"All of you have taken yours, leaving me here alive and dry, with nothing interesting—that’s how it is.

Anyway, it looks fine, just like me." Aunt Gan burst out laughing, though she was still pulled along by Fatty Sun to follow Chi Wu and the others to the west room.

Chi Wu finally managed to settle Fatty Sun down to sleep.

But the man's hand refused to let go of his wife; his skill was quite deep.

Chi Wu came over to clean up the mess with Cheng Ying.

They had finished eating, and now it was time for the two of them to labor.

The old lady wouldn't even allow the pot-washing water to be thrown out on the first day of the New Year.

This was how things had been done in their home for so many years.

Everything that needed to be discarded for the 30th night had to be tossed out beforehand.

Thus, Chi Wu and Cheng Ying were busy all night.

After cleaning up, Chi Wu stayed with the old lady in the east room for the vigil. "Grandma, did you see? Drinking manners reveal character.

My uncle isn't much of a man; look how he clings to Auntie even when drunk." Cheng Ying scoffed, "Jealous? There’s no one by your side clinging to you like that?" The old lady snapped, "What nonsense are you speaking? Quiet down.

You’re in the final year of high school; you need to study well yourself.

And you absolutely must not disturb Wu Zi.

Got it? If you dare to lead the good child astray, I’ll deal with you." Cheng Ying protested, "Why do you always see me as the bad child? How can you be so biased? That’s really not right." The old lady retorted, "Enough idle chatter.

I can tell with one look; you’re the one with big ideas, the naughty one." Chi Wu nodded along, silently scorning Cheng Ying to no end.

Who said there wasn't someone for me? I just don't dare to hold her.

I certainly don't dare to hold her in front of Grandma.

I can’t be bothered arguing with you.

Cheng Ying sighed, "Forget it.

It’s New Year’s; I won't bicker with you two.

I’m always the one getting bullied." The old lady warned, "You, mind yourself this entire year, alright? Study hard.

You have to earn some pride for me, so I can hold my head high in front of those old men and women." Chi Wu reassured her, "Grandma, you have me, don't worry." Cheng Ying declared, "Grandma, I will definitely get into the best university in our provincial capital." Chi Wu blinked in surprise.

Considering Cheng Ying’s grades and his own, getting into Tsinghua or Peking University was a slim chance, not quite a sure thing.

But did she really have to attend university in the provincial capital? This seemed somewhat at odds with his own goals.

He had surprisingly never heard Cheng Ying say, "Didn't you say back in the village you wanted to study in the capital?" Cheng Ying dismissed it, "That was when I was young and clueless.

Now I’m aiming for what’s almost guaranteed." She still wanted to go [to the capital], but Cheng Ying didn’t want to move now.

Her grandmother was old, and she had finally made some friends she knew here.

Cheng Ying didn't want Grandma to have to follow her around again.

With her current abilities, she could still manage here.

In the capital, she’d just be a jumping clown.

Who knew which deep waters might drown her? The old lady pressed, "Ying Zi, are you having trouble with your studies? Grandma always heard you say you’d go to school in Beijing.

Why are your words changing so easily?" Cheng Ying quickly pivoted, "Who said that? You look down on our provincial university? Do you know how many people apply to our provincial university? How can you discriminate against your own province? That’s truly wrong of you.

It must be that the moon shines brighter over foreign lands." Chi Wu looked at the old lady, then listened to Cheng Ying’s explanation and understood.

Cheng Ying wasn't planning to go far away for university, and she didn't want the old lady trailing after her all over the country.

What about him? He had been intently following in Cheng Ying’s footsteps, pushing himself upward, always afraid that Cheng Ying might accidentally leave him behind.

Moreover, Chi Wu had done his groundwork thoroughly.

He had discussed it with his family long ago: he was going to the best university.

Had he gambled away his own path? Chi Wu looked at Cheng Ying, his heart turning bitter.

He wondered if it was too late to tell his family now that he planned to study in the provincial capital.

How could he have forgotten to talk to Cheng Ying beforehand about such a big issue? Chi Wu wanted to slap himself twice.

The old lady still looked slightly troubled. "You're really not going to Beijing?" Cheng Ying insisted, "Grandma, you’re really something.

Ask Cheng Ming and the others how many people can actually get into our provincial university, how many applicants there are.

You have too high expectations for me; the pressure is immense!" The old lady soothed, "It’s fine.

It’s fine, don’t be stressed.

It doesn't matter where you go, as long as you get into university." Cheng Ying agreed, "Mmm, don't worry.

If I don't succeed, there's still Wu Zi.

Grandma, rest assured, the two of us guarantee you'll look down on all those old men and women." Grandma replied, "I don't understand that stuff, but Ying Zi, you have to think carefully.

Let’s not just save face.

Even if it means reviewing for another year, you must go to a good school, okay?" Cheng Ying said sweetly, "Mmm, I know.

My Grandma is the best.

Don’t worry, I have a clear idea." Chi Wu felt that the sounds of firecrackers and the glow of fireworks outside couldn't warm his suddenly cold heart.

Four years of university—what would life be like without Cheng Ying by his side? The life of the past three years in high school felt like stolen time.

Chi Wu looked at Cheng Ying with burning intensity.

Letting go just like that was impossible; where there's a will, there's a way.

Cheng Ying was definitely his.

That was their destined ending: going to school together, graduating together—that was his pursuit in life.

Chi Wu gazed at Cheng Ying, suddenly filled with soaring ambition.

Nothing was set in stone yet, so what was the rush? Fatty Sun woke up on the first day of the New Year feeling life was meaningless.

He was too embarrassed to face people.

Seeing his wife sleeping next to him, he understood perfectly what had happened last night.

