For those with a lingering resentment, that night without entertainment was the hardest to endure; you know, a whole family staring blankly at each other is terribly draining. At least Cheng Ying couldn't stand the atmosphere.

So, Cheng Ying yawned early, "Aunt, are you tired? Shall we go to bed?" Cheng Shengxia was even less inclined to see the son-in-law and his father from the Chi family, so she went along with her niece's suggestion: "Let's sleep, I'm tired too." This was a clear dismissal.

Yang Zhi stood up, "Mom, Aunt, you two sleep. We'll head back to our room first." Cheng Ying lowered her head; this was the attitude of passive acceptance.

Her own mother—why was she such a fragile little thing? Chi Yong, however, didn't leave immediately.

"Mom, I'll go over to the Captain's house for a while. I heard the township has quotas for sending people from the village to the county town to learn injections and IVs.

Yingzi's mom is kind-hearted and has some basic knowledge; this is also for the good of the village. I was thinking of checking if Yingzi's mom could go.

It would be contributing something to the village." Cheng Ying wanted nothing more than to grind her teeth somewhere, to take a couple of bites. How could such a self-serving endeavor, when spoken from her stepfather's mouth, sound so dedicated to the country and the people?

So, everything he did was for the village? This man should be in the Organization Department, no, the Propaganda Department—otherwise, his eloquence would be wasted.

Her grandmother, though, was not one to be fooled. "There's such a thing?" Chi Yong replied, "Yingzi's maternal grandfather mentioned it; it should be true." The old woman first glanced at her granddaughter, then got off the bed, "I'll go with you." With that, she neatly swung her legs down and walked out.

Just like that, only the Aunt and Cheng Ying were left in the room. The Aunt said, "Yingzi, if this works out, at least you and your mother will have something to rely on." Cheng Ying turned her head and instantly understood—no wonder Grandma glanced at her before getting down.

If it were her own daughter who became successful, there would naturally be no issue. But if it were the daughter-in-law, most people would hesitate.

What if the daughter-in-law learned the skills, got ahead, and then left her son? Wouldn't that bring trouble upon them?

However, considering their family situation, Grandma understood that only if her own mother stood up would she have security. That's why Grandma looked at her once before getting up to run the errand for her mother.

To be honest, given her mother's IQ and EQ, Cheng Ying believed she had no room for development anywhere except perhaps in academia. But pursuing academics isn't something achieved just by recognizing a couple of characters, so her mother was destined for no progress—Grandma was overthinking things.

Cheng Ying asked, "Are there any other benefits to being a barefoot doctor?" This question had the same effect as Chi Yong’s earlier monologue; Cheng Ying was just short of saying, aren't we doing this favor for the village? The Aunt said, "You're a child, you don't understand." And then she dropped the topic.

Mother and daughter climbed onto the kang and snuggled under the quilts to sleep. Cheng Ying asked, "Aunt, are you used to sleeping here?" As the host, Cheng Ying wanted to be warmly hospitable; what a good question this was!

Cheng Shengxia replied, "I’ve lived here for over twenty years, I’m more used to it than you are, girl." Cheng Ying chuckled, realizing this was their territory. Cheng Shengxia then asked, "Yingzi, do you remember your father?" Cheng Ying fell silent.

Firstly, mentioning her biological father was indeed a heavy topic. Secondly, as someone who had transmigrated, essentially borrowing a corpse to return the spirit, what was there to think about, what could she think about?

So, naturally, she was silent. Cheng Shengxia didn't expect her niece to remember much.

"Yingzi, you were so little then. Third Brother used to carry you on his shoulders all day long.

You don't know that the Eldest and Second Brothers only had sons, and you were the only girl in our family. Third Brother adored you." Cheng Ying thought to herself, it had nothing to do with that; her own biological father must have loved his daughter more than his nephews.

That inherent kinship of blood could never be erased. Cheng Shengxia continued, "Back then, your mother was silly and always got bullied.

Third Brother and I always protected her. Even though she was in her twenties, she acted like a child.

We went up mountains and down rivers together. When we came back, Second Sister-in-law was always sharp-tongued and picked fights, but your father would stand in front of your mother and me, and your Grandma wouldn't scold us." Cheng Ying thought: so they were a tight trio, and this aunt had a strong attachment to her brother.

No wonder the rift with her own mother was so deep. Cheng Shengxia said, "Every time Third Brother went out, he’d bring back some treats for you in his pocket.

You don't know how handsome Third Brother was; when he walked through the village, all the young women and wives would sneak glances." Cheng Ying thought: this was the simplicity of modern people; sneaking a couple of extra looks was considered a big deal. Cheng Shengxia boasted, "Auntie got quite uppity because of this.

But my Third Brother only had eyes for your mother, such a blockhead. You don't know how wonderful they were then.

When your mother was being lectured by your Grandma, it was always your father who jumped in to help her out of the bind." Cheng Ying mused: her biological father was handsome and strategic. He knew that if he intervened directly, the old woman would be even angrier, so he let his younger sister handle it.

No wonder he passed away so early—a genius playing the long game. People shouldn't be too outstanding in everything, or even Heaven gets jealous.

Wasn't he just waiting for Heaven to collect him? Thinking of this, Cheng Ying felt that Heaven was truly unjust.

Her head started to ache, and then Cheng Ying fell asleep. Cheng Ying didn't know what Cheng Shengxia was saying anymore.

