The key was that Chi Wu felt he had been treated better at his old aunt's house, so this was returning a favor in kind. Cheng Ying ushered the old uncle-in-law inside, then bustled about serving tea and pouring water, treating him with exceptional warmth.

The old uncle-in-law felt that after so many years, he was finally experiencing the legendary treatment reserved for a son-in-law, and his heart was quite thrilled. Cheng Ying said, "Grandma, I figured you’d be back.

The food is all ready. Shall I go ask Uncle and Second Uncle to come over and keep the old uncle-in-law company?" The old lady nodded, "Yes, go ahead.

We’ve been cycling for half the day, we’re all hungry." Cheng Ying replied with an "Ai," then sent Chi Wu to fetch Second Uncle, who was easier to invite. Since Second Aunt despised you, as long as there was food involved and a chance to gain something, she could always put aside grievances to make peace—though afterward, she would still stick to her principles and ignore you.

As for First Uncle, he was a stubborn old mule; whether he would come was truly up in the air. Cheng Ying knocked on First Uncle’s door.

First Aunt managed a perfunctory reply, but her attitude was certainly not welcoming. Cheng Ying asked, "First Aunt, is First Uncle home?" First Aunt replied, "Your First Uncle is inside; he's not feeling well." Cheng Ying thought to herself that First Uncle probably never felt well when he saw her; the main issue was his heart not feeling well.

First Aunt hadn't lied. Cheng Ying walked in.

First Uncle didn't even lift his head. Cheng Ying said, "First Uncle, the old uncle-in-law is at our house.

Grandma sent me to ask you to come over and keep him company for dinner." First Uncle finally looked up. It hadn't been easy for his brother-in-law to linger at their home for so many years.

Asking him to eat at Third Brother's place was a bit difficult; First Uncle Cheng held deep reservations about Cheng Ying’s family. He turned to his wife and said, "The younger brother-in-law is here.

Cook something. Have Mingzi go invite him over.

Third household doesn't even have an adult present to host properly. You go call Mom over to eat with us." First Uncle was generally decent towards relatives; the willingness to attend to the guest was commendable enough.

As for Cheng Ying and Chi Wu, First Uncle didn't even mention them. Cheng Ying felt this man's heart was too narrow-minded, but she decided not to stoop to his level.

The fact that he remembered to invite relatives was good enough. "First Aunt, there’s no need to trouble yourselves.

I’ve already cooked the rice and even stewed a fish. Just bring it over.

The old uncle-in-law has traveled a long way and must be hungry. Please treat him well later." With that, she left, not bothering to be polite with First Aunt.

Cheng Ying knew that even if First Uncle was unwilling, First Aunt would likely persuade him. First Aunt was someone who wanted both face and substance; she couldn't compare to Second Aunt, who would sacrifice face for substance.

That seemed false and unappealing. When Cheng Ying left First Uncle’s house, she was carrying two large basins.

Back home, she immediately scooped out the rice and fish. Chi Wu watched, his heart aching.

Cheng Ying didn't want the fish to break apart, so she only ladled a small basin of rice soaked in fish broth for the two of them to share. Before long, Second Uncle’s family arrived, followed shortly by First Aunt and Cheng Ming.

First Aunt, with her glib tongue, said, "Mom, Zhi Zi and her husband aren't home. It’s better to host the younger brother-in-law at our place." The old lady said, "Ying Zi has already cooked the meal; it's convenient here." First Aunt insisted, "Mom, it's the uncle-in-law's first visit.

How can he not see the main house? His elder brother is still waiting at home." Second Uncle remained silent, indifferent to others' opinions.

Second Aunt knew that regardless of whose house they were at, her own cooking wouldn't be required today, so she stayed quietly on the sidelines. Cheng Ying watched First Aunt, even twisting her lips slightly.

This woman never mentioned that she was taking the rice and fish from her own house—it was truly too fake. Since First Aunt was being so warmly welcoming, the old uncle-in-law and Grandma had no choice but to agree.

They couldn't let the son-in-law know on his first visit that their family held reservations. So, everyone moved to another location for the meal.

After the old lady, Second Uncle, and the old uncle-in-law had gone ahead, First Aunt and Cheng Ming came over to pick up the rice and stewed fish. "Oh, Ying Zi, you were in such a rush, we still troubled you so much." Cheng Ying replied, "You're welcome, he’s my old uncle-in-law too.

First Aunt, hurry and attend to the guests." Cheng Ming blushed. His own mother walked away with the things without even calling the two children along.

Cheng Ming turned back and mouthed the words, "Come eat later." Cheng Ying shook her head, thinking, Are you the master of the house? Such false courtesy.

Then she closed the door, shutting Cheng Ming outside. If Cheng Ming hadn't been carrying things, he would have rubbed his nose; that door felt like it slapped him right in the face.

Cheng Ying and Chi Wu set out a small table and began to eat. Chi Wu looked unhappy; he had worked hard for nothing.

Cheng Ying said, "That’s enough, eat. I’ll show you a whole pile of good things in the yard later." Chi Wu lamented, "Think how good Old Uncle-in-law is to us.

He must know we treat him well, it's not like we withheld food, is it?" Cheng Ying immediately laughed, "Don't worry, Old Uncle-in-law definitely saw that fish was your doing." Chi Wu ate gloomily, "How do you know?" Cheng Ying boasted smugly, "When Old Uncle-in-law and the others left, I put the fish and rice right on the stove counter. He surely saw it." Chi Wu finally managed a slight smile, "As long as Old Uncle-in-law knows we treated him well, that’s what matters." Then Chi Wu still felt the pinch, "It’s just a basin of rice lost.

