“I learned well from being around you,” Chi Wu said with genuine humility. “I can’t compare to you,” Cheng Ying countered.

“With your skills, there’s nothing you couldn’t fix when it comes to charming your future in-laws.” Chi Wu looked at Cheng Ying, his gaze steady and earnest. “Really?” Cheng Ying nodded with firm certainty.

“Really, truer than pure gold.” Chi Wu smiled strangely. “It’s good that it’s true.” It was Yingzi who possessed capability, depth, and insight, to actually see that he was trying to win over his future parents-in-law.

Cheng Ying looked at the young man’s face, pondering. “You have a target, let big sister take a look first.” Chi Wu looked at Cheng Ying.

“No need. Although the person is a bit formidable, her heart is good.” Cheng Ying raised an eyebrow.

“Good eye, you can see that already?” Chi Wu replied, “Mmm, roughly so. Average.” Cheng Ying arched an eyebrow.

This kid was quite mature. He already had a first love target?

She gave the old lady a look tinged with grievance—her own first love target had been snuffed out by the elder! Feeling unbalanced, she coaxed, “Tell me about her.

I’ll keep it secret for you.” Chi Wu pursed his lips and closed his eyes. “No need.

Things are fine as they are.” Cheng Ying couldn't stand Chi Wu seeming more triumphant than she was. Wasn't this just sprinkling salt on her own wound?

Why couldn't fate have bumped into her instead? To let this kid get ahead!

“Hmph. Listening to you, this target of yours must be quite something.

Why don’t you find someone gentler? Don't say I didn't warn you: find someone honest, someone soft.

She’ll get along well with your grandma in the future. My mother, she gets along with everyone—not just daughters-in-law, but even her mother-in-law could get along with her.” Chi Wu considered Cheng Ying’s words.

Harmony between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law was not an issue in his own home. As for his grandmother, that Yingzi had always handled her effortlessly; that wasn't a problem either.

“It’s fine. Even though the person is a bit formidable, her social graces are fine, and mother-in-law issues won't exist.” “You’re quite the braggart, kid.

Who is this person that you praise so highly? But you’re right, someone like my mother has no trouble getting along with anyone.

Even someone like your grandma could be managed. I suppose even the most formidable daughter-in-law wouldn’t be an issue for you.” Chi Wu felt that Yingzi was focusing her thoughts in the wrong direction.

Why didn't she consider that any woman married to his mother wouldn't have mother-in-law problems? This person wasn't one to pick up hints easily.

He turned away, unwilling to waste words on Cheng Ying. Utterly dense.

Cheng Ying felt that Chi Wu was thoroughly dismissing her. “Hmph, what’s the big show-off act about?

There will be a time when you’re scratching your head.” She turned away, visibly displeased. That irritating kid, forgetting his own mother now that he had a girlfriend.

He wouldn't even talk to her. Cheng Ying retraced Chi Wu’s words, muttering to herself, “Could it be that she’s caught the contagion from my mother?

That she’s developed a masochistic streak, specifically drawn to the formidable? Future brothers' wives are going to be hard to deal with.” Chi Wu’s face darkened.

He did have a problem, why would he fall for someone like Cheng Ying? Wasn't that asking for torture?

Cheng Ying suddenly turned her head. “Hey, she really is formidable, huh?” Chi Wu didn’t even deign to respond.

The old lady interjected, “Alright, stop fooling around. Bring the dumpling ingredients inside.

The three of us can watch TV and wrap dumplings.” Cheng Ying felt dispirited. She’d already watched the Spring Festival Gala on her computer.

But still, reviewing the old can be rewarding. She didn't want to spoil the old lady’s mood.

Chi Wu, always following the old lady’s lead, agreed to whatever she said. As the old lady wrapped dumplings, she watched the gala.

When she heard the reference to Teacher Jiang’s 'Universe Brand Cigarettes,' she laughed so hard she could barely stay upright. Chi Wu laughed along with his grandmother, but Cheng Ying snapped back to reality—it was already 1984.

Good heavens, she was getting old. Cheng Ying felt a little ancient.

