Chapter One Hundred: My Sister-in-Law’s Thoughts

Liu Xiaoli, seeing Zhang Can’s indifferent and unconcerned response, couldn’t hold back her tears any longer and burst into a loud sob.

Zhang Can was taken aback and asked, “What… what are you doing? If your sister and parents see this, they’ll think I’m bullying you!”

“Isn’t that exactly what you’re doing? Isn’t it enough?” Liu Xiaoli cried as she spoke incoherently, with no particular reason—just an overwhelming sense of discomfort inside. Now, alone with Zhang Can, she couldn’t help but let it all out.

Zhang Can was truly puzzled. Why was she so angry? He hadn’t offended her at all. Back at home, he had already sensed something was off—she would lash out at him without reason. Now, again, why was she upset with him?

It was probably because Liu Xiaoli had once been his dream girl, the object of his secret admiration for years. First loves are always the hardest to forget. Seeing her so sorrowful and tear-streaked, dressed in her work uniform, she appeared pitiful. She had endured a harsh life in Jincheng, most of the money she earned was squandered by Li Yong, and life had truly been tough. If she had followed him back then, no matter how difficult it was, he would have gladly borne the burden to shield her from exhaustion.

Zhang Can sighed and then took a tissue from the car console, handing it to Liu Xiaoli. He gently urged, “Xiaoli, stop crying. If you have any difficulties, just tell me. I’ll help you as much as I can. From now on, we’re family. How could I not care about family matters?”

Liu Xiaoli took the tissue, wiped her tears, and pitifully asked, “You… really… really want to help me?”

“Of course I do. Why would I lie to you? Just say it—anything I can do, I’ll do it.” Zhang Can answered without hesitation. If he could help her, he would, no question.

He smiled and continued, “Go home and rest first. Tomorrow, quit your job and come work at my shop. There’s my sister and Xiao Qin here, so you won’t feel out of place. It’s an easy job, and you can choose to work when you want or just relax if you don’t feel like it.”

Zhang Can said this casually, arranging for Liu Xiaoli to work at the shop alongside his sister. Like family, they could work if they wanted; it was just a paycheck. Old Zhu wouldn’t object—he’d just worry a little more and earn more money. Considering Zhang Can’s current capability, earning enough to cover several salaries was a small matter.

Liu Xiaoli’s tears had dried by then. She lowered her head, lost in thought, and didn’t ask anything further.

Suddenly, Zhang Can remembered something and glanced at Liu Xiaoli before asking, “Xiaoli, one more thing—what exactly is going on between you and Li Yong? If it’s just a small marital quarrel, I won’t interfere. I still have to help with his affairs. But if you’re not pretending, if it’s truly bad between you two, I need to think seriously.”

Liu Xiaoli clearly understood Zhang Can’s meaning. If it was just minor disputes, he wouldn’t do anything to Li Yong and would even arrange work for him. But if she was genuinely unhappy and angry, Zhang Can would respond differently.

“There’s no chance with him!” Liu Xiaoli answered without hesitation. “You’ve seen what kind of person Li Yong is. When I was working hard to earn money, he just gambled and smoked it away. A man who can’t protect his woman and depends on her to survive—what’s the point of being with him? I’ve made up my mind. I’m done with him. This time, it’s over for good.”

Her words were bitter and resolute.

Zhang Can nodded. “I won’t meddle in your relationship—it’s your business. But as for Li Yong, I really don’t like that kind of man. He’s all talk and no action, wants to do good but can’t endure hardship, has no real skills. If you’re truly done with him, I think that’s a good thing.”

Suddenly, a flush crept onto Liu Xiaoli’s pale face. She bit her lip and lowered her head.

Zhang Can noticed her expression and froze for a moment, sensing trouble. He had meant well, speaking honestly. But to Liu Xiaoli, given their past, his words might have sounded like a signal of some sort.

Frowning, Zhang Can studied her carefully. He realized there might indeed be such a possibility. After all, he didn’t want any connection with her now. It was best to see her as just his sister-in-law, to leave behind their first love relationship completely. Such matters could only lead to trouble.

Zhang Can wasn’t a man without flaws, nor was he faithful to one woman. He had spent money on escorts before, but those irresponsible actions were fleeting. Some things could be casual, but others must never be.

Take Liu Xiaoqin, for example—a pure and innocent girl, completely different from her sister Liu Xiaoli. The older sister chased vanity and a luxurious life at any cost, while Xiaoqin valued loyalty, filial piety, and family above all else. It was hard to believe two siblings from the same parents could be so different.

“You…” Liu Xiaoli looked at Zhang Can, hesitating, her eyes clearly filled with ambiguity.

Zhang Can quickly changed the subject. “Xiaoli, go home and rest well. I have to hurry to pick up Xiaoqin and our parents.”

