"Second Uncle, if you weren't here, I wouldn't be able to come back even once every few months. I really don't know what to say."

"Nonsense, I'm more comfortable here than I was in the village. I watch TV in the evenings, and during the day, if I feel like it, I do a little work; if not, I just wander around with this crew. It's perfectly relaxing. When I go out for the big market day, everyone in the village envies me, saying I landed myself a great job."

Cheng Ying looked at Second Uncle's ledger. He had meticulously recorded the food expenses for several months. The number of saplings taken out during these months matched the accounts kept by her maternal uncle, and anything on their own mountain plot that Second Uncle counted was accounted for.

How large was this stretch of mountain land? Cheng Ying herself didn't have a clear count. What immense effort Second Uncle must have expended. "Second Uncle, if you don't treat me like an outsider, please stop keeping these records."

"You don't understand, girl. With you here, my work is easy. If you weren't here, I'd have to be clearer about things. Only if we keep things straight can our uncle-niece relationship last a long time. I want to keep this job for a few more years, don't I?"

Cheng Ying had nothing to say. She unloaded the cigarettes and liquor for Second Uncle—a full cartload, all stored safely within her space. Then, she took out three thousand yuan and gave it to him. "Take this. If you say another word about it, you'll make things difficult for me." She understood what Second Uncle meant earlier: only clear accounts ensure longevity and prevent suspicion.

Second Uncle looked at the money. "You don't need to do this. I'm a bachelor; what use do I have for this much money?"

"Having money means having everything. It's more reassuring than having a son. Don't worry about that. We'll worry about the future when it comes, but without money, nothing works."

"You girl, you dare say anything. People would think you have far more experience than you do."

Cheng Ying thought to herself: It's the honest truth. In the future, money equals sons. In the future, there will be an entire industry: even a three-year-old child, if restricted, will have someone acting as their dutiful son or worthy grandson right beside the coffin.

"Second Uncle, please take this money. Having some cash gives you a fallback, no matter what happens in the future."

"That’s too much. Far more than we agreed upon."

"It's not too much. Where else could I find someone to care for things so meticulously? Second Uncle, what would I do without you?"

Second Uncle grinned broadly. "Alright, alright. You’ve talked so much, I'm dizzy. Yingzi, I'll take the money for now. If you run short of cash, tell Second Uncle, you hear?"

"Yes, Second Uncle. If you need laborers on the mountain plot, hire whomever you see fit, and I'll send you more money later."

"I know. This is my own mountain plot; don't you worry."

Then Second Uncle led Cheng Ying, winding their way through the snowy forest where the accumulation was half a foot deep. The two walked the mountain plot roughly once over. Cheng Ying looked at the small saplings Second Uncle had replanted. They appeared to have been taken from cuttings of branches. Cheng Ying felt immensely pleased. This place had been completely transformed by the water from her space. Seeing that the tiny trees had already rooted—and this was only after a few months! Cheng Ying looked at the flowing spring eye, unafraid of the cold, she dipped her hand in and discreetly smuggled some space water into the spring.

"Yingzi, having a spring like this on our mountain plot is truly convenient. Warm in winter, cool in summer. Look how the water below has iced over, yet this spot remains like this. If you hadn't dug the water channel deeper, this water would have flooded the road long ago. How could we drive back and forth?"

"Exactly. When spring comes, diverting the water to irrigate the fields will be so convenient."

"Yingzi, Er Ya had pups again. But this litter only had two."

"That's wonderful! They say, 'One dog plus two dogs means increasing wealth'—a sign of prosperity!"

"You, a university student, still believe that nonsense. I wanted to tell you, we have over a dozen large dogs here now; that should be enough. Puppies are harder to raise. They’re almost two months old now. What do you think—should we give them away, or what?"

"Give them away? Why? Give them to me! I can take them back to the city to keep Grandma company."

"That would be excellent! You take them then."

"Second Uncle, is there any diesel left? Should I bring another barrel over?"

"No need. Except when transporting the saplings we sold, we haven't used the truck much."

"Oh, that’s truly saving fuel. A barrel lasts me all autumn at home."

"Of course. You're always ready to meet any need. When people come looking for transport on the mountain, I’m busy. Besides, with this pack of puppies keeping company, most people wouldn't dare come up to the mountain plot. Think of how much trouble that saves! You, girl, you don't know how to manage things. You have to maintain relationships; who ever heard of paying for them yourself?"

Cheng Ying touched her forehead. Perhaps Second Uncle shared a similar perspective on life with her grandmother.

When Cheng Ying waved goodbye to Second Uncle, it was already afternoon. Chi Wu, that unlucky kid, should be waking up by now. Cheng Ying waited until she was far away before moving the two puppies into her space, intending to raise them there for a while to improve their condition gradually, sparing Grandma any worry. Only when she reached the doorstep did Cheng Ying let the puppies out.

Chi Wu hadn't been idle at home. He checked the house, using a long pole to drag the small tiles back onto the roof—a task usually done by Chi Yong in previous years, but Chi Wu had taken it over recently. Then he cleaned the yard, prepared kindling, and cooked the meals. Having been away for half a year, Chi Wu hadn't rested for a single day. When Cheng Ying returned, Chi Wu's food was already ready. "How was it? Anything happening up on the mountain?"

