The so-called wide road the Captain mentioned was, at best, a narrow asphalt strip no wider than four meters. It certainly wasn't what one would call broad.

And you could plainly see where the asphalt had been patched. The old woman released her granddaughter’s feet and helped Cheng Ying slip on her shoes.

“Do you want to go down and walk on that road?” Cheng Ying looked at the old woman, unsure how to reply. Walking on asphalt held absolutely no appeal for her.

“Grandma, let’s go down and stretch our legs.” It was likely her grandmother’s legs were cramped stiff after sitting for so long in the cart. Halfway there, Chi Yong urged the old woman to rest with Ying Zi, but she refused outright, insisting on sitting up straight in the cart the entire time.

Old Man Sun cracked the whip, pulling the mule cart to the side of the road. Cheng Ying pulled on her thick padded jacket and hopped down from the cart.

Her grandmother hadn't moved for quite some time. Cheng Ying asked, “Grandma, are your legs asleep?” The old woman sighed.

“When you get old, you’re useless. My legs just won’t keep up.” “Even if you were young, sitting like that all night without moving would make your legs go numb,” Cheng Ying said, rubbing her hands rhythmically over her grandmother’s stiff legs.

It took the pair a good while to finally manage to get up from the cart. Chi Yong had already found a relatively spacious spot by the roadside.

He unloaded a bundle of straw and a few pieces of firewood from the cart and started a small fire. Cheng Shan and Old Man Sun huddled around the flames to warm their hands, while Cheng Ying’s mother leaned against the fire, unpacking the rations for the long journey.

Chi Yong busied himself alone, feeding the straw to the mule. Seeing her stepfather manage these chores, Cheng Ying felt a pang of realization: a family truly couldn't function without a man to handle these practical details.

Such mundane tasks were simply beyond the typical consideration of women. Cheng Ying supported her grandmother as they walked along the road for a long time until her legs felt fully stretched out.

Only then did the two of them sit down beside the fire. When the old woman finally made her way over, Chi Yong quickly retrieved a small folding stool from the cart for her to sit on.

This gesture by Chi Yong was particularly well done. Though small, it showed people a core quality: he wasn't just considerate; he genuinely cared for the old woman, demonstrating a thoughtfulness that went beyond simple politeness.

The old woman sat down, feeling settled and pleased. Captain and Old Man Sun looked at Chi Yong with a different kind of regard.

It didn’t matter if they were blood relatives; if someone showed genuine heart, that was what counted. Rural folk had an old saying: "The dearest child doesn't guarantee the most devoted heir," meaning that favoring one child doesn't necessarily mean that specific son will be the one to care for you in old age; such things are also subject to fate.

Country people judge others not by their looks, but by their character. Chi Yong’s small action had subtly built a very positive image for him in the village.

Chi Yong finished his task quietly and settled down by the fire to warm himself. Cheng Ying watched her stepfather, wondering if he was being deliberately thoughtful.

The old woman, however, was perfectly content. She carefully shifted the blazing fire, placing the kettle near the embers where the flames had died down, and tucked a few sweet potatoes deep inside the hot coals.

Cheng Shan remarked, “The old sister-in-law is truly thoughtful. In this cold weather, a cup of hot water will be wonderfully warming.” Grandma Cheng Ying chuckled.

“Ying Zi’s father is always rushing off somewhere, and when he comes back, he nags about food. I’m tired of hearing it.” She glanced toward Chi Yong in the distance and then closed her mouth.

Cheng Shan and Old Man Sun smoothly steered the conversation away from that topic, and no one mentioned it again. Chi Yong finished feeding and watering the mule.

After all that exertion, his energy had already been low. Hearing the old woman’s words, he made a show of closing his eyes to rest, which looked utterly unconvincing.

The group warmed themselves around the fire. Before long, the sweet, fragrant smell of roasting potatoes began to drift out.

Cheng Ying sniffed the air. “Grandma, that smell is better than eating them!

