Chapter 5

"At least show some gratitude. Even if you hit a stray cat or dog, you should pay something."

Zhang Xin Da casually said, "But I told them it was a minor injury, so they didn't need to. A thousand yuan isn't much."

"That's right, you handled that well."

Shen Ruyu smiled approvingly.

As the person involved, Xu Bin's face darkened. Zhang Xin Da continued in a condescending tone, "Xu Bin, have some dignity. Don't be idle all day. You know how hard it is to find you a job? I had to take people out for meals and drinks."

"Exactly, you should thank your sister's husband instead of causing trouble."

Shen Ruyu joined in, scolding him.

"Alright, alright, let's drop it."

Yao Xin played the peacemaker, but her words were still mocking: "Xu Bin, you're alone and dependent on us. We didn't ask for anything and let you be an upper door son-in-law. At least don't embarrass our family."

"I know, Big Sister."

Xu Bin nodded, taking the verbal lashings in stride.

Yao Nan brought out some fruit, and Yao Xin pulled her into the room, probably for another lecture from her big sister.

"Pour tea for your sister's husband," Shen Ruyu grumbled. "Look at him, always causing trouble and never appreciative."

Xu Bin poured the tea, internally cursing that they had the nerve to say that after showing up empty-handed.

Zhang Xin Da was a playboy, idle and good-for-nothing, but his father was a school principal, and his mother was a chief physician at a large hospital.

He was born into a good family and didn't need to work hard. He spent money freely and was a typical spendthrift.

He had pursued Yao Xin with a lot of money, and their wedding was said to be very grand. Yao Bai Chuan and Shen Ruyu were proud of their daughter's marriage.

With their official-minded thinking, even though he was an idle playboy, having an in-law who was an official was face-saving, so they were very pleased with this elder son-in-law.

After one cup of tea, Zhang Xin Da grew bold: "Mom, let me see your hands!"

Shen Ruyu extended her hands, playfully scolding, "What's there to see? They're just old and wrinkled."

"Nonsense, Mom's hands are smoother than a young girl's. They feel like silk."

Zhang Xin Da caressed her hands, saying, "Mom, your hands deserve some nice jewelry."

Shen Ruyu immediately sighed, "My jewelry is old and worn out. Wearing them would be embarrassing. I don't have the money to buy new ones."

"I saw a beautiful bracelet last time, but it was already sold."

Zhang Xin Da continued to caress her hands, smiling, "Jewelry stores only have mass-produced items. Next time my friend's high-end shop has custom pieces, I'll pick something beautiful for you, Mom."

"Really?"

Shen Ruyu was overjoyed but tried to hide it, "You two are newlyweds and will need money for the future and kids. Don't spend money recklessly."

"Spending money on Mom isn't reckless."

Zhang Xin Da caressed her more eagerly.

Shen Ruyu laughed brightly, and in front of Xu Bin, they acted like a flirting couple, completely ignoring him.

"Ding... Basic function developed successfully. Initiating display."

"Ding... This function can only be used on recognized individuals and is ineffective on strangers."

Xu Bin was stunned and rubbed his eyes to ensure he wasn't hallucinating.

Above Zhang Xin Da's head, a line of text appeared: Affinity 0, Contempt, Disdain.

Above Shen Ruyu's head, it read: Affinity 20% (Worse than a stranger, deeply looked down upon).

Footsteps sounded on the stairs, and they quickly pulled their hands apart, listening to the indistinct voices of the sisters. Xu Bin also turned to look.

Similarly, text appeared above their heads. Yao Xin's read: Affinity 50% (Treated like a maid, stranger level).

His wife, Yao Nan, blushed, and her text read: Affinity 75% (Bland married life, maintained by first love and long-term relationship, boring sex partner).

The text suddenly disappeared, and Xu Bin felt a slight fatigue.

"Activating display mode consumes physical strength and is hidden by default, but will alert you when affinity changes."

Xu Bin thought it was useful; otherwise, constantly staring at their heads would make him look crazy.

"Mom, what were you talking about?"

Yao Xin, as the eldest, was smooth-tongued and sweet, flattering Shen Ruyu until she beamed with joy. She was said to have charmed her in-laws as well.

Yao Xin and her husband left soon after, empty-handed, and Shen Ruyu went out to play mahjong.

The house was quiet, and Yao Nan finally relaxed, leaning into her husband's embrace, "Honey, my brother-in-law said the security job at Xin Hui has good benefits, and his uncle is a high-ranking official there who can help."

"A stinking security guard made to sound like gold."

Thinking of Zhang Xin Da caressing his mother-in-law's hand and her delighted expression, Xu Bin felt bitter, "He's the idle one, talking big about buying things, writing blank checks. My mom is a fool, believing his empty promises."

"Calm down, honey. That's just how she is. Don't let it bother you."

Yao Nan leaned into him, gently, "If it's too much, let's talk to Mom again about moving out and renting our own place."

She said this with sparkling eyes, clearly longing for a life with just the two of them.

"Don't bring it up. She'll just say we're wasting money."

Xu Bin knew his mother-in-law's hypocrisy. Besides, with the system's tasks, it was better to stay close.

"I'm used to it, but you must feel wronged!"

Yao Nan said, stroking his face.

Xu Bin was a bit dazed, looking at the ugly girl turned beautiful wife in his arms. Her eyes, more beautiful than even Airi Suzuki's, were filled with gentleness and love.

The body in his arms was soft and voluptuous, unlike the previous bony and slender feel.

Adapting to this for a day, seeing this beautiful and alluring face, smelling her faint feminine scent, Xu Bin's desire surged, and he stared at her intently.

Yao Nan blushed and looked down, "What are you looking at? Do I have something on my face?"

"You're a bit beautiful!"

Xu Bin said, gently lifting her chin and kissing her as she looked at him in surprise.