The old woman wasn't without a pang of loss; her own son’s daughter was about to call someone else 'Dad.'

It was a small mercy that Cheng Ying called him 'Uncle.' Otherwise, the old woman couldn't have predicted her own mood.

But the old woman was practical. How old was she now? Going forward, her daughter would still need someone to rely on.

It wasn't magnanimity, but resignation. Thinking this, the old woman paused only a moment before shuffling over on her small feet. "Yingzi, come help Grandma carry the bedding to the cart. Layer some straw in the cart first, otherwise, if the quilts get dirty, they’ll be a nightmare to wash in the dead of winter."

Cheng Ying looked at her grandmother, rubbing her eyes. "Grandma, the cart is here already? I feel like I haven't even woken up yet."

Cheng Ying’s response was perhaps beyond what a child her age should have said; it cleverly masked the awkward situation from moments before. I wasn't fully conscious; I was groggy. I don’t even know what I said.

But no one would suspect such a little girl of having placated her stepfather and then feigning sleepiness with her grandmother immediately after. They simply assumed Cheng Ying was still drowsy from sleep.

However, the old woman wasn't entirely happy either. Having lived long and seen much, she knew her granddaughter had accepted the stepfather. Otherwise, even in a daze, she wouldn't have called out. Ah, the old woman felt loss mixed with comfort—an indescribable, bittersweet ache.

Chi Yong entered the west room, yet he heard every word spoken outside as clearly as if he were standing there. Others thought Cheng Ying was just a child. Chi Yong disagreed; a nearly imperceptible smile flickered across his faintly refined face. That little girl is too sly.

Hearing her grandmother, Cheng Ying said nothing and started walking out. The saying that those who try to please everyone often end up pleasing no one seemed true. Even I feel it sounds false. Better to just work honestly.

The deepest part of the northern winter was harsh. Looking at the waiting horse-drawn cart under the moonlight, Cheng Ying felt a chill seep from her heart down to her toes. Just this one, open-sided cart—the thought alone was suffering. Cheng Ying looked up at the sky. Starting the journey in the middle of the night in such severe cold, without even a proper covered basket—they would freeze solid by the time they reached the city. It was too awful.

Cheng Ying looked at the old woman diligently spreading straw for bedding and felt a deep pang of guilt. If it weren't for me, Grandma wouldn't have to endure this suffering. She hurried out and began helping her grandmother load the straw onto the cart.

After the mother and daughter had finished bedding down the cart, the village head, Cheng Shan, and the coachman, Old Man Sun, arrived. Following the faint glow of the wind-lantern, Cheng Ying could see the white mist puffing out beneath the captain’s nose. There was no thermometer; they had no way of knowing exactly how cold it was.

The old woman exclaimed, "Old brother has arrived! Come inside quickly to warm up."

Captain Cheng Shan replied, "Sister-in-law, no need for such formalities. A sip of hot water at home and we can leave. Why did you send Yongzi to call us over?"

The old woman was astute; some things didn't need deep thought. Her prestige in the village meant little at a critical juncture; the man in charge was what mattered. So, the words the old woman said next made Cheng Ying ponder for a long time: "Sister-in-law is old; she can't be expected to think of everything. Wu Zi’s father prepared everything with Yingzi’s mother last night. Brother Sun, you’ll have to bear with the trouble today."

Cheng Ying was genuinely astonished that her own grandmother spoke of her stepfather with such deference in front of outsiders. Her expression stiffened slightly. Chi Yong, however, knew the old woman was calculating; she understood what needed to be done. This arrangement was good; it would make life smoother for everyone moving forward.

Coachman Sun Tou, a rugged man from the Northeast, replied, "Sister-in-law, what are you saying? Rest assured, we will deliver your granddaughter to the city safely and bring her back."

The old woman set aside her work and, while speaking, led the men inside.

Yang Zhi had set out a table in the east room: a bowl of stewed cabbage, a basin of fish soup where you could see the broth but not the fish, and several bowls of coarse cornmeal rice that looked substantial.

Captain Cheng Shan said, "Sister-in-law, what is all this? I know the state of everyone’s household. Shouldn't you save some for the child?"

Cheng Ying, listening from outside, gasped. How can anyone be so blunt?

The coachman Sun Tou chimed in, "Sister-in-law, isn't Yingzi’s head still not fully recovered? Take this food back; it will help her recover. The cornmeal rice is fine. Just give us some pickles, and we’ll eat quickly before setting off."

Grandma Cheng Ying replied, "How could this sister-in-law bear to keep it? They went through all the trouble. Since we are already set to leave, a mouthful of warm soup will give us strength for the journey in this deep winter." Grandma is trying to save face for my own mother and stepfather.

Cheng Ying watched her grandmother carefully spoon fish broth over the cornmeal rice for everyone. The Captain and Sun Tou only sat down on the kang to eat after this.

Chi Yong sat beside them, quiet for the most part, but it was clear he wasn't entirely distant from the villagers. At least he was acquainted with the coachman and the captain.

The Captain put down his chopsticks. "It seems we’re celebrating the New Year at your place today, Sister-in-law. Yongzi, you can’t live like this once you’re the head of the household. You must be frugal. If you and your wife manage your lives with the same skill as your mother, you’ll rank highly in the village later on." He was praising the old woman, and in turn, offering some support to Chi Yong.

Chi Yong replied, "With Mom watching over us, we won't go astray."

Yang Zhi stood on the ground, saying nothing, though she was smart enough to pick up the large thermos, pour two cups of hot water for the village head and Sun Tou.

