This exchange was indeed directed at Cheng Ying, whose eyelids fluttered. "I know, sixteen or seventeen is the legal age, I can think freely then. Don't worry, I definitely won't think or act recklessly before seventeen; it would ruin my reputation, right?"

The Old Lady’s face purpled with anger at Cheng Ying. "You shameless thing, you and your troublesome mother! Oh, the life I lead!"

Speaking with feigned helplessness, Chi Yong set down a basin of boiled corn. "Eat first, eat first. Mom, I'm here. I'll watch over the two sisters; they won't get into trouble, I promise. You should try this; it's only this time of year we get to chew on some tender kernels."

The Old Lady glared at Cheng Ying. "Our family line has always been respectable; we’ve never had any wild ones."

Cheng Ying replied, "Don't worry. I certainly won't be the one to break tradition; I'll maintain the family style."

It was just about not having early romances—a small matter. Besides, Cheng Ying didn't think there was anyone in the village suitable for her to rush into a relationship with anyway.

Though the Old Lady wasn't entirely satisfied, her granddaughter was still young, and talking more would be useless. She let it go.

The Old Lady picked up the most tender ear first and handed it to Cheng Ying, then passed one to Chi Wu, before finally taking one for herself. "Honestly, it’s been years since I've eaten them like this. It’s all thanks to Yongzi."

Cheng Ying asked, "Grandma, back when we were in the commune, they didn't let us eat them, did they?"

The Old Lady shot her granddaughter a look. "Back then, even when the commune cooked them, it was for everyone. But Grandma's teeth aren't good; I wouldn't dare chew on the cobs."

Cheng Ying suddenly recalled that her grandmother hadn't been able to properly chew cobs until she got her dentures installed this year.

Cheng Ying studied her grandmother’s face. "Grandma, you look much younger."

The Old Lady scoffed. "Nonsense."

Cheng Ying held an ear of corn in one hand. "Grandma, I’m serious. Look, your cheeks are so much fuller now; you look much more good-natured."

Yang Zhi followed her daughter’s lead and examined her mother-in-law seriously. "Mom, Yingzi is right. You really have changed; you look so much kinder."

The Old Lady glared at her daughter-in-law. "Are you saying I wasn't kind before?"

Chi Yong quickly covered for his wife. "Mom, your spirit looks completely lifted."

The Old Lady felt that Yongzi knew how to speak. "Ah, yes. It’s because life has gotten better. Just look around in these six months. Remember that young wife and girl next door? Their faces were sallow; now look at them—glowing and vibrant. I tell you, a person's vitality comes from being well-nurtured. The food is abundant now. And in our own yard, we can even grow small vegetables. You two often bring me rice and flour to keep me going. If things hadn't changed, it would be strange."

Hearing this, Chi Yong felt that his diligent filial piety over the past year hadn't been in vain. The Old Lady kept track of everything in her heart. If she didn't value it, and simply ignored their efforts, there would be nothing he could do.

He and his wife earned money outside, and the majority of it went to the Old Lady. Reciprocity was key. It wasn't easy for their family unit to stay so tightly bound. It was thanks to their efforts and the Old Lady's understanding.

Chi Yong recalled what his father-in-law had told him back then: Even though the Old Lady seems formidable, she is reasonable and knows where she stands. As long as you two behave well, she is not cold-hearted. Good days will come eventually. At the time, he had taken it as mere comfort, but he never expected his father-in-law’s prediction to come true. Chi Yong considered himself lucky to have met a noble person.

Thinking about what the TCM doctor had said, his current health seemed fine, but in another two years, it wouldn't be something that simple medicine or tonics could fix. Looking at this harmonious little courtyard, he thought that maybe retiring here early wouldn't be a bad idea.

It was a shame about his own parents; there was still no word from them. That was a wound in Chi Yong’s heart. Times were hard, and he worried about the two elders. It was also because the place he stayed was too remote and involved too many transfers that he hadn't received any news for over a year. He hadn't even informed them that he had taken a wife.

Then again, he truly didn't dare tell the Old Lady about taking a wife, fearing she might not accept it. He would have to take it slowly.

If Cheng Ying knew what Chi Yong was thinking, she would tell her own mother to try a bit harder; perhaps she could even win over her stepfather. A beauty’s embrace is a hero’s tomb; men have always fallen for such charms since antiquity. It was just that her own mother was only a tiny bit short of being a beauty—just a tiny bit!

Cheng Ying announced, "In a few days, I’ll be staying at school for a week."

Hearing this, the entire family looked at Cheng Ying with unconcealed disbelief.

Cheng Ying snapped back, "What are you looking at? Can’t I try hard? I’m just smart. Others take half a year; I only need one week. We’ll see how it goes; I estimate getting first or second place won't be an issue."

Chi Wu felt embarrassed for Cheng Ying. "How can your face be so thick?" This was clear sarcasm.

The Old Lady chided, "What kind of nonsense are you spouting, girl? If people hear you, they’ll laugh us to death! You need to keep a lower profile."

Chi Yong shook his head. It seemed the Old Lady actually believed her granddaughter was smarter than other children.

Yang Zhi encouraged her, "Yingzi, study hard. If you fall behind on classes, your Uncle will tutor you."

Chi Yong added, "The conditions at school aren't great, and holidays will be early. You study hard, listen to the teachers, so you aren't panicked during the exams."

