This is my little brother, it was so hard for him; Cheng Ying felt a maternal affection. And the pride of having my son as a handsome young man. If you talk about the twisting of the heart against the passing years, it’s not just a slight bend.

Outside of school hours, when her aunt saw Cheng Ying, she was quite surprised: "Yingzi, why are you back?" Cheng Ying replied, "They are cleaning up, so I came back." Her aunt thought for a moment and said nothing. If the child doesn't want to get involved in the labor, then so be it; today is just for cleaning anyway. "It won't delay your studies, right?" She felt no guilt whatsoever about her own child not loving labor. Cheng Ying said, "It won't delay anything; there won't be classes today." Her aunt exclaimed, "Even better! Auntie will take you into the village to play. Yesterday, the girl next door came back from the village wearing just a huāguàzi (flowery jacket), so pretty!" Cheng Ying glanced at her aunt, and the feeling in her heart was as unbearable as being scratched by an itch-rake. Oh my goodness, spare me! Huāguàzi again? Cheng Ying remembered how coarse they were. The huāguàzi her own grandmother made for her could be considered a work of art, which she kept deep in a cabinet out of reluctance to wear. For her aunt to bring up another one was truly too much to bear. "Auntie, please just watch Miaomiao properly. I don't need any more jackets; I have them at home." "Auntie," you’re just a little girl, why don't you dress a little nicer? Look at what you’re wearing, not a bit of color. If it weren't for the braid on your head, I’d think you were a little boy!"

Cheng Ying wanted to look in the mirror to see what she looked like to be criticized to this extent by her aunt. Cheng Ying looked down at herself: blue-patterned diagonal trousers, and a close-fitting short-sleeved top specially modified from her grandmother's army-green old undershirt. In the village, many children envied this outfit. How spirited! Add a cap, and she’d look like she came from a major compound. Cheng Ying firmly believed there was nothing wrong with her own attire; the faulty one must be her aunt's taste. Cheng Ying glanced sideways at the little girl walking past the door: red bloomers, a huāguàzi, and black cloth shoes. Did one have to be so garishly colorful to be considered good-looking, the social mainstream? She gave her aunt a strange look. Tastes differ; maybe it’s best to stick to her current style. "Um, Auntie, I think I’ll go inside and read a book then."

Her aunt put down what she was holding. "Why didn't you say so earlier? Reading is so important! Hurry inside, hurry inside!" Cheng Ying watched her aunt holding Miaomiao, ready to lock her away for intense study. She thought, in this era, learning is indeed that important.

Summer vacation had just begun, and the noon break was long. Chi Yong brought Yang Zhi home for lunch. When he heard Cheng Ying had returned long ago, Chi Yong knew it. This girl probably still didn't want to stay at school, starting to slack off on the very first day of term. Chi Yong spoke gently, "Yingzi, how is it? Didn't you make any friends at school?" Cheng Ying ate her meal, replying unhurriedly, "I was thinking, if you have time, perhaps you could accompany me to school. And Chi Wu seems to be adapting well; that’s good." She had skillfully diverted the topic, not wanting to discuss his situation during the meal, afraid her own mother wouldn't eat well. Chi Yong replied, "Mm, I’ll go with you this afternoon; it won't delay things." Yang Zhi murmured, "This is really settled then." Chi Yong said, "It's nothing."

Grandpa then chimed in, "What is it, Yingzi? Is there something at school? If you all are busy, I can make a trip too." Cheng Ying said, "It’s fine. My studies are good; the teacher just wants to meet the parents." Chi Yong looked at his daughter. That statement was delivered so smoothly. How long had she planned this? She hadn't considered that Cheng Ying was simply used to talking her way out of things. Even Chi Wu didn't want to look at Cheng Ying, but having to go to school alone wasn't much fun either. So his mood was a bit low. Cheng Ying then asked, "Uncle, when Mom was in the village, she didn't seem very busy. Why are you away from home for half the day?" Her uncle smiled, a very subtle smile. "I'm not busy in the village; I'm just helping out at the clinic." That was a simple explanation, but in reality, Grandpa had pulled strings to get him a position at the clinic. Cheng Ying’s mouth hung open for a long time, unable to close. Grandpa was truly formidable! The way he managed connections, and how quickly he acted! How could his mind work so well to get her uncle into the clinic so fast? In those days, gaining some seniority meant permanent employment was just a matter of time, a job that wouldn't face layoffs in the future. The most respected profession.

