Dear reader, I have revised the last chapter. I apologize for the accidental duplication, which caused inconvenience to your reading.

Seeing that Chi Wu couldn't see her in the inner room, Cheng Ying smuggled a good portion of the grapes from her private space onto the mat. A pile this large, whether a bit more or a bit less, wouldn't be noticed by the old woman. Cheng Ying was quite certain of this.

Cheng Ying began picking out the larger grapes outside with a small ladle, peeling them one by one. Chi Wu lit the fire and came out to help. Their hands were quick, and soon they had prepared a small ladleful.

Cheng Ying quickly blanched the grapes in boiling water, scooping them out along with the water, then added two generous spoonfuls of white sugar. The grapes, water, and sugar were all poured into a dark earthenware jar, which was then sealed with plastic wrap.

If they had jars at home, it was all thanks to Grandpa. For the past six months, whatever Grandpa sent over was always packed in jars. They currently had an abundance of jars. Looking at Grandpa sometimes made Cheng Ying want to laugh; really, the old man’s little scheme was quite endearing, wasn't it? He was just after a bit of wine, constantly reminding the old woman.

Grandma never said anything, but every time items arrived in jars and pots from Grandpa's house, her face would inevitably tighten up. Speaking of which, Cheng Ying felt she hadn't noticed the wrinkles on Grandma's face in a long time.

Chi Wu asked, "And just like that, it's done?"

Cheng Ying replied, "Just wait to taste it."

Chi Wu said, "Don't get penalized, though. That's two full spoons of white sugar!"

Cheng Ying felt Chi Wu was being rather small-minded. She pulled him into the courtyard and gave him a little lecture: "You are a man; your vision should extend further. How can you worry so much over two spoonfuls of sugar? Even if we get reprimanded, it’s only two spoons of sugar. Reflect on yourself, okay? You should be thinking: even if these two spoons get us disciplined this time, perhaps I’ll succeed next time. You should be figuring out how to secure the two spoons of sugar I'll need next time—that’s what a man should be thinking. Do you understand?"

Chi Wu’s heart was deeply stirred. Their family's sugar was bought with ration coupons! The girl made it sound so simple.

Chi Wu asked, "Do I really have to think that way?"

Cheng Ying retorted, "Men handle outside affairs, women manage inside, ever heard of it? When a man brings things home, he shouldn't obsess over how they are used—that's what a man does. If your perspective remains fixed on saving things, tell me, what great success can you possibly achieve?"

Chi Wu huffed and walked away. However, Cheng Ying's philosophy on manhood had taken root in his heart. And the boy was obediently thinking it over and comparing things repeatedly. Men handle external affairs, he mused. Heh. The thought made his face flush. Chi Wu silently accepted Cheng Ying's irritating yet persuasive explanation.

The next day, the entire family, along with the old woman, sorted out these tiny grapes, finally filling all the jars and pots in the house. Of course, their stash of white sugar was nearly depleted as well. This time, Chi Wu said nothing, despite his heart twitching painfully over that jar of sugar. For the sake of being a magnanimous man, Chi Wu endured it.

Cheng Ying's corn was packed into sacks, and the household chores were nearly finished. The four of them went up the mountain one more time. However, this time, there were clearly more people in the mountains. For someone like Yang Zhi, who could only pick up what was left on the ground, there was simply no chance to compete. Chi Wu, with his small frame, managed to grab more than half a basket of hawthorns.

Looking at Yang Zhi, Cheng Ying and Chi Wu decided they would never go up the mountain with him again—he was a dead weight. However, Yang Zhi managed to gather a good half-basket of medicinal herbs, since no one bothered competing with him for those. As for Chi Yong, in Cheng Ying's view, he came along merely to cultivate his temperament. The man carried himself with the air of an aloof master, nearly accessorized with a feather fan; he clearly wasn't someone concerned with practical living.

Cheng Ying hadn't expected Chi Yong to gather much. After half a day out, they returned with half a basket of rou-mo mushrooms, half a basket of herbs, and half a basket of hawthorns. There was nothing else. For Chi Wu, this result was quite unsatisfactory. Naturally, Cheng Ying also felt it was a waste of effort: "We might as well have gone to our own mountain plot; we would have gathered more than this, at least."

Yang Zhi asked, "Yingzi, are there these things on our mountain plot too?"

Chi Wu said, "Never seen them."

Cheng Ying responded, "Just plant them then, won't we have them?" She made it sound deceptively easy. Chi Yong chuckled; she was still just a young girl. Growing a single tree wasn't that simple.

Overall, the harvest was quite decent, and the old woman at home was very pleased. It felt like the end of a busy autumn, a day of relaxation, so the family went out for an outing.

Upon returning home, Cheng Ying made another jar of hawthorn preserves for Chi Wu. Then, they gave them all to the old woman, urging her to start brewing wine. Cheng Ying stayed right by Grandma's side, watching the entire process without blinking. It seemed remarkably simple, yet Cheng Ying somehow failed to learn it. They would have to rely on Grandma again for the New Year.

A busy autumn passed. Chi Yong finished his traditional Chinese medicine. This autumn break was also over, and Chi Wu’s preserves were still sealed away. Cheng Ying absolutely forbade Chi Wu from touching them, insisting they only be opened at New Year’s along with the wine. Chi Wu didn't know the real reason, assuming they simply couldn't be eaten yet, so he didn't object much. Only the old woman and Yang Zhi shook their heads, feeling their child was perhaps being a little too controlling.

