Lin He knew her grandfather’s request was reasonable; after all, no one wanted their grandson or granddaughter to be a burden. However, this was truly difficult. Madam Zhou would certainly never abandon the young Shan and young Yun to remarry on her own. The only solution was to take in a live-in son-in-law, but whether Li Ping’s family would agree was another matter, especially since he still had an elderly mother.

What Lin He was thinking, Hongxia and Madam Huang had likely also realized. They exchanged a glance, their eyes full of helplessness. No one spoke.

After a while, Madam Zhou brought the two children to pay their New Year respects. Madam Huang and the others quickly ushered Madam Zhou and the children in. Madam Zhou, unaware of the discussion happening in the courtyard regarding her situation, immediately took the children to pay respects to the elderly couple. Old Man Lin chuckled heartily and gave each child a red envelope. However, when Madam Zhao saw Madam Zhou’s expression, her face soured considerably. But with Old Man Lin present, she dared not do anything overtly, merely pulling at the corner of her mouth in acknowledgment.

Seeing her mother-in-law’s displeasure, Madam Zhou assumed she was still holding a grudge over the previous incident. She didn't say much, merely paid her respects with the children, and then followed Madam Huang and the others into the kitchen to prepare the meal. Madam Zhao remained sitting angrily in the courtyard. Hongxia noticed this, moved a small stool over, sat beside Madam Zhao, and asked softly, "Mother, are you angry? Are you angry with me?"

Madam Zhao glanced sideways at Hongxia, turned her body, and presented her back to her daughter. Hongxia managed a helpless smile, knowing her mother’s temperament wouldn't keep her angry for long. Hongxia gently turned Madam Zhao back around and whispered, "Mother, don't be angry. We truly pity Third Sister-in-law; we genuinely want her life to get better."

"Hongxia, you are a daughter of the Lin family. How can you side with outsiders? What good comes from letting your Third Sister-in-law remarry?" Madam Zhao said, looking at Hongxia.

"And what harm is there? I am a Lin daughter, but I am also a woman. I truly cannot bear to see Third Sister-in-law live like this forever. If there were no suitable man, I could let it go, but now that there is one, why not help them achieve happiness? If you ask me to ignore it completely, my conscience simply wouldn't allow it," Hongxia said with a touch of resignation.

"So, you mean that because I disagree with Third Son’s wife remarrying, I am heartless. Fine. You all have consciences; only I am cruel. I am just that kind of person. Don't bother me from now on," Madam Zhao burst out in an angry low roar after hearing Hongxia’s words.

Hongxia looked at her mother, wondering why she was being so unreasonable, unable to absorb any good words or bad words. Just as she was about to retort, Lin He reached out and restrained Hongxia. Then, Lin He sat next to Madam Zhao and spoke with deep sincerity, "Grandmother, what we mean is that it is a fact that Third Uncle is dead. If it were possible, none of us would wish for his death. He was so young, and he is our close kin; we all desire for the family to remain whole."

"But he is dead now. We who are alive still need to live our lives, don't we? Over these years, I believe we all think of him often, and the one who misses him most must be Third Mother. How has she endured all these years, all these days? How can any of us truly understand?"

"By today, I think in our hearts, she is no longer just called Third Mother. She has become our family. After all, we’ve been together for so long; there are bound to be feelings. Grandmother, I believe that after Third Mother remarries, she won't simply sever ties with us. She will still regard us as family. In the future, we will be her family of origin, and what harm is there in that? Such arrangements are quite common. People won't gossip; instead, they will say how magnanimous the Lin family is. Conversely, what good is it to keep her here in the Lin family? It will only lead outsiders to call the Lin family cruel. Grandmother, don't you agree this makes sense?"

Lin He's words were earnest, and every sentence held logic. Hearing Lin He mention the Third Son, Madam Zhao couldn't help but burst into loud sobs, weeping, "My poor Third Son, why did you leave us so soon?" After crying for a while, Madam Zhao walked into the house alone.

The others in the courtyard were moved by Lin He's words and remained silent for a good while. Old Man Lin, who hadn't seemed to hear the exchange between Hongxia and Madam Zhao, finally spoke up upon hearing Lin He’s argument, praising her: "Er Niu, did your family raise this daughter? This child is not simple. Good, our Old Lin family's daughters truly bring honor." He then smiled and looked at Lin He.

Er Niu scratched his head and chuckled happily. Lin He blushed under the praise, smiling shyly, "Grandfather, please don't praise me so much. I just read a few more books following Xiao Bao; it’s nothing profound. I just said a few extra words, and I only hope I didn't anger Grandmother."

"It’s nothing. Your grandmother is just momentarily unable to see clearly; she will figure it out," Old Man Lin said, waving his hand dismissively.

The women cooking in the kitchen were startled by Madam Zhao's crying, especially Madam Zhou, who was somewhat confused. Seeing Madam Zhao go inside, calm returned to the courtyard, and the others resumed cooking. In the kitchen, Madam Huang recounted the day's events to Madam Zhou. Hearing this, Madam Zhou's eyes welled up, and she said, "Second Sister-in-law, I don't know how to thank you all. It’s New Year, and you're all busy worrying about my affairs. I feel terrible. If Mother still disagrees, then forget it. I’m afraid Mother will blame you all later."

"It’s alright. I told you before, don't worry about this matter. We will help persuade Mother. Besides, if you must thank someone, thank Hongxia. I didn't say much earlier; it was Hongxia who spoke up, risking Mother's displeasure," Madam Huang said, patting Madam Zhou’s shoulder.

"I suspect Mother might come around this time. Father has made his stand, and besides, Mother’s demeanor today was different from before, Second Daughter-in-law, did you notice?" He Shi chimed in.

Although He Shi seemed to have changed, some aspects of her nature were hard to shake. Seeing her mother-in-law unhappy today, He Shi hadn't dared to interrupt while they were discussing the matter, fearing she might get entangled and be blamed by her mother-in-law. Everyone had seen this. However, He Shi's restraint today was already quite good; at least she hadn't fanned the flames and ruined the situation.

Madam Huang nodded upon hearing He Shi’s comment. "Yes, Father spoke today, saying that as long as you don't take young Shan and young Yun away, no one in the Lin family can stop you from remarrying."