Fortunately, the old man was only engaging in a battle of wits. No physical force was used, making things much quieter.

Chi Wu said, "Grandpa, look, they’ve learned their lesson. How about you let me take Yingzi for a tour of the school first? I’ve only asked for a single period off."

There was no way Grandpa would refuse to give his son-in-law face, so he immediately let them go.

Cheng Ying thought that her stepfather was intentionally playing the 'good cop,' acting as the nice guy. If he truly wanted to plead their case and save those two, why didn't he come twenty minutes earlier? She was glad she was an adult with enough common sense to see right through her stepfather’s act; she certainly wasn't going to accept this deliberately timed favor.

Cheng Ying accompanied her stepfather to the school. Since they worked in the same department, things were relatively easy to discuss. Besides, Cheng Ying’s academic record was undeniable. Her stepfather explained that the child needed rest due to poor health, and he would arrange for someone to check her lessons periodically.

Given her established grades, the teacher merely called Cheng Ying over and checked her schoolwork. Indeed, she was far ahead of the curriculum at that school, meaning even missed classes wouldn't affect her standing. The teacher quickly granted permission.

Of course, the teacher also offered some guidance: "Cheng Ying, being good at studies isn't everything. We still need to step out, interact more with your classmates, help those around you, and strive for mutual progress. Don't become arrogant."

This was a piece of verbal artistry, steeped in official rhetoric.

Cheng Ying nodded obediently. "Thank you, Teacher, I will."

Then the teacher turned to Chi Yong and said, "You must take prompt care of the child’s illness. Health is the foundation of revolution; we parents must be attentive."

Chi Yong nodded. Cheng Ying thought being a stepfather wasn't easy, having to come here and bow and scrape to the teachers on her behalf. Heh, it finally felt like she had caused Chi Yong some trouble—how satisfying.

The teacher added, "It would be best to bring a certificate from a health clinic. I need to report this to the school, as this child has been absent for a long time."

Chi Yong thought this was manageable; his brother-in-law worked at the health station. But he couldn't say that to the teacher. Chi Yong simply promised to provide the clinic certificate later.

Cheng Ying finally breathed a sigh of relief; she could go home. She walked out of the not-so-grand elementary school gates with Chi Yong.

Seeing the timely slogans posted at the school entrance put significant psychological pressure on Cheng Ying. At this time, the city and the countryside were vastly different; city folk truly followed policy down to the letter. Even when buying things outside, one had to say "serving the people." Quotations from the nation's leader were expected to be recited on demand. Her own grandmother knew more than Cheng Ying, who had only been there for half a year.

Consequently, Cheng Ying’s schoolbag contained a copy of those quotations. She was cramming hard; being able to sneak back to the village to recite them was the best scenario. This reminded Cheng Ying of the period-specific nature of Teacher Zhang Guoli’s drama, 'Golden Marriage.' And here she was, truly living in that era. The scenes she had once laughed at now felt intensely real, leaving Cheng Ying with nothing but nervousness, not a shred of humor. One misplaced sentence could lead to days of scrutiny—what an agonizing prospect.

Outside the school, Chi Yong parted ways with Cheng Ying; Chi Yong needed to teach at the middle school. The township's elementary and middle schools were separate, not far apart, but not in the same compound.

Chi Yong said, "Yingzi, don't rush back. I still need to sell some things for your grandma. I’ll take everything back with me. Wait until I have no classes in the afternoon, and I’ll take you home."

Cheng Ying thought he was being quite attentive, but walking back and forth was a long journey of dozens of li. She couldn't bear to trouble a frail scholar like him. "No need, I'll go back by myself."

Chi Yong was uncharacteristically firm. "Why aren’t you listening, child? You’re a young girl, how can you walk that far alone? If you truly ran into a wolf cub, you wouldn’t even have anywhere to cry."

Cheng Ying thought, If I really ran into a wolf cub, I have my spatial dimension; I’d be safer than if you were with me. She pouted and said nothing, deciding not to argue—not listening to him was the easiest route.

Chi Yong assumed Cheng Ying had tacitly agreed and left, feeling assured.

Chi Wu walked over from near the simple gate of the school. "I’ll ask the teacher for leave. I’ll take you back."

Cheng Ying looked at Chi Wu's small frame. Forget commanding him, he was just a child himself. If she couldn't bring herself to order Chi Yong around, much less Chi Wu.

Cheng Ying said, "You just got to school, what are you showing off for? Go attend your class properly. Remember to come back to my house to work on Sunday, or I’ll show you what happens."

Looking at Cheng Ying, Chi Wu felt like he had walked right into punishment. Why was this girl so irritating? "You’re like Gou bites Lü Dongbin [ungrateful]!"

Cheng Ying scoffed. "Hmph, I just don't think much of your abilities. Last time, you bumped my bottom so hard it was bruised for days."

Chi Wu fell silent. Why wasn't this girl shy? Talking about her bottom so openly. At his age, things were confusing and awkward. Cheng Ying’s remark utterly shamed Chi Wu, though he still looked back and warned, "Don't think you’re so capable. I’m telling you, there really are wolves on that road."

