"Auntie, I've been married for so many years, and now that you're finally here, you're going to leave after just a glance? You're making me—"

Her eyes were already turning red.

Cheng Yingxin thought: Auntie is genuinely crying this time.

Her uncle clearly couldn't stand seeing his wife upset, and immediately emerged. "Mother, please stay a few more days. Let Shengxia feel more at ease. Give me a chance to show my filial piety for a couple of days."

The old lady replied, "There will be plenty of chances later. Let's eat. What's all this fuss about?"

Uncle chimed in, "Mother, you don't know, Shengxia has been mentioning you for years. For so many years, my wife and I have finally waited for you to come, you absolutely can't just leave like this. Furthermore, you knew the circumstances of our home when Shengxia first came over. It's thanks to Shengxia's tireless efforts over these years that things are better now. Now that the younger siblings are grown, I truly feel indebted to Shengxia."

Cheng Yingxin thought that while her uncle seemed dull, he certainly knew how to speak; he had gotten right to the point in just a few sentences, but she could see the slight disapproval on her in-law grandmother's face.

The old lady said, "It’s good that you remember that. Just treat my daughter well from now on; that’s better than anything else."

Uncle pleaded, "Mother, just let me serve you for two days, give me a chance so Shengxia can see how I behave."

Cheng Yingzhen sincerely wanted her own grandmother to relax outside for a couple of days. Moreover, she figured Grandma must be worried about her aunt; for so many years, Aunt only had Feng as a girl by her side, Grandma had mentioned this issue before.

She must be thinking about it: "Grandma, stay here and make Aunt happy for two days. We'll go back first, and we’ll come back in a couple of days to pick you up. Since it's vacation now, we all have time."

The old lady retorted, "You little coward, what are you saying? I can trust you to look after the house?"

Cheng Ying offered, "Then who do you trust to look after it? Otherwise, I'll send Mingzi back, and have Second Aunt come over to keep an eye on things for us."

This statement choked the old lady; she was speechless for a long moment. Cheng Ming turned to look out the window, stopping himself from laughing. Chi Wu lowered his head to eat, which helped keep his mouth shut. Aunt grabbed Cheng Ying, "Let these two boys go home to look after the house. Yingzi will stay here with Grandma and keep Aunt company."

Cheng Ying spread her hands, "Then Grandma really won't be able to stay here. If I’m not home holding things steady, she definitely won't feel at ease."

The old lady thought to herself about this obstructive girl: "No need to say more, I'll go back with you."

However, after they finished eating, Grandma didn't manage to leave. Her uncle, so large, was relentlessly warm in keeping his mother-in-law there.

Uncle helped Grandma down from the car; it was almost the same as carrying her down.

Cheng Ying waved her little hand, "Grandma, I'll miss you. Stay for two days, that's enough, but don't stay too long, okay?"

The old lady snapped, "Scram, you brat! Be careful on the road, don't ride too fast, you hear?"

Aunt reassured her, "Don't worry, Mother. How old are they now?"

But she still couldn't stop worrying about her nephew and niece, making Grandma repeatedly instruct them before finally letting them go.

The three children in the car had bags and bundles of things prepared by Uncle, ready for their return home.

Cheng Ying could still see the pained, anxious look on the in-law grandmother’s face. Perhaps all in-laws across the world were like this; even though Grandpa was generous, he still kept an eye on Grandma's liquor.

Speaking of which, she wondered how the liquor Grandma made last time turned out.

Although Cheng Ying had watched the entire process, she still hadn't grasped the essence of it.

It seemed she'd have to watch Grandma make it again during the New Year. That stuff really required skill, as well as physical labor.

On the road, Cheng Ming offered his opinion, "It seems Uncle treats Aunt well, but Uncle’s mother isn't very nice."

Cheng Ying countered, "With Aunt’s temper, she’s not someone others can just bully easily. Besides, with Uncle backing her up, life shouldn't be too difficult."

Cheng Ming knew more than Cheng Ying, "That’s true. Aunt arranged wives for his brothers and found husbands for their sisters, spending all that effort. Which young daughter-in-law could do that? It’s only because Aunt was foolish."

Cheng Ying asked, "Why was Aunt the one arranging things?"

Cheng Ming explained, "My mother told me; when his brothers were getting married, it was all paid for by Uncle."

Cheng Ying sighed. No wonder Grandma didn't think highly of their family; this must have been very difficult for Aunt. "The eldest sister-in-law is like a mother; Aunt must have endured so much hardship."

Cheng Ming continued, "My mother said that the brothers and their wives are alright, but the sister isn't very sensible. She wants a dowry when marrying off, without even considering their own family’s circumstances."

Cheng Ying exclaimed, "Oh, Auntie's life must be so frustrating! Grandma should have stayed there for a while and disciplined those foolish little girls."

Cheng Ming scoffed, "Nonsense. Grandma can’t meddle in the affairs of her daughter's in-laws. No one else can help with this; it still comes down to what Uncle says. Otherwise, why would he flatter our Aunt like that?"

Cheng Ying gave Cheng Ming a strange look. "How old are you to understand this?"

Cheng Ming blushed. "Why wouldn't I understand? When I get married in the future, I'll have to think about how to charm my wife—it's an art form."

Cheng Ying nodded; it was indeed an art, but Cheng Ming was only fourteen or fifteen, which seemed a bit early.

Chi Wu listened intently to their idle chatter, absorbing the knowledge desperately; no one had ever taught him about this aspect of life.

The three children returned home as dusk was falling.

Cheng Ming acted like the elder brother, insisting on dragging Cheng Ying and Wuzi to his house for dinner. Cheng Ying looked at Cheng Ming and thought, Can you really be the master of the house? Your father’s expression, whenever he sees me, has never been good—it’s like looking at a class enemy.

