Second Aunt was anxious, truly worried that her own husband would come back and give that little spendthrift some money or something, and she couldn't look at Cheng Ying without finding fault.

In Second Aunt’s eyes, Cheng Ying was the ruin of the Old Cheng family; why hadn't she perished back in that other era? Three thousand yuan—the old lady gave it just like that, and neither of her two sons nor four grandsons got even a sliver of it. Can you imagine such profound jealousy?

The worthless patch of mountain land they got in exchange—could that fill their bellies? Could that pay the bills? Their money, every bit of it, was hard-earned, every cent of it. Giving Cheng Ying a share made Second Aunt's heart ache.

Besides, there was the fifty yuan distributed by the village. She hadn’t even felt that money warm her hands yet.

Cheng Ying said, "Second Aunt, I’ll watch Dun'er for you; why don't you go make dinner?"

Second Aunt retorted, "Make what dinner? What's there to eat? We’ll all be blowing the northwest wind!" The way she said it was clearly ill-tempered.

She looked ready to grab a broomstick and chase someone off. Second Aunt’s face was pulled so long it seemed to defy gravity.

Cheng Ying recalled a rather fitting poem for describing Second Aunt’s countenance: Yesterday’s tear of longing, today only just arrived at the cheek. This expression rivaled that of Su Dongpo’s sister-in-law’s long face.

Cheng Ying struggled to suppress the smile bubbling up inside. "Then I’ll go see First Aunt’s place."

Second Aunt immediately softened her tone, "Go on then, hurry up! First Aunt’s place is so lovely," she chirped.

Cheng Ying turned and stepped out. First Aunt was certainly a good person, with a good temper, radiating sincerity and straightforwardness everywhere she went.

Cheng Ying strolled toward the village entrance. Second Uncle should be back soon.

It wasn't long before she saw her Second Uncle. "Second Uncle!"

The simple, honest man saw his little niece. To say he held no resentment would be untrue; after all, his own mother had grown distant from her sons because of his niece. But to say the resentment was huge also wasn't quite accurate; she was, after all, just a child, the only child of his own younger brother. It was perhaps fitting that the old lady paid some attention to her. Moreover, the money Cheng Ying took was earned with the life of the third brother. "Yingzi, why are you back?"

Cheng Ying replied, "I’m here to keep Grandma company. It’s lonely for her all by herself."

Second Uncle frowned. "Yingzi, tell Second Uncle the truth, is it your mother and him again?"

Cheng Ying quickly cut him off. In just this short time at the village entrance, three women had already stopped her to ask if she’d been sent back by her biological mother and stepfather. The rumors being spread were truly deadly. No wonder her stepfather frowned whenever he heard she was staying in the village. They were under so much pressure. Her own mother was quite broad-minded, letting her come back if she wanted to, not stopping her at all. Look, even her own Second Uncle suspected this. "No, I can keep up with my studies. I just spoke with the teacher; I can study at home and rejoin when the exams are over. Besides, even though it’s the township school, they have a lot of activities, and my health isn't great—I can’t handle the strain. It’s better for me to study in the township."

The two walked toward the village while talking.

Second Uncle said, "That’s good then. Your mother is a decent person; she wouldn't do such a thing. It was Second Uncle who jumped to the wrong conclusion."

Cheng Ying added, "Second Uncle, while I haven't been home, I really appreciate you coming to check on Grandma."

Second Uncle waved it off. "What are you saying? That’s your Second Uncle's own mother. Besides, there’s nothing much to say. Your mother was thoughtful; she even drained the well before leaving. Grandma doesn't need others to look after her."

Cheng Ying pursed her lips. Even if you didn't help Grandma with chores, just visiting her would make Grandma happy. I’ll remember this kindness of yours. Otherwise, why would Cheng Ying, upon returning from the township, go straight to Second Aunt’s house to tease Second Aunt?

Second Uncle said, "Yingzi, stay home with Grandma. If you need anything, just call Second Uncle."

Cheng Ying replied, "Okay," and as they neared Second Uncle's house, Cheng Ying didn't press the issue to make things harder for him. "Second Uncle, I’ll go now."

Second Uncle glanced toward his doorstep. "Stay a while at home?" The words were strained, suggesting Second Uncle was well aware of his wife's temperament.

Cheng Ying insisted, "No, Grandma is home alone." With that, she left. As a niece, one must be understanding of Second Uncle’s predicament. To have such a temperamental wife… best not to dwell on it.

Cheng Ying also stopped by Third Madam’s place for a while. The crucial thing was to tell Third Madam that her coming home had nothing to do with her biological mother; it was because of poor health, and the school had specially permitted her to study at home since she was keeping up. The news spread from the Village Head’s house was the official version, as good as holding a press conference to clear things up. This was, in a way, an attempt to wash away the undeserved blame from her biological mother and stepfather. One must fear malicious gossip.

Cheng Ying finally felt relieved. Things finally quieted down.

However, a couple of days later, the rumors started spreading again. After all, Yang Zhi had taken the suitor arranged for marriage to the township, leaving behind her ex-husband's daughter. This matter—even refuting it was useless. The village didn’t even have a television; what else was there for entertainment?

Cheng Ying decided to stop dwelling on it. It was just a pity for her own mother.

The Old Lady said, "See the trouble now? Your mother keeping you at home also requires a certain level of accountability."

Cheng Ying sighed. "Yes, I’ve dragged my mother down, Grandma. Why is it that people have nothing else to do but wag their tongues all day?"

The Old Lady snorted, "Hmph, it’s good you realize it, you lazy girl. You can’t just stay cooped up in the room. Go out and play sometime; you’re getting fat."

Cheng Ying said, "Grandma, tomorrow, I plan to go check on our mountain field."

