Chapter 38: Favorability Meter 66%

Luis continued smoking, grinning as he said, "Mom, get me a beer, make it icy cold."

"Okay!"

But the situation was completely different from what Lily or Leah had imagined. Ruth immediately agreed and went to fetch her son-in-law an icy beer, even asking, "Son-in-law, do you want something to go with the drink?"

"No need!"

Luis took a big gulp before sizing up his alluring, mature mother-in-law.

Ruth was still wearing the same outfit she had on when she went out, which clung to her voluptuous curves. Even though not a hint of cleavage was showing, her entire figure exuded a seductive, mature charm.

She had changed out of her high heels into slippers, but her sheer-stockinged legs were still eye-catching. Honestly, her clothes were cheap, but her natural beauty made her look irresistibly sexy, enough to make anyone’s mouth dry.

"Mom, did you buy me underwear?"

Luis teased.

Ruth paused, then laughed. "Of course, I got a pack. Not sure if the size fits, but you can try them on after Lily washes them. Don’t worry, Mom bought name-brand ones."

"I trust you. It’s not like you haven’t seen my size before."

Luis couldn’t resist another jab.

The skill "Entering a Woman’s Heart" might have seemed useless or even awkward at first, but its effects were slowly becoming apparent.

If he had dared to say something like this before, Ruth, with her shrewish temper—even if she felt guilty about peeking—would have slapped him without hesitation.

But now, Ruth seemed unfazed. The growing number of secrets between her and her son-in-law had gradually made their relationship more intimate, crossing the usual boundaries between mother-in-law and son-in-law. Instead of taking offense, she treated his bluntness as normal.

"Still joking around? Asking for a beating!"

Ruth stretched lazily and said, "Alright, Mom’s going to shower and change."

"Wait, Mom, I still want to chat."

Luis drank his beer, feeling restless and unwilling to let her go.

"About what? I’ve been wearing this all day, it’s uncomfortable."

Ruth laughed helplessly. "If you have something to ask, hurry up."

Mother-in-law Ruth: Favorability meter 66% (close familial relationship, turning point)...

Seeing the updated favorability meter, Luis realized it wasn’t just his actions that influenced it—external factors played a role too. Still, he was relieved to see it had increased.

"Never mind, Mom. If you don’t want to talk, forget it..."

Luis stubbed out his cigarette and grabbed another beer.

"What nonsense are you spouting? You didn’t even ask and you’re already saying crap like that. Asking for a slap."

Ruth lightly smacked the back of Luis’s head—more of a playful, affectionate gesture, almost like flirting.

After scolding him with a laugh, she said seriously, "It’s not what you’re thinking. Mom just feels gross and wants to wash up first."

"Mom, then call me after you shower. I’ll come downstairs later. It’s too hot—I’m going upstairs to cool off."

"No, the living room’s hot too. After I shower, I’ll call you. Come to my room."

There was no denying the power of money. Just a few days ago, Ruth had been avoiding her son-in-law, but now, she was much more relaxed around him.

Of course, this was also thanks to Luis’s recent behavior. He had been teasing her with suggestive remarks, but by taking it step by step without crossing any lines, he had made her start to accept this kind of boundary-pushing banter.

This was a talent beyond the System’s influence. Luis himself found it surprising—he had never realized he had this skill before.

Upstairs, in the room, Lily and Leah were whispering about something, but they immediately fell silent when Luis entered.

"Great, looks like I’m the outsider here."

Luis feigned frustration.

"Brother-in-law, we were talking about Sister Nancy," Leah quickly explained. "Mom and Second Sister were arguing earlier because Sister Nancy has been spending recklessly. She wants to be a celebrity, doing livestreams and short videos."

"She hasn’t earned any money yet but has already invested a lot. Brother-in-law Daniel’s family is unhappy, so they called Mom."

"Mom called Sister Nancy, and they just kept arguing... Seems like there’s also a problem with Sister Nancy’s money."

Luis stretched and asked, "What kind of problem?"

The details weren’t clear, but apparently, it had blown up into something serious. Ruth hadn’t been able to get a straight answer either.

Originally, she had wanted to confront Leah about her allowance, but it seemed to have triggered something bigger. Luis couldn’t figure out what kind of mess those two freeloading spouses could have stirred up.

But with one idle and the other irresponsible, it was questionable whether the money they mooched off their parents was even enough.

According to Ruth, they had sold their old car and taken out a loan to buy a new Nissan. Buying a car without even having jobs was just asking for trouble. Though it wasn’t a luxury car, it was still an unnecessary expense for their lifestyle.

"Whatever. Whatever happens with Sister Nancy, we’ll deal with it later."

Lily, unusually firm, said, "I already told Mom—we’re moving to the big room."

Leah almost egged her on. "Exactly! Why should Sister Nancy, who’s already married, keep the big room? Brother-in-law is the man of the house now since he’s the one who married into the family. What’s the point of him staying here?"

Lily was also furious. "Right! That’s why Mom went to talk to her, but it just turned into a huge fight."

"We’re all daughters, and they’re both sons-in-law. Mom and Dad look down on the poor and fawn over the rich. Just because Daniel’s family had money, they didn’t ask for a dowry or give a wedding gift—they just let Sister Nancy marry him."

"But when it came to me, they had all these conditions and ended up forcing my husband into being a live-in son-in-law."

Lily grew angrier as she spoke. "What has Daniel ever done for our family besides coming here to show off? My husband is capable, but he’s the one who has to keep suffering."

Hearing this, Leah also rallied behind her. "Exactly! It’s obvious Brother-in-law Daniel’s family looks down on us. When has that so-called amazing mother-in-law of hers ever visited?"

"Like we’re beneath them. Only Sister Nancy and Mom are dumb enough not to see it."

This was Luis’s doing. He had been subtly brainwashing them, and now the seeds were starting to sprout.

As they vented their grievances, Ruth’s voice suddenly came from the stairwell. "Lily, son-in-law, come here!"

Luis cursed inwardly. After showering, she was now calmly calling both of them over. Whatever he had hoped might happen clearly wasn’t in the cards.

"I’m going to bed!"

Leah said, almost gleefully.

Luis had an idea. He suddenly reached out and, right in front of his wife, grabbed Leah’s hand and wrapped an arm around her slender waist. As she yelped in surprise, he pulled her almost into his lap, savoring the softness of her youthful body.

"Wife, bring her along. If we suffer, she suffers too."

Hearing this, Lily, though momentarily stunned, giggled. "Leah, come with us. You can’t just leave your sister and brother-in-law to suffer alone."

"Fuck off! What does this have to do with me?"

Leah struggled fiercely. "Punish the guilty, not the innocent. I’m just a high school student. Don’t drag me into this!"

"Fine, we’ll spare your ungrateful life."

After enjoying the sensation of Leah’s soft, fragrant body in his arms, Luis reluctantly let go, worried his wife might notice something.