Chapter 245: They've Got a Mutually Supportive Mother-in-law and Daughter-in-law Dynamic
People naturally think from their own point of view.
In other words, they tend to speak based on where they stand in life.
For instance, when a man says he’s happy to do everything for a woman and considers it a positive trait, some might view it as a sign of weakness or a lack of self-respect.
Similarly, some of Lin Yibai’s actions might make certain individuals think she’s betraying other women, like she’s not adhering to what they consider "acceptable" behavior.
Some might even say she’s crazy or has something wrong with her.
For Lin Yibai, this wasn’t just about dating, even about friendship she simply didn’t resonate with people who prioritized money or embraced toxic behavior. What mattered most to her was respect and honesty in relationships.
Zheng Siyen looked deeply at her and said with disbelief, “Are you stupid? The whole reason why women look for boyfriends or partners is to have someone to depend on, right? If we don’t need men to rely on, then what are they even here for? It’s always been this way throughout history.”
Ah yes, the “it's always been this way” thing. Come on, don't speak as if you represent all women. Don't create such a stigma just because that's how you are. Not all women think the same way you do.
That’s a typical self-centered way of thinking, deeply rooted and hard to change.
She often heard people say things like, 'every man,' 'every woman,' 'every parent,' 'every cop,' 'every high schooler.' But seriously, just because you believe that doesn’t mean it applies to everyone.
Lin Yibai knew she couldn’t shake those beliefs. So the only thing she could do was be true to herself within that system, and live independently.
The more Lin Yibai accepted being a woman, the less she wanted to criticize others just because of gender. Because honestly, in some ways, she herself had taken the “man’s side.” Saying too much about it would just make her sound like a joke.
So she didn’t want to act like a teacher, trying to “educate” others or push her ideas onto them.
Lin Yibai took a deep breath and said,
“I’ve never been the type to expect anything from love. Love is just something mutual. If I get it, great. If I lose it, that’s life. If he dares to let go of me, then I’ll dare to walk away. It’s not like anyone dies just because they’re not in love.”
Zheng Siyen got anxious and quickly asked, “Then… then why do you still sleep with him?”
Lin Yibai shrugged, “So what if I do?”
Zheng Siyen asked, “Don’t you feel like you’re losing out?”
Lin Yibai sighed, and after a pause said, “Like I said, I like him simply because I like him, not for any personal gain. I don’t expect anything from sleeping together. So how could I be losing anything?”
Zheng Siyen shook her head in confusion and said, “You… I really don’t get you. Your reasons sound okay on the surface, but to me, something feels off. I just don’t know what’s wrong with it.”
Lin Yibai gave a little smile and said, “Then just say I’m the kind of girl who ‘caters to men’.”
Zheng Siyen’s mind went blank for a second. Boom! Like a lightbulb going off.
Yes! That was it, she was trying to please men.
She had thought she had finally found the right argument and could win the debate. But the answer had come straight from Lin Yibai’s mouth.
Now she felt completely stuck and speechless.
Zheng Siyen: “I…”
Lin Yibai looked relaxed. She smiled and said,
“As for my silly boyfriend… He’s really kind and innocent! But hey, if you think you’ve got what it takes, you can try and steal him away. If you succeed, then I guess you’re better than me. Maybe it means I’m not good enough. Or maybe it just means the two of us were never meant to be.”
Just as she finished speaking—
At the hallway corner of the apartment, Xia Changyu got nervous.
If he hadn’t left his keys here, he would never have heard all this!
He was deeply touched by Lin Yibai’s attitude, it struck right at his heart.
At the same time, he felt a little annoyed. Why didn't she fight back when another girl tried to steal her boyfriend?
So, he stepped out from the corner and loudly shouted, “No! I don’t agree!”
Then, looking angry, he walked right up to Lin Yibai, wrapped his arm around her waist, and held her close.
Xia Changyu swore, if it weren’t for someone else being there, he would’ve pinned her to the wall and… well, done all kinds of things to make himself feel better after being so upset.
He gently squeezed her soft cheek.
Then he spoke with an annoyed tone. “Come on, I’m your boyfriend! If someone’s trying to take me away from you, can’t you at least fight back a little?”
Lin Yibai pouted and said, “What the heck, why are you back again…? And I wasn’t even finished talking yet! You just jumped out without knowing the whole story?”
Xia Changyu replied, “I left something at your place. And don’t try to change the topic, what were you going to say?”
Lin Yibai looked over at Zheng Siyen and boldly said, “If you think you can steal him from me, go ahead and try. I can even teach you how to write the word ‘death’.”
Xia Changyu was overjoyed: “Really?!”
Lin Yibai: “More real than a pearl.”
Now Xia Changyu finally felt at ease. He smiled brightly and said,
“Don’t worry, Baiyi! The position of ‘young madam of the Xia family’ has always been yours, and only yours. My mom said so.”
“Wait, your... your mom said that…? Ahem, what do you mean Auntie is involved in this? Why is she even part of this conversation? What’s going on?!”
Meanwhile, hundreds of kilometers away in another city, Xia Zhilan was wiping down her beloved piano. Suddenly, she sneezed out of nowhere.
"That’s odd... Why did I sneeze all of a sudden?"
Maybe it was because... once upon a time, someone used to call her “Sister Xia,” all sweet and respectful. And now that same person is calling her “Auntie” like she’s old or something?
Back to the present —
There was no way Xia Changyu could explain the truth to her. He couldn’t just say, ‘That ‘Sister Xia’ you used to call back then? Yeah, that was actually my mom.’
And now his mom only recognizes one daughter-in-law. Lin Baiyi.
She even gave him an ultimatum: ‘If you don’t marry her, don’t bother coming home. You’d be a disgrace to our ancestors.’
Xia Changyu gave a sheepish laugh and said, “Well, finding a girlfriend is something you’ve got to tell your family about, right? And my mom really likes you, a lot.”
Lin Yibai asked, confused, “But your mom hasn’t even met me. How do you know she likes me?”
What do you mean, hasn’t met you?
Both of you even worked together at my company for a while!
His mom, Xia Zhilan, had a very high opinion of Lin Yibai.
To her, Lin Yibai was the type of woman who at best could bring prosperity to the family for three generations, and at worst could still provide a stable and good life even if the family lost its wealth.
That’s a solid value in her eyes!
Xia Changyu said, “Don’t ask too much. Just know that my mom thinks you’re amazing, okay?”
Lin Yibai: “No seriously, what does she even like about me?”
Xia Changyu laughed and said, “You're just like my mom. You know, my mom also asked me, she's really curious... what exactly did you like about me?”
And maybe... just maybe…
This is what people call a “two-way love”, but between daughter-in-law and mother-in-law?
Anyway, both sides were very happy.
Then Xia Changyu pulled Lin Yibai behind him and looked straight at Zheng Siyen. He said,
“I heard from Baiyi that you might like me or something. Sorry... but you really scared me. If my girlfriend gets the wrong idea because of this, I’d kill you a thousand times and it still wouldn’t be enough.”
Puff—
Lin Yibai almost choked.
Just a minute ago, she was saying how gentle he was!
And now he’s saying he’d kill someone a thousand times?
She really thought this guy would stay gentle all the way through. You know, like one of those polite romance story male leads who says stuff like, ‘Thank you, but I can’t accept your feelings.’
But instead, he’s this aggressive?!
Still... that was kind of awesome.
Miss Baiyi was very pleased.