It had been two years since she’d suffered such hardship.

Cheng Ying felt a distinct sense of maladjustment.

When Cheng Ying finally arrived home, her ears were bright red from the cold, and her nose stung.

She finally understood the difficulty of going out without a hat or scarf.

Next time, she vowed, she wouldn't try to be avant-garde; she wouldn't show off her neck again.

This was sheer torment.

Chi Wu had returned in worse shape than Cheng Ying.

Seeing her ears so vividly red and the tip of her nose frozen pink, his eyebrows furrowed with concern.

“You grew up here; don’t you know how cold it gets? Were you showing off, driving the tractor like that?” Cheng Ying’s limbs were stiff.

“Stop talking.

I’m frozen stiff.

Let me get inside to warm up.” Chi Wu shook his head.

“No, stand here while I rub you.

If you go inside now, the sudden shift from cold to hot will ruin things.” Cheng Ying realized he was right.

“Ow, I’m suffering! Sun Pangzi has done me in!” Chi Wu rubbed Cheng Ying’s hands continuously, then moved to her ears, not letting up on the verbal jabs.

“Who is he to you? Whatever he tells you to do, you just do it? Don’t you have any sense? You’re a grown person, what good is all that height?” Cheng Ying snuffled.

“Alright, that’s enough unpleasant talk.

I was just foolish that one time.” Chi Wu retorted, “How many more times do you need to be foolish before you learn your lesson? Do you have to freeze your ears off first?” Cheng Ying felt her hands and feet beginning to warm up.

Chi Wu’s double-handed rub was surprisingly effective; her ears were definitely warm now.

“This just proves my youth—only the young are foolish.” Chi Wu rolled his eyes at her.

Cheng Ying leaned close to Chi Wu and felt the comforting warmth radiating from him.

“Wow, you’re like a stove! Your hands are scalding, but they’re perfect for warming my ears right now.” Watching Cheng Ying warm up, Chi Wu’s mind was already racing, his thoughts flying into glorious chaos.

He covered it up smoothly.

“Well, I’m a man; naturally, my internal fire is robust.” Cheng Ying let out a silly chuckle, distracted by her own thoughts.

“Okay, let’s go inside.

I’m not going to freeze now.” Chi Wu withdrew his hands, feeling a pang of regret.

What a perfect, rare opportunity that had been.

Cheng Ying went inside.

Sun Pangzi lifted the door curtain, offering a remark that was clearly designed to annoy.

“Oh, the child is grown.

Just like when you were little, but looking at you now… well, even blood relatives should observe propriety, shouldn’t they?” Sun Pangzi deliberately aimed that barbed comment at Chi Wu; no one else seemed to hear it.

Chi Wu just snorted, not bothering to acknowledge him.

Who did that busybody think he was, sticking his nose in everyone’s business? Sun Pangzi shook his head.

That kid was arrogant.

But he didn’t believe that a family like the Old Lady’s, combined with a family like the Chi clan, would ever approve of what those two were up to.

The relationship was too messy; it would be a laughingstock.

That kid was simply delusional.

Even his own niece wouldn’t have him.

Chi Wu entered the house and stayed close to Cheng Ying, chatting with his paternal aunt, his uncle, and his foster aunt—a whole room full of people.

The sight of her own mother filled the maternal aunt with joy; the two women had endless stories to share.

Everyone else quickly faded into the background.

The foster aunt led Cheng Ying and the others out; Sun Pangzi had already set up a firewood pile in the yard.

Cheng Ying stared at the enormous pile of wood.

“Don’t go crazy now.

This is a village; no one is going to join you for a bonfire dance.” Sun Pangzi kept working on his task.

“Oh, my big niece is worldly-wise; she knows all about these things.” Cheng Ying said seriously, “I mean it.

I didn't spend half the day collecting firewood just for you to cause trouble.” Sun Pangzi replied, “Relax.

Get ready to eat something delicious.

Your Uncle has it all planned.

