Having just taken a sip of wine, Cheng Ying’s cheeks were flushed a rosy pink, making her look instantly endearing.
Cheng Ying felt a bit dizzy; although she liked wine, she realized her body hadn't been accustomed to alcohol, and she couldn't handle it.
Tugging on Chi Wu’s sleeve, she urged him, “You absolutely have to wake me up, you hear me?”
Chi Wu just watched as Cheng Ying finished speaking and promptly slumped onto the kang to sleep.
Chi Yong chuckled, “So, this girl collapses after just one taste?”
Chi Wu sighed, “She got drunk.”
Chi Yong looked at his son, “Isn't that right? She’s absolutely drunk.”
Chi Wu was annoyed. He had to be up at three o’clock; did this girl have any consideration? "If you don't have the capacity, why drink at all?"
With that, he turned and strode out, flicking his sleeves.
Chi Yong watched his two young ones, a deep sense of contentment filling him. Seeing their affection for each other put his heart at ease.
Life finally seemed to be finding its footing. Thinking back to the years past, when the two of them couldn't even manage a warm meal during the New Year, the bitterness, the sheer agony Chi Yong had felt, once drove him to contemplate suicide with Chi Wu.
Chi Yong felt immense gratitude towards Cheng Ying’s family, especially her father’s side.
Without the timely help from his father-in-law back then, not only might they not have the life they have now, but Chi Wu himself might not even be here.
Chi Yong had been drinking, and his thoughts were becoming muddled.
What if something happened to Chi Wu? How could he ever face the old Chi family? He would be too ashamed to see his own parents in life, or his brother and sister-in-law in death.
Chi Yong’s eyes moistened as he walked toward the west room, feeling the urge to simply embrace his wife and weep.
This wine truly was potent; even Chi Yong couldn’t handle its kick.
When Chi Wu came in from outside, he carried a damp towel, placing it on Cheng Ying’s forehead before climbing onto the kang himself to sleep.
Of course, his expression was far from pleasant.
When the old woman entered, she saw the damp towel on her granddaughter’s forehead and knew instantly who had placed it there.
She had to admit, Chi Wu was a good child, especially good to Cheng Ying.
It was fate that brought the two children together so harmoniously; the household was finally peaceful.
Outsiders looking in wouldn't dare provoke them. In the village, people feared internal disunity because it invited external interference.
Back when Yang Zhi first married Wu Zi’s father, didn't the whole village gossip behind their backs?
Now that they had made something of themselves, who dared utter a word of gossip when they went out?
It seemed the villagers recognized that their own kin had risen; Wu Zi’s father and Yang Zhi had achieved something, hadn't they? Their own family’s prosperity was evident!
Even though those working outside earned quite a bit, not much of it remained at home. Moreover, finding work outside wasn't that easy; earning for one month’s work after two months was considered good luck.
Although Ying Zi’s mother and Wu Zi’s father didn't earn vast sums, it was more than enough for their current life.
The old woman was content. Never mind anything else; Yang Zhi was the village health worker. Who didn't get a headache or a minor ailment? Who didn't treat her with respect now?
Since Chi Yong was assigned to teach in the township, the villagers treated her with even greater deference.
The old woman understood she was benefiting from their success.
That was why she treated Chi Wu and Chi Yong more and more like her own family. Otherwise, she wouldn't have nagged Chi Yong today. Sometimes, being nagged was a sign of closeness.
The old woman carefully removed the damp towel from her granddaughter's forehead and wiped her face.
Having drunk too much, Cheng Ying’s breath reeked of alcohol—a truly vexing child.
After covering both children with their quilts, the old woman climbed onto the kang to sleep.
Cheng Ying was usually such a lazy child, never waking up early because she couldn't.
But today, she woke up early. Forget three o’clock; Cheng Ying couldn't sleep even at two.
Feeling thirsty, she got up to drink water, disturbing all three people in the room.
Chi Wu glared at Cheng Ying, eyes practically blazing. Why couldn't this girl ever be less worrisome?
The old woman scolded, “Serves you right for being greedy. That was wine; you can’t just drink it whenever! Look at you suffering now. Drink some hot water; you’ll feel better.”
Cheng Ying replied, “It’s fine, Grandma. Otherwise, we’d have to get up early anyway.”
She gave Chi Wu a sharp kick on the rear, “Get up! Don’t wait until three. The moon is still high outside; let’s leave now.”
The old woman exclaimed, “You restless girl! What’s the rush? Who gets up in the middle of the night to go out and play?”
Chi Wu pulled the thin quilt tighter and rolled further inside, not even acknowledging Cheng Ying.
Cheng Ying took a drink of water and felt much better. “Grandma, why did you hide the wine away?”
The old woman snorted, “Hmph. Isn't that to guard against people like you?”
Cheng Ying laughed, “Grandma, how come our cellar has a secret compartment?”
The old woman said, “Don’t be so surprised; what household doesn't have a hidden compartment in their cellar? Back in those times, you had to hide the grain!”
Cheng Ying’s mouth dropped open. So that era was so close to her. Their own hidden compartment was still intact.
The old woman added, “If I hadn’t hidden it, your Second Aunt would have cleaned it out long ago.”
Cheng Ying snapped back to attention; it turned out the hiding was to guard against the Second Aunt.
She felt secretly delighted. “Grandma, Mom and Dad are going to teach in the township. Even though you aren’t going, we still need to visit them often to check on their living situation. There won't be anyone watching the house. Grandma, what do you think about building a wall around the yard?”
Cheng Ying had wanted to build a courtyard wall for a long time. Ever since she heard about wolf cubs causing trouble in the village, she had felt insecure.
The old woman replied, “There are too many things to take care of at home; where would that expense come from? Don’t think just because your mom and dad earn money that much is left over. It all gets spent.”
