Cheng Ying held the child close, and the two of them giggled and messed around until well past midnight.

Cheng Ying asked, “Mom, you can actually read?”

Her aunt laughed unkindly, “Yingzi, you wouldn't know. This is a secret never spoken of in our family.”

Yang Zhi cut in sharply, “Nonsense, don’t teach the child bad things.”

Cheng Ying pressed, “Tell me, Auntie.”

The aunt replied, “Your mother told me not to say anything.”

Cheng Ying shook her own mother, making them both wobble; her little cousin tagged along, bouncing without a clue what was happening, just joining Cheng Ying in teasing flies.

The aunt continued, “Listen to what your maternal grandfather told your uncle: your grandpa couldn’t read a single character. Seeing the country doctor write prescriptions for people really tormented him. I heard back then your grandpa went to extraordinary lengths just to learn how to write characters and issue prescriptions.”

What wasn’t said was that since Grandpa was originally just a plaster seller, he would stubbornly scrawl two characters for people, passing it off as a prescription. This, of course, couldn't be told to the child.

The aunt said, “I heard your uncle and your mother were forced by your grandpa to learn writing because of this back then, and they both put in a great deal of effort.”

Cheng Ying felt a slight easing in her heart; at least her own mother could read. If she could pick up a bit of the village doctoring in another day or two, perhaps she could slowly catch up to her own stepfather’s standards someday. Maybe the future could be warm, harmonious, and not so burdened by deep-seated worries. Cheng Ying felt she was overthinking things; why fret so much about things that hadn't even happened yet? What was wrong with her? She was being too pessimistic. Maybe her own stepfather would be so utterly charmed by her mother that he’d put down roots in the countryside forever. Cheng Ying drifted off to sleep, holding her little cousin hazily.

In the middle of the night, Cheng Ying woke up to a splash of scalding hot water. It had been a dream—she’d been scalded by hot water—but the cause was real: her little cousin had wet the bed. Cheng Ying was speechless with despair; she loved the child, but love alone wasn't enough for this.

Cheng Ying consoled herself: to have one's body graced by a boy’s first urine during the New Year celebration meant she would surely have great luck in the coming year. This was exactly the same pattern of thinking as her maternal grandfather’s.

“Auntie, Auntie, the little brat wet the bed!” This was what Cheng Ying mumbled when she woke up in the middle of the night. As just a child herself, she couldn't handle this situation.

Her own mother laughed unkindly, “Serves you right for insisting on sleeping with Miao Miao.” Cheng Ying thought to herself, I’m a grown girl, but decided it wasn't worth mentioning. The aunt cleaned up the soundly sleeping little cousin and tucked him into her own warm bedding. Then, her own mother wiped Cheng Ying clean and pulled her into her own quilt.

Cheng Ying sighed, “Who named this cousin? No wonder he’s called Miao—too much water, and he flooded two beds in half a day.” She was genuinely annoyed. The aunt burst into laughter, “Yingzi, if you weren't several years older than Miao Miao, I would have made you my daughter-in-law!” Cheng Ying inwardly rejoiced at the age difference; she certainly didn't want to marry a close relative. Besides, loving a little boy was different from loving a future son-in-law. How awful would it be in the future to say to a husband, You once peed all over me when you were a baby? The thought alone was chilling. Cheng Ying shuddered, thankful that she was seven or eight years older than her little cousin. The aunt’s thought was gone.

Yang Zhi said, “My Yingzi isn't lucky enough, otherwise, if she were here by your aunt’s side, I could rest easy.” Cheng Ying felt she shouldn't listen to these two women talking; she drifted back to sleep in a daze.

When she woke up the next day, everything was forgotten—everything truly was like floating clouds. Of course, the quilt airing out in the sun that second day served as a stark reminder of the night the little cousin had soaked it. Cheng Ying looked at the small boy crawling on top of her and playfully slapped his little backside twice. Not too hard, not too light. The kid was sturdy and didn't take any notice.

Yang Zhi said, “Yingzi, stop playing with Miao Miao. Dress warmly and finish up quickly so we can eat and head back early.” That was right; they were going home today. Cheng Ying didn't care much for her uncle’s family in general, but she was genuinely reluctant to part with her little cousin. This must be fate, she thought. Her second uncle’s son, Dun’er, wasn't much younger than her cousin, but Cheng Ying wouldn't spare him a second glance. Clinging to her little cousin, she refused to let go. “If only I could bring him home to play!”

The aunt chimed in, “Fine, if you’ll be my daughter-in-law, I’ll let you take him!” Cheng Ying replied, “Never mind then. I look so much worse than my cousin.”

Yang Zhi chided, “You brat, how old are you to be judging looks? Hurry up and give Miao Miao back to your aunt and go stay in your grandpa’s room.” Cheng Ying held her little cousin’s fingers, both reluctant to separate.

The aunt murmured, “It’s fate. My Miao Miao has never been this attached to anyone.” Yang Zhi agreed, “I’ve never seen Yingzi yearn for anything this much. But Miao Miao really is an adorable child to raise.”

The aunt beamed, “Of course! Which child gets pampered like this? While everyone else is gone for a day without supervision, look at our Miao Miao. Grandpa never lets him feel wronged. Even if he doesn’t earn work points, no one leaves his side. The villagers talk about it—no child is doted upon like this. Sister, you don’t know how spoiled he’s becoming under Grandpa’s care.” The aunt’s words held a thread of complaint mixed with pride. Which child was raised so exquisitely? Which old man spoiled a child so much? And the child was hers, after all.

