The old lady thought her granddaughter had quite a bit of insight; the wives of the past, truly facing a harsh mother-in-law, could lose half their life force. It was a stroke of luck that her granddaughter saw things clearly: “Such a young child, and you’re constantly talking about finding a husband—don’t you feel any shame?” Cheng Ying was unconcerned.

“However, I’m easygoing. When I eventually find a man, I won't live with his mother.

I’ll live with my grandma, my mom, and myself. That life sounds easy enough to live.” Yang Zhi really couldn't stand it, having such a young girl constantly mentioning finding a man.

“You shut your mouth!” The old lady agreed with her granddaughter’s point, but she dared not encourage Cheng Ying’s momentum further. This girl’s mouth had no restraint; she said whatever came to mind.

It was long past time to discipline her. And so, after the commotion in the east room died down, they listened to the sounds from the west room, which lasted past midnight.

It was nearly the third rooster crow when Cheng Ying finally fell asleep. Naturally, she woke up late that morning.

When Cheng Ying finally got up, that boy Chi Wu seemed even less energetic than she was. He had only just recognized his relatives, so why was his spirit so low?

Cheng Ying saw Chi Wu leaning against the pile of bedding, catching up on sleep, listening to the sounds outside. It looked like his stepfather had worked on the family the night before.

That woman’s attitude toward the old lady was much better, though Cheng Ying never heard her speaking with her own mother. Cheng Ying nudged Chi Wu.

“Why didn’t you sleep well?” Chi Wu opened his eyes wide. “How could I sleep when someone was pulled up and made to cry half the night?” Cheng Ying countered, “That’s your grandmother.” Chi Wu pursed his lips and said nothing.

Chi Wu was contemplating the family crisis he was about to face. The old lady had said last night that he could repay kindness; he could treat Cheng Ying’s family like ancestors and worship them, but he couldn't treat his own son unjustly or let his son suffer such grievances.

It was imperative that they take his father away. It was useless if Chi Yong said he wasn't wronged.

Chi Wu was deeply bothered, annoyed by those who shattered his quiet life. Regardless of whether she was his biological grandmother, Chi Wu didn't take kindly to her.

One must remember that the past few years had been incredibly difficult for Chi Wu. The life he had now—integrating into Cheng Ying’s family and working together to make a life—that significance couldn't be the same, could it?

For Chi Wu, Cheng Ying, Cheng Ying’s grandmother, and her mother felt more like his own family. As for the grandmother who looked down on the countryside and looked down on Yang Zhi—the only woman who had ever been good to him—Chi Wu was sincerely unhappy about it.

Cheng Ying asked, “Haven’t seen your grandfather?” Chi Wu replied, “My dad took him to the village head’s house.” Cheng Ying’s eyes flickered. So, the maneuvering had begun.

She wondered what concept Chi Yong held in his mind. Cheng Ying got out of bed and saw three women cooking outside.

Chi Yong’s mother was chatting with the old lady. Yang Zhi was busy alone at the stove.

Seeing Cheng Ying, Old Mrs. Chi frowned slightly.

She immediately went over—if Cheng Ying hadn't been deliberately watching, she wouldn’t have noticed that subtle movement. Cheng Ying said, “Mom, let me help you.” Yang Zhi replied, “No need, there’s not much work.

Yingzi, you forgot to tell me yesterday—you ranked first in the exam. Your maternal grandfather is waiting for you to go hang the big red cloth with him.” Cheng Ying touched her nose.

“Grandpa is too impatient. This will be a common occurrence from now on.” Chi Wu rubbed his eyes and came out.

“You just gloat.” Cheng Ying shot back, “How did you test? Can you still gloat?” Chi Wu glared at her, too lazy to bother, and went out to pick up a basket.

“Hurry up! We eat soon.

Let’s go out and gather firewood.” Yang Zhi turned to her daughter. “Wuzi didn’t do badly either.

