"Don't, Grandma! You are the anchor that keeps us steady. If you hadn't been there to keep things in check behind us, Chi Wu and I might never have managed to open our furniture shop," Cheng Ying insisted.

The old lady was quite pleased; the two youngsters certainly needed someone to keep them in line from the rear. "Stop with the flattery. You only know how to coax me."

Cheng Ying looked at the old lady, feeling exceptionally happy. After years of care, even the white hairs on the old lady's head seemed fewer. "Yes, yes, let's go back and watch TV, listen to storytelling, shall we?"

The old lady nodded. "Mmm, it’s just that there aren't many good tales lately."

Cheng Ying offered, "How about I tell you a segment of 'Guan Gong Battling Qin Qiong'?"

The old lady found the idea novel. "Is there such a story?"

Forgive the old lady; she knew The Romance of the Sui and Tang Dynasties and was familiar with Qin Qiong. She knew of Lord Guan from the Three Kingdoms period, but truly had no idea these two figures could ever be brought together.

Guan Gong and Qin Qiong weren't from the same era! "I never heard they could ever meet."

Chi Wu turned his head, thinking his girl was asking for trouble again. "Grandma, Yingzi deserves a beating. Make sure you tie up that feather duster properly later, and she'll behave."

The old lady pursed her lips, knowing they were just trying to amuse her. "You two stop it. I'll slaughter a chicken later."

Cheng Ying felt a prickle of apprehension.

Cheng Ying pressed on, "Grandma, when we're not home, you go out and wander around. You don't need to prepare anything; Chi Wu and I will be back before lunch is over. As for my mother and the others, if they want to come, fine; if not, fine. You don't need to wait on them. Don't exhaust yourself. After the New Year, I'll take you to visit your old friends, no harm done, rest assured."

The old lady replied, "Mmm, nothing is more important than going back to see your father. If I could ride in a car, I'd go with you. I'm too old to be jostled around now."

Cheng Ying murmured, "Grandma, it's all because of me."

Cheng Ying said this with a hint of bitterness.

The old lady agreed, "Yes, look at what I’ve been burdened with—I’ve become a landlord’s wife! Our family has been poor farmers for eight generations. How am I supposed to explain this to your grandpa later?"

Cheng Ying knew the old lady was comforting her, suggesting she was now enjoying a life of ease. But old people cherish having their children and grandchildren nearby the most. Her own grandmother had caused trouble with her sons and daughters-in-law because of her—this kindness was heavy.

Cheng Ying asked gently, "Grandma, you miss Mingzi and the others, don't you?"

The old lady pursed her lips. "It would be a lie to say I don't. But thinking of their mothers makes me more frustrated. It’s better they are far away and cause less trouble. When we go back in a while, any old grievances will be gone. Besides, aren't you and Mingzi exchanging letters? What is there to miss so much?"

Chi Wu listened to the mother and daughter chatting, understanding that Yingzi felt guilty toward Grandma. "Let's go buy some firecrackers for Mingzi and the others. Grandma, have you prepared things for Dun'er and them?"

Cheng Ying chimed in, "We were waiting for you. Grandma made a brand-new set of beautiful clothes for those four little rascals, Mingzi and the rest!"

Chi Wu asked, "Grandma, do you have one for me?"

The old lady chuckled. "You still wear things I make? I see your clothes; they all look quite nice, and they certainly weren't cheap."

Chi Wu blushed. The clothes he wore were all selected by Chi Wu’s grandmother (his paternal grandmother). If you considered it, his own grandmother had a singular obsession: when it came to dressing her grandson, she was second to none. If Chi Wu wore something his grandmother didn't approve of, her brow would furrow for the entire day. Therefore, Chi Wu was somewhat forced into becoming rather stylish.

"To tell the truth, the clothes bought in stores aren't as comfortable as the ones you sew. And Yingzi’s cloth-soled shoes—why doesn't she wear others? Isn't it because your handiwork is superior? Aren't they more comfortable than store-bought ones?" Chi Wu was deliberately trying to please the old lady.

Cheng Ying interjected, "Stop flattering her. Grandma made one for me; you can rest."

The old lady looked at the two young people. How old were they really? Already earning a living. Back in the countryside, she knew children got engaged at fifteen or sixteen, and many were already working hard at home. But in the city, fifteen or sixteen was still childhood; they were treasures held in their parents' hands. How could she not dote on her own granddaughter and grandson? Luckily, she had come to the city; otherwise, back home, she would have surely found a match for Yingzi long ago. Wouldn't that ruin the children's future? "Right, Yingzi, when you go back, tell Mingzi and the others to study hard and not get involved with dating too early, understand?"

Cheng Ying looked at her in-laws. In just half a year, the old lady's thinking had become so progressive! Back home, the old lady used to praise having many children and grandchildren, even hoping Mingzi would marry early. "Okay, I definitely will, but it still depends on the intentions of First Aunt and the others. Mingzi and the boys probably can't make that decision themselves."

The old lady looked displeased. "Those short-sighted parents delay their children. Bad daughters-in-law! It was my fault for not having better judgment back then." She knew her daughter-in-law wasn't close to her; perhaps she even thought her daughter-in-law was deliberately acting contrary to her wishes. Better not to say more. "Forget it, I won't mention it. But you must talk to Mingzi and the others privately."

Cheng Ying thought to herself, It's not just First Aunt who gets to decide. Why doesn't Grandma mention her own son? It seems in Grandma's mind, only the daughter-in-law is at fault. "Grandma, don't worry. When I go back, I'll boast to First Aunt and Second Aunt about how good it is to study in the city. If First Aunt looks at me askance, she’ll just force Mingzi and his brother to study hard to spite me. Don't worry; this matter is easily handled."

