Cheng Ying lay in the quilt, her mind already drifting to her own family affairs. This kind of Second Aunt, Cheng Ying truly dreaded living with her.

Besides, with the whole extended family sharing one roof, sooner or later the Old Madam would surely become exasperated. Where could anyone find peace living like that, cooped up with so many people?

Dragging things out like this was certainly no solution. Moreover, looking at their small family unit within the broader household dynamic, they were clearly the ones destined to swallow frustration.

What Cheng Ying knew for certain was that in about seven or eight years, the household responsibility system—the contract farming policy—would arrive.

With the land distribution just around the corner, she figured they could at least manage to keep hunger at bay in the future.

They wouldn't have to endure the current stinginess and outright hunger pangs.

There was also the matter of her stepfather; even though he was an educated youth sent down to the countryside, he still possessed a conscience.

If her stepfather returned to the city later on, their immediate family could even claim an additional plot of land.

But then there was that Second Aunt: even if land was allocated, none of it would ever fall into the hands of her and her mother.

Thankfully, she had her own birth mother; if she had ended up under the control of Second Aunt, she would surely be beaten and scolded every single day.

A child with a mother truly had some form of security.

Cheng Ying, being somewhat petty, had certainly marked Second Aunt down in her memory, and she wouldn't forget it for a single minute.

Cheng Ying mused that if they could manage to separate the household before the land division, she and her mother would have a real prospect for a better future.

At the very least, they wouldn't be constantly clashing with that Second Aunt over every single meal.

The only obstacle was the Old Madam, who would certainly object. But in Cheng Ying’s view, this was a case where a short, sharp pain was better than a long, dull ache.

Cheng Ying pondered that her own status was too humble; saying anything would be useless.

Her own mother, moreover, had no standing whatsoever. It was more likely that others would simply decide to let her separate; she probably never even considered living independently.

As for her stepfather and Chi Wu, there was no point discussing it. This was not a decision their small unit could make alone.

The request would likely have to come from Second Aunt herself.

At this moment, Cheng Ying noticed a shining virtue in her Second Aunt.

If the Old Madam were finally worn down by her daughter-in-law’s constant nagging, she might finally relent.

Cheng Ying resolved that regardless of her stepfather’s future choices, she absolutely had to secure a future free of worry for herself and her mother.

To encounter someone like Second Aunt and allow her to profit would be to suffer a loss.

Cheng Ying could not tolerate that. Thinking of Second Aunt planning to peel a layer of skin off her in the future made Cheng Ying physically ill.

It would be a mercy if she didn't end up peeling others; allowing Second Aunt to take advantage of her was absolutely out of the question. Prevention was always better than trying to mend the fold after the sheep were gone.

Taking advantage of the fact that there was still a man in the household holding things together—now was a good opportunity.

Grandmother’s food was ready, and those who had gone out to work were returning.

Cheng Ying strained her ears, listening for the sounds of washing hands and faces outside. The atmosphere was markedly gloomier than usual.

And the voices of her own mother and stepfather were absent.

Cheng Ying’s grandmother called out, “Eldest daughter-in-law, where is the Third Son’s wife?”

Cheng Ying’s Eldest Aunt replied, “Zhizi finished work and went to find some medicinal herbs for Yingzi, for her swollen leg. She’ll be home soon.”

Cheng Ying silently took note. After all, that was her own mother; even the tone of the Eldest Aunt suggested things weren't great—perhaps she worried about being dragged down by them.

The Old Madam was preparing for the whole family to eat. Today, the low table was set up in the West Room.

Second Aunt came over, carrying Dun’er, but she was stomping and clattering, clearly in a foul temper.

Cheng Ying peered through a crack in the door, observing the scene outside—it was far from harmonious.

Given the Old Madam’s temperament, her tolerance of her daughter-in-law must stem from concern for her widowed and motherless son’s family; otherwise, the Old Madam was not one to simply endure someone like Second Aunt.

