If Chi Wu truly held her in high regard, what was she to do? Wasn't that just digging a pit for herself?

Whether to respond or not, the turmoil would only be her own burden, so she might as well let the matter drift away with the wind. Once the children are in university, their horizons broadened, and public opinion won't be as harsh as it is now; the children will naturally move forward.

An engagement, after all, is not marriage; it's a connection officially unrecognized. In the city, it means nothing at all.

That was how Cheng Ying consoled herself. Although in the village, engaged couples usually started their lives together right away.

Cheng Ying thought, thank heavens she was a city person. She had never been clearer-headed than at this moment.

Furthermore, thinking deeper, if Chi Wu lied, if this whole situation was designed by him, then revealing it would be even more impossible. Let it be this way; their relationship remains pure—how wonderful that is.

Even if it feels a bit self-deceptive. Looking at Chi Wu's evasive eyes, Cheng Ying truly dared not probe further.

Chi Wu’s gaze flickered toward Cheng Ying, thinking, Ask me, go on, ask me, and I can tell you I like you. Sadly, Cheng Ying asked nothing.

Chi Wu’s expression grew increasingly strained. Was what I said that thorough?

Or does Yingzi simply not want to clarify anything? Cheng Ying appeared far more composed.

At least outwardly, she projected that image. We can't have a deep soul-to-soul conversation with the unfortunate kid, Cheng Ying worried that if she thought too much, she wouldn't be able to bear it.

After all, the human spirit is fragile; even she, a woman weathered by untold storms and tribulations, couldn't endure repeated blows. Chi Wu watched Cheng Ying close her eyes to rest, unsure what was turning over in her mind.

However, for now, if using the engagement could tether Cheng Ying, keeping her watching him, Chi Wu was content. Keep pushing forward.

What is this minor setback? Since realizing he cared for Yingzi, what manner of setback hadn't he endured?

This level barely qualified as an injury. Hadn't they even discussed the love letters Cheng Ying received from others?

This current situation was insignificant by comparison. To the villagers, an engagement was even more binding than a marriage certificate.

If Cheng Ying dared to look at anyone else again, Chi Wu would have every right to step forward and claim ownership. So, the children are young; their thinking is still simplistic.

Cheng Ying took Chi Wu to the old headmaster’s house. The old headmaster was quite fond of the two youngsters.

Everyone likes good children, especially when these two had performed so well according to what he heard. In two days, the results would be out.

The old headmaster asked where they planned to study and then gave them an overview of university life before they left. As for visiting their own class teacher, the questions quickly veered off track.

The fact that their class teacher hadn't even inquired about something as significant as their exam scores, instead launching into a lesson on moral character and political ideology for student Cheng Ying, was noteworthy. Morality was crucial in those days.

And no more drinking—one time was enough; the teacher’s heart couldn't handle more. Especially concerning the severe consequences of teacher-student romance, they were lectured on it repeatedly.

Cheng Ying emerged with her face blazing red. Teacher-student romance?

What was that compared to the family scandals she was already stirring up? Chi Wu felt he hadn't appreciated his class teacher’s merits during the three years of high school, only realizing it upon graduation.

Chi Wu felt his reverence for the teacher had been insufficient; from today forward, he would re-establish the teacher’s authority in his mind. Having such a class teacher was wonderful; if only Yingzi would heed even a fraction of the advice.

As they left, Chi Wu made a formal request to his class teacher: “Teacher, Cheng Ying and I are going back to the village to get engaged this summer. If you have time, please come and join the celebration.” The class teacher sighed in relief upon hearing this.

At least his graduating student wouldn't bring shame to university life; having an engagement settled was good. “If I have the chance, I will certainly come.

Many people get engaged while in university. But don't let it interfere with your studies; keep it low-key.

The atmosphere at university might differ from here. Try not to broadcast your engagement; there could be pressure if people ridicule you.

It’s best known privately. Now, wait patiently for your scores; neither of you should struggle there.” Cheng Ying thought what a beautiful blessing that was.

Chi Wu, however, was unimpressed. If possible, he wanted to announce his relationship with Cheng Ying to the entire world.

Hiding it—what was the point of all his efforts then? This teacher was just...

well, no one is perfect. Chi Wu followed Cheng Ying home.

As for Teacher Qi, Cheng Ying felt she had teased the teacher too much and couldn't face her. Chi Wu felt that high school was over; this seductress needed to stop here.

It would be best not to interact further; she looked like a dangerous element from every angle. Thus, regarding visits to various teachers, the two reached a tacit agreement: “We don't know how the scores turned out, so let's wait until they are released before visiting any teachers together.” Chi Wu nodded with reserved agreement.

“Alright then, I’ll listen to you.” Both were quite satisfied with this outcome. Cheng Ying thought the unfortunate kid wasn't entirely unbearable; at least he understood her feelings.

