Cheng Ying spent five full days at her maternal grandfather’s house just sorting through a cartload of medicinal herbs, making trip after trip down the main road while Chi Wu drove the cart along. Then she had her uncle pull strings to sell them in the county seat.

The profit margin was considerable; for Chi Wu, it was like striking it rich. Cheng Ying looked on with envy.

This kid Chi Wu certainly had some knack; at his age, to find such a lucrative path. Chi Wu patted the money tucked into his high socks, clearly thrilled.

“Yingzi, I’ll give you half later.” Cheng Ying scoffed, “Keep it for when you’re looking for a wife. Someone like you, so obsessed with money, finding a wife will be tough later.

You need to have enough saved up.” Cheng Ying knew her jab was entirely malicious. Chi Wu didn't bother arguing with Cheng Ying.

“Should we get a television set for Grandpa’s house?” Cheng Ying retorted, “Now that you’ve got a little cash, you’re already throwing it around. How much did you even make to buy a TV?” The tone sounded exactly like the Cheng family’s old matriarch.

Chi Wu explained, “Can’t we just go after another cartload? Don’t worry, it’ll work out.

If it wasn't for Grandpa, we would have lost fifty percent of this shipment to some shady dealings. Grandpa got involved, and after hearing what that fellow said—‘I’ll buy as many of these herbs as you can get’—it was settled.” Cheng Ying shot back, “You money-grubber!

My mom is already waiting for you to take me over so we can have children, and you’re still not done!” Chi Wu was even more direct: “You don’t have to give birth right now, it won’t delay anything.” Cheng Ying was utterly frustrated by Chi Wu’s retort. In the end, Cheng Ying returned home on the tractor, but they didn't buy the television.

Cheng Ying argued that since the provincial capital had cheap second-hand ones, why waste money here? They’d upgrade to an LCD eventually anyway; a beat-up old set would do for now.

She reasoned that whether she sourced one or two back home later made little difference, and her mind was already set on a plan. The two troublesome kids ended up saving the money, though they did manage to buy clothes and fabric for their aunt and snacks for Miaomiao, plus a bottle of Yan Liuchun for the old man.

In those days, drinking that was considered fine liquor. When it was time to leave, Grandpa’s eyes were glued to the bottle, though he managed a smile.

“Profligate children, why buy that? Even if you bought some, two bottles would have been enough for your grandpa to taste.” Cheng Ying looked at the old man’s expression and thought, Look how reluctant you sound!

“Grandpa, your homemade liquor is good, but is this better?” The old man quickly replied, “That can’t compare to our own, of course. But your grandpa needs to mix things up sometimes!

Just don’t tell your grandma; that old woman is so stingy, she might give me the cold shoulder all year.” Cheng Ying winked. “Don’t worry, Grandpa.

This year, hehe, I’ll be brewing, and Grandma will just be helping out.” The old man frowned, looking at his granddaughter. “Can you manage?

Don’t cause trouble.” Cheng Ying’s face hardened. What kind of mindset is that?

She turned away, clearly displeased. “When you’re begging me for a drink someday, we’ll see if I give you any.” With that, she grabbed Chi Wu and left, naturally still taking the tractor.

Chi Wu, that money-pincher, was determined to secure another cartload of herbs. The old man watched the two children’s careful handling of things and knew they had made a tidy sum.

However, this was a time when the great upheavals had just passed, and while making money was possible, few people dared to be the first to test the waters. Who knew when policies might shift?

In the future, doing too much in this area could lead to serious trouble. So, despite the excitement the two kids were generating, few people dared to argue with them.

People preferred to take their hoes and dig for herbs—a stable little income—rather than risk being the first bird to stick its neck out. Chi Wu had been guided by Cheng Ying since childhood: focus on money.

No matter what the future held, they had to live well now. Cheng Ying, aware of the societal shifts, had absolutely no such reservations.

The two of them were essentially the first to eat the crab. In this village, they were making their mark.

Chi Wu’s second trip to collect herbs went even smoother. Many families had already prepared their stock, just waiting for them to arrive and purchase it.

The villagers had openly worried that Cheng Ying and Chi Wu wouldn't bother making another run, leaving them stuck with the material. Chi Wu confidently told them, “You just go gather everything from the mountains; I’ll take it all.” That was quite a declaration.

Cheng Ying covered her nose in exasperation. This kid wasn't planning on going back to school; he was trying to spend the entire summer doing this.

Although earning money was satisfying, Cheng Ying didn't want to be someone’s errand runner. Forget it, she thought, I owe this kid.

After all, I watched him grow up. She decided to join in the effort.

His future wife had better be filial to her, she mused, since she was helping him build his nest egg. Chi Wu drove while Cheng Ying managed the scales.

They filled a cart by the end of the day, and Chi Wu couldn’t stop grinning. They managed three such trips in a month.

Chi Wu’s money supply was getting so large he was practically tying it around his waist. Cheng Ying wondered what his problem was, always tying money to his waist and holding it tight.

Hasn’t he gotten heat rash yet? After paying for the tractor rental, Chi Wu was nearly manic, his eyes red with excitement.

Upon returning home, Chi Wu placed the thick stack of cash in front of his grandmother. “Grandma, I’m leaving this here for you and Yingzi for spending money.” Cheng Ying looked at Chi Wu, realizing that after a month of this frantic work, the boy hadn’t kept a single cent for himself, leaving it all as pocket money for his grandmother.

She couldn’t deny being tempted. “You can bear to part with it?

You kept it tied to your waist for a whole month. I thought your skin must be breaking out from the constant chafing,” Cheng Ying said.