Cheng Ying thought, A little brat daring to scare me? If I didn't have my spatial ability, Chi Wu might have actually managed to fool me. A likely story—wolves? Was she afraid? They’d probably run away if they saw her.

She turned to leave, but she didn't manage to go alone. Her maternal uncle had specially taken half a day off and rode his bike just to take Cheng Ying home.

This time, Cheng Ying truly felt she couldn't be so hard-hearted. "Uncle, you don't need to go to such trouble. I can go back by myself; it's not that far."

Uncle replied, "Yes, it's not far. I haven't been to your house in a long time anyway; consider it a visit to your Grandma. Yingzi, why be so formal with your uncle? Besides, I know exactly how capable you are. Didn’t you get blisters on your feet last time you walked back from my place?"

Cheng Ying was so touched she felt like crying. This was a real maternal uncle. He kept everything in mind without saying anything, stronger than her own mother.

Grandpa came over carrying a bag of things. "Yingzi, take this back for your Grandma. Go to the countryside often. Bring your Grandma over sometime. If she knew you weren't staying in the countryside, she would have kept you locked up during summer vacation. Turns out, the old man was fooled by you."

Cheng Ying said, "Grandpa, just wait for me to buy red cloth to hang up red streamers. I definitely won't disappoint you. When I get home, I'll learn how to brew fruit wine from Grandma, and you can drink the fruit wine I made myself for the New Year."

Of course, Grandpa was moved, but he was even happier to have his granddaughter under his watch. He thought the girl was sensible. At her age, even though she was a bit young, what child didn't yearn to play? His granddaughter had the thoughtfulness to study alone in the city because she was worried about the old lady at home. All that talk about good grades was nonsense; what good were top marks if she wasn't sensible? Alas, his granddaughter was truly mature. The old man understood things clearly.

Therefore, Grandpa couldn't fully express his opinion on Cheng Ying's thoughts: "Girl, everything else is secondary. Don't forget your studies. If you want to achieve great things, make Grandpa proud, and put your Grandma at ease—nothing is more important than learning, understand?"

Cheng Ying nodded. In this era, educated people were sought after, unlike a few years prior when they were persecuted.

Cheng Ying said, "Grandpa, I know. Just wait and see." In her heart, she added a line for Grandpa: Money is also very important. But she figured her Grandpa, having lived so long and experienced the turmoil, wouldn't be naive enough to require her to spell out the importance of money. Otherwise, how did Uncle get his job, or how did Mom get her schooling quota? It certainly didn't come from just talking about "activity and exercise."

Cheng Ying felt the old man saw her as too innocent, thinking she was easy to fool. In Cheng Ying's eyes, fame and profit—if forced to choose—she would certainly stand by profit. Of course, the ideal was achieving both fame and fortune. Her Grandpa's pursuit seemed slightly different from hers. Looking at the old man, Cheng Ying suspected he must have private wealth; otherwise, how could he pursue fame over profit?

Cheng Ying waved goodbye to Grandpa. She had originally planned to buy some nice things in the village to show filial respect to her Grandma, but seeing the packages prepared by her Aunt and her own mother, Cheng Ying realized there was no room for her to add anything. Looking at the large bundles, it seemed Aunt had already packed everything available in the village.

Cheng Ying remarked, "Uncle, Aunt really doesn't know how to save. Grandma is definitely going to nag me about this later."

Uncle looked at Cheng Ying. "Don't talk nonsense, child. Your Aunt is very good to you. If she hears you say that, won't she discipline you?"

Cheng Ying instantly knew her uncle feared his wife and worried about being disciplined by her.

Cheng Ying said, "Uncle, leave some for Grandpa. It’s just Grandma and me; we can’t eat all this. Also, this piece of patterned cloth—it’s better to use it to make clothes for Miaomiao."

Uncle said, "Miaomiao is a boy; he won't use it."

Cheng Ying almost cried. I'm a girl! Besides, she wouldn't use something so gaudy. Why hadn't Aunt given up on this? She was even taking this fabric home—this was setting her up for trouble! Cheng Ying could vividly imagine herself wearing a tiny floral vest with her eyes closed; she would look utterly ridiculous.

It was nearly evening when Uncle delivered Cheng Ying home. Although the old lady had a poor impression of Cheng Ying’s Grandpa, she was very warm towards her nephew. "Nephew-in-law, come in and sit down!"

Uncle said, "Dear Aunt, it's been a while since I visited. Are you in good health?"

Old Mrs. Tao clutched her granddaughter’s hand. "Good or bad, village people don't fuss about such things. As long as the food tastes good, that’s enough."

Cheng Ying said, "Grandma, I'm back! Did you miss me?"

The old lady retorted, "Miss you? What for, you troublesome thing? Why are you back when you should be in school?"

Cheng Ying pursed her lips. Grandma, could you be any more contrary? If you didn't miss me, why are you clutching me so tightly? "Fine. I’ll just go stay at Uncle and Aunt’s place later."

The old lady tapped Cheng Ying lightly on the shoulder—it was clearly just a token gesture, without any real force.

The old lady turned to Uncle. "Dear nephew, you sit here. Once dinner is ready, you absolutely must eat before you go. Don't worry, it won't take long."