"Sister, once Yingzi starts school, let her live here. It’s too far for her to travel back and forth; can you bear it?"

"No need to trouble yourselves. It's fine for the child to walk a bit, and the old lady relies on Yingzi too much."

That was the truth of it. When it came to the old lady, Uncle didn't press the matter further; she was his own granddaughter. No matter how much a maternal uncle worried, it wouldn't change anything.

It must be said that Uncle treated Cheng Ying exceptionally well. Back when Cheng Ying’s father was alive, he had a great relationship with his brother-in-law.

Their maternal grandfather hadn't been well-off back then, and Uncle had relied on his sister and brother-in-law for support; the brother-in-law had certainly taken care of him then.

Years ago, Cheng Ying’s father once walked half a night just to bring him a wild pheasant and two pounds of cornmeal—what kind of bond was that?

So, he always kept his niece in mind; this was the lingering kindness left by Yingzi's father. Naturally, Cheng Ying's uncle remembered those favors.

"Besides," Yang Zhi continued, "Wuzi and Yingzi will have company walking to and from school together later."

Uncle slammed down his chopsticks. "Suit yourself." He turned and walked out. He was displeased.

Although Uncle wasn't a man of many words, he had quite a temper. Never mind that Auntie seemed outgoing; when it really mattered, she always deferred to her husband. The old man had told this to Cheng Ying in secret: just to get Cheng Ying to visit more often, he’d even bought his daughter-in-law something.

Yang Zhi saw the conflicted look on her brother’s face; she had her own difficulties.

"Hurry up and eat, don't mind him. That’s just his temperament. Sister, you have your way while Yingzi is young, but once she hits middle school, you can't decide. She really should stay here. Wuzi and the others can come over together."

Yang Zhi nodded. By middle school, there wouldn't be any private primary schools nearby; they’d all have to attend school in the township, and their home was genuinely far. It was inconvenient; the children couldn’t possibly walk back and forth every day—it was too taxing.

Chi Yong watched the family discuss things from the side; this atmosphere warmed his heart.

"Old man, alright, let's eat. You’ve only come back for a rare visit. Those are things for later. Remember to tell your mother-in-law when you return that you want to become a barefoot doctor. Your mother-in-law has enough foresight; the old woman can manage things herself. The children aren't small anymore, and you still have Chi Yong. Don't worry about things here. Besides, it won't take long to learn, I asked. Maybe just over half a year. If it’s tight, just push through it, and it will pass."

Chi Yong said, "Grandpa, don't worry, I'm here. Even Zhi Zi can't decide these things by herself."

Cheng Ying nodded along. If her own mother could take that step forward and learn a skill, it was better than just farming at home. If her stepfather eventually moved to the city, he could take her mother with him, right? In the worst-case scenario, if her stepfather left without them, they would still have a trade to make a living with, wouldn't they?

Cheng Ying truly thought this way. From this, Cheng Ying was grateful to her maternal grandfather; he had arranged a way out for her birth mother.

When the immediate family finished eating and came out, Cheng Ying saw that her uncle had already sorted out the bicycle he was giving her mother. He had even included a pump. He knew their location was remote, and if the bicycle broke down, there was nowhere to get it repaired.

Not to mention the things Auntie had gathered—bundles and bags stacked high. In Cheng Ying's eyes, her family looked almost like refugees walking down the road.

Looking at her maternal grandfather, then at her aunt, Cheng Ying thought that only a biological father could care for his daughter this much, and only brothers connected by blood could be so generous. What were they hoping to gain? They had nothing, so what was there to resent?

Cheng Ying felt she had an obligation to treat her grandfather and uncle even better for the sake of the little girl who had been there before her.

Cheng Ying tugged her little cousin’s soft hand. "Miao Miao, don’t forget your cousin. I’ll come to see you. If I can’t get married when I’m older, I’ll just rely on you, Miao Miao!"

"Shameless girl, how can you say such things! Hurry up and put Miao Miao down, we need to go back quickly before it gets too late."

Cheng Ying looked at the winding dirt road. In better times, this distance would only take about ten minutes. How come now it felt like half a day’s journey, like going on a long trip? When would they pave the roads? When would she finally be able to drive a car? She was so worried.

"Grandpa, don't worry about me. I’ll come see you soon. You must keep a close eye on little cousin; don't let Auntie neglect him." From the way they spoke to each other, it was clear that her grandfather was the more reliable caretaker for the child.

Auntie exclaimed, "Oh, Yingzi, you just spent one night with Miao Miao, and you've already kicked your own mother aside! Is this child still mine? Good thing she’s not my daughter-in-law, or my heart would be so chilled."

The old man watched Cheng Ying, who was grinning, her bare feet exposed in thick-soled cloth shoes on a freezing winter day, with no socks inside. Cheng Ying felt sorry for the old man’s cold feet. She couldn't figure out what this habit of his was.

The old man said, "Girl, if you're worried about Miao Miao, just come over a couple more times."

Cheng Ying nodded. She definitely would come, partly for her little cousin. It wouldn't be as fun once the child grew up.

Uncle snapped at Auntie, "Stop your incessant chatter. Hurry up and bring the child here. The sun is still warm; we need to make good time on the road."

Auntie sighed, "Look at me, stuck between a rock and a hard place."