Our family can’t afford rice even once a month." Cheng Ying felt a little sorry for the child, "Don't worry. From now on, we'll eat rice every day, I guarantee you’ll get sick of it." Chi Wu exclaimed, "How is that possible?" Rice was so fragrant; no matter how much he ate, he wouldn't tire of it.

That's what Chi Wu truly believed. After the meal, the old uncle-in-law was ready to go home, but before leaving, he stopped by Cheng Ying's house to greet the two children.

Cheng Ying knew the old uncle-in-law was a man who understood things; he hadn't underestimated the two children. Cheng Ying said, "Old Uncle-in-law, bring Old Aunt and Feng back for New Year's!" The old uncle-in-law replied, "Ying Zi, go see your aunt later; she misses you.

Take good care of your Grandma. Mom, I’m leaving now." The old lady waved her hand; any dissatisfaction she held toward her son-in-law was now tucked deep inside.

Cheng Ying, along with First Uncle and Second Uncle, saw the old uncle-in-law off for quite a distance. This was the proper courtesy shown to a son-in-law.

If you treat him well, he will treat your sister well in return. Later, if your sister's family runs into trouble, your own kin can go support her.

I was so good to you; it’s unjustifiable for you to treat my family this way. This was the prevailing sentiment among rural people regarding sons-in-law.

Cheng Ying supported Grandma as they walked back. "Grandma, why are Aunt and her sister-in-law angry with each other?" Grandma said, "You understand clearly enough." Cheng Ying responded, "Of course, just looking at them, I can tell Old Aunt must be angry." The old lady sighed, "The children are clueless.

Think about it, your Old Uncle-in-law raises a whole family; it’s not easy. His younger brother is sensible and doesn't fight him for things, and his in-laws understand.

But those several sisters-in-law are so unreasonable—they actually demanded a bicycle as a dowry from your Old Aunt! Can three sisters-in-law afford that?" Cheng Ying mused, "Hmm, Old Aunt must be furious." The old lady continued, "It’s a good thing they didn't ask the family to sell land to pay for the dowry; that would be unforgivable." Cheng Ying said, "All the hard work Old Aunt has put in over the years will be ruined over this one matter." The old lady explained, "Your Old Aunt's brothers' wives were sensible and stood up for her, relieving her predicament.

Your Old Uncle-in-law was also clear on this matter; he told his sisters that their family’s finances aren't great. Raising them was hard enough.

For the sake of this family, the two of them only have Feng now—what was it all for? He said there’s no car." Cheng Ying asked, "Grandma, is Old Aunt not angry anymore?" The old lady concluded, "As life goes on, things smooth out.

This matter was inevitable, and Old Aunt brought it upon herself. Who cares if she’s angry or not.

Ying Zi, I got you a meter of flowered cloth. I'll make you a floral jacket to wear over your padded coat." Cheng Ying felt a crow flying over her head; how could she not escape the curse of the floral jacket?

Chi Wu chimed in, "Grandma’s sewing is excellent, Cheng Ying will definitely look beautiful in it." In Chi Wu's eyes, Cheng Ying had transformed into someone blushing prettily in a floral jacket. It could only be said that Chi Wu’s appreciation standards had been skewed by Cheng Ying’s tutelage.

If the arrival of guests today was a sign of good fortune, then right after sending off the old uncle-in-law, Cheng Ying welcomed an even more esteemed group of visitors, catching her completely off guard. Chi Wu was utterly dumbfounded, unsure what expression or feeling to adopt.

So this was his own family. Cheng Ying looked at the small car parked at the entrance of her yard—it truly brought splendor to their humble abode!

In the more than a year she had been in this village, this was the first jeep she had seen! She wondered how that rugged vehicle managed the ascent up the road.

It must have burned a lot of gas. Cheng Ying could only think this as Chi Yong led two elderly people, appearing to be in their early fifties, out of the car.

Yang Zhi followed behind, and Cheng Ying’s eye twitched—she looked like a little wife being brought home. Mother finally feels like she’s found her proper role.

Cheng Ying supported her own old lady to the doorway, sensing the tension radiating from the elder woman. Grandma must have been inwardly anxious as well.

Chi Wu stood on the other side of the old lady. Chi Yong called out, "Wuzi, come here.

These are your paternal Grandpa and Grandma." Chi Wu was so stunned he didn't know how to take a step forward. Cheng Ying, however, naturally greeted them, "Mother, Uncle." The old lady facing her looked at Chi Wu with such excitement that she didn't even glance at Cheng Ying, extending a slightly trembling hand.

Chi Wu stammered, "Dad, my Grandpa and Grandma?" The question sounded incredibly dense. But the old couple across from him froze upon hearing Chi Wu’s words, their faces registering surprise.

Chi Yong urged, "Hurry up and come here!" Then he introduced to his parents, "Mom, Dad, this is my mother-in-law." This introduction was mostly accurate; Chi Yong couldn't possibly explain the complexities of this family structure to his own parents in this setting. The elderly couple showed their breeding; they maintained natural expressions toward the rural old lady.

"Pleased to meet you, in-law." This was a courteous exchange, yet simultaneously a distant greeting. Chi Yong then introduced to the old lady, "Mom, these are my father and mother, who came today." The old lady exclaimed, "Oh, that’s wonderful!

Quick, come inside, come inside!" No one noticed that Cheng Ying had been entirely overlooked. Did Chi Yong forget to introduce his daughter?

Unlikely. Cheng Ying suspected perhaps introducing a stepfather was too awkward in this situation.

The old lady on the other side grabbed Chi Wu, pulling him close. "You’re so big now, so big!" Tears welled up in her eyes.

The old man beside her also looked visibly moved. "Good, good, Yong Zi, thank you for these many years; it must have been difficult."

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