Cheng Ying slept very well and very deeply, probably because she was exhausted from the past couple of days. Visiting relatives in this era was physically taxing work.

Cheng Ying stretched and opened her eyes to see her Aunt staring at her from the side. Cheng Ying said, "Aunt, you're up early." Cheng Shengxia retorted, "Early?

Look outside. Is this early?

Other people's children have already brought back a basket full of firewood, and you’re still sleeping? Why are you so unambitious?

I told you not to let people bully you, not to let anyone outshine you!" Cheng Ying’s head still ached. Why was her Aunt so agitated first thing in the morning?

She saw the Aunt pull out a warm padded jacket from under the quilt, "Hurry up and put it on. It’s all because Grandma spoiled you." Cheng Ying pursed her lips, wondering what bad habits her grandmother had spoiled her with that her Aunt disapproved of.

The old lady brought in a bowl of sorghum rice, "What have I spoiled her with? I spoiled her so much she doesn't know what's decent anymore.

Stop using Yingzi as an example." Then she turned to her granddaughter, "Get up, Yingzi, eat something. You can't sleep on an empty stomach." Cheng Ying felt her grandmother was much kinder.

Cheng Shengxia insisted, "Yingzi, Aunt needs to tell you, you can't be like this going forward. Even if your mother treats you well, she can't withstand people stepping all over you like this.

You sleep while other children are gathering firewood—what will that look like over time? You can’t let it be this way." Cheng Ying finally understood, "Aunt, you don't mean you want me to go out and bring back two baskets, do you?

That’s impossible. I have delicate arms and legs; I can’t handle that kind of torment." Why did she have to compare herself to the industrious Chi Wu?

Cheng Shengxia was filled with frustration, "You stupid girl, who told you to do it that way? You should have gotten up early and gone with that boy!

Who said you had to do it separately? Which one do you think you're bringing back?" Cheng Ying exclaimed, "Oh, Aunt, a person can't be so dishonest!

Wouldn't that just look like freeloading? Grandma never taught me that." The old lady, with a gentle expression, looked at her granddaughter reassuringly, "Shut up, let the child finish eating in peace.

What kind of low-class habits did you pick up after being away for a few years? Stop trying to corrupt my granddaughter." Cheng Shengxia grew anxious, "Mom, I’m doing this for Yingzi’s own good!

If you can’t accomplish anything, years of drudgery will wear you down. Over time, no matter how good Yingzi is, in my sister-in-law's eyes, she won't measure up to a capable boy." Cheng Ying looked at her Aunt, thinking this was a product of internal family struggles.

But it also suggested that her Aunt's life these past few years hadn't been easy. How could she understand that when she herself was so consistently favored by the old lady?

Indeed, Grandma’s gaze toward the Aunt held a touch of pity. Cheng Ying said, "Aunt, she is my biological mother.

Whether I am good or bad, she must treat me well." Cheng Shengxia said, "You heartless girl, that's only when your mother was an only child." Cheng Ying retorted, "It's the same, just like how Grandma treats you." Cheng Shengxia looked at her own mother, feeling a wave of familiar grievance—how long had it been since she received such unprompted favoritism? A married woman was different from being at home.

"Oh, my dear Mother, you've completely favored her! Aunt hasn't settled accounts with you yet!" Seeing the Aunt’s expression, Cheng Ying knew she was an open-hearted woman.

"Well, anyone who tries to steal Grandma away from me, I'll argue with them, regardless of whether they are close or distant." The old lady finally laughed, "Enough, both of you get up now and go do what you need to do." Cheng Ying exclaimed, "Oh, Grandma, ever since you got those dentures, you look younger and younger!" Cheng Shengxia circled her own mother, "Isn't that the truth? I was wondering why Grandma looked different every time I saw her.

Turns out it was the teeth. Mom, open your mouth, let me see." The old lady glared at her daughter, "Nonsense!

Go do what you need to do. If you have nothing else, hurry back.

A wife needs to mind her home, not hang around here for two or three days like you do." She turned and walked out. To say she was reluctant to see her go would be true, but girls eventually marry out.

Her own Yingzi was better—she had ambition, and they were taking in a son-in-law. The old lady, with her small steps, went to visit the Third Great-Grandmother.

After eating, Cheng Ying shouldered her basket and left with her Aunt. As for her biological mother, Cheng Ying had no idea where she went.

She was probably taken by her stepfather to feed the sheep, since her mother's demeanor in front of her Aunt was simply unbearable. It was suffering—terrible suffering.

Even Chi Wu couldn't stand to watch. Her stepfather must have felt sorry for his wife.

Her Aunt walked through the mountains, being even more familiar with the terrain than Cheng Ying. Cheng Ying followed slowly behind, carrying her basket, observing the surroundings.

When she came last time, she thought her biological father had chosen a good spot, but it was just too remote; the villagers didn't like coming here. And although it was a valley, it was at a high elevation.

High mountains meant naturally high ground. Cheng Ying followed her Aunt to her biological father's grave.

The sun was already at noon. Her feet, already blistered, hurt even more.

Cheng Ying didn't dare move her feet. The burning pain made every step agony, and she grimaced with every movement.

Cheng Ying frowned tightly, worrying about how she would manage the walk back. It was such a bother.

Moreover, her Aunt insisted she carry the basket, just to compete with Chi Wu in diligence. Cheng Ying followed her Aunt to perform the rites and burn paper offerings for her biological father.

RS