The old woman laughed, forgetting everything else. "Good, good. Here in the village, getting into university is like having a Juren scholar; it’s not easy at all. Girl, look closely, which university are we aiming for?"

Old Man Chi said, "A Juren? That’s equivalent to a Jinshi!" Look how much he was praising the two children.

Old Madam Cheng chuckled, unable to close her mouth, so proud her own children were succeeding.

Cheng Ying said, "Yes, I'm also a Juren scholar, a newly appointed Jinshi. Grandma, let's go."

She lifted her foot and walked away. As for the people trailing behind, they truly weren't her grandmother or grandfather; there was no need to care too much about them.

The old woman exclaimed, "Oh, we’ve caught a good time! Yongzi, I don't know much about this university business, so you must keep a sharp eye out for Yingzi. Yingzi, listen to your uncle on this matter. Our family only has your uncle with experience in this area, understand?"

The old woman was always so wise.

Cheng Ying sighed, "I listen to Grandma."

Chi Yong strode along behind the two women, walking with measured steps. "Your grandmother listens to me on this matter."

For someone as mature and steady as Chi Yong, to engage in verbal sparring was rare. It was just that he had been severely stifled by the two families recently.

Cheng Ying fell silent.

When Old Madam Chi saw Old Madam Cheng, her heart felt a sharp pang of jealousy. The old woman had changed her clothes and was unrecognizable.

Unfortunately, the moment she spoke, she shattered that peaceful, beautiful feeling.

But thankfully, she possessed self-awareness. She knew that on matters like this, her son had better judgment.

Chi Wu trailed beside his grandparents, aware that at this moment, he was there to uphold the honor of the Chi family.

However, he missed not a single word spoken by those ahead. In his heart, he was far more sour than his own grandmother. Yingzi hadn't considered him at all.

The two sensible children first introduced their guardians to the homeroom teacher.

Chi Yong, representing the parents, thanked the teacher for his hard work over the past few years.

The homeroom teacher showered the two students with praise in front of their parents.

As for the private romantic matters of the two children, the teacher, who had initially held some doubts, saw the two families walking together and understood everything. Both Chi Wu and Yingzi called one person 'Mom.'

This matter couldn't be faked. Although such things were rare in the city, city schools also had rural students whose families had arranged their engagements for years.

As long as it didn't affect the students' studies, the school and the teachers would turn a blind eye.

Moreover, the two children had already graduated high school; they were practically detached from the school's direct oversight.

Of course, the honors the two students achieved through their exams still belonged to the school.

After bidding farewell to the homeroom teacher, the admissions process for various universities had already begun.

Chi Wu, Cheng Ying, and many other students lucky enough to score above the university admission threshold began deciding the rest of their lives.

Old Man Chi, leading his wife and grandson, walked directly toward the admissions office of the school the children yearned for most.

Chi Wu hesitated. Cheng Ying had misled him back then, and now he really didn't want to go. They say flora exhibits heliotropism; he, Chi Wu, exhibited Ying-tropism.

Chi Yong and Yang Zhi naturally followed behind Old Man Chi. The old woman felt she should just follow the flow.

At every university admissions office, the old woman listened attentively. "Do you have any leads? Which school can we get into?"

Cheng Ying replied, "Grandma, how formidable is your granddaughter? There's only the school we want to go to, none we can't get into."

Although the words were a bit presumptuous, their scores spoke for themselves.

The old woman felt immensely proud but suppressed the urge to curve her lips, "You need to be more low-key. Why are you so thick-skinned? Speak properly, or I’ll smack you if you embarrass me later."

Cheng Ying patted her chest. "It's the truth!"

The old woman pursed her lips, inwardly ecstatic.

Old Man Chi stopped at the B University admissions office and explained to his in-laws following behind, "This school is quite good."

It was the best school in the country; how could it be wrong?

Old Madam Chi said, "Wu Zi tested so well, finally getting his wish."

Chi Wu looked down. Old Madam Cheng said, "Oh, this is the legendary school! Look at the teachers here; they all look so spirited."

Old Madam Chi felt embarrassed; it was almost unbearable.

A girl standing nearby said, "Grandma, we aren't teachers. We are juniors in our third year. Let your granddaughter come study with us. Our school is the best, and it has a long history."

The old woman was overjoyed. Look how well-spoken these young people were! Her granddaughter didn't need to learn anything else; just learning this would be enough. "Good, good, good."

She didn't ask her granddaughter's opinion or whether her scores were sufficient.

Chi Wu's heart pounded hard as he stood by.

Cheng Ying casually took an application form but didn't actually fill it out.

Then she followed the old woman to continue touring.

Old Man Chi said, "It's good to look at a few more schools; this is such a rare opportunity."

Old Madam Cheng said, "This is the first time I’ve seen so many university students; my eyes aren't enough to take it all in."

Chi Wu said, "Grandma, when we get to university, if you take us, I guarantee you’ll see university students, and far more than this."

The old woman nodded. "Yes, good. I will definitely come to see you off to university."

Cheng Ying remained silent, watching Chi Wu coax the old woman from the side.

The family didn't return until late in the afternoon.

Chi Wu left with the Chi family. For such a major event, his own family needed to discuss it.

Yang Zhi went home with her daughter at this time.

Chi Wu looked at Cheng Ying, his gaze hesitant, wanting to speak but stopping himself. Unfortunately, Cheng Ying didn't even glance his way, immediately getting out of the car and walking away.

