Cheng Ying was a mature adult, though it didn't show much on the surface; she maintained basic courtesy. However, the young girl Qing Fang was nowhere near as friendly toward Cheng Ying, as Cheng Ying’s manner of speaking to her, in front of so many classmates previously, had been profoundly embarrassing.

The young girl held a grudge. That’s how people are; they won’t remember your kindness, only your faults.

They completely forget who worked tirelessly, day and night, to bail everyone out of trouble. Cheng Ying greeted them, "Grandpa Chi, Grandma Chi, Happy New Year." The tone was polite and cheerful, yet lacked warmth—a distant connection.

Old Mr. Chi said, "Yingzi is here.

Here’s a red envelope for the occasion. Study hard and strive for progress." Cheng Ying was genuinely amused; this phrase was something she often used herself.

Despite how frequently the children chanted "Study hard and strive for progress," few could deliver it with Cheng Ying’s distinct inflection. Turns out, Old Mr.

Chi had a good sense of humor after all. Cheng Ying graciously accepted the red envelope and then greeted the younger girl, "Qing Fang is here too." Young Miss Qing Fang snorted.

Being so ill-mannered during the New Year holiday. Cheng Ying paid her no mind and began chatting with her own mother.

Old Mr. Chi glanced at Qing Fang; why were these two children not getting along?

Showing such a face on the very first day of the New Year. Old Mrs.

Chi frowned. "Was she bullied?" Cheng Ying was formidable; only Qing Fang could be the one bullied.

Though, in reality, it was indeed Qing Fang who had been bested by Cheng Ying’s sharp words. But looking at the root cause, Qing Fang was clearly in the wrong, and the girl didn't dare confess the matter to her family.

So, Qing Fang dared not explain clearly: "She's not very endearing. Girls should be quiet and demure.

Cheng Ying acts wild and seeks attention at school; I don't think we are the same type of person." That was a bit hurtful, but the young girl wasn't lying. Chi Wu stared at Qing Fang, his face so grim it looked like water could drip from it.

Cheng Ying was unconcerned. There was no need to engage with the young girl; she wasn't worth her notice at all.

She continued talking happily with her own mother when Chi Ye chimed in, "Sis, did you save any of yesterday's fireworks for me?" Cheng Ying retorted, "Oh, I couldn't forget you. Always thinking about those little things.

Why aren't you wishing your sister a Happy New Year?" Chi Ye pouted. "I offer New Year wishes to the elders, do I have to wish you a Happy New Year too?

Will you give me a red envelope if I do?" Cheng Ying looked at the plump boy and thought about how sturdy he was. "Do you want a red envelope or not?" Chi Ye immediately put on his most obedient face.

"Happy New Year, Sister." Cheng Ying reflected that the children were growing up, and she herself was getting older. In this life, she needed to find a man and settle down soon; even an arranged marriage would suffice.

Cheng Ying was confident she could manage her own life well; why couldn't her own mother understand her eagerness to marry? Why was her mother constantly pushing her toward academics?

It seemed mother and daughter needed a serious talk. Two lifetimes now, and if she didn't hurry, she’d be forty without a child.

Look at her own mother; she probably hadn't lived much longer than Cheng Ying herself had, yet she already had a daughter this age. When you compare people, Cheng Ying felt she was merely the stepping stone for others.

She pulled out a red envelope. "Take this, pocket money.

Let Mom hold onto it for you, save it for when you get a wife." Her tone carried a deep sense of melancholy—when would her own child be visiting others to offer New Year greetings and receive envelopes instead of giving them? Chi Ye’s face darkened.

He was always direct with his sister, having no reservations. "Why is this so thin?" Cheng Ying snapped, "You brat, what are you saying?" Old Mrs.

Chi rebuked, "Chi Ye, where is your courtesy?" Chi Ye looked aggrieved. Cheng Ying felt that for Old Mrs.

