During the Lunar New Year, if this one at home doesn't look good, where would I find another identical one to swap out for the old lady?

Cheng Ying sat by the pond, fretting over her own grandmother. This was already the fourth one she’d replaced.

She glanced at the half-dead thing she’d brought in from the outside not long ago, which had surprisingly revived.

Cheng Ying let out a chuckle. “So, I have a personal dimension, and it turns out it was meant for me to fiddle with flowers for the old lady.”

This realization brought Cheng Ying immense joy; being able to show filial piety to her grandmother was rewarding enough.

With her worries gone, Cheng Ying turned and exited the dimension. But why was her head feeling so shaky? Was there an earthquake coming?

Cheng Ying dared not mention this to her grandmother during the New Year; she’d just have to watch herself.

If an actual earthquake did hit, she would risk revealing the dimension to ensure the old lady was moved to a safe place first.

Cheng Ying had left, so she didn't notice how strangely the large stones inside the dimension were behaving—growing large, then small, then small, then large, as if the very space was heaving great, angry breaths.

No wonder Cheng Ying’s head was throbbing. If this kept up, she’d end up with a concussion.

The old lady heard the firecrackers outside die down and called the two children in for dinner. Mumbling under her breath, she said, “Hearing all that excitement, you know life is good now. A few years ago, how many families could afford to set off firecrackers? If they had spare money, they wouldn't even have enough for new clothes.”

Cheng Ying chimed in, “Indeed, back then, we never heard many firecrackers even on New Year’s in our village.”

The old lady sighed again, “Society has improved.”

After eating dumplings, Chi Wu clung to the heated brick bed in the east room, refusing to leave. “Grandma, this room is warmer, and it’s lively here with you.”

The old lady glanced at her grandson, slightly tipsy from two cups of fruit wine. Still, he was thoughtful; even his own grandmother wasn't with him, but he stayed here with her. What a good child. “Then stay here for the New Year vigil. Grandma will shell sunflower seeds for you.”

Chi Wu lay down on the kang. He had intended to rest his head on Cheng Ying’s lap, but seeing Cheng Ying’s expression, he hesitated. He licked his lips, tentatively, and settled down lying side-by-side with Cheng Ying. “Grandma is still the best.”

As he said this, his eyes were fixed on Cheng Ying.

Cheng Ying snorted. So, this was her exclusive right. Grandma didn't care about her anymore?

But she didn’t get up, choosing instead to lie there on the warm kang.

The old lady managed to shell nearly half a small bowl of sunflower seed kernels throughout the night, all of which went to Cheng Ying. The boy was trying to poach her affection.

Chi Wu felt that time should just stop right there; it was the most perfect moment—Grandma shelling seeds for him, and Cheng Ying lying next to him. This life couldn't get any better. It was paradise.

Cheng Ying watched as the old lady finished shelling a handful of kernels. She stood up, reached out, took the old lady’s hand, opened her mouth, popped the seeds right into her own mouth, and then looked defiantly at Chi Wu.

Chi Wu lay there, watching Cheng Ying’s upturned lips and full cheeks, his eyes dark and bright. He silently turned away, not looking anymore.

The old lady scolded, “You troublesome thing! What are you doing, snatching things?”

Cheng Ying replied, “Grandma, I’m suffering from Tai Sui this year; I keep running into petty people.”

The old lady became even more vexed. “Next year, I’ll just seal your mouth shut. See if you still have so much to say. Telling me about Tai Sui on the first day of the New Year!”

With that, she brought the remaining shelled seeds to Chi Wu’s lips.

Chi Wu opened his mouth. The old lady fed him directly.

Chi Wu was so agitated inside that he couldn't taste anything, but why did he think the seeds in Cheng Ying’s mouth tasted better?

Chi Wu covered his face with one hand; it was burning hot. He couldn't bear it.

Cheng Ying, on the side, was also blushing—all because of this boy. Her attempt at winning favor had failed.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, the old lady told the two children to go pay respects to the Chi family.

Cheng Ying was dressed quite beautifully in new clothes made by the old lady. Of course, she would have preferred something less flashy, but that was the reality. When would this cotton-padded attire end?

Chi Wu’s trousers were also made by the old lady. Cheng Ying had offered input, and they turned out even prettier than store-bought ones, looking quite stylish when worn.

When the two paid respects to the Chi family, the elderly Mr. and Mrs. Chi gave Cheng Ying a large red envelope.

Mrs. Chi held onto her grandson tightly, unwilling to let go, determined not to let him wander off again.

Chi Yong asked, “Yingzi, why so early? Your mother and I were just about to go pay respects to your Grandma.”

Cheng Ying replied, “Perfect timing. We can head back together.”

Mrs. Chi (Chi Wu’s grandmother) instructed, “Wuzi, you must properly visit relatives and friends today. Grandma usually doesn't bother you, but today you have to behave well.”

Chi Wu mumbled, “Mmm,” his voice somewhat subdued.

Cheng Ying knew Mrs. Chi didn't want her grandson to leave. She followed Chi Yong and his family of four out, waving goodbye to Chi Wu.

As Chi Wu reached the doorway, he said, “Since I’m visiting around, I’ll see if I can rush the trademark application. And that car—you keep your promise, right?”

He spoke the last part very softly, as if he were a thief. In Chi Wu’s mind, they were still children; buying something as significant as a car needed to be done stealthily. Once bought, if the adults disagreed, it couldn't be returned.

Cheng Ying thought it was unnecessary. It’s your own money; manage your own life. If you want to buy something, just buy it. Who is there to fear? “Don’t worry, you small-minded thing. I won’t shortchange you on the car.”

The two separated. Mrs. Chi (Chi Wu’s grandmother) was displeased.

