Chi Wuxian coughed, "Someone told me that the tiger is the king of the mountain, and everything fears it. You often go up the mountain alone, so take this with you.

As long as it keeps making noise, do you think the wolf cubs will dare to approach?" The old lady’s expression softened. Although it was a bit expensive, this thing sounded useful.

Even if this thing turned out to be useless, from the fact that he bought it, one could tell that Wuzi cared about Yingzi. If he hadn't kept her in mind, he surely wouldn't have spent a large sum of money to buy it.

It was good for the two sisters; in the future, Yingzi would have a backing. Cheng Ying felt grateful looking at Chi Wu.

Seeing the dog whistle and the horn, she thought it was a big deal for this stingy fellow to be so generous. "Alright, but is this a male tiger or a female tiger?" Chi Wu was stumped by Cheng Ying’s question.

"What?" Cheng Ying looked at Chi Wu seriously, saying nothing. Chi Wu then asked, "If this is a male tiger, won't it attract a female tiger too?" This was just him stirring up trouble, teasing a child.

He stammered a little, and Cheng Ying nodded. "Yes." Chi Wu nearly cried, "My two yuan!

Instead of keeping wolves away, I’ve attracted tigers!" Cheng Ying burst out laughing. "Alright, I won't be afraid even if a tiger comes.

I appreciate the sentiment, and I know you didn't mean to harm me." The old lady pursed her lips. "How many tigers could there be?

This thing is good." Chi Wu’s face darkened. "Better not use it then.

Who knows if there are any?" If there truly were no tigers in the mountains, did his own tiger skin just materialize out of thin air? Chi Wu felt utterly wretched; he had gritted his teeth when handing over the money.

Cheng Ying was genuinely happy, looking at Chi Wu’s conflicted appearance until her waist felt like it would snap from laughter. However, Chi Wu eventually took the horn back.

Cheng Ying said, "You're not thinking of going back to the city to exchange it, are you?" Chi Wu blushed. Cheng Ying thought to herself that he was truly going to make a trip to the city over two yuan.

She couldn't help but wonder if Chi Wu's height was due to his passion for cycling everywhere. Cheng Ying was definitely jealous.

After wandering in the mountains for so long, she hadn't seen her own height increase much. Cheng Ying felt that she had been disadvantaged congenitally, and no matter how much she compensated later, her height would probably never surpass her own mother’s.

Fortunately, Yang Zhi's height was decent—average build. No matter how much Chi Wu wanted to return this cursed object, he felt too embarrassed.

He stiffened his neck and said, "How could I?" Cheng Ying casually took the small horn. "Give it to me.

It looks high-end and classy. It's the first time someone has been willing to buy me something like this." Although this was the truth, to Chi Wu, it sounded mostly like teasing.

Did this girl intend to constantly remind him of how foolish he was? But he couldn't snatch the item back from Cheng Ying now.

Once something was given, taking it back was something Chi Wu found awkward; a child’s skin is thin. The old lady chimed in, "It's fine to carry this thing; maybe it'll be useful.

How many tigers can there be? Wolf cubs, I have seen before.

Yingzi, don't speak nonsense anymore!" Besides, could a person distinguish the sound of a male tiger from a female tiger? She was talking absolute nonsense.

How could a young girl be so shameless? How could she casually talk about male and female things?

The old lady was quite worried about her granddaughter’s mouth. There was nothing this girl dared not say.

Young girls her age knew to play separately when they saw boys, but her granddaughter was completely unrestrained, daring to say and do anything. She would have much to worry about as the girl grew older.

Forgive the old lady for never having watched The Living Planet; she couldn't really blame anyone else for this. Cheng Ying saw Chi Wu’s expression and felt bad about teasing him further.

This boy truly had good intentions. Judging by how generously he spent money, his intentions were good.

Cheng Ying had never seen this little rascal—or anyone else, including those in Chi Wu's own family—be this generous. Cheng Ying said, "Alright, Wuzi, I was just joking.

With this thing, I won't be lonely when weeding; it's like having a tiger companion to embolden me." Regardless, Chi Wu’s expression hadn't quite recovered. The boy realized he had done something very foolish.

In Cheng Ying’s view, the boy had done something very pure. Their thoughts, in a way, shared a similar artistic concept.

Unconsciously, the old lady had already gotten back into the cart. The three chatted and laughed as they went, the atmosphere much livelier.

They soon arrived at Yingzi's father's gravesite. The old lady looked out and saw a vast area of saplings, all standing neatly, reaching mid-thigh height.

Seeing this large area, the old lady didn't think of her son; what came to mind was her granddaughter's hands. She had endured great hardship.

Touching her granddaughter’s hair, the old lady's eyes grew slightly moist. If Yingzi's father were still alive, he definitely wouldn't let the girl suffer this much.

Then again, Cheng Ying brought this hardship upon herself; who else could she blame? The old lady then took small steps to the front of Cheng Ying's father's grave.

The old lady had no more tears; after so many years, all the longing had been cried out. She waved her hand.

"You two go play. I’ll have a word with your father." Cheng Ying looked up at the sky.

Fortunately, it was daytime; otherwise, she would swear she was encountering a haunting. "Grandma, are you alright by yourself?" The old lady said, "Why wouldn't I be?

