Old Man Chi was content, but his contentment stemmed from his own son. If Cheng Ying managed to take first place, it must have been due to his son tutoring her.

Otherwise, who in this household could possibly teach such an outstanding child. The old man’s reasoning, while strict, wasn't entirely flawed, But he had no concept of rebirth in the world; Cheng Ying certainly hadn't followed the conventional path.

Her knowledge was entirely self-acquired; it truly had nothing to do with his son. Who was to blame?

Blame the old man for never having read online literature. Such things didn't exist in this era; at most, a folk tale might mention the soul borrowing a corpse.

Forgive the narrow scope of knowledge within the Chi family. Old Madam Chi muttered, "She’s not entirely without merit.

If only his mother possessed such sharpness." This expectation placed a rather high bar for Yang Zhi. Chi Yong looked to the heavens, perhaps his daughter took after his wife’s ex-husband.

His own wife was truly slow-witted, the unteachable kind, nothing like his daughter. His own mother was overthinking things, imagining a scenario too sweet to be true.

Chi Yong shook his head, saying nothing. A dull wife had her merits, merits his own mother hadn't yet grasped.

After all, with a wife like Yang Zhi, mother-in-law issues were practically non-existent; she was utterly submissive. Of course, apart from Chi Yong, few others would appreciate the benefits of a simple wife.

Old Man Chi held deep respect for his elderly wife, especially one who had weathered hardships alongside him. However, this was his son's choice.

It wasn't just a choice of a wife, but a choice regarding character, a choice of conscience. As a father, Old Man Chi felt satisfaction; this was a matter of integrity.

He gently guided his old wife, "As long as the children are happy and stay by our side, what hardship can’t we overcome? Look at the previous daughter-in-law, look at how she treated Wu Zi.

If we had a different wife, can you guarantee our Wu Zi wouldn't suffer? We’re both old now; Wu Zi will still rely on Chi Yong in the future.

Having someone like her is our blessing. Try to look at the bright side." Old Madam Chi glanced over at her daughter-in-law, who treated both children with equal measure, And who appeared more dominant over the children than their own mother.

She quietly shut her mouth. Such a daughter-in-law couldn't even keep the children in line; how could she possibly help her husband?

The old woman truly disapproved. But the old man was right about one thing: they were old.

How many years could they care for Chi Wu? A different wife might not treat their Wu Zi this well.

The term "stepmother" was always subject to scrutiny, no matter the setting. Her son did have his reasons.

It was all for the sake of the family. The old woman began to feel aggrieved on her son’s behalf again.

Since ancient times, the eldest grandson and the youngest son were the darlings of the grandmother. Now, with the youngest son and the eldest grandson in a situation where someone had to be wronged, It was torture for the old lady.

The old woman looked at her tall and handsome son, "For the sake of my grandson, I feel I’ve wronged Yong Zi. Why should it be him?" It was the same sentiment: her son deserved better than this wife.

The old man countered, "Why? Because she helped us in our moment of crisis.

Because she has shown such tolerance towards our son and grandson. Because she is kind-hearted.

Old woman, this is fortune, not something everyone encounters. Think about those who had bad luck a few years ago, who met the wrong sort—what were their outcomes?

Have you forgotten? Treat Yang Zhi well; regard her as a benefactor." The old man’s words were merely a way to restrain his wife.

Since there was no room for softening the situation, they had to accept reality. Family harmony was crucial for people like them.

He couldn't allow his old wife to hold onto her prejudices against the daughter-in-law. This was an old man who prioritized the greater good.

Even if he personally looked down on his daughter-in-law, he had to stand by his son in front of her. As the head of the household, Old Man Chi was doing the right thing.

Yang Zhi, at the front, was entirely focused on her mountain plot. As for the three behind her, Yang Zhi had made her peace; She couldn't control their thoughts; she let them be.

She was merely waiting for a decision from them. If Yang Zhi’s approach seemed too passive or too pessimistic, it was a result of the current circumstances and her own situation.

For Yang Zhi, Chi Yong had not yet reached the level of love. Rural women didn't possess a concept of romantic love; it was simply about making a life together, about the two being in sync and earnestly striving for a shared future.

As a divorced woman with a child, she had no advantage. Especially after learning Chi Wu was not Chi Yong's child, Yang Zhi felt uneasy facing Chi Yong.

This was the result of years of societal opinion. In this era, a woman remarrying was subject to harsh gossip.

Let alone marrying a man like him. Despite the firm tone of his old wife, she knew clearly who was benefiting in this arrangement.

This situation inadvertently eased the burden on Yang Zhi’s heart. Since it wasn't hers to decide, she would simply listen and wait.

Yang Zhi believed that whatever Chi Yong did for her was deserved. Those who should leave cannot be kept; there was no reason to hold anyone back when you lacked the means.

If they stayed, well, they had already benefited, and there was no sense in turning them away. Yang Zhi had come to terms with it, naturally letting go.

Towards Chi Wu, Yang Zhi felt pity. A child this age, without a mother or father, was far more unfortunate than her own daughter.