Wuzi is in the first grade, testing for the third grade, and he still placed in the middle range. The headmaster was overjoyed.” Cheng Ying asked, “Uncle, how is the class you’re teaching?” Before Yang Zhi could answer, Chi Wu spoke up, immensely proud.

“That headmaster has already started preparing a dormitory for my dad.” He looked up and walked out. Cheng Ying was afraid Chi Wu would walk right into the doorframe; pride shouldn't come at the expense of watching where you’re going.

Old Mrs. Chi, standing nearby, looked from Chi Wu to Yang Zhi, then to Cheng Ying.

Wuzi seemed closer to this family than to his own kin. And no matter how one looked at it, Chi Wu was doing well in this household.

As a grandmother, the old lady was sincerely grateful to this family. But allowing her son to marry a divorced woman with a child truly made her uncomfortable.

She hadn’t considered that her son and that woman were already in a common-law marriage, having received the documentation. Speaking of which, few couples nowadays bothered to register their marriage officially at the township government.

Rural people often had weak legal awareness and avoided the hassle, so simply holding a banquet sufficed. Situations like Chi Yong and Yang Zhi’s were even less likely to involve official registration.

When Cheng Ying heard this, she found ways to ensure Yang Zhi and Chi Yong formalized their arrangement at the township government and received their marriage certificate. Cheng Ying absolutely would not permit such an unstable situation for her own mother.

If there were marriage insurance policies available, Cheng Ying would surely buy a substantial one for her own mother and stepfather. Cheng Ying greeted Chi Wu and Old Mrs.

Chi, and the two left carrying their baskets. Old Mrs.

Chi had to admit that Cheng Ying’s manners were excellent. Old Mrs.

Chi then said, “Old sister, thank you so much for taking care of these two gentlemen. As a mother, I am deeply grateful to you.” Her own grandmother replied, “In-law, please don’t take it too much to heart.

In those years, surviving was fortune enough. The fact that these two gentlemen are standing before you whole and sound now is better than anything else.” Old Mrs.

Chi felt that, setting aside the grating marital relationship, this family was truly decent. The old lady spoke words that were quite soothing; after all, Old Mrs.

Chi’s own life had been full of ups and downs over the years. As one of the minority criticized during those times, Old Mrs.

Chi knew how hard it was to endure. Both she and her husband had suffered greatly; otherwise, why would they have sent their son away?

It was a pity that it ultimately implicated their descendants; otherwise, the eldest son and his wife wouldn't have been lost just like that. Speaking of which brought tears.

Thinking of this, Old Mrs. Chi became even more displeased with Yang Zhi.

Cheng Ying and Chi Wu walked behind. “Your grandmother is here, why did you come out?” Chi Wu replied, “Who cares who is here?

Can they live our lives for us? If you don’t light the stove, will they?” Cheng Ying was quite satisfied with Chi Wu’s attitude; the child hadn't been easily swayed by others.

To maintain such a correct perspective about daily living showed that Chi Wu’s heart was here. Cheng Ying mused, “I wonder what Uncle is doing at the village head’s house.” Chi Wu explained, “What else?

Treating people to a meal. Old man said he must thank the village for all the care over these years.” Cheng Ying thought to herself that the old couple probably had plans, anxiously trying to get their son moved away.

Humph. Cheng Ying asked, “Is your grandmother from the city?” Chi Wu replied, “From the provincial capital.” Cheng Ying pressed, “Didn’t your grandmother ask to take you with her?” Chi Wu was unhappy with Cheng Ying’s tone.

“Are you trying to dig things out of me?” Cheng Ying felt that Chi Wu was tight-lipped; she couldn't extract anything. After a long while, Chi Wu said one thing to Cheng Ying: “My dad said we are one family.” Cheng Ying lowered her head to gather more firewood.

Even if Chi Yong remembered now, how long would that memory last? Such matters were unreliable.

