"It breaks my heart," Cheng Ying nodded along. Chi Wu said, "Grandma, try to look on the bright side. Yingzi and I can manage.

We're not short of money right now." The old lady glared. "What if they don't sell? Is that not about money?" Cheng Ying replied, "If they don't sell, they'll be my dowry, for decorating Chi Wu's new house.

Grandma, cheer up. If you were this impatient, we wouldn't have opened a furniture store; if it were a coffin shop, we’d have been open for business already." The old lady was so angered by Cheng Ying that she was quite flustered. "Pah, pah, pah!

Spit a few times! You, you reckless talker! How dare you?

I’ll beat you to death!" That was the one thing the old lady was superstitious about. "No matter how much money that stuff makes, you stay away from it. If you dare touch it, I’ll smack you." Chi Wu thought Yingzi deserved it for her sharp tongue.

Any business that made money was fine. Cheng Ying felt that profitable ventures shouldn't have such narrow limitations; the old lady’s excessive superstitions severely restricted their potential for growth. Still, she followed the old lady's wishes and spat three times.

She was already frustrated; she couldn't afford to anger her further. "Grandma, don't worry. By Sunday, I'll deliver Uncle's furniture.

We’ll open in a few days and put your mind at ease." The old lady sighed. "Never mind. If you have plans, don't worry about me.

I'm just worrying for nothing." Cheng Ying pressed on, "You're just pushing us to do better. Fine, shall we go check out the vocal practice now?" The old lady relaxed a little. "Well, we can go take a look.

Just grab some medicine on the way back." Cheng Ying agreed. "Consider it done. I'll take care of things; you go ahead." The old lady snapped, "Get lost, you’re an eyesore.

Just looking at you annoys me." Chi Wu offered, "Then I'll accompany you." The old lady retorted, "You stay home and be good. With people here, who will look after things if you both wander off? How can you be so careless?" No matter what she said, the old lady remained uneasy.

Cheng Ying winked mischievously. "Grandma, you’re really turning into a landlord. Don't be like Zhou Bapi.

If you start crowing at midnight, we’ll become famous." What was this 'crowing at midnight'? The old lady didn't know, but seeing Chi Wu trying not to smile, she knew the girl was teasing her, so she raised her foot to kick him. They walked to the grape arbor.

She picked a few bunches of mouth-watering grapes and snipped them off. Carrying a beautiful basket, she then led her granddaughter out to enjoy the excitement. Cheng Ying felt conflicted.

Was Grandma planning to go out and sell grapes? Their family wasn't at that level yet. If people saw her setting up a stall, wouldn't they scold her?

Cheng Ying said, "Grandma, have you taken a liking to that old man? Are you bringing him gifts?" The old lady’s face flushed crimson. "Why are you so unsettling?

Saying anything that comes to mind. You're a girl; have some composure! I can’t even look at you." Cheng Ying persisted, "Grandma, I'm worried.

You’re not going out to sell grapes, are you?" The old lady snorted coldly. "My granddaughter and grandson have so many people working for them, holding so much money—why would I go out selling grapes? Besides, you and Wu Zi are in school.

Even if I sold grapes, I wouldn’t do it near the school. People would look down on you two." Hearing this, Cheng Ying felt a warmth in her heart. Grandma always considered them in everything she did.

Her eyes reddened. "Grandma, we are aiming to be landed gentry! We must think like that.

Your granddaughter isn't short of money now. These grapes of ours, we’d throw one away after eating it before selling it." The old lady abhorred urban wastefulness. "Ah, spit!

You wasteful thing! How dare you throw things away? I’ll beat you to death!" Cheng Ying felt that her recent luck had been poor; she’d almost been beaten to death by the old lady several times lately.

Luckily, it was all talk, and she never got serious. The less said, the better. As long as the old lady wasn't selling grapes, she wouldn't say any more.

When they arrived at their destination, Cheng Ying truly witnessed the old lady’s adaptability. It had only been less than two months, but here, the old lady greeted everyone she met. Although she still wore her open-fronted jacket, she blended seamlessly with the city elders, showing no awkwardness among these elderly residents of the provincial capital.

Honestly, she was far better at socializing than Cheng Ying. Cheng Ying realized her own shortcomings; after over a month of classes, she still couldn't recognize all the students in her class, yet the old lady treated these amateur singers like old acquaintances. Cheng Ying watched as the old lady placed the small basket on a stone table and brought out the grapes.

"Picked them fresh from our own yard just now. Hurry up and try some!" The old men and women were all eager to support her. The old lady got along so well with the opera enthusiasts.

While listening to them practice their scales, during a break, she would pull her granddaughter over to show off to the crowd. "My granddaughter studies hard! She’s at Provincial No.

1 Middle School, in the best class!" Cheng Ying stood by, smiling politely, joining the conversation, and even helping the old lady show off. She never knew when her grandmother became so high-profile. In those days, regardless of one's family background, having a top student in the family earned immediate respect.

So, the old lady was quite popular. A group of elders started asking about Yingzi this and that. Soon, they all became familiar.

They learned that the old lady was quite remarkable; she actually had children attending No. 1 Middle School—two of them! What an impressive figure.