Cheng Ying didn't eat on the kang today. In rural homes, children were often excluded from the main table. After the adults finished, Yang Zhi cleared the table, served her daughter a bowl of cornmeal rice, added fish broth, and led Cheng Ying to the west room to eat.

Conveniently, Chi Wu had also woken up, but he didn't cause a fuss late at night, remaining tucked in his bedding. Yang Zhi prepared a bowl of rice and fish broth for Chi Wu as well. Chi Wu ate while still lying down in his quilt with Cheng Ying.

Cheng Ying watched Chi Wu eat with such gusto—definitely savoring it more than when it was first stewed two days ago. Cheng Ying mused that a person's appetite truly depended on their mood. Unable to bear Chi Wu's contentment, she quipped, "If you keep lying down like that, aren't you afraid the soup will spill?" She wondered how he managed to swallow the broth at all.

Chi Wu ignored Cheng Ying's sarcasm and finished every last grain of rice. "This leftover fish soup tastes better. It wasn't as good yesterday as it is today."

Cheng Ying snorted dismissively. It tastes better because your mood is better today, idiot, but there’s no explaining that to this unlucky kid. She fumbled in her pocket for a long time before pulling out a pair of snow-white socks. "Here, for you. See? Follow me around, and you'll have all the good things."

Chi Wu stared blankly at the item in Cheng Ying's hand, hesitant to take it. "For me?" His expression was simple and foolish, an odd match for her own shrewdness.

Cheng Ying felt this was a rare moment of calm for him. "Take it."

Chi Wu stopped lying down, no longer caring about the cold. He sat up, rubbed his hands, and then accepted the socks. "Really for me? They’re so clean. Where did you get them?"

Cheng Ying’s eyes softened with a hint of pain. This child has never seen anything good; he’s too easily satisfied. "Where did I get them? These were knitted from that wool the other day." She said this softly, remembering the Captain was in the next room.

Chi Wu shot up and immediately tucked the socks deep into his quilt. "You managed to make this?"

Cheng Ying proudly took two steps back, deliberately holding the cuff of her cotton trousers so Chi Wu could see the socks on her feet. "See?"

Chi Wu's face was filled with envy, but it quickly shifted to concern. "Why are you wearing them on your feet?"

Cheng Ying lost her proud air. What else were socks for but wearing on one's feet? Chi Wu looked conflicted; the girl was being wasteful with such fine things.

Cheng Ying knew exactly what he was thinking, probably criticizing her. "Are you stupid? What else are they for but wearing on your feet? If others see them, what then?"

Chi Wu flinched. "Hurry up and take them off! Aren't you deliberately showing them off?"

Cheng Ying pulled out two small cloth bags and wrapped them around her ankles, then wrapped them around her trouser cuffs, grinning widely at Chi Wu—though half of what showed were her gap teeth, as she was at that age where teeth were coming in. "Can't see them now, can you?"

Chi Wu watched Cheng Ying carefully conceal the socks inside her trouser legs. He touched the socks hidden in his quilt but still couldn't bear to put them on his own feet. He stared at Cheng Ying, his eyes full of longing.

Cheng Ying declared, "Follow your sister from now on, work hard, and see? Fish soup, socks—that’s everything you need to eat and wear!" She patted the quilt beside Chi Wu for emphasis.

To Chi Wu, this was a profound revelation. It was certainly worth considering. Everything to eat and wear, truly.

Just then, the old woman called from outside, "Yingzi, are you done eating?"

Cheng Ying took both their bowls and swiftly left the west room, no longer teasing Chi Wu. "We’re done, Grandma. Are we leaving now?"

Grandma Cheng Ying took a worn-out padded coat and wrapped it around her granddaughter; she herself was bundled thickly. However, Chi Yong was wearing a military-green greatcoat. Though ragged and patched, such an item was a rarity here. Cheng Ying had learned during her stay that anything tinged with green came from the army, highly prized by common folk. So, even if the military coat was torn, it was still a valuable possession here.

Cheng Ying helped her grandmother onto the horse cart and then climbed up herself. Yang Zhi covered the pair tightly with the quilts, leaving only their faces exposed.

Yang Zhi instructed her daughter, "Yingzi, if you get cold, curl up inside them."

Cheng Ying, holding a piping hot water flask, looked at her own mother. "I know."

Grandma Cheng Ying instructed her daughter-in-law, "Look after the house well, look after the children well, and look after the sheep well." She glanced toward the west room, thinking her daughter-in-law wouldn't grasp her meaning. She’s slow.

Cheng Ying turned her head and saw her stepfather's corner of his mouth curved in a faint smile. Alas, being a stepdaughter isn't easy, especially with a clever stepfather. Cheng Ying lowered her head and buried herself in the quilt. The wind was picking up; it was truly cold.

Yang Zhi said to her mother-in-law, "Mom, don't worry. Wu Zi will help me watch things."

The old woman wouldn't have been reassured by those words. She looked at her daughter-in-law, her narrow eyes emanating a look of helpless exasperation.

Cheng Ying quickly poked her head out from under the quilt. "Grandma, don't worry. I told Chi Wu to watch Mom for me, so Mom won't fret about us and worry about doing things wrong."

As Cheng Ying spoke, she unconsciously glanced at her stepfather. She could see the corners of his mouth truly lift. They see us as a joke. Being a daughter isn't easy, and being a daughter who tries to smooth things over between both sides is even harder.

Cheng Ying lowered her head back into the quilt. The wind was rising. It was really cold.