"You really have a way of looking at things," Cheng Ying said, then yanked Xiao Ye out to play after he finished his calligraphy practice. She needed to build rapport with her future sister-in-law.

The little fatty whispered to Cheng Ying, "Aunties keep visiting, and then sisters keep visiting."

Cheng Ying patted the little fatty's head. The tree wants to be still, but the wind won't cease. The old lady clearly hadn't had enough easy living and needed to stir up trouble.

Finding a friend for Chi Wu was fine, but what was the point of all this fuss when his son, daughter-in-law, and grandson were already a complete family? Did she absolutely have to find his grandson a stepmother?

The old lady deserved a good smack.

Chi Wu’s expression soured. Seeing Cheng Ying shift slightly, he patted the space beside him. "Sit here."

Cheng Ying placed the little fatty in the middle. "What are you talking about to make you so happy? Qing Fang, you're still in school?"

The young girl, Qing Fang, replied with a touch of arrogance, "I go to No. 1 Middle School, I’m in the class above yours."

Oh, she was even older than Wu Zi. The girl was quite promising. "My goodness, we're alumni! I didn't recognize you."

Qing Fang felt that she was somewhat well-known at school, and this person didn't know her. They must be pretending, doing it on purpose. Consequently, she formed a poor impression of Cheng Ying.

Chi Wu ate his fruit, ignoring the conversation between the two, as if there was nothing worth discussing. He even shot Cheng Ying a glare.

Qing Fang said, "Perhaps my reputation isn't big enough yet. I've only heard of you."

The young girl was unwilling to offer praise at that moment.

Cheng Ying smiled faintly. "Really? I’m not around school much, so I don't know much about it."

She wanted to ask the girl about her hobbies, but seeing the way the young girl held herself—so similar to Mrs. Chi—she felt that any polite words she might offer would fall flat.

In an instant, Cheng Ying felt she was being overly involved. Besides, she was going to be the girl's sister-in-law eventually; there was no reason for her to try and please her future brother-in-law's intended bride. It should be the other way around—the wife should be placating the sister-in-law.

It seemed she didn't need to rush this. Seeing the girl's overly proud and haughty manner, Cheng Ying felt even less inclined to flatter her.

Judging by Chi Wu's attitude, this matter was still undecided. She abandoned the girl for the moment and teased the fatty instead. "Xiao Ye, what do you want to eat? I’ll make it for you later."

The little fatty was very supportive of Cheng Ying. "I love everything Sister makes."

Cheng Ying laughed. Chi Wu sat beside them, casually stuffing food into the little fatty's mouth. They said nothing, yet those three formed a tiny world of their own that no one else could enter.

The young girl watched Chi Wu openly, her expression conveying everything she felt.

Mrs. Chi was displeased. Things were going along fine, so why did Cheng Ying have to come and cause trouble?

Grandpa Chi, watching the scene, thought his wife was meddling unnecessarily.

This wasn't something they should interfere in; besides, Wu Zi was still young.

Yang Zhi returned and brightened when she saw her daughter. "Ying Zi is here!"

With that single sentence, she disappeared into the kitchen.

Cheng Ying stood up. "Mom, I’ll help you." It was natural, but the young girl immediately felt excluded.

Yang Zhi said, "No need. Mom is cooking for you all today."

Cheng Ying's voice was loud enough for others to hear. "Why the special cooking? I've been eating Mom's food so often lately, I think my belly is about to pop!"

Yang Zhi replied, "That’s just right. Being sturdy means you're healthy. Don't be like those young girls today, constantly dieting."

Cheng Ying was speechless. "Mom, are you sure? It’s good for a girl to be sturdy?" What kind of aesthetic was that?

Chi Yong walked out. "In your mother’s eyes, even if you weighed two hundred jin, it would still be just right."

Cheng Ying thought to herself, Is there anyone who would mock me like that? "Uncle, don't worry. My figure is natural; I inherited it well from Mom. That day will never come."

Chi Yong was just teasing his wife; what his daughter said didn't matter.

Unfortunately, Yang Zhi was subdued, not even offering him a smile.

It was as if they had returned to the time just after they got married, when life was so hard they couldn't even muster a smile.

Cheng Ying felt annoyed watching them. Alas, she's being influenced by that temptress. That wretched snake-spirit!

She looked at Chi Yong. "Uncle, what would you like to eat? Should we order something? My mom’s cooking is quite good."

Chi Yong glanced at his wife, fearing he’d order something she wouldn't cook, leading to embarrassment. "I like whatever your mother makes."

With that, he headed to the living room.

Cheng Ying thought, This man is quite cunning. It seemed he didn't need her help in placating his wife. "Mom, Uncle is good to you. He even knows how to sweet-talk you now."

Yang Zhi was quiet for a long time. It was embarrassing to discuss such matters with her daughter, but she had no close friends. Her own family lived far away. If she didn't tell her daughter, who could she tell? Her heart felt heavy.

Cheng Ying said, "Mom, the life you lead is enviable." She was trying to steer Yang Zhi toward more positive thoughts.

For the first time, Yang Zhi spoke to her daughter with something akin to a complaint. "Running a household isn't simple. One person being good isn't enough. Later, when Ying Zi finds a husband, Mom will pick carefully for you."

What Yang Zhi didn't say was that she would ensure her daughter married into a family with a less troublesome mother-in-law.

Cheng Ying understood. Her own mother seemed to have no major issues with her stepfather, which meant the problem lay with the Chi family's elderly couple. "Mom, is Grandma Chi making things difficult for you?"

Yang Zhi pursed her lips. "No." She wouldn't say another word. She was a person who never spoke ill of others, whether to their face or behind their back. That previous comment was the extent of her grievance.

