"Our parents are a couple, so I'm your younger brother; we have the closest relationship," Chi Wu declared.

Cheng Ying thought that she had never heard of such a close relationship, but what exactly was the unlucky kid trying to say? "So what?"

"Besides me, no one is as close to you as I am, not even Miaomiao. Except for Mom and Dad, and Grandma, I am the closest person to you. We are truly a family," Chi Wu insisted.

Forgive the innocent youth; he truly hadn't grasped the state of his own heart yet.

Cheng Ying laughed softly. This child was just vying for affection. "Mhm, I know. Am I your older sister?"

Chi Wu tugged at the corner of his mouth with satisfaction. He had been holding these words in for a long time, eager to tell Cheng Ying that he was closer to her than Miaomiao was. His current aim was simply to be the person closest to Cheng Ying. Alas, the child was young and utterly unaware of why his face felt hot and his heart raced.

"We're here. Let's go in," Cheng Ying said.

Chi Wu frowned. How had they arrived so quickly? Still, he knocked on the door as Cheng Ying directed. This was the Village Head's house. Cheng Ying had come to ask the Old Grandma from the Village Head's family to help feed the chickens and Er Ya tomorrow. As long as arrangements were made at home, the old woman would surely accompany them. Cheng Ying had figured out the old lady's temperament—she could only present a fait accompli.

When the Village Head's Grandma and Third Madam heard that Yingzi was taking Grandma to visit Cousin Gu tomorrow, they were overwhelmingly supportive. "Your Grandma is just stubborn. Go ahead, Yingzi. Don't worry, Grandma will look after things here. Your Old Aunt will be delighted! How could a mother not know where her daughter lives? Yingzi, do you have your Aunt's address? Don't get lost."

"I do. Old Aunt gave me the address when she visited for New Year's. Besides, it’s just the next township over, not too far. Chi Wu can take us on the bike. Don't worry, Grandma, you know Grandma won't trust just anyone to look after things here," Cheng Ying replied earnestly.

The Village Head's wife listened, finding it touching. Her own Third Sister-in-law was closest to her, so naturally, she wouldn't trust others. "That's right, don't worry. I'm here; I guarantee your chickens will be well fed."

"Then we'll trouble Old Grandma tomorrow. As for my Grandma..."

Third Madam interjected, cutting her off. "If your Old Grandma won't go, then Third Madam will step in. Your Grandma must go, whether she wants to or not!" That settled it decisively. Cheng Ying was overjoyed and offered repeated thanks.

When Cheng Ying and Chi Wu returned, the two children, claiming hunger, were tinkering around the stove. In reality, they were preparing rations; after all, they couldn't arrive at Old Aunt's place empty-handed. Cheng Ying also tied up two roosters from the coop and salted the fish they'd caught earlier to take over to Old Aunt. Of course, Chi Wu was the one doing the physical work; Cheng Ying was merely the commander, the one who gave the orders.

The Old Lady watched the commotion outside, the chickens squawking and scattering, but said nothing, letting the two children make their mess. As long as they didn't tear the house down, it was fine. The Old Lady had been indulging these children lately.

It wasn't until Cheng Ying woke her up at four o'clock that the Old Lady realized what the children had been up to. "You troublesome kid! Just saying you're going isn't enough! Hurry up and sleep!" Her voice was sharp with genuine anger. Didn't they want her to have a peaceful few days?

"It's not a wedding or a funeral; why pick a day? We're going today; we've already prepared everything," Cheng Ying countered.

The Old Lady got a headache listening to Cheng Ying. "There's a whole house full of things to do! You think you can just leave whenever you feel like it?"

Just as she spoke, the Village Head's wife knocked on the door from outside. Chi Wu opened the main gate, and the Village Head's Grandma announced, "Yingzi, I haven't come too late, have I?"

Cheng Ying rushed out cheerfully. "Not late, not late at all, Grandma! See? Old Grandma will be watching the house; you don't have to worry anymore!"

Village Head's Grandma urged, "Old Sister-in-law, hurry and go with Yingzi and the others. I'll stay here. If you're still worried, I'll leave right now." Well, the Village Head's Grandma understood the Old Lady’s temper better.

The Old Lady slapped her thigh. "Fine, I'll go!" She hurried inside to pack a small bundle. Cheng Ying grabbed a plastic bag containing the two chickens and a bag of fish. Chi Wu pushed the cart, and the three of them set off.

This time, Cheng Ying didn't ride in front of Chi Wu. Instead, she called over Cheng Ming. Going to Old Aunt's place would be livelier with more people. Eldest Aunt-in-law wouldn't have to carry anything and could strengthen her bond with her sister-in-law—plenty to talk about. As for Eldest Uncle, he certainly wouldn't object; after all, his own sister—even if she wasn't the closest to him—deserved visits.

Chi Wu rode with Cheng Ying, and Cheng Ming took their Grandma. The two carts sped along quickly. By the time they reached Old Aunt's place, it was past ten. The journey really wasn't short. Cheng Ying rubbed her backside; sitting had made it sore.

Cheng Ming dismounted to inquire and, upon learning the location of Old Aunt's house, the Old Lady stared at her daughter’s courtyard for a moment before pushing the gate.

"Grandma, you're not going to stand there after arriving, are you? Old Aunt will resent you if she knows!"

The Old Lady shot her granddaughter a glare, looked around, and then said, "She seems like a capable person. The yard outside is quite tidy."

Cheng Ying flattered her, "Of course! Aunt was taught by you, Grandma, hands-on! How could she be lacking? Even learning half of your skill means she can hold her own."