I wouldn't be able to swallow a bite of that food. Furthermore, your mother—if I eat at your house tonight, tomorrow your mom will try to take two catties of cornmeal from my house. It just doesn’t add up. It's better not to go. Distance always creates beauty.

Chi Wu understood this principle even better. He firmly parted ways with them at Cheng Ming's doorstep, taking the gifts Aunt had prepared for Cheng Ming and putting them in his car before they drove off. Passing by Second Uncle's house, Cheng Ying knocked and delivered the things Aunt had for Second Uncle, briefing him on the situation at Aunt’s. Only then did they head home. Chi Wu smacked his lips, "That was the happiest I've ever seen Second Aunt look at us."

Cheng Ying remarked, "You take things to their house every day; how many times has she looked that enthusiastic when seeing you?"

Chi Wu shut up. Indeed, Cheng Ying's perception was much keener.

When they got home, the lights were on inside, and the old lady from the Village Chief's house came out to greet them. "Oh my, returning so late, I was almost ready to stay at your place!"

Cheng Ying said, "Old Grandma, no wonder Grandma said she was relieved to leave the house to you. You're too conscientious. You're still watching the house at this hour. Is anyone cooking for my Grandpa?"

The Old Grandma replied, "You little talker. I just arrived too. It can't be empty at night, right? Your Grandma didn't come back with you; she stayed at your Aunt's place."

Cheng Ying explained, "Mm, my Aunt and Uncle wouldn't let Grandma leave. My Uncle practically carried Grandma down from the car. If you hadn't been at the door, you would have seen the excitement!"

This was meant to convey that their Grandma had received a warm reception at her Aunt's house.

The Old Grandma nodded repeatedly. That was good; that was how it should be. It proved Shengxia was living well at her in-laws'.

The Old Grandma concluded, "I figured your Aunt wouldn't let your Grandma return. Have you two eaten? Come over to my place for a meal."

Cheng Ying declined, "No need, we can whip up something at home."

The Old Grandma insisted, "What are you saying? What can two children manage? Come eat at my place, and you can cook for yourselves tomorrow."

Cheng Ying insisted again, "Really no need. Aunt prepared dried rations for us. She knew we wouldn't have a ready meal at home, so she packed everything."

Chi Wu glanced at Cheng Ying beside him—a white lie. Aunt really hadn't thought of that.

The Village Chief's Old Grandma conceded, "Your Aunt is thoughtful. Alright, you two eat, I'll be going now."

Cheng Ying stopped her, "That won't do, Wuzi must see you back."

The Old Grandma refused, "Tired from the whole day, why bother sending me? Can’t I find my own way home? You two stay."

Cheng Ying and Chi Wu saw the Old Grandma to her doorstep, and the Old Grandma came out again, pressing two warm-looking flatbreads into their hands. "Eat these first."

Only then did she return and close her door. She truly was a kind person, and her favors were solid.

Cheng Ying and Chi Wu returned home. Cheng Ying started the fire to cook, while Chi Wu, hungry, munched on the Old Grandma's flatbreads. "Why did you say Aunt prepared food for us?"

Cheng Ying replied, "A well-intentioned lie, understand?"

Chi Wu fell silent and kept chewing the bread. He wasn't unfamiliar with how easily this girl could spin a lie.

Cheng Ying looked at Chi Wu, "Eat less, it's hard. Eat it with some thin soup later."

Chi Wu put down the bread. "Okay, I'll go secure the door first."

It was the first time the two of them were left to look after the house alone, and Chi Wu was still a bit worried.

Cheng Ying looked at Chi Wu’s tense expression, "Don't be afraid, we have Er Ya here!"

Chi Wu was displeased. "I'm a man, shouldn't I be more capable than Er Ya? Why would I be afraid? You shouldn't be the one afraid."

Cheng Ying looked at Chi Wu’s physique and wondered when he had grown into the frame of a teenager, much sturdier now.

He was no longer slender like a child. Cheng Ying felt it had to do with the hard work in the countryside; his development was too fast.

She glanced at herself; in a few days, she would be twelve, already having the figure of a young girl.

But eating well this past year and constantly running into the mountains had ensured her training was adequate. She could pass for fourteen if she said so.

When did the two of them start growing up so quickly?

Could it be that the malnourishment and weakness from previous years had been suppressed, and now they were shooting up?

Come to think of it, with this kind of growth spurt, was her nutrition keeping up? Would she be short on calcium?

That was just Cheng Ying; her mind wandered again.

The two of them drank the thin gruel with the flatbreads, and perhaps because they were tired, it tasted quite good.

Chi Wu remarked, "Even though the meal you made is simple, almost just to appease me, this really is quite tasty."

Cheng Ying teased, "Have you ever seen me use white flour just to fob someone off? You flatter yourself."

Chi Wu responded, "Mom never cooks like this. Even for soup, she’d drop in a couple of green onions to go with the meal."

Cheng Ying said crossly, the kid was starting to critique her cooking now. Having someone to serve her was already a blessing. "Eat up. This comes from having a good life."

When it was time for bed that night, Chi Wu’s face was inexplicably flushed. Usually, with Grandma at home, Chi Wu would fall asleep as soon as he lay down, without a single extra thought. Now, with Cheng Ying lying beside him, Chi Wu’s thoughts were drifting, feeling awkward and unsure what to do.

He didn't look at Cheng Ying, but just listening to her breathing made his heart flutter. No matter how he pressed his chest, it wouldn't calm down; it was bobbing like a small boat. This made Chi Wu very restless. What was wrong with him?

He didn't quite know what to think about—the child was pure. This eleven-year-old, though physically precocious, his spirit hadn't caught up.

He had no idea why this was happening.