"Nothing much. I brought back two dogs, Er Ya's pups, to guard the house. What do you think?"

"That’s fine. No one hears of beating dogs these days. Besides, raising them in the yard, not letting them roam, should be okay. Where are the dogs?"

"What time did you wake up, lazybones? The dogs are outside."

Chi Wu wasn't too concerned. "It’s winter, isn't it? Can’t work on the mountain anyway. Isn't it permissible for me to sleep in a little?"

"Hmph. I can't be bothered with you. There are pine nuts in the car; Second Uncle saved them all. If you want good food, take them yourself."

"I'll take them back for Grandma to eat; she loves those things."

Cheng Ying thought that Chi Wu really cared deeply for Grandma, always thinking of the old woman first. "Tomorrow we’ll visit Auntie’s place; we’ll probably eat dinner there before coming back. If we return in the afternoon, we'll circle the village once—consider it an early New Year's greeting. The day after tomorrow, we’ll wake up early, pay respects at my father’s grave, and then leave. We should try to get home before noon so it doesn't interfere with spending New Year’s with Grandma."

"Okay, got it. Don't worry, I'll sleep well these next two days so I don't delay you."

"Driving requires sufficient sleep. What were you doing at night? You have two dark circles under your eyes."

Cheng Ying almost asked Chi Wu if he had been having lustful dreams. But considering the young man's awkward temperament, she restrained herself, fearing it might cause a rift between them. Besides, an elder wouldn't usually discuss such things with a child. Cheng Ying considered herself kind-hearted.

Chi Wu's face flushed crimson. "None of your business!"

Just as she suspected, he was displeased. This was just the beginning. She hadn't even asked the important questions yet.

Cheng Ying and Chi Wu ate dinner, then still visited a few more houses. When they returned that evening, Cheng Ming, Cheng Shuan, and the others were waiting at home. Cheng Ying mused that they were childhood friends. "Why did you guys only manage to come today?"

"We came earlier today, but you weren't home. And you’re complaining now?"

The group of half-grown boys caused a ruckus in the room for nearly half the night. The most crucial part was when Cheng Ming and the others asked Chi Wu about buying medicinal herbs for the New Year. Cheng Ying felt it was his business, a transaction of sorts, so she didn't interrupt, focusing instead on serving these "masters."

Usually, Chi Wu was only quick-witted with Cheng Ying and Grandma; otherwise, he was rather quiet. Cheng Ying had noticed he didn't have many close friends at school. Perhaps he was too busy to make friends. However, he seemed quite comfortable with Cheng Ming and the others; the conversation never lagged, and remarkably, Chi Wu was the one doing most of the talking. Cheng Ying realized she must have misjudged—Wu Zi was quite talkative.

When Cheng Ming and the others left, Cheng Ying placed the fireworks she had prepared for the children by the door; each one carried a bundle home. That unlucky kid, Cheng Ming, even set off several of the fireworks they couldn't carry, probably drawing curses from many households late in the night.

Chi Wu and the gang of boys kept themselves busy until past midnight. They slept soundly that night, collapsing onto the heated brick bed and falling asleep instantly. He had no lingering thoughts. Cheng Ying looked at Chi Wu, gritting her teeth in frustration. The unlucky thing just slept off, leaving her to tidy up the kang and the floor. By the time she finished and climbed onto the bed, it was almost one o'clock. She managed to cover Chi Wu with a quilt and then drifted off herself.

The next morning, Cheng Ying slept soundly. When Chi Wu woke up, seeing Cheng Ying sleeping beside him filled him with joy, but he still dared not make any moves—this was Cheng Ying, after all. He slowly shifted his head closer to hers, feeling blissful. Chi Wu kept his eyes half-closed, snuggling close to Cheng Ying as they slept. He was trying to soak in the feeling, and it was indeed comfortable. Chi Wu harbored no ill intentions, only wanting to be physically closer to Cheng Ying, and he fell asleep in this state of contentment.

Cheng Ying was woken by the puppies yapping. She opened her eyes and saw a large handsome face staring at her. Even seeing a handsome face was annoying now. "Get up! You messed around half the night, and you dare to lie in bed? Go feed the dogs!"

Chi Wu rubbed his eyes. Those little dogs were too annoying, yapping so loudly. Cheng Ying pushed Chi Wu away, offering not a single kind word. "Wipe the sleep out of your eyes; it’s unpleasant to look at."

Chi Wu turned his head away, on the verge of tears. Being so close meant his eye boogers were visible—the youth felt quite vulnerable.

Cheng Ying got up. "Your hair needs a trim. After breakfast, I’ll cut your hair first, then we’ll go to Auntie’s."

Chi Wu scowled. So, all that closeness early in the morning was just for her to notice his eye boogers and the need for a haircut? There was nothing good in it for him. Distance creates beauty—whoever said that was right, and it applied perfectly here, leaving him utterly deflated. However, at least he could enjoy Cheng Ying’s exclusive skill; besides him, Cheng Ying had never cut anyone else's hair. Chi Wu found a balance in his mindset. "I'll cook first."

Cheng Ying stretched languidly, genuinely not wanting to get up early. "Don't say I bullied you. Last night, I served your group of rascally friends all evening."