Chi Wu shook his head; this was courting disaster for him. Life, how utterly hopeless it was, yet he willingly leaped forward with a surge of excitement, right into a trap he’d set for himself.

Chi Wu got up and went to the kitchen to cook. If I can’t provoke you, I can certainly avoid you.

I’m not arguing over a moment; I’m playing for a lifetime. Cheng Ying turned to watch the person entering the kitchen.

What was with that attitude? She felt as if she were bullying a child.

Considering the situation, Cheng Ying would have preferred Chi Wu to be as arrogant as he was just now; at least that felt like their usual dynamic. This current demeanor, like a mistreated young wife, gave her goosebumps.

Cheng Ying rubbed her nose and followed him into the kitchen. “We need to simmer a pot of chicken soup for Aunt Gan.” She wanted to crack a joke to ease the tension, maybe say it was for his recovery too, but remembering the preceding events, it felt too much like flirting, and the words caught in her throat.

She composed her expression to its most serious state. “So, what did you tell them?” Chi Wu’s hands didn't stop, one moment chopping vegetables, the next washing rice.

“What else could I say? That I got you drunk and we… did that?

They naturally know how to handle things.” No matter how Cheng Ying heard it, it sounded like she was the one who had committed a crime—a stark reminder that she had lost control while drinking. And what's more, the child was actively taking the blame.

She felt too awkward to even bring up the issue of him becoming a live-in son-in-law. Chi Wu knew exactly what Cheng Ying was thinking.

“That’s what I told Mom and Dad. As for Grandma and Grandpa, I told them: Grandma smacked you a few times, and her only condition was that you wouldn't marry out.

After that, I came back.” He raised an eyebrow when mentioning this, still hoping for a compliment from Cheng Ying. To marry Cheng Ying, Chi Wu had calculated against everyone.

The pressure was immense. If Cheng Ying gave him a few words of praise, Chi Wu would feel much more confident.

Cheng Ying’s mouth twitched slightly. This child was well-taught; he grasped the core of the issue so accurately.

But the Chi family educated their children too leniently; letting him handle such a huge matter by himself? “And you didn't get disciplined at all?” Chi Wu instantly became unhappy.

What was she thinking? “Do you wish so badly that I’d suffered?

Do you think if Grandpa had beaten me to death, you’d be relieved? You wouldn’t have to face this problem, wouldn’t have to get engaged, and you could go steal someone else’s partner again?” Those words were severe, striking right at the heart.

Chi Wu was even more tangled up about Cheng Ying singing that love song earlier. That felt much worse than his own situation of marrying in.

Cheng Ying: “What nonsense are you spouting? You’ve ruined my reputation!

Am I the type to steal someone’s partner? Aren’t I just concerned about you?” The latter half of that sentence was delivered with evident reluctance and a clear falseness.

Chi Wu: “That wasn’t you singing that day, and it wasn’t you staring at that person without blinking that day.” Saying this, the anger truly flared in Chi Wu. It was a sharp pang of bitterness and resentment born of unfulfilled desire.

Even with his deep cunning, he couldn’t suppress this emotion, especially given his young age. Cheng Ying looked at Chi Wu’s reddening eyes and felt a pang of guilt, mixed with an odd feeling.

Was this child jealous? Surely not.

Could this unfortunate kid possibly have other feelings for me? Cheng Ying instantly dismissed the thought.

He was probably just feeling wronged; she had taken advantage of him, and now he was confused. Anyone would feel wronged in this situation; she should try to put herself in his shoes.

Cheng Ying: “No, you don’t know me yet. My mouth is sharp; I can’t stand to see others happy.

I was just trying to annoy them, flirting a bit.” Chi Wu: “Hmph, flirting a bit. You’re a woman.

Even if modern morals are lax, you should still be mindful and at least save me some face. Female hooligans are rare these days; nobody has seen one!” Cheng Ying was stung by Chi Wu’s retort and felt too ashamed to lift her head.

“Congratulations, you’ve acquired a national treasure. Your family is about to have one…” Chi Wu was quite pleased with the phrase, your family.

It showed Yingzi recognized their status. However, his mouth remained defiant.

“What’s your attitude?” Cheng Ying covered her mouth. Why was her mouth being so wicked again?

Wasn’t she just asking for trouble? “No, no.

From now on, I’ll certainly observe the Three Obediences and Four Virtues. Thank you for your sacrifice in saving me; I’m so grateful.” Chi Wu was in a terrible mood.

Even though Cheng Ying was placating him, one thing she said was true: given the current circumstances, Cheng Ying definitely felt grateful to him. Gratitude, how heartbreaking!

Then again, would Yingzi really just feel gratitude? Chi Wu suppressed his emotions.

One day, you won’t be able to leave me, and you’ll know how good I am, so you’ll want me for more than just gratitude. “Hmph.

Since you appreciate me, look at other people less, and save some face for me.” Cheng Ying: “Yes, from now on, I’ll only look at you.” Stare at you to death. Chi Wu’s mood instantly improved.

As long as they were tied together, his wife, inside and out, would eventually be his. There was no need to be unhappy.

One sentence from Cheng Ying could send Chi Wu soaring to the heavens with joy. Of course, one look could also send him crashing to the floor.

Chi Wu: “You go outside. The kitchen is smoky.

My grandparents will probably come over tonight to apologize to you and your grandmother. Keep your attitude firm; I am yours now.” Cheng Ying genuinely felt the last sentence was sickeningly nauseating.

Especially contrasted with Chi Wu’s physical stature—it was completely incongruous. How could she accept it?