Cheng Ying felt that having a mother who disliked airing grievances was also difficult. If she didn't express it, how could Cheng Ying comfort her? "Mom, Xiao Ye mentioned that there have been many guests at home recently?"

Yang Zhi's expression darkened further. "Yes. That classmate of your uncle's; he and the old lady get along very well."

Nothing more needed to be said; the old Chi lady had invited the wolf into their home herself.

No wonder her mother was in a foul mood. "Mom, if you’re unhappy staying here, just come home. Anyway, you’re moving soon. If you want to visit, you can, and then you won't have to look at them if you’re annoyed."

Yang Zhi looked at her daughter, feeling a little exposed. How could she not be upset when her daughter saw through it? Having someone staring at her husband like a wolf—it made life suffocating.

Cheng Ying continued, "You have to trust Uncle. You both survived hard times. Since there’s nothing wrong now, there won't be anything wrong in the future. What hasn't he seen? What hasn't he experienced? His judgment of people is much sharper than yours. Rest assured."

She added casually, "And you need to have confidence in yourself. If you were to take all those messy things out there, you’d need a lantern to find a wife as good as you are in eight streets. The entire Chi family was blessed when they met you."

Chi Yong felt a pang of tenderness. His own daughter actually praised him like this. So thoughtful.

As for the latter part, Chi Yong admitted that his wife was indeed someone who could outshine any first love by a mile.

Yang Zhi felt a warmth spread through her heart. After all, this was her daughter. Her eyes reddened, and she lowered her head, murmuring, "Mmm," still reluctant to speak much.

Cheng Ying thought, I’ve helped as much as I can. A little temper is fine; it prevents her stepfather from thinking her mother is a complete fool. If he starts having affairs outside, that would be real trouble.

Dinner was lively. Mrs. Chi enthusiastically insisted the young girl stay.

Cheng Ying thought, If only your judgment was always this good. Why would you look down on your own son and invite such an imbecilic snake-spirit into the house?

After dinner, Cheng Ying joined the old Chi man to admire his two foolish fish. "You’ve given these fish three highs just by raising them. They’re so fat they might drown themselves."

Grandpa Chi raised an eyebrow, not quite grasping the term.

Cheng Ying explained, "High blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood sugar—they are all life-threatening illnesses!"

Grandpa Chi’s face darkened. "You child, did I feed them? Once they're full, they naturally stop eating."

Cheng Ying countered, "These fish are stupid; they probably don't understand that. In a tank this small, if they eat so much, where will they go to lose weight? This tank can’t support him anymore. They’ve had it too good."

Grandpa Chi sensed something was amiss. "What did you say about the fish?"

Cheng Ying thought, I’m talking about your wife, but the old man was even slower and didn't catch it. "What did I say?"

Then she patted the little fatty’s head. "Oh, what a good child. Xiao Ye, if you don't have room at home, come over and play with your sister, okay?"

She then turned to Grandpa Chi. "Grandpa Chi, your son, daughter-in-law, and grandson—they are all biological, truly enviable to outsiders."

Grandpa Chi looked at his wife. "What are you saying? Whose son, daughter-in-law, and grandson aren't biological?"

Cheng Ying spoke up, "The social atmosphere isn't good these days; there are always discordant elements. Several divorces have happened near my home, followed by blended families. Those situations really don't create peace. My Grandma always said this happens when people have had too easy a life and start making trouble."

Grandpa Chi felt this child was underestimating him. However, it seemed his daughter-in-law had been wronged. The family couldn't stand by. This was practically shouting in her face.

Grandpa Chi stated firmly, "In our Chi family, we may lack other things, but we have some judgment. Those who left during our hard times—when they return, I still won't think highly of them."

Cheng Ying thought, Some people you do think highly of. It seemed he didn't mind swapping out his daughter-in-law; this current one wasn't much better, then.

Grandpa Chi continued, "Your mother is good. Xiao Ye is raised so well. Your uncle has good taste."

Cheng Ying merely smiled faintly. As long as you know that, control your wife quickly before she acts foolishly and courts death.

What kind of man was Grandpa Chi to allow himself to be spoken to so directly? An immediate counterattack came: "Ying Zi, you are still young. The most important thing is your studies. Think less about these matters. A young girl should be thinking about things appropriate for a young girl. Why would your grandma tell you about this?"

Cheng Ying looked straight at Grandpa Chi. "Children from poor families mature early. Grandma says a person's character needs to be educated from a young age."

Grandpa Chi watched the girl walk away, feeling a lump in his throat. How dare she bring up being from a poor family? Hmph.

Wu Zi had only been there a short while before leaving, mainly because the young girl was annoying. He hadn't even eaten. He told Cheng Ying he would come back to pick her up later.

Chi Wu timed his arrival perfectly—just after dinner.

Handsome guys driving cars were rare in those days. Cheng Ying had polished Chi Wu up so much that he exuded a modern, handsome aura, drawing plenty of attention.

The young girl stared blankly, her face flushing slightly. Chi Wu greeted his family.

Chi Wu maintained his aloof manner, barely acknowledging anyone. He wasn't even in a good mood toward Ying Zi. "I'm leaving. I just got off school and I'm dead tired."

Mrs. Chi felt a pang in her chest hearing that. Your house is right here; if you’re tired, go sleep inside! "Wu Zi, if you’re tired, go inside and sleep. Where are you running off to?"

Cheng Ying remained silent. This was their family affair; outsiders couldn't interfere.

Chi Wu replied, "Grandma, where is it spacious enough to read comfortably at night? I'm leaving now."

Cheng Ying waved goodbye to her mother. "Mom, Grandma prepared so many things. Come over when you have time, and bring Chi Ye with you to play." She didn’t invite the other one. If she doesn’t like looking at her, why mingle?

P.S.: Three more updates to come; asking for pink tickets. RP