Cheng Ying packed up and left for the town with Chi Yong and the others. Only the old woman and Er Ya were left at home, which made Cheng Ying uneasy. At the doorway, Cheng Ying repeatedly warned her grandmother, "Grandma, don't open the door for anyone after dark, even if you leave Er Ya by the door—at least she’ll be company."

The old woman waved her off, "Go on, I know. Do you think I need telling?"

Cheng Ying pressed, "Grandma, you absolutely cannot be careless. There are many greedy and lecherous people out there. You must guard the entrance strictly!"

The old woman, who had been deeply moved and reluctant to part with her granddaughter, heard these words and immediately snapped, "Nonsense girl, what are you babbling about? Lecherous people? Do you think I'm eighteen? Get lost!" With that, she turned and slammed the door, locking Cheng Ying right outside.

Cheng Ying stood there stunned, staring at the closed gate. "This old woman is getting more haughty; she’s even throwing a tantrum with me."

Chi Wu snorted, "Serves you right, showing off your cleverness."

Chi Yong and Yang Zhi, pushing their cart, looked at Cheng Ying. What kind of things was this child saying? Still, the old woman certainly wasn't thinking about her granddaughter anymore; she was too busy being angry.

Cheng Ying reluctantly left the doorway. "Let's go."

Chi Wu remarked, "Anyone who didn't know would think you were leaving for years. Aren't you just gone for two days and then returning?"

Cheng Ying snapped back, "You know nothing! That’s my Grandma."

Chi Wu immediately fell silent. Since she wasn't his biological grandmother, he truly didn't understand.

Cheng Ying realized she had spoken out of turn. Chastising the child seemed wrong. "Uh... I just miss home, you know. It’s hard to leave one's homeland. Kids don't understand."

Chi Wu remained silent.

Chi Yong said, "Stop wasting idioms. You two just bicker. The old woman will probably deal with you later."

Cheng Ying insisted, "Hey, I'm prepared for that; I wasn't wrong, was I? I think Grandma looks more beautiful now. I don't know what she looked like at eighteen, but I think current Grandma is prettier than she was at eighteen! Is it wrong for me to ask her to guard the house well?"

Yang Zhi, sitting on the back rack, burst out laughing. In the eyes of their children, their own mother is always the most beautiful. "Yingzi, do you think I look beautiful?" Yang Zhi was more concerned about this.

Cheng Ying said quickly, "Beautiful! Mom, don't you think you look much better than you did last year?" If she didn't say that, it would be a disservice to the water she secretly added from her space to her mother's face-washing supply every day. Even the black carp had turned into a fish spirit; there was no reason why her own mother’s face shouldn't change!

Yang Zhi was overjoyed, "I also think I look much better!"

The boy Chi Wu showed some discernment: "That’s only true if Dad agrees."

Chi Yong, listening to the three of them bicker, let his mind drift away. He pedaled his bike and agreed, "Yes, she is definitely prettier; she's even gained some weight in her face."

Yang Zhi became a bit shy, especially in front of her child. "Well, life has gotten better, so the weight has come back on. Speaking of which, I can barely remember how we managed to live before."

Cheng Ying thought about her own mother’s sallow complexion and hollowed cheeks when they first met. Looking at her now—her fuller figure and rounder face—there was no trace of the mournful expression she had first seen. A person's transformation was indeed profound. It was related to the better living conditions, and it was certainly related to having a man protect her. Her mother's happiness was visible to the eyes. Her stepfather treated her mother very well; otherwise, her mother's physical and mental health wouldn't have flourished so well.

As life improved, her stepfather's standards should also be rising, perhaps? Her biological father was no longer visiting the village often; he was completely immersed in his educational work.

They chatted and cycled until they reached the town, not delaying anything. Cheng Ying quickly greeted her Grandpa: "Grandpa, I’ve prepared several jars of good wine for you. Just wait, and I’ll have him bring a cart over to haul it away." Then she went off to school with Chi Wu. The old man was left scratching his head at home. That sneaky kid—it would have been better if she hadn't said anything; it was just teasing him.

Cheng Ying and Chi Wu arrived at the school. Not many children were present, as the current school didn't enforce attendance too strictly, favoring various sports instead. When class started, nearly half the children were absent, with the excuse that their families hadn't finished the autumn harvest. The teacher didn't scold them much, but instead praised Cheng Ying: "Classmate Cheng Ying has poor health, but her schoolwork has never lagged. Her assignments are always the best completed. Classmates should learn from Cheng Ying."

Cheng Ying stood there stunned, scratching her head. She had no idea about these assignments—she had never done them. But she couldn't deny something like this either. Blushing slightly, she stood up for the classmates to admire for a moment. After school, she went looking for Chi Wu. It must have been that boy who did the work.

Walking home after school, she mentioned, "The teacher praised me today, saying my homework was done well."

Chi Wu’s face flushed. "Hmph," he muttered, saying no more. Cheng Ying looked at Chi Wu’s frame, which was taller than hers, and said nothing more, arriving at her uncle's house. Her aunt hadn't returned from harvesting in the fields yet, and her own mother and stepfather had gone straight to the fields after school ended.

Cheng Ying took her little cousin from her grandfather. Chi Wu started the fire for cooking by stacking firewood. The two of them made a good team. The old man watched, feeling comforted. Isn't it said that having many children and grandchildren is a blessing? Look how lively the house is with so many people. "Yingzi, your Grandma made a lot of fruit wine, I hear?"

Cheng Ying looked up at the old man with a cheerful smile. "Grandpa, it's not ready yet. You still have to wait a bit."

The old man urged, "Girl, tell me first, what kind of wine is it?"

Cheng Ying stuffed a piece of steamed bun into her little cousin’s mouth.