Chi to demand courtesy between her and her own little brother was an attempt to sow discord between the two siblings. Old Mr.

Chi intervened, "We won't interfere in the squabbles between these two; Chi Ye is very polite in front of outsiders." Chi Yong said, "Dad sees things clearly. Our little Ye is the most sensible." Chi Ye opened the envelope, looking very wronged, and declared, "It’s not cash." Chi Yong took it over.

It was a bright red bankbook. "What's this?

Are you afraid I can't support the child?" Cheng Ying replied, "I was saving that as Chi Ye's private stash. Seeing your reaction, I know Chi Ye definitely won't have a secret treasury in the future." She avoided saying she was afraid of a wife, instead giving Chi Yong a way to save face.

Yang Zhi commented, "He shouldn't be holding it anyway; how old is Chi Ye? Only you spoil him like this." Cheng Ying argued, "If I don't spoil him, who will?

When I was his age, things were tight at home; otherwise, you would have spoiled me like this too." Anyone else would have agreed, "Yes, that's exactly how it was." But Yang Zhi was different; she stated plainly, "Definitely not. Our family had good conditions even then, and we still wouldn't have spoiled you.

There was Mingzi and the others too." Cheng Ying exchanged a helpless look with Chi Yong, then gazed at her own mother. Mom, you are too honest.

She really didn't need to be so direct. Cheng Ying pinched the plump boy's cheek.

"Come on, let’s go wish Grandma a Happy New Year together. I'll surely give you a red envelope." Chi Yong said goodbye to the old folks.

"Mom, Dad, we are going to pay our respects to the elders now." With that, he led his daughter and son away. During this exchange, Chi Yong didn't spare a glance for little Miss Qing Fang.

He knew his daughter too well. If she were arguing with a younger girl, it meant the younger girl must have done something truly wrong.

Otherwise, his daughter wouldn't bother. So, his daughter’s position on this was to be determined—very much to be determined.

At Chi Ye’s request, the four of them walked home, browsing along the way, arriving just in time for lunch. As for Chi Wu, on the first day of the New Year, when Old Mr.

Chi was showing off his grandson, Chi Wu had been conveniently "forgotten" at home by Cheng Ying. Chi Yong and Yang Zhi were staying for a couple of days.

Yang Zhi's maternal home was far away, so the second day of the New Year was typically spent there. Thus, starting from the second day, Yang Zhi and her husband stayed at the Cheng residence.

The old lady was certainly not lonely now. That shameless Fatty Sun had actually hosted a banquet during the New Year, setting up drinks and food at Old Mrs.

Cheng’s place, much to Chi Wu’s chagrin—what kind of person did that? But Fatty Sun was thick-skinned enough to simply state that the space here was much larger, and there was a heated room, making it far more suitable than his own house.

Cheng Ying wanted to say, You only said your own home was unsuitable; didn't you consider that the suitable place isn't yours either? It was so frustrating.

She had completely forgotten her own previous invitation to him. Yang Zhi bustled about, serving Fatty Sun’s group of friends and her gan shen zi's colleagues.

Chi Yong also discovered a new world; he realized there was this whole group of people, all with substantial backgrounds from the same generation. Chi Wu always reaped the biggest rewards during the New Year.

After the Lantern Festival, he walked away with the license for the Northern Furniture Company. Cheng Ying exclaimed, "This speed is too fast.

You're reaching a new platform every year; this is already a company!" She inwardly marveled, I have finally entered the ranks of big bosses. No more talk of workshops and small stalls.

This counts as success, right? Chi Wu confirmed, "Of course.

It will only get better from here." Cheng Ying said, "Alright, from now on, we'll be even more impressive than the boss. Work hard; this is for your wife savings." Chi Wu looked at Cheng Ying, pursed his lips, and smiled.

Indeed, wife savings. "You hold onto it for me first." Cheng Ying conceded, "That's true.

