Auntie and Grandma had the same reaction, "That would waste so much electricity!"

Cheng Ying lowered her head. Could it be that people who lead simple lives share similar thoughts?

Before they could finish speaking, Miaomiao came out wearing just a singlet and underpants, then climbed onto the cart.

Cheng Ying joked, "You planning to elope with me?"

Miaomiao retorted, "Don't say such things! A woman's reputation is important - I wouldn't run off with just anyone."

That was Auntie's latest lesson. The child proved quite mature for her age.

Cheng Ying pinched Miaomiao's cheeks and waved goodbye to Auntie and Grandpa before taking the little boy home.

Of course, Cheng Ying stopped by Uncle's hospital on the way back, buying a bottle of Aminophenazone to keep at home. For headaches, fevers or colds in this era, one tablet could fix almost everything.

She mentioned to Uncle about building a shed in the mountains and asked him to drop by when he had time.

Uncle reassured her, "Don't worry, I'll go whenever I have time. No need for anyone else - you know that, right?"

Cheng Ying nodded, "Right. Second Uncle promised the same thing."

Only then did she head home with Miaomiao.

With the child in tow, Cheng Ying discovered for the first time that besides liking sweets, Miaomiao was actually quite considerate.

When climbing uphill, he walked uncomplainingly. Even when pushed by her to ease his load, he pouted - worried about tiring her.

Looking at this plump little boy who already knew how to be thoughtful, Cheng Ying felt an overwhelming fondness.

"Wait till Auntie has a younger brother for you," she teased, "Your help will be invaluable."

Miaomiao answered solemnly, "My mom said no more siblings. She can afford my education and that's enough."

Cheng Ying was momentarily stunned. So what Auntie and Uncle had said about treating her like their own wasn't just empty words - they were already considering her future schooling, career prospects or even marriage arrangements by forgoing another child.

Grandpa might be a traditionalist who favored large families, but this gesture meant more than Cheng Ying could ever express. She felt silly thinking earlier that Uncle's kindness stemmed from guilt over their mother.

Though she said nothing, the realization settled deep in her heart.

When they arrived home, Grandma was immediately smitten by the child's round cheeks and clean appearance. "Look at those chubby little cheeks!" she exclaimed as Miaomiao entered. "So pure! So well-groomed! What a darling!"

She added under her breath to Cheng Ying, "Not like that old man of yours who barely wins anyone's affection."

Cheng Ying inwardly groaned at the backhanded compliment but went along with it, saying, "Miaomiao takes after Auntie."

The child clearly enjoyed his reception. His tense expression finally softened - apparently even small children carried subtle anxieties when visiting unfamiliar households.

"Wait till you taste Grandma's cooking," Cheng Ying promised, "It beats Auntie's by far!"

Miaomiao's pout turned into a secretive smile. His plump frame was so adorably endearing that Grandma couldn't resist pinching his arms and legs while cooing, "If only that other brat Duzi had half this charm."

Cheng Ying bit back laughter at the obvious comparison. With Second Auntie's influence shaping him, would Duzi ever become lovable?

Better to keep quiet - emphasizing the contrast might make Grandma pay more attention to Duzi's upbringing.

In early summer Cheng Ying had brought home a broken water jar from elsewhere and placed it in the courtyard with a fish she'd taken out of her spiritual space.

Grandma immediately noticed, "Where did you get this fish?"

"I bought it at the village market," Cheng Ying lied smoothly.

When Miaomiao arrived, he preferred the fish to Er Ya, secretly patting it when no one was looking. Cheng Ying didn't stop him - there were plenty more in her spiritual space she'd give him later.

Grandma doted on this red fish with obsessive care, treating it better than her granddaughter. After all, visual appeal mattered and these creatures were truly beautiful.

She constantly pulled Miaomiao's plump hands away, "Don't harm this life!"

Miaomiao smiled at Grandma who immediately turned around grumbling, "Who taught you to be such a cursed child? Every time you smile like that I just want to smother you!"

Cheng Ying watched in admiration - how hadn't she thought of manipulating Grandma so cleverly?

She'd endured countless beatings with the feather duster. Pinching Miaomiao's head affectionately, she muttered, "Cursed child indeed."

Miaomiao proved a model guest: watching TV, admiring fish and following Cheng Ying like a shadow. Even Grandma remarked, "I've never seen such a well-behaved child who doesn't even go outside to play!"

Cheng Ying secretly marveled at this little strategist who'd completely won Grandma's heart.