He emphasized “parents” deliberately, reminding Liu Xiaoli not to misinterpret anything. He was no longer the Zhang Can who once secretly admired her—he was now the fiancé of her younger sister.

Liu Xiaoli’s expression darkened instantly. Zhang Can’s words hit her like a blow. No matter how she felt or how dissatisfied she was, the situation was immutable—Zhang Can was her brother-in-law.

Stopping the car at Tianxin Plaza, Zhang Can pointed to a building. “That one—seventeenth floor, Block A. You won’t get it wrong, right?”

Liu Xiaoli slowly shook her head, then silently got out of the car, her face shadowed with gloom.

She wasn’t mistaken or lost; it was just that her heart felt blocked, suffocated.

Zhang Can closed the car door, turned the wheel, and drove away almost as if escaping. Even after reaching the highway, his heart was racing wildly.

Though he had thought recently he wouldn’t fall for Liu Xiaoli again, and she wasn’t the type he wanted now, seeing her pitiful and delicate like that stirred his heart once more. He secretly cursed himself, “Damn it, even my sister-in-law?”

He wondered if he was too fickle, if wealth made him more so. But the sudden flutter in his heart was unmistakably real. If they were at home, he might have recklessly pursued her, and she wouldn’t have resisted. The thought made him blush fiercely and burn with shame.

What a beast!

Zhang Can scolded himself again.

Nevertheless, first love was indeed unforgettable. Zhang Can knew he was easily moved by emotions, always swaying like a leaf in the wind because of his tender heart.

He drove back to Jinmantang, where the family and Zhu Senlin had nearly finished their meal. Liu Xiaoqin, worried about her sister, quickly stood up to leave as soon as Zhang Can returned.

Zhu Senlin immediately called the waiter to settle the bill. Zhang Can didn’t try to pay; if Zhu Senlin paid, he would surely be upset.

The waiter brought the bill directly to Zhu Senlin and said, “Boss, the total is 27,366 yuan. Our manager said to waive 66 yuan, so the total is 27,300.”

Zhu Senlin pulled out a bank card and threw it on the bill. “Swipe it—hurry up!”

After signing the receipt, Zhu Senlin cheerfully invited Liu Dongsheng and Chen Huiyu, the couple, to go ahead, then turned to Zhang Can. “Brother, you drive Xiao Qin, and Xiao Hua and the parents will ride with me.”

Actually, Liu Dongsheng and his wife were only in their fifties, about the same age as Zhu Senlin, maybe a few years older. Zhang Can found it amusing that Zhu Senlin called them “the elderly.”

But Zhu Senlin treated him like a brother, so he respectfully addressed Liu Dongsheng and his wife. Seeing Zhu Senlin’s playful expression, Zhang Can knew he was teasing him and Liu Xiaoqin.

Liu Xiaoqin caught Zhu Senlin’s suggestive look and blushed, lowering her head. She clearly understood what he meant.

By the parking lot, Zhang Can started the car. When Liu Xiaoqin got in, he smiled and said, “Xiao Qin, Old Zhu’s no good. At his age, he still tells me these lame jokes. Ha! I’m not much older than his daughter!”

Liu Xiaoqin shook her head. “I think Brother Zhu is good. Happiness has no age limit. Who says old people can’t be happy? I see many patients at the hospital. Many elders just like to keep a childlike heart.”

Zhang Can drove onto the highway, laughing. “Alright, let’s say he has a childlike heart.”

After a while, seeing Liu Xiaoli frown slightly, lost in thought, Zhang Can asked, “Xiao Qin, what’s on your mind? You look troubled.”

Liu Xiaoqin spoke softly, “Zhang Can, I… I feel sorry for my sister.”

Zhang Can’s hand twitched. He thought she might have seen through something. He glanced at her. Tears were streaming down her beautiful face—she was truly saddened for Liu Xiaoli!

This little woman was overly sentimental, shedding tears easily. Zhang Can sighed and said, “Xiao Qin, your sister’s matters are hers alone to decide. But that Li Yong—I really dislike him. If your sister weren’t there, I’d slap him twice. Does he think my shop is his?”

Liu Xiaoli bit her lip, unsure what to do. She disliked Li Yong too, but he was still her sister’s boyfriend. At home, she had heard her sister say she was willing to do anything once she married into the Li family. She had set her heart on that, determined to go through with it, and wouldn’t give up easily.

Seeing her sister’s current state, Liu Xiaoli felt heartbroken. The bitter parting with Li Yong worried both her and their parents. But since Li Yong had spent their 60,000 yuan savings, they still couldn’t completely reject or misunderstand him. They hoped the couple wouldn’t quarrel and could live peacefully.

After some thought, Liu Xiaoqin said to Zhang Can, “What if… what if we return the 60,000 yuan to Li Yong? Since my sister’s relationship with him is unstable and unhappy, we definitely shouldn’t keep that money.”