The old woman could not bear to hear her granddaughter say that; a white-haired person seeing off a black-haired one was already too much with just her only younger son.

"You shameless thing, get out! Even if I had ten thousand purple golds, none of it would be yours! You always covet what other families have—how utterly shameful!" she shouted from the window, the old lady beside herself with fury.

When the family assets were divided, it had been done so fairly, and she had even made a statement then. Who could stand that kind of talk? Cheng Ying felt that human greed knew no bounds. She had not lived up to her grandmother's good intentions.

Cheng Ying only found out yesterday that what her grandmother had divided to them was merely one year's worth of work points. She had heard the neighbors saying that their old madam was so generous that she hadn't kept anything aside for her own old age, giving everything to her sons. And what was the result? Her second aunt-in-law still spoke those words.

Her second aunt-in-law glanced toward the window. Frankly, she didn't dare provoke the old woman when she was in a rage. Clutching Dunzi, she reluctantly took the bowl and left. This person was only slightly better than her own mother; compared to the old lady, Cheng Ying felt there was still a whole level of difference.

Cheng Ying thought that, as the second aunt-in-law, this woman was the victor. After such a petty quarrel, she walked away with a bowl of food and a large piece of fish, and furthermore, she had ruined the appetite of their own family, making the fish taste bland. Harming others for personal gain—the second aunt-in-law had deeply grasped the essence of this saying.

Yang Zhi stared at the silent courtyard gate, then led her daughter into the house, moving quietly. As she closed the door, Cheng Ying looked at their small fenced-in dwelling and made a firm resolution: the first thing she would do once she had the means was to build a proper courtyard wall—to guard against wolves, theft, and the second aunt-in-law. That was absolutely necessary.

Moreover, for the first time, Cheng Ying contemplated how despicable the character of her second aunt-in-law was. Although she herself might be small-minded and selfish, she hadn't sunk to that level. From now on, she would never equate herself with the second aunt-in-law again. It was unsightly to be so close to someone like her.

Yang Zhi sat down again on the kang. "Mother, it's nothing. Second Sister-in-law is just like that. Second Brother understands her." Yang Zhi had genuinely comforted the old lady's heart. The words her daughter-in-law had uttered had pierced her to the core. The old lady felt she treated all her sons the same.

Facing such a daughter-in-law, the old lady didn't care so much for herself, but she feared her son might think the same way, leaving her terribly choked up inside. She unleashed a torrent of anger toward Yang Zhi, who had offered the best consolation: "You useless thing! Are you dead? To let someone speak like that? Aren't you a mother yourself?"

Cheng Ying pitied her own mother, an undeserved victim. Chi Yong sat silently nearby, nowhere for him to interject. Yang Zhi stammered for a long time but dared not say a word in front of the old lady. Her own daughter was fine; could she bring up that? What a mess it would cause; the old lady would end up hating her. A few curses were fine; as long as the old lady felt better, Yang Zhi always knew how to comfort herself.

Cheng Ying looked at the family around the table, everyone clearly in low spirits. "Grandma, let's eat. I'm hungry."

The old lady tapped her granddaughter's head. "You too! No matter the reason, you can't joke about your own life. People eat salted foods; they can't just speak recklessly. You've stabbed your grandmother in the heart!"

Cheng Ying knew what the old lady cared about most. "Grandma, I won't say it again. I just wanted to tell Second Aunt-in-law that when I thought about eating fish at their house during the New Year, I didn't express myself clearly."

Chi Yong glanced at his daughter, his eyes flickering slightly. Not to mention, she really needed a proper introduction. The little girl was sharp. His own second sister-in-law needed to be dealt with using methods exactly like his daughter's. He glanced at his wife; competing with the second sister-in-law was not on the same level. If Yang Zhi confronted her, she'd be torn apart and eaten.

In Chi Yong's view, his second sister-in-law was someone who fed on grievances, took insults, and never conceded a loss—basically agreeing with Cheng Ying's assessment of the second aunt-in-law. If you don't gain an advantage, you're losing out.

The old lady placed a piece of fish in her granddaughter's bowl. "Eat. Everyone eat well." Apart from the old lady's words, the family ate around the table in silence, not making a sound. Because of the second aunt-in-law's disruption, Cheng Ying felt the fish wasn't that fragrant anymore. Even Chi Wu barely touched his chopsticks. Cheng Ying had to put a piece of fish in Chi Wu's bowl. Why should a child carry such heavy worries? Do adult matters require him to be so conscientious?

Chi Wu looked at the fish, then at Cheng Ying, then at the old lady again. Seeing that no one else was stirring, he finally shoveled the food into his mouth. This child had to eat according to others' expressions; it was a habit. No one had it easy.

Chi Yong finished a bowl of fish soup. Yang Zhi ladled a bowl of fish soup for the old lady, but the old lady wasn't focused on that and didn't touch it. Yang Zhi picked up the bowl, took two pieces of fish, and added the old lady's bowl of soup. "Mother, Mingzi from Big Brother's family hasn't eaten yet. I'll take this over for the children." She looked at the old lady after speaking; Yang Zhi wouldn't dare do anything without the old lady's nod.

The old lady nodded slightly. Cheng Ying knew the old lady must feel bad that the grandsons weren't eating. After Yang Zhi left with the bowl, Cheng Ying poured the old lady a small half-bowl of fish soup again. Only after drinking two sips did the old lady sigh. "It's not that your grandma is heartless, but in these times, the whole family has this small ration. We can't look after everyone. Even if Grandma wanted to care for them, she lacks the strength."

Cheng Ying said, "Second Uncle definitely understands. We just don't need to pay attention to Second Aunt-in-law. When we stew meat next time, she'll surely be happy to visit again." Cheng Ying wasn't being sarcastic; she was just trying to soothe the old lady. Her second aunt-in-law would lower her face for any benefit; there was no need to dwell on such a person.

Chi Yong remained silent, but he felt a sense of kindred spirit toward his new younger daughter. She was more perceptive than his own son. In a sweeping glance, Cheng Ying could see the refined air peeking through the patched shoulders and worn clothes of her stepfather. It was truly striking. Moreover, her stepfather was actually nodding slightly, indicating he quite agreed with her statement. Haha, this household actually contained someone with such unique insight!

The old lady tapped Cheng Ying's shoulder lightly. "Naughty child, what are you saying? Deal with your second aunt-in-law less in the future." The old lady was genuinely afraid her granddaughter would turn out like her daughter-in-law, which would be utterly vexing.

Cheng Ying replied, "I'll listen to Grandma." As they spoke, Chi Wu had already taken the dishes away.

Chi Yong said, "Old Madam, the New Year is approaching. Is there anything else we need to add or subtract from the household supplies? The captain mentioned the team's mule cart will go into the city in a couple of days."

The old lady glanced up at Chi Yong. "The team's mule cart going to the city—we won't gain any benefit from that. Many people go to the city near the New Year."

Chi Yong countered, "There might not be many. The team is organizing people to go into the mountains for the next couple of days; everyone wants to earn a few more work points. Few people will go to the city. I was thinking of letting Yang Zhi take Yingzi to the city hospital to check that problem with her head. It could be big or small; it would be reassuring to have it looked at." He then looked at the old lady.

Cheng Ying felt her stepfather's strategy was one of psychological maneuvering, and a superior one at that. Attacking by starting with her was the best way to win over the old lady. Sure enough, the rigidity in the old lady's back softened. "Yang Zhi is a woman who has never even been to the city; she won't be of use. Look, let Yang Zhi watch the sheep for a day, and you take Yingzi into the city."

Chi Yong showed no emotion on his face. "That works. If there's anything you need to buy, I'll bring it all back then." The old lady narrowed her triangular eyes slightly, pondering what she was thinking. After a long moment, she finally said, "We'll talk about it later."

That night, as they were going to sleep, Cheng Ying cuddled the old lady. "Grandma, why don't you come into the city with me? Aren't you afraid Chi Wu's father will buy me away?" Cheng Ying was teasing the old lady. Never mind that she was reborn; an ordinary person couldn't buy her. Even her stepfather was a person with some sense; he certainly wouldn't engage in backroom dealings like a black market trader. It made no sense from any angle.

The old lady immediately replied with a single word: "Scared."

Cheng Ying's jaw dropped; she was actually afraid! Then she heard the old lady continue, "But it's fine. That boy Chi Wu is still being held here with us. I'll tell your mother to watch Chi Wu carefully."

Cheng Ying wanted to laugh; how could such a thing happen? But the old lady's concerns were so endearing. "My dearest Grandma," she said, planting a kiss on the old lady's wrinkled cheek—a display of her feeling. Only her Grandma treated her like a treasure.

The old lady's head filled with dark lines. Why had this girl been so erratic these past two days? "Naughty child, settle down. If your Big Uncle and Second Uncle were handling this, I’d be at ease. Ah, earning work points—I doubt Big Uncle would be very willing. And even if Second Uncle was willing, Second Sister-in-law would cause a fuss. Yingzi, I've wronged you. Don't be soft on them later." The old lady was thinking about the advantages of having sons again. Unfortunately, sons grow up independent of their mothers; this saying applied perfectly to the old lady's situation. No wonder her words were tinged with sadness.

Cheng Ying replied, "Mhm. Grandma, have you ever been to the city?" She leaned beside the old lady, quickly diverting the conversation away from her uncles.

The old lady indeed followed her granddaughter's train of thought. "Grandma? I only went to the city once when your Grandpa was alive. I heard the outside world has changed a lot. I wonder what the city is like now, but Grandma has been to the countryside; the big market was packed with people!"

Cheng Ying turned around to face the old lady, taking her hand. "Grandma, come into the city with me. It's not tiring on the mule cart." Cheng Ying didn't mean to trouble the old lady; wouldn't it be wonderful for her to get out and see things? Besides, judging by the tone of her voice, she seemed quite yearning for it, wasn't she?

The old lady said, "No, Grandma is old. Why should I go into the city? It's not right for an old woman to be running around; people will laugh."

Cheng Ying countered, "Grandma, aren't you worried about me? We'll go together, and you can watch me—that would be so reassuring. Besides, if you stand there, who would dare laugh at you? You are the very representation of a good person." There was another phrase, "the embodiment of righteousness," which Cheng Ying dared not say for fear of being smacked by the old lady.

The old lady seriously considered her granddaughter's words. In this household, there were three generations of women—old, middle-aged, and young. If she went out, she was at least an old lady. Yang Zhi was young; wouldn't it draw more ridicule if she went out? After thinking it over, she realized she was perhaps better suited to go out than her daughter-in-law. It was all because her sons had left early. Leaving behind this mother and son pair—fortunately, she, this old woman, was there to protect them. A wave of sadness washed over her. "We'll see," she said.