If this had happened twenty years later, it might just have been a misunderstanding. But now, it was impossible.

This issue was a massive weight pressing on his heart. You couldn't achieve harmony even if you tried.

In this era, playing the hooligan was a very serious crime. Cheng Ying suddenly recalled a lyric: Pan Jinlian and Wu Dalang were just a misunderstanding.

Then Cheng Ying began to ponder deeply. She thought she might resemble Jinlian, but Chi Wu didn't fit Dalang at all; he seemed more aligned with Ximen Qing.

But why did he wear Ximen Qing’s skin while carrying Wu Dalang’s wronged expression? Cheng Ying shuddered.

What kind of comparison was that? Had she confused herself?

Pan Jinlian—that title certainly didn't apply to her. The world felt too cold; she urgently needed warmth.

Eating the food Chi Wu made, Cheng Ying felt it lacked the fragrance of yesterday’s or the day before’s meals. Chi Wu noticed her small appetite.

“Don’t you like this? Or should I make you something else?

What do you feel like eating?” Cheng Ying: “No need. I’m just preoccupied.” Chi Wu: “Just wait for the engagement.

What’s there to think about? Relax, I’ve got it all handled.” As he said this, Chi Wu didn't even lift his eyelids or glance at Cheng Ying; he was clearly displeased.

Cheng Ying picked up on the underlying tone. “With you handling it, what do I have to worry about?

I’m just eager to see our nephew—I wonder who he’ll look like. What if he takes after Fatty Sun?

That would be awful.” A perfectly crafted excuse. Chi Wu: “Yes, if he really takes after Fatty Sun, imagine how hard it will be for Aunt Gan.” Chi Wu served her some vegetables.

“Hurry up and eat. We’ll go over there to see them and take the chicken soup for Aunt Gan.” Cheng Ying: “Mm.” Although the food tasted bland, she forced it down with effort.

The person who cooked it was not to be trifled with now; his status and standing had been elevated. She felt like a convict under escort, constantly at risk of being paraded around again.

Cheng Ying now deeply understood Fatty Sun. How excessively she had treated Fatty Sun in the past!

If she had known this day would come, she would have been much more understanding toward Fatty Sun back then. Life, truly, you can’t afford a single wrong step; it’s so treacherous.

Chi Wu and Cheng Ying acted as if nothing had happened, driving to the hospital to deliver the chicken soup and check on his sworn brother. Though their outward appearance suggested harmony, both knew they were profoundly uncomfortable.

It felt as if a layer had settled between them. While driving, Chi Wu’s mouth was drawn tight.

Could things never be the same as before? Chi Wu was currently consumed by anxiety over potential loss.

Then he let out a spontaneous, casual laugh. How could all the good fortune fall only to her side?

He would take his time grinding her down. After that, he started chatting with Cheng Ying about random things.

Even though both were emotionally preoccupied, they conversed animatedly. In reality, neither was quite sure what they were talking about.

Chi Wu thought this was a good sign. Cheng Ying thought the unlucky kid was being dragged down by her.

A child so young, facing such a situation, yet so much less mature than her, and he was trying to comfort her? She was acting disgracefully; she felt terrible toward Chi Wu.

She wanted to tell Chi Wu that the incident, in her view, wasn't a major issue, but she feared Chi Wu would misunderstand, thinking she was careless about her conduct, which would be bad for the child’s development too. For the first time, Cheng Ying understood that instilling advanced awareness in a child could lead to trouble, especially when that child’s upbringing was only half-baked, as it was now—that was even more troublesome.

Thinking of someone like Chi Wu… well, she supposed this was reaping what she sowed. As her mood eased, Cheng Ying started to laugh.

“I just remembered this morning was like a scene from an opera. How could things align so perfectly?

People shouldn't do bad things. It seems all my good luck from these past years was used up this morning.

Thinking about it makes me too ashamed to face anyone! Luckily, we’re both thick-skinned.” Cheng Ying was just recounting it as a joke.

Chi Wu looked at Cheng Ying’s relaxed state and breathed a sigh of relief. If she could speak of it so lightly, it seemed Cheng Ying had come to terms with it, understanding that the matter was settled.

There was no turning back; this was equivalent to accepting fate. He was quite happy inwardly.

However, thinking about what he did that morning, Chi Wu actually blushed deeply. He had never been so shameless before; it felt worse than stealing wool from the production team back then.

How could he have done such a thing? What would Cheng Ying think when she found out in the future?

He had to face it eventually, but not now. The more he said, the more mistakes he’d make.

Chi Wu naturally took the conversation in a different direction. “Tell me about it.

And then that disruptive person showed up, acting as if they couldn’t understand a word we said!” Cheng Ying exclaimed with resentment, “That person is a lunatic! Whose unlucky child is that?

If they don’t take their medicine, they shouldn’t be let out to roam; aren’t they just a menace?” Chi Wu: “If we see him again, call the hospital directly. Releasing a mental patient is disturbing the peace.” They both felt much lighter.

Chi Wu said, “But after today’s spectacle, he’ll probably cross the street to avoid seeing you or Grandma.” Cheng Ying recalled that person’s gaze; it was probably unlikely he’d stay away. That person seemed to actively seek abuse.

The child’s vision was still too narrow. However, given her current relationship with Chi Wu, telling him that person hadn't given up might be inappropriate.

She decided against it. “Yeah, probably.” Saying this, they arrived at the hospital.

Chi Wu and Cheng Ying walked in, carrying their items. Their emotional state had adjusted well; at least Fatty Sun and his wife, who were unaware of the situation, noticed nothing amiss.

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