Never again will I take charge of such a mess, but if I ever have children in the future, I suppose Cheng Ying definitely won't be the name for one. Chi Wu thought far ahead, his face flushing again.

And the look he gave Cheng Ying was rather resentful. Cheng Ying felt that children had poor resilience.

She had only complained a couple of times; why was he looking at her so strangely? Since two more people arrived at the house, the old lady had become quite busy.

To avoid looking like a landlord, she treated the two master craftsmen with such thorough hospitality that they became quite embarrassed. With solicitous care and extreme attentiveness, Cheng Ying suspected that the old lady had never served her own in-laws with such dedication when they visited.

Cheng Ying said, "Grandma, I’ve never seen a more generous employer." Old Madam Cheng retorted, "They are selling their craft skills to you. If you mistreat them, it reflects poorly on you.

Don't speak nonsense if you don't understand; we aren't spending extra money—all the vegetables are from our own yard." Cheng Ying hugged the old lady, feeling completely delighted. Without the old lady at home to manage things and calculate, she would have been running herself ragged for nothing.

She was practically the grand steward of her own backyard. The old lady shoved her granddaughter away in disdain, "Hot, move away." Cheng Ying felt genuinely hurt by the old lady’s rejection.

The day before school started, Yang Zhi and Chi Yong brought the children over. Their daughter was starting school tomorrow; they had to come for a visit.

The old lady was even more conflicted about treating Chi Yong and Yang Zhi’s child than she was with Chi Wu. Just as Old Madam Chi wouldn't accept Cheng Ying, the old lady found it even harder to like the little chubby boy.

The child born from her daughter-in-law having relations with another man—this situation was agonizing, she couldn't help but think. It would have been easier to accept Miao Miao.

However, out of respect for Cheng Ying, the old lady treated the little fatty acceptably, at least on the surface, which was better than Old Madam Chi’s behavior. Children are perceptive, so the little fatty didn’t approach Old Madam Cheng much.

Chi Yong stood staring blankly at the doorway of his daughter's house. It had only been a few days since they last visited, yet they had managed to stir up quite a scene.

But he supposed it was reasonable utilization. A street-front property really shouldn't remain idle without some kind of business activity.

When he reached the backyard and saw the yard filled with lumber and workers wiping sweat while toiling, Chi Yong felt that his own life had been thoroughly overshadowed by these two children; they knew how to make things happen better than him. "Wuzi, you two are moving fast!" Chi Wu’s smile was radiant.

"We got lucky, we had masters available, and there was lumber in the village; it was convenient." Chi Yong felt annoyed. Could such matters really be attributed to luck?

Among so many people, why hadn't luck struck them? Barely suppressing the sourness in his heart, he realized he was one of the many who hadn't been "lucky." Chi Yong puffed out his chest.

We aren't following the same path as those two little terrors; our pursuits are different. I'm not angry.

After a long pause, Chi Yong managed to rationalize his feelings. Cheng Ying said, "It doesn't require much effort from us, and it won't delay our studies.

It’s quite good; at least we won't have to worry about tuition for college; we can earn some pocket money." She sounded so conservative. Chi Yong looked up at the sky.

From the day the two children secretly went to the city to sell tiger skins, these two were utterly out of control. After that, never mind Yingzi, even the spare change Chi Wu had was more than his own salary.

"I feel so unsuccessful." Cheng Ying could see the bitterness on Chi Yong’s face. "Don't say that.

Our pursuits are different; you can't think that way. If anything, we rely on your connections; Wuzi and I couldn't manage all this commotion without you.

Even if we stir things up, anyone envious could easily squeeze us out. This highlights the importance of your job; you are essentially our front face.

You must hold the line!" Cheng Ying genuinely understood the difficulty of having no influential connections above. Her words were practical, not flattery, but sincere praise nonetheless.

Chi Yong nodded. This girl’s words were very pleasing.

"Am I really that important?" Cheng Ying nodded; her stepfather was a handsome uncle, and his disappointed look was quite touching. Chi Yong said, "So I have this use after all.

You two should show your appreciation." Cheng Ying choked on her words; this was blackmail. Chi Wu remained silent.

The necessary favors had to be done; their own family connections couldn't be used for free. Chi Yong continued, "Make me a set of those chairs, with a table, and get me two tall ones for plant stands.

Make them antique style, please." Now he was starting to order things. A scholar.

Cheng Ying asked, "Should I have you draw up the blueprints?" The words were practical but laced with a hint of sarcasm. Chi Yong smiled broadly, "Fine.

I don't really value your taste much either." Cheng Ying took a deep breath and walked away. Who did this child take after?

How wonderful if Old Madam Cheng was as aloof as her. This child was a genetic mutation.

Old Madam Cheng would be heartbroken if she knew. Cheng Ying felt that Chi Yong wasn't even half as lovable as Old Madam Cheng.

Yang Zhi asked, "Yingzi, can you manage? Your grandmother is already old; can she really handle preparing three meals a day?" The old lady snapped back, "What are you saying?

Whose home doesn't involve chores? Are you trying to make me feel like an invalid?

You’ll suffocate me!" She clearly wasn't grateful for the offer. Cheng Ying planned to let the old lady adapt first.

Once their furniture store got established, a few workers wouldn't be enough; they would definitely need to hire cooks. It would be good for the old lady to keep busy and get used to city life.

"Mom, let's leave it like this for now. We’ll see how things go after a while.