Yang Zhi even called out, "Drive slowly," but Cheng Ying was already supporting the old woman into the courtyard.

Chi Wu felt dejected.

Since his granddaughter hadn't decided on a school, the old woman couldn't eat a proper meal. "Yingzi, what are you thinking? Which school are you going to after all?"

Cheng Ying replied, "Grandma, I want to go to university in the provincial capital. You know our family’s business stalls are spread out; if I go too far, it won't work. Even if Uncle Gan is capable, he can't run back and forth between two places. Besides, that is our foundation. It’s not important which university I attend; the most crucial thing is that we are well."

This was Cheng Ying's explanation to her grandmother.

Chi Wu’s conversation with the Chi family was simple: "I want to go to school with Yingzi."

Old Master Chi said, "With your grades, there’s no problem with attending the same school."

Chi Yong said, "Yingzi probably won't leave the province. I heard from Yingzi's mother that Yingzi said the old woman is getting older, and traveling back and forth is inconvenient."

Chi Wu pursed his lips and remained silent, his meaning clear.

Old Madam Chi said, "I don't care what feelings you have for that girl. School choice is non-negotiable; that is university!"

Old Man Chi said, "Wu Zi, you must understand that going to university isn't just about academics. It's about interpersonal relationships, classmates, and connections. You know that where you study, the people you meet, and the matters you encounter—those are all on a different level."

Yes, the background of a prestigious university—what level was that? Chi Wu remained silent.

Chi Yong said, "Alright, think it over properly. It's no problem for you two to attend the same school based on Yingzi's scores."

Chi Wu didn't speak; the key issue was that Yingzi was unwilling.

Chi Wu said, "I'm going back."

Old Madam Chi retorted, "Don't joke! Go back? Where to? Who do you think you are? Chi Wu, do you even remember your surname? She hasn't even asked you to marry into her family for you to change yours!"

Old Madam Chi truly couldn't hold back anymore. This child was about to become someone else's. She and her husband had planned so much for him.

Chi Wu didn't speak. He was anxious to go confirm Yingzi's thoughts with her. Wouldn't it be better if they discussed which school to attend together? Chi Wu feared that Cheng Ying might have already filled out her application form in this short time. Then there would be no room for discussion.

Old Man Chi glanced at his wife, not wanting to start a fight with his grandson. "What are you saying? The children's affairs must be discussed properly. Go, Yongzi, you go with him too."

Old Man Chi was shrewd and experienced. His in-laws surely wanted the best for their children, and they trusted their son more in these matters. Sending his son along was absolutely the right move.

Chi Wu and Chi Yong were silent for most of the drive.

Chi Yong said, "Men, what is there to ponder? If you don't stand at a high vantage point, women won't respect you. Furthermore, even if you separate, you are still engaged fiancés; sooner or later, the wife will be yours. Have some ambition. Don't be tied to a woman's apron strings. Not only Yingzi, but I wouldn't respect you either."

Chi Wu said, "Since childhood, she has always been positioned higher than me. If I don't watch her closely, who knows whose wife she’ll become. Yingzi is different from others. Have you seen who she cares about impressing or what she cares about? Except for Grandma, who has she ever coaxed?"

Chi Yong glanced sideways at his son. He seemed quite clear-headed. If you see it so clearly, why do you insist on running headfirst into it? Isn't this courting death?

But this girl was truly someone everyone looked up to. "So, you need to stand even higher. You can’t spend your whole life looking up at women, that's spineless. Besides, it's not entirely hopeless. Besides your grandmother, I’ve only seen Yingzi coax you. From childhood to adulthood, who gets Yingzi to say a few more words, to give a few more glances? Isn't it you? Moreover, if Yingzi studies in this province, she'll be right under the noses of our entire extended family. With so many people watching over you, what is there to worry about?"

Chi Wu said, "Plenty to worry about." Can I tell you? Yingzi doesn't have me in her heart. Yingzi's eyes are flighty; she only looks at handsome guys. Yingzi is fickle; she might forget me in a snap. The future is full of uncertainties.

Chi Wu felt like cold wind blowing through his heart in winter.

Chi Yong said, "It’s not as hard as you think. How does that saying go? If two people's love is eternal, why should they need to be together morning and night?"

Chi Yong blushed; those words were too sentimental.

Chi Wu scoffed, "Hmph. Do Yingzi and I have mutual affection? Don't be fooled by her quiet and docile appearance; her mind is active. The teachers, the classmates—you don't know, there are so many troubles. What about me? In Yingzi's eyes, I used to be inferior to Miaomiao; I was her backup plan, destined to be hers if Miaomiao couldn't marry. Now, can I compare to Chi Ye? One word from Chi Ye is more effective than ten of mine. In the future, who knows what it will be like?"

Chi Wu was like years of magma finally finding a volcano to erupt from.

Chi Yong felt his son was truly acting strangely. That had been a joke for years; how could he still hold onto it? "Enough already. Talk about something sensible. Deliberately arguing with a child—you're honestly making me lose my appetite."

But this child was clearly very insecure. How deep was his affection for Cheng Ying? He could remember such a small incident for so long. "Wu Zi, tell me the truth. When did you start feeling this way about Yingzi?"

PS: Dear reader, the holiday is approaching. Happy holidays. Please vote for pink tickets. RP