"When I get the time," Jinghan sighed, "you must take me to see her. We grew up together, and if there is a way to help, we should. But if there isn't, then there's nothing we can do. For a woman, having a supportive natal family is crucial to avoid suffering in the first half of her life, and a kind in-laws' family matters just as much for the second half. Xiaojuan really has it tough, with no support from either side." Jinghan knew that Xiaojuan's natal family wasn't good to her and had thought that things might improve with her marriage.
"Alright," Yumei said, "we'll wait until after the New Year then; Xiaojuan should be able to come back by then. Just thinking about her mother-in-law gets me grinding my teeth in frustration."
