Cheng Ying eagerly tugged at her uncle's lapel. "Uncle, you wait right here. Grandmother and I will tidy up quickly."

The uncle settled in without ceremony. "Mm, listen to your mother. Yingzi, no need to rush. I certainly won't leave until after we’ve eaten."

Hearing Uncle Yang speak, it was clear he was very familiar with Cheng Ying's family. And judging by the grandmother's attitude, she seemed quite fond of her nephew.

The uncle was clearly here to check on his niece’s living situation.

The old woman, never mind having opinions about her in-law’s nephew, if she did have reservations, she had to swallow them now.

Her daughter-in-law’s family was staying with in-laws; in times like these, one had to be polite.

So, the spread prepared for the uncle was truly lavish.

The meat Cheng Ying had brought back was minced by the old woman, and they had made several bowls of dumplings.

She had also plucked several cucumbers from the yard and mixed up a large bowl with garlic, vinegar, and chili.

In Cheng Ying's eyes, it was perfect, missing only sesame oil.

Cheng Ying knew the old woman would be reluctant to spend money buying sesame oil.

The uncle ate heartily. "It’s been so long since I’ve tasted my own mother’s cooking. It’s exactly the same flavor."

Cheng Ying could tell her uncle had clearly been a frequent visitor here in the past.

The old woman said, "If you like it, come anytime. Your mother will cook for you. Relatives are supposed to visit; if you don’t keep in touch for a long time, doesn’t that just make you strangers?"

The uncle felt this was his sister’s mother-in-law after all, and it was just like years ago. "Yes, your brother-in-law treated us so well back then. He took us everywhere, up the mountains and down to the rivers. Yingzi takes after her father. She’s such a pleasing sight."

The uncle knew the old woman was setting aside her feelings about his sister remarrying; otherwise, he certainly wouldn't have mentioned keeping in touch with relatives.

He glanced at Yingzi beside him; it hadn't been easy for her mother, and this was all for his niece.

Bringing up that topic always made the old woman feel a familiar discomfort.

Cheng Ying thought her uncle was perceptive; why would he bring that up in front of the old woman?

After the old woman let out a sigh, the uncle continued, "My brother-in-law treated me well, and Yingzi is his child. Seeing Yingzi delights me, not just because she’s my sister’s, but because of my brother-in-law too. Mother, rest assured, Yingzi is my niece. I won't let the child suffer any grievances."

Cheng Ying finally understood. Her uncle was deliberately saying this to reassure the old woman.

Her own mother had left with a new man and child, leaving behind the child of her previous marriage and the elderly parent. Anyone in that situation would have second thoughts.

The uncle was sharp; he saw things clearly. He had come specifically to affirm their kinship and put the old woman at ease.

The old woman replied, "As an old woman, my experience is limited. In the future, I will need my in-law nephew to look after Yingzi more."

The uncle said, "Mother, even if you hadn't asked, it’s my duty. Yingzi’s grades are good, but she isn't keen on staying in the village. The teachers at school have noticed; her exams over the New Year were fine, but she can't slack off. Studying at home is the same, but she still needs to study. Please take some trouble to watch this child. I see Yingzi is bright and spirited; if that energy isn't channeled correctly, it will turn toward mischief. Our words don't carry weight with her, but her bond with you is genuine, so please take the effort."

The old woman assured him, "Rest easy. In front of me, the child won't go astray. I will watch her studies. Yingzi is sensible; she wants to stay here and keep me company. I understand."

Cheng Ying thought to herself, it's a misunderstanding. While that played a part, her main drive was to manage her own land holdings, which weighed heavily on her conscience regarding the grandmother.

"Grandma, it’s not just about that. I'm lazy, and I don't want to be stuck in school circles all day. Besides, school hours are limited—it’s always this activity or that activity. Don't believe me, ask Uncle."

The uncle glanced at Cheng Ying. "Mother, Yingzi staying here to accompany you makes my sister feel better too. Studying anywhere is the same. Wu Zi’s father said he will come back on Sundays to check Yingzi's lessons. If they aren't good enough, she’ll definitely have to go back to school."

The old woman nodded. "That's how it should be."

Cheng Ying pouted. She had absolute confidence in this matter; without that skill, would her sister dare let her skip so much school?

The meal the uncle ate wasn't remarkable, but the words he spoke were numerous—every sentence was meant to comfort the old woman.

Though unspoken, the underlying meaning was clear.

Cheng Ying realized why her uncle had escorted her back. Her maternal grandfather probably wanted to tell her grandmother that he had no intention of taking his daughter back home. This visit was specifically to soothe the old woman's feelings.

However, Cheng Ying suspected her mother wouldn't return to the village often from now on. After all, in a country school, when would she have time to come home frequently? As the saying went, one who wanders the world is often not in control of their own path. Her grandfather had clearly brought his daughter close to him, which was why he feared the grandmother worrying.

When the uncle was leaving, the old woman packed up all the preserved vegetables and various dried goods she had in the house for him. "Don't just buy everything to eat; it’s so expensive!"

With that one sentence, the uncle felt he was back home, speaking to his real mother. He turned to Cheng Ying. "Study hard, don't slack off. It’s no different studying here than it is at school, understand?"

Cheng Ying nodded and waved goodbye to her uncle. Finally, she had seen him off.

Cheng Ying took the old woman’s hand, closed the heavy door, and they went inside to sleep.

She hadn't been home for several days and had so much to talk about with her grandmother.

It was only now that Cheng Ying truly felt the sense of relying on her grandmother, of being dependent on her.