Are the sweet potatoes done?” She reached out with a stick to poke at the fire. Grandma Cheng Ying stopped her.

“Don’t touch, you just warm yourself. They need a little longer.

You greedy girl, you just enjoy the smell while we eat.” Cheng Ying pouted, knowing her grandmother was teasing. No matter who else skipped out, the old woman would never let her granddaughter go without.

Cheng Ying jumped up and started moving around on the spot. Generating her own heat was more effective than just sitting by the fire.

Grandma Cheng Ying commented, “She’s still a child, can’t sit still.” Cheng Shan said, “The more lively, the better. Let’s just hope she doesn’t show any real signs of trouble.” This topic clearly brought silence again.

Chi Yong, however, seemed to perk up. “A good person will always be blessed.

Ying Zi looks like a lucky child to me.” Although the statement didn't align with the facts, the old woman was pleased to hear it. So Chi Yong earned a rare smile from his mother-in-law.

Cheng Shan saw that the old sister-in-law had stopped speaking. Good fortune?

A girl who lost her father so young—how could she be lucky? In the old days, finding a decent husband for her would have been difficult.

But the old sister-in-law clearly didn't want to hear that kind of talk, so, lucky she is, lucky she is. Cheng Ying piped up, “Grandma, are they still not ready?

That smell is truly tantalizing!” Grandma Cheng Ying looked at her granddaughter, pulled a sweet potato from the coals, and said, “Come here, they’re done.” She handed one to the Captain, one to Old Man Sun, and then passed one to Chi Yong. The hand Chi Yong used to take the sweet potato was bright red from the cold, and his eyes held a flicker of surprise.

He must have thought the old woman had taken the wrong medicine, or perhaps she hadn’t woken up properly and hadn’t recognized him. The old woman urged, “Eat quickly, this stuff fights the cold.” Chi Yong quickly accepted it.

“Mm,” he murmured, and began to bite into the potato. Chi Yong finally understood the old woman’s nature: even though she was a woman, she knew how to manage public appearances.

She knew how to save face in front of outsiders. The sweet potato given to her granddaughter, Cheng Ying, had already been peeled completely clean.

However, the old woman ate the peel herself, instead of discarding it. Cheng Ying watched them all silently.

Even though the peels were slightly dusty, nobody threw them away; they ate everything. Times were hard, and people ate grass roots; sweet potato peels were certainly not wasted.

Cheng Ying lowered her gaze. “Grandma, yours smells so good.

You should eat yours quickly too.” The old woman only then pulled out her own piece from the fire, but she first broke off a piece of dry ration and put it in her mouth. Cheng Ying protested, “Grandma, I don’t want any more.

You eat yours quickly.” Cheng Shan commented, “Old sister-in-law, Ying Zi is growing up, she’s becoming a real young lady.” The old woman’s smile was the brightest yet. “Yes, my granddaughter is filial.” Cheng Ying looked at her grandmother, thinking that if she hadn't been watching, and if there hadn't been others around, her grandmother certainly wouldn't have eaten that sweet potato.

Chi Yong picked up the kettle of warm water, took a drink, and while the others were still warming themselves, he returned to tidying up the mule cart. Cheng Shan spoke to Grandma Cheng Ying, “Old sister-in-law, Yang Zhi’s father found a good match for Yang Zhi.

Chi Yong is a good man.” Cheng Ying caught two key pieces of information: her stepfather had been arranged by her maternal grandfather, and the Captain held a very good opinion of him—Chi Yong certainly knew how to conduct himself. The old woman looked toward Chi Yong in the distance.

“He is decent. As long as he is good to our Ying Zi, I have no complaints.” Cheng Shan replied, “Alas, you know, Ying Zi needs a father.

Relying on uncles and elder cousins won't do.” He was gently advising the old woman. Grandma Cheng Ying nodded.

“I know, I know. Otherwise, how could he have gotten through my door?” Old Man Sun didn’t say anything.

