Chi Yong watched the way the two elders looked at Chi Wu, and a sharp ache bloomed in his chest. It truly hadn't been easy for them.

This was the kind of vulnerability reserved only for one's elders, for the closest family. "Dad, Mom, let's head inside and rest first.

The journey was long; take a load off your feet," he said. With that, Chi Yong looked up at the sky, forcibly suppressing the tears welling in his eyes.

They always said a man shouldn't cry easily. Chi Yong felt overly sentimental.

No matter how hard it was, they had made it through, hadn't they? The old woman finally noticed Cheng Ying standing beside Chi Wu.

"My, this young lady is so pretty. She’s Wu Zi’s friend, right?" The old woman was clearly educated; her question was as gentle as flowing water, capable of stirring the heart.

This perfectly showcased the bearing of an intellectual family. Cheng Ying found the situation almost comical.

Could I possibly say I’m your son’s daughter? If I said that, would you even recognize me?

How is it possible that a stepfather hasn't even mentioned his existence to the family matriarch? Is that my illusion?

Why is the old lady asking with such pure innocence? Chi Yong’s expression grew unnatural; perhaps his introduction had been slightly delayed.

Yang Zhi walked over. "Mom?" Cheng Ying clearly sensed the old woman’s face tighten.

This indicated a low level of acceptance toward her biological mother, and her favorable impression was poor. Then Yang Zhi pulled Cheng Ying closer.

"This is my daughter." The old lady’s eyes widened, filled with sheer disbelief. Never mind that her son had been away a long time, but to have a daughter this old?

This was—this was—the old woman’s breathing grew shallow. "What did you say?" Her voice had lost its balance; all pretense of poise was gone.

Seeing their own matriarch’s expression darken, Granny Ying—the Cheng family’s elder—was excellent at reading faces. Why did it feel like the woman opposite held little goodwill toward her granddaughter?

In Old Mrs. Cheng’s mind, if her son brought home a child, he should at least bring home a maiden who was still unmarried.

However, the old lady couldn't say this now. It was inappropriate to start a fight upon meeting.

For Chi Yong’s sake, she merely let her face show her displeasure. Chi Yong felt intensely awkward.

He stepped forward. "Mom, don't rush.

I’ll explain everything later." The old woman looked at her son, her heart aching with concern. "I’m not rushing!

Why shouldn't I rush? Yong Zi, you need to explain this clearly to me!" Could this be something one could simply choose not to rush about?

His daughter was already this grown. Old Man Chi came over to support his wife.

His gaze toward his son was stern, and his look towards Yang Zhi was a comprehensive, 360-degree sweep that seemed capable of shooting knives. Chi Yong said, "Mom, let's go inside.

First, look at Wu Zi. Look at the child.

It’s his first time seeing you; don't scare him." He then pulled Chi Wu closer. Cheng Ying sensed the profound malice radiating from Chi Wu’s relatives toward her.

Is this so hard to accept? A widowed Luo Fu—wouldn't that be a perfect fit?

Why is this man a 'the official can burn down the city, but the common people can't even light a lamp' kind of person? Yang Zhi, gripping her daughter’s hand, felt a turmoil of emotion.

Nevertheless, she ushered the two elders, who were holding their two children, into the house. Chi Yong apologized to the old woman before going in.

"Mom, my mother isn’t well. I'll let them rest inside for a bit, and we can catch up properly later." The old lady understood.

In crucial moments, one must remain composed. She waved a hand.

"Go on. We'll start preparing dinner.

We must ensure our in-laws eat well, after all." Saying this, she led her daughter-in-law and granddaughter to start bustling about the cooking. Chi Yong brought his own mother, his father, and his own son into the house, creating a private space for the four of them.

However, Cheng Ying leaned toward eavesdropping. Know your enemy, know yourself.

Unfortunately, the old lady didn't invite Cheng Ying in. Yang Zhi lit the fire somewhat distractedly.

"Mom?" The word was spoken like that of a helpless child. The old lady was remarkably composed.

"What's the hurry? You're marrying in, not marrying out.

Whatever their household is like, he has to live with you here. You don't need to serve their elders.

If things look good, visit occasionally; if not, visit less often. What does it have to do with you?" Indeed, Yang Zhi calmed down considerably, and her movements became a bit quicker while working.

Cheng Ying looked at her grandmother. If only it were truly that simple.

But her own grandmother had formidable mental fortitude. Cheng Ying hesitantly spoke up.

"Grandma, the scallions have all been dug up from the field and moved to the backyard. Could you let Mom and me take a few out?" Cheng Ying believed that if you know the enemy and know yourself, you will never be defeated in a hundred battles; she still needed to listen in.

The old lady looked at her granddaughter. While she neither nodded nor shook her head, she put the rice into the steamer, and the fish continued to simmer in the western pot.

Then, she went and sat right by the main gate. The old lady’s action meant she was positioning herself where anyone could see her from the window—she was watching their vehicle.

Besides, their yard was already surrounded by a crowd of village children. No car had ever come here before.

The roads were simply too rough. Cheng Ying stoked the fire, grabbed her blushing mother, and headed to the backyard.

The spot right by the back window was an excellent place for eavesdropping, cleverly concealed and hard to spot. Cheng Ying had used this spot more than once.

Cheng Ying deliberately brought out two small stools. While shelling the scallions with her mother, they both tilted their ears to listen intently.

Yang Zhi rarely did anything wrong and felt uneasy. Compared to Cheng Ying, Yang Zhi’s mental fortitude was lacking.

