My Mother-in-Law and I Became the Internet’s Hottest Power Couple

Lu Yicheng wasn’t sleepy, even though he hadn’t slept well the night before. Right now, he truly wasn’t tired at all.
The alcohol was getting to his head. Lu Yicheng usually didn’t drink—he was a programmer, so he didn’t have many social engagements.
Jiang Baoguo could tell Lu Yicheng really wasn’t sleepy, so he showed him his treasured teacup collection. Lu Yicheng listened attentively, and Jiang Baoguo nodded to himself in approval. At the very least, this young man had patience.
But patience alone wasn’t enough to marry Jiang Lan. Some people acted one way before marriage and another after. They might be sweet and accommodating while dating, only to turn abusive or unfaithful after tying the knot.
Appearances could be deceiving.
After washing the dishes, Jiang Lan went to fetch some digestive tablets for Lu Yicheng.
Not wanting to embarrass him, she discreetly slipped them into his hand.
Lu Yicheng felt his face burn. Did Teacher Xie think he’d eaten too much? Was that why she gave him the tablets?
Two bowls of rice really wasn’t that much—Jiang Lan ate two bowls when she liked the food too. Sure, he might have intentionally eaten a little extra, but it wasn’t excessive, was it?
Or maybe Teacher Xie preferred men with smaller appetites.
Xie Yunzhen asked Jiang Lan to cut some fruit—she had bought watermelon and peaches that morning, though she wasn’t sure if Lu Yicheng liked them.
This time, Lu Yicheng only took a small bite.
After clearing the table and washing up, Xie Yunzhen sat down beside Jiang Baoguo. "Why aren’t you eating more?"
Lu Yicheng obediently picked up another slice of watermelon.
Xie Yunzhen asked, "You start school on the 2nd too, right?"
Lu Yicheng nodded. "Yes, same as Jiang Lan. Would it be alright if I came to pick her up?"
Xie Yunzhen replied, "We’ll see. Her father and I might take her ourselves."
Lu Yicheng let out a disappointed "Oh."
Still unfamiliar with him, Xie Yunzhen probed further. "You graduate next year—are you already interning?"
Lu Yicheng answered, "Yes, at Lu Yuan. It’s a three-month internship, and I’ve already led three projects as the primary person in charge. In university, I consistently ranked first in my class, maintaining perfect scores in all subjects, including physical tests. I don’t plan to pursue a master’s degree. After graduation, I’ll join Lu Yuan full-time. My height is—"
Jiang Lan coughed.
Lu Yicheng realized he was oversharing, but his height was non-negotiable. "185 centimeters. I had a company health check two months ago—everything’s in perfect condition."
Xie Yunzhen pressed her lips together and motioned for him to drink some water.
She already knew most of this. Lu Yicheng’s mother was an actress, his father worked in tech, and the family was quite wealthy. Jiang Lan had never met his grandparents, so she had no idea what they were like.
Xie Yunzhen remarked, "You went to Jinhua High School too, right? I think I remember you."
Lu Yicheng felt a pang of guilt. He’d liked Jiang Lan for a long time and had seen Xie Yunzhen many times before, though she’d never noticed him. "Yes, I was the science-track valedictorian that year, with a score of 732. I never had the chance to be taught by you, though—otherwise, my grades would’ve been even higher."
He thought this answer was flawless—it highlighted his academic achievements while subtly complimenting Xie Yunzhen’s teaching skills.
Xie Yunzhen had no further questions. Lu Yicheng was confident and articulate, even if some of his remarks were… a little awkward. But he wasn’t the timid type.
He was clearly intelligent—just a bit nervous.
She glanced at Jiang Baoguo, signaling him to take over. Jiang Baoguo caught on and said, "Have some fruit. Lan Lan, you too. There’s ice cream in the fridge."
It was their first meeting, and the conversation felt stilted. Jiang Lan picked up a slice of watermelon and tried to ease the tension. "Dad, I’ll go buy a roast chicken later so he can bring it back for Teacher Yu."
Lu Yicheng protested, "It’s still early—I’m not leaving yet."
…He hadn’t had enough time here.
Jiang Baoguo said, "Alright, take Xiao Lu around the neighborhood. If you get tired, come back and rest. No need to rush…"
He wasn’t trying to kick him out. They were decent people, and since Lu Yicheng was here, they’d treat him properly. Besides, he’d had alcohol at lunch and couldn’t drive back yet.
