The Fatty burst into tears upon seeing the two koi, sobbing uncontrollably with sheer excitement. For those fish, I put in so much effort, even risked my reputation!

If I had known it would be this easy, why on earth did I bother scaling their wall? Clearly, my method of entry was flawed.

There's no need to rub it in. After settling the two koi safely, he grabbed the broken basin and headed out to buy a stack of nutritional supplements before making a beeline for Cheng Ying’s house.

It turns out, having once been a thief has its advantages; you know the shortcuts intimately. Cheng Ying didn't know how to react when the Fatty showed up at her doorstep two hours later.

"In what capacity have you arrived? If you're here as a thief, isn't it a bit early?

It's not even dark yet." The Fatty flushed, "Stop, stop, let’s not mention that. I’m here to return the basin." Cheng Ying felt utterly annoyed.

"Just leave it and go." Looking at the battered basin, she thought it was hardly worth the trip. The Fatty hovered at the entrance; there was no way he was going to be dismissed so easily.

"Look, now that I'm already here, how can I just pass by without coming in? Please let me pay my respects to the Old Madam." Cheng Ying replied, "We aren't that familiar, truly." Chi Wu came out and spotted the Fatty.

"Shoo, dog!" The Fatty clung to the doorframe. "No, no, please don't!

I really just came to see the Old Madam." Cheng Ying remarked, "So you’re afraid of dogs. No wonder you were so well-behaved that other day." The Fatty retorted, "I’m even more afraid of the thing in your hand.

Don't tell me it's a toy; I wouldn't believe you even if you beat me to death." Chi Wu snorted coldly, "Even if you were beaten to death for being a thief, it wouldn't be unjust." His tone was chillingly cold. The Fatty pleaded, "Can we just stop talking about that?" The Old Madam called from inside, "Who is it?" Her voice was hearty and welcoming.

To the Fatty, this sounded like heavenly music, allowing him to completely disregard the Old Madam’s appearance. He believed the Old Madam was the only good person in this household.

The Fatty stammered, "Old Madam, it’s me! I’m here to return the basin.

Why did you insist on giving me two fish? I feel terrible about it!" The Old Madam came out and saw her granddaughter's friend.

"Oh, what’s the fuss over such small things? Don't be so formal.

Come in, come in." She led him inside, and the two of them paused in the courtyard to exchange a few more pleasantries. The Fatty had long admired this courtyard.

Knowing it belonged to the Old Madam, his reverence for her deepened. To manage a courtyard so comfortably, the Old Madam must be a person of refined taste.

The best part was her genuine simplicity; she was elegant yet utterly unpretentious. Look at how warmly she welcomed him!

It was rare to find such a kindred spirit—both of them idly dedicated to cultivating flowers and plants. Cheng Ying whispered to Chi Wu, "Inviting the wolf into the house." Chi Wu muttered back, "Too soft-hearted." The Fatty stood transfixed, unable to move away from the sight of the two water tanks.

Cheng Ying asked sarcastically, "Shall we scale the wall again tonight?" The Fatty forced a nervous chuckle. "Will you ever let me off?

Can we just not mention the past?" Since running into those two troublesome kids, the Fatty had repeated that plea countless times. He sounded utterly humbled.

Cheng Ying walked into the house first, with Chi Wu following behind, fixing the Fatty with a scrutinizing gaze. "Behave yourself, understand?" The Fatty was nearly in tears.

Why were these children so terrifying? Seeing the Old Madam was like seeing a close relative.

"Auntie, look, you still gave me two fish—that’s too generous. My flowers were nothing much, but yours—those are Dragon Fish!" The Old Madam replied kindly, "What are you talking about?

I don’t know about Dragon Fish, I just keep them for fun. We troubled you today, so you should come visit often." The Fatty’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

Such magnanimity! Truly magnificent.

In the Fatty’s eyes, the Old Madam had practically achieved mythical status, surpassing even the Old Matriarch from the Generals of the Yang Family. "Auntie, let me put it plainly: you can’t just buy these fish anywhere, they are priceless.

In the future, don't be so generous giving them away." Cheng Ying bared her teeth—I gave them to you. The Old Madam smiled sweetly, not contradicting the statement at all.

She had met a good person who even offered advice. "You just flatter me!

Come, come, have a drink of water. You made a trip just for this." The Old Madam always welcomed guests with genuine warmth—just like people in our countryside.

The Fatty had one realization: never judge by appearances. The Old Madam might look severe and even a bit intimidating, but she had a kind heart.

Those two kids outside, though they look polished, were hard-hearted and underhanded. "Auntie, I’ve never met a more straightforward Old Madam.

Can I come visit often? The elderly people around me don't take to me, and I truly lack someone I can show filial piety towards." And seeing the courtyard wouldn't hurt either.

The Old Madam was momentarily speechless, her mouth hanging open. What did he mean?

In the countryside, that request usually meant one of two things: either he was interested in marrying one of her granddaughters, but given his age, that seemed unlikely to end well. Or, he wanted to establish a sworn kinship with her.

That possibility seemed more plausible. It came too suddenly.

The Old Madam hadn't spent much time in the provincial capital and was unfamiliar with local customs. She worried about misunderstanding and becoming a laughingstock.

From outside, Cheng Ying felt only one thing: the man was pushing his luck shamelessly. She predicted the Fatty would achieve great things in the future, simply because he had such thick skin.

Chi Wu flexed his fists, seeing the Fatty had charmed the Old Madam. "Should I beat him out?" Cheng Ying agreed, "Yes, lest he manages to trick the Old Madam someday." They heard the Old Madam say from inside, "Oh, if you like them so much, just visit a couple more times.

I’m an old lady at home and truly enjoy company. I feel a connection with you.

How old are you this year?" The Fatty replied, "Old Madam, I just turned thirty-six." The Old Madam sighed, "Oh, if my youngest son were alive, he’d be about that age too. Although you don't look alike, you share that straightforward manner." This was a good sign.

The Old Madam had initially only intended to probe his intentions, but hearing his age and the subsequent comment, her feelings became genuine. The Fatty’s eyes began to sparkle with delight.

"Oh, what fate! My older brother works out of town." This man was truly gifted at forging connections; in just a few sentences, he had claimed a brother.

The Old Madam sighed, "My son was unlucky; he passed away." She grew emotional as she spoke of him. The Fatty immediately felt guilty.

Although he wanted to see their treasures and get close to them, he certainly didn't intend to bring up someone's deceased son. Wasn't that terribly inappropriate?

"Auntie, look what I've done. I didn't know..." Then he slapped his thigh decisively.

"Auntie, this is such a coincidence! I want to recognize you as my sworn godmother.

I will honor you on behalf of my brother—please give me a chance to have someone to be filial to!" The Old Madam looked at the Fatty. This matter required consulting her granddaughter; she needed to confirm this man was decent.

However, the Old Madam genuinely felt she lacked deep roots in the provincial capital. Gaining a sworn son would be wonderful.

"What are you saying? Where is this leading?" The Fatty persisted shamelessly, "Are you looking down on me because I'm a shop owner, a businessman?" Cheng Ying took a deep breath.

We look down on you because you were a thief, alright? "He’s like stubborn glue," Chi Wu commented.

"This person has some ability," Chi Wu mused, "Dad already sent word out, and this guy hasn't been causing trouble outside much, has he?" Cheng Ying shrugged. The Old Madam felt it was improper to commit to such a relationship without proper vetting.

A sworn kinship in the countryside implied a real family tie, requiring regular visits. The Old Madam swallowed and spoke in a bargaining tone, "For something this significant, shouldn’t we choose an auspicious day?" Seeing the Old Madam concede, the Fatty seized the opportunity.

"Agreed, I was too rash, Auntie. No—Mom.

You pick the day, and I will host the feast." The Old Madam felt like she was being rushed into a carriage; how did he jump straight to calling her 'Mom'? Cheng Ying lifted the curtain and entered.

She looked at the Fatty and then at the Old Madam. Although the Old Madam appeared slightly constrained, the way she looked at the Fatty suggested genuine warmth.

One truly needed fate for such connections to form. How could a thief, in less than two months, become an honored guest in their courtyard?

To be honest, Cheng Ying didn't approve, but seeing how much the Old Madam missed her son just now made Cheng Ying’s heart ache. Her own father was gone.

Her paternal uncles were in the village, and bringing the Old Madam back there now was impractical. As for letting the Old Madam enjoy the blessings of her descendants in the village, Cheng Ying couldn't bear the thought.

Enjoyment didn't always equate to blessings. With only two daughters-in-law, Cheng Ying feared the Old Madam would face distress.

The Old Madam was well-off in the city, but she deeply lacked a son by her side. Chi Yong was too busy working, and besides, he had his own biological mother.

The relationship between the Old Madam and Chi Yong was too complicated. In truth, when the Old Madam looked at Chi Yong, there was more conflict in her heart—he was vying for the affections of the woman who married her son!

Cheng Ying understood the Old Madam’s feelings perfectly. Whenever the Old Madam tried to be kind to Chi Yong, she always hesitated, fearing the displeasure of Chi Yong's biological mother.

Cheng Ying had noticed this when the Old Madam made winter coats. She readily made coats for Cheng Ying, Yang Zhi, and Chi Wu, but when it came to Chi Yong’s, she would always ponder for a long time.

Since moving to the city, she had never made him a full set. The Old Madam had once told Cheng Ying, "I've already caused enough disruption; I shouldn't overstep and take away the role of his own mother.

People understand these subtle courtesies." That’s why Chi Yong suffered a bit more in the winter; his own mother was kind to him, but she truly didn’t know how to make padded winter clothes. And frankly, store-bought items couldn't compare to something purely handmade.

Chi Wu entered with a cold expression. Seeing the Old Madam’s expression hadn't improved, he maintained his icy demeanor and sharp words.

Cheng Ying announced, "Grandma, from now on, we'll have an extra relative in the city." Hearing her granddaughter’s words, the Old Madam instantly broke into a wide smile. If her granddaughter agreed, then it was a respectable matter, and the sworn kinship could be accepted.

"Indeed! Ha ha ha!

I didn't expect such happy news today. I kept feeling my left eyelid twitching when I left the house this morning!

Hey, Yingzi, Wuzi, hurry up and make dinner! Today, this 'Uncle' of yours will eat here!" In front of the Old Madam, Chi Wu acted as if nothing was wrong, indicating his welcome to this soon-to-be relative.

"Okay, Grandma, we’ll go cook. You stay here and chat with this Uncle." He glanced at the Fatty, thinking they were essentially leading a thief right into the house—an intrusion that was impossible to guard against.

The Fatty, with his thick skin, acted as if he couldn't even see the two troublesome kids. He felt he had finally gotten revenge.

He couldn't beat them, but he could annoy them right in front of them; that wasn't illegal, nor would it call the police. He felt rather pleased with himself; this was a very different kind of payback against the two frustrating youngsters.

The Fatty interjected, "My surname is Sun, my name is Dong. Mom, you can just call me Dongzi." Cheng Ying murmured from behind, "You put a lot of pressure on them.

Are those fish worth that much RP?"