Looking at the two of them, she felt they were too close. “Wuzi, you’re growing up, and Yingzi is a young lady now. You can’t keep pulling on her arm and talking to her like that anymore. That’s not appropriate.”

Old Man Chi looked at his grandson in surprise. They were siblings.

Chi Wu didn't even lift his head. He stated matter-of-factly, “Yingzi and I have always been like this; we’re used to it.”

Mrs. Chi insisted, “That still needs to change. This isn't the village; there are gossips everywhere. You’re a boy, so it doesn’t matter much, but Yingzi is a girl, and it reflects poorly on her reputation.”

Chi Wu thought to himself, I wish there were some gossip, so everyone knew Yingzi was mine and no one else would dare to have designs on her. “Let whoever say what they want. We live our own lives; why worry so much about others?”

Old Man Chi rarely saw his grandson speak so much in one day. “Your grandmother is worried; she means well. She’s thinking of Yingzi too. A girl’s reputation is very important.”

Chi Wu took a deep breath. “We are family.” He thought to himself that they would be even more of a family in the future, but he wouldn't say it now.

Mrs. Chi exploded, “She is family? What am I to you? What are we to you?”

Chi Wu looked at his grandmother. “There’s no conflict. You are my grandmother.”

Mrs. Chi sputtered, “You still remember I’m your grandmother? How many times have you visited home? Anyone who didn't know would think you belonged to the Cheng family!”

Chi Wu fell silent. In the future, if Cheng Ying married someone, he would eventually belong to the Cheng family. Seeing his grandmother's attitude, he figured she wouldn't agree, so he decided to postpone mentioning it. He turned to Old Man Chi with a look that clearly meant, I can't handle this; you take over.

Old Man Chi looked at his grandson and began mediating, “Alright, it’s New Year’s; Wuzi still has to go out visiting.”

Chi Wu breathed a sigh of relief. Mrs. Chi was sulking, determined to keep a close eye on her grandson from now on. Besides, her grandson was grown; he needed to know other people. He couldn't have eyes only for that wild girl, Cheng Ying. The only reason her grandson acted this way was because his horizons were too narrow. Even though Mrs. Chi didn't suspect any romantic involvement, the sibling relationship alone was enough to bother her.

Never mind Cheng Ying accompanying her grandmother to pay respects, visiting nearly all of the old lady’s fellow enthusiasts, Chi Wu certainly didn't waste his holiday traveling among friends and relatives.

Essentially, after the second day of the New Year, Chi Wu had nearly finished securing the registration for his trademark. He was just waiting for the various departments to reopen so he could file the paperwork.

When Chi Wu came to tell Cheng Ying about it after the third day, Cheng Ying had only one response: “So, someone good at pulling strings really helps. Not bad. Keep up the good work.”

Chi Wu felt that this didn’t sound like praise at all. “Are you jealous of me?”

Cheng Ying scoffed, “Don’t make me laugh. Could Sister ever be jealous of you? Am I that kind of person?” Honestly, she felt a pang of bitterness. If it were her, how long would it take to beg and plead through the endless bureaucracy? But she absolutely wouldn't admit it.

Cheng Ying asked, “So, how was your New Year? Quite nice, wasn't it?”

Chi Wu grumbled, “Boring, meaningless. It’s better watching TV at home with Grandma.”

Cheng Ying’s face darkened. Only Chi Wu could put up with her grandmother, watching TV while critiquing everything from angles no one else could stomach. She was truly speechless. The old lady still maintained that the singer of "My Heart Belongs to China" was great, even if he wore glasses.

Cheng Ying leaned closer. “Wuzi, we’re both grown now, and we need to understand social etiquette. How about we talk to Grandma and suggest we go visit some classmates, maybe see a teacher while we’re out?”

Chi Wu raised an eyebrow, his narrow monolid almost disappearing as he squinted his eyes. Cheng Ying didn't have any close classmates that he wouldn't know about. “Is that so? I wonder which classmate you plan to visit, what their name is, and which teacher you intend to see?” His questioning was aggressive.

Cheng Ying truly couldn't recall any classmate she was close enough to require a New Year's visit, and there was only one teacher. “You child, it’s about social connections; you build them through interactions.”

Chi Wu looked at Cheng Ying with earnest gravity. “Yingzi, do you remember when we were back in the village?”

Cheng Ying didn’t know where this was leading. “That’s a long way off. Even if we went back to the village for New Year’s greetings, it’s unlikely.”

Chi Wu insisted, “Yingzi, back then, if Grandma hadn't protected us, what do you think our lives would be like now? I get scared just thinking about it.”

Cheng Ying remembered her own grandmother and felt the exact same way as Chi Wu. Without the old lady’s protection, she and Chi Wu would have been bullied to death by the village children. Of course, she wasn't afraid herself, but the old lady's sentiment was heartwarming. “Mmm. If anyone said one bad thing about me, Grandma would chase them halfway across the hamlet with a broom.”

Chi Wu glanced at Cheng Ying and said slowly, word by word, “That was the first time someone protected me like that. I thought right then: from now on, I will listen to Grandma. Whatever Grandma says, goes. I won't make her unhappy. To have someone protect me, I must cherish that.”

Cheng Ying nodded along. “I didn't just think that then; I think it now, and I’ll act on it in the future. You, boy, can’t just think that way temporarily, understand?”

Chi Wu nodded, having waited for exactly those words. “Then what do you mean? Which teacher are you planning to see? Haven't you forgotten what Grandma said? Are you planning to defy her orders in secret? Do you think Grandma is wrong? Do you not trust Grandma’s judgment? Do you think Grandma would harm you? Or do you think you’re better than Grandma at reading people? Tell me, ah, speak!”