Cheng Ying thought the old woman's words were remarkably insightful. Seeing the evidence laid out, she admitted she was indeed cleverer than Tie Cheng and the others, but that had nothing to do with "eating stupidly and sleeping stupidly." It simply didn't align with the scientific principles of prenatal care.

Chi Yong felt that since the old woman had managed five or six confinement periods for her children and grandchildren, what she knew had to be based on pure experience—it carried significant authority.

She hurried into the house. "Zhizi, eat well and sleep well. Don't worry about anything at home, don't think about anything, absolutely do not think!"

The quality of a birth is paramount; one good son can outweigh a whole brood of failures.

Cheng Ying rubbed her head. How intricately constructed the brain is—is it something you can simply decide to stop thinking about? Did her stepfather's brain turn to mush?

She turned to Chi Wu beside her. "See? Your little brother or sister isn't even out yet, and your dad's already baffled. From now on, we two will be comrades in misery."

Chi Wu strongly agreed. Cheng Ying received a light slap from the old woman behind her. "You two go fetch your maternal grandfather. Wu Zi's father's heart is in a panic; I don't trust him riding his bicycle."

Chi Wu said, "Alright."

Cheng Ying's reply warranted deeper thought: "Grandma, is Grandpa reliable?"

The old woman looked at her granddaughter, amused. "Don't underestimate your grandfather. Never mind he sells snake oil; if he couldn't even diagnose a pregnancy, how would he survive on the road? He has skills, or he wouldn't be causing such a ruckus. He’ll hustle himself to death sooner or later."

With that, the old woman went inside. Cheng Ying thought, What deep-seated resentment must she harbor toward Grandpa for even her praises to come laced with curses.

Chi Wu urged, "Let's go quickly. If Dad gets anxious, he’ll insist on going himself."

Cheng Ying concurred; Chi Yong was showing signs of senility. "Grandma, Wu Zi and I are going to get Grandpa. Tell Mom she really can't let her mind wander, or it will hurt her brain, and the future child won't be smart."

Cheng Ying said this because she feared hurting her own mother's health, not because she believed it affected the baby in the womb.

The old woman waved her hand. "Go on, what kind of worries should a child like you have?"

She went inside, no longer tending to the cluster of troublesome people in the courtyard. Not a single one was easy.

Cheng Ying thought she didn't fear her future sibling being dull; she feared her mother becoming frail from worrying too much, which would truly leave her an orphan. Didn't history show that women who didn't overthink were healthier? Those who pondered everything couldn't endure hardship. The classic example: Sister Lin, with her delicate body, over-thought and over-worried, and ended up finishing herself off before even marrying. Forget about pregnancy and childbirth.

There was truth in what the old woman said.

Chi Wu spoke to the unhurried Cheng Ying. "Hurry up."

Just as Cheng Ying got into the car, Chi Yong emerged from the house and handed her a small stack of bills. "See if there's anything good in the township to buy for your mother, something to whet her appetite."

He then rushed back inside. Cheng Ying looked at the money in her hand—all crisp five-yuan notes. This must be her stepfather's salary for a month. Wait, didn't the salary go straight to her grandmother? This was secret savings—had the man developed other interests?

Chi Wu watched Cheng Ying frown. "Bonus. That's Dad's bonus."

Cheng Ying understood. Bonuses weren't part of the official salary, so he was preparing to be independent with it. He was so excited he brought it out.

"Let's go," Cheng Ying said. If a person has no selfish motives, they must be an immortal. Her stepfather hadn't cultivated divinity yet; he was still just a mortal.

Chi Wu countered, "Dad’s an idiot. What good things could there be in the township? Just a butcher, and by this time, the meat would be long sold out. Besides, did he give us meat coupons?"

Even though the collective had disbanded, various coupons were still widely used in the countryside. It would likely take some time for a total shift.

Cheng Ying replied, "Anyone who just became a father acts a bit silly."

"I'll be twelve in a few days. Is this his first day as a father?"

Cheng Ying saw that arguing with this child was pointless, but the boy looked sufficiently aggrieved—a male version of Little Cabbage. His position was awkward.

Cheng Ying sat in the back, feeling quite relaxed. Now, her own issues weren't the main concern; her mother’s health was paramount. And her own grandmother surely considered things even more deeply. If her mother had her own child, Grandma would consider the possibility of Cheng Ying suffering slights, which is why she wouldn't force Cheng Ying to move to the city to live someone else's life; that was never easy.

Cheng Ying felt considerably lighter in spirit. Her own mountain holdings were waiting for her to bring prosperity. Seizing the opportunity was everything. Even a soaring flight required a good runway; she’d just use this period to lay her own track.

No matter how her stepfather acted at home, with the old woman keeping things grounded, he wouldn't manage to ruin the yet-unborn siblings. Following Chi Wu, they arrived at their maternal grandparents' house. Her aunt opened the door and looked quite surprised to see Cheng Ying. These two rarely visited during breaks, so why were they back less than a month later?

The aunt felt uneasy. The children hadn't brought anything, so they certainly weren't delivering a gift. "Has something happened?"

Since Chi Yong’s parents had visited, the Yang family had existed in this tense atmosphere, fearing an explosion at any moment. Thus, the aunt’s question wasn't out of place.

