Chi Wu watched Cheng Ying’s anger, which displeased him deeply. Not for any other reason than that upsetting his future wife was upsetting him. As a man, standing up for a woman was his duty. “How about I find someone to take care of them?”

Cheng Ying blinked, and then blinked again. Good heavens, this kid was about to veer off course! How could he think of such a scoundrelly idea? “Do you even know what healthy competition is, you little menace? What kind of rubbish are you spouting? I’m telling you, when you go out into the world, you have to pick your company carefully! If I ever catch you learning any of that questionable nonsense, I’ll give you a good whipping with a feather duster!”

Chi Wu felt that good intentions received no reward; his future wife was apparently quite violent. He hadn't meant anything by it, wasn’t he just angry because he saw her angry and wanted to vent some frustration for her? This was a fine response. He said, with a lack of enthusiasm, “I can’t be bothered with you.”

But it wasn’t as simple as Chi Wu deciding to ignore Cheng Ying. The moment he said that, it signaled to Cheng Ying that the child was indeed starting to wander onto the wrong path. Could such a thing be tolerated? What era was this? He’d heard that stealing a bicycle or getting into a brawl could land someone in prison for years. Could they afford such a risk? Moral education could not slacken; any dangerous tendency needed to be nipped in the bud right away. “You, bah! Listen to me carefully, did you hear what I said? Don't mix with unsavory people. When you go out together, you watch them closely, and be selective about your friends. Learn the good things from them, and absolutely do not adopt the spoiled ways of those wastrels! Did you hear me? You’re a 'Second Generation,' but you don't have the deep pockets of those other 'Second Generations'!”

She stared intently at Chi Wu. You could go out and experience life, but you must have a bottom line. This matter was non-negotiable.

Chi Wu was helpless. However, the fact that Cheng Ying was looking at him so earnestly wasn't exactly a bad thing. Perhaps he should be a bit more disobedient in the future, making her worry more. Maybe then Cheng Ying wouldn't have the time or energy to pay attention to others. But then he thought of his own elderly mother, and the old woman on the other side—that would be counterproductive. Grandma Cheng wouldn't entrust her granddaughter to someone constantly stirring up trouble. Better stick to the straight and narrow path. “I heard you. When I go out, it’s usually to ask favors of them. Don't worry, I won't mix with them. In your words, they're just a bunch of immature brats who don't know better and rush into noisy situations. What common ground could we possibly share? Rest assured.”

Cheng Ying breathed a sigh of relief. It was good that the child was precocious; his disdain for the antics of those 'Second Generations' was a blessing. “Be good, and I’ll buy you candy later.” With that, she left, feeling reassured. Chi Wu had one saving grace: he did exactly what he said he would, never fooling her.

Chi Wu pursed his lips. Guess I’m being raised like a little puppy.

Speaking of which, those two big dogs at home. They were only a few months old, but they had already grown so tall, looking quite intimidating. When the neighbors next door let their two dogs out at night, nobody dared to wander around casually.

With the start of the summer vacation, Chi Wu’s medicinal herb business was also set to begin. In fact, Cheng Ming and the others had started collecting herbs back in the spring, delivering what they gathered to Old Man Yang. Chi Wu would only return during summer break to oversee the grand operations. Cheng Ying had to stay here to manage the furniture store; only one of them could leave.

Chi Wu said, “I’ll head back first. When you’re not too busy here, I’ll come back to pick you up.”

Cheng Ying thought to herself how fortunate it was that her family owned a car. Old Mrs. Chi was packed and ready, eagerly anticipating getting back home—it had been a whole year, and they hadn't even returned for the Lunar New Year. She genuinely missed home.

She urged the two lingering children by the door, “Alright, let’s go. Leaving her alone won’t be a worry.” Chi Yong and Yang Zhi had already requested leave, bringing Little Ye along to visit the elders back home, and were waiting in the car for the children to finish saying their goodbyes.

Cheng Ying waved her hand. “Go on. I’m fine, are you still worried about me?” She had to admit, it felt a bit odd. Her own grandmother and mother trusted her completely, yet it was Chi Wu, this little kid, who worried the most. She cast a wistful glance toward the car. What was the mood inside?

Chi Wu suggested, “How about I ask my parents to come over and keep you company?”

Cheng Ying immediately retorted, “Forget it. You’d be inviting two ancestors to come and be waited on by me.” Just thinking about it was irritating, let alone having them around all day.

Chi Wu pouted. In the future, those two would indeed become her in-laws, no different from revered ancestors. If Cheng Ying wasn’t happy, then never mind.

Everyone in the car was seated, leaving only the driver, Chi Wu, lingering by the entrance. Cheng Ying almost wanted to kick Chi Wu into the car. Why was he acting so effeminate? His looks were so manly! People truly couldn’t be judged by their exterior; it was too deceptive. “Let’s go,” she said, clearly growing impatient.

Chi Wu was still uneasy. “Remember to bolt the door tonight, and let the dogs loose.”

Chi Yong thought that his daughter hadn't required anyone's worry since she was eleven or twelve; she truly didn't need worrying over. His son, on the other hand, had the worrying nature of an old housewife.

Chi Wu got into the car as slow as a snail. Anyone seeing them wouldn't know they weren't leaving for a year and a half.

Grandma Cheng only threw out one final instruction from the window as the car was about to pull away: “Watch the fish carefully, don’t forget to water the flowers, and feed the chickens!” Then, the car left Cheng Ying with a cloud of exhaust fumes.

Cheng Ying felt a pang of disappointment. Her own grandmother—was she caring less and less about her?

