Chi Yong raised an eyebrow. The old woman was finally willing to spend money; this issue must have been weighing on her mind for quite some time.

"Mom," Chi Yong said, "Wuzi and Yingzi are both going to university. They’ll be workers in the future, and they won't be allowed a second child. Forget a third, even within the policy limits, they’ll only be allowed one. If they truly violate the policy, all their hard work to get through university and find a job will be wasted—that’s why I’m in such a bind."

The old lady sighed. "I know about that. You talk about Wuzi and Yingzi; Wuzi is your family's child, and I can't dictate what you expect of him. But Yingzi is just going to find a job, earning meager wages every month. Is that enough to buy you a single piece of clothing? Money is a small matter, but being barred from having children because of a job—I just don't think it matters much whether Yingzi works or not. Besides, with two children, the house won't be short on hands; her Uncle Gan can’t manage everything alone."

"So, you only cared about the children getting into university, and never once thought about Yingzi working?"

"The jobs available now are quite good. His Aunt Gan is capable, everyone envies Yingzi. They say Yingzi has a great future. What more could I ask for? Furthermore, I observed at her Uncle Gan's place—even though his Aunt Gan is an official, if they relied on her for their livelihood, they’d be eating chaff and wild vegetables. They still rely on her Uncle Gan to manage life. It’s quite good if one of Wuzi or Yingzi earns money for themselves."

Chi Yong thought to himself how few years the old lady had been in the city, and how much things had changed. Back then, seeing a principal was akin to worshipping a god; now, they looked down on office workers like himself. It was good that she could let things go.

"Yongzi," the old lady said, "Are your and Zhizi’s salaries enough? If not, tell Mom. But you absolutely cannot do anything wrong because of money. Our family doesn't lack that money." How subtly she put it.

"Mom, if I wanted to make that mistake, I’d need the capability first. You can rest assured," Chi Yong replied.

The old lady smiled sweetly. "Yingzi even said that only by earning more money can you wholeheartedly focus on your studies in the future. Besides, haven't there been stories about women who became top scholars in the past? Haven't we heard of women holding office? They still got married and had children. All I want is a good reputation."

Chi Yong thought, That unlucky kid, she’s using me as a stepping stone. Why else wouldn't she give the money to me? But he truly hadn't worried about that himself. Even if her viewpoint was a bit extreme, it was pragmatic. And regarding the old lady’s feelings—she clearly didn't want Yingