As for the new blueprints, Cheng Ying merely instructed the craftsmen not to reveal them before May Day. Not even the masters next door were to be told.

This was in preparation for launching the new style during the May Day holiday. It was only two weeks after school started that Cheng Ying finally saw their family's new car.

To be honest, despite the considerable expense, compared to Cheng Ying’s standards, the car wasn't particularly impressive—it was just something adequate for driving. Although Cheng Ying never envisioned driving a Lamborghini, one would expect something costing over a million, something with a bit more class.

Currently, that was not the case. Cheng Ying found the front end particularly clumsy.

"Forget it, it'll have to do." Chi Wu didn't know what dissatisfaction was clouding Cheng Ying’s judgment. So many people were watching as he drove it over.

The old lady reached out, carefully stroking the car's body. "This is ours?

Heavens, even the landlord's family hasn't seen such fine things." Cheng Ying thought the car was fine, at least Grandma was delighted. "Grandma, it's ours.

Let's get in, and Wu Zi can drive us around the block." The old lady’s eyes lit up. "Is that appropriate?

Won't we be showing off too much?" But clearly, her heart felt otherwise. Cheng Ying encouraged her.

"We bought the car, if you don't ride in it, does that mean we aren't showing off?" The old lady blushed shyly. "Then just one lap." Chi Wu rubbed his hands together.

"Grandma, I'll drive, I promise you won't get car sick." The old lady frowned. "You drove last time too," implying that she still got sick despite it being him.

Chi Wu felt his Grandma wasn't giving him much credit. "Grandma, the car is different; the feeling is different.

If it’s our own car, I won't make you sick." Cheng Ying helped the old lady into the car and shut the door. "Driver, let's go." The tone was rather self-important.

The old lady was so happy she could barely close her mouth. She never expected such a day.

Chi Wu chirped, "Got it!" and with a whoosh, the car pulled away. The three drove a loop around the provincial capital.

The old lady happily surveyed everything; she truly hadn't gotten car sick. Her face beaming with joy, she suggested, "Shall we pick up your mother from work?" Cheng Ying understood the old lady's mood—this was about savoring the moment.

"Should I call my uncle over too?" The old lady shook her head. "No need.

Your father's workplace is different." Cheng Ying looked at his Grandma, filled with pride. Though they came from the countryside, she understood things clearly.

Yang Zhi, sitting in her daughter's car, was beside herself with joy. The young nurses finishing work with her stared at the gleaming vehicle and kept pulling at Yang Zhi to ask about it.

Yang Zhi smiled faintly, saying nothing, but her proud expression made it obvious the car belonged to their family. In those days, few people could afford a private car, especially one of this caliber.

No wonder Cheng Ying was feeling smug. When they got out, the old lady finally felt dizzy.

"Oh dear, this kind of fortune isn't for everyone to enjoy. This is my fate; I'm not meant to be a rich lady." Cheng Ying poured her some water.

"Grandma, you'll get used to it. You’ll have to ride in the car every time we go home from now on, so you need to practice." Yang Zhi said, "Mom, you rest; I'll go make dinner." A virtuous daughter-in-law like Yang Zhi didn't need urging; she naturally found tasks to do.

Cheng Ying countered, "Mom, you just got off work. I'll do it; you stay with Grandma." Yang Zhi insisted, "No need.

We have the helper at home for cooking. I actually want to try my hand at it." The old lady whispered to Cheng Ying, "Your mother is truly starting to enjoy life now.

She’s more of a lady than I am, the landlord's wife." Cheng Ying nodded. "Mmm.

Grandma, if you like, we can hire another cook." The old lady huffed, "Stop that! You're trying to shorten my life on purpose." Cheng Ying pleaded, "Grandma!" The old lady sighed.

"I always thought your mother had a weak fortune, always looking drawn and stressed. Tell me, how can a person change so much in just a few years?

Your mother's complexion has become so round and rosy. It can’t be that our Cheng family doesn't nourish people, can it?" The old lady looked melancholy.

Cheng Ying reassured her, "That doesn't matter. You can tell just by looking at a face; even that big fatty is blessed with fortune." In fact, Cheng Ying often liked to look at people's faces when she first met them.

But she couldn't say that now. The old lady admitted, "That’s true.

I used to always look down on your mother's appearance, but look at her now. When I look in the mirror here, Yingzi, you have no idea—I can't even bear to look a second time.

I wonder how my own mother-in-law saw me back then." Cheng Ying lowered her head, unable to contain her emotion; the old lady was too amusing. She actually disliked her own face.

But her own dear Grandma's features did carry a hint of severity. "Grandma, how could you say that?" The old lady scoffed, "Don't play innocent.

Hmph, I know. I figured it out later.

Back in those years, we never knew where the next meal would come from. A woman had to let the man eat first.

If you’re starving thin and pale, how can you look fortunate?" Cheng Ying hugged her Grandma, laughing almost hysterically. The old lady was trying to console herself with excuses.

"Grandma, you have the best face I’ve ever seen, the most fortunate!" The old lady waved her off. "Stop it.

I have enough self-awareness for that." This time, Cheng Ying stopped laughing and spoke seriously. "Then it proves that physiognomy is inaccurate.

Out of everyone in the village, who has your fortune? The things your uncles send you are all high-quality items—don't hide them from me.

That’s your sons’ filial piety, and your granddaughter’s ability." The old lady pursed her lips and smiled. "That is true.

It proves this stuff is inaccurate. From now on, we must not judge people by their looks." She then specifically glanced at Cheng Ying, whose eyelids twitched.

School was starting soon; the old lady was putting the reins on her. She was truly guarding against any slip-ups.

