When would this ever end? She was too careless, the romantic thread was too obvious. She couldn't even pick up on this.

It was so obvious, practically a confession, and she couldn't even hear it. How was he supposed to say anything more?

Chi Wu pulled out a wad of small notes. "Look, they're all mine, all for me. See how handsome I am? Look how popular I am."

This was for Cheng Ying to see how great he was. Chi Wu still had admirers, though it was like a drowning man grasping at straws. The moment he showed them, Chi Wu regretted it a little.

Cheng Ying looked at the handful of notes, feeling a pang of sadness. Kids these days, they didn't appreciate things. Why hadn't a phenomenal person like her received any notes?

She sincerely praised Chi Wu, "Of course. And whose work do you think this is? Wouldn't I be handsome? Pick carefully, don't get overwhelmed by choice."

With that, she walked forward, unconcerned.

Chi Wu’s good mood had completely evaporated.

If she wasn't jealous, what did that mean? It meant he wasn't even in her sights.

It meant Cheng Ying still didn't have romantic feelings for him.

Even though he was wearing the vest Cheng Ying knitted for him, his presence was about the same as Chi Ye's.

Chi Wu thought glumly, wondering if that little fatty Chi Ye held more weight with her than he did.

Life was regressing; he had sunk to this level.

This was the first time Chi Wu realized how crucial it was to make Cheng Ying understand his feelings.

Even more important was making Cheng Ying treat him differently from family.

It was urgent that Cheng Ying see him, see his uniqueness, see his deep, unwavering affection.

Cheng Ying and Chi Wu returned home, and Chi Wu listlessly retreated to his west room. He needed to properly contemplate many things; not everything was as he had assumed.

The old lady turned to Cheng Ying, "What's wrong? Did Wu Zi not test well? Why is he so down?"

Cheng Ying handed her award certificate to the old lady. "You didn't notice? He scored better than me. I got one certificate, he got three. Never mind him, he’s hit puberty, probably missing a girl."

Cheng Ying wasn't lying. The sight of Chi Wu clutching those notes gloomily suggested he was certainly thinking about a girl.

The old lady scoffed, "Nonsense, don't talk foolishly. Our Wu Zi doesn't need to think about girls. If this were the village, any young woman or married lady would blush seeing someone like Wu Zi."

Cheng Ying spread her hands. "Exactly. So, he's thinking about which girl makes him blush the most."

The old lady pursed her lips at Cheng Ying. "This is a major issue. He's so young! That won't do. Exams are crucial; this is big business!"

Cheng Ying was dismissive. "Puberty. What's the big deal about that?"

The old lady demanded, "Then what is a big deal?"

Cheng Ying replied, "Basically, I think, as long as the notes Chi Wu receives are from a girl, it's not a big deal."

Forgive the old lady; she lacked the advanced sensibilities of a fujoshi and truly couldn't decipher such roundabout talk.

She patted herself down. "I'm not talking to you; you're making my head spin. If I say it’s a big deal, it's a big deal!"

Cheng Ying spread her hands, realizing she had no say; the old lady was currently the sole authority.

Seeing this, the old lady pushed open the door to the west room. "Wu Zi, you're a student! You mustn't be distracted. High school is too important! When you go to university later, you can like any girl you want."

She spoke with such earnest gravity. Cheng Ying leaned against the doorframe. "Grandma, is high school that important?"

It turned out the old lady hadn't placed such high value on it before.

The old lady insisted, "Of course! I finally understand. All those old folks are constantly thinking up nutritious food to boost their grandsons and granddaughters, saying high school is the crucial stage that decides a child's entire future."

Haven't I been making nutritious food for the two of you recently? the old lady thought. My granddaughter is falling behind the city kids.

Cheng Ying thought about the group of old men and women gossiping in the park about whose grandchild was better, and how modern her own grandmother was. "Grandma, you're so cultured; you even know this!"

Chi Wu looked at Cheng Ying with distaste. "Stop talking, Grandma. Don't pay attention to her. I know; I'm obedient. I definitely won't date early."

The old lady looked at Cheng Ying, then at Chi Wu. Their kid is so obedient. Their kid studies so well. Their kid brings such honor. Why is my own granddaughter, who used to be great, now being overshadowed by theirs?

Chi Wu was now the 'other person's child' in Grandma's eyes, always pleasing no matter how she looked at him. "Our Wu Zi is so sensible. Rest well. Grandma will get you walnuts; that stuff boosts the brain; that's what they say outside."

Cheng Ying shook her head. "I'm going to sleep. I can't stand you two." Thank goodness Grandma doesn't know about monkey brains, or she’d really be worried.

The old lady waved her hand. "Go on, don't disturb Wu Zi's rest. Wu Zi has a competition in a few days; we can't let him be delayed."

Cheng Ying was irritated. "Fine. Do you want to go with him, Grandma? Otherwise, your eldest grandson might get lost."

Chi Wu interjected, "Grandma, she’s jealous that you treat me well."

The old lady shot back, "If she had the ability to go compete, I'd treat her well too. If she can't keep up with Wu Zi academically, she shouldn't be spouting sour words here. Neither of us likes hearing it. Go stay somewhere else."

