"Ma, Wu Zi's household registration is being moved to our Shanghe Village," Chi Yong looked at his biological mother, "otherwise, Wu Zi's schooling will be hard to sort out."

The old woman slapped her hand onto the table with a loud smack; transferring a city household registration to a rural one was a monumental matter.

It was all because the immediate family had dragged down her son. If it weren't for the younger son having to raise the elder son's child, would things have come to this?

Old Mrs. Chi covered her face, weeping softly, finally revealing a hint of her true age through her hoarse cries.

Cheng Yingxin thought that this old woman wasn't that old after all, considering Wu Zi was her grandson and already so grown up. Still, she maintained herself remarkably well. Even during those turbulent years, she managed to provide food and lodging; the old lady was quite something.

Yang Zhi stood awkwardly, looking at the mother-in-law who had suddenly dropped from the sky, "Um, perhaps you should rest in the west room for a while?"

Cheng Yingxin thought it was fortunate that the woman didn't immediately recognize her as the daughter-in-law, and that her own mother hadn't dared call the woman "Mother-in-law," which at least saved face for their own grandmother.

Compared to facing Old Mrs. Cheng, Old Mrs. Chi was utterly exhausted and truly needed a place to compose herself and digest this sudden barrage of news. She followed the seldom-seen Yang Zhi to the west room to cry; weeping here was far too disrespectful. This was an old woman of considerable breeding; if she hadn't intended to confront this family just moments ago to pull her son completely out of the fiery pit, Old Mrs. Chi would never have done something so impolite. People were like this: if someone disliked you, they wouldn't say things as vicious as Old Mrs. Cheng; they wouldn't create a big public scene, at most, they would just avoid seeing you, look at you less, and ignore you.

Grandma Yingzi, seated on the kang, had achieved a total victory over Old Mrs. Chi. Seeing the atmosphere at the table, Old Mrs. Cheng spoke, her tone quite firm: "Our family matters need no concern from in-laws. If Yong Zi has ability, he will make his way eventually. A troublesome thing; he can’t rely on outsiders, he can’t rely on anything."

This statement was clearly telling Old Man Chi that Chi Yong belonged to their family now, and had nothing to do with the Chi family. We weren't counting on you for anything either.

Old Man Chi, having seen more of the world, knew how to bend and yield. In this tense atmosphere, he still managed to speak up, "Thank you very much, sister-in-law, for looking kindly upon the two of them. Otherwise, my Wu Zi wouldn't even have a place to go to school right now. I was unaware of this matter. Sister-in-law, I thank you here on behalf of my elder son."

Even though he was grateful, she was still addressed as "sister-in-law," not "in-law." Cheng Ying instantly understood from those words: this relationship was not being acknowledged.

Chi Yong said, "Ma, don't be angry. Dad and Mom just arrived and haven't composed themselves yet. We can discuss this later."

Cheng Yingxin thought that the stepfather was reluctant to give up the opportunity in the provincial capital; he certainly hadn't expressed any intention of abandoning it.

"They are my family now. Why be so polite among family? I treat Chi Wu as my own grandson. Regardless of whose son he is, he was brought in by Yong Zi; I won't mistreat him. In-laws, since you’ve come to see your son, stay here for a few days. Our village isn't as lively as the big city, but the human bonds are deep. This is a good chance for Chi Yong to properly show his filial piety to you both for a few days. I’ve seen that Yong Zi hasn't stopped thinking about you all year. Now that I see him, I am finally relieved. He should settle down living with Yang Zhi from now on."

Outside, Cheng Ying felt that their own old lady had single-handedly managed the two visitors with effortless grace. This was a clear message to the old man: your son and your grandson are in my hands. From now on, they will live in the village with my family. Don’t harbor any lingering thoughts; at best, you’re just visiting relatives.

The Village Head thought Old Sister-in-law was formidable; she had managed everything without him even having to speak.

Chi Yong said, "Dad, Grandma Yingzi is right. You two stay here well for a couple of days. It’s quite nice here."

Old Man Chi looked at his son, ultimately unwilling to put his own son in a difficult position. "Then I will impose on sister-in-law."

"It's nothing," the old lady replied. "Which family doesn't have a few relatives visit now and then? Stay with ease."

In Cheng Ying’s ears, that translated to: "Which family doesn't have a couple of troublesome relatives?" The old lady had shown restraint in her words.

Chi Yong looked at this old woman. She had categorized his own parents as mere visiting relatives. Ah, the old lady's move was brilliant; it was meant to make his parents abandon any further expectations.

The Village Head said, "When Yong Zi and Chi Wu's household registrations were moved to our village, sister-in-law put in a great deal of effort. Speaking of which, Chi Wu's ability to attend school is thanks to sister-in-law. Chi Yong, although it was out of necessity back then, the life you have now is envied by everyone in the village. Regardless of where you work, you should reconsider things."

This was an implicit plea for Chi Yong to cherish the past and not forget where he came from; the Cheng family had shown him great kindness back then.

Chi Yong looked at everyone at the table. His own father had been positioned as the opposition. This was his own fault for not handling things better. He then followed up with, "You are right, Village Head. I've been in the village for two or three years; how could I forget everyone's kindness?"

The meal ended on a sour note.

The old lady acted as if nothing had happened and continued to attend to her guests.

Chi Wu had the best meal of his life, but his mood was poor. Grandma Yingzi and his own grandmother were battling, and he had to decide which side to stand on. For a boy his age, this was something serious to consider.