Taking a deep breath, she thought, We won't starve just because we leave them.

Especially concerning Second Aunt: while her own mother earned less, at least she understood the situation and always acted subserviently.

She had never seen anyone like Second Aunt—someone who ate for free yet dared to be so arrogant.

And to covet what belonged to others with such entitlement!

When the family ate, they didn't wait for her mother, who was returning late. Perhaps the Old Madam, because of Yingzi’s illness, couldn't press the issue further; what needed to be tolerated, must be tolerated.

Cheng Ying watched through the door crack as the West Room door closed. Outside the main room, Chi Wu’s eyes were red.

Of course they were. For a child like him, who helped cook, worked, and then was shut out while others ate—what kind of conduct was that?

When she hadn't realized they were supposed to be one family, Cheng Ying hadn't cared much.

But now that Cheng Ying accepted them as family, the fire in her chest simply wouldn't die down.

It was infuriating, truly infuriating. Even beating a dog requires considering its master.

It seemed even the supreme authority of the grandmother had moments where her control faltered.

It was then that Cheng Ying’s mother came in from outside.

From the doorway, through the paper of the window, she could see the rest of the family already eating.

Hearing her mother enter the courtyard, Cheng Ying quickly moved to the window crack to watch.

She saw that her mother’s expression hadn't changed at all—meaning, no sign of resentment.

This was a woman resigned to fate, an A-dou who couldn't be roused.

Cheng Ying calculated that expecting her own mother to initiate the family division was highly unlikely.

Cheng Ying felt a pang of disappointment. She slid off the kang bed and repositioned herself at the door crack to watch outside.

Her mother washed her hands, entered the room, saw the red-eyed Chi Wu, merely frowned slightly, and gently stroked the top of his head a few times.

Then, facing the door of the West Room, she called out, “Mother, I’m back.”

Cheng Ying sighed again. Truly, a person who could be manipulated by anyone.

The Old Madam, from the West Room, replied, “En, wash up and eat.” Her tone wasn't exactly warm.

They could hear Second Aunt grumbling from the West Room, “Coming back is one thing, did she expect us to go out and greet her?”

Second Uncle let out a crisp sound, “Eat.”

That was directed at Second Aunt.

Cheng Ying felt that more people just meant more trouble. Her own mother, however, remained calm.

Facing the West Room, she replied, “Okay,” accepting the instruction readily. As for Second Aunt’s comment, Cheng Ying’s mother didn't utter a single word in response.

This was the model of an ancient, virtuous daughter-in-law.

She wondered how her own maternal grandmother had managed to shape her mother into this—it was terrifyingly successful. A perfect model of an ancient dutiful wife handed over.

Although Cheng Ying’s mother responded quickly, she did not enter the room to eat. Instead, she turned and headed toward the East Room.

The old houses had very small spaces; it was only a few steps to push open the door.

Cheng Ying darted onto the kang bed in one move, flopping down with a soft thud, her movements fluid, timed perfectly with her mother opening their door.

Cheng Ying looked up at her mother as she pushed the door open and looked at her daughter.

Yang Zhi saw her daughter’s eyes open. “Yingzi, are you feeling better now that you’re awake? Is there any discomfort anywhere?”

Although she’d heard the Old Madam mention that Yingzi had woken up long ago, this was the first time she truly saw her daughter awake like this.

It wasn't that the mother didn't want to come, but Yang Zhi genuinely hadn’t had the chance.

For the past few days after work, Yang Zhi had been scrambling in the mountains looking for herbs for her daughter.

At this time of year, the leaves and grasses on the mountain were withered and dry, making medicinal herbs hard to find.

As for skipping work, Yang Zhi couldn't afford that; life was already difficult enough.

Knowing Second Sister-in-law’s temperament as she did after so many years, Yang Zhi understood completely.

By the time Yang Zhi returned, her daughter, already frail, would have long since fallen asleep.