The old lady pursed her lips, wanting to kick her granddaughter twice. One shouldn't scheme against elders like that. But her own daughter-in-law was indeed like that; to have a child see through her so clearly—what was there for her to say? Forget it; it was all for the sake of the descendants. Even if the method was a bit devious, the result would surely be good. It wasn't just the daughter-in-law; even her eldest son was that kind of person. If Yingzi made a big scene, just to prove a point, she would surely push Mingzi and his brother forward. At this moment, the old lady understood.

Chi Wu saw his grandmother’s face cloud over and decisively pulled Yingzi to his side. "Grandma, do we need anything else for the New Year? Yingzi and I can carry the bags today; we can wander around a bit more."

The old lady replied, "I thought about going to the flower and bird market. Those who were singing their voices clear said the flowers there are lovely to look at."

Cheng Ying was delighted. "Great! Let's go. Grandma, why didn't you say so earlier?"

The old lady retorted, "If I had said so earlier, would you two have come over to carry my bags for me, when you have time?"

Cheng Ying fell silent. The old lady seemed particularly pointed toward her today; her temper was quite strong.

Chi Wu played the role of the dutiful grandson by her side. "Grandma, my mother also wants to come out for a stroll, but you know her personality; she feels a bit uneasy lingering around here. Today, we are lucky to be able to look around properly with you."

The old lady smiled brightly, following Chi Wu, the two of them chatting ahead. Cheng Ying felt like she was trailing far behind. She thought Chi Wu had just stepped on her head.

It was near the end of the year, and the flower and bird market was bustling with people. Everyone wanted their homes to feel lively and fresh for the New Year, buying a couple of nice potted plants to suit the occasion, which would make the family happy. Even the vendors selling New Year prints and couplets had taken up a small stretch of the street.

The old lady enjoyed the lively atmosphere but refused to say that this market was here every day, fearing people would laugh at her.

Cheng Ying suggested, "Grandma, let's pick out a couplet too."

The old lady looked at the bright red couplets proclaiming a grand welcome and nodded. "Mmm, I can't tell the good from the bad, so you two pick. But it absolutely must be one wishing for abundant wealth!"

Cheng Ying was speechless. What is there for me to choose? You've already pointed out the path! "Grandma, you're particular about that?"

The old lady declared, "Of course! When I go to the park, nine out of ten people who see me say good things about our furniture shop. Definitely pick that one."

Cheng Ying thought, No need to deliberate; just pick the biggest one with 'Abundant Wealth' on the horizontal scroll. That's easier.

Chi Wu chimed in beside the old lady, "Grandma really knows how to pick. Our business will definitely prosper this New Year."

Cheng Ying took a deep breath. This boy was a schemer, deliberately pandering.

As they walked further in, people were coming and going. The old lady gazed at the flowers in a greenhouse and whispered to Chi Wu, "Back then, when they weren't trying to flatter me, they said our flower house really was quite good. Look at these flowers; none are prettier than ours."

Chi Wu responded, "That's because of how much effort Grandma put into our flower room, isn't it? Not everyone has the ability to make a begonia bloom this early!"

Cheng Ying took another deep breath, looking at Chi Wu with eyes that seemed to gleam green. Was it easy for her to find a small begonia tree in the spatial dimension? It took lies and fabricated stories to bring the begonia into their greenhouse, all so the old lady could see flowers and be happy during the New Year, showing off a little to her old friends. How could Chi Wu’s few sentences make the old lady completely forget the effort she put in? It was unbearable. This was a battle for favor! She might really have to take the path of domestic intrigue against Chi Wu.

The old lady was slightly giddy from Chi Wu's praise. "That can't be said, though. It was just luck. But, Grandma was indeed very attentive to that begonia, watering it daily."

Cheng Ying pursed her lips. In the dead of winter, over-watering would kill it. She had secretly switched it to a different pot; the old lady probably didn't even know.

Chi Wu insisted, "Of course, I saw it all! Grandma took such good care of those flowers. Otherwise, how could our green onions be so tender? Grandma, when I brought home the green onions, everyone who saw them asked where they were from—to have such tender scallions in this season!"

Cheng Ying scoffed, "Then you should just sell onions."

Chi Wu glanced at Cheng Ying without saying a word.

The old lady scolded, "What are you saying? Go away, our Wu Zi is running a big business." Then she turned back to Chi Wu. "Oh, why didn't you give some to them? We have plenty!"

Cheng Ying started counting on her fingers; today was an inauspicious day for going out.

Chi Wu quickly replied, "Grandma, too many people admired them; I couldn't give them all away. I told them the space was too small, and my grandma could only manage this little bit."

The old lady was delighted; no one could match her skill in growing things.

Cheng Ying coldly assessed Chi Wu. This boy usually didn't even lift his eyes to look at people when he went out. It would be a miracle if he could chat with strangers. He was clearly lying, fooling people with his eyes wide open! Only the blind old lady would believe Chi Wu's words.

The old lady shifted her focus. "But these flowers here have more varieties than ours. What is that one over there? Look how pretty it is!"

Cheng Ying glanced at Chi Wu, thinking, Let’s see if you can show off now. Do you recognize this one? However, Cheng Ying didn't recognize it either. It looked quite lovely.

Chi Wu announced, "Grandma, this is called Glass Emerald (Bōlí Cuì). Look, it’s probably the prettiest pot here. Grandma, you truly have excellent taste." With that, he beckoned the shopkeeper over, haggled the price in front of his grandmother, paid, and picked up the flowerpot.