If I left it with you, you might spend it rashly. But I haven't seen you waste money on anything; you have potential." Chi Wu thought to himself, Since you're holding my wife savings, you aren't running away anywhere.

Both of them felt quite pleased. After the Lantern Festival, Fatty Sun was constantly busy, bouncing around and never stopping.

By the time Cheng Ying finished two months of schooling, Fatty Sun had already managed to acquire twenty acres of saplings. What kind of speed was this?

Cheng Ying wondered if she had struck it lucky, finding such a treasure. "Uncle, are we not breaking any laws?" Fatty Sun retorted, "What are you talking about?

Uncle is doing legitimate business, sending real goods out. Don't badmouth me." Cheng Ying declared, "You are incredible.

I’ve decided to end your probation period early. You are the General Manager of our nursery, with a monthly salary of one thousand, and expenses covered." Fatty Sun’s face lit up like a flower.

"Oh my, I can earn six or seven times what your aunt makes in a month!" Cheng Ying added, "There will be year-end bonuses and profit sharing." Fatty Sun exclaimed, "Uncle has managed to latch onto a rich patron! But Yingzi, could you lend Uncle your car to drive?" Chi Wu immediately protested, "No, that’s mine." Cheng Ying teased, "Are you looking down on your old jalopy now?" Fatty Sun explained, "I need the proper appearance when going out.

You have no idea how they treated me last time my old car was in the shop—when I used your car to negotiate a written agreement at that office, they saw my car and their attitude changed completely compared to before. Uncle is doing this for our business!" Chi Wu insisted, "Still no.

This car is Cheng Ying’s token of affection to me; I can't let Fatty Sun touch it for any reason." It was no secret that Chi Wu’s daily relaxation was polishing his car. Cheng Ying was more generous.

Since she was running a company now, could she let them fight over one car? "Our family indeed doesn't have enough vehicles.

Your old car is not only fuel-inefficient but constantly needs repairs. Throw it away quickly.

Chi Wu also needs a car, so we should buy another one." Chi Wu was displeased. So she would buy a car for anyone?

"You’re buying him a car?" His tone suggested a fight was imminent. Fatty Sun thought to himself, This kid is still too naive.

Cheng Ying clarified, "It’s not me buying a car for someone; the nursery needs a vehicle. Uncle is constantly running around for business; he can’t do without one.

Go contact those childhood friends of yours and get another one." Chi Wu finally felt somewhat relieved. His car was for family use.

Fatty Sun's was for work. Chi Wu distinguished the two clearly in his mind.

The significance was different; that was what mattered. "That will be paid for with money from the mountain land." Cheng Ying nodded.

But then she thought, The mountain land is mine; isn't the money from the mountain land my money? Why is this boy obsessing over such a question?

Chi Wu happily went out to make a phone call. Fatty Sun sincerely complimented her, "Niece, I have never seen anyone as generous as you.

To say 'buy' and just buy—amazing!" Cheng Ying replied, "Uncle, don't disappoint my car. Keep up the good work, and I’ll wait to celebrate with you at the end of the year." Fatty Sun thought he was now tied down by a car.

The old lady came in carrying hot soup. "Oh my, I’ve never seen such spendthrifts!

That car was so good; how could you just say you didn't want it? We used to wear one pair of trousers for years!

You two just keep making a fuss." Cheng Ying reassured her, "Grandma, don't worry. We’ll just have one new one; we won't throw away the old one, so we aren't wasting things." The old lady scoffed, "You think you can fool me?

You think I’m stupid?" Fatty Sun chimed in, "Mom, you can't stop us! It took me a long time to get a new car.

When I get it, I’ll take you to watch the opera. Wherever there’s a big show, I’ll take you there!" The old lady retorted, "Stop trying to trick me.

Do you think I don’t know the gas money for the round trip costs more than a ticket? I can’t be bothered with you.

Be reasonable. If you mess around, no one will bring you food even if you’re locked up in the cattle pen!"