The words sounded as if something major was happening with Yingzi, who was standing outside. Cheng Ying sighed inwardly.

This was an era with no personal space whatsoever. Seriously, it was just a fish stew, but why was everyone smelling it and heading out?

Cheng Ying didn't know that this little village hadn't tasted any meat or fish since the river froze over. It wasn't that people were shallow; it was the era that confined them.

Cheng Ying walked over to her grandmother, "Now I know why we had to wait until the New Year to stew fish." And the understanding was profound. The old lady looked at her granddaughter.

For someone so young to have such an insight was rare; her granddaughter was a perceptive child. Yang Zhi, hearing the commotion outside, was already standing at the doorway, watching her own daughter just as intently.

As for Chi Wu, needless to say, he kept a close eye on Cheng Ying, waiting to see what mischief she was brewing. Cheng Ying sighed, "At New Year's, every household stews meat.

If you didn't, wouldn't the smell from other houses overpower yours? It's to prevent trouble." Classic.

This insight was truly uncommon. The old lady was satisfied, lightly tapping her granddaughter's shoulder, "Nonsense.

Go back inside and tidy up, wait for dinner." Just as the few people were talking by the door, Chi Yong returned from herding sheep, carrying a large bundle of firewood on his shoulder. In Cheng Ying's view, her stepfather's thin frame looked as if it would be crushed by the firewood.

He looked less sturdy than her own mother. Yang Zhi went out to help her stepfather set the firewood down, "Didn't you go herding?" Chi Yong looked at his wife, the slightest change in expression flickering across his face, "I gathered some kindling along the way.

Every little bit adds up, saving us from hiring help later in the year." Listening to the conversation between her stepfather and her own mother, Cheng Ying could tell her stepfather was a man with foresight, a man with his own plans. Moreover, his emotions were exceptionally restrained.

He knew how to manage their life. Yang Zhi said, "But don't overwork yourself.

If you gather too much while herding, I'll carry it down the mountain for you later." Cheng Ying shook her head; her own mother was certainly considerate. Chi Yong replied, "No need.

I'll work within my limits. It’s just a matter of making a few extra trips.

I'm on the mountain tending sheep every day anyway." The old lady probably couldn't stand watching the couple being so affectionate, "Are we eating or not?" Although her tone wasn't harsh, she hadn't actually scolded them. The old lady watched Chi Yong carry the firewood inside and felt a measure of relief.

Having a man meant having someone who could plan ahead. But she also felt a spark of resentment: when they all lived together, Chi Yong hadn't been this proactive or self-motivated.

Now that they had split up and were managing their own small household, he suddenly understood planning and started caring for the home immediately. The old lady's feelings were utterly contradictory.

Yang Zhi lowered her head, walking behind Chi Yong, "Let's eat." Cheng Ying hugged her grandmother. She understood the old lady's feelings—it was hard for her to see her daughter-in-law getting along so well with the man who had married into the family later.

She must be unhappy. Cheng Ying felt a bit awkward, "Grandma, I want two bowls of fish soup." The old lady's gaze was immediately drawn over, "Greedy girl, people are already talking, and you still want fish soup?

Eat the fish meat instead, or my granddaughter will suffer too much!" Cheng Ying looked at her grandmother’s reaction and gave only one response, opening her arms wide, "Let the storm rage more fiercely!" Unfortunately, her grandmother couldn't appreciate postmodern speaking arts, reaching out to touch her granddaughter's forehead, "You really have a fever. Why are you speaking such nonsense?" Cheng Ying touched her face—so embarrassing.

They thought she was mentally unstable! She curved the corner of her mouth awkwardly, "I just really crave the fish meat, hehe." Then she withdrew her hand and moved uncomfortably toward the house, of course, not forgetting to set the table and grab bowls and chopsticks.

Chi Wu had only just separated his household and was already gathering firewood; she needed to show some willingness to work too. Besides, Cheng Ying felt like she was in a contest.

It was unacceptable for her stepfather and Chi Wu to overshadow her own mother's home. No matter whose name was first on the household register, the ones who truly managed the house were the ones who had the final say.

Having leverage meant having assurance. What was assurance?

Money. No, at this time, it was called work points (gongfen); work points were assurance.

Cheng Ying thought about how she needed to accumulate more of this "assurance" for the future. It was her reserve strength.

Since arriving here, Cheng Ying had been dealing almost exclusively with liquid food. What she ate often was porridge, and the only time they had a special meal was soup—still liquid.

Today, with fish stewing, they actually had a change in staple food! Cheng Ying was deeply moved.

The only regret was that it had changed from corn gruel to coarse cornmeal rice. Even though both were derived from corn kernels, this stuff actually staved off hunger.

And it was perfect for soaking up fish soup. Eating corn rice soaked in fish soup was an unparalleled delight.

As Cheng Ying set the table, she couldn't help but drool. Yang Zhi ladled out some fish soup from the pot, "Mother, should we send some over to Eldest Uncle's and Second Uncle's houses?" The old lady pursed her lips and looked at her daughter-in-law.

Silly girl, when has anyone ever shown consideration for you or your children? But she couldn't say that.

"Every household has some; eat up." Cheng Ying nodded. One fish per family; who would be willing to give it away?

Her own mother was too naive. Even Chi Wu’s expression softened considerably upon hearing the old lady’s words.

The family sat down at the table and picked up their bowls. Although there hadn't been meat or fish on the table for a long time, no one immediately dove for the fish meat.

In Cheng Ying's view, her family members were quite reserved. Of course, perhaps her stepfather had excellent self-control.