Grandpa was barefoot, not even wearing socks this time, let alone shoes. How worried a father must be for his daughter, Cheng Ying thought. Children are indeed the debt of parents from a past life; the saying was true. Although she hadn't had loving parents in either lifetime, having such a protective grandmother was a blessing in both lives—so no jealousy. No loss.

Chi Wu couldn't compare to Cheng Ying. Seeing her silent, Chi Wu urged, "Hurry up."

"My Mom might be pregnant. Grandma sent us to fetch Grandpa to take a look," he finally managed.

This stunned their uncle, who had followed behind holding Miao Miao. "Really?"

Cheng Ying clarified, "It hasn't been confirmed, but it looks like it. Wu Zi’s dad is acting quite silly, so Grandma sent us two. Grandpa, please put on your shoes and come with us so we can confirm it."

The old man slapped his thigh. "Oh, my wish has come true!"

The aunt rushed back inside. "I need to prepare some things for my sister."

The uncle said, "No rush, and don't tell anyone outside, don't startle them. Dad, I'll take you."

See, the maternal uncle has more grounding influence. His composed demeanor is steadier than the old man’s.

Cheng Ying said, "Uncle, let's go right now."

The uncle replied, "Right now," and went inside to put on a coat.

Miao Miao had already run to Cheng Ying’s feet. "Sister, Wife!"

Cheng Ying pinched Miao Miao’s chubby cheek. "Oh, how are you still shameless? Stop shouting that, or Sister won't buy you candy."

Miao Miao pouted. "I won't trade Wife for candy anymore."

Cheng Ying looked at the pouting child. "Oh, how has our Miao Miao grown in just a month? He knows Wife is better."

The aunt came out carrying a small half-sack, about twenty catties of flour. "Of course. Don't lead our Miao Miao astray. Knowing Wife is good—that makes a real man. Miao Miao has been telling me these last couple of days that he’ll never trade you for candy again."

Cheng Ying smiled, amused.

The aunt loaded the twenty catties of flour onto the vehicle. "Take this. Your Grandpa was invited out a few days ago and brought this back."

Cheng Ying’s eyes widened. "Really? Grandpa truly has that ability? Going out for a trip brings back twenty catties of flour?" In those days, twenty catties of fine grain was something only capable people could manage to bring back; it wasn't something just anyone could afford with money.

The aunt hissed, "Keep your voice down."

Chi Wu stared at the twenty catties of flour, having only one thought: the old man really was capable. He had run to the county seat several times and hadn't managed to bring back even twenty catties of flour. Not a single catty. Even though the commune system was gone, buying fine grain still required grain coupons, things Chi Wu couldn't procure.

"Mmm, I won't say anything," Cheng Ying replied internally. It’s not like the old man committed a crime; curing the sick shouldn't be kept secret. Cheng Ying suspected the aunt was simply scared, a lingering anxiety from that era.

Grandpa emerged looking quite well-dressed.

Cheng Ying looked at him and wondered if this was truly her grandfather. She deliberately walked over, pinching his baggy trousers with two fingers and lifting them slightly. Oh, surprising. The old man was wearing socks. "Grandpa, who are you preparing to meet that is so noble? Why the dressing up?"

The old man looked at his granddaughter, annoyed enough to want to strike her. "You unlucky child, you know nothing! The last time I went to my daughter’s house, your unreasonable grandmother chased me out. This time, your own Grandma invited me over, so shouldn't I spruce up a bit? I want the people of your village to see that I was invited by my in-laws." He exuded the air of a triumphant returnee, very imposing.

Cheng Ying burst out laughing at such an attitude from her Grandpa. "You had an episode like that?"

The old man truly lost his temper this time and tried to kick her.

The uncle stepped forward to steady him. "Dad, why take it seriously with a child?"

The old man retorted, "Didn't you hear what she said? You, as her uncle, shouldn't be siding with her so much!"

The uncle nearly rolled his eyes. "I’m afraid you’ll fall, haven't you seen your age? And you still dare to kick out?"

The old man and old woman detested anyone mentioning their age, so the old man snapped, "How am I old, huh?"

Cheng Ying felt her uncle hadn't chosen his words well, taking after her own mother. She quickly interjected, "This child isn't even born yet, and Grandpa already dotes on me and Uncle already loves me. What will happen in the future?"

Miao Miao tugged at Cheng Ying’s sleeve nearby. "I'm good to Wife Sister."

Cheng Ying looked at Miao Miao; that term of address was quite comprehensive.

The old man and the uncle both looked at their children, one more vexing than the other. "Alright, stop being cute. Let’s go quickly."

Cheng Ying noticed the uncle carrying a very small case on his back. The old man showed off to his granddaughter. "This is my dinner tool, you’ve never seen it before, right?"

Cheng Ying thought, You quack medicine seller, who are you trying to fool? A 'dinner tool.' She couldn't stand the old man showing off. "It’s not filled with Vajra Strength Pills, is it?"

The old man didn't have a beard, or he would have puffed it out. His granddaughter was mocking him for selling strengthening pills.

Chi Wu tugged at Cheng Ying. Why did you have to provoke the old man? Isn't this deliberately setting yourself against him?

Miao Miao was hard to appease this time; he insisted on coming along no matter what. Cheng Ying pulled out some money and told the child to go buy candy. The conflicted look in the child’s eyes made Cheng Ying feel a pang of reluctance. It was clear that in the child's eyes, it was a difficult choice between Wife and candy.