"You're so outdated, everyone uses WeChat now, and you're still sending text messages."
"Please, who cares about that stuff anymore?"
"My godfather said two thousand for the night isn't a bad price, and if you're a virgin, he'll give you four thousand."
"You mentioned something about treating me for my birthday, do you even have the money for that? We're not going to those cheap places."
Reading it word for word, Xu Bin's brow furrowed, surprised at how open the students at school were, but this seemed over the top.
After reading the entire message, he could only conclude that this girl, Ah-Jiao, was quite the seductress.
"I'll think about it!"
Yao Le'er's final message was hesitant, showing she was tempted. After all, her mother-in-law was strict and demanding, and this amount of money would be a fortune to her after buying a phone.
For just a few thousand, wanting to sleep with a virgin schoolgirl, especially one with a youthful face and large breasts, was like a toad dreaming of eating swan meat.
Damn, if his sister-in-law was really willing to sell herself, Xu Bin would be the first to support her generously.
For dinner, Shen Ruyu returned home first. She cautiously looked around the door, seeing Xu Bin busy in the kitchen. He turned and smiled, "Mom, you're back. Go change your clothes; we can eat as soon as Nan Nan gets home."
"Okay!"
Shen Ruyu saw her son-in-law's expression was normal, but she felt embarrassed. She changed into a more conservative nightgown, one that Xu Bin hadn't seen before.
Taking a deep breath, Shen Ruyu entered the kitchen, picking up the chopsticks and bowls, she said, "Son, I was a bit drunk last night and said some nonsense. I don't remember what I said, so don't take it to heart."
"I won't, Mom."
Xu Bin hummed a tune and continued cooking.
Shen Ruyu felt uneasy, so she returned to the kitchen and softly said, "Son, when I said my hands were sore, I was mocking them. You shouldn't have taken it literally and bought me a bracelet."
"It's my duty to take care of you, Mom. Wear it however you like, why bother with what those gossips say?"
Xu Bin's smile was gentle and soothing.
His mother-in-law's quest hadn't updated, which puzzled Xu Bin. So, he acted normally, focusing his attention on his wife's quest line.
When Yao Nan returned, the table was set with a delicious spread.
Steamed pork ribs with soy sauce, stir-fried beef with bell peppers, a plate of stir-fried crab with scallions and ginger, plus some braised pork ears bought from outside, and a slow-cooked chicken and ginseng soup—it was a feast.
"Delicious, son-in-law, your cooking is excellent."
With her mind at ease, Shen Ruyu's smile was genuinely warm.
"Mom, this soup is especially good. It's nourishing and warming; you should try it."
Seeing her husband praised, Yao Nan quickly served her mother a bowl of soup.
Dinner was harmonious and happy, a rare occurrence. Previously, Shen Ruyu didn't want to cook, Yao Nan came home late and rushed to prepare dinner, and Xu Bin didn't want to live there, so he just made noodles. There weren't many moments like this.
"Mom, how's the job your sister talked about?"
Yao Nan suddenly brought it up.
Shen Ruyu, who was playing mahjong all day, didn't have much savings and couldn't afford to lose more. She wanted to work, but the fixed allowance from Jia BaiChuan made her hesitate.
"It's a private hospital!"
Shen Ruyu sighed, "They call it an upscale private hospital, but it only does three things: deliveries, abortions, and treating STDs. Aunt Yun is working there; it's easy, but the pay is low, and they gossip all day."
Shen Ruyu studied nursing but didn't get a good job because she didn't have connections. She married Yao Baichuan early and had children, but her nursing license was still valid.
If she lost more money, she'd study seriously and take exams. Now, her title was decent, but whether she could still work was another question.
Yao Nan nodded, not daring to speak, fearing her mother's wrath.
Seizing the moment, Xu Bin served his mother-in-law a piece of beef and said, "Mom, I don't want to work at Xin Hui Real Estate anymore. Being a security guard doesn't pay well, and I make more on my own."
"Ding..."
As he said this, a familiar voice echoed in his mind: "Side Quest: Apology with a Twist, Reward: Mysterious and Generous."
Yao Nan chimed in, "Yeah, Mom, Bin has a lot to handle. Living in a dorm for that job wouldn't give him time for anything else."
Shen Ruyu playfully rolled her eyes at her, teasing, "You just don't want to be apart from your husband, do you?"
Yao Nan blushed, her face radiating post-coital satisfaction and happiness.
Shen Ruyu looked at the dazed Xu Bin and said, "Son, I'm not unreasonable. If you think there's no future there, then quit."
"Really?"
Yao Nan was pleasantly surprised, "Mom, you said you wouldn't give big sister's husband face, but you'd give big sister face, fearing she'd be embarrassed."
"That was then, this is now."
The usually unreasonable Shen Ruyu blushed, her stance softened by the two gold bracelets, each worth three thousand, totaling six. This sweet talk had won her over.