Lu Yicheng brightened. "Then I’ll go downstairs and bring up the rest of the things!"
Xie Yunzhen shook her head. "This is plenty. Take the rest back—Jiang Lan’s going to school soon, and your uncle and I don’t need much." She usually ate at the school cafeteria, and Jiang Baoguo had lunch at work, so they didn’t stock much at home.
But Lu Yicheng insisted. He was young and strong—he could handle carrying groceries for the Jiang family from now on. "It’s not much, just some food. I hope you won’t mind."
He could do other things too, like cooking. "It’s not heavy—I can bring it all up in one trip."
Xie Yunzhen relented and let the two of them go downstairs. Once they were out the door, she turned to Jiang Baoguo. "Not bad for a first meeting. But who knows what he’ll be like later? We’ll have to keep observing."
Jiang Lan’s marriage was something they had to consider carefully—otherwise, she might end up suffering.
A little after two, Lu Yicheng finally stepped outside for some air. Jiang Lan followed behind him and suddenly called his name.
Lu Yicheng jumped, stopping in his tracks. He turned around. "Baby, you scared me! How’d I do?"
His mind was a mess. He’d been rambling all over the place at her parents’ place, unsure of what he’d even said.
But he felt like it had gone well. Teacher Xie was gentle, and Uncle Jiang seemed… friendly?
Then it hit him—the day Jiang Lan went to meet Yu Wanqiu, he’d been tied up with work. He’d texted and called, but she hadn’t answered. He hadn’t known Yu Wanqiu had gone to the hot pot restaurant.
He had his girlfriend by his side when meeting her parents, but Jiang Lan had been alone that day.
Thankfully, she didn’t remember. Otherwise…
"Baby, I’m sorry," Lu Yicheng blurted out.
Jiang Lan thought he’d lost his mind today. "What are you apologizing for? You did fine. Want a hug?"
Lu Yicheng desperately wanted one, but they were right outside Jiang Lan’s apartment. What if Teacher Xie and Uncle Jiang were watching from upstairs?
"No, no," he muttered, reminding himself that patience was key.
Jiang Lan teased, "This offer expires soon."
Lu Yicheng caved and pulled her into a quick embrace. "Can I stay for dinner tonight? Teacher Xie’s cooking is amazing."
Jiang Lan rolled her eyes. "You’re laying it on too thick. Everyone says Yu Wanqiu’s a great actress, but you’re not in the entertainment industry, and yet your acting skills are just as good. Guess it runs in the family." She smirked. "Seriously, the only thing on the table that wasn’t homemade was the roast chicken, and you praised my mom’s cooking while eating it. Next you’ll say her steamed rice is gourmet cuisine. Lu Yicheng, are you an idiot?"
That’s why he hadn’t touched the chicken afterward.
Lu Yicheng defended himself, "I didn’t know at the time! But it really was delicious. And you shouldn’t be picky—eat your greens." He tugged her along. "Come on, let’s go buy that chicken. We’ll bring the stuff up later."
Jiang Lan asked if they should walk or drive. She didn’t know the way, and walking would probably take a while.
Lu Yicheng glanced around. "Let’s walk…"
After finally being invited to Jiang Lan’s home, he wanted everyone to see. He needed the whole world to know—he’d been to Jiang Lan’s place.
All in all, Lu Yicheng felt pretty good about himself. Jiang Lan still liked him, and her parents seemed to approve too.
Moreover, Teacher Xie and Uncle Jiang had only glimpsed a fraction of who he truly was—just the tip of the iceberg. If they got to know him better, they’d undoubtedly grow even fonder of him.
Lu Yicheng said, “Come on, I’ll buy you ice cream too, but don’t say anything, or Uncle Jiang will get upset.”
Jiang Lan thought he was ridiculous. “...You’re so annoying. Stay away from me. I’ll walk by myself—keep your distance.”
Lu Yicheng stubbornly moved closer. “No need for that out here. Save the distance for at home.”
“Teacher Xie is a homeroom teacher. She hates students dating or fooling around. Every time I hold your hand, my impression score drops by ten points.”
Jiang Lan asked Lu Yicheng what his current impression score was. Without shame, he declared, “Oh, just about a thousand points!”
Jiang Lan: “You big dummy! Hurry up, let’s go.”
They wandered around for quite a while before finally finding the place that sold roasted chicken. Jiang Lan bought two, then stopped by a braised meat stall for some spiced pork knuckle. The vendor also gave them a small packet of freshly fried chili oil—just the aroma alone was mouthwatering. Dipping the meat in it later would be absolutely delicious.
