Chi Wu winked at Cheng Ying, a smug look plastered across his face. Little master knows what he's doing here, he thought.

The old lady carried a basket of eggs and two large roosters. Cheng Ying held a bundle of scallions, so fresh and green they looked a delight.

Yang Zhi helped the old lady inside, admiring the scallions. Seeing them in her daughter's hands made her even happier. "Ma, these scallions are so vibrant."

Stepping inside, the old lady felt a measure of calm. These high-rise apartments weren't so different from home, after all.

She spoke with feigned humility, "Spending all that money on heating, just for a few potted flowers—what a waste. At least these scallions are edible."

Hearing this, the Chi family's old lady, looking at the gifts, knitted her brow.

Cheng Ying smiled brightly, "Ma, you don't know. Grandma had someone nail together a wooden pòluó basket and fetch earth for the backyard. She's been fussing over these scallions every day."

The Chi family's old man chimed in, "These are precious things. In the dead of winter, having a bite is a rare treat. We owe this all to our in-laws' good fortune."

The old lady replied, "It’s all from our own property; I just hope our in-laws don't mind the humble offering."

The Chi family's old lady eyed the fluttering roosters with displeasure, pinched her nose, and said, "In-laws, please come inside. Wu Zi, hurry and take these things to the kitchen."

What an ethereal person, Cheng Ying thought. Is this one going to become an immortal? I wonder if she ever touches the mundane world.

Chi Wu took the roosters and carried them to the kitchen for the auntie.

Chi Yong understood his own mother perfectly. If Ying Zi had been carrying a flower pot instead of scallions, she would have been much better received.

He shook his head and said to the old lady and Cheng Ying, "Let's spend the Lunar New Year together this year. It'll be lively."

The Chi family's old man agreed, "In-laws, you and Ying Zi come over. Let's celebrate together, make it warm and bustling!"

The Chi family's old lady pursed her lips. People who couldn't read the room even when giving gifts—what was there to celebrate? Still, she nodded along, appearing magnanimous.

Cheng family's matriarch spoke up, "Thank you so much for the kind invitation, in-laws. People in the countryside have their traditions; we can't just let the fires die out during the New Year. Ying Zi and I will be fine wherever we are. We shouldn't come over and cause trouble."

Cheng Ying stressed her words when addressing her own mother, "Don't worry, Ma, Grandma and I will have plenty of fun."

Yang Zhi frowned. It was one thing when the old lady lived far away, but now that she was close, how could she let mother and daughter spend the New Year alone? It felt wrong. She glanced at the Chi in-laws, unable to voice her thoughts.

Chi Yong understood his wife's concern. "Ma, perhaps we should go over then? Just for the reunion dinner, it won't hurt."

The Chi family's old lady’s expression immediately soured. Magnanimity vanished. This was someone coming to claim her son and grandson. Spending the New Year at someone else's house looked unseemly.

The Chi family's old man quickly tried to salvage the situation, "Indeed, in-law. You don't know how much better your place is than this building. Perhaps we could impose on you for a meal instead?"

Cheng Ying turned to her own mother, "Grandpa Chi, you'll have to wait then. Grandma is coming home with me, and who knows when we’ll be back."

The Chi family's old man sounded surprised, "What? It's the 24th already, and you’re still heading back to the village?"

Chi Yong protested, "How can she go back? Ying Zi, how old is your grandmother? Can she really handle the trip back and forth?"

Yang Zhi added, "Why didn't you say so earlier, child? How old is your grandma? She gets carsick! If she goes back and forth, will she even have the energy to celebrate the New Year?"

The old lady glared at her daughter-in-law. While it was true, cursing her on New Year's Eve felt ominous. Yang Zhi was clearly tactless, and the Cheng family's old lady subtly glanced at Chi Yong's mother, thinking that the old lady must live uncomfortably with such a tongue-tied daughter-in-law. The Cheng family's old lady felt a strange sense of internal balance, and her mood quickly calmed.

She addressed the family, "I want to go back. Can Ying Zi stop me? I've been away for half a year; I must go see." She directed this toward her granddaughter.

Yang Zhi insisted, "Ma, wait until it gets warmer to go back. We won't subject you to such travel in this cold." She said it with finality, a rare show of firmness from Yang Zhi.

Chi Yong, for once, stood his ground, "Ma, Ying Zi and Wu Zi should go back for a visit. When spring arrives and it warms up, we’ll accompany you. The roads aren't good right now."

Even the Chi family's old man supported the idea. The old lady felt she needed to be accommodating. While she missed home, dragging everyone along on a difficult trip just to appease her nostalgia wasn't right. Besides, she genuinely dreaded long car rides. "Fine, we won't go back. During the New Year, in-laws, you bring the children over to liven things up."

The Chi family's old man replied, "Of course, we'll trouble the in-laws then."

The Chi family's old lady was in a foul mood and remained silent.

Cheng Ying smoothly intervened, "Perfect timing. I managed to get a Yingchun pot from the market; it’s just about to bloom. Grandma and I aren't very good at nurturing them. Grandma Chi, you are the expert in this area; perhaps you could take a look?"

The corner of the Chi family's old lady’s mouth lifted slightly. Finally, something she could approve of. "Expert is too strong a word, but I do know when to place Yingchun and what conditions it likes."