The old lady sighed contentedly. “It’s better here.

The television looks much clearer. Back in the village, you can’t see this well.” “Of course.

In the village, the bed platform is packed with people. You only got to see a small figure, and you couldn't even hear clearly what they were saying,” Cheng Ying agreed.

“Exactly. But it’s a bit too quiet here,” the old lady admitted.

Chi Wu offered, “Grandma, if you find it too quiet, I can take Yingzi outside to set off firecrackers.” “Forget it! Don't think I don't know what that means.

That’s not setting off firecrackers, that’s burning money!” Chi Wu thought his grandma was being a bit unfeeling on New Year’s Eve. “Alright, watch the television.

Look how well this child sings. He’s just a four-eyes,” the old lady said.

Cheng Ying glanced at the screen. Amazing that the old lady could find fault even now.

This was a song that had captivated so many people, a star! Only the old lady could offer such an objective critique of someone’s appearance.

Chi Wu looked at the TV. The old lady didn’t care for four-eyes.

In the future, he absolutely could not become nearsighted. He hadn't paid much attention to the song itself; his focus was entirely on his grandmother’s preferences.

Cheng Ying pouted. “If you don't like this, I don't know what you do like.

How am I ever going to find a partner? I’m done talking.” The old lady glared.

What more needed to be said about this tiresome child? “What did I do to you?” “I think it’s going to be very hard for me to get married.

Your standards are too high,” Cheng Ying stated plainly. The old lady snapped back.

“You ridiculous child, have you no shame? How are my standards high?

If you hadn't come to the provincial capital for school, I would have arranged your engagement back in the village long ago. Mark my words, stop causing trouble.” Chi Wu felt danger looming.

He quickly intervened, hoping to raise the bar. “Grandma, you do have good judgment.

You saw that Yingzi was good at studying, so you didn't arrange a match. Otherwise, Yingzi would have been held back.” “Of course.

Once you finish school and get a good job, we can take our time picking. They will definitely be good matches,” the old lady confirmed.

Cheng Ying thought, when would that be? How could her romantic first love ever happen now?

“By then, all the good cabbages will have been rooted up by pigs. Forget about me.

Grandma, let’s just go home and get engaged.” This was pure teasing, though it also revealed Cheng Ying’s longing for a boyfriend. An engagement meant things were settled, publicly acknowledged.

The old lady glanced at her granddaughter, convinced she wouldn't settle for a village boy even if her own standards had somehow changed. “Fine, let’s go back to the village then.

I’ve already set my sights on Cheng Mao, the son of your Aunt Shenglin.” Cheng Ying remembered him—a nice kid, possibly growing into a handsome man, but when they were in school together, he always had a runny nose. Before Cheng Ying could protest, Chi Wu piped up from the side, sounding thoroughly disgusted.

“That one who’s always dripping snot?” The old lady gave Chi Wu an approving look. This child was so straightforward.

He had to say it like that, or the girl wouldn't give up. Cheng Ying frowned.

“Why not his older brother?” Her implication was clear: the older brother was certainly an option worth considering. Chi Wu’s expression soured.

How long had it been, and she still hadn't forgotten? He vividly recalled the time Cheng Ying even offered to wash that boy's lunchbox for him.

Cheng Ying’s grandmother smacked her on the head. “Get out of here!” Chi Wu scoffed, “Superficial,” then turned to the grandmother to offer counsel.

“Grandma, Yingzi is good in every way, except she judges entirely by appearance. That’s no good.

Our family isn’t like that. If she doesn't change this habit, she’ll be tricked one day and suffer unjustly.” The old lady frowned and turned to Cheng Ying.

“Who did you take after? Don't just stare at pretty things.

When you judge people, you look at character. Honest men are reliable.

Haven't you heard? Pretty boys have no good intentions.” This criticism struck not just one person, but a whole demographic.

Cheng Ying shot Chi Wu a look of annoyance. This person used a soft knife—it was too malicious.

Chi Wu was unconcerned, stating openly, “I’m saying this for your own good. Grandma picking Cheng Mao for you means Cheng Mao is reliable and honest.