Grandma began comparing Miaomiao with Duzi, though she still favored her own grandson. But truthfully, the other child was far more considerate. Resentment toward Second Auntie's parenting methods grew in her heart. So Miaomiao gained another companion - Duzi, who dragged him everywhere.

Cheng Ying secretly chuckled as she watched Miaomiao's disapproving face whenever playing with his muddy friend. It was clear the child found his new playmate lacking, especially when Duzi led him to sneak water into the fish tank...

Miaomiao suddenly unleashed a wail that echoed through the house.

Grandma and Second Auntie (who had been knitting in West Room) rushed out along with Cheng Ying watching TV. Miaomiao clung to Cheng Ying, tearfully declaring, "I'll never play with him again!" before dissolving into sobs.

Cheng Ying's heart ached - when had her little cousin ever cried this much over candy? He must have been bullied!

Duzi looked equally upset. They'd been getting along fine! Second Auntie was embarrassed by her son who hadn't even shed tears, "Cursed child, did you pick on the poor boy?"

Grandma gave Duzi the same glare. The little boy wept pathetically, "I didn't do anything! I just peed in the fish tank with him and he cried!"

Duzi was only a year older but could articulate clearly.

Grandma's face darkened at the sight of her red fish. Second Auntie turned crimson seeing her lively pet now looking glum. She grabbed Duzi by the ear, "Cursed child!" dragging him off without even finishing his TV show.

Grandma sighed, "How could such a little monster be so naughty? The poor fish! Miaomiao don't cry - let's change the water for it!"

Cheng Ying looked to heaven. What was happening here? Duzi was clearly cursed in every way and took after someone!

Miaomiao choked out between sobs, "Sis, I'll never touch that fish again."

"Come now," Cheng Ying comforted, "the last time you touched the fish Duzi wasn't even at home yet. The tank is spotless - Grandma changes the water every two days!"

Grandma sighed watching Miaomiao's conflicted expression. "Fine then, don't touch it. You're just bringing trouble to this poor creature."

When she saw the red fish now placed in a basin by Cheng Ying for closer inspection, Miaomiao stopped crying.

Cheng Ying teased gently, "Little rascal, one pee won't hurt anything. Remember how many times you peed on me as a baby and I never hated you?"

Miaomiao's chubby face tightened with disapproval.

"No really," she continued, "Why are you being so mean to your poor cousin? Well... the fish was clearly happy after that bath."

Left alone with her worries about the tank's fate, Grandma dragged Miaomiao inside. "Yingzi, take this money from me. You'll start junior high soon and be a big girl. I know how you spend it so just have at it - with your spending habits, it won't last long anyway."

Cheng Ying looked at the over thousand yuan in her grandmother's hands. It wouldn't even survive another year given her financial track record.

"Grandma, that's your money and my money," she protested. "Why draw such clear lines?"

Grandma insisted, "That's mine to give to you. My other grandchildren have their shares too."

Cheng Ying kept quiet - Grandma had sons of her own. "Nai Nai, are there spare change left at home?"

"Of course," Grandma replied, "There's still plenty from Uncle Wu's father and your mother's inheritance."

Holding the money in her hands now felt like a burden. Suddenly these funds that could've made them village didn't seem sufficient for anything. Without real money to spend freely, she'd been content before but now realized how quickly it slipped through fingers.

Second Auntie carried Duzi home, thinking rural children had too many trivialities. But she secretly coveted the household's resources - though wisely kept her thoughts to herself, merely slapping her son's bottom twice with "Don't play with him anymore" as if that settled everything.

Miaomiao was now permanently planted in the courtyard by the cool water source. Yet whenever Cheng Ying went up the mountain, he still stubbornly trailed behind instead of staying home.

He understood where affection lay and clearly possessed more heart than Duzi who ran wild through the village.

Cheng Ying didn't mind carrying him - the child was so adorable that Grandma always packed snacks for them to take along.

Miaomiao once envied Cheng Ying's good fortune with Grandma. No wonder his sister preferred staying away from their house!

Looking at this young boy, Cheng Ying wanted to say there were no adults in her household doing physical labor - what advantage was there in having birth parents?

When they reached the mountain, Miaomiao eagerly approached Er Ya despite knowing how dangerous that could be. Fortunately, Er Ya proved intelligent and trustworthy.

"Thank goodness," she thought, "otherwise I'd worry sick about this child with a dog!"