Xu Bin continued to smoke, grinning as he said, "Mom, get me a cold beer, will you?"
"Sure thing!"
The situation was different from what Yao Nan or Yao Le'er expected. Shen Ruyu agreed and fetched a cold beer for her son-in-law, even asking, "Do you want something to go with it?"
"No thanks."
Xu Bin took a big swig and then looked at his seductive and mature mother-in-law.
Shen Ruyu was still wearing the same outfit she had on when she left, accentuating her curvaceous and mature figure. Even without showing any cleavage, she exuded a sense of ripe sensuality.
She had changed out of her high heels and into slippers, but her stocking-clad legs were still eye-catching. Her clothes were cheap, but her good figure made them look expensive and alluring, leaving him thirsty.
"Mom, did you get me any underwear?"
Xu Bin teased her.
Shen Ruyu was taken aback for a moment but then laughed, "Of course, I got you a pack. I'm not sure if they fit, but you can try them after Nan Nan washes them. Don't worry, I only got you brand-name stuff."
"I trust you, Mom. You've seen my measurements before."
Xu Bin teased her again.
Entering a woman's heart was a skill that seemed useless at first, but its effects were slowly becoming apparent.
If he had said something like this before, Shen Ruyu, with her fiery temper, would have slapped him, even if she felt a bit guilty for looking. But now, she seemed to take it in stride. Their shared secrets had brought them closer, and their relationship had become more intimate than that of a typical mother-in-law and son-in-law. She found it normal to speak openly.
"You're asking for it!"
Shen Ruyu stretched and said, "Alright, I'm going to take a shower and change."
"Wait a sec, Mom. I want to talk to you some more."
Xu Bin drank his beer, feeling a bit restless.
"What's there to talk about? I'm uncomfortable in these clothes."
Shen Ruyu smiled wryly, "What do you want to talk about? Just ask."
Shen Ruyu: Affection 66% (Close family relationship, turning point)…
Seeing the updated affection level, Xu Bin knew that affection wasn't just about what he did; it was also influenced by other factors. Fortunately, it had increased, and he let out a sigh of relief.
"Nothing, if you don't want to talk, that's fine…"
Xu Bin stubbed out his cigarette and grabbed another beer.
"You're talking nonsense. What do you mean I don't want to talk? Ask me something first."
Shen Ruyu gave him a light tap on the back of the head, a gesture of affection that could almost be mistaken for flirting.
She laughed and said seriously, "It's not what you think. I'm just uncomfortable and want to take a shower first."
"Mom, call me when you're done. I'll come downstairs. It's too hot up there."
"No need, it's hot downstairs too. I'll call you to my room after I'm done."
Money indeed has its magic. Just a few days ago, Shen Ruyu couldn't stand being around her son-in-law, but now she was much more affectionate.
This was thanks to Xu Bin's recent behavior. He had been subtly teasing her, but his actions were gradual and respectful, allowing them to adapt to this slightly over-the-line, yet exciting, flirting.
This was a personal skill outside of the system's influence. Xu Bin himself found it amazing that he had this talent.
Upstairs, Yao Nan and Yao Le'er were talking in their room. They stopped when Xu Bin entered.
"Looks like I'm interrupting."
Xu Bin acted disappointed.
"Sister-in-law, we were talking about Big Sister."
Yao Le'er spoke up, "Earlier, Mom was mad at Second Sister because Big Sister spent a lot of money and wanted to be a star, doing live streams and short videos."
"She invested a lot before making any money, and her in-laws weren't happy. They called Mom, who then called Big Sister. They had a huge fight, something about Big Sister's money being in trouble."
Xu Bin stretched and asked, "What kind of trouble?"
They weren't sure what the specific problem was, but it seemed serious. Shen Ruyu couldn't get a straight answer.
Originally, Yao Le'er wanted to bring up the issue of her allowance, but it seemed to have sparked something bigger. Xu Bin couldn't figure out what was wrong with the couple who lived off their parents.
They sold their old car and took out a loan to buy a new Nissan, which was unnecessary for their lifestyle. Despite not having jobs, they still bought the car, which was frowned upon.
"Never mind, we'll see what happens with Big Sister later."
Yao Nan firmly said, "I told Mom we should move into the bigger room."
Yao Le'er eagerly agreed, "Exactly, why should Big Sister, who's already married, get the big room? Sister-in-law should have it; he's the man of the house now."
Yao Nan was furious, "That's right! Mom and Dad think highly of Zhang Xinda because his family is rich. They didn't ask for a dowry or give one, and they were fine with Big Sister marrying him. But for me, they had a list of demands, turning you into an in-law husband."
Yao Nan's anger grew, "Why should Zhang Xinda, who only comes here to show off, get special treatment? My husband is successful, and he still has to put up with this."
Yao Le'er chimed in, "Right, it's like they think we're lucky to be connected to them. That snobby mother-in-law of theirs never visits."
"It's like we're beneath them. Big Sister always wears designer clothes and carries designer bags, but what does that have to do with us?"
This was the result of Xu Bin's influence. He had been subtly changing their minds, and it was starting to show.
As they vented their anger, Shen Ruyu's voice called from the staircase, "Nan Nan, Xu Bin, come here!"
Xu Bin cursed under his breath. She had finished her shower and was calling them both, ruining any plans he might have had.
"I'm off to sleep!"
Yao Le'er seemed to enjoy his predicament.
Xu Bin had an idea. He quickly pulled Yao Le'er close, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her into his embrace, feeling her soft, youthful body.
"Honey, let's take her with us. We're in this together."
Yao Nan, surprised, started to giggle, "Le'er, let's go downstairs. It's not fair that only my husband and I suffer."
"Get lost! This has nothing to do with me!"
Yao Le'er struggled, annoyed, "I'm just a high school student. Don't drag me into this."
"Alright, you're off the hook."
Enjoying the feel of his sister-in-law's soft body, Xu Bin reluctantly let her go, not wanting his wife to notice anything amiss.