They had just been discussing it moments ago, and now the decision was made; the old man was still every bit the autocrat. Seeing Cheng Ying remain silent, the old man threatened with a slight edge to his voice, "If no one is around tonight, I'll spank this little brat’s bottom." He was pointing at the younger cousin.

Cheng Ying was so exasperated she nearly laughed. Threatening someone with his own grandson—was there ever such nonsense aimed at coaxing a child?

If she believed him, she was a fool. But the way her little cousin clutched his backside looked utterly endearing.

Cheng Ying swiftly pulled the younger cousin close. Hearing the old man’s words, she knew he wasn't lying and was, in fact, very familiar with their family.

Forget it; let the adults sort out the adult matters. "I'll listen to Mom." The old man felt a wave of relief.

He knew his own daughter; as long as the child didn't cause trouble by leaving, whatever he said went. When the stepfather and the uncle returned, the women outside had just finished preparing the meal.

Considering they had been gone since early morning and busied themselves all day, they must have been famished. The entire family sat down to eat without exchanging another word.

Uncle ate with the most gusto. Cheng Ying figured her uncle must be exhausted; after all, he had made two round trips.

Even a triathlon wouldn't be this tiring. Auntie kept piling food onto Cheng Ying’s plate during the meal.

Cheng Ying surveyed the table: a bowl of stewed meat, a bowl of cabbage, a bowl of potatoes, and a bowl of egg drop soup. It was quite a spread.

Her own home didn’t have this many dishes even for the New Year. She wondered if Grandpa had specially prepared this for his daughter, or if Grandpa's family was simply well-off.

Seeing Chi Wu eating so demurely, Cheng Ying couldn't resist picking up a chopstick-full of meat for him. This boy usually prized his palate above all else.

Cheng Ying had no ulterior motive; she just felt this was a rare opportunity to let Chi Wu indulge himself. Seeing his granddaughter offer that single bite, the old man finally felt completely at ease.

If his daughter and grandson-in-law weren't getting along well, how could his granddaughter possibly look after that boy Wu Zi? If the two children could coexist peacefully, his daughter’s life would certainly be less worrisome.

The old man felt significantly lighter-hearted. The old man raised his wine cup and downed it in one go.

It was true that he had engineered his daughter's first marriage and now this remarriage. To say he wasn't worried about it would be a lie; his only fear was that his daughter wasn't living well.

Finally feeling reassured, it hadn't been in vain that he risked—well, risking displeasing his daughter—to find her another family. Once the relationship thawed a little in a couple of years, he would go to the in-laws' grandmother and apologize.

He hoped the ties between the two families could mend somewhat then. Back then, because he sought a new husband for his daughter, the old man’s relationship with his in-laws had completely fractured.

The resulting argument had been fierce; the old man wanted to take his daughter back home to marry someone else. The old lady disagreed, and only after intervention from the production team was Chi Yong brought in as a son-in-law to the Cheng family.

The old man couldn't discuss these matters with Cheng Ying, a child. Although Chi Yong was certainly suffering some hardship in the Cheng family, life had to go on.

It was certainly better than his daughter spending half her life as a widow. The old man wasn't the type to let his own kin suffer just to save face.

Back then, for this very reason, many people pointed fingers at him, calling him inhumane for interfering in another family's affairs. Yet, the old man stood tall, persisting in his course, which showed just how much he cherished his daughter.

From the dinner table, Cheng Ying could tell that Chi Yong and the old man got along well. When they drank, they didn't bother with toasts; a clink of cups and they both finished their drinks in one gulp—a clear sign of unspoken understanding.

They were drinking companions. Because the weather was so cold, Cheng Ying didn't get off the heated brick bed (kàng) after eating, staying there to play with her younger cousin.

The older child entertaining the little one made everyone assume Cheng Ying and her cousin simply got along well. In reality, Cheng Ying was thirty years old, and she genuinely adored children.

Truly adored them. Chi Wu watched Cheng Ying dote on his younger cousin, and he felt truly wronged.

Why was this girl so blatantly partial? She had bullied him countless times, yet she spoiled this boy so much!

Consequently, Chi Wu’s mood was unbalanced, and he couldn't help but pinch the younger cousin’s bottom lightly but deliberately from time to time. The result was that the younger cousin refused to leave Cheng Ying’s embrace.

Cheng Ying was delighted by this outcome. Holding the soft little child, who could barely speak clearly yet called her "Jie, Jie" (older sister), melted her heart completely.

She cherished him immensely. The adults gathered around the brazier, filling the kàng.

Compared to her own home, this felt much livelier. She supposed that her own mother and stepfather were comfortable in front of her Grandpa—that was true kinship, that was destiny.

Cheng Ying played on, but kept one ear tuned to the conversation. Her Grandpa said, "After the New Year, the land will be distributed.

This collective system that’s lasted so many years is dissolving. What plans do you have for your family?" Chi Yong replied, "Well, Grandpa knows my physical condition.

Relying on Zhizi alone won't be enough. The old lady and I are discussing whether we can get a bit more forest land; enough land for food will suffice." The old man nodded.

"Yes, that's one way, but making a living isn't just about eating your fill." Cheng Ying felt a surge of relief. After all, he had experience in the outside world; his aspirations were higher.