The street was lined with food stalls selling skewers, roast duck, and more. Jiang Lan quietly asked Lu Yicheng, “Do you want to try some of this? I can buy a little for you.”
Dinner at home would probably just be porridge and leftovers from lunch. Jiang Lan doubted Xie Yunzhen would prepare another full spread.
Lu Yicheng hesitated before admitting honestly, “I do.”
Jiang Lan burst out laughing and bought a few skewers. The flavor was oddly familiar—Lu Yicheng had eaten something like this at Jiang Lan’s place before.
So, the snacks Teacher Xie had sent Jiang Lan were all store-bought. Still, they had a homemade taste. Even the skewers were delicious—everything near Jiang Lan’s home was good.
Lu Yicheng had no idea which passersby might be neighbors from the complex, but he hoped they all saw him.
Jiang Lan’s boyfriend. The Jiang family’s future son-in-law. It sounded perfect.
He also decided not to take Jiang Lan out these next few days. Instead, he’d focus on making a good impression—showing Teacher Xie and Uncle Jiang his mature, dependable side.
No parent wanted their daughter to marry someone who only cared about having fun. And that wasn’t him.
Carrying the roasted chicken, they headed back. Jiang Lan ate an ice cream along the way. When they reached the apartment building, Lu Yicheng unloaded the trunk and carried everything upstairs. Jiang Lan refused the necklace—it was far too extravagant.
A single necklace could buy an apartment. Xie Yunzhen would never wear something like that—it didn’t belong in the Jiang household.
Jiang Lan always considered whether a gift was appropriate. If it was something she could reasonably afford herself, she’d accept it. But if not, there was no point in taking it.
Milk and yogurt were just fine. She tugged Lu Yicheng’s hand. “Just take the throat lozenges. Mom will definitely be happy with that.”
In the end, Lu Yicheng listened to her. If necessary, he could always come back down later.
They got home a little past three. Jiang Baoguo, a bit drowsy from drinking, had gone to nap in his room. Xie Yunzhen had been waiting for them.
“If you’re tired, go lie down in the guest room. Jiang Lan, take Lu Yicheng to the north room.”
Xie Yunzhen had already changed the sheets and pillowcases. That room was reserved for visiting relatives.
“We’re having porridge for dinner. Is that alright?” Xie Yunzhen figured they’d stay for one meal before heading back.
Lu Yicheng: “Of course. I eat anything—I’m easy to please. And your cooking is amazing, Teacher Xie. Oh, Jiang Lan mentioned you lecture a lot, so I brought some throat lozenges. Hope they help.”
Jiang Lan led the little flatterer to the small north room. It wasn’t big, just a bed about five feet wide.
Even though he couldn’t stay overnight, Lu Yicheng was more than happy to nap here. Maybe next time, he’d get to spend the night.
He sat on the bed. “So comfortable. Alright, I’ll rest now. You go back to your room—it’s not good for us to be alone together.”
Jiang Lan: “...Just sleep, you big idiot.”
The paparazzi, unable to catch up with Lu Yicheng and Jiang Lan, had to give up. But they kept a close watch on Zhang Lin...
And Shen Xingyao.
Chen Shuyun was just an ordinary person—not worth photographing. But Zhang Lin’s movements were downright suspicious.
She had returned to her hotel at noon, only to leave again at 2:30 PM, getting into a white Cayenne. The destination? The civil affairs office.
The paparazzi’s car was too far to get a clear shot of the driver’s face, but they could guess who it was.
Nine times out of ten, it was Xu Chaoyang.
Who else would it be?
This was huge news!
Xu Chaoyang parked outside the office. They had brought their household registrations, marriage certificates, and even prepared asset disclosures, property division agreements, and divorce papers. By the time they walked out, they’d no longer be legally bound as husband and wife.
Xu Chaoyang wiped his face. “Xiao Lin, maybe we should think this over. It doesn’t have to come to this.”
Divorce was a last resort. Who wanted to end a marriage? This was the woman he’d fought so hard to marry.
Zhang Lin: “I don’t want this either, but...”
She didn’t mind baring her scars in front of him. It was strange—when she’d loved him, she’d been fiercely proud, unwilling to show any weakness or past pain.
Now that she no longer cared, it didn’t matter. If sharing these things softened his heart, so be it.