Look at you, what are you longing for? Cheng Mao’s older brother—besides being better looking, what do you actually know about him?” The old lady nodded emphatically.

“Exactly! Yingzi, didn't I tell you that you’ve always liked playing with good-looking, pretty people since you were little?

Bad habit.” Chi Wu finally breathed a sigh of relief. The dough in his hands had warped; that dumpling wrapper was ruined for nothing.

Cheng Ying narrowed her eyes at Chi Wu. What a little schemer.

The old lady continued, “Don’t look unconvinced. Do you think I don’t know why you liked Miaomiao but not Dun’er?

Wasn’t it because Dun’er had a runny nose? And Miaomiao was clean-cut and good-looking?” Cheng Ying had no rebuttal.

“Grandma, this gala is really wonderful.” The old lady waved her off. “I can’t be bothered with you.

Change that rotten habit of yours.” Chi Wu chimed in, “Grandma, it’s alright, I’m here. I’ll keep watch over Yingzi.

I can see things you can’t.” While Cheng Ying and the old lady were locked in an irreconcilable conflict, Chi Wu knew he would stand with his grandmother. Cheng Ying maintained a sweetly obedient smile on her face, but behind her back, where the old lady couldn't see, Chi Wu’s waist was being twisted until it felt like it would snap, all through those thick winter pants.

Chi Wu calmly continued rolling dumpling wrappers. Twist me to death, I still have to watch.

This wasn't a small matter. The old lady exclaimed, “Oh dear, I wrapped too many!” Cheng Ying replied, “It’s fine, we can eat them straight through until the fifth day of the New Year.” “Mmm, that saves some trouble then,” the old lady conceded.

Only Chi Wu’s waist was turning purple and blue from the pressure, causing him to suck in cold air repeatedly. The topic had been diverted, but the old lady decided she needed to monitor her granddaughter’s choice of friends more closely from now on.

The girl was shallow and obsessed with good looks. Who did she take after?

The old lady paused, picturing her own son’s appearance, then Chi Yong’s, her face twisting strangely. It dawned on her that perhaps the daughter-in-law also had a fondness for handsome men.

The old lady couldn't bring herself to say it: Don’t be like your mother. She needed to be even stricter with her granddaughter from now on.

Cheng Ying realized that dating in high school was probably out of the question now. Thinking of her dream man, she sighed—no fate, no connection.

This perfect cabbage was destined to be rooted up by a pig. Then she looked at Chi Wu.

Just you wait, kid, see how big sister deals with you. Chi Wu remained unconcerned.

As long as her misguided path was cut off, even if he self-inflicted a thousand wounds, it was worth it. He had plenty of time to recover anyway.

Besides, Chi Wu was certain that Cheng Ying wouldn't stay angry with him for long. In a little while, she’d forget this whole thing wasn't a big deal.

Only the old lady would probably remember it all. Chi Wu had figured her out.

It was New Year’s, and Cheng Ying wasn't one to truly clash with him anyway. This minor issue wasn't much in the grand scheme.

Being tricked by this kid just once was like giving an early New Year’s blessing to make him happy. There were plenty of attractive people in the outside world.

If she looked at a few more, surely the old lady couldn’t be like the Monkey King, with heavenly sight, knowing everything. Cheng Ying was taking it philosophically.

Otherwise, life would be too hard. The old lady insisted on waiting until midnight before letting Chi Wu set off firecrackers while she prepared the last of the dumplings.

Furthermore, the old lady had a specific ritual: before twelve o'clock, Cheng Ying had to water all the plants in the sunroom. She insisted that water represented wealth; if the plants weren’t watered before the fifth day, the wealth would drain away.

Cheng Ying, face dark, was tending to the flowers in the sunroom. She couldn't believe this notion of nurturing plants this way.

While no one was watching, Cheng Ying slipped into her private space. Finding another flowering crabapple tree of similar quality wouldn't be easy.

This pot was probably done for. Killing a plant during the New Year meant the old lady would nag about it for an entire year.