Her mood had improved. These people, though a bit common, occasionally found things that weren't entirely vulgar. She glanced at the narcissus on her own coffee table—gifts Chi Wu had brought back from the Cheng family; they truly were lovely. If she could spend the New Year tidying up plants in the Cheng family's heated greenhouse, that would be acceptable; even better if she didn't have to look at a whole floor covered in scallions.

The Chi family's grandmother managed to maintain her composure.

However, she had to address the issue of her grandson. "Ying Zi going is one thing, but why should Wu Zi tag along? He’s rarely home all year; since it’s finally the New Year, he should stay here with his father and visit relatives."

What the old lady said wasn't entirely wrong—what business did the Chi family have attending ancestral graves for the Cheng family?

Unfortunately, Chi Yong didn't see it that way, and Chi Wu certainly didn't. Before Chi Yong could speak, Chi Wu stepped in, "Grandma, I need to go back to the village. There are still loose ends with the medicinal herbs I collected during the summer, and I need to make arrangements for the spring planting."

That was the public reason. In Chi Wu's view, he would eventually be their son-in-law, so paying respects to his father-in-law was mandatory. This was about establishing precedence.

While the Chi family's old lady’s face darkened, she could reluctantly accept this reason. At least her grandson was ambitious, unlike those dissolute wastrels who only knew how to eat and play.

Then came Chi Wu’s next statement, which made the old lady truly unsettled. "Furthermore, there are many matters back home. We’ve been away for half a year; we need to visit friends and relatives. I still have to go pay New Year respects to my maternal grandfather."

The Chi family's old lady was thrown for a loop. What was he talking about? Her husband’s father had passed away years ago; who was this maternal grandfather? What kind of strange relationships was this child claiming? She bit back her anger, looking at Chi Yong and her grandson, resolving to remind the boy later exactly who he was related to—and who he wasn't. The child didn't even recognize his own kin.

She remembered when she chose a wife for her eldest son; she had been meticulously selective, ensuring they came from families of similar standing, and ideally, related to her own lineage. That’s how they had both weathered the political struggles back then, despite having similar backgrounds.

The Cheng family’s old lady, shrewd and seasoned by a lifetime of experience, missed none of these subtle exchanges. She chose to endure the Chi family’s old lady’s behavior. We just won't interact with her much later. This person isn't worth the effort.

Cheng Ying played dumb regarding Chi Wu’s exchange with the old lady. I never asked you to go; this is purely voluntary on your part.

Chi Yong supported his in-laws, "Ma, we really should go pay respects to the elders. It’s all our fault for being too busy. Ying Zi, why don't you two take Xiao Ye? He's only seen his uncles a few times since he was born."

This statement silently sided with his wife, and the Chi family's old lady began to look unfavorably upon her daughter-in-law as well.

Yang Zhi chimed in, "Yes, if my work schedule allowed, I would love to go back too."

Chi Yong felt indebted to his father-in-law for recognizing his talents and genuinely missed the village. "Then it's settled. Xiao Ye, get packed. Go back to the village with your sister to see your maternal grandfather."

The Chi family's old lady exploded, "What are you saying? How old is Xiao Ye? Cheng Ying and Wu Zi are just children—can they really take care of Xiao Ye? This is reckless!"

The Chi family's old man also worried about his grandson, "Let's wait until you all have time to take him back then. If the children all go to the village for New Year’s, we two old folks will have no company here." He phrased his objection gently.

Chi Wu felt that Xiao Ye going with Ying Zi would make them a third wheel. However, he agreed that visiting the maternal grandfather was proper, given how kind the grandfather, uncles, and aunts had been to them. Besides, with Miao Miao there, having an extra troublemaker was just asking for trouble; better to go all together. He spoke up directly, "Ying Zi and I will be back on New Year's Day; it won't affect the celebration."

The old lady was displeased and spoke coldly to her grandson, "It's New Year's Day; do you think there will be buses running when you say you’ll return?"

"I’ll borrow a car from Brother Li," Chi Wu replied.

The Chi old man intervened, "Why trouble others? Just say the word; we can arrange our own transport."

The Chi family's old lady felt her grandson was grown up and entirely unruly. After barely managing to sit through one meal, she clutched her chest and frowned. Her distress stemmed from wanting to pull her son and grandson back under her control.

When the Cheng family's old lady returned with her granddaughter, Chi Wu followed behind. The old lady thought, No wonder the Chi family’s old lady has a heartache—she’s caught a grandson like this. It was understandable. If you’ve managed to capture someone else’s cherished grandson, how can you expect them not to be angry? "Ying Zi, when you go back, just leave Xiao Ye at your maternal grandfather's place. Don't bring him to the village, just so Wu Zi's grandmother won't worry."

Cheng Ying pursed her lips. Her grandmother was probably worried that if her own father saw Xiao Ye, it would cause a stir, leading to more gossip in the village.

Chi Wu frowned, fully aware of the complex dynamics within this extended family. "Mmm, Grandma, don't worry. I’ll let Xiao Ye play with Miao Miao. Ying Zi and I have important business back there—do you know if there are any skilled carpenters in the area? We are short-staffed."

The three of them walked down the street, immersed in the holiday atmosphere. The old lady chatted with her grandchildren, thinking about the grand scene her grandchildren had created. She felt immensely pleased. "I’ve really become a Dizhu Po (landlady) now. It seems the family will only grow from now on. You all carry on; Grandma won't interfere anymore."