So, she cared for Chi Wu exceptionally well along the journey. Also, Yang Zhi felt she might not have the chance to care for this child much longer.

So she put even more effort into it. "Wu Zi, if only Mom had known you...

anyway, I would have treated you even better. You must study hard from now on, you hear?" Cheng Ying felt her own mother was too pessimistic; this sounded like a prelude to a farewell.

Chi Wu felt uncomfortable hearing that. He didn't want a different mother, not at all.

Recalling the early days, Chi Wu felt like he had just weathered a storm, only to have the progress abruptly cut short. If this had to happen again, the young man doubted he had the perseverance.

Chi Wu’s mood was truly low throughout the journey; it felt like he was about to be abandoned. Cheng Ying asked, "Mom, is there anything left on the mountain now?" Yang Zhi replied, "Just some pine nuts left.

We'll gather more later to bring back for Wu Zi's grandparents; that’s a specialty here." Cheng Ying shook her head, doubting the old lady would appreciate the gesture. "Okay, later Wu Zi and I will visit my place.

The pine nuts there are fragrant and huge; I've compared them." Chi Wu looked at Cheng Ying, "It’s rare for you to be so generous. I thought you had already drawn clear lines of class allegiance." Cheng Ying responded, "Lines must be drawn, but isn't this for you?

If you leave with your grandmother, finding another driver won't be easy later. I thought we could collect more for you to eat on the road." Chi Wu sputtered, "Nothing’s even happened yet, and you’re already thinking about me leaving.

You, you..." He was genuinely upset. Yang Zhi interjected, "Ying Zi, don't bully Chi Wu, okay?" Then she turned to soothe her son, "Ying Zi is just teasing you.

Why are you taking it seriously?" Chi Wu wailed, "Anyone would worry in this situation! I don’t have a father anymore, and now I might lose my mother too." He sounded terribly wronged.

His voice was so loud that the people behind them heard it all. The old couple mulled over Chi Wu's words repeatedly.

The content was rich. Yang Zhi said, "You child, look how anxious you are.

That’s your uncle. No matter how you look at it, he’s the person closest to you.

Why are you making a fuss? You’re gaining a father figure." Chi Wu turned his back, carrying his basket forward, his face etched with absolute melancholy.

Cheng Ying chirped, "Enough showing off. You're deliberately trying to flaunt it at me, saying your uncle is better than mine, right?

Having such an uncle, aren't you secretly thrilled? Haven't you compared him to my uncles long ago?" Chi Wu followed Cheng Ying's train of thought and felt a surge of excitement.

At least his uncle had raised him like a biological son for so many years. Compared to Cheng Ying’s elder and second uncles, he was much luckier.

Comparison truly does kill. He had found his point of solace.

Chi Wu admitted, "That’s true." Cheng Ying thought to herself, What a perceptive kid. He’s building his own happiness on the foundation of my sorrow.

Fine, I’ll sacrifice for once. I’ll comfort the child.

Chi Yong shook his head; his daughter’s ideas were always so unique. Old Man Chi looked at the little girl carrying the basket, "We’ll tour the mountain plot you mentioned later.

I rarely get to visit this area; I must have a proper look." Chi Yong replied, "Mm, I’ll take you later. That girl has poured all her energy into that mountain." Compared to Chi Yong’s relative ease in resolving the current dilemma, Chi Wu was thoroughly depressed.

A child’s sky is often just that small; parents constitute the entire sky for a child. The problem Chi Wu faced was the collapse of his sky.

It would take time for such a troubled child to emerge from this state. Extra grandparents, no matter how dear, were no substitute for parents.

As a rough-mannered man, Chi Yong couldn't grasp the peculiar melancholy of a teenage boy like Chi Wu. The newly acquired grandparents, however, were completely immersed in the joy of seeing their eldest grandson, And failed to notice Chi Wu’s gloom.

As for the old lady of the house, she was indebted to the fact that they were looking after her granddaughter. Besides, there were too many upsetting matters; Chi Wu, forgive me, I can’t focus on you right now.

Yang Zhi, however, did notice Chi Wu’s unhappiness. Partly because she was unhappy herself, And partly because she had no idea how to comfort him.

Yang Zhi wasn't naturally astute; patting the child's head was the extent of her reassurance. So, Cheng Ying stepped up without hesitation to stand by Chi Wu's side, constantly counseling the unlucky kid.

She had no choice; having spent so much time with Chi Wu, she could know his thoughts without even looking. Cheng Ying felt the teenager was a bit stubborn, and this issue couldn't be reasoned through.

She decided instead to take Chi Wu out to work. As for his grandparents, sorry, they would have to wait until after work in the evening to see their grandson.

So, the next day, Cheng Ying led the downcast Chi Wu into arduous physical labor. The weather had turned cold, so Cheng Ying couldn't clear new land or plant trees anymore.

She gave Chi Wu a sickle and led him to her mountain plot to chop firewood. Cheng Ying had long been eyeing this area, but in the summer, the dense foliage prevented access.

This time of year was perfect. By cutting down the scrubwood branches, they could clear the land to plant a batch of new saplings next year, turning it into a nursery.