Cheng Ying locked the door behind her and Chi Wu, then they left.

They headed straight for the Third Mistress's house.

Her own grandmother and the Captain's wife were considered the elders in the village; certain tasks were easier for them to handle than for young wives.

So, the Grandmother and the Captain's wife went to deliver water to the crew stringing the wires, while the younger wives acted as the unsung heroes behind the scenes.

Villagers were rather conservative, generally not allowing young women to be seen out in public much, though that didn't apply when everyone pitched in for work in the collective during harvest or busy seasons.

When Cheng Ying arrived at the Captain's house, only the old lady was tending the fire.

Water was boiling in the pot.

Cheng Ying entered with effusive warmth, "Third Mistress, please, sit in your room.

How could you be doing this work? Wu Zi and I can handle it.

Quickly, put that down." With that, she proactively took the fire poker from the old lady's hand, acting as naturally and comfortably as if she were in her own home.

Chi Wu, watching from the side, wondered if they had stumbled into his own house.

Was this just a casual visit? The old lady was advanced in years, and her legs weren't as nimble as they used to be.

This was the only time, with no one else home, that she could manage such chores.

Normally, they dared not ask the old lady to do work.

The old lady asked, "Why aren't you two out playing? What brings you here to work?" Cheng Ying replied, "Look what you're saying.

Aren't we just here to see you? Who knew such a small thing would require you to do it personally? You should have told us sooner; we two could have helped you." The old lady was fond of Cheng Ying's straightforward manner of speaking, "Aiyo, Yingzi, that mouth of yours takes after your grandmother, definitely not your mother." Cheng Ying said, "Of course, didn't I grow up with Grandma?" With that, she passed the fire poker to Chi Wu and helped the old lady into the inner room.

As the old lady settled onto the kang, Cheng Ying asked, "Third Mistress, how much water do you need to heat?" The Third Mistress chuckled, "Look at you.

It's something that doesn't cost money; we can't let people go thirsty, can we? This is for bringing electricity to our village—it's a good thing.

We must be warm and welcoming to the workers." Cheng Ying affirmed, "Yes, we'll listen to you.

We should also contribute.

You sit inside, and we'll manage things outside." The old lady remarked, "Our Yingzi is so sensible.

Here, take these dried sweet potatoes.

Fill your pockets, they'll give you energy for the work." Cheng Ying refused, "No need.

We are already eager to help the production team.

Electricity for the village is a major event for everyone.

Please, keep these.

We will work diligently." She absolutely would not take the old lady's dried sweet potatoes.

Chi Wu thought to himself that this little girl actually had a conscience; she was just freeloading on warmth, not on food and drink.

That was somewhat different from Second Aunt.

Cheng Ying genuinely wasn't someone without principles, but the main reason she refused the sweet potatoes was to consider the future.

It would be several months before it got warmer, and with her stepfather busy and her own mother away, it was just the two children gathering firewood, and they couldn't always meet the quota.

In those days, grain was precious; eating less at other people's homes never earned one favor.

This small forbearance prevents greater failure—we call this playing the long game.

The Third Mistress said, "You two truly are thoughtful.

How about this, Grandma will put on the music box for you to listen to." Cheng Ying exclaimed, "That would be wonderful! Listening to that always invigorates me." The old lady teased, "You little monkey, didn't you just say last time that listening to it made you sleepy?" Cheng Ying quickly countered, "Did I ever say that? You must have misheard.

I love it very much.

I can even sing a couple of lines!" The old lady chuckled, "Say you're fat and you start panting.

You can do that?" As she spoke, the old lady opened the music box.

Cheng Ying observed the device, which ran on just two large batteries.

It must be said that in this era, in such a remote village, this was quite a valuable household appliance, perhaps the only source of entertainment.

That the old lady would let them listen, not begrudging the batteries, truly indicated a good impression of Cheng Ying.

As fate would have it, the music box started playing Su San Qijie (Su San's Farewell).

Cheng Ying, aiming to win the old lady's favor, possessed a naturally thick skin and absolutely no concept of shyness.

She opened her throat and began singing along with the music box.

Whether one's voice is inherently pleasant or not, once you sing with abandon, there is naturally a certain charm to it.

The old lady in the room watched Cheng Ying, even tapping a rhythm with her hands, clearly showing her satisfaction.

Outside, Chi Wu was utterly awestruck by Cheng Ying.

It wasn't because she sang well, but because of her spirit—her shamelessness, her spirit of freeloading warmth, her audacity in flattering someone to this extent.

It truly wasn't easy, Chi Wu thought.

He was far behind this girl.

For the sake of saving a little firewood, she was throwing everything out there.

She was throwing her very pride out there.

The singer wasn't blushing, but the listeners were.

Chi Wu felt embarrassed for Cheng Ying.

There was still more to learn! Who could blame Chi Wu for having his worldview so thoroughly warped by Cheng Ying in such a short time? Who could blame Chi Wu for having already established Cheng Ying as a milestone in his life? She was an exemplary figure, an object of worship.

This girl could procure socks, this girl could procure fish, and now this girl could freeload warmth—and they were even warmly welcomed to do so.

She was definitely not on the same level as Dun'er's mother.

Chi Wu did not feel at all that his and Cheng Ying's actions were comparable to Second Aunt's behavior.