Chi Wu thought their relationship had changed; Cheng Ying was considering his feelings—she was practically his wife. Then they drove home.

Cheng Ying expected awkwardness between them, and Chi Wu anticipated some discomfort, thinking there would need to be an adjustment period. In reality, neither had much to dwell on, as they were extremely busy.

It seemed society was truly recovering; the economy was taking off at this time. At least Chi Yong and Aunt Gan, who earned wages, constantly complained that their paychecks weren't enough for anything.

In contrast, Chi Wu and Cheng Ying seized the opportunity, and their ventures entered a new phase. The furniture company had completely welcomed spring; they were largely done with retail and focused entirely on wholesale.

Cheng Ying managed the low, mid, and high-end tiers. Chi Wu’s renovation team was so busy they needed sub-teams.

Their careers were developing steadily. This was why the old lady viewed Chi Wu so favorably.

The boy was reliable, building things step-by-step; he was trustworthy. More importantly, he was completely devoted to Yingzi.

For a woman, meeting a man who cared for her this deeply in a lifetime was true fortune. Furthermore, Fatty Sun couldn't spare ten days for his son’s ceremony.

Cheng Ying’s saplings, with the expansion of greening projects, were selling instantly as the first base-type nursery, turning land into cash minute by minute. Fatty Sun felt that for his son’s future, a minor postponement was acceptable.

Besides, his son was still young, and Fatty Sun shielded him from various disturbances; postponing the ten-day event was fine, as long as the child grew strong. Regarding the matter of the two young people, the elders hadn't finalized any concrete plans yet.

Chi Wu had already driven to the old home to source lumber. As for Cheng Ying, she was even busier.

If Chi Wu handled the furniture company’s external relations, Cheng Ying had to intensify internal construction. First, their company needed to expand; they were running out of ground space.

Fortunately, Cheng Ying owned five acres of land herself; they only needed to relocate the saplings. And with their nursery becoming famous across the provinces nationally, those five acres were no longer needed for advertising.

Cheng Ying felt she had finally escaped hardship; at least she no longer had to secretly transport various saplings into the city. Cheng Ying was quite generous; since her nursery began selling, not many saplings remained on those five acres anyway.

Cheng Ying donated them directly to a nearby park. She sent some to nearby government offices as well.

Of course, whether they had the internal space to plant them was her concern. She sent even more to the hospital.

If they didn't have space for planting, that was fine; they could give them to the doctors. Cheng Ying didn't care who took them; establishing a familiar presence at the hospital was enough.

Who in this life avoids sickness and disaster? Being familiar with doctors was never a disadvantage, even if the thought felt morbid, bordering on wishing illness upon herself, it was necessary.

It was said that Cheng Ying was determined never to pursue illegal routes in this life; she even considered sending a truckload of saplings to the labor camp. Of course, that was just a fleeting thought, something she considered only in her mind.

This action gained her recognition, moved the stock, and cleared the land. The old lady's dissatisfaction with her granddaughter finally erupted.

How much was a single sapling worth? That couldn't be hidden.

Why was the child becoming more extravagant the older she got? She hadn't been taught this way.

Things weren't like this before. Old Mrs.

Chi was even more displeased with her future granddaughter-in-law. Seeing a perfectly good garden area, only to have a factory built on it—it was enough to make her heart stop.

"Look, look! That's the family legacy showing!

Where is the noble spirit of a scholar? That's what children from families like ours are like—too materialistic.

We are, after all, a family rooted in literature!" Old Mr. Chi, however, focused on his grandson’s enterprise.

He asked his old friends, his neighbors: how many people, before even entering university, had already built up a foundation through their own efforts? The Chi family had produced a fine young man; he would bring prosperity to the lineage.

Whether the legacy was one of poetry and books wasn't as important. Did they have to become impoverished just for the sake of 'noble spirit'?

In that case, who would even know the Chi family name? Thus, men and women never considered things from the same perspective.

The only thing that troubled Old Mr. Chi was that his grandson was about to renounce his surname; that was the major issue.

He was worried sick. Chi Yong came home right after work these past two days.

If for nothing else, he thought about how he and Chi Wu had survived those years. When did the Cheng family start supporting them, the father and son?

Without the Cheng family, without Old Master Yang, who knew if Chi Wu and Chi Ye would even exist now. For a grown man to raise a two or three-year-old child under those circumstances and survive was a blessing from heaven.

Never mind that they both ended up with chronic ailments. Chi Yong wept while speaking with his own father, saying he had never imagined Chi Wu would grow so tall and strong.

Back then, Chi Wu was two sizes smaller than boys his age. It was heartbreaking to look at him.

Chi Yong stated that if it weren't for Old Mrs. Cheng, it was hard to say what