Cheng Ying nodded, “Young children should be spoiled like this.” The maternal grandfather, pushing aside the curtain and entering to see his grandson, chimed in, “Only the girl has insight. What is living, really? It’s about the children. You could give me a mountain of gold, but what good is it if the child is raised to be useless?” Cheng Ying nodded along. Clearly, Cheng Ying was her grandfather’s true granddaughter; the two of them had an uncanny agreement on how children should be raised.

The aunt exclaimed, “Oh, you two are truly related. Thankfully he’s my own child, or I couldn’t live like this. Outsiders would think I’m the stepmother!” With that, she handed the now-dressed little cousin to her father-in-law and then to Cheng Ying. “Sister, let’s set the table for eating.” Grandpa took his grandson. The grandson clutched his granddaughter’s hand. The trio moved out in a chain toward the east room to get warm. The old man had already gone and moved the charcoal brazier that morning, heating the room thoroughly before coming to fetch his grandson.

Yang Zhi remarked, “Hmm, I never realized Yingzi was so fond of little children.”

The aunt said, “Sister, if you had been tougher back then and returned with Dad, we could have lived together and seen this every day.”

Yang Zhi responded, “That was Yingzi’s grandmother, and I married into the Lao Cheng family; I had to listen to the old lady. Besides, it’s better for Yingzi to stay in the village.” The aunt fell silent, knowing her sister was too stubborn.

Cheng Ying followed her grandfather into the east room. Chi Wu and her stepfather weren’t present, so it was just the three of them playing on the heated brick bed.

Grandpa said, “Girl, isn’t this little fellow charming?” Cheng Ying nodded, “Yes, Miao Miao is very lovable.”

The old man continued, “If my girl misses Miao Miao, just tell me, and I’ll have your uncle come fetch you.” Cheng Ying thought, He’s trying to abduct a child! She pinched her little cousin’s fleshy cheek. “Oh my, look at this little guy already using his looks to charm people. What will he be like when he grows up? You mustn’t learn crooked ways!” To the old man, this sounded like his granddaughter was teasing him. But the girl truly was sharp, just as Chi Yong had said. She was so much more astute than his own daughter. He thought about how he had personally taught his own girl, hand by hand, yet she hadn't taken after him at all. The old man felt deep regret, but he was delighted that his granddaughter connected with him so well. “Yingzi, you misjudge me. I miss you! It’s only a few dozen miles, and you haven't visited your grandpa in half a year!”

Cheng Ying nearly choked. A few dozen miles! The old man made it sound so easy. If she walked, it would take the better part of a day, and her feet still ached just thinking about it. She countered, “Grandpa, you come visit me instead, bring Miao Miao along.”

The old man tapped her head. “It used to be that Grandpa ran around frequently to see you and your mother. Now Grandpa is old; shouldn’t you be the one running around more? Show some respect for your elders! How dare you say that, and suggest bringing Miao Miao along!”

Cheng Ying realized he had a point. However, looking at her grandfather’s physical state, he actually seemed quite well. He probably just felt too awkward coming to her house, which was why he urged her to visit more often. “Okay, Grandpa, I’ll listen to you. I’ll come over when I have time.”

The old man brightened, “Ah, my girl is sensible.” He pulled out ten yuan from his pocket. “Take this. It’s Grandpa’s New Year’s money. Don’t tell your mother; keep it for yourself. Buy whatever you want to eat.” Cheng Ying was happy, though there wasn't really anywhere to buy treats in her village. Traveling several dozen miles just to buy snacks? Cheng Ying would rather starve.

Grandpa insisted, “Take it. Miao Miao has some, and Wu Zi does too.” Cheng Ying realized she wasn't completely excluded. She happily tucked the ten yuan away. Her grandpa must have some hidden savings; when their immediate family split off, how much money did they even have? Excluding their earned work points, of course.

Grandpa said sternly, “Girl, remember to visit Grandpa often.” Cheng Ying glanced at the old man beside her, wondering if he was trying to buy her loyalty with money. “I’ll come when I have time.” She made sure to add the prerequisite condition. Hopefully, he wouldn't demand the money back. A mouth full of received gifts, as the old saying goes.

The atmosphere at breakfast that morning was much gloomier than the day before, as separation was imminent. Grandpa kept giving his own daughter dish after dish, showing clearly that he was an expressive man when it came to emotion, and that he cared deeply for his daughter. His daughter ate with her head down, not speaking, but her expression showed she was undoubtedly upset. “Dad, you eat too.”

The old man replied, “Do you think I would neglect myself? When you married, the family conditions weren't good, and I chose a place for you that was remote, making visits inconvenient.”

Yang Zhi said, “My mother-in-law treated me very well.” She glanced at Chi Yong, deciding not to mention that Yingzi’s father had also treated her well.

Cheng Ying instantly understood: when the old man was sent to the cowshed back then, he probably chose such a distant and isolated place for his daughter precisely so she could live more comfortably. It seemed like the old man had made good plans for his daughter back then, never anticipating that policies would improve later on. The place his daughter had gone to, as if to escape disaster, now just seemed a bit isolated.

The aunt said, “It will be easier once we have cars. Besides, Elder Sister isn't going to the county town for studies soon? Perhaps they’ll move out of the mountains eventually, and things will get more convenient.” The uncle and her mother seemed to have a good relationship, as the uncle’s face looked rather grim as well. Given her mother’s temperament, few people could truly get along with her.