Xu Ying’s sister-in-law had once broken her leg while riding a bicycle. She sat helplessly on the ground, anxiously sobbing from the pain. By chance, Brother Xu happened to pass by and saw the girl sitting there, pale and trembling.
Without a word, he picked her up in his arms and rushed her straight to the hospital.
Sister-in-law Xu was someone who knew how to repay kindness. Because of this act of saving her, she began to interact with Brother Xu more often. Slowly, feelings blossomed between them.
In the end, Sister-in-law Xu insisted on marrying Brother Xu.
Her parents, though hesitant at first, couldn’t deny their daughter’s wishes after he’d saved her life. Since she had set her heart on Xu Shengli, and with Xu Shengli’s honest and reliable nature, they eventually gave their blessing. They were quite satisfied with this down-to-earth son-in-law.
Before marriage, Sister-in-law Xu had been the cherished daughter of her family, a pampered young lady. But after marrying into the Xu family, her living conditions plummeted several levels.
Yet, she never once complained. In her heart, as long as she could be with Brother Xu, it was enough. Even when life was tough, she never went back to her parents’ house to grumble or ask for sympathy.
Xu Ying couldn’t help but admire her eldest brother—he’d truly found himself a remarkable wife.
Sigh! The Xu family seemed to have a knack for attracting incredible people. But why, Xu Ying wondered bitterly, did she have to end up with a jerk and a scumbag in her last life?
She lifted her gaze toward the heavens, silently questioning fate.
After dinner, Sister-in-law Xu began tidying up in the kitchen.
“Sister-in-law, let me help you!” Xu Ying offered eagerly, stepping forward.
But Sister-in-law Xu quickly waved her off, horrified. “Oh no, Yingying! You go rest. Let sisters-in-law handle this. If my mother-in-law finds out I made you wash dishes, she’d scold me to death!”
Seeing that her sister-in-law wouldn’t let her help, Xu Ying tucked her hands behind her back and wandered out of the kitchen.
“Mom,” she called out sweetly, “tomorrow morning, let’s cook an egg each for Shitou and Huzi. Our hen laid five eggs today!”
Shitou’s eyes instantly lit up at the mention of eggs.
Mother Xu’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “What’s that, daughter? Our hen laid five eggs?”
She couldn’t believe it and hurried into the kitchen. After counting the eggs herself, she came out looking utterly astonished.
“Oh heavens, how did this hen lay so many eggs? I’ve never seen such a thing in my life!”
But five eggs were right there, real as could be. They hadn’t fallen from the sky. The only explanation was that the hen had truly laid them. She must have become supercharged!
“Mom, if our hen lays five eggs every day, then we can eat eggs every day!” Xu Ying said with a grin.
Mother Xu gently tapped her daughter’s forehead. “Dream on, little girl. If these three old hens can give us three eggs a day, I’ll be more than happy. Five a day? Don’t even think about it.”
But she was still smiling as she spoke.
Xu Ying beamed inwardly. The hens might not guarantee three eggs a day on their own—but she could secretly ensure that Mother Xu found five or six eggs every day from now on.
“Mom, so tomorrow you’ll cook eggs for Shitou and Huzi, right?” Xu Ying asked playfully, blinking at her mother.
Mother Xu immediately agreed with a chuckle. “Of course, my darling. How could I say no to you?”
She couldn’t bear to spoil her grandsons before, but now—with a bit more abundance in the house—she was willing.
“Eldest son, eldest daughter-in-law, did you hear your sister? Remember to boil an egg each for the boys tomorrow!”
Sister-in-law Xu, still busy in the kitchen, couldn’t stop smiling. “Thank you, Mom! Thank you, little sister!” she called gratefully.
Brother Xu gave Xu Ying a warm smile. “Thanks, little sister.”
Mother Xu then remembered what her daughter had said earlier that day. She glanced at Father Xu’s thin frame. “Cook an extra egg tomorrow—one for your father too.”
Sister-in-law Xu nodded quickly, happiness shining on her face.
As night fell, Xu Ying washed up and returned to her room.
Once inside, she took out a lotion from her secret space and applied it carefully before climbing into bed. Lying under the blanket, she felt a rush of excitement.
She never imagined that heaven would give her a chance to come back again.
Nothing bad had happened yet. This time, she would make sure her family lived happily ever after.
With that thought, Xu Ying drifted into a peaceful sleep. When she awoke, sunlight was already spilling into her room.
She stretched luxuriously, then hurried out of bed.
Back in the apocalypse, she’d rarely had a chance to sleep so soundly—always alert, always tense. This was the first time in years she’d slept without a care.
Outside, breakfast was already set on the table. Brother Xu had fetched water for the house at dawn, as usual.
Second brother Xu yawned as he came out to join them. A new day had begun.
Seeing Xu Ying awake, Mother Xu immediately poured hot water for her. “Come on, wash your face and eat quickly.”
Xu Ying washed up obediently and sat down at the table. But when she saw the food, she frowned.
Same as always: porridge, pickles, multigrain buns. It looked unappetizing, and the taste… well, it wasn’t much better.
But there was something different today.
In front of Xu Ying, Shitou, and Huzi sat a boiled egg each.
Even Father Xu had an egg in front of him.
Father Xu, unwilling to enjoy it alone, peeled his egg and split it in half, handing the other half to Mother Xu.
Shitou and Huzi were equally thoughtful. Each boy cut his egg in half—giving one piece to Brother Xu and the other to Sister-in-law Xu.
Second brother Xu looked at his share, then turned to Xu Ying with puppy-dog eyes. “Little sister~”
Mother Xu rolled her eyes. “What little sister? You’ve got no wife, no kids. I’m telling you now—no matter how you beg, I’m not giving you her food.”
Second Brother Xu was only three years younger than the eldest, already twenty-two. If he’d had a job in the city, maybe it wouldn’t be strange to still be single. But as a rural boy working in the fields for work points, being unmarried at his age wasn’t normal anymore.
Mother Xu doted on her daughter, but her son was still her son. She couldn’t help but worry about his marriage prospects.
“Second son, you’re twenty-three this year. When exactly are you planning to marry? Are you waiting for your mother and me to die first?” Father Xu’s face darkened as he spoke.
Most village boys married by seventeen or eighteen. But this boy—he hadn’t even found a match yet, let alone a wife!
“Dad, I haven’t met the right one yet,” Brother Xu mumbled, visibly downcast.
Xu Ying tilted her head curiously. “Brother, is it that you like someone, but she doesn’t like you back?”
Second Brother Xu stayed silent, but his expression said it all.
Mother Xu’s suspicion deepened. “Second son, is your sister right? Listen here—you must find a girl for me this year. Even if you don’t marry this year, you’d better be married by next spring!”
“Mom, I really haven’t met anyone suitable…” Brother Xu’s voice trailed off. He’d rather stay single than settle for someone he didn’t like.
Father Xu scowled. “What do you mean you haven’t met one? Look around—how many unmarried girls are in the village? Who do you like? I’ll go talk to her family this afternoon.”
“Second brother, do you… like Sister Qiuye?” Xu Ying suddenly asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.
Without hesitation, Second Brother Xu nodded.
Xu Ying froze in shock.
And she wasn’t the only one. Everyone at the table stared at him, stunned.
“As if you’re aiming for a swan!” Sister-in-law Xu couldn’t help sighing. “Little brother, don’t take this the wrong way—but a girl like Qiuye? She’s set her sights on marrying into the county. Why would she marry a village boy like you?”
Xu Ying silently agreed. Unless Sister Qiuye secretly liked her second brother too… this was practically impossible.