Chapter 2

After the wedding, the three of us returned to our marital home.

Yes, three of us—me, Zack, and my mother-in-law.

In my previous life, Zack and I had planned to buy a house for my mother-in-law in the countryside.

But after seeing our marital home, she changed her mind and insisted on living with us.

The apartment my parents gave me as a wedding gift was a large flat, more than enough for three people.

Unable to withstand my mother-in-law's fuss, I agreed to let her stay.

But this decision nearly drove me to depression.

She was extremely petty, making a big fuss over the slightest things and arguing with me in a loud voice.

Whenever I talked back, she would throw tantrums and use every dirty trick in the book.

She also spread rumors in the neighborhood that I was a bad daughter-in-law, making it impossible for me to hold my head high in the community group chat.

Finally, unable to bear it any longer, I moved with Zack to the smaller apartment he had bought with his own money.

Looking back now, I realize how stupid I was.

This was clearly a scheme concocted by mother and son, forcing me to live in a small apartment where I would be cheated on, while my mother-in-law enjoyed the large flat.

This time around, I planned to deal with my mother-in-law first.

"Mother, I've been thinking, and you were absolutely right before. A housekeeper is an outsider, we shouldn't let our resources benefit strangers."

"From now on, I'll give you the money for hiring a housekeeper and other household expenses. You can manage the household."

My mother-in-law happily agreed, even praising me for being good with money.

I laughed coldly inside, waiting for her to lose control of the situation.

On my mother-in-law's first day in charge:

The three meals were far from what I had requested.

Breakfast: soy milk and fried dough sticks. I said nothing.

Lunch: noodles with sauce. I still said nothing.

Dinner: pickled vegetables with rice porridge. I continued to say nothing.

The next morning, the cycle repeated.

Breakfast: again, soy milk and fried dough sticks, and even less than yesterday.

I stood at the dining table, looking coldly at my mother-in-law: "Don't you think you owe me an explanation?"

Because Zack was present, my mother-in-law felt she had backup and didn't even bother to pretend to be apologetic. She was extremely self-righteous.

"Soy milk and fried dough sticks are fine for breakfast. All those complicated things you told me about, I can't remember them."

"When Zack and I were poor, we ate even worse than this. People should learn to be content."

I ignored her and turned to Zack.

"Zack, is your mother saying that I should suffer along with you? Is that it?"

"I married you, and I can't even have a meal I want to eat? Is that what you're saying?"

Zack looked uncomfortable and was about to explain when my mother-in-law interrupted him sharply.

"You're just being a spoiled princess. What's wrong with soy milk and fried dough sticks? Didn't you eat them yesterday? Did they poison you?"

This time, I didn't let Zack speak either.

"Fine, I can eat it. But since we're cutting back on expenses, give me back the extra grocery money."

At the mention of money, it was as if I had hit my mother-in-law's sore spot. She jumped up, her eyes wide.

"With transportation costs and labor fees, there's no extra money!"

I folded my arms and looked directly at her, speaking clearly.

"Transportation doesn't cost that much, and labor fees are wages, which aren't included. If every meal is going to be at the standard of soy milk and fried dough sticks, you need to give me back at least five thousand dollars."

As my mother-in-law was about to argue, Zack suddenly interrupted loudly: "Mom! Listen to Mia."

Zack didn't understand his mother as well as I did. To her, money was more important than her son's words, and she couldn't hear him at all.

Sure enough, my mother-in-law burst into tears, pointing at us and scolding.

"I've never seen someone so insistent on taking money from their elders. The daughter-in-law you brought home is too much, and even the son I raised with my own hands doesn't side with his old mother anymore. What a misfortune for our family!"

She waved her arms wildly, crying and complaining as if we had committed some terrible crime.

As the drama unfolded, I went back to the bedroom to get my bag.

Zack stopped me: "Mia, where are you going?"

"Home."

"This is your home."

I laughed coldly, looking at him silently, then at the old woman who was still crying loudly.

Zack couldn't withstand my mocking gaze and helplessly let go of my hand.

Before leaving, I discreetly glanced at my mother-in-law on the floor, catching a glimpse of her cunning, satisfied smile beneath her fake tears.

Hah, laugh while you can. Your time for real tears will come.