Chi Wu and Cheng Ming pursed their lips; this girl was indeed skilled at flattery. No wonder she ranked so highly in the Old Lady's estimation.

Before Cheng Ying could knock, the main door opened. Perhaps the bustle outside had alerted those inside. The person who opened the door was a man in his early forties. He looked honest and kind-faced, though a bit worn out. He didn't seem like a match for Aunt. Cheng Ying wasn't sure if this man was her Uncle-in-law, but seeing the Old Lady's expression sour instantly, she guessed he must be. No wonder the Old Lady wasn't pleased with her son-in-law—his appearance didn't measure up.

The man saw the Old Lady at the door and stammered, "Shengxia, Shengxia, come out quickly! Come out!"

Cheng Ying was even more displeased. This man wasn't on the same level as her stepfather. He had no social graces. Upon seeing his mother-in-law, shouldn't he invite her inside first? Why call out for his wife first? The Old Lady's face darkened further.

Cheng Ming thought to himself, Let them stand outside the door then.

Chi Wu spoke up, "Are you just going to make us stand out here?" This was provocative. Chi Wu remembered they had come to support Old Aunt's standing, so his tone needed to be sharp and imposing.

Cheng Ying lowered her head, realizing she had misdirected them. She forgot to tell Chi Wu about the proper order of courtesy: establishing friendly relations first would be better since Old Aunt was his wife.

The man snapped back to reality and quickly ushered them in, "Mom, please come in quickly!"

The Old Lady was ushered into the courtyard as if she were royalty. She then saw her own Aunt emerge from the doorway. "Oh my! Mom!" Cheng Ying covered her ears. Did they really need to be this dramatic?

She took in the look of Old Aunt's house—not new, not old, but clean and well-kept. The yard had a corn crib filled with dried corn; they wouldn't lack grain. It seemed Old Aunt was doing well. Like the Old Lady, Cheng Ying judged a person's life not by hearsay but by observing their surroundings.

The Old Lady heard her daughter exclaim. "What? I’m here, is that so surprising? What kind of attitude is that?" Does she have to be so harsh? Old Aunt rushed out in two steps. "Mom, you didn't announce your arrival! Come inside quickly!" She then took her mother's arm and pulled her indoors, completely ignoring her niece and nephew.

Behind them, the Uncle-in-law sheepishly rubbed his hands. "Uh, you all must be tired. Please come inside and rest for a while."

Cheng Ying couldn't introduce herself—I'm your niece—because no one had told her this was her Uncle-in-law. Even knowing it, she had to pretend ignorance. It certainly would have been more convenient if relatives recognized each other.

Chi Wu coldly assessed this Uncle-in-law; compared to Aunt, he was vastly inferior. His attitude naturally became loftier, his head held high. No wonder their Old Lady never favored him—Aunt had married beneath her. Even Cheng Ming's demeanor became a touch more solemn.

Cheng Ying felt these two rascals were getting a bit arrogant. "Mhm, alright. We'll rest here for a bit; it's cooler outside." The crucial point was that neither Old Aunt nor Grandma was paying any attention to them inside, so why crowd them?

Uncle-in-law said, "That's fine. You three sit here, and I'll get you some watermelon." With that, he turned and walked away. Cheng Ying watched him lift a wooden well cover in the yard and pull up a large basket from the well. Inside was a large watermelon. Cheng Ying observed that the Uncle-in-law must have some means; in those days, most people used the village well. Being able to afford their own well meant they were a well-off household.

The Uncle-in-law brought out a large cleaver and split the watermelon with a loud smack. He handed a piece to each of the three younger ones, showing remarkable eagerness. As for the rest, the Uncle-in-law rubbed his hands for a moment before lifting the door curtain to the house to carry the rest inside. Cheng Ying overheard her Uncle-in-law say, "Mom, have a slice of watermelon first; cool down. You must be worn out from such a long trip."

Predictably, the Old Lady's response to him wasn't warm. "Don't be absurd. I've come to see my daughter; what's tiring about it?"

Listening to the conversation inside while holding the watermelon, Cheng Ying thought that although it was a rare treat, the season was a bit late. Keeping the melon in the well was likely for insulation, not cooling.

Old Aunt said, "Mom, look at you. This is your son-in-law. I'll send someone to fetch Feng back; haven't you come to see your granddaughter yet?"

The Old Lady snorted.

Cheng Ying heard Old Aunt call out to the man, "Hurry up and go find our daughter! Mom is definitely here to see her granddaughter!" Cheng Ying mused that Old Aunt knew how to change the atmosphere; she didn't need to worry.

Uncle-in-law was obedient. "Mom, you chat with Shengxia for a bit, and I'll go call the girl back." He then came out and beamed when he saw the three of them. "You three, go inside and stay there later; it's too sunny out here, understand?" He then left, clearly in good spirits.

"He talked for ages and never dared to say he was the Uncle-in-law," Chi Wu grumbled.

"Eat watermelon," Cheng Ming advised.

Cheng Ying shook her head. He truly was an honest man. Old Aunt did have good judgment; living with someone like this meant at least not suffering hardship. Although his looks were lacking, for rural life, finding a partner like her stepfather—good-looking but unable to lift a shoulder pole or a carrying pole, useless for anything—what was the point? As Grandma would say, they were just a 'pretty disappointment.' This Uncle-in-law was practical. Cheng Ying couldn't fathom why their Old Lady had been dissatisfied with him for so many years.