Cheng Ying turned and left. Is this any way to live? She’s picking fights!

Chi Wu grinned, savoring the old lady's exclusive brain-boosting attention.

He wouldn't think about anything else. Just based on how satisfied the old lady was with him, he doubted Cheng Ying could escape his grasp.

Chi Wu instantly became full of confidence, as if injected with adrenaline. No more gloom.

Cheng Ying drove Chi Wu to school. Those participating in the competition were scheduled to depart from the school grounds.

They were using a canvas-covered military truck.

Cheng Ying looked at the conditions and felt it would be quite miserable. Thankfully, she didn't have to go; it was so cold in the dead of winter.

Cheng Ying didn't get out of the car; the two spoke through the window. "Do you need me to drive you there? You'll freeze to death."

Chi Wu replied, "No need. Why make an exception?" Then he got out of the car.

Qing Fang, a classmate, bounced over, waving enthusiastically at Chi Wu. "Wu Zi, over here!"

Then, with studied restraint, she turned to look at Cheng Ying as she exited the car. "Sister, you're seeing Wu Zi off? Don't worry, we're going to the competition together. I will take good care of Wu Zi."

Her eyes were filled with pride. The implication was that she was also going to compete.

Cheng Ying pursed her lips. It was good someone would look after him, but the young girl also had reason to be proud; only the top students in the school were going to the competition.

Cheng Ying didn't mention that the reason she wasn't participating was that she frequently skipped class, and the teachers, considering her health, likely filtered her out.

However, for Chi Wu's sake, Cheng Ying didn't want to stoop to the level of the young girl; it would lower her status.

She made a hand gesture toward the girl without saying a word, then went back to the car. She pulled out a mesh bag for Chi Wu, stuffed so full it bulged.

The mesh was wide enough that whatever was inside was clearly visible.

In this season, it was all fruit!

Then she pulled out another mesh bag, also visibly bulging, and inside were more edibles.

Chi Wu’s mouth curved upwards. Look how attentive Yingzi is to me; she prepared all this.

But he hadn't seen these two bags in the car earlier.

He leaned against the car door. "I knew you were secretive. How come I didn't see you prepare these beforehand?"

Cheng Ying sat in the driver's seat. "Alright. Since you aren't taking the special route, don't separate yourself from the masses or hoard food. When you're out, get along well with your classmates. Okay, I have nothing more to say. I'm leaving now."

Cheng Ying honestly felt that the longer she spent with the object of her brother's first crush, the less suitable she seemed. This girl was too youthful, too effervescent. Why couldn't she be more composed?

As a guardian, she wouldn't feel at ease sending a child out with such an unsettling companion.

Cheng Ying was eager to leave her sight, which is why she was leaving first.

Chi Wu looked at the group of people gathered nearby, all watching him. Only this shameless woman beside him kept trying to get close. Yingzi probably didn't want to deal with her, which is why she let him get in the car first.

He felt intense dislike for Qing Fang.

Chi Wu said, "I know. I told Dad to have him bring Mom to stay at home during this time. I worry about leaving just you and Grandma alone."

Cheng Ying's face darkened. "Mind your own business. That's just giving Grandma extra work, having to serve their family of three."

Chi Wu insisted, "It won't be like that. Mom definitely won't need Grandma to do anything. You stay home safe, and wait for me to come back so we can go visit the graves together."

In Chi Wu's mind, Cheng Ying shouldn't be cold sitting in the car; chatting with him longer would feel better. Yet, this girl showed no reluctance to part, even though he would be gone for nearly ten days.

Cheng Ying thought, Why is this child so worried? I didn't realize he had this nature. "Okay, you don't need to worry about that."

Chi Wu was stubborn. "You must wait for me before you go home."

Cheng Ying was getting impatient with his nagging. "Alright, alright, I got it. Hurry up and go. Why are you becoming so whiny? You’re a good boy, but you’re turning into a girl."

Chi Wu clenched his jaw in resentment. Is that how she interprets it? This is reluctance to part, this is deep affection, understand!

Chi Wu took a step back, unhappy. Cheng Ying’s truck executed a sharp turn, stunning the high school students nearby. It was too cool.

Few women drove in those days, and even fewer women handled a truck so skillfully.

Who said Cheng Ying was hopelessly unsophisticated? She was clearly extraordinary.

Cheng Ying’s appearance stunned a crowd of her peers.

She looked at Chi Wu. "Eat well, dress warmly, take care of yourself. Don't cause trouble, and don't be afraid of trouble. Don't take losses out there, and don't meddle in other people's business. Remember that!"

Then she left, leaving Chi Wu in a cloud of exhaust.

Chi Wu’s dark expression cleared because of those few words.

She does care about me. Driving away, Cheng Ying felt raising children was hard work.

Chi Wu was almost like raising a son. Look how much she had to worry about—eating, drinking, sleeping, cleaning up. It felt like ever since they became family, she had been the one worrying about everything.

When would the child grow up so she could let go? How annoying was this feeling of being a mother without ever giving birth?

On the way back, she bought a large bowl of soy milk and fried dough sticks for Grandma.

As for where the large bowl came from, it must have been from the space.

As for when the large bowl was placed in the space, Cheng Ying had forgotten.