Chapter 526: Zuo Zuying, the Women’s Best Friend

Chapter 526: Zuo Zuying, the Ladies' Man

Su An and Ren Shan stayed in Yangcheng for three days.

Each was busy with their own thing—Ren Shan with the shops, while Su An went to find Liu Hongtao.

Zuo Jinghuan, knowing Su An was on vacation, even made a special trip back to her folks’ place to visit her.

Su An glanced at Zuo Jinghuan’s face and remarked, "You’ve filled out a bit. Didn’t you say you couldn’t stomach their cooking? How did that turn out?"

Zuo Jinghuan laughed, "I don’t eat at their place anymore. Either I ride my bike back to my mom’s place for meals, or I just cook something simple in my new place. If I don’t feel like cooking, I buy food outside."

Su An asked casually, "How are things with your in-laws?"

Zuo Jinghuan’s eyes sparkled, "Can’t say good or bad. With Hongtao around, his mom doesn’t dare pull anything."

Seeing Su An’s gossipy expression, Zuo Jinghuan cracked up, recalling Liu Hongtao’s attitude.

"I think Liu Hongtao’s way of thinking is quite similar to my brother Zuying’s—both so unconventional."

Su An grew even more intrigued, "What happened? Tell me."

Zuo Jinghuan chuckled, "Remember when I came back complaining about my mother-in-law’s snide comments? Well, Zuying went drinking with Liu Hongtao afterward.

After that night, I don’t know what Zuying said to him, but Liu Hongtao became convinced that fights between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law start from too much talking."

"Hahaha! So now, every time his mom tries to say something to me, he cuts her off and tells her to talk to him instead."

Zuo Jinghuan mimicked Liu Hongtao’s tone, putting on a serious face, "He says things like:

‘Pfft... Didn’t you say she’s an outsider? In our big family, she *is* an outsider—not just an outsider, but an outsider too!

She doesn’t get your lingo. *We* are the ones who are family. If you have any issues, talk to *me*. Jinghuan is only family with *me*, not with you. But *I* am family with you. Why do you have to go looking for an outsider?’"

Su An burst out laughing at Zuo Jinghuan’s exaggerated imitation.

"Hahaha! Who knew Tao had this in him? Where did he come up with this weird logic? ‘You’re only family with me, not with his mom’—hahaha!"

Zuo Jinghuan’s face lit up with affection as she mentioned Liu Hongtao. "But that’s not even the best part. Wanna hear the best part?"

Su An raised an eyebrow, "Do tell."

Zuo Jinghuan continued, "Remember how he opened a kindergarten for us? My mom and I are running the show, and we’re already preparing for enrollment. But his mom and sister-in-law weren’t happy and wanted to interfere. They kept badmouthing to Liu Hongtao, badmouthing my family and accusing my mom of being controlling."

"Then, right in front of me, Liu Hongtao lit into his mom and sister-in-law."

Zuo Jinghuan straightened up, imitating Liu Hongtao’s stern tone, "‘Enough with this nonsense—I’m sick of hearing it! That’s Jinghuan’s family, not yours. Why do you care?

If it weren’t for me, would they even know you? Her family has been educators for generations—a family of scholars. How many words do *you* even know? I’m the one who hit the jackpot marrying up, and you have the nerve to look down on them?

If you’re so capable, go bother your *own* families. What’s the point of targeting Jinghuan’s?

Or better yet—since you two have so much free time, go at each other! Mom, go bother *her* family—didn’t you always say her family’s stingy? That they didn’t even buy a chicken when she gave birth? That they never return gifts during holidays, just take and take?

And *you*, sister-in-law, go hassle *my* mom’s family. Didn’t my uncles always say you weren’t good enough for my brother? That you’re as dark as a slug and your kids are little charcoal balls? Jinghuan isn’t family with *you*—she’s only family with *me*. Stay away from her.’"

Zuo Jinghuan dissolved into laughter again. "An An, you have no idea—after Liu Hongtao’s little ‘stirring the pot’ act, the house was peaceful for ages. No, ‘quiet’ is more like it. For over half a month, there was dead silence at dinner. My mother-in-law and his sister-in-law were *furious* with him."

Su An was laughing just as hard.

"I have to say, there's really a bit of Xiao Zuo's style to it. I can understand if Xiao Zuo did something like this, but Brother Tao doing this? Never saw that coming, hahaha!"

Jing Huan laughed, "I didn’t expect it either. I have no idea how my Zu Ying convinced Liu Hongtao. Honestly, all these years of doting on him weren’t in vain—he's the reason I can live so peacefully now.

It’s all thanks to him helping Liu Hongtao understand these two important points. If every man could think this way, where would there be any mother-in-law and daughter-in-law conflicts in the world, right?"

Su An nodded in agreement, "Absolutely. Just when the in-laws were getting a bit of that idea, their own son shut that down real quick."

Jing Huan sighed, "Well, Liu Hongtao’s stance is clear, so I don’t engage with his family. I usually don’t go over unless there’s something important, and only if Hongtao goes do I go with him. If he’s not there, neither am I.

We agreed privately—his family matters are his to handle, my family matters are mine to decide, and matters in our own little home are for us to discuss together. We split responsibilities to avoid unnecessary conflicts."

Su An looked at the happy-looking Jing Huan, "I didn’t expect you to move so fast, but your judgment is spot-on. As long as you two are united, you're set for smooth sailing."

Just as the two were curious about how Zu Ying had convinced Liu Hongtao, Liu Hongtao came to pick Jing Huan up in the evening and stayed for dinner.

Su An happened to witness firsthand how Zu Ying subtly influenced Liu Hongtao.

After dinner, Zu Ying and Liu Hongtao sat outside to get some air and play chess, chatting as they did.

Liu Hongtao sighed, "Ah, My mom really had it rough. Raising me was so hard, and I was always disobedient. I even made her cry before..."

Zu Ying glanced up at him, "Last time, my second brother told me that when your sister-in-law was suffering during pregnancy and asked your mom to watch the kids, your mom said, ‘All women in the world have to give birth—this is just how it is. What’s there to complain about? Just tough it out.’

So maybe others have it hard, but your mom must’ve had it a breeze with you. She’s been through it—if she thought being a mom and giving birth was hard, how could she say it so lightly? Since she thinks all women have an easy time giving birth, why was it hard for her with you? Are you different? Did you cling to the placenta refusing to come out? Are you some kind of mutant? Where exactly was it hard for her?"

Liu Hongtao choked.

Damn... that actually tracks. Back when his sister-in-law was pregnant and dealing with swelling and sleeplessness, his mom had said exactly that—what woman doesn’t give birth? Everyone goes through it, no need to be dramatic.

And when his mom pressured him and Jing Huan to have kids, she’d say the same thing.

If all women in the world have to give birth, and others manage just fine, why was it so hard for his mom with him?

Su An’s eyes gleamed as she looked at Zu Ying—now there's a real feminist ally!

Turning their own logic against them—this was a masterstroke. Zu Ying should be appointed by the organization as the Women's Committee Director!