Despite feeling flushed, he resolved to emulate Cheng Ying.

Cheng Ying asked, "Third Mistress, how was it? Are the people singing in there better, or am I better?" The Third Mistress grinned widely, "Aiyo, you little rascal, how can your skin be so thick? How can you compare yourself to the people in that little box? You're just making some liveliness, but truly, it was quite good.

Your grandma must be happy to have you.

Girl, don't just hover around your grandma’s place tomorrow; come to Third Mistress's house.

Third Mistress will prepare good food for you.

Be a good girl!" Chi Wu almost gasped from outside.

This was truly inviting them to come and freeload warmth.

Unusual.

Too unusual.

Cheng Ying responded, "As long as you don't mind us being bothersome.

But not these next couple of days; we are here to help the production team.

We can't just entertain you; we still have to tend the fire." This girl was still holding out, positioning herself quite highly.

The Third Mistress said cheerfully, "Aiyo, that's no trouble.

Third Mistress can help you tend the fire too." Cheng Ying looked at the old lady and felt a deep affection.

A simple, earnest old lady.

She felt she was genuinely providing entertainment for an elder, without any guilt whatsoever.

She could probably even qualify as a 'Five Good Youth' herself.

For lunch, Chi Yong was not at home.

Cheng Ying, Chi Wu, and the old lady were insisted upon by the Village Head's wife to stay and eat, because the Village Head's wife explained that thanks to the Grandmother and Chi Wu's family helping out, they surely wouldn't have managed otherwise.

She absolutely would not let the old lady take the two children and leave.

It was simple congee and preserved vegetables.

Chi Wu ate very little outside, constantly worried that people would resent him for eating too much, and then they wouldn't be allowed to come freeload warmth anymore.

Cheng Ying ate with even more grace.

It was just one bowl of congee, and she made no sound while eating.

Moreover, she helped clear the table and wash the bowls—she was the type of guest who charmed everyone, causing absolutely no trouble, arguably the most welcome visitor imaginable.

The old lady, naturally, was even more cautious.

Thus, the trio left an excellent impression at the Village Head's house.

Cheng Ying thought that in the future, if she wanted to visit here, it might be better not to eat a meal.

Eating someone else's food for too long meant repayment was due, that was always the rule.

Fortunately, she and Chi Wu would start school in just over ten days.

Life would remain easy enough.

Chi Wu’s harvest was even greater: he learned that taking advantage wasn't entirely forbidden, as long as the other party was willing.

As long as one conducted oneself with slightly more grace than Dun'er's mother, that was enough.

How pure a child's cognition is, and how hard it is to forget! This became a life lesson etched in Chi Wu's heart.

Cheng Ying’s days leading up to the start of school, the final ten days, passed quite fully.

And Chi Wu, trailing behind Cheng Ying, also gained considerable insight.

Chi Yong worked diligently with the team, maintaining a humble attitude that left a good impression on the villagers; he wasn't pedantic like some scholars.

It could be said that Chi Yong got exactly what he sought.

The old lady managed things at both ends quite skillfully.

Cheng Ying sometimes thought that her own mother's presence in the family was truly very faint.

She seemed almost unnecessary.

Whether she was there or not, the family’s daily life didn't change.

The day before Cheng Ying and Chi Wu started school, the village finally had electricity installed.

The Brigade distributed one light bulb to each household.

That night, every house was brightly lit.

Even their own old lady didn't worry about the electricity bill, letting the lamp burn for most of the night.

The old lady stroked the poster on the wall, "I've lived nearly a lifetime, and only now is the room this bright.

I can even see the cracks in the wall clearly.

And look how pretty this big daughter used to be!" Chi Wu stared stupidly at the electric light, smiling foolishly.

Cheng Ying slapped him, "Stop staring! It'll hurt your eyes." Chi Wu dared not utter a sound.

Cheng Ying had been to school; she must know more than he did.

Cheng Ying waited until Chi Wu stopped staring at the bulb before slowly contemplating the old lady's words.

Listening to the old lady, Cheng Ying felt more melancholy than joy.

The house she had lived in her whole life had never been seen this clearly? Cheng Ying looked at the white window paper pasted onto the window frame; wasn't that right? Sunlight only filtered through the paper; how clear could it be? Cheng Ying wrapped her arms around the old lady's waist, "Grandma, you just wait and enjoy the good life.

When the time comes, our family will change these windows to glass ones, and it will be bright day and night." She wondered if the old lady’s eyes were dim from age, why she hadn't thought to ask about it before.

The old lady exclaimed, "Aiyo, my granddaughter is so visionary.

Grandma will wait; Grandma will live to enjoy her granddaughter's blessings." Cheng Ying held the old lady’s waist tighter, "Yes, our good days are coming soon, very soon." But in her heart, she felt immense pressure.

This area was remote; getting rich would be very hard.

Chi Wu stood by watching the affectionate display, saying nothing.

Chi Wu was adept at reading the room; he knew this was no time for him to interject.

Whatever he said wouldn't win favor with the old lady.

In the old lady's heart, he and Cheng Ying were simply not on the same level.

Chi Yong had already gone to the west room to tinker with his things.

The old lady had specifically spent her own money, coordinating with the village, to buy a large light bulb for Chi Yong.

The west room was also lit up.