After eating his dry food and drinking his water, he walked away. The old woman and the Captain remained by the fire, chatting.

Cheng Ying walked along the asphalt road to keep warm. The more she sat by the fire, the colder she felt; walking felt more comfortable.

“Uncle,” she asked, her voice both innocent and genuine, “have you ever been to the city?” With her two missing front teeth, the question sounded completely guileless. Chi Yong’s reply was simple: “Mm.” “Uncle, what good food is there in the city?” Chi Yong glanced at her.

“I haven't been many times, I’m not familiar with it.” Then he smiled. Cheng Ying’s face fell; being too innocent could sometimes reveal too much.

Chi Yong walked over and ruffled her hair. “But this time, Uncle will take you around to look.

If there’s good food, I’ll buy it for you.” Old Man Sun chimed in, “Yong Zi, do you feel like you have a daughter now? Let me tell you, raising girls has many advantages.” Chi Yong nodded.

“Girls and boys are different. Wu Zi only knows how to cause trouble.” Cheng Ying dared not speak.

Old Man Sun said, “Captain, let’s get ready to go. We still have a ways to travel to the city.” Cheng Shan stamped out the fire with his big foot.

The old woman gathered the kettle and the bundle of rations. Everyone got back into the cart and continued their journey.

Cheng Ying realized this was the first time in days she had been surrounded by so many people. The old woman stared at the city folk riding bicycles.

“How impressive! Is it a big market day in the city today?

Why are there so many people?” Cheng Ying could see the flesh on her stepfather’s face, not just his skin, trembling. Cheng Ying glanced at her grandmother.

As an ignorant little girl, she couldn’t explain to the old woman that this wasn't a market day. It was Old Man Sun, who had seen more of the world, who explained, “Old sister-in-law, there are many people in the city; men and women both have things to do.

These are people going to work early. After this time, the roads will be much emptier.” Grandma Cheng Ying blushed.

It turned out she had been to the city before, but not in the last several decades and never when it was so crowded. Cheng Ying said quickly, “Grandma, there are so many people, it makes my head spin.

What a huge village this must be!” This was entirely to comfort her grandmother, to save her from embarrassment. The old woman said, “Ying Zi, study hard.

You will come here in the future too.” Ying Zi responded, “Mm, I’ll stay with you, Grandma, and we’ll come together.” Cheng Shan commented, “The old lady has something to look forward to. I hear your Ying Zi is a good student.” The old woman beamed at the praise for her granddaughter.

“Yes, she’s decent. It’s just that school is so far, and I worry about her morning and evening commute.” Cheng Shan looked at Chi Yong.

“It will be better in the future. Wu Zi and the others can go together for company.” The old woman glanced at Chi Yong.

“Mm, company.” Cheng Ying was displeased. Cheng Shan’s comment felt like he was subtly pressuring her grandmother.

Moreover, Cheng Ying could sense the old woman’s displeasure. The old woman was happy for Chi Wu to go to school, but she would have preferred her stepfather to bring up the matter himself.

Chi Yong stepped in smoothly, “Mother said long ago that after the New Year, Wu Zi and Ying Zi would go to school together.” He was somewhat sensible, realizing he should say this himself. Though the old woman didn't change her expression, her brow relaxed slightly.

This wasn't because he had discussed it with her beforehand, but rather because Chi Yong and Yang Zhi’s marriage agreement included one condition: that Chi Wu would be enrolled in school. This was the only condition the groom's side had made.

The old woman’s expression improved. At least Chi Yong knew how to handle social situations; his words were comforting.

Though Cheng Ying didn't know the details of the agreement, she could sense the shift in her grandmother's mood. Seeing someone comforting her grandmother, Cheng Ying focused her attention on the city life of the late 1970s.

She could only conclude that there was immense potential for growth here. There wasn't a single high-rise building in sight; at most, Cheng Ying could spot a scattering of small, five or six-story buildings.

From the perspective of the future, these were all structures destined for demolition.