With the rare opportunity of being alone, Cheng Ying walked through the neighboring workshop. The craftsmen were working well. The new furniture designs were all stored securely in the warehouse; their confidentiality measures were excellent. Cheng Ying figured that after capturing the May Day sales peak, they needed to ignite another surge during the National Day holiday in October. The only reason they couldn't have outsiders see the new styles right now was the need for tight protection. Besides, the craftsmen were all trusted individuals she had brought over from her own team. Furthermore, with her present, entertainment facilities were adequate, minimizing the masters’ tendency to socialize with outside riff-raff, which naturally reduced potential trouble. For her own leisure, she still had her Sea-Blossom Bay—though she couldn't call it that anymore since all the sea-blossom saplings had been sold.

Feeling relaxed in body and spirit, Cheng Ying slipped into her spatial dimension as June's heat shimmered outside. It was cool inside. She drew out a basin of water and submerged herself in it—so comfortable. The peach blossoms that should have bloomed in March or April were still in flower inside the space. Occasionally, a couple of petals drifted down. Cheng Ying felt like she was watching a Liaozhai story. Luckily, she knew this place wasn't haunted. Looking at the nursery covering the whole mountain, she considered the five acres of empty land behind her courtyard. What else could she cultivate to take out?

It wasn't until dinner time that Cheng Ying emerged from the space. By then, the outside air had cooled down too. Cheng Ying didn't need to cook for herself; she went next door and ate with the workers before returning alone. She selected some flowers and bonsai trees from her dimension, found pots, and carefully planted them. With the old lady gone, she could freely move these things around. Later, she could just claim she bought them from the market. Having no one at home made things so convenient. The only downside was the loneliness, the food wasn't as satisfying, and the living arrangements weren't ideal. In summary, Cheng Ying realized she was better suited to having family around.

After all this fuss, Cheng Ying’s courtyard transformed yet again within a few days. In the evening, Cheng Ying invited the craftsmen over to help her pick grapes. While the house was empty, she had smuggled out a large quantity of grapes from her dimension and fermented them in large vats, waiting for them to turn into wine.

Chi Wu, after taking his grandmother home, would spend his evenings keeping her company. The rest of his time was spent driving nonstop. He was swamped: sorting medicinal herbs, scouting timber for the home furniture store, and visiting Cheng Ying's mountain. Even though Brother Li was buying furniture from them, he hadn't abandoned his business interests here. He asked Chi Wu for ginseng, but Cheng Ying was reluctant to part with it; her own ginseng plants were still young and not highly valuable, growing in the mountains without even needing fertilizer. However, since he was an acquaintance, she had to maintain appearances. Life was better now; not only had the price of ginseng risen, but money felt less valuable too. So, when she called Chi Wu, she told him she would give him twenty plants at most, and he could set the price, but he couldn't undersell it. If this product was sold too cheaply, it wouldn't retain its prestige.

Also, for the Korean pine saplings ordered from the forest farm and Cheng Ying’s mountain plot, Chi Wu had to join Second Uncle in finding workers to dig them up. He wished he had three heads and six arms.

The old lady watched the new car speeding down the village dirt roads, her brow furrowed with worry the entire time. If only Wu Zi had borrowed a beat-up vehicle, the old lady now understood that their own car was worth more than an outside Jeep. As soon as Chi Wu arrived home and finished dinner, he and his mother had no other entertainment than carrying large basins of water outside to wash the car. Chi Wu couldn't argue; telling his mother that washing it was pointless, as it would be covered in dust again tomorrow from driving out, was useless. That was just how it was on dirt roads. But the old lady couldn't stand seeing something bought with so much money constantly coated in mud. She washed the car every single day without fail. Of course, the old lady also made Chi Wu drive the Third Aunt around for a special tour. Chi Wu thought his mother was getting a little showy, just like Ying Zi, but he was happy to let her boast. Second Aunt came over daily to touch the car, but the old lady never invited anyone in for a seat. However, Old Aunt knew the old lady was back and came over to visit with Old Aunt's husband. The old lady was very affectionate toward her daughter now, but she didn't skip her usual admonishments, primarily stressing that her daughter must hurry up and have a baby. That was the biggest matter. When Old Aunt left, the old lady insisted Chi Wu drive them back. Chi Wu looked at Old Aunt’s husband’s bicycle and genuinely felt sorry for the car. But who could he refuse? It was Ying Zi’s aunt; she would be his aunt in the future. Chi Wu opened the trunk first, placed the bicycle inside, but the trunk couldn't close. Chi Wu used a rope to secure it loosely, leaving the lid open, and drove his Old Aunt home. When he returned, he washed the car again. Chi Wu lingered by it for a long time afterward; this car was bought with Ying Zi's own money—it was like a token of engagement. Chi Wu cherished it.

The busy old lady stayed in the village for a whole week, showing no inclination to leave. Chi Wu had no choice but to let her stay in the village until she was satisfied before returning. Chi Yong and Yang Zhi had jobs and couldn't stay away indefinitely. He could only send Chi Yong and Yang Zhi back first. He had discussed this arrangement with his mother as well, planning to take them back in a couple of days. If things worked out perfectly, maybe Ying Zi could even come back for a few days.

Cheng Ying, alone at home, had completely redecorated the courtyard. She went out once more and brought back several large cartloads of saplings from outside. She hired over twenty people, and in three days, the entire back lot was filled with new plantings. This efficiency made Cheng Ying marvel at how dedicated people were when working these days.

PS: Dear readers, please give me some Pink Tickets! RP