Cheng Ying looked at her mother, her own eyes reddening. Though their emotional bond wasn't deep yet, this woman hadn't even paused to eat for herself; she was genuinely fighting for her daughter's life.

And from now on, her own fate would be inextricably linked to this woman’s.

Cheng Ying nudged her mother. “Mom, go eat first.”

Hearing such thoughtful words, Yang Zhi’s eyes also welled up. Since her husband left, no one had ever thought of her this way. Her daughter was growing up. “Yingzi, Mom isn't hungry. Wait until later, I’ll eat with your... Uncle.”

She glanced quickly at her daughter after speaking.

Cheng Ying understood that the ‘Uncle’ her mother mentioned was the stepfather. It seemed her mother feared she would object, so she phrased it as ‘Uncle’ instead of letting her call him ‘Father.’

Seeing that her daughter remained silent, Yang Zhi quickly added, “Your uncle went far away to pick herbs for you. Mom came back first.”

Cheng Ying grasped her mother’s calloused hand; this woman truly had it hard.

Yang Zhi looked at her daughter’s expression. “Yingzi, is something wrong?”

Cheng Ying looked at her mother, thinking that a swift, sharp pain was better than a slow one. Your daughter will help you live a comfortable life, at least free from outside bullying. “Mom, my whole body hurts. My head aches, I’m dizzy, and I feel like throwing up. Am I going to die? Can you cure me? We don’t have any food left at home to treat an illness, do we?”

Cheng Ying spoke these words quite loudly.

In those times, carrying grain was more useful than carrying money when traveling.

Yang Zhi looked at her daughter, anxiety mounting, feeling somewhat lost. “Yingzi, Yingzi, you’ll be fine. You lie down. Mom will find a cart; we’ll go to the county town.”

Yang Zhi understood completely that the ailment in her head couldn't be cured by any random herb. It wasn't something visible to the naked eye.

Cheng Ying held onto her mother and wailed genuinely. The commotion drew everyone from the other room, crowding the doorway until it was blocked.

Cheng Ying looked at the crowd pressed against the entrance. “Mom, am I going to live?” That question struck a mother's heart too deeply.

Tears streamed down Yang Zhi’s face. “Yingzi, even if I have to risk my life, I will treat you!”

If anyone else had said this, it would have been mere comfort.

But coming from Yang Zhi’s mouth, it was not comfort. When someone in the village had a headache or a slight fever, it was Yang Zhi who provided two herbs and settled the matter.

The county town was over a hundred li away. Here they were, with only a half-baked folk healer and not even a village clinic.

Second Aunt’s face instantly soured. How much money would that cost? It was an endless pit.

Regardless of the illness, just a trip to the county town and entering a hospital was beyond what a family like theirs could afford. Otherwise, why hadn't they taken Cheng Ying to the hospital after two days of fever, instead of just keeping her sweating it out on the kang?

Hearing her mother’s words, Cheng Ying cried even harder. If her initial sobs were just an act, now she was genuinely moved.

There was a difference between fake crying and real crying. The truly emotional Cheng Ying shifted from loud wailing to a subdued sob.

Yang Zhi watched her daughter’s crying subside, thinking her daughter’s body must finally be giving out. A child this age wouldn't feign such sickness.

Her anxiety deepened. “Eldest Brother, please help me call for a mule cart. I need to take Yingzi to the county town.”

The Eldest Brother hesitated; going to the county town cost money.

The Old Madam entered the room, took a key from her waist—surely to retrieve money from the cabinet.

Second Aunt’s face darkened, and she stepped forward. “Mother, you don’t just have Yingzi as a granddaughter; Dun’er is so young. Spring is almost here, and soon there won’t be any roots to dig up. Can you bear to watch this child starve?”

Though the words were exaggerated, a trip to the county town meant their family would inevitably suffer severe hardship.

The Old Madam glared at her Second Daughter-in-law. “That is life.”

Second Aunt refused to yield an inch. “My child’s life matters too. We cannot sacrifice the lives of my whole family just for the sake of one girl’s life.”