Not just Cheng Ying, but Chi Yong and Yang Zhi were also delighted. Raising their glasses, the three grown men ignored seniority rules and toasted together. Cheng Ying announced, "Grandpa, my uncle will be a hospital worker from now on!" Grandpa replied, "It's a long way off yet; it’s not that easy." Then he sighed, "I’ve wandered the jianghu (world/underground) my whole life and never worn a white coat. Ah, I just hope your uncle can become a proper doctor so people will see. Then we’ll see who dares call me just a wandering charlatan in the future." Cheng Ying said, "You just said it yourself." The old man shot his granddaughter a sidelong glance. Cheng Ying just wanted to say that there was nothing wrong with being a jianghu wanderer; at least Grandpa’s insight and courage were honed by that life. Otherwise, how could he benefit his descendants? Unfortunately, this understanding wasn't something a mere girl like her could possess; experience was more important than anything. There was no way to comfort the old man. I believe in you, but saying it wouldn't be a comfort to him. Chi Yong interjected, "Old man, you are an unworldly master. Not everyone can navigate the jianghu until your age without capsizing." This remark immediately lifted the old man’s spirits, though he became rather modest. "It's not that I never capsized; didn't I get locked up in the cow shed once?" Chi Yong took a deep breath, his mood sinking. "That was the era." The old man sighed. "Yongzi, any news from home?" Cheng Ying's ears immediately perked up. It was the first time she'd heard about her stepfather's family; she was certain he was asking about Chi Yong's own family. Chi Yong was silent, shook his head, and the atmosphere immediately solidified. The old man said, "Alas, in those days, no one knew where people were, and communication was inconvenient. It’s fine. No news is good news. We’ll wait a while, see how the situation develops, and if it really stabilizes, I’ll go back to look." A faint light appeared in Chi Yong's eyes, almost tearful. "Grandpa still worries about me." The old man said, "Eat, eat. Let's not talk about that anymore. It’s my fault; why did I even bring it up while we were eating?"

Yang Zhi didn't say a word. Cheng Ying thought, Doesn't she want to ask? She had truly never seen anyone more broad-minded than her own mother. In Yang Zhi's view, things were simple: Chi Yong was a man taken in by marriage; what his family was like had nothing to do with her. At most, it was just gaining another branch of relatives. Her daughter’s family was all in the village; there was no use worrying. Yang Zhi had never once considered leaving her daughter. Thus, she was a simple person with a simple way of living. A person like Cheng Ying was willingly jumping into a pit for Yang Zhi’s sake. This was fate. The fate of worrying.

Chi Yong looked at his wife’s placid expression and felt a bit confused. Why did his wife’s reaction make him a little disappointed? Why didn't he explain things more clearly? Because she showed no inclination to pursue the matter. If a man reached his level and was treated this way, he was truly a failure. His wife didn't care; she didn't keep him in her heart. Perhaps she was too preoccupied with her own thoughts. When one is deep in thought, it's easy to drink too much. On what had been a happy day, Chi Yong’s mood plummeted, and he ended up pouring quite a bit of his father-in-law’s liquor down his throat.

The old man watched with heartache. That was such fine liquor! If he had known his son-in-law enjoyed it so much, he shouldn't have brought it out. In those years, people couldn't even get enough to eat; what common folk had the means to brew wine? Therefore, the fruit wine from Cheng Ying's family was precious in the old man's eyes. Cheng Ying also felt troubled watching her stepfather. Had he gone crazy? He was fine just moments ago, and now he was drinking himself into despair just because they couldn't discuss his family? Besides, he still had serious business to attend to. Furthermore, they didn't encourage drinking on the job, which would be a disservice to the job he had just secured and hadn't even fully settled into yet. So Cheng Ying spoke up, "Uncle, Grandpa looks pained just watching the wine." This was diverting blame. The old man looked at his granddaughter and quickly composed himself. Nonsense! The child was speaking the truth. No matter the era, a son-in-law was a cherished guest in his in-laws' home; the best things were used to entertain him. How could he admit to feeling heartbroken? "You silly girl, what nonsense are you spouting? Grandpa isn't drinking it; this has to be for your uncle to drink. I don't feel the least bit heartbroken!"

Her uncle almost burst out laughing on the side. Not heartbroken at all? Chi Yong held the cup, which still had half a glass of wine in it. To drink it was wrong; not to drink it was also wrong. How had he ended up holding the old man’s cup? A lapse in composure! A lapse in composure! "This wine is truly excellent, Grandpa. Please have a taste." Saying that, he put down the cup and poured the old man a fresh one. The way this man handled such matters was truly poised and self-possessed. Cheng Ying thought her stepfather’s superficial skills were perfectly honed.

No matter what, as long as he stopped drinking, that was fine. Her own grandmother had been alone at home for two days, and Cheng Ying was worried, already planning to return that afternoon. Therefore, the matter of her stepfather going with her to school couldn't be delayed. Don't blame her for curbing her stepfather’s drinking habit. However, Grandpa seemed to keep glaring at her; she must have offended him somehow. Cheng Ying said, "Grandpa, you can bear to part with it? Then I'll take half a bottle back with me, okay?" The old man’s expression immediately soured. "You silly girl, no one in your house drinks. What would you take it back for?" He still couldn't let go of it, turning away from Cheng Ying. This child was not to be provoked; she specialized in stabbing people in their weak spots.

After all, the old man had experience in the jianghu. If he wanted to deal with you, it would take him mere minutes. Although Cheng Ying had achieved a temporary victory, less than two minutes later, the old man brought up the incident of Cheng Ying and Chi Wu secretly going into the city without telling the adults. He lectured Cheng Ying for a full twenty minutes, listing everything. Cheng Ying saw the old man’s demeanor and realized he wouldn't stop unless she admitted her mistake. Ah, she had stayed for two days without him saying a word, but now that she mentioned the wine, the old man immediately made trouble. It seemed his tender spot could not be touched either; neither of them was easy to deal with. Chi Yong watched the two children meekly taking the reprimand and thought they must have learned their lesson by now. Cheng Ying had once run so hard she lost her shoes, and the old woman chased her with a broom.