I’m not as weak as you." Cheng Ying looked at the old lady's small feet. You truly are weaker than me.

I can run if I see a wolf; can you? But she couldn't say that; the old lady might pick up a stone and throw it at her.

Chi Wu said, "Let's go. See if there’s any work, and I’ll help you with it while I'm here." Cheng Ying replied, "Yes, perfect timing.

There are a few saplings stacked over there. Wait here while I get them for you.

The tools are by the spring; bring them over." Chi Wu grumbled, "I don't know how you organize things, placing them here and there without any set spot." Then he walked off. Cheng Ying walked towards a shady spot and materialized a few Korean Pine saplings from her spatial dimension.

Since some were already dug up, Chi Wu, the hired labor, wouldn't be idle. Cheng Ying led Chi Wu to the saplings, while the old lady chatted with her son, wishing she could say everything she held back.

Her last words were, "Son, rest assured. You finally have descendants.

Yingzi is sensible; look how well this place is maintained. If I weren't planning to be with your father later, I wouldn't want to leave.

Yingzi promised that if she marries someone who moves in later, the children will take your surname. Even when I pass away, someone will remember you." After speaking, the old lady looked around the small plot.

She had to admit, even if they spent a lot, her son would certainly rest easier here. Looking at the two children working halfway up the mountain, the old lady was filled with both comfort and sorrow.

She felt comfort because the children were sensible; besides her own family, she hadn't heard of other children who knew how to work without being told or supervised. The sorrow was that the children had grown up too fast—it was forced upon them, meaning they lacked their father’s protection.

Otherwise, which child would mature so quickly? The old lady sighed, squatted down, and began pulling weeds from among the saplings, casually taking out a mesh bag.

She picked and chose, stuffing some wild vegetables into it. When Cheng Ying and Chi Wu returned after planting more than ten saplings, the old lady had already weeded nearly half a mu of grass.

Cheng Ying exclaimed, "Grandma, what are you doing? You don't need to do this; those are saplings.

A few weeds don't matter. Don't tire yourself out!" The old lady stood up, stretching her back.

"Nonsense! How can common folk manage their land like that?

People will laugh at you." Cheng Ying looked down; she truly disliked weeding. The old lady said, "Fine, I also noticed these wild vegetables look good; I'll make steamed flatbreads with them later." Cheng Ying lit up.

"Really? Oh, you should have said so earlier!

I’ll bring you some every day from now on!" The old lady said, "Enough of that. We are finally having a few good years.

You don't need to eat tree bark anymore. I just want a fresh taste now and then.

Finish your work well, and then we'll head home." Cheng Ying pleaded, "Grandma, look a little longer!" Her grandmother had only spoken to her father for a short while; she hadn't even had a chance to show off her accomplishments yet. The old lady scoffed, "Nonsense, I’ve seen everything that needs seeing.

What else is there? Let’s go back.

Do you want your mother to cook dinner all by herself?" Cheng Ying replied, "That's true. I was hoping for some warm meat rolls too." She called to Chi Wu and started walking back, with Chi Wu still carrying a sapling.

The old lady glanced at it. "This sapling..." Cheng Ying explained, "I found it near the lumber yard.

I thought it was rare, and there weren't many there. Since no one was watching, I moved it to our family's mountain plot." Chi Wu felt these saplings were hot potatoes.

Why couldn't this girl think of better ideas? The old lady said, "This is good stuff, but Yingzi, what is ours is ours.

Just don't go taking from other people's land, alright?" Chi Wu breathed a sigh of relief; Cheng Ying still listened to her grandmother. Cheng Ying replied, "Okay," agreeing very readily.

This was their land anyway. On the way back, Cheng Ying helped the old lady walk a short distance.

The three then got into the cart and headed back. As she sat, the old lady praised Cheng Ying.

"This place is indeed good. Our Yingzi is a sensible child.

Look at how neatly the boundaries are marked; it rivals our own little yard!" Cheng Ying, riding ahead, didn't dare look back because the downhill speed was too fast. But she still felt the old lady's praise was too exaggerated and unreal.

Chi Wu gripped the front handlebars tightly, trying hard to ignore the verbal sparring between the grandmother and granddaughter. No matter what, these two would find a way to resolve things.

If he inserted himself, he was certain to take all the blame. When the three arrived home, Yang Zhi had already steamed the meat rolls.

"Mom, where did you go? Wash your hands and come eat." The old lady asked, "Did you manage to bring back the beans so quickly?" Yang Zhi replied, "It was just a small patch; it wasn't even enough for Chi Yong to handle alone; he didn't need my help." Then she presented a plump, pale steamed bun.

"Mom, try one. I just knew you’d like it; this is soft." When Cheng Ying and Chi Wu were washing their hands, they saw Yang Zhi’s expression, like someone presenting a treasure.

Cheng Ying thought that her own mother had the true 'loyal dog' disposition; if she had a tail, she would surely be wagging it upon seeing her grandmother. Seeing her daughter-in-law like this, the old lady couldn't say anything.

"Oh, you're eating already? We'll eat together in a bit." Yang Zhi held it out again.

"Just try one." The old lady had a strict rule against sneaking food before the meal, but seeing Yang Zhi’s eager look—and considering she was Yingzi's mother—she graciously reached out and broke off a piece. It was quite an acknowledgment.