It’s just a bit simple here; it would be even better with an enclosed space.” Chi Wu scoffed, “With your skills, you can manage such a grand setup?” Sun Pangzi shot back, “Hey kid, just watch.

I know at least one thing for sure.” It seemed the two were about to challenge each other.

Cheng Ying pressed, “Uncle, what exactly are you planning? You should at least give me a hint first.” Sun Pangzi asked, “Cured meat.

Ever heard of it?” Cheng Ying looked at the wide-open yard.

How much firewood would it take to cure that meat? It felt wasteful, but the idea was certainly creative, and she was keen to try it.

“The conditions are a bit rudimentary, admittedly.” Cheng Ying stated the objective reality, but it was clear she was a fellow foodie.

Sun Pangzi looked at his big niece as if they were kindred spirits.

“You actually know about it?” Cheng Ying responded, “I have at least that much knowledge.

Uncle, you go ahead with your setup.

If the firewood isn't enough, Wu Zi and I will drive up the mountain to fetch more.” Her tone shifted so quickly it was hard to process.

They were kindred spirits after all.

Sun Pangzi felt validated and got even more enthusiastic.

A soulmate was hard to find.

Finally, using a large iron hook, he enlisted Cheng Ming and a few others to hoist half a pig carcass up.

Then Sun Pangzi lit the pine wood, and the Old Cheng family compound glowed with firelight from the afternoon onward.

That half-carcass of pork hung high, slowly smoking over the flames.

Cheng Ying remarked, “Next year, our business will definitely go up another level; our family will be even more booming.” Chi Wu didn't even hesitate, confident in the prospects of the business he loved.

“Naturally.” Cheng Ying clarified, “No, I mean with him fussing about like this, it’s impossible not to be a sensation.

Look at the atmosphere—it’s already fiery! Every family nearby is sneaking over for a peek.” Chi Wu gave a cold snort.

“Yes, go listen outside.

Everywhere they’ll be saying, ‘That big girl from the Cheng family brought home a bunch of spendthrifts, causing trouble for no reason.’” Cheng Ying pursed her lips and said mournfully, “I wonder if I’m dragging Sun Pangzi down, or if he’s dragging me down.” Chi Wu turned his head.

“Let’s go visit the village chief.” He didn't want to think about Sun Pangzi.

Chi Wu felt that man would certainly not play a positive role in his life.

Cheng Ying replied, “Mhm, I’ll go grab the wine from inside.” Chi Wu casually picked up a carton of cigarettes from the car—something absolutely unheard of in the village.

The two of them stayed at the village chief’s house for the better part of the day.

Having contracted such a large stretch of mountain land, maintaining good relations with the village was a necessity, even if it was legally sound.

The village chief was a key figure.

As for the Third Madam, Cheng Ying handled that relationship with deference—she was, after all, the grandmother’s best friend.

She had to be treated with the utmost respect.

Cheng Ying brought the Third Madam high-end nutritional supplements—though, in that era, ‘high-end’ basically meant Ovaltine, powdered milk, and almond cream; there was little else.

The village chief didn't quite see it that way.

The children were generous with their gifts, bringing two sets of items.

He spoke earnestly to Cheng Ying.

“It’s not easy earning money outside; be frugal with your spending.

I understand things.” Cheng Ying explained, “This is for the Third Madam; Grandma asked me to bring it over.” The village chief said, “Yingzi, your grandpa won't say much else.

Some in the village are planting trees alongside you.

Even though it brings income, the initial investment is considerable, and you have to front the capital.

Your Grandpa understands.

If you feel bad, just help us find an outlet for our village saplings once they grow.” Cheng Ying frowned, genuinely hesitant.

“Grandpa, my saplings are all for landscaping purposes.” She realized the Grandpa wouldn’t understand the nuance.

“My saplings are all intended for planting along roadsides—scenic trees.

I looked at our village’s saplings; they are all fruit trees.

That’s a different path than mine.

Even if I wanted to help, I probably couldn’t, but I’ll keep an eye out.

If anyone needs fruit saplings, I’ll make an introduction.” The village chief nodded.

“That’s fine, as long as you keep it in mind.

