Cheng Ying lowered her head, about to say that with the little money you have, even if you wanted to help, you couldn't; you should focus on raising your wife and children instead. Chi Yong's official post was exceedingly prestigious.

It carried a reputation, but no wealth. Chi Wu said, "It's not me stirring things up; Yingzi built that house herself, it has nothing to do with me." Although there was a room there for him, the terms needed to be clear: a house belonging to Yingzi was even more secure than one shared with him.

At least his own grandmother wouldn't meddle. Yingzi and Grandma could both live there in peace.

With that said, Chi family's grandmother, who was about to speak, immediately quieted down. Her grandson was independent.

He wasn't aligned with her thoughts. Yang Zhi asked, "Yingzi, where did the money come from?

Selling a house in the provincial capital should bring in several thousand, right?" Chi family's old man’s cheek twitched. His daughter-in-law didn't truly understand her own daughter.

A few thousand was a massive understatement; the people who spent money lavishly there were dealing in tens of thousands. It wasn't something just anyone could afford.

At least, he couldn't afford to spend that much. The source of the wealth was the issue; he dared not act rashly.

Cheng Ying replied, "Mm, I bought the saplings, so I had some money on hand. I used Grandma's name to buy a place in the provincial capital.

Grandma is getting old, and while our village is good in many ways, having a doctor nearby isn't convenient. When I start school, I'll bring Grandma over to live here." Yang Zhi interjected, "Then we should bring Grandma here!" Cheng Ying glanced at her mother.

Ah, you really don't think things through, do you? Can you even manage the household?

Besides, facing your current mother-in-law, my Grandma doesn't have the gentle temperament to placate her. My Grandma is used to being the matriarch.

"Grandma is used to living in our house; these ups and downs are stifling. I got her a small courtyard where she can tend a little vegetable patch.

She can live as she pleases." Yang Zhi stroked her daughter's hair and said, "Yingzi, you always think things through so thoroughly. Mom has a little money too; take it later and make the courtyard nicer for Grandma." Chi family's old madam glanced at the mother and daughter.

In the end, these women weren't entirely devoted to living alongside her son. She actually still had money put away.

And then there was the Cheng family. Although Yingzi wasn't much, and the old madam wasn't much either, they had one thing over her: they had a filial granddaughter who thought of her at every turn.

Just this one aspect put the Chi family's old madam twenty paces behind, no matter how many fine horses she had. She looked at Chi Wu, who was smiling wider than if he had bought the house himself—this was her grandson!

Anger welled up uncontrollably. Chi Yong said, "Yingzi, you don't need to worry about this.

Your Uncle is here for you, child." Cheng Ying replied, "Uncle, I will take care of my Grandma; no one needs to. You and my mother should focus on your life together.

I might need to trouble Uncle regarding my schooling later on." Her words were so polite that they left Chi Yong feeling deflated. Chi family's old man looked at his son.

You? You could produce that much money?

Then he looked at Cheng Ying. How did this girl grow up?

What sort of astonishing, brilliant figure was the child's father? He looked at his son, then at his grandson.

It made no sense that a child born to men from this desolate mountain valley could be so outstanding; his own son’s child wasn't showing much brilliance. No one knew that in that single instant, the Chi family's old man looked at Cheng Ying with such high hopes for his own younger grandson.

Coincidentally, he started viewing Cheng Ying and Yang Zhi more favorably. After all, as long as his grandson achieved something great in the future, the mother who bore such a son would always be pleasing to him.

If nothing else, the fact that the daughter she raised could be so commanding at such a young age proved that his grandson’s future success would certainly inherit the mother's fine qualities. People who believed in theories sometimes had minds that were truly baffling.

The Chi family's old man’s brain had taken a strange turn. What a character.

In Chi old madam’s view, her daughter-in-law needed a good sharp word. Did she really not know who she was?

Living here, who did you consult? Whose authority did you presume to wield?

It was spoken so lightly. Consequently, the corners of the Chi old madam’s mouth drooped so low they seemed about to fall off; it was truly unbearable to watch.

Cheng Ying sighed. The people she encountered were all good people—at least they were the type whose feelings were written plainly on their faces.

You could tell they weren't deeply malicious or evil, just a bit grating, enough to sour the mood, but nothing more. Chi old madam was another 'charming' figure, following the second uncle's wife, adding so much color to life.

She glanced at her own mother. Ah well, perhaps being scolded by the mother-in-law was a good thing.

Her own mother might feel a sense of camaraderie. "Chi family Grandpa, Chi family Grandma, I’ve finished eating.

Since I finally made it to the provincial capital, I’m going out for a look." Yang Zhi asked, "Do you still have money? Go and take some first." Saying that, she set down Chi Ye and stood up to get money for her daughter.

Chi Yong looked at his wife, then at his own mother. This woman, after so many years, was consistently straightforward, never knowing how to be subtle.

Couldn't you give your daughter money without announcing it? Chi Yong felt quite powerless.

Fortunately, his own mother was a person who held money in utter contempt; she was rather aloof. Chi Yong didn't know that aloof people didn't care about money, but they cared deeply about propriety, and she was persistent.

Thus, conflict between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law was inevitable. Cheng Ying wanted to say that with her mother’s meager salary, she truly wasn't lacking; she didn't even want it, as it wouldn't cover her expenses, but seeing her mother’s attitude, refusing it felt wrong, yet accepting it was even more awkward.