The old woman looked at her granddaughter with eyes that shone brighter than usual. Normally, she was reluctant to light the lamps and slept before dark, but tonight, seeing her granddaughter back, the old woman kept the lamp lit late, just talking with her.

Cheng Ying recounted everything from her days in the township, including the work situations of her mother and stepfather, telling the old woman everything, precisely to prevent the gap between them from widening. At the very least, the grandmother needed to understand her mother’s working life and what she did.

The old woman said, "Girl, you and I staying here in the village, there will surely be a lot of gossip. It’s unfair to your mother. You must make us proud and study well here, do you understand?"

Cheng Ying replied, "I understand, don't worry. Grandma, don't you trust me? As for the gossip, you don't need to bother with it. As long as we know the truth among family, that’s enough. When my exam scores come out for the New Year, the gossip will disappear naturally."

The old woman praised her, "My granddaughter has a broad heart; good. That’s success."

Cheng Ying held her grandmother, and they talked for half the night before finally falling asleep.

The next morning, Cheng Ying hadn't even woken up when the old woman brought a bowl of pan-fried dumplings to her bedside, followed closely by her textbooks. "Yingzi, get up, eat quickly, and then study."

Cheng Ying thought, what is this rhythm? Is my grandmother feeling too much pressure? "Grandma, why am I back? You don’t need to worry about me. Besides, studying while eating makes you forget everything you learn."

At those words, the old woman quickly shoved the textbooks under the covers, not forgetting to ask her granddaughter, "You didn't see that, did you?"

Cheng Ying was delighted, eating the fried dumplings. "It's still happiest at home. If I didn't have Grandma, how would I live?"

The old woman was happy inside but still tapped her granddaughter lightly on the shoulder. "Bah, bah, what are you saying? Don't speak nonsense, knowing that people eat salty food, but you shouldn't speak carelessly, understand?"

Cheng Ying nodded, nearly choking. "Grandma, I won't say it again. But you can't get up so early anymore; I’ll cook for you."

The old woman said, "Your heart is in the right place, but Grandma is old and sleeps little. If I get up, what else is there to do but cook? Don't you worry about it; Grandma isn't one to sit still. What do you want for lunch? Grandma will make it for you."

Cheng Ying replied, "Grandma, I’m full now, I can’t even think about lunch. Let’s wait until we’re hungry."

The old woman agreed. "Mm, hurry and eat. You need to study well after you finish."

Cheng Ying looked at the old woman. "Grandma, I don’t need to study; I already know it all."

The old woman's face, already etched with wrinkles, now seemed to have deeper ravines. "What are you saying? Don't get arrogant!"

Cheng Ying insisted, "I really don't need to. Have you ever seen me holding a book? I just keep what I learn in my mind."

The old woman truly didn't understand this concept of 'studying.' "Is that really true?"

Cheng Ying argued, "The children who never put down a book—are their grades better than mine? Look around."

As for grades better than her granddaughter's, at least in the village, there were none. It seemed her granddaughter was right.

The old woman was persuaded by Cheng Ying. "Mm, we won't look at them then. Our Yingzi is smart; she doesn't need to look at textbooks. Go on, go out and play."

Cheng Ying exclaimed, "Yes!" She had been waiting for those exact words.

Cheng Ying hadn't been in the village for just a few days, but when she came out, she noticed huge changes. Many families had built stone courtyard walls. Even those who hadn't built tall, grand walls had replaced their fences with stone. At least if there were wolves, they truly couldn't get in.

Cheng Ying thought to herself, this village prosperity—no, this solidity—is all my doing. It made sense; the team’s mule wasn't used for nothing, and every family had hauled several carts of stones from the riverbed. Why not take advantage of something free?

Cheng Ying looked at her Second Uncle's family courtyard wall. Oh my, how high it was! Second Aunt must have projected her own situation onto it to build it so tall.

Cheng Ying knocked loudly and called out, "Is Second Uncle home?" She had come to check on her Second Uncle; he was the only decent person in that entire family.

Second Aunt came out to open the door. "Oh, Yingzi! Haven't you gone to school in the township? Why are you back?"

Cheng Ying replied, "I haven't been feeling well; the teacher told me to come home and rest."

Second Aunt's expression changed immediately. Cheng Ying didn't even need to think; she knew the woman was afraid she had come to borrow money.

Cheng Ying enjoyed seeing Second Aunt fret. Without pointing it out, she asked, "Is Second Uncle not home?"

Second Aunt replied, "Your Second Uncle has gone out to work. You see, the whole family relies on him; Dun is still young, and Shuan has to go to school. Yingzi, my family is not like yours; your mother and father both earn wages. Life is hard. It’s the middle of the seventh and eighth months, the lean season, and we might run out of food soon."

She spoke with such misery.

Cheng Ying pretended to worry along with Second Aunt. How miserable must one be to say such things? All lies! It was amazing how quick-witted Second Aunt was.

Second Aunt was truly charming in her directness—saying whatever came to mind. Cheng Ying looked at Second Aunt, feeling a genuine warmth. "Second Aunt, you absolutely cannot let the children starve! Why don't you kill that chicken in the yard? We can't let Dun starve, can we?"

That was a great suggestion! Second Aunt looked at Yingzi, frowning in worry—not looking kind at all. This troublesome child, why won’t she leave? We really don't have any money. "That chicken still needs to lay eggs for Dun to eat."

Cheng Ying feigned surprise. "Oh, it still needs to lay eggs?"

She didn't leave, deliberately standing in Second Aunt's way. Honestly, this cursed child, so wicked, did she have an obsession with watching the middle-aged woman suffer and teasing her? RP