Did Aunt Number Two’s cooking really taste that good? Cheng Ying and Chi Wu set the things down, yet somehow managed to escape the intensity of Aunt Number Two’s hospitality.

The moment Chi Wu stepped out of the courtyard, he muttered, “That felt too intense.”

Cheng Ying nodded. “Aunt Number Two’s kindness leaves one feeling uneasy.”

“I wonder what she’s got her eye on at your place.”

Chi Wu said, “Let’s go home first, get the kang fire going, tidy up the rooms, and then we’ll go see Third Madam at the village chief’s house.”

“Mhm, otherwise we’ll be miserable tonight,” Cheng Ying agreed.

Chi Wu and Cheng Ying opened the large gate, and seeing their familiar house brought different emotions to both their hearts.

“The yard is kept quite clean,” Cheng Ying observed.

“The village chief’s sister-in-law is a diligent woman,” Chi Wu replied. Before leaving, Cheng Ying had given the key to the village chief’s eldest daughter-in-law.

The two entered the house. Cheng Ying started cleaning the rooms while Chi Wu fired up the heated brick bed. There was no need for idle talk; they finished their chores in no time.

There was a small interlude, though. While tending the fire, Chi Wu shyly edged closer to Cheng Ying, “Yingzi, should we heat just one room?”

Chi Wu was already feeling a bit guilty; otherwise, he wouldn’t have needed to ask. With no one else at home, how much firewood could they possibly have? Heating two rooms would just be wasteful.

Cheng Ying, who was sweeping the kang, shot him a look. “Are you overfed and restless? Got too much energy with nowhere to put it? Or do you have something private you need to hide from me?”

Chi Wu turned and walked out, his mind racing with conjectures. Oh dear, I embarrassed myself.

Chi Wu casually steamed the rice in the big pot, and Cheng Ying finished cleaning the room. Thankfully, they had replaced the window coverings with real glass in the early spring; otherwise, they’d be patching paper over the frames right now.

Chi Wu picked up the things prepared for the village chief. “Yingzi, let’s go.”

Cheng Ying gathered the various rare delicacies from the provincial city that Old Madam had specifically bought for Third Madam, and they headed to the village chief’s house.

At Third Madam’s, Old Madam meticulously recounted everything that had happened to her in the provincial city, one detail after another, as Cheng Ying listened.

Finally, Old Madam asked, “Is your grandmother still used to being alone?”

Cheng Ying replied, “She wasn't used to it at first, but now she is. You don't know, when my grandma watched the old men and women singing opera in the park, she always said, ‘If only your Third Madam were here, we could enjoy this together.’”

“Exactly! Where else can you hear opera for free? The provincial city really is wonderful. Your grandmother is benefiting from your good fortune,” Third Madam remarked.

Chi Wu and Cheng Ying shared the same thought: this woman truly thought the same way as their own Old Madam.

Old Madam chimed in, “See, your grandmother really does miss me, she brought me so many good things—some I don’t even know what they’re used for.”

Cheng Ying smiled. “Doesn’t Grandma miss you? But whenever she was out shopping and saw something new, she’d always say, ‘Your Third Madam has certainly never seen this before.’”

Third Madam leaned forward. “What do you kids know? Back when I was fighting wars with your grandmother, we hid in the mountains together. We have an old bond, just separated by a generation; otherwise, we would have sworn brotherhood.”

Cheng Ying managed to coax Old Madam into high spirits before she began chatting with the village chief about their household matters.

The tobacco and liquor Chi Wu brought for the village chief were brought out. There was no hidden agenda; since they had been away, they relied on the village chief to look after their affairs at home and on the mountain. Back then, this wasn't considered ‘gifting.’ When Cheng Ying presented the items, the village chief felt only one thing: This child is sensible; even after leaving, she still remembers us. The connection of human ties remained unbroken.

He insisted they stay for dinner, grasping the two youngsters so they couldn't leave. Chi Wu insisted, “We already prepared our own dinner at home; it would be wasteful not to eat it. We’ll come bother you again when we catch you next time.”

Cheng Ying felt that Chi Wu had changed tremendously over the past year. His words and actions showed maturity; he had truly grown up, possessing depth and being remarkably trustworthy. He’s become a man.

Cheng Ying and Chi Wu returned home and ate. Cheng Ying was a little worried about Little Fatty. “Since neither of us is around, I wonder if Little Fatty will cry.”

Chi Wu scoffed. “How old is he now? How much crying can he do? Don’t worry.”

Then he stared blankly at the two suitcases placed side-by-side—a sign that they would be sleeping next to each other. His heart fluttered a bit erratically. He’s only fifteen or sixteen. Forgive him if he can’t quite control his emotions and bodily reactions.

Cheng Ying genuinely hadn't considered the implications of a man and a woman sharing a room like this. Her feelings for Chi Wu were those of a mother for her son.

She got onto the kang. “Turn off the light, will you?” Then, exhausted from the day, she fell asleep.

Chi Wu was left alone, grappling with internal turmoil. At most, he dared to hold Cheng Ying’s small hand. Facing such a formidable presence as Cheng Ying, Chi Wu held back from doing anything more. He only dared to play minor tricks in front of Old Madam; towards Cheng Ying, he wouldn't dare act unless she consented.

The next morning, Chi Wu woke up with dark circles under his eyes—it was clear he hadn’t slept well.

Cheng Ying woke up refreshed. “Are you not used to it?” she asked, stepping off the kang.

Chi Wu pulled the blanket over his head, too annoyed to bother with her. Isn’t she a woman? Doesn’t she realize I’m a man? How can she sleep in the same heated bed and expect me to have no feelings?