She was conflicted. Chi Wu looked at Cheng Ying.

He waited for Yang Zhi to leave before speaking, "Mom, keep this money for me and Chi Ye. Yingzi doesn't lack money.

This money wouldn't do her much good anyway; she’s used to spending extravagantly and can't hold onto money. Old Madam said Yingzi is wasteful and shouldn't have money; I hold onto hers for her." Chi family’s old man raised an eyebrow.

His grandson, who was usually quiet at home, wasn't mute; he just chose not to speak. Look at how he defended her.

The old Chi man seriously scrutinized his grandson. He knew his grandson had money and was quite filial to him and the old madam, but he truly hadn't expected his grandson to also be controlling the young girl’s finances.

Cheng Ying raised an eyebrow. That unlucky kid, he doesn't even draft a lie before speaking.

This needs to be managed, but not now. She played along with Chi Wu’s narrative, "Mom, don't ruin me!

If Old Madam knew I had money and came splurging in the provincial capital, wouldn't she beat me with the feather duster? I'm leaving now." Yang Zhi couldn't hand over the money; the two children had already left.

"I knew that child didn't care about that small sum. I wonder how I managed as a mother," she mumbled, a slow wave of disappointment washing over her.

Chi Yong patted his wife’s shoulder. If truth be told, he felt even more powerless.

But fortunately, Chi Yong was broad-minded and mentally resilient; he didn't care much about these external conditions. People who wish to be upright officials often need some comfortable conditions at home, otherwise, they cannot resist corruption.

Perhaps the reason he could live such a noble life, focusing purely on academic pursuits, was related to his circumstances. Though there was no money from 'above,' his father had power.

He had a daughter who was resourceful with money; if he didn't achieve something significant, it would be a waste of these innate and acquired advantages. Chi family's old madam said, "Yang Zhi, Yingzi is grown, and Xiao Ye is still small.

Put your energy into Xiao Ye; don't neglect either child." These words deeply upset Yang Zhi. But people often just obey.

"Mm, Mom, I will pay close attention to Xiao Ye." After that, she fell silent. Regarding this mother-in-law, Yang Zhi felt she was quite obedient, yet she never managed to be as easygoing as Yingzi’s Grandma.

Sometimes, being scolded could even be a form of comfort, better than being constantly looked down upon by Chi Ye’s grandmother with those haughty eyes. Only she could truly understand that feeling.

It was fortunate she was broad-minded. If her own daughter had stayed here long-term, Yang Zhi couldn't have endured it.

Chi Yong felt that his wife and his mother simply didn't mesh well. Although they had never truly argued, whenever the two were together, there was always an awkward silence.

Perhaps he really should hurry up and secure an apartment of their own. With this thought, Chi Yong took his wife back to their room.

"I knew my wife was capable, but I didn't realize she had quietly saved this much money." This was practically an interrogation. Although Chi Yong spoke without emotion and his mood seemed perfectly ordinary, for some reason, he strongly desired to hear his wife explain.

Yang Zhi replied, "Half of my salary went home. We didn't need my income for household expenses.

The rest was unused and just sat here. I was planning to save up to buy a small dwelling." Chi Yong stared wide-eyed.

"Wife, your ambition is quite grand—saving up to buy a house!" Yang Zhi blushed. Although she had said that, buying a house was still very, very far off.

"That was just my thought process. When Wu Zi gets married, I, as his mother, must make room for his wife, even if I’m incapable.

Chi Ye is still young; I’ll save slowly, no rush." Then she paused. "It’s just Yingzi; I feel powerless regarding her.

My little bit of money, she probably won't even look at it. She’s had big aspirations since she was little." Chi Yong embraced his wife, feeling an inexpressible sense of comfort.

This was the model wife. Even if she usually kept quiet, she thought of everything that needed consideration.

It was his fault too; he should have discussed housing with his wife earlier. Seeing how simple-minded she was...

"You don't need to worry. When our unit allocates housing, we will definitely get one.

It won't be large, but it will be enough for the three of us. Our children are all successful; we truly don't need to fret over this." Yang Zhi murmured, "It's still the children after all." Then, the matter that concerned her most surfaced.

"Is it really possible to get an allocated apartment?" People at Yang Zhi’s workplace had mentioned this, but Yang Zhi never inserted herself into the conversation. As someone from the countryside, Yang Zhi always thought that even if the rumors were true, it wouldn't be her turn.

So, she never considered it. Now that Chi Yong said there was a chance, how could a woman who lived frugally in the countryside not be excited?

Chi Yong realized that his usually reserved wife actually carried these concerns in her heart. "I never knew you were so focused on housing." Yang Zhi replied, "We are people living day-to-day; a house is a home.

How could I not care? Why didn’t you say so earlier?" Chi Yong looked at his wife.

"With your expression—as if you desired nothing—you seemed more like my mother’s child than yours. If you didn't say, how would I know what you were concerned about?" Yang Zhi blushed.

She took this as him calling her a hypocrite. "I, I am just a common person; I'm not one for clever talk." She was referencing Chi Yong’s scholarly pursuits, which made him seem aloof.

That was why she never brought up practical matters with him. Chi Yong glared.

"After working just two days, you’ve improved. Now you know how to use that to block me."