“I cared about you. About Little Yi. Marrying you was something I never dared dream of. Xu Chaoyang, meeting you was the luckiest thing that ever happened to me. My mom passed early. My dad drank—sometimes he’d even hit me. He thought I was pretty and tried to sell me off. You were the light in my life.”
Not all of it was a lie. There had been a time when she truly saw him as her salvation—just far too fleeting.
“Honestly, I could endure it. I could apologize to your mom. But we have children. Little Yi is six. And in three months, our second will be born.” She touched her stomach. “Chaoyang, I don’t want them to suffer. I want to give them the best.”
Xu Chaoyang yanked out the car key, pained. “Let’s go.”
Zhang Lin nodded.
With When Mother-in-Law Comes Season 2 airing, the staff couldn’t help but stare. Zhang Lin was unmistakable—a classical beauty with an oval face, willow-leaf brows, and almond eyes. Her hair was tied up, and though she looked thin, she was undeniably striking.
And these two were getting divorced?
The staff read through the asset division agreement, which included real estate, stocks, and custody—all transferred to Zhang Lin. Xu Chaoyang kept only some cash.
Since it was a mutual agreement, the process was smooth. The red marriage certificates turned into purple divorce papers. The moment she held hers, Zhang Lin felt a weight lift.
She even found Xu Chaoyang more tolerable now.
To be fair, he hadn’t treated her badly. But after years of Li Jia’s interference, whatever affection they’d shared had faded.
He was still the father of her children. She didn’t want things to end bitterly. Plus, with Episode 8 yet to air, she had to consider the show. “How about dinner tonight?”
Xu Chaoyang nodded, "We'll pick up Little Yi. Oh, and we need to change his kindergarten. Once you start filming, we’ll hire a nanny to take care of him. I’ll come back in the evenings to pick him up after school."
He planned to spend more time with their child from now on.
"Mm, let’s go," Zhang Lin replied softly, her face glowing with a radiance that made Xu Chaoyang stare in awe. Somehow, she seemed even more beautiful than before.
The paparazzi hiding in the distance were baffled. What was going on? Had they divorced or not?
Who walks together after a divorce? Shouldn’t they go their separate ways? Unless… they hadn’t divorced after all?
...
Paparazzi had to report real scoops—otherwise, if the truth came out later, they’d face backlash from netizens and demands for compensation from buyers.
Most ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‍likely, they had considered divorce but didn’t go through with it. Otherwise, why would they still be seen together?
The paparazzi couldn’t just go to the civil affairs bureau to ask—staff there had professional ethics and wouldn’t disclose who got married or divorced.
Frustrated, the paparazzi left, but gossip accounts could still craft clickbait headlines like #ZhangLinAndXuChaoyangSpottedOutsideCivilAffairsBureau# or #ThisCelebrityCoupleAppearsAtDivorceOffice#, which only fueled more buzz for the show.
Fans were eagerly waiting for the premiere of Episode 8. At 4 PM, the official show account posted:
["Mothers-in-Law Are Coming: The Finale—Don’t Miss It [Video]"]
The 40-second clip showed the four sets of guests leaving the set.
Zhang Lin wore a relaxed smile, Chen Shuyun was dressed neatly, and Aunt Zhao carried a box of milk with a warm, simple grin.
Shen Xingyao held onto Du Wanzhou’s arm, waving at the camera. The last few seconds showed Jiang Lan and Yu Wanqiu taking a photo on the fourth floor—empty suitcases by the elevator, sunlight streaming across the clean floor, the computer screens in the study reflecting light. Two months of living together had come to an end.
The video was filled with a sense of farewell.
The show was ending, summer was ending, and so was the joy it brought.
No matter what, fans would tune in for the finale at 10 PM—just five more hours to go.
Between the show’s hype and the gossip accounts’ rumors, the episode trended on multiple hashtags before it even aired:
#ZhangLinPossiblyDivorced#, #LuYichengMeetsTheParents#, #MothersInLawAreComingIIEpisode8#, #LanzhouNoodlesStillGoingStrong#, #DuWanzhouAndShenXingyaoPerfectInLaws#, and more.
Discussions were rampant. Lu Yicheng meeting the parents had already sparked debate earlier—by now, they’d probably finished dinner and gone home.
Previous episodes had hinted at trouble in Zhang Lin’s marriage, but seeing the divorce rumors still shocked fans.