Chi Wu sulked and didn't even get up.

Cheng Ying ignored him, started the fire to cook, left Chi Wu’s leftovers warming in the pot, and drove up the mountain herself.

It had been at least three or four months, if not half a year, since she had last visited her mountain lot.

If anyone had sweat the most here, it was Cheng Ying, and now she felt a pang of hesitation, being so close to home. This was the place where she had made her fortune, the foundation that supported her transition from the mountain village to the provincial city. Her emotional investment in this place was absolute.

As her car reached the valley entrance, Cheng Ying heard Er Ya’s cheerful barking from afar.

In good spirits, Cheng Ying stopped the car. Within half a minute, Er Ya came charging down the mountain path. If Cheng Ying hadn't known it was Er Ya, seeing such a large creature rush toward her would have scared her half to death.

Cheng Ying opened the car door, and Er Ya leaped toward her, nuzzling affectionately.

Cheng Ying engaged the brake, quickly pulled Er Ya aside, and stepped into her personal space. She figured Er Ya probably wanted to look inside, too.

Once inside the space, Er Ya showed no shyness. She first drank water, then lay down obediently beside Cheng Ying.

Cheng Ying surveyed the endless rows of saplings in her space. If they couldn't be sold, they could be used as timber. Cheng Ying felt she didn't need to worry about money, but the issue of passing through the 'Bright Road' was a concern.

Entering the space now brought an immediate sense of relaxation. No matter where she looked, it was pleasing to the eye. By the water pool, a small patch of ginseng seedlings was under Cheng Ying's control, no longer running wild as they used to. Any wild grass plucked from the edges of the pool was enough to make Old Madam Chi jealous for days. Never mind the koi in the pool, or the one-acre vineyard—harvesting the fruit was just a matter of a thought, requiring no physical effort. How wonderful. Cheng Ying felt this was the idyllic country life she had dreamed of.

Unfortunately, she now longed more for the city—the convenience of medical care, easy schooling for the child, accessible transportation, and communication. Human beings are social creatures, after all.

Having this space, Cheng Ying felt it was the perfect blend of urban and rural life. She didn't have to be confined to the mountain ravine and could still enjoy pastoral pleasures without excessive labor. She conceded that heaven had done her some favors; look at the benefits she now enjoyed from this space.

Cheng Ying took out the items she usually prepared for Second Uncle from the space, placed them in the car, and then called for Er Ya before driving up the mountain.

“Second Uncle, how are things? Can you manage alone on the mountain, or should I find you a companion?”

Second Uncle was delighted to see Cheng Ying. “No need. The forest workers come by often, and this mountain valley is lively now. If I didn't let this pack of dogs loose at night, someone would likely keep me company every day. Yingzi, if the secret of your ginseng gets out, more and more people will surely come.”

“I’m not afraid. I’ve known this for a long time. If people didn’t know about this thing, it wouldn’t fetch a good price, right?”

“Your Korean pines—the forest office has been over several times.”

“If they want to buy saplings, then let them have them,” Cheng Ying replied.

“They probably don’t want to buy them; they want to ask how you managed to grow such saplings.”

“Oh dear, are they here just to pick fruit and not raise trees? That won't do.”

“It shouldn't, but they’ve tried several times and haven't managed to nurture a few seedlings. It’s strange; branches broken off casually here on the mountain lot, or planting a pinecone, they sprout easily. But change the location, and hardly any survive.”

Cheng Ying raised an eyebrow. That was because the mountain spring water here was mixed with water from her space, and furthermore, this land had basically been irrigated with space water. How could it be the same? But she couldn't say that out loud. Cheng Ying sighed, “My father must be protecting me.”

Second Uncle nodded. “Yes, your Third Brother must be watching over you. Girl, keep working hard—no, you must study hard so your father can be proud down below.”

“Of course. You don’t know, my studies are excellent. Everyone in the village says the weeds are growing thick over the Cheng family ancestral graves. I think, even if they are, they’re growing on my father’s grave. What does that have to do with the main Cheng family? They wouldn’t even let my father be buried in the ancestral plot.”

Cheng Family’s Second Uncle looked at the girl. She really held a grudge. But this matter wasn’t the fault of the village or the Cheng family; Third Brother had died an outsider’s death.

“Girl, you shouldn't hold such a strong grudge. You don't understand your father’s situation. Just make sure you offer sacrifices to your father during festivals and important days so his line isn't cut off.”

“Second Uncle, I understand. It’s just that I’m indignant. Without my father, where would I be? My good grades—what do they have to do with the main Cheng family? If anything, they’re connected to my father.”

Second Uncle looked at the child. Even if she was capable, she still had moments of tunnel vision. She was, after all, still a child. “Alright, alright, it’s all connected to your father. Now, Second Uncle has the account books here. Take a look.”

“You keep account books?”

“Do you take me for someone who can’t read? You look down on Second Uncle, is that it?”

“What are you saying, Uncle? I just felt you were treating me like an outsider.”

“Yingzi, when you were taking saplings out, your maternal uncle has an account, and Second Uncle has one here too, so we can reconcile everything. Once the saplings are taken, if Second Uncle is free, I replant new ones. This place is a spot of excellent feng shui; they grow well. In a few years, it’ll be another source of income. I’ve noted down every ginseng plant I’ve seen for you. Later, you can walk the grounds with me. As for the Korean pines, some people came by in the last six months, but Second Uncle thought we’re not short of money right now, so I didn’t agree to sell them a few here and there; it wasn't worth the trouble. You know we have ginseng here, so I figured the fewer people who come, the better, and I sent them away.”

PS: Dear reader, please vote. RP