Cheng Ying watched those children wrestling in the dirt, kicking up loess; she wouldn't touch such childish things even if you paid her. She noticed Chi Wu’s eyes, filled with envy.

Cheng Ying said, “Those trousers are brand new. If you roll around with them, will they still be wearable?” Chi Wu looked away; the trousers were, after all, more important.

Only then did Cheng Ying turn to Mingzi, “Big Brother, are Uncle and the others at home?” Mingzi replied, “Yeah, come over to my place!” Cheng Ying grabbed Mingzi, who was about to bolt after speaking, “Big Brother, why don’t you go see Grandma at home?” With this cousin, Cheng Ying didn’t need to beat around the bush. Cheng Ying couldn't believe all the kids were that shrewd.

Mingzi scratched his head. “Not until tomorrow.

No need today.” He was clearly just waiting to play. Cheng Ying wanted to wring this half-grown boy’s neck.

You unthinking child! “Big Brother, Grandma made those trousers for you.

How do they fit? If you don't let Grandma see them, how will she make alterations?

We’re not allowed to use needles in the first lunar month.” She was quoting what she’d just learned. Cheng Ming found his sister so nagging; his clothes were perfectly fine, why would they need altering?

From a distance, someone called out, “Mingzi, hurry up! If you’re not faster, we’ll lose!” Cheng Ming was anxious.

“I’ll go later!” Cheng Ying shouted towards the distant kids, her voice cutting through, “He’s losing right now!” With that, she snatched a clod of frozen dirt and smeared it onto Cheng Ming’s already dusty clothes. This sent the whole group of children into fits of laughter.

Cheng Ming’s face turned red. “You… you…” He couldn't think of a proper curse for his sister.

Cheng Ying asked, “Are you going or not?” Cheng Ming, furious, pointed at the group of kids roaring with laughter. “You three, come with me!” He pulled his three younger brothers, including Dun’er who had just started walking, out from the throng of children.

Cheng Ming declared, “We’re going now! Let go of me, and I won’t ask you to play next time!” Cheng Ying let go; the objective was achieved.

Now the old lady would surely be happy. As for playing, Cheng Ying truly looked down on these grubby boys; what kind of games were these?

They were just water-puddling mud-slingers, making her sick. She stepped around Cheng Ming.

“Remember to hurry, or I’ll keep pestering you.” Cheng Ming shot a hateful glance at Cheng Ying; he really had no way to deal with this cousin. After all, his own grandmother always doted on Cheng Ying more than her own grandsons.

So, Cheng Ming could only glare at her fiercely a couple of times before turning away, waving his hand, and leading his retinue of brothers off. Cheng Ying took Chi Wu and headed toward her eldest uncle’s house.

Auntie was quite warm in her greeting, though she didn’t actually produce anything to entertain Cheng Ying and Chi Wu; her words were certainly enthusiastic. Uncle sat cross-legged on the kang, his expression unreadable—neither pleased nor displeased.

Cheng Ying didn't want to guess his thoughts; as long as he didn't upset Grandma, that was enough. “Auntie, Mingzi and the others have gone to see Grandma.” Auntie exclaimed, “Oh, those grubby boys, they’ll surely get a scolding from your Grandma with all that dirt on them.” Cheng Ying glanced at Uncle; he showed a slight reaction.

Cheng Ying said, “How could that be? Grandma is old; she just loves excitement.

She’s always mumbling about Mingzi and the others.” Cheng Ying found it a bit awkward to call a child her elder brother. Auntie felt a slight prickle of fear—was this child saying these things deliberately for them to hear?

But she quickly dismissed the thought; how much could a child really know? “Yingzi, have you eaten yet?” Cheng Ying nodded, “Yes, we have.” Auntie asked, “What did Yingzi have for lunch?” Cheng Ying told the truth: “Stewed fish and sorghum rice.

Grandma is making meat dumplings for us tonight.” Chi Wu tugged at Cheng Ying from behind; this child was so stingy, afraid of showing off at mealtime. Cheng Ying understood Chi Wu’s meaning without looking back.

What a good child he was, taught by her to have some self-respect. Did she love herself?

However, Cheng Ying genuinely wanted Uncle and Grandma to be closer. The old lady cherished her son, after all.

It was better to let Uncle know their family's circumstances, lest he always think they were destitute and avoid them like the plague. She supposed this was a form of showing off.

Auntie replied, “Exactly, Auntie’s family is the same.” Cheng Ying thought that probably everyone in the village was eating the same thing today; it couldn't be helped, considering the supplies distributed uniformly by the production team before the New Year. Uncle finally spoke, “Your Grandma is eating well then.” Cheng Ying said, “Grandma is doing alright, but it’s not lively with just a few of us eating.

Grandma loves excitement.” Uncle fell silent. He held a grievance against his niece.

Whose elderly parents didn't stay with the eldest son? Yet, his mother insisted on staying with this granddaughter, insisting on living with the youngest son.

Although life was harder, as a man, he could certainly support his elders. Uncle didn't want people pointing fingers.

Besides, how much could his own mother truly consume? But she insisted on doting on the third son’s family.

Uncle was displeased, which is why he didn't visit the old woman. Hearing Cheng Ying’s words did stir something in Uncle’s heart.