Cheng Ying agreed, "I think so too. I can't just show up for the exams, right? Besides, I need to see how Wu Zi is getting along at school. If anyone bullies you, tell me, and I’ll sort it out in a week."

Chi Wu bristled. "How could I be doing poorly? Do I need you? I’m doing just fine."

The Old Lady exclaimed, "What are you saying, girl? Are you going to the school to stir up trouble?"

Cheng Ying quickly responded, "It’s a joke, Grandma. I’m kidding."

The Old Lady retorted, "I don’t care if you’re joking. If you dare cause trouble, see how I deal with you! Also, if your exam results aren't good, you need to get back to school quickly!"

Cheng Ying felt like she had just made trouble for herself.

Just then, there was a knock on the door. Chi Wu moved quickly and opened it immediately. Outside stood Second Aunt, wearing a rare smile. "Wu Zi, is Zhi Zi at home too?"

Cheng Ying felt like she was being eyed by a hunter. This was not her Second Aunt’s usual demeanor. A smiling welcome like this could only mean one thing—a weasel paying respects to a chicken!

Cheng Ying, with her back to the Second Aunt, mouthed silently to Chi Wu and the family who had stood up to greet the visitor: She wants something.

Yang Zhi’s face darkened. That unfilial child! Why couldn't she keep her thoughts to herself? Did she have to say it out loud when addressing elders?

The Old Lady frowned. The child knew, but she shouldn't have voiced it. She needed to be managed.

Chi Yong just felt that as long as his daughter was sensible, it was fine. It was better than having a foolish daughter-in-law like his elder sister’s wife.

Yang Zhi said, "Second Sister-in-law, come in quickly! I just boiled some tender corn; it smells wonderful."

The Second Aunt wasn't one to refuse an opportunity. She never got angry with people when it came to taking advantage of a situation. "Oh, that’s wonderful. Your Second Uncle and Shuan Zi are still working in the fields; I’ll take a few ears for them too."

Cheng Ying thought to herself, Now that’s the real Second Aunt. Chi Wu frowned in distress. Didn't their own family have tender corn? Why must she take advantage like this?

Yang Zhi replied cheerfully, "Of course! Quickly, let me check the pot again and pick out a few tender ones."

Chi Wu looked displeased. He sat down and continued cleaning the ears of corn in the yard. These grains needed to be prepared quickly, as some had to be handed over to the township grain office—the public levy.

After Yang Zhi went inside, the Second Aunt turned to Chi Yong. "Yongzi, you're home. Have all the crops from the field been brought in?"

Chi Yong answered, "Yes, everything is back. Yingzi’s uncle came to help yesterday."

The Second Aunt exclaimed, "Oh, so fast! Yongzi, you are certainly efficient. Well, Yongzi, the thing is, our land is vast, and we can’t manage it all. I was thinking, since you aren't busy this afternoon, maybe you could come over and help us out?"

Chi Yong hesitated. He barely dared to work on his own fields because of his back, but this was the first time his Second Sister-in-law had asked, and it signaled a potential for family harmony. He didn't really want to refuse.

As the Second Aunt mentioned their large acreage, Cheng Ying had already slipped inside the house.

Just as the Second Aunt finished speaking, Cheng Ying emerged holding a bowl of medicine. "Uncle, drink this first."

Chi Yong looked at the dark, murky decoction and swallowed hard. He had just finished one bowl; drinking another so soon—would it make him sick? But seeing his daughter's conflicted look, Chi Yong grimaced and took the bowl. "I'll let it cool a bit first."

The Second Aunt saw the bowl of herbal medicine and caught the scent of herbs filling the yard; her expression immediately soured. This was a clear signal that they didn't need her help.

The Old Lady said, "They're too busy. I'll go cook for you, and you can go help out in the fields."

Cheng Ying chimed in, "That’s right, Second Aunt. Don’t worry; Wu Zi and I can cook. Chi Wu can even run a few laps in the field too."

The Second Aunt’s face darkened further. So, she came looking for help in the fields but ended up finding people at home eating and drinking for free? She was clearly being taken advantage of. "No need, Mom. I can manage. Yingzi’s body is too delicate; I wouldn't dare ask her to work. Yongzi, tell me, how is it that you, a grown man, are in such poor health? You can’t let all the work fall on the women. That medicine must cost a fortune, hasn't it? Forget it, you rest. Second Sister-in-law wouldn't dare impose on you."

With that, she snatched the corn Yang Zhi had just brought out and turned to leave.

The stepfather gasped slightly, his chest heaving. He was clearly infuriated. That woman was deliberately trying to needle him!

Chi Yong felt he maintained good composure, but that was before meeting someone like his Second Sister-in-law. Nothing was more unwelcome to a man than having his poor health pointed out. Chi Yong felt his daughter’s vigilance toward his Second Aunt was entirely necessary.

Cheng Ying remarked, "Second Aunt is really not very lovable." Then she picked up a bowl of herbal medicine and went inside, acting as if nothing had happened.

Chi Wu ground his teeth in anger. How could she speak about his father like that?

The Old Lady sighed, watching her daughter-in-law's retreating back. She felt pity for her second son, but this kind of labor was normal for every family. When her own four children were working, her second son’s wife had walked past the fields without so much as an inquiry. She probably would have stopped her husband from helping even if he had offered. And now he had the nerve to ask for help.

Chi Yong’s face was grim. A man hated being told he was useless, and he certainly didn't enjoy hearing it spoken aloud. Furthermore, judging by the Second Aunt’s mouth, everyone in the village would know by now.