At bedtime, Cheng Ying asked, "Grandma, when did you draw up that agreement with Wu Zi’s father? How come nobody knew about this?"

The old lady didn't try to hide anything from Chi Wu, "Can such a thing be handled carelessly? Only now. If this were in the past, an arranged marriage would require changing surnames. The day Wu Zi’s father came to help the production team, I completed all the paperwork. Both Wu Zi’s father's and Wu Zi’s household registrations are kept here with our team. The (leader) ran around for our family for a whole day."

It was no wonder Chi Wu had moved back to the west room; Chi Yong had something to discuss with the two elders.

Chi Wu lay on the kang, listening to the two chat, thinking that he’d had a sense of belonging for a long time now. But the old lady was sly; his own father had already fallen into the trap.

Cheng Yingxin mused, "So Wu Zi's father was willing?"

"It was just completing a formality; he had no ulterior motives, so why wouldn't he be willing? Wu Zi’s father had only one condition: Wu Zi cannot change his surname. That’s nothing." The old lady thought to herself, who knew the reason for not letting Wu Zi change his surname was this? Alas. But Yong Zi was a good-hearted man, taking his own brother's child and raising him as his own, even delaying his own marriage because of it. That showed Chi Yong’s righteousness.

Cheng Yingxin thought, You were just hoping Wu Zi wouldn't change his name.

Chi Wu huddled under his blanket, feeling gloomy. He was still a second-class person. No matter how much they fought over him now, in the future, he might belong to neither side. A child without a father or a mother has a hard life.

Yang Zhi brought a bowl of egg drop soup and a bowl of rice for Grandma Wu, then tidied up before climbing onto the kang to sleep. Although this daughter-in-law wasn't recognized, Yang Zhi hadn't neglected any of the duties expected of one. She was only short of staying up to guard Grandma Wu’s bedside.

Cheng Yingxin thought, whoever has a daughter-in-law like her own mother is blessed for eight lifetimes. Encountering one like Second Auntie, and you'd be infuriated without even doing anything. Why couldn't Chi Yong's mother see the goodness in her own mother-in-law?

Cheng Ying comforted her own mother, who remained silent, "Ma, it’s fine. Grandma said they were just visiting relatives."

Yang Zhi replied, "Mm, Ma is fine."

When the old lady saw Yang Zhi fall asleep, she turned off the light and murmured, "To have a mother-in-law like Yong Zi’s mother, one could say it’s a blessing. That woman is too proud; she doesn't even know how to make trouble for people. If you were a bit tougher, you wouldn't have suffered at all."

Chi Wu felt a bit dense. The old lady, right in front of his stepmother, was telling her how to deal with his paternal grandmother. What kind of dynamic was this?

Cheng Ying said, "That old lady values face. If she wanted to lose her temper, she wouldn't overturn the table. Ma, if you treated Wu Zi's grandmother with the same attitude you show Grandma, the old lady wouldn't dare lose her temper out of embarrassment."

Hearing this, Chi Wu realized his own grandmother was easier to handle than the old lady. The old lady could snap at his stepmother whenever she pleased. Thinking back, his stepmother had indeed been scolded by the old lady many times. Realizing this, Chi Wu couldn't help but snicker into his quilt, then quickly covered his mouth.

The old lady also thought of this. She patted Cheng Ying’s back, "Mischievous child, mind your words! Am I that difficult to get along with? With your mother’s temper, she wouldn’t leave unless I made a scene. I’m being wronged! If all my daughters-in-law were like your Second Auntie, I would be the easiest mother-in-law to deal with. My entire lifetime's reputation has been dragged down by one honest daughter-in-law known throughout the village!"

This long string of words was hard to digest.

Cheng Ying asked, "Grandma, how long have you held this in?"

Upon hearing this, Chi Wu burst out laughing, sitting upright so he wouldn't choke on his own saliva.

The old lady put on a stern face; she had said too much while stressed.

Yang Zhi was stunned. She truly hadn't known her own mother-in-law felt resentment towards her honest demeanor. Perhaps a mischievous, playful daughter-in-law was preferred.

Cheng Ying could no longer contain herself and sat up, laughing along with Chi Wu, "Oh my god, Grandma, you all..."

Chi Wu said, "Stop laughing, my back hurts!"

Old Mrs. Cheng lost face, "Go to sleep, all of you! What are you making such a fuss over in the middle of the night? Was what I said wrong?"

Yang Zhi was on the verge of tears. She never knew her mother-in-law actually resented her quiet compliance. Does that mean a mischievous daughter-in-law is more favored?

Cheng Ying laughed so hard she could barely speak, "Grandma, you are so full of grievances! Are you wishing you could discipline Ma a bit harder, so people wouldn't just say you’re a fierce mother-in-law?"

The old lady sighed, "Isn't that true? If a fierce mother-in-law encounters a fierce daughter-in-law, and they have a real falling out or a tantrum, people would say both the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law are terrible people. But when encountering someone like Yang Zhi, if a fight breaks out, it’s always the mother-in-law who is labeled fierce. I don't get any good reputation!"

Cheng Ying understood and laughed even harder, "Governing without interfering—Ma’s approach is one of great benevolence!"

After that, Chi Wu also laughed until he was breathless.

The old lady’s single statement entertained the two youngsters, which kept Yang Zhi from dwelling on other matters. Exhausted from the day, her mind quieted, and she soon fell asleep.

The west room was far more somber than the east room, and hearing the laughter from the west, especially Chi Wu’s laughter, caused the brows of the old man and old woman across the way to furrow deeply.