin was stunned.

"I like calling you 'Little Yilin.'"

Lin Yilin was furious. Her anger level was skyrocketing! She wanted to stomp on his foot, but she couldn't. He was still working. So she just glared!

"Haha, Linlin's a lot of fun, isn't she? That's just her personality. I tease her like this at home all the time."

Lin's Mother laughed, first looking at Lin Yilin, then at Jiang Linyuan:

"But you know, Linlin also has things she really cares about. Even I wouldn't joke about things that could hurt her."

Jiang Linyuan was momentarily taken aback, then grinned:

"Auntie, I still want to be friends with Little Yilin. I wouldn't do anything that terrible."

"Sometimes, even silence itself is a form of harm."

Lin's Mother said.

Future Mother-in-Law #3 was not easy to deal with. She had Auntie Shaqima's wisdom and First Future Mother-in-Law's love for her daughter.

"Auntie, Little Yilin and I are best friends who tell each other everything. I wouldn't give her the silent treatment."

Jiang Linyuan said.

Lin's Mother stared at him, about to say something more, but Lin Yilin on the other side was chattering away, trying to shoo her away.

Eventually, she could only put on a helpless expression:

"Well, you two can clean up over here. I'll go help out front."

Watching Lin's Mother walk away, Lin Yilin let out a sigh of relief and said:

"Senior, sorry about that. My mom just loves to tease people. She's a bit eccentric."

She's just worried about you.

Jiang Linyuan thought.

"Auntie is really nice. She's as cute as Little Yilin."

"Are you complimenting me or my mom?"

"Both."

"Hmph, Senior, don't worry about what my mom thinks."

Lin Yilin stacked up the porcelain bowls and handed them to Jiang Linyuan.

"I don't really like it when people meddle in my love life. Don't you find it annoying when people are always piping up, saying things like 'So-and-so and so-and-so would be perfect together' or 'Just get together already'?"

"I think if the girl were someone I liked, I wouldn't mind it at all."

Jiang Linyuan said.

"Senior, that's exactly why you're so annoying! You're way too flippant about dating! You were the same way before! You'd fall for anyone you saw! You're never serious!"

Lin Yilin puffed out her cheeks in mock anger.

He suddenly felt that sometimes Little Yilin was deliberately playing dumb.

"What can I do? This is just how I am."

Jiang Linyuan said, carrying the dishes and utensils to the sink. Lin Yilin followed behind him:

"Life is long. Who knows what the second half of anyone's life will be like?"

Hard to say.

Jiang Linyuan washed the dishes:

"So, what does Little Yilin think her second half will be like?"

"Hmm, I'm not really sure."

Lin Yilin reached her hand into the sink, but was shocked by the cold water and immediately pulled it back.

"You don't usually do chores, so you don't have to help."

"No way. Am I supposed to just stand here and watch you work alone?"

Lin Yilin pursed her lips and stuck her little hand back into the sink.

"I don't want to be a little freeloader for the rest of my life."

"Haha, Little Yilin is becoming more and more like a virtuous wife and good mother."

Jiang Linyuan laughed heartily.

"Again with that talk! Senior, you! Don't say things like that to girls!"

Lin Yilin glared at him angrily.

"I don't. I rarely say things like that to girls."

The correct answer would have been: I've only ever said that to you, Little Yilin.

But...

I can't choose that option.

"Are you deliberately trying to make me happy?"

Lin Yilin asked.

"That's the truth."

"Hmph, well, even if you are lying to me, I can't tell the difference, so I'll take it as the truth."

Lin Yilin lifted her chin, a slight smile curling at the corners of her mouth.

"Oh, right, Little Yilin, I need to borrow your kitchen later."

"What for?"

"Xiao Su didn't eat; she might get hungry."

"Oh, oh, oh. Do you need my help?"

Lin Yilin didn't overthink it. It really wasn't good to let Senior Su, who was a guest in their home, go hungry.

If her own cooking weren't so terrible, she would have secretly made something for Senior Su too, just like her senior.

"I might need Little Yilin to point out the seasonings for me."

"Mm-hmm! I can at least do that!"

Lin Yilin nodded.

After they finished washing the dishes, they didn't go upstairs. The kitchen was still being cleaned, so it wasn't available. They decided to wait a bit.

Lin Yilin crouched by the door, playing with the family's little puppy.

Jiang Linyuan stood beside her.

The puppy wagged its short, thin tail, let out a little bark, and shuffled over to Jiang Linyuan's feet, chewing on his shoelaces.

Daring to challenge me, a proud member of the Homo sapiens! You little dog really don't know who's boss!

"What are you doing! No biting!"

Seeing this, Lin Yilin reached out and tapped the puppy on the head.

The puppy hung its head, whimpering softly, then stopped biting. It rested its head on Jiang Linyuan's foot and lay perfectly still.

"Stupid little dog."

Jiang Linyuan looked down at the puppy at his feet and sneered coldly.

"Senior, you sound just like the Department Head when you say that."

Lin Yilin said.

Tch! You, Little Yilin, I'm trying to have a private moment with you, and you just have to bring up another woman!

And I hadn't even mentioned her!

"The Department Head is nowhere near as charming to animals as I am."

Jiang Linyuan looked at the dog at his feet, thoroughly satisfied.

"Maybe it's because birds of a feather flock together."

Lin Yilin muttered, apparently in a bit of a mood for some unknown reason.

Little Yilin needed to be put in her place! Time to grab her little hand!

"What are you doing, Senior!"

Lin Yilin was surprised when Jiang Linyuan grabbed her hand, looking at him with wide eyes.

"It's cold. Give me your hand to warm up."

Jiang Linyuan said shamelessly.

"If you want to warm your hands, you should put them in your pocket."

Lin Yilin said, grabbing Jiang Linyuan's hand and stuffing it into her own pocket.

She put both her left and right hands inside, along with his.

It looked almost like an embrace.

"Little Yilin..."

"Don't say anything..."

Lin Yilin said.

Jiang Linyuan guessed her face must have been bright red, because her hands were now very hot.

"Little Yilin, you're absolutely right. Life is long. No one can guess what the second half of their life will be like. But I think I might know where the dividing line between the first and second half of my life is."

"Huh?"

"Here. Now."

A cold wind blew. The puppy's tail wagged gently, once brushing against the man's foot, once brushing against the girl's foot.