He had drunk too much, losing his dignity after the alcohol wore off.

If this were now, it would be nothing, but this was the eighties.

Even holding hands would earn you the label of shameless.

What was wrong with a husband and wife? Even if couples were intimate, they were supposed to go into the bedroom, not put on a live show in front of outsiders.

The social climate was that strict.

Now, even songs didn't sing about love.

Of course, that didn't count the imported music from Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Fatty Sun was too ashamed to be seen.

As for Aunt Gan, she was purely dragged down by him.

She spat at Fatty Sun, calling him a scoundrel, intentionally setting her up.

Aunt Gan's expression was truly grim on the first day of the New Year, but since it was the first day, even if the two of them wanted to stay inside their room, they couldn't.

The old lady called out, "Dong Zi, Lan Zi, are you up yet? Time for breakfast.

Relatives will be coming over soon, hurry up.

Mom prepared things for you; you live in the city, go home for a visit." Cheng Ying and Chi Wu had already tidied up the east room and set the table.

Every first day of the New Year, Cheng Ying felt exhausted from the fuss; she never felt like she’d slept enough.

But the old lady insisted that they go out visiting New Year’s greetings looking refreshed, without even a single yawn.

She glanced enviously at the people in the west room, enjoying the luxury of sleeping in so late.

Cheng Ying murmured, "Grandma, you worry too much.

Uncle and Auntie know what they’re doing." The old lady commanded, "Less talk.

It’s the first day of the New Year; I’m only afraid when you open your mouth.

Go do some work." Hearing the conversation outside, Aunt Gan lost all her previous gloom.

These were family; they were accepting family.

She could relax a little.

She shot Fatty Sun a glare. "Mom, we’re up, we’ve been up for a while.

We’re coming out now." Saying that, she opened the door.

Fatty Sun licked his face, "Happy New Year, Mom." The old lady’s face cracked into a smile as bright as a flower—if only her wrinkles weren't so numerous now, otherwise she’d look like a true beauty. "Yes, yes, Happy New Year, everyone be well." Then she pulled two red envelopes from her pocket. "Take these to bring some good luck." Fatty Sun didn't stand on ceremony and tucked them into his pocket.

Cheng Ying remarked, "You’re being too polite.

Those were meant for the neighborhood children." Fatty Sun replied, "If Mom gives them to me, I’ll take them.

What’s there to be embarrassed about?" He then promptly took his wife's envelope as well. "Wife, I'll hold onto this for you." Cheng Ying thought to herself that the control of their finances was still in Fatty Sun’s hands.

Aunt Gan only had the appearance of authority, but no real power.

Aunt Gan came out and busied herself helping out.

Just as they finished eating the New Year’s dumplings, a crowd of children rushed in from outside.

The red envelopes from the old lady weren’t large, but there were many children.

Everyone knew the old lady would give the children a little something, so they all stopped by for a moment.

The old lady felt the pinch giving out red envelopes.

Her own children were grown, and she wouldn't earn that money back.

But since they lived close by, and she was a businesswoman, the old lady understood she needed to keep good relations everywhere; she couldn't let a couple of small coins jeopardize the important matters of the children.

Cheng Ying and Chi Wu paid visits to the neighbors before heading to the Chi family home.

As for Fatty Sun, after eating, he led his wife away.

They also had to pay respects to others, and besides, his own mother had prepared things for them, wanting Aunt Gan to take Fatty Sun to see her parents.

His mother had said that their attitude didn't matter as much as making the gesture; as long as the intent was there, they wouldn't regret it later.

Let them regret it then.

Aunt Gan felt the old lady was an insightful person.

If it weren't the first day of the New Year, she would have wanted to hug the old lady and shed a few tears.

Because they hadn't had children these past few years, Dong Zi’s relationship with her family had grown increasingly strained, almost to the point of enmity.

It was good that things could ease up a bit under the old lady’s mediation, otherwise, she would be the one caught in the middle, and even worse, they were her own mother and father.

Cheng Ying’s visit to the Chi family was almost like visiting her future mother-in-law.

However, seeing little Qing Fang there was quite a surprise for Cheng Ying.

That wretched child still dared to show up.

Cheng Ying didn't want to stoop to the level of a child, but she had lost the warmth she once held for little Qing Fang.

She really didn't care for her anymore, and certainly wouldn't allow her own child to take such an ill-mannered menace as a spouse.

Wouldn't that be like giving her child a younger brother and an unmanageable wife? As the elders always said, one bad apple spoils the bunch—this was a huge matter.

Admittedly, she was being a bit autocratic on this issue, but it wasn't completely out of line.

Marriages were arranged by parents in this era anyway.

At least she considered herself Chi Wu’s elder in some capacity.

Of course, this was just her own thinking; whether Chi Wu agreed was another matter.

But regarding Chi Wu’s lifelong happiness, Cheng Ying was absolutely determined to keep him entirely separate from little Qing Fang.

She had already decided: even if it meant standing between the Milky Way and the Queen Mother of the West, she would separate those two completely.

Fortunately, the two children didn't seem particularly close anyway; her own child had decent taste.

As for fairness, Cheng Ying didn't want to dwell on it.

She herself had wanted free love, but wasn't that completely crushed by her own old lady in one swift blow? She was firmly suppressed.

Why should Chi Wu have such an easy time? Besides, she was considering this from the standpoint of character; she was already being quite humanistic.

Since they were born into this era, they might as well enjoy an arranged marriage together.

Looking at it from another angle, it wouldn't be so bad—just treat it as an experience.

Even couples who dated for ten or eight years broke up; they weren't necessarily reliable either.

ps: Requesting Pink Tickets RP