Since Cheng Ying was holding onto her mother, Yang Zhi couldn't make much noise, only hearing a high-pitched voice from inside: "Yong Zi, tell your mother, were they pressuring you?" Cheng Ying found the question jarring. She had heard of forcing virtuous women into prostitution, but never of a woman forcing a man.

After all, the customs in their village were quite conservative. Yang Zhi’s face turned bright red.

She had never forced any man into anything in her life. Did she look that fierce, perhaps even sexually starved?

Was there something wrong with her image? Yang Zhi lowered her head and examined herself for a long time.

Chi Yong said, "Mom, what are you talking about? Yang Zhi is a good person; she’s good to me and good to Wu Zi." That was a fair statement.

Cheng Ying thought her stepfather had a conscience. She glanced at her own mother.

The woman’s face was about to turn crimson. How shy could one be?

Old Mrs. Chi said, "No matter how good she is, my son cannot take on a woman who already has a child." The old man, who had been silent, finally spoke.

"Yong Zi, how could you not think this through properly?" Chi Yong said, his voice hoarse, "Mom, I have a child too." The old lady started sobbing, "How can that be the same? You were never even married!" Chi Yong felt a headache coming on; he knew this was bound to be an issue sooner or later.

Chi Wu and Cheng Ying shared the same thought: I'm an illegitimate child. Chi Wu is an illegitimate child.

The friends were utterly shocked. Chi Wu’s face was turning completely black.

The old lady said, "Who told you to let Wu Zi call you Dad? Aren't you delaying yourself?

Your elder brother and sister-in-law, if they knew, they wouldn't be comfortable either." Although Chi Wu was inside and Cheng Ying was outside, their minds were equally frantic. This conversation was heading toward a major catastrophe.

Chi Wu said, "Mom, don't say this in front of the children." Chi Wu was displeased. "Why can't my dad acknowledge me?" This question was asked with immense defiance.

Having a grandmother appear was good, but if the grandmother prevented his own father from claiming him as a son, then the grandmother was useless. The old lady grabbed Chi Wu and started crying, "That’s your uncle!" When she said this, Chi Wu froze stiff.

A grandmother arrives, and I lose my father? I'm an orphan?

Cheng Ying felt a touch of indigestion. Yang Zhi’s body seemed paralyzed.

How to describe this feeling? Cheng Ying felt that the only beneficiary of this entire exchange was her own mother.

What was the feeling? Like winning the grand prize!

It was like having a used item that had been in her possession for over a year suddenly being refurbished—original factory condition. The surprise was like that of realizing an expired prize ticket, which you’d already redeemed, was suddenly usable again.

She wondered if her own mother could savor the feeling she once had; otherwise, it would be a huge pity. In her mind, Cheng Ying bizarrely felt sorry for Yang Zhi—it was like feeding pearls to swine.

The old lady sensed Chi Wu becoming restless in her grasp. Recalling what she had just said, she realized the impact on the child must have been considerable.

She looked anxiously at her husband; clearly, this was a woman who had been very well protected—a life of happiness. Chi Wu said, "What are you saying?

Why should my father be my uncle?" He stopped looking at the old lady and went straight to Chi Yong. Chi Yong looked at his son.

The years they had relied on each other, how difficult it had been. It was true that Chi Wu had a poor memory.

When Chi Yong first took him in, the boy was already getting older, yet he didn't remember things. Perhaps the shock of that time had blocked the memory.

Chi Wu was four, maybe five, when it happened. Chi Yong couldn't recall precisely.

Chi Yong said, "Wu Zi, whether he’s your uncle or your Dad, we two—your grandpa and you—are the closest!" Then he looked at his son, "It means you and I are the closest!" However, Chi Wu seemed unable to accept this easily. Then Chi Yong, seeing his son on the verge of explosion, emphasized again, "Uncle is a close uncle!

Your father is my own elder brother; he’s no different from a dad!" Comforting an explosive, agitated child was truly not Chi Yong’s strong suit. Chi Wu was getting agitated and somewhat violent, but Chi Yong managed to hold him down—aggressively pinned him down.

The old man quickly intervened, "Wu Zi, I am your grandfather, your real grandfather!" Chi Wu was angry, "Real grandfather, real grandmother, I don't want them! As soon as you arrived, my real dad disappeared!" Saying this, the stubborn child broke free from Chi Yong’s restraint and ran outside.

Cheng Ying felt she had overheard something extremely serious. Her own mother was still lost in surprise and hadn't emerged yet; she couldn't stay and listen to more.

Looking at her mother’s overall state, she wouldn't absorb anything more even if she stayed. She pulled Yang Zhi into the east room, then turned and ran out to chase Chi Wu.

That boy was so troubled; he mustn't take things too hard and jump into the river or something—that would be disastrous. Chi Yong, inside, was at a loss.

He only felt relieved once he saw Cheng Ying leave, allowing him to speak properly with his mother and father. Ever since meeting Cheng Ying, there hadn't been a single problem that the little paternal aunt couldn't solve.

Chi Yong said, "Mom, don't overthink this. I’m doing very well." The old lady clutched her son’s sleeve and beat her own chest.

"You call this doing well? This is doing well?

It’s all my fault!" This statement, this suppressed emotion, exuded a deep sense of helplessness. The old man spoke earnestly, "Second son, you’ve been wronged for your elder brother’s sake.

I know this family owes us a great debt, but as long as you are unwilling, your father will be ungrateful this once. We can go back to the city immediately.

What is reputation worth?" He was ready to sacrifice decades of his reputation for his son's future happiness.