When Chi Wu and Cheng Ying returned home, their place was bustling with activity. The village head and the old team leader were both at the house, and their second uncle was there too.

The eldest uncle probably couldn't be persuaded to come. As children, Cheng Ying and Chi Wu were not allowed at the main table.

Yang Zhi served the group of people eating from the floor, while Cheng Ying and Chi Wu listened by the window—this was becoming a habit for Cheng Ying. Chi Yong’s father was a man who managed appearances well.

Holding a large bowl, he began thanking the village head and the team leader profusely. “Over these years, my old man and grandson have relied on the village’s care.

I thank everyone here.” The village head replied, “We dare not claim credit for that kind of care. If anything, Old Sister Yin understands things best; it’s because of Yongzi and Yang Zhi that they can live together.

Look how lively their family is now. Speaking of which, Old Brother, you have a good son.

Yongzi is educated and promising; he’s already teaching in the township now.” Grandpa Chi looked at his son, filled with pride—that was his son. His son’s academic level meant he was wasted teaching in the township; after all, his son had graduated from a prestigious university.

Who knew the bitterness he felt now? However, the pride lay in the fact that his son could make his way anywhere, without relying on the family; that was capability.

Just like the saying goes, gold shines wherever it is hidden; nothing can stop it. Grandpa Chi said, “It’s all thanks to everyone supporting him.

Chi Yong told me that he is deeply grateful for the village head’s consistent care and promotion.” For a rural person, being overly polite was unnecessary. “You’re being too polite; you’re making it seem distant.

It’s Yongzi’s own ability. Perhaps in the future, Yongzi can teach in the county seat.” Old Mr.

Chi said, “Speaking of which, there is indeed an opportunity. To not hide it from you all, my old family is from the provincial capital.

Coincidentally, there is an opening in the provincial capital, and I want Chi Yong to go try out.” After saying this, let alone the village head, even Chi Yong was stunned. His own father hadn't mentioned this beforehand.

Chi Yong said, “Dad?” The old lady’s face soured. The village head looked at Old Sister Yin; nothing needed to be said—he understood immediately.

He had heard that several educated youths sent down to the townships had already returned to the city. The village head asked, “Old Brother, allow me to ask, are you planning to move Chi Yong, Yang Zhi, and their whole family to the city?” Old Mr.

Chi seemed rather composed and steadfast. “Yes, that is the idea.

At my age, I have no other aspirations besides wanting my children and grandchildren to live comfortably. I must make arrangements for them, but for now, I just want Yongzi to go and try.” Cheng Ying thought, What a great plan.

If they truly managed to move Chi Yong away, over time, he would be the one calling all the shots, and her own mother would become Wang Baochuan. It would be worse than Wang Baochuan’s situation; at least Wang Baochuan ended up with a co-wife who was a princess sister.

Now, under the one-husband, one-wife system, what standing would her own mother have? What kind of person was the village head?

Seeing Old Sister Yin’s lip droop, he decided to bring the matter into the open. They were all villagers; the village had to protect its own.

Before the village head could speak, the old team leader interjected. “We can’t stand in the way of Yongzi’s success, but there’s something I have to say.

Yongzi originally married into Yang Zhi’s family. Now, there is only one man in this whole family.

If Yongzi leaves, what will this family do?” The village head remained silent, observing the old man’s attitude and the situation. They couldn’t let a household of orphans and widows suffer a silent loss.

Old Mrs. Chi, standing nearby, shed tears.

“Brother, you don’t know. You think it’s great that my Yongzi is teaching in the township, but my Yongzi graduated from a prestigious university!

His classmates, his friends, are now deputy section chiefs in the provincial or city levels. Here in the township, no matter how much Yongzi develops, how far can he go?

It is my husband and I who have held the child back. We want to compensate our child.

That’s why we want Yongzi to go to the provincial capital first. As for the rest, we’ll discuss it slowly.

This is an opportunity; if we miss it, it will truly be difficult.”