If Cheng Ying hadn't used her spatial water to clean his skin, he would have definitely developed a rash. Chi Wu replied, “I was saving this money specifically for you and Grandma to spend.” It was natural that money earned through effort should go to the two of them.

The old lady thought the boy was truly sincere. “Put it away!

I’m not old yet, I don’t need you to support me. Besides, your dad brought back quite a bit.

You, quickly, put it away and save it for your wedding.” Looking at the pile of money, the old woman’s heart fluttered. It looked like several thousand yuan!

For a school-aged child who had managed to leave the mountain valley, he was truly capable. People who toiled their whole lives in the village couldn’t earn that much in a month or so.

Chi Wu shot Cheng Ying a knowing look, and Cheng Ying returned it, teasing, “Sorry, Grandma, why be polite? If Grandma says she doesn’t want it, then she doesn’t want it.

Don’t look at me either, I certainly won’t be greedy for your marriage fund.” Chi Wu asserted, “What’s mine is mine, and what’s my dad’s is mine. For what’s my dad’s, Grandma, you and Yingzi can stay home and hire people to do the work if you have money.” The old lady exclaimed, “You troublesome child!

If that were the case, wouldn’t I just buy grain to eat? Why would I keep farming?” Chi Wu suggested, “How about we buy the production team’s mule?

It would be convenient to bring things down from the mountains.” Cheng Ying retorted, “You feed it! I’m not interested in that thing; I’d rather get a tractor.” Chi Wu challenged, “Can you even drive one?” Cheng Ying couldn’t admit she knew how outright.

“That thing isn’t strenuous. You learn by doing!” The old woman grumbled, “All you know is how to spend money, never how to earn it!

You two put that money away and get out of my sight; you’re annoying to look at. School starts in a few days.

Yingzi, if you want to visit your mother, go now; don’t delay your schooling, understand?” After speaking, the old lady ignored the two troublesome children. The more she looked at the money, the more her heart pounded.

Earning it so quickly made her feel it was hot to the touch, so she was eager to send Chi Wu away safely. They packed large bags filled with items destined for Yang Zhi in the provincial capital.

Cheng Ying quickly inspected the contents. Besides various coarse grains, there were even diapers used by Dun’er when he was little.

Cheng Ying stared at the bag of goods, worried. No wonder city wives and rural mothers-in-law had such a communication gap.

She wondered if her own mother, if she had been a born-and-bred city person, would have approved of these things. To be honest, Cheng Ying didn’t even want to use them.

But this was the old lady’s heartfelt offering. Cheng Ying suspected she’d probably end up using the same things when her own child came along.

Chi Wu accompanied Cheng Ying, and they made several trips by bicycle to ferry the goods to Grandpa’s house. Chi Wu regretted not holding onto the tractor rental for a few more days; now he was wealthy enough to afford better transport.

From Grandpa’s house to the county seat, Chi Wu directly arranged for a vehicle to deliver the goods. There was no choice; this was what the old lady had packed, along with items from Aunt, and Grandpa—it truly put Cheng Ying in a difficult position.

If only she could leak some of her spatial resources, transport wouldn’t be an issue. But she couldn’t reveal it!

Traveling back and forth by public transport was truly exhausting labor. Chi Wu said reassuringly, “Don’t worry, I’m here.” Cheng Ying looked at Chi Wu’s frame.

Although he was growing into a sturdy youth, compared to the mountain of goods before them, it seemed too daunting a task. Chi Wu challenged her gaze.

“What are you looking at? Just take care of your fish and your flowers, okay?” Chi Wu had a real issue with this.

Cheng Ying was usually so pragmatic, yet on this trip into the city, she had gone against common sense to bring two impractical items: two ordinary-looking fish and a pot of common flowers. There were plenty of fish in the river; these were just slightly brighter in color.

As for the flowers, they pulled up huge bunches of them in the mountains every day, and no one paid them any mind. He couldn’t figure out what eccentricity had taken hold of the girl.

Cheng Ying decided to ignore the uncultured child. Gifting requires touching the recipient’s heart, making them unable to look down on the gesture.

If you brought such meager things to a rural family, it wouldn't amount to much. But the elder Chi couple didn't seem like people who cared much for practicality, so these items were perfect.

Besides, Chi Yong had hinted at this. So, despite the hassle, Cheng Ying brought them along.

Courtesy before business. Uncle said, “The truck has arrived.

I’ll see you loaded. When you get to the provincial capital, hire a vehicle to unload these things and take them straight home.

Understand? Don’t be afraid to spend the money.” Cheng Ying assured him, “If we don't spend money, these things won't make it home either.

Don’t worry, Uncle.” The long-distance buses were indeed quite large. Yang Yi and Chi Wu spent a full five minutes securing the pile of goods on the roof.

The ticket agent remarked, “You’ll need to buy extra tickets for this! This is carrying people, not goods, but you’ve used the space for freight.” Chi Yong paid the money and bought tickets for the two children.

“Thank you for your trouble. Please look after these two children.

For this cargo, I’ll buy separate tickets.” This finally managed to smooth the ticket agent’s expression. Yang Yi saw the two children off at the bus, even handing them a bag of boiled eggs before finally returning, relieved.

Cheng Ying watched Yang Yi’s receding figure, thinking that Cheng Ying had good character. See, even without a father, this uncle was just like a real dad.

Many village girls were out doing farm labor by eleven or twelve; she had lived a much more comfortable life. Cheng Ying had already reframed her activities related to the mountain plot as a personal hobby.