Chapter Twenty: Who Is the Elder Sister-in-law?

"Ev-everything, wait, let me get up, then we'll talk." Zhou Yu managed to utter these words before fainting.

Seeing his condition, Nian Yu had no choice but to inform everyone that they would be staying here for a while, tidy up, and prepare for a meal.

Zhao Yan, bewildered, turned to Nian Yu and asked, "What happened? Why did he end up like this after the three of them came back?"

Nian Yu glanced outside and replied, "Maybe it's because of the rain."

Zhao Yan was even more puzzled now. All of them had been soaked by the rain, so why was it only those three who experienced this so-called evolution?

"Damn, could it be because they were out in the rain longer? I'll try it myself." Zhao Yan muttered as he ran outside.

Nian Yu watched him go but didn't stop him and went to cook instead.

Half an hour later, just as Nian Yu finished preparing the meal, Zhao Yan staggered back in, shivering.

"Achoo, achoo! Damn, I'm freezing to death. I can't go out in the rain again—if I do, forget about evolving, I'll lose my life. Give me some hot water, I'm freezing!" Zhao Yan sneezed twice and turned to Nian Yu.

Nian Yu curled her lips into a smile and said, "Serves you right. That's what you get for rushing out without figuring anything out."

Everyone laughed at the scene, though none said anything further.

Seeing everyone laughing at him, Zhao Yan could only accept his fate—he had been too hasty. "Nian Yu, please, don't make fun of me anymore. I know I was reckless. Please, just give me some hot water. I really can't take it."

Nian Yu blushed at Zhao Yan calling her "sister-in-law," and retorted, "Go on, who's your sister-in-law?" Yet she turned away and went to fetch hot water for him.

Just then, Xiao Jie appeared, carrying a blanket. She handed it to Zhao Yan and scolded, "Here, take this. Next time, be careful. For someone who's been a soldier, you should know better—figure things out before you act. How can you not?"

Zhao Yan chuckled, "Yes, Xiao Jie, you’re right to teach me a lesson." He reached out to take the blanket.

Xiao Jie, too, blushed at Zhao Yan’s words and lowered her head, lost in thought.

Nian Yu soon brought Zhao Yan a bowl of hot water and handed it to him, saying, "Here. So, when Xiao Jie scolds you, she's right, but when I do it, I'm wrong?"

Zhao Yan realized he was in trouble, and quickly tried to appease her, "No, no, Nian Yu, you're right too. It's all my fault. Hehe."

Satisfied with his answer, Nian Yu let it go, but then turned to Zhao Yan and asked, "Tell me, between me and Xiao Jie, who’s the main sister-in-law and who’s the second?"

Hearing this, Xiao Jie raised her head and looked intently at Zhao Yan.

Zhao Yan was about to say Nian Yu was the main one, but seeing her mischievous smile, he sensed trouble—especially with Xiao Jie present. Although Zhao Yan didn’t know who Zhou Yu favored, he dared not offend either of them.

"This, this, this..." Zhao Yan stammered for a while, unable to answer.

Nian Yu laughed cheerfully, "Alright, I won't make it hard for you. Just tell me, if me and Xiao Jie disagree, whose side will you take?"

"Whoever's right, I'll support them." This time, Zhao Yan chose the middle ground and said it quickly.

Nian Yu eyed the obedient Zhao Yan and asked, "What if we're both equally right in our own ways?"

Zhao Yan was flustered—how was he supposed to answer that?

"This, this, this..." He was stuck.

Xiao Jie saw his predicament and said to Nian Yu, "Enough, don't make it hard for him."

Zhao Yan quickly thanked her, "Thank you, Xiao Jie."

Nian Yu, hearing his gratitude, was displeased. "So you're saying I'm making things hard for you?"

Zhao Yan realized he’d said the wrong thing and hurried to correct himself, "No, no, Nian Yu would never make things hard for me."