But reflecting on his own mother and the village gossip, Uncle retreated back onto the kang and said nothing more. Cheng Ying felt a surge of anger—she wouldn’t play the good person anymore!

My grandmother, I will take care of her. I never expected you to do anything anyway; why shouldn’t I let you see how she is?

Chi Wu sensed the shift in Cheng Ying’s expression but couldn't comprehend it. Why did this girl suddenly change her mood?

Cheng Ying announced, “Auntie, we’re leaving now. We need to pay early New Year visits to our elders.” That phrasing was quite pointed.

I know enough to visit the village elders; why don’t you know to visit your own mother? Auntie wondered if this child had been coached to speak this way.

“Yingzi, come visit again!” Uncle’s face turned ashen. The girl knew enough to make calls on the elders; wasn't that slapping his face?

Cheng Ying didn't even reply. She pulled Chi Wu and left.

If you won't visit my Grandma, why should I visit you next time? I won't even look your way in the future.

Of course, this was fueled by pique. As Cheng Ying held his hand, Chi Wu experienced the softness of her palm most directly.

He had always been jealous of how soft that girl’s hands were. No matter how much he washed, he couldn't achieve that result.

So, Chi Wu remained immersed in contemplating why Cheng Ying’s hands were so soft. They left without a word.

Auntie felt quite awkward but dismissed it as childish behavior from two young people. After closing the wood shed door and entering the house, Auntie muttered, “That child is truly ill-mannered; she doesn’t even say goodbye when leaving.” Uncle snorted, “Ill-mannered child?

Her words are sharp. That girl is too clever by half; otherwise, how could she manage to placate our mother?” If Cheng Ying heard her honest and simple uncle say that about her, she would be furious.

What was honest and simple about him? He was simply unreasonable.

As for Second Uncle’s family, Cheng Ying saw Second Uncle splitting firewood the moment she entered. “Yingzi is here.” Second Aunt stood at the doorway and added flatly, “Go inside and sit, Yingzi.” Cheng Ying held no grudges against Second Aunt.

She was a very straightforward woman: if she wanted something, she took it; she just didn't care much for appearances. It was certain that Second Aunt wouldn't offer them anything good for hospitality.

If it weren't for Grandma, Cheng Ying would have deliberately annoyed Second Aunt by asking for a bowl of fish soup, just to make her heart skip a beat. Cheng Ying remarked, “Second Uncle, chopping so much firewood?” Second Uncle smiled guilelessly, “Your Second Aunt isn’t one for chores.

If I get it ready, she finds it convenient to burn.” Second Aunt said nothing. Cheng Ying asked, “Have Dunzi and the others gone to see Grandma?” Second Uncle replied, “Yes, we’ll go see her later, your Second Aunt and I.” Cheng Ying was pleased; seeing that Second Aunt hadn't objected, it must have been because her Second Uncle had persuaded her.

Cheng Ying said, “Second Auntie, I’m leaving now; we’re going to wander around the village.” Second Aunt called out, “You two, come back and play!” Chi Wu piped up outside, “Second Auntie probably wants to see what New Year things our family is preparing.” Cheng Ying tapped Chi Wu on the head. “Only you are so clever.” However, Cheng Ying had to admit that Second Aunt was indeed thinking exactly what Chi Wu suggested.

But as long as Grandma was happy, regardless of the reason, it was enough that Second Aunt would go see her. After this round of visits, Cheng Ying felt she had done all she could.

Chi Wu felt a sudden lack of direction—no need to gather firewood, no work to do, and no one to play with. “What should we do now?” Cheng Ying had nowhere to go either; she couldn't go home right then and bother Uncle and Second Uncle.

Sigh, Uncle still might not go see Grandma. “It’s the New Year.

Let’s go see that flock of sheep. They contributed quite a bit of wool to us, after all.

One shouldn’t be ungrateful.” Chi Wu pursed his lips. Why did the words coming from this girl sound so insincere?

This girl didn't seem the least bit benevolent, yet the words she spoke were so profound, making one feel uneasy. Cheng Ying and Chi Wu wandered outside for the better part of the day, returning home as dusk was settling.

Truth be told, neither of them really fit in with the group, so they spent the afternoon with the sheep. Cheng Ying thought that feeding the sheep well during the New Year was a good idea, so the two of them essentially took over Chi Yong’s chores, performing them with great seriousness.

Chi Yong was sweeping the area outside the sheep pen. Seeing the two children brought him considerable comfort.

His worries lessened; even though his wife was away, Chi Wu was with him—they were family. Chi Yong looked at Chi Wu with soft tenderness.

Cheng Ying noticed it with a glance. But every family had its troubles, and Cheng Ying didn't fuss over it.

It would be strange if her stepfather treated her better than his own son. At most, the stepfather simply had an unusual attachment to Chi Wu’s mother.

The three of them—father and sons—headed back together. Yang Zhi exclaimed, “Oh my, why are you only coming back now?” Chi Yong asked, “Is it very late?” Yang Zhi replied, “Not really.

Your Second Brother just brought Second Sister-in-law and the kids over; they were just chatting with your Second Uncle.”