Cheng Ying knew this. “We can find a few people in the village to help; how much money could that cost?”
The old woman sighed. “Getting stone, getting lime—that’s money! Just one trip with the mule cart costs a fortune. Do you think the feed for the mule is free? Although our village mule is still collective property, the more we rely on it, the less we should use it for free. Wu Zi’s dad is the village accountant; everyone in the village is watching. Don't worry your head about this matter.”
Chi Wu thought the old woman’s planning was thorough. When they had money, they could buy the village mule.
Cheng Ying thought about the conditions in her own village; it was truly pitifully poor.
The village had originally planned to appraise the sheep and the mule, letting whoever paid the most take them.
But the entire village couldn't scrape together that much money.
That’s why Cheng Ying said that even collecting from the entire village wouldn't amount to two thousand yuan.
Sigh. Poverty.
Chi Wu lifted the quilt and said with resignation, “Let’s go, let’s go. I see the light now. If we don’t go, you won't let me get any peace, will you?”
He was clearly annoyed that the old woman chatting with Cheng Ying was preventing him from sleeping.
Cheng Ying urged him, “Then get up quickly!”
The old woman protested, “Are you two crazy? Getting up in the middle of the night to leave?”
Cheng Ying pleaded, “Oh, Grandma, just let us go! It’s a rare chance to play, and it’s not even cold outside.”
After all, it was common for village children to get up in the middle of the night to catch crickets or frogs; they weren't overly pampered.
So the old woman got up, made them a bowl of hot soup, and paid no mind to the two children. Let them play; teachers would manage them once school started.
Yang Zhi heard the commotion and got up to pack a large parcel, placing it in Cheng Ying’s hands. “This is all for your maternal grandfather, and some for your aunt. Hold onto it carefully, especially that wine. Don't you dare dent it; your grandpa will have your hide.”
In Chi Yong’s view, it would have been better to tell the two children not to secretly drink it. The girl looked at those two bottles of wine with undeniable craving.
Chi Wu reassured her, “Mom, I’m here. Don’t worry.”
And so, Chi Wu put Cheng Ying on the bike, and they set off in the middle of the night.
The adults, seeing that everything was fine, returned to their room to sleep.
It was fortunate that Chi Wu had shot up in height; otherwise, carrying Cheng Ying on the bike, his feet wouldn't have reached the pedals.
Upon reaching the edge of the village, Cheng Ying pretended to search for something, making Chi Wu stop the bike. “Wait a moment.”
Chi Wu stopped, thinking Cheng Ying needed to relieve herself.
He muttered, “Lazy mule going to the grindstone.”
Cheng Ying didn’t even respond. A moment later, she emerged from a hidden nook, carrying a large bag.
In reality, she had just slung it over her back, retrieving the tiger skin from her dimensional space—it was an act staged for Chi Wu’s benefit.
Chi Wu asked, “What is that? Where did you hide it? Aren't you afraid of losing it?”
Cheng Ying retorted, “Mind your own business. Let’s go!”
Chi Wu didn't waste time arguing and took her away.
In Chi Wu’s mind, Cheng Ying was short of money, and she must be going to her grandfather’s house to borrow some.
Cheng Ying saw things differently. Borrowing money from her grandfather would require her mother’s approval, and the outcome of that might not be what she wanted.
She didn't want her family to know about this until the matter was settled. Especially her grandmother; how sad she would be knowing. Besides, it was all something she had fabricated. Using the name of someone deceased made Cheng Ying feel uneasy.
When they reached the steep hill leading up, Cheng Ying had to walk; Chi Wu couldn't manage the incline with the weight.
However, Chi Wu used the bike to push the two large bags up the slope.
When they reached the downhill section, the two youngsters grew daring. Chi Wu tested the brakes; they felt solid.
He let Cheng Ying sit on the back, and the two shot down the hill.
Cheng Ying still felt a chill just thinking about it. The bicycle was moving at near motorcycle speed! Looking back at the winding path, neither knew how they managed to rush down it—it was terrifyingly dangerous.
Cheng Ying wrapped her arms tightly around Chi Wu’s waist, the two large bundles wedged between them. Her legs felt weak with fright.
Chi Wu grumbled, “Why are you gripping so tightly?”
Cheng Ying gasped, “That scared me to death! We can never do that again. What if something happened? No one would be around to carry us both back!”
Chi Wu snorted dismissively, “With my skill, what ‘what if’?”
Cheng Ying thought, You little brat, what are you showing off for? If something actually happened, you wouldn’t be so smug. The ones who die from falls are always the bold ones.
Chi Wu said, “We’ll reach Grandpa’s house before dawn. Are you really going to ask Grandpa for money? We’re just two kids; do you think Grandpa has that kind of money to just hand over?”
Cheng Ying countered, “Think about it. The land was just distributed, and we haven't even harvested the year’s crops yet. Even if Grandpa wanted to lend us money, does he have that much spare cash?”
Cheng Ying’s analysis was perfectly accurate.
Chi Wu’s legs felt weak from pedaling. “Then why did we make this trip?”
Cheng Ying felt Chi Wu would eventually find out the truth. “I wanted you to come with me to the county seat.”
Chi Wu’s bike immediately swerved like a drunken snake. “What?”
The two children stopped the bike mid-road. Chi Wu stared at Cheng Ying with wide eyes.
Cheng Ying said calmly, “Why are you so agitated? To the county seat.”
Chi Wu stammered, “I was worried you’d get lost while I was carrying you! Do you even know the way? Are you planning to go to the city and just sell me off?”
This kid actually had some foresight, she conceded.
Annoyed, Cheng Ying reached into one of the bags and pulled out a corner of something. In the moonlight, Chi Wu could see fur of yellow and white alternating hues.