It felt like a sudden blow. But since it was only "suspected," and Zhang Lin’s social media was still filled with loving posts and family photos, fans wondered—could they really divorce right after the show ended?
Some asked the show’s official account, others sent private messages, but none received a response.
Zhang Lin’s fans were worried. Jiang Lan, now off the show, finally dared to check her own social media.
The hate messages had dwindled, replaced by questions: "When are you getting married?" "Will you and Yu Wanqiu collaborate again?"
Fans adored Jiang Lan and Yu Wanqiu’s dynamic—from cooking together and ordering takeout to gaming, yoga, and lazy mornings.
One stood at the peak of fame, the other at the base, but fans watched as they met halfway.
Fan-edited videos only deepened the obsession, often casting Lu Yicheng as the unfortunate third wheel. Over time, Bilibili was flooded with edits, some featuring "Old Lu" and "Old Six" as recurring characters—sometimes as names, sometimes as background lore.
Though shipping them was fun, everyone knew Yu Wanqiu had a husband, and Jiang Lan had a boyfriend.
Eventually, fans shifted to celebrating their friendship. Jiang Lan was like a beam of light—whether at a premiere with flowers, a fireworks show on West Street, or a firefly forest in Yunnan, every moment became iconic.
Yu Wanqiu, effortlessly charismatic and talented, set a standard in the industry. Critics once accused her of using stunt doubles, but now, no proof was needed—those rumors had long died.
As for Jiang Lan, netizens had scrutinized her from day one.
Yet, those same critics became her biggest fans. She played multiple instruments, had high emotional intelligence, was brave and decisive. Though not perfect, her flaws made her more real.
Who wouldn’t want to be friends with Jiang Lan?
Fans hoped both families would stay close—they even wanted to meet Jiang Lan’s parents. What kind of people raised someone like her?
Netizens couldn’t see them, but Lu Yicheng did.
That evening, Lu Yicheng ate two bowls of millet porridge.
Thick and warm, paired with salted duck eggs, store-bought braised meat, and leftovers from lunch—it was simple home-cooked food, but it tasted like family.
Lu Yicheng ate heartily, then whispered, "Teacher Xie, I hope I didn’t eat too much. It was just so delicious."
Jiang Lan rolled her eyes. He acted like he’d never eaten before—yet when they had hotpot, he wasn’t this dramatic.
Xie Yunzhen smiled. "You’re young, and you use your brain a lot. Eating well is good for you."
Lu Yicheng added, "I also work out three or four times a week." Strong enough to protect Jiang Lan.
Xie Yunzhen said, "There’s more in the pot if you’re still hungry," but didn’t invite him back.
Lu Yicheng’s smile faltered. "I’m full, thank you."
Jiang Baoguo, now sober after his nap, was noticeably cooler toward Lu Yicheng. After dinner, he said, "Jiang Lan, pack some roast chicken for Lu Yicheng. It’s getting dark—drive safely, and walk him out."
Xie Yunzhen agreed. Days were shorter now; leaving early was safer.
Lu Yicheng hesitated. Once outside, he asked Jiang Lan, "Did I say something wrong? Why did your dad rush me out?"
Jiang Lan sighed. "Did you expect to stay overnight?"
Lu Yicheng hadn’t dared to hope—but he wanted more time. It was only 7 PM. Next time, meeting her grandparents might warrant an overnight stay.
"They just worry about you driving back late. If they really wanted you gone, they wouldn’t have let you in at all." She placed the roast chicken in his car. "Go on, get home safe."
Lu Yicheng nodded. "One more hug? I’ll call you tonight. I was too nervous today—I didn’t do well."
He looked somewhat dejected. Originally, he had been quite confident, thinking he scored full marks in every aspect, but now he felt like he was failing everywhere. Would Teacher Xie think, "Finally, he's gone—I've been putting up with him for so long"?
Jiang Lan reached out and hugged Lu Yicheng, patting him on the back. "Alright, alright, you did really well. It was just meeting my parents—no big deal."
"But—"
Jiang Lan cut him off, "If you say 'but' again, I’ll hit you!"
Lu Yicheng pressed his lips together. "No need to be so harsh. Fine, I’m leaving. Really leaving now."
Jiang Lan waved at him.
With no other choice, Lu Yicheng left.
It took him an hour and a half to get home. He sent Jiang Lan a message letting her know he’d arrived safely.
Yu Wanqiu was on the phone with Lu Shuangchen’s parents, the call on speaker. Lu Shuangchen sat nearby, unable to get a word in.