Her own mother had developed this quality from enduring grievances for a long time. And she herself was naturally prone to putting on airs.

As for Chi Wu, wasn't he basking under the awe-inspiring shadow of the old lady? The old lady said, "Alright, everyone eat.

It’s rare to have meat." Saying this, she first gave her granddaughter an extra helping of fish meat. Chi Wu only started to pick up his chopsticks after seeing the old lady's clear favoritism.

Unfortunately, before anyone in the family could savor the fragrant fish meat, their front door was flung open. The door curtain was swept aside, and a voice declared, "Mother, Dunzi hasn't been eating well these past few days; nothing tastes good to him.

I figured he can't stand my cooking, so I thought he could try eating here." With that, her Second Aunt walked in. And she acted as if she were the mistress of the house, even more assured than Cheng Ying’s own mother, "Sister-in-law, scoot over a bit.

I’ll just sit here and feed Dunzi a mouthful." The old lady's face darkened. It wasn't that she begrudged the food; her own grandson, Dunzi, she would feed before herself.

She must simply dislike the Second Aunt. Yang Zhi said, "Second Sister-in-law, I'll get you a bowl." Saying this, Yang Zhi’s face flushed crimson as she got down to go to the kitchen.

Cheng Ying sighed. Her own mother—anyone who didn't know the situation would think she was stealing food.

Why was she blushing when the freeloader wasn't even embarrassed? But some people push their luck.

"Sister-in-law, I'll eat here. Second Brother and Eldest Brother are still at home." The implication was clear, though not explicitly stated: go fetch Second Brother to eat with them too.

Yang Zhi started, "Oh, I'll just..." but before she finished, the old lady slammed her chopsticks down. "Second Daughter-in-law, you orchestrated the split, and now you're trying to freeload off your sister-in-law's food?

How generous of you! Didn't you choose the path to better days?

How can you eat this?" The old lady was determined to curb this improper behavior. Cheng Ying thought that if her mother allowed this once, there would be a second time, and if she let the Second Aunt establish a precedent, the dinner table would never be peaceful again.

She tugged at the lapel of the old lady's coat, looking mournful and a little frightened. No matter how she looked, she seemed pitiful.

She didn't need to say a word; she was simply applying pressure on the Second Aunt. The old lady looked at her granddaughter and her tone grew even sterner, "Since you split, everyone eats what's theirs.

Everyone's grain comes from their own work points. Do less of this 'taking advantage' business." The Second Aunt’s face flushed red and white.

"Mother, aren't we all one family? I didn't suggest splitting up for my own sake.

Don't forget Dunzi and the other two children! Besides, isn't Yingzi fine now?" It was rare to find someone so shameless, but Cheng Ying actually admired the Second Aunt a little.

In these hard times, just so the children could eat a bit more, being shameless wasn't the worst thing; if the children were healthy, it was understandable. But you can't treat our house like a soft persimmon!

Mothers are strong, but that strength shouldn't be applied here. This tenacity of yours really shouldn't be focused on this matter.

The old lady didn't get angry when the Second Aunt brought up Yingzi's illness. The Second Aunt had been eager to see them suffer, willing to abandon conscience over two dimes.

She was clearly displeased that Yingzi was fine, probably fearing Cheng Ying had contracted some costly disease, which is why she insisted on splitting the family. The old lady’s anger finally boiled over because of her Second Daughter-in-law.

"Pah! You heartless woman!

You’re worried about our Yingzi now? Seeing she’s okay must make you uncomfortable, right?

I'm telling you, it’s all because of your wasteful ways! Get out!" The old lady was truly furious.

Cheng Ying thought the fish wouldn't taste good anymore. The Second Aunt, seeing the old lady about to grab a broom handle in her rage, clutched her child and the fish she had quickly scooped out, and retreated, "Why?

Why is it that just after splitting, you get to feast while we starve? Who even knows what the actual family assets were!

You keep saying everything is settled, but how can you eat this the moment we leave?" Yang Zhi looked displeased. What was her Second Sister-in-law shouting about in the yard?

Besides, their family hadn't taken any advantage. "Second Sister-in-law, you watched everything during the split.

Is there anywhere in this house where things could be hidden?" The Second Aunt was momentarily silenced. When she had insisted on picking out the cutlery and bowls earlier, she had searched every nook and cranny.

She truly hadn't seen much, but who knew how much private money the old lady had kept back? "Easy for you to say." Yang Zhi countered, "Doesn't your family also get fish today?" The Second Aunt retorted, "I wouldn't dare eat it like this.

I’m saving mine for the New Year." Cheng Ying stood by her mother's side at the doorway. "Second Aunt, what you are holding is what my family was planning to eat for the New Year.

Grandma doesn't have money to treat my illness, so she can only give me something good to eat now. Every bite counts, at least it’s honest to my stomach.

I still want to eat fish meat for a few more years. Why don't you lend us some money?

Mom can take me to the city for treatment." Yang Zhi reached behind her and pinched her daughter’s bottom—what was she saying? It was the New Year, how could she utter such unlucky words!

The Second Aunt was truly speechless after Cheng Ying spoke, yet she didn't let go of the fish meat she was clutching. Just look at what kind of mother she was.

For the sake of her son getting one bite of food, the Second Aunt’s character was achieving a unique notoriety. Cheng Ying didn't actually mind letting the child have a bite, but she hated the Second Aunt’s sharp tongue.

Eating someone’s food should make you grateful; the Second Aunt lacked that awareness. She eats it, resents you, and shows no thanks—what kind of person is she?

C