Now that so much time had passed, Zhou Shi certainly didn't believe her elder brother and sister-in-law when they claimed they were just visiting Xiaoshan and Xiaoyun. Even if they had come, they hadn't brought a single gift, and when they did see Xiaoshan and Xiaoyun, they barely spared them a glance. Still, it wasn't polite to say this outright, so she merely managed a smile.

The three of them chatted awkwardly for a few brief moments, and then the conversation stalled. The atmosphere grew noticeably cold. Zhou Shi still couldn't figure out the true reason for their visit, but she noticed her elder brother and sister-in-law exchanging glances, as if they had something difficult they couldn't quite voice. Sensing that this probably wasn't good news, Zhou Shi pretended not to notice, sitting quietly on the side, waiting for them to bring up the real matter.

Finally, it was her sister-in-law who couldn't hold it in any longer and got straight to the point. "Second sister-in-law, your man has been gone for so long, and Xiaoshan and Xiaoyun are still so young. What are your plans?"

When Zhou Shi heard her sister-in-law ask this, she knew immediately that her elder brother and sister-in-law had come with the same purpose as her mother: they wanted her to remarry. Zhou Shi replied evenly, "I have no plans. I’m getting by as things are now. I just want to raise Xiaoshan and Xiaoyun myself."

"That won't do! You are still so young, how can you think that way? I say, you should find another man. Xiaoshan and Xiaoyun are descendants of the Lin family; let the Lin family look after them. That's right, I came this time because there’s something I need to discuss with you," said Zhou Shi’s sister-in-law.

Seeing that Zhou Shi showed no particular reaction, she continued, "I have a distant cousin whose family runs a silk shop in town, and they own a courtyard there too. He is a genuine resident of the town. He’s only a few years older than you. His wife passed away a few years ago, leaving him with two young children. A few days ago when I was in town, he asked me to help him find a suitable person. Since you are my own sister-in-law, of course, I told you about this good opportunity first. I haven't mentioned it to anyone else."

"A distant relative in town who runs a shop? I've never heard you mention this before," Zhou Shi said, finding it strange. Her sister-in-law had married into her maternal family ten years ago, and she had never known she had a distant relative running a business in town.

Zhou Shi’s sister-in-law’s face immediately looked a bit unnatural, but her expression quickly shifted, and she laughed, saying, "He's a distant relative who just moved here recently. I have so many relatives, how could you possibly know all of them? But that's not the important part. The important thing is that this man is truly a good match."

Zhou Shi didn't press the matter further. Her sister-in-law, however, went on, "The man I'm talking about has good financial standing and isn't even forty yet. His two children aren't old either—one is eight, and the other is only four. After you marry him, you just need to take good care of his two children; you can be the young mistress of the house."

When the third son of the Lin family had just passed, Zhou Shi had a very difficult time managing alone while raising Xiaoshan and Xiaoyun. Under her own mother's repeated persuasion, she had indeed been tempted. But recently, working for Lin He, she earned four hundred dà qián a month, and life had become much easier.

Moreover, working for Lin He wasn't hard; she didn't have to work every day. She could still help cultivate their own fields, and during her free time, she could do some embroidery, bringing in an income of five or six hundred dà qián monthly. Furthermore, after this period of hardship, her character had become much stronger, so she no longer wished to remarry.

Especially since this suggestion came from her elder brother and sister-in-law, Zhou Shi was even less inclined to agree. She suspected that if this matter—the one her sister-in-law brought up—actually worked out, her sister-in-law would surely gain considerable benefit. Though Zhou Shi knew some of what her sister-in-law said was true, no matter what, she currently had no interest in remarrying. With this thought, Zhou Shi smiled faintly and spoke, "Sister-in-law, since your distant relative is such an excellent match, surely many good women would want to marry him. I’m afraid I am no longer worthy, and frankly, I don't wish to consider such things. I’ve troubled you with this unnecessary trip."

Hearing Zhou Shi say this, her sister-in-law’s face fell. She glanced at her husband, who was sitting silently, and nudged him. Zhou Shi’s elder brother then spoke up, "Yes, Second sister-in-law, listen to your sister-in-law. I have also seen the man she introduced you to. He really is quite good, and his family situation is excellent, much better than your current state. Look at you, a woman raising two children, barely knowing where your next meal comes from—how can that continue?"

Zhou Shi knew her elder brother well. He wasn't entirely a bad person, but he was somewhat inclined to reap rewards without effort and, crucially, he was henpecked; his wife controlled all household affairs. She was certain his words were prompted by his wife’s instigation.

To be honest, setting aside the fact that she had no intention of remarrying, even if she did, the person introduced by her sister-in-law was definitely unreliable. Zhou Shi suspected that this man must have some significant flaw that her sister-in-law failed to mention, certainly not the perfect picture she painted.

Regardless of the man's merits or faults, Zhou Shi was determined not to follow her brother and sister-in-law's wishes to remarry. She stated firmly, "Elder brother, sister-in-law, please stop persuading me. I absolutely will not remarry. Since I married into the Lin family, even if the third brother is gone, I still have my two children, Xiaoshan and Xiaoyun, and I plan to raise them myself."

Hearing Zhou Shi’s resolute tone, her sister-in-law started speaking sarcastically, "Useless man, you are truly useless! People say the elder brother acts as a father, and the elder sister-in-law acts as a mother, yet your Second sister-in-law clearly doesn't respect you at all. What use are you? Your Second sister-in-law is so high and mighty now."

Zhou Shi’s elder brother blushed slightly under his wife's remarks and spoke gruffly, "I am your elder brother, and I can make decisions about your affairs. I've agreed to your sister-in-law's relative; you prepare yourself at home, and I'll have someone send the betrothal gifts in a few days. This matter is settled, stop talking nonsense."

Zhou Shi saw that her brother and sister-in-law weren't just casually suggesting this; their attitude was extremely forceful, as if the matter was already sealed. She glanced at her elder brother and spoke, "Elder brother, is there something you haven't made clear? If there is, say it plainly. Since the third brother left, you usually never meddled in my affairs. Why are you suddenly so invested this time?"

At Zhou Shi’s pointed question, her elder brother shrank his head slightly and remained silent. It was the sister-in-law whose eyes flickered. She stepped forward and said, "Second sister-in-law, what kind of talk is that? What could there be? Your brother and I are only doing this for your own good. We see how difficult life is for you as a widow with young children, and we want to help you out."

Seeing her elder brother’s reaction, Zhou Shi became even more certain that there was something they weren't revealing. She said, "Sister-in-law, do you really think I would believe what you are saying? You refuse to speak now, but if anything goes wrong later, I will not acknowledge this agreement. I will pay Mother a visit this afternoon and get this whole thing clarified."

Zhou Shi's elder brother and sister-in-law hadn't expected her to be so firm, but Zhou Shi’s sister-in-law was equally stubborn. She retorted, "Fine! Come this afternoon. Since we can't convince you, we'll let Father and Mother speak to you. You will surely believe what Father and Mother say, won't you?"

This, in turn, made Zhou Shi feel puzzled. Did her parents also know about this? Were they also in agreement with her elder brother and sister-in-law pushing her into remarriage?