If the store business picks up, we will definitely hire help, and then Grandma won't have to be so busy." Chi Wu also realized that the set his father ordered would take several days to make. If they were selling furniture, this production speed wouldn't be enough.

They would need to hire people and find a new location. Chi Wu didn't want their home to remain chaotic long-term.

Yang Zhi came over and bought a new school bag for her daughter. Chi Wu’s was the same style as Cheng Ying’s, just a different color.

Chi Wu was quite satisfied. If he had ever heard of matching couple bags, he would have been even more pleased.

Cheng Ying said, "Mom, why are you worrying about me? Do I lack these things?" Yang Zhi replied, "Yours is yours; I know you have money.

This one is what your uncle and I picked out." Meaning, it was a gesture of affection. Before Cheng Ying could respond, Yang Zhi went to the backyard to cook.

"Mom, you rest for a bit; I'll do it today." This was showing concern for the old lady. The old lady’s attitude toward her daughter-in-law immediately softened.

"Alright." Then she turned and started chatting with Chi Yong. Seeing Chi Yong wearing a short-sleeved shirt in the summer heat, with the waist apron she made him tied underneath, she felt wholeheartedly that they were still a family.

It reminded the old lady of their days in the countryside. She pulled out two new ones from a cabinet for Chi Yong.

"I made these when I had nothing to do, thinking you wouldn't wear them anymore, but I forgot to give them to you." Chi Yong held the two aprons, his eyes stinging with emotion. He couldn't forget those hard times.

People are like that; they might not vividly recall times of comfort, but the times of suffering are certainly easier to remember, replaying in the mind repeatedly. Chi Yong was quite sentimental.

"Mom, I haven't come back much these past few years; please don't blame me." The old lady said, "What are you talking about? Talking about things far away—you and Zhizi are raising kids in the city, and it's hard enough managing life with elders.

How could you run back and forth constantly? Besides, I was a bit harsh before, but I don't blame you for this trip now.

It’s such a long way; making that journey takes half my life. From now on, try to travel less if it’s not necessary.

Taking the bus is suffering; it's a good thing these two kids can afford the hassle of traveling back and forth." Speaking of which, she thought of Wu Zi’s filial piety. Such a distance, yet the boy travels back and forth during breaks, and he always brings so many things.

She felt comforted. Looking at Chi Yong, although she didn't blame him, comparing people side-by-side always reveals differences.

In the old lady’s heart, Wu Zi was rapidly catching up to Cheng Ying. Chi Yong pursed his lips.

No one understood better than him how much the old lady valued the overall situation and how sensible she was. Even though she was a countryside old lady, sometimes she was more convincing than his own mother.

"Mom, it’s all because the two kids are reckless; they are greenhorns. If we had caused you some serious trouble by acting like that, what would we have done?" The old lady replied, "It would happen sooner or later.

With Yingzi's restless energy, I wouldn't feel at ease anywhere she goes. Walking with her is quite good.

If nothing else, I get to watch the excitement every morning, which I wouldn't get in the village." Chi Yong had long heard about the old lady walking two subway stops to the park to watch people practice their vocal exercises; he could only say the old lady had peculiar tastes—such devotion. Chi Yong couldn't help himself.

"Mom, why don't you take the bus?" The old lady said, "I get carsick, and it costs money. It’s not that far to walk." Chi Yong figured that once money was involved with the old lady, you generally didn't need to argue with her anymore.

No matter how much money his granddaughter had, the old lady would still stretch every penny. So Chi Yong dropped the subject.

In the evening, he had a serious talk with Cheng Ying and Chi Wu about school. High school was a crucial time; they couldn't let money interfere with their studies.

Chi Yong emphasized this point mainly to Chi Wu. Cheng Ying was a different caliber of person; even though she followed the standard three years of junior high, her attendance rate was less than five percent, yet she still brought home awards every semester.

She truly didn't need his instruction. So Chi Yong focused on educating his own Chi Wu.

"You really need to study hard, learn from Yingzi, and don't let her pull too far ahead. It’s embarrassing for a man, understand?" This hit home.

Chi Wu believed that he adored Yingzi, and in the future, they would have the closest relationship, but as a man, it would indeed be humiliating to be surpassed by a woman. And Chi Wu wasn't just thinking about academics; he was thinking about his career too.

He was only dabbling in trading medicinal herbs. Although he made good money, at best, he was what people now called a "speculator." But Yingzi owned mountain plots, a nursery, ginseng, and a furniture store—he had inserted himself into her ventures, and the gap in comparison was clear.

Chi Wu felt a significant amount of pressure as a man, and he genuinely took the advice to heart. "Yes, Dad, I understand.

I will study hard in high school." Chi Yong looked at Chi Wu, finally relieved, then turned and looked cautiously at his daughter. "Yingzi, I won't say anything about your studies, but please take care of your health, and don't push yourself too hard.

Uncle is here for everything." Yang Zhi added, "Yes, Yingzi, you must get along well at school and make more friends. Your business is doing well, but you are still young.

Although I don't understand it, I can visit often. Focus more on your studies.

Your grandma said you've outgrown what the county offers; you can't say that at school, understand?" PS: Thank you all for the pink tickets; I didn't expect so many on the first day of the month. I stared at the monthly ticket rankings for a long time before realizing I was at the very top of my category.

That feeling was incredible. Thank you, everyone.

RP