When Cheng Ying and the old lady returned, Cheng Ying commented, "Grandma, how did you get so friendly with them in just a few days?" The old lady replied, "Oh, city people. They aren't as grounded as us country folk. I just sit here listening to them chat—all bragging about their grandsons and granddaughters.

They have no shame. Aren't a child's accomplishments something others should praise? Why bring it up yourself?

I wouldn't even bother telling them about our two." Cheng Ying looked heavenward. What else did you want to say? You’re practically dying to pull out my report cards and brag.

The old lady continued, "Later, as I stayed longer and saw everyone doing the same, when they asked me, I just told them I was here to accompany my granddaughter and grandson, who both attend Provincial No. 1 Middle School. When these people talk, they all address me.

I felt bad just listening to their songs for days without paying anything. We don't have much else, so I brought over a couple of bunches of grapes." Cheng Ying nodded. There was no group her grandmother couldn't handle; she was naturally suited for organizational work.

"Grandma," Cheng Ying asked, "did you get along with them?" The old lady scoffed, "What do you mean 'get along'? They sing, I listen. If I felt awkward, I’d bring them some fruit.

There's no deep friendship. Hearing them talk about flowers, fish, and plants bores me to death. I’d rather talk about the children." Cheng Ying wanted to tell the old lady that if she brought up her flowers, fish, and plants, she could show off even better than her granddaughter.

But saying that felt like belittling herself, so she let it go. Let the old lady brag about her grandchildren. When Cheng Ying mentioned opening the store, it wasn't just to comfort the old lady.

Upon returning, Cheng Ying found four open-topped tricycles and prepared four large pieces of red cloth, on which the name and address of their furniture store were written. The banners were displayed on the tricycles. Soft cushions were laid down, and then Chi Yong’s set of furniture was loaded on.

She instructed Chi Wu to take the four drivers and cruise through the city to attract attention, ensuring their speed didn't exceed twenty miles per hour so passersby could take a good look. She also told Chi Wu to linger around government offices, institutional compounds, and any area that looked like it housed potential customers. Cheng Ying couldn't think of a better promotional method.

After all, advertising on television was difficult at this time. Posting small flyers had little effect; this felt much more tangible. The old lady’s face darkened when she saw the four tricycles.

Another expense added for the day. Wasteful child. No amount of laxatives could cool down the fire in her.

Cheng Ying wasn't afraid of spending money. Chi Wu and his men drove around for two days. When they delivered the furniture to Chi Yong, the spectacle nearly made him sick.

His only response was, "I’m not paying for the furniture, and I’m not paying for the delivery either!" Chi Wu thought his father was being cheap over something like this. However, as they were carrying the furniture, it coincided with the evening stroll time. People from the compound gathered to watch, some even reaching out to touch the pieces.

"Hey, that’s jujube wood! That’s fine stuff. Yongzi, you must have spent a fortune!" Chi Wu pursed his lips, unhurried about carrying it up.

Yingzi had told him to display it in the courtyard for two hours to make the best impact. Chi Wu replied smoothly, "Not much money at all, Uncle. The masters at the furniture shop made it.

Uncle, the store opens next week. Please come by and support us. You’ll see all sorts of wood types inside." Chi Wu’s old parents, on their fifth-floor balcony, heard this and felt a sharp twinge in their hearts.

Were these really their children? Were these their usually quiet children? But when they saw the tall, slender flower stand with its graceful curves, all their anger vanished.

Their son was still filial; this was clearly meant for her. Old Mr. Chi declared, "This thing is too inconvenient to keep in Yongzi’s room.

I’ll clear out my study." Old Mrs. Chi remained silent. Old Mr.

Chi didn't feel wrong about taking something from his son. As for Chi Yong, the things his daughter produced were truly rare, but unfortunately, he didn't get to keep them in his own room. However, he was busy all evening.

Many aunties and uncles came over, all asking about the furniture. Chi Yong, remembering this was his daughter's business, begrudgingly spent a lot of effort, speaking kindly to everyone—wasting a whole canister of tea. Old Mr.

Chi felt conflicted, thinking his son was too commercially minded. But when the visitors left, the compliment, "Your children are truly promising," made Old Mr. Chi’s chest swell with pride.

Even though she wasn't his biological granddaughter, she was taught by his son. Besides, it was his grandson's business, wasn't it? He was truly conflicted.

Cheng Ying spent a frantic week preparing for the opening; she didn't even have time to check in on the teachers she had started to like. A week later, Cheng Ying set off two strings of firecrackers and celebrated the grand opening with a flourish. Old Mrs.

Cheng’s gesture of giving eggs had not been in vain. Neighbors and nearby residents came to join the excitement, especially those from the adjacent courtyard. Some were moving into new apartments and stopped by to check out the furniture store.

Others had already negotiated details with Chi Wu and his people, establishing some rapport. The scene was quite lively. It wasn't surprising that Old Mr.

and Mrs. Chi came, but Cheng Ying hadn't expected the old principal to show up too. When she delivered the chair to the principal, Cheng Ying sincerely refused payment, but the man didn't accept small favors; he insisted on paying the price of over a month's salary for that single chair.

Cheng Ying thought that the payment had actually been perfectly timed; she hadn't made a profit, but she hadn't lost out either. ps: Seeking votes. RP.