chapter 7

I was startled by the seriousness in my Sister-in-law’s eyes. I turned around, wanting to pull my brother back to admit his mistake, but when I arrived at Yaoniang’s courtyard, I happened to see them embracing each other.

Yaoniang, sobbing, said, “Feng Lang, I was so frightened today. I thought Sister-in-law would surely take out that Rolling Pin you mentioned and beat us. I’d even made up my mind to live and die with you.

But she didn’t lay a hand on us, nor did she mention divorcing you for taking a concubine. It shows what others say is true: you spoiled Sister-in-law too much before. Now that you have me, she has scruples and doesn’t dare to be fierce with you anymore. Maybe if you neglect her for a few more days, she’ll become even more obedient.”

My brother let out a sigh of relief. “Yes, I was too soft before, and when I was weak, she became strong. For you and the child, I must establish my authority as the head of the family from now on. But one thing: she is still the Mistress, after all. You must respect her. If you two get along, I can focus on my work outside with peace of mind.”

My brother wanted Yaoniang to respect Sister-in-law, but she wasn’t jealous at all. She just smiled softly and said, “Do you think I’m as thoughtless as Sister-in-law? I care for you. As long as she can accept me, I’m willing to humble myself as much as needed.”

Her words made my brother hold her even tighter and say, “Nonsense! Who wants you to humble yourself? In name, she is the wife, but in my heart, you are the same. If she ever dares to mistreat you, I will surely protect you.”

Standing outside the door, I finally understood what my brother loved about Yaoniang.

He loved her gentleness and obedience, how she always put him first in her words and actions.

But after understanding, my desire to persuade him died as well.

He wasn’t deceived by anyone; he chose Yaoniang himself. For her, he would quarrel with Sister-in-law countless times in the future.

He only remembered that Sister-in-law’s fierceness made him lose his authority as head of the family, but he forgot why she hit him for the first time.

Back then, he was bad at managing the business, and the family shop was on the verge of collapse. At a critical moment in negotiating a life-saving deal, he was coaxed by his disreputable friends into getting drunk at a brothel, missing the client.

When Sister-in-law stormed in, he was still grinning foolishly at her, saying, “Wife, I was just having a few drinks with them. I didn’t call for any girls.”

Sister-in-law used to scold him only in private, but that was the first time she raised the Rolling Pin in front of many outsiders, roaring like a mother tiger, “If anyone dares to bring my husband to a place like this again, I’ll beat you the same way I beat him!”

That blow made her known as the Rouge Tiger, and those disreputable friends were so scared they stayed away from my brother for a while. Sister-in-law took the opportunity to keep my brother at the shop, teaching him bit by bit, eventually saving the family business and turning one shop into five, then ten.

At that time, my brother was punished by Sister-in-law to kneel in the ancestral hall. He didn’t know that after beating him, she drank a lot, her eyes red as she said to me, “I’m not stupid. I know a man needs to save face outside. But your brother is too soft. If he keeps messing around, the shop will be ruined. We can be poor, but Mother has never done a day’s hard work in her life-should she have to worry about money in her old age?”

Sister-in-law wasn’t naturally domineering; she was forced by my brother to act that way. Back then, my brother understood her good intentions, and they were still a loving couple.

But as the business grew, the friends who hovered around my brother for money returned, and Sister-in-law’s stick had to return as well.

Sister-in-law and I thought my brother would still understand as he did before, but we forgot that the more wealth and power one has, the more their heart changes.

In the end, my brother is never coming back.

Since he won’t come back, it’s only natural that Sister-in-law no longer wants him.