Chi Yong asked, "Grandpa, do you have something specific in mind?" The old man said, "Well, I heard whispers from the township office that the village is going to train a barefoot doctor, or a health worker, as they call it officially. There isn't much pay, but it’s a path forward.

Zhizi, you know this—I want to find an opening for her to go to the county to study. What do you think?" Cheng Ying’s forehead broke out in a sweat.

This man was shrewd; he was already planning his daughter’s future security. Oh, her dear mother was about to take a step forward!

Chi Yong said, "Yes, that would be wonderful." Yang Zhi immediately objected, "No, if I go, who will look after the children and the elderly at home?" Cheng Ying wanted desperately to press her foot against her mother’s behind. You stubborn fool!

If you don't keep up, you’ll be left behind by your husband! What a fantastic opportunity this is!

Cheng Ying spoke up, "I can cook. I can look after Grandma." Yang Zhi retorted, "You’re just a child, what do you know?

After the New Year, you and Wu Zi will both be starting school. What can you do?" The old man said, "Girl, you need to think carefully about what Dad says.

If you rely solely on farming, can you feed the children? If you go study for a while, even if it’s hard now, the children will have prospects in the future.

Besides, there’s only one spot per village. I’ll work my connections for your brother too, why not you?

Isn't Yong Zi here at home? Furthermore, even if I go speak to the in-laws' grandmother, your mother-in-law is a reasonable person." Chi Yong smoothed things over, "Grandpa, since you've brought this up, I'll go speak to the team leader later.

It should work out." He had effectively dismissed Yang Zhi’s concerns. The old man nodded.

"Yong Zi, I’ve also looked into your situation, but it has to be gradual. As for our township school, when it comes to pure scholarship, no one can compare to you, but getting a position in the township itself is hard." Chi Yong nodded.

"Grandpa worries too much. There's no rush.

Life is good now. Just having Wu Zi able to go to school relieves one of my biggest worries." Cheng Ying thought to herself that with such an old and cunning man in their corner, it was a miracle her mother hadn't achieved more by now.

What a solid backer he was. The old man said, "Don't worry, there will always be a way." Chi Yong agreed, "Yes, when the land distribution starts after the New Year, I can help out with the team; that would be quite good." The old man nodded, deeply satisfied with Chi Yong.

This son-in-law was resourceful. In truth, his own daughter didn't quite measure up to Chi Yong.

If not for that one thing... well, never mind.

The old man concluded, "If that doesn't work, we can lobby the team a bit, and perhaps you could start teaching at one of the smaller village primary schools first, then work on getting a better position later. Though the pay isn't much, having land for subsistence money is enough, and it would be reassuring to be close to the two children." Cheng Ying realized: this was steering toward a path as a privately hired teacher.

But would her stepfather actually be allocated land? Cheng Ying wasn't sure how her stepfather's household registration was calculated—she didn't understand this, especially spanning decades.

Chi Yong said gratefully, "Grandpa clearly sees further than we do. We cause you so much worry; we are truly ashamed." The old man sighed.

"What do I have to gain at my age? If you all live well, I can close my eyes in peace." Auntie interjected, "Dad, what are you saying on New Year's Day?" The old man grumbled, "I won't say anything more.

I’m old, upsetting people." Auntie pressed, "Dad!" In that era, for a daughter-in-law to speak to her father-in-law like that showed that Auntie and Grandpa got along very well. Uncle then said, "Later, you take this bicycle when you leave." Yang Zhi frowned, "What for?

Are you trying to pity me?" Uncle insisted, "I have a bicycle coupon. When I go into the city next, I'll get another one.

Our family can manage it. School is so far for the children.

I can't bear the thought of Yingzi walking back and forth every day. Those first two years were unavoidable, but sister, can you really bear it?" Cheng Ying thought, Oh no!

She hadn’t heard of a primary school in the village. Did they really have to walk so far?

Maybe they shouldn't go to school at all. She genuinely hated walking.

Yang Zhi fell silent. The children were so small; how could she bear the thought of them walking nearly twenty li back and forth every day?

Twenty-odd li wasn't that far by bike, but the roads weren't paved asphalt back then. Auntie chimed in, "Sister, why are you being so polite to us?

When Yingzi and Wu Zi make something of themselves in the future, won't they treat us the same? Besides, if our family didn't have the means, could we give you a bike?

We'll go to the city and get a new one; I’ve wanted a new bike for ages, but Dad insisted we maintain a modest demeanor." Seeing that her brother and sister-in-law were so insistent, Yang Zhi said no more. Chi Yong pursed his lips.

"Yes, coming and going from our village is just too inconvenient. The roads are terrible.

This is a great help." Cheng Ying sighed in relief; at least she wouldn't have to walk to school. But she wasn't thrilled about riding a bike either—the choice between a sore butt and sore feet was a dilemma.

While the adults chatted, the children played near the head of the kàng. Cheng Ying had absorbed most of the conversation.

Her Grandpa was shrewd and had planned paths for all the children, utilizing every connection he could for their sake. Her dear mother was fortunate to have such parents.

After all, even after marrying out, having her father still worry about her future path was a great blessing. When it was time for bed that night, Auntie, her mother, Cheng Ying, and the younger cousin slept in the uncle and auntie’s room.

The men slept with Grandpa in his room. The little cousin, wearing only his briefs, crawled right into bed with Cheng Ying.