But, girl, with such a huge tract of mountain land, are you planting only one type? Why don't you plant some fruit trees too? If you can’t sell the others, at least our fruit trees won’t lose money, right?” Cheng Ying replied, “Mhm, I’ll look into it later.” As for whether she’d actually swap out any saplings, Cheng Ying knew her own mind.

The fruit from the space water couldn't grow overly large and sweet; she needed the branches to spread out beautifully.

Planting fruit trees would be fighting against her own strengths.

Cheng Ying and Chi Wu ate dinner at the village chief’s house.

They couldn't refuse such warm hospitality, and besides, with so many people at home now, eating out was quite nice.

It was already dark when they returned to the house, and from a distance, they could see the courtyard ablaze with light.

Cheng Ying commented, “Bringing Uncle here was the right call.

The yard was empty for a year; look how lively it is now.” Chi Wu huffed, “Nonsense.

Causing trouble.” He inwardly thought it would be even livelier if the house caught fire.

When Cheng Ying entered the yard, she saw Uncle still wearing only a thin sweater and a piece of homemade cotton vest in the middle of the cold.

What was he trying to do? Once they got closer, they understood.

The fire was burning too fiercely—it was all bright red coals, making it impossible to stand near.

Sun Pangzi was pacing back and forth near the blaze, either sprinkling salt or turning the meat.

He was certainly persistent.

And definitely extravagant.

The large piece of pork had already been lowered, hanging quite close to the fire pit.

Sun Pangzi produced handfuls of sawdust from somewhere and tossed them onto the coals, sending up thick clouds of smoke intermittently.

But the fragrance of pine also wafted out in waves.

Cheng Ying teased, “Uncle, you’re staging a smoke campaign.” Sun Pangzi waved her off.

“Stop that.

Call me Uncle.

You were right to recognize me as your foster uncle; not everyone has this skill.” Cheng Ying inhaled the aroma and had to agree.

That huge half-carcass of pork was rendering fat, sizzling and dripping oil onto the coals.

The scent was drifting far afield.

If this cured for another half night, Cheng Ying thought the whole village would smell like this by morning.

“You carry on, Uncle.

I’m going inside; it’s too hot here.” Inside the house, Cheng Ying found her grandmother pacing in the kitchen, holding a basin.

Cheng Ying asked, “What are you doing? Are you still hungry and planning to cook more?” The old woman frowned, looking worriedly toward the outside.

“Yingzi, what a waste of good food.

The oil is dripping right into the fire.

I was thinking of taking this basin to catch some.

Do you think your uncle will think I’m meddling?” Chi Wu glanced at the old lady, coughed discreetly into his hand, and retreated into the house.

Cheng Ying was left to face her grandmother.

Even in her current situation, her grandmother remained so frugal and capable; how could she possibly fail to become a leading tycoon? Cheng Ying felt that having such a capable manager was her blessing.

“Grandma, you should discuss it with Uncle yourself.

I’ve never heard of people who manage households so wastefully.

Uncle understands these things.” She preferred to let others handle the uncomfortable confrontations.

The old woman nodded.

“Mhm, I’ll go talk to him.” With that, the old woman went out.

To avoid seeing Sun Pangzi’s mournful glare, Cheng Ying calmly walked into the main room.

Inside, she found her foster aunt and Chi Wu laughing merrily.

They had apparently overheard everything.

Cheng Ying remarked, “My grandmother is a true homemaker.” The foster aunt agreed, “Your uncle needs someone like your grandmother to keep him in check.

Otherwise, who knows what wild stunts he’d be pulling tomorrow.” Cheng Ying thought her foster aunt was truly understanding.

“Have you taken your medicine yet? It’s late; should I boil tomorrow’s dose for you?” The foster aunt looked at her big niece with great affection.

She didn't have children, and this girl was so thoughtful.

“No need.

Your uncle is always creating trouble.

This chore should be left for him.

If he’s allowed to run wild without a proper task, who knows what else he’ll invent.” ps: Seeking pink votes.

RP