Cheng Ying cautioned, "Auntie, you must watch Miao Miao carefully. Don't be careless; Miao Miao is still small and can’t handle harsh discipline."

Auntie replied, "Don't worry. Yingzi, when school starts, you can stay here with me. I’ll let Miao Miao sleep with you every night."

Cheng Ying considered that having the child around was nice, but wetting the bed at night was truly exhausting. "Then let's forget that. Grandpa, we are leaving now."

Chi Yong pushed the bicycle. "Grandpa, you go back. I’m here, don’t worry." That simple sentence conveyed that if their friendship hadn't been so deep, he wouldn't have said it.

Yang Zhi said, "Dad, we are taking the bike. Remember to buy one later. If there’s an emergency in the neighboring villages, it will be inconvenient otherwise."

The old man waved. "Go on, don't worry about me. Just take care of yourselves."

This time, Cheng Ying refused to sit in the front. She made Chi Wu sit in the cold up front while she sat nestled in her mother’s embrace. The bicycle, carrying four people, finally began the journey back.

Cheng Ying didn't quite understand why her stepfather wasn't reluctant about taking the bicycle. To be honest, in Cheng Ying’s view, her stepfather wasn't someone who sought small gains; if he was going to take something, he took it thoroughly.

Cheng Ying asked, "Mom, Uncle just gave us the bike like that? We should take it back."

"Isn't that right? Mom feels uneasy about it."

It was Chi Yong, riding the bike, who spoke up. "It’s not about this small thing. We owe Grandpa so much more than this. We have a long life ahead of us."

Cheng Ying finally understood. So, her stepfather had received such significant favors in the past that this small gift meant nothing to him. Was this the mentality of 'if you have many debts, you stop caring about the lice biting you'?

Cheng Ying felt that riding a bicycle was inherently uncomfortable no matter how she sat. Perhaps it would be better if she learned to ride it herself. Cradled in her mother’s arms, Cheng Ying’s posture was stiff; after all, she was a teenage girl, and it just felt awkward.

When they reached that steep ridge, Cheng Ying was certain her feet must have blistered again—it hurt, truly hurt.

Yang Zhi noticed her daughter's unsteady gait. "What’s wrong, Yingzi?"

"My feet seem to have blistered."

Yang Zhi frowned. "Turns out you aren't that delicate after all. When you were going to school, you walked over ten miles round trip daily and still didn't stop when you got home. Why is it that every time you walk since the beginning of the year, your feet get blisters?"

Cheng Ying cursed inwardly: Could it be that my walking posture is wrong? How can the same person, with the same pair of feet, be so delicate only when they are mine?

Chi Yong said, "Maybe Yingzi is growing, and her shoes don't fit right."

Cheng Ying nodded; that was exactly it! It certainly had nothing to do with her character. Besides, they were all walking the same way; how could only her feet get blisters?

Going downhill, Chi Yong dared not have the four of them on the bike. Only Cheng Ying sat on the rear rack, and Chi Yong pushed her down the slope.

Chi Wu grumbled, "She’s just spoiled." Cheng Ying was furious.

With the bicycle, the family’s speed increased their cheerfulness considerably. A journey that should have taken half the day was completed by noon.

When Cheng Ying and the others arrived home, no one was there, but the door wasn't locked. Cheng Ying checked the sky; the old lady was likely eating at her eldest or second eldest uncle's house. Cheng Ying touched the kang (heated brick bed); it was still warm, meaning her grandmother had been waiting for her to return. Although Grandpa was good to her, her greater sense of belonging was here. Home was irreplaceable.

Yang Zhi pushed her daughter onto the warm kang and started making food. The whole family was hungry after walking for half a day.

Also, when Chi Yong rode the bike into the village, all the village children crowded around to watch. It was just a bicycle, what was the big fuss about? A group of unsophisticated children. Cheng Ying realized just how remote this place was.

Furthermore, Cheng Ying was eager to find out exactly how far the temporary primary school was from her home. This was what concerned her most. Frankly, if the school was too far, Cheng Ying would have to reconsider whether she needed to continue studying. She wasn't planning to do things that were too troublesome, too mentally taxing, or too painful. Rebirth was for enjoying life, not for suffering; Cheng Ying understood that clearly. She viewed her current restraint as lying low, waiting for a moment to soar.

Yang Zhi was a filial person, so the meal was soon ready. She sent Cheng Ying to call her grandmother for dinner. Cheng Ying was happy to go check on her newly appeared aunt first, so she accepted the order and went. Cheng Ying calculated that yesterday they likely ate at the eldest uncle’s, so today it must be the second uncle’s place. Fortunately, she wasn't too late, especially since her feet were still hurting.

Second Aunt’s face darkened when she saw Cheng Ying, as if Cheng Ying had come specifically to freeload a meal. Cheng Ying noticed there weren't many dishes on the table, certainly not as many as when Auntie hosted them.

Cheng Ying addressed the only unfamiliar woman at the table. "Aunt," she called out, sounding somewhat affectionate, but not overly flattering. Cheng Ying suspected that perhaps her only aunt should treat her well; this simple address was just probing the waters.

Before her grandmother could speak upon seeing Cheng Ying, the woman on the kang got off the bed, her hands grabbing Cheng Ying's small hands and examining them left and right. "Yingzi!" There were no other words, just tears welling up in her eyes, her voice choked with emotion—she probably would have cried openly at home.