The Old Lady frowned. Running around the whole mountain was worse than staying home. "The one by the village entrance?"

Cheng Ying delivered the even harder-to-accept truth: "No, the one on Father's side."

The Old Lady’s reply was decisive: "Absolutely not! There are wolves on that mountain."

Cheng Ying countered, "Grandma, there aren’t." Then she whispered something to the Old Lady, resulting in the old woman hitting her hard several times afterward—this time, it genuinely hurt.

Cheng Ying cried out, "Ouch, ouch, ouch! Why are you hitting me for real? I shouldn't have told you if I knew!"

The Old Lady was furious. "You little brat, you’re talking nonsense! If you dare say that again, I’ll teach you a lesson! Do you want the whole village to know that no one cares about you anymore? You don't need to go up the mountain, and that's final. What if there really are wolves, where will you run then?"

Cheng Ying rubbed her arm and backside. It was just one call for popular support—why was the Old Lady so harsh? "It’s fine, Grandma. Our mountain field is next to the forest reserve. The forest rangers are patrolling up there every day, I heard the Village Head say yesterday."

The Old Lady asked, "Yingzi, isn't it better to stay home quietly?"

Cheng Ying reasoned, "Grandma, that mountain field will be mine eventually. I have to look after it and organize it properly. That’s my father’s dowry for me! I can’t just let it go to waste."

The Old Lady fell silent. "Grandma will go with you."

Cheng Ying burst out laughing. "With your little feet? We’d have to live up there tonight! Don't worry, I’ll be back soon."

"In the morning, I'll have Cheng Ming send me over, and at night, I’ll walk back myself. I’ll wait for Cheng Ming to finish school, and he can bring me back. It’s fine."

The Old Lady was still worried. "Yingzi, you are all I have left. You can’t mess around. Otherwise, how can I face your father?"

Cheng Ying assured her, "Grandma, that’s my father's place. You don't have to worry; my father will protect me."

The Old Lady said nothing more. Sentimentality, this thing, was truly exasperating. Cheng Ying comforted her for a long time, but it didn't work. A mere spiritual reassurance—the Old Lady remained silent.

Cheng Ying thought to herself, if she really waited for her biological father to protect her, she’d truly end up as wolf-food.

The Old Lady patted Yingzi’s quilt, coaxing her granddaughter to sleep, her own mind wandering far away. "Yingzi, don't call Cheng Ming that. He is your brother."

Cheng Ying immediately complied. "Yes, my own brother."

The Old Lady said nothing, realizing the girl had grown distant from her First Uncle's family. But the younger generation must still maintain contact; let the girl have her way for now.

The next morning, Cheng Ying woke up to find the Old Lady had prepared her breakfast and provisions for lunch. Cheng Ying almost kissed the Old Lady’s cheek—my dear grandmother!

Cheng Ying understood inwardly: wealth is never acquired for free; it is earned with sweat. She was born in an era where one couldn't rely on scheming for quick success; she could only move forward one steady step at a time. From now on, she would have to dig her sustenance from the earth, deal with the land, and get rich through her own hands. Having the Old Lady supporting her from behind was quite fortunate; it was much better than struggling alone.

After eating, Cheng Ying noticed it was summertime, the days were long, and though it was only around five o’clock, it was already quite bright outside.

A call drifted from outside, "Yingzi!" The tone was stiff and unnatural, as if someone were sneaking around. It was her cousin. Cheng Ying had met Cheng Ming at the crossing yesterday and told him to come find her in the morning.

Cheng Ying took her lunch box and left. As for her tools, she had already stashed them in her space when the Old Lady wasn’t looking. Cheng Ying couldn't let the Old Lady know she was going to the mountain field to work.

Cheng Ming was straddling his bicycle, acting like a thief. "Hurry up!"

Cheng Ying waved goodbye to the Old Lady and scrambled onto the bike. "Why are you acting like a thief?"

Cheng Ming grunted, said nothing, and only emphasized to Cheng Ying once she was off the bike, "Don't tell anyone what you see, understand?"

Cheng Ying answered honestly, "I don’t."

Cheng Ming’s face darkened. "My mother doesn't know I brought you. Don't say anything when you get home, okay?"

Cheng Ying grew distant. Because of the three thousand yuan, First Aunt now hated her so much that she wouldn't even let her own child spend time with Cheng Ying.

Cheng Ming hurried, "Don't overthink it. You’re just too foolish. If I spend too much time with you, even a smart person like me might get dragged down and become stupid! I have to be cautious. You’re the famous Cheng Big Fool of our village."

It was a joke, Cheng Ying could tell, but it was also the truth. Her nickname now was Cheng Big Fool. Most children wouldn't play with her, afraid they’d get stupid too. "I know. Go on your way."

No one called a fool would be happy, and Cheng Ying was certainly unhappy.

Cheng Ming watched Cheng Ying walk away with her lunch box, frowning, then pushed his bike. "Let's go. I'm scared of you. I’ll walk with you for a bit."

Cheng Ying brightened. "Aren't you afraid of being late for school?"

Cheng Ming scoffed. "With my skills, I could fly there! How could I be late?"

Cheng Ming pedaled his bike, escorting Cheng Ying for ten minutes. If Cheng Ying had walked herself, it would have taken over half an hour. As Cheng Ming left, he warned Cheng Ying, "Be careful of the wolf cubs!"

Cheng Ying grimaced. He had to keep scaring her. "Scram!"

Cheng Ming called back, "Don't stay out too late. It really isn't safe if it gets too dark."

Cheng Ying replied, "Got it. If you see me, you take me. If you don’t see me, don’t come inside looking for me; I’ll surely find it boring. RP