"Grandma, I just have a loose mouth, and only in front of you. I understand what is right and wrong; I won't disgrace you." The old lady replied, "I’m not afraid of you disgracing me; I’m afraid you’ll regret it later.

Finding a reliable person isn't easy. A woman can’t afford to make a mistake in this matter in her whole life.

Yingzi, listen to Grandma: study hard. You'll meet many people later; we’ll pick the very best one." Cheng Ying knew that in her Grandma’s eyes, she deserved anyone, and she should naturally pick the best available.

She looked at the old lady. "Mmm, we'll pick the best one." In her heart, the best isn't necessarily the most suitable for me.

I'm still young anyway; we’ll worry about the future when it arrives. In my last life, I wasn't married off until I was thirty.

Even if I marry early this life, I'll still be in my twenties. I have years to prepare.

Maybe Grandma’s mind will change by then. This matter wasn't urgent.

"I'll listen to you, Grandma." Outside, Chi Wu raised an eyebrow. Grandma was truly wonderful; he needed to be even more dutiful from now on.

She was already helping him watch over her. Yang Zhi finished cooking and set the table, then called out, "Mom, time to eat." The old lady mumbled, "I don't feel like it; I'm dizzy.

You all go ahead." Chi Wu came in. "Grandma, it'll pass after a little while.

If you don't eat, what will we eat?" Yang Zhi brought over a bowl of cold noodles, topped with slices of tomato and cucumber. "Mom, this is good.

We can eat it inside where it's warm; it’s neither hot nor cold." Eating this in the middle of winter sounded strangely appetizing. "It’s true, your mother knows what I like." Yang Zhi smiled faintly.

With those eyes and that face, she looked like a young woman. Cheng Ying felt a slight panic.

Her mother was nearly forty, so why did she look increasingly bewitching? Cheng Ying was a little scared.

Could the spatial water have that strong an effect? She worried they might all be seized as demons.

"Mom, you are getting prettier and prettier." Yang Zhi laughed it off. "Nonsense.

I’m almost forty; I even have white hair." Cheng Ying felt a wave of relief. It was still normal, then.

She hoped she grew more white hair—otherwise, what would happen? The old lady chimed in, "Don't you worry.

Look at me; how much white hair have I lost in the past two years?" Cheng Ying wanted to cry. What was going on?

Why was this space so unpredictable? Forget it, let nature take its course.

Earn more money for more security. After dinner, Wu Zi drove Yang Zhi back.

The courtyard entrance saw many cars coming and going, but the new car still stood out. "Oh, it’s Yang Zhi.

Your Wu Zi is quite capable!" Yang Zhi chatted with them politely. "Children playing around without understanding things." Her words were perfectly courteous.

In a short while, everyone who needed to know, knew. The elderly Mr.

and Mrs. Chi watched the small spectacle from their balcony.

Mr. Chi didn't mind much; after all, the driver was his grandson.

Mrs. Chi only had one thing to say: "Nouveau riche." It wasn't her car, so she was annoyed by anyone else having one.

Chi Yong and Chi Ye came over to see. "Heh, only a few days, and they've upgraded their quality so fast." Then he grabbed his son.

"Come on, let's go for a ride downstairs." This father and son duo weren't going to be polite to anyone. Mrs.

Chi scoffed, "Hmph. We aren't without our own vehicles.

Why bother riding in someone else's? Truly embarrassing." Mr.

Chi soothed his wife. "A family with a hundred years of heritage has deep roots; not everything can compare." His implication was that her heritage was eroding.

Indeed, Mrs. Chi glanced down below, snorted through her nose, and went back to tending her flowers and plants.

This showed she was impervious to superficial changes. When Cheng Ying saw Teacher Qi again, she felt the world was too fickle; her own perspective had shifted.

A destined connection without the fate to fulfill it. What a good man he was.

She felt his gaze burning intensely, so Cheng Ying glanced at Chi Wu, who was looking at her earnestly, and turned away from Teacher Qi. Then again, Sister is being reserved, but why can't this male god feel the fiery look in my eyes?

Aren't girls supposed to be shy these days, expressing affection through glances? Cheng Ying felt Teacher Qi lacked romantic sentiment.

He was missing a crucial spark. Chi Wu stared coldly at Cheng Ying.

Dare to get any ideas, and I'll deal with you. He didn't believe she truly wanted to get hit with a feather duster.

At the end of February, on a Sunday, Chi Wu was at his tutoring session. Because of her disappointment in her male god, Cheng Ying wasn't very attentive in class.

So, she stayed home hosting guests. The crabapple garden, spanning at least three mu in the backyard, burst into bud overnight.

Pedestrians taking morning and evening strolls gathered around the area. Cheng Ying overheard her grandmother complaining that someone had already dubbed the place "Crabapple Bay." The name was indeed excellent.

Chi Yong invited his colleagues from the office over as guests. Cheng Ying set up some elegant tables and chairs among the crabapple saplings and brewed a pot of herbal tea.

She also brought out a jar of the old lady’s fruit wine. Literary people, after all, appreciate elegance, which Cheng Ying found quite good—it saved money.

The only less-than-elegant detail was the charcoal grills Cheng Ying set up for the group, complete with skewers and tender ears of corn. At this time, it was impossible to find tender corn ears anywhere else in the provincial capital.

These were Cheng Ying’s exclusive specialty; the kernels were as small as pearls, making them immensely popular. The old lady looked at the crowd in the backyard.

"Yingzi, do you really not need to prepare a stewed rooster?" Cheng Ying felt that kind of gathering didn't require stewed chicken. "No need.

If they require it, Uncle will certainly ask us." ps: Requesting pink tickets. RP