Grandma Lu said, "You’ve finished filming the show... Oh, you must be exhausted. Go home and rest properly. Take care of yourself."
Yu Wanqiu laughed and said she wasn’t tired.
Grandma Lu and Grandpa Lu were both elderly and retired now, spending their days gardening and raising fish. They weren’t tech-savvy and had no idea Yu Wanqiu and Lu Yicheng’s girlfriend were on a reality show until much later.
"Xingran told me Lu Yicheng brought his girlfriend to meet you. When will you bring her to see me?" Grandma Lu was eager to meet Jiang Lan. Lu Xingran had said Jiang Lan studied music, was incredibly talented, and could play many instruments.
She could make music out of anything—it was amazing.
Grandma Lu had even prepared a gift for her.
Yu Wanqiu glanced at Lu Yicheng. "She just got back from vacation and hasn’t been home all summer. She must visit her grandparents and relatives first. I’ll ask her after she’s settled."
Grandma Lu sighed. "Still have to wait? Where’s Yicheng now?"
Yu Wanqiu replied, "After filming today, he took Jiang Lan home and met her parents. He just got back."
Grandma Lu chuckled. "Oh? Why’d he come back so early?"
Lu Yicheng couldn’t take it anymore. "Uncle Jiang was worried it’d be unsafe for me to drive back too late!"
Grandma Lu mused, "That’s considerate of him. Did Lanlan say when she’d come visit me?"
Lu Yicheng took a deep breath. "It’ll be a while, Grandma. I’ll pick her up when school starts. Uncle Jiang and Teacher Xie were actually pretty satisfied with me—they made a whole table of dishes and even insisted I stay for dinner. I’ll definitely bring Jiang Lan to see you."
After a few more words, Grandma Lu finally hung up.
Lu Yicheng was exhausted. He’d just exaggerated a little.
Yu Wanqiu gave him a look. "Back already? Did you eat?"
Lu Yicheng had eaten. "Yeah. Jiang Lan brought you some roast chicken."
Yu Wanqiu smiled. "Thanks."
Lu Yicheng was drained. He needed a shower, a clear head, and some time to reflect.
Yu Wanqiu tore off a drumstick. Lu Shuangchen watched longingly until she handed him one too. The roast chicken was as delicious as ever—Lu Shuangchen agreed. No wonder Yu Wanqiu had been craving it.
After swallowing a bite, Lu Shuangchen said, "You did alright. When I went to your grandma’s place back then, it was much harder."
He felt his son needed some encouragement.
He’d married at thirty. Despite their families’ arrangement, his in-laws had treated him terribly when discussing the wedding.
Lu Yicheng was still young—he had a long road ahead.
Carrying rice and flour? That was nothing.
Lu Yicheng nodded. "I’m going upstairs."
Yu Wanqiu finished a drumstick and started on a wing. Lu Shuangchen washed his hands and sat stiffly on the living room sofa.
Yu Wanqiu hadn’t been home in a while. "Not sleeping yet?"
Lu Shuangchen replied, "If you’re tired, go ahead. I’ll watch the last episode first."
He’d already seen several episodes. The finale was bound to be good.
Yu Wanqiu thought for a moment, then sat beside him. "Let’s watch together. We’ll sleep after."
Lu Shuangchen clenched his hand slightly before gently placing it over Yu Wanqiu’s. When she didn’t react, he slowly intertwined their fingers.
For an old married couple, this was embarrassingly intimate. Lu Shuangchen stared fixedly at the TV. The episode aired at 10 p.m.—still over an hour away.
Normally, he only watched Yu Wanqiu’s movies.
At exactly 10 p.m., the eighth episode of Mother-in-Law Has Arrived premiered.
The ratings soared past 2.0.
The seventh episode had focused on the daily lives of the four participating families. The eighth continued in the same vein, showing Du Wanzhou’s first stop after returning to City B—a health checkup.
She had high blood sugar and hypertension, but this time, her levels had improved, and she’d lost several pounds. Many women watching the show had been trying to lose weight, only to be tempted by the endless feasts—hot pot, barbecue, desserts, skewers. If they resisted going out, they’d cook instant noodles using the methods shown, piling on the calories.
After seven episodes, they’d gained weight instead.
Watching Jiang Lan and Yu Wanqiu do yoga? They didn’t join in. Watching them eat delicious food? They couldn’t resist indulging too.
Now, seeing Du Wanzhou’s weight loss, they were envious.
[Begging Shen Xingyao to post workout videos!]
[I regret not doing yoga with Teacher Yu and Jiang Lan.]
[Jiang Lan on the show: gains 1 best friend, 1 boyfriend’s cousin + fanboy, countless shippers, loses 3 pounds, gains infinite love from boyfriend. Me watching: gains infinite pounds.]
[Life’s not fair.]
[Seems fair to me—traded weight for happiness. And let’s be real, the instant noodles were delicious. Even my mom couldn’t resist. LOL.]
[Xingyao, please post fitness content!]
This episode also showed Chen Shuyun returning to work. The editors included a scene from the first episode where she spoke with her boss.
Her boss, a woman, seemed deeply understanding—as if women truly got each other. She’d given Chen Shuyun two months’ leave to decide: quit and become a housewife or keep working.
Chen Shuyun chose work. But she planned to slow down. At over forty, with stomach issues, she couldn’t push herself like before.
She’d mentor younger colleagues, gradually passing her clients to her protégé.
Aunt Zhao had prepared her lunches for several days—balanced meals featuring sponsor Yuexiang’s yogurt and milk, packed with nutrients.
[This is so touching.]
[A happy ending.]
[Douban 10.0 rating.]
[Life has its ups and downs. This feels real—like most families. Conflicts exist, but as long as hearts are in the right place, relationships work out.]
[Hope the family stays happy. Little Xuan, aim for Lu Yicheng’s level in next year’s college exams!]
[Wait, isn’t Little Xuan also at Jinhua High? Small world.]
[Jinhua students pray at the academic shrine before exams.]
Li Jia’s screen time remained minimal in the eighth episode. The crew cutting her scenes was already the kindest move—if they’d aired everything, netizens would’ve torn her apart.
Xu Qian had money, and Zhang Tian didn’t want trouble.
As for the footage that wasn’t included in the final edit, Zhang Tian kept it all saved. If Zhang Lin ever needed it in the future, he would send it to her.
With those videos, Li Jia probably wouldn’t give Zhang Lin too hard a time.
Throughout this episode, Zhang Lin had been watching movies—Yu Wanqiu’s films, Chu Lingnan’s, and Zheng Qiu’s.
She took extensive notes and studied diligently.
Zhang Lin’s decision to return to acting wasn’t just empty talk, nor was it because she had gained some popularity from the show and wanted to ride that wave.
Having not acted for seven years, her skills had declined, and she needed to work hard to make up for lost time.
Fans couldn’t help but feel a pang in their hearts watching her.
[If a mother can work this hard, what excuse do I have not to push myself? Starting tomorrow, I swear I’ll commit to losing weight!]
[Setting a goal: I’ll get into grad school next year.]
[Hope Zhang Lin gets to act in scripts she truly loves.]
[You can do it, sis!...]
What fans were most eager to see, however, were Jiang Lan and Yu Wanqiu. This episode, the two had traveled to Yunnan Province again.
The pacing felt a bit confusing—with only thirty-some minutes to work with, the editors had little room to maneuver. They had to include scenes of the contract signing, government staff from Yunnan, costume changes, and poster shoots, making everything feel rushed.
But then Yu Wanqiu appeared, dressed in traditional ethnic attire, standing atop a bamboo pole as it floated across Erhai Lake—leaving fans breathless.
It was a long take, truly unforgettable. Yu Wanqiu held a bamboo pole like an oar, gliding forward as if she were rowing a boat. It was hard not to wonder if she was on wires.
Yet there wasn’t a single steel cable in sight.
The scene then cut to Jiang Lan twirling a flute in her hand. She raised it to her lips, and a melodious tune filled the air.
Against the backdrop of lush green mountains and crystal-clear waters, the scenery was breathtaking.
Later in the episode, the two returned to City B. By Friday, Jiang Lan and Yu Wanqiu had taken a few photos of the villa and bid farewell to the show’s crew and fellow guests.
A glance at the progress bar showed an hour and forty-six minutes had already passed.
With only fourteen minutes left in the two-hour program, the editing in the latter part felt somewhat chaotic—yet oddly fitting. Scenes of gatherings in the villa, barbecues, instant noodles, fireworks outside, the beach, the amusement park, and snapshots of many guests flashed by.
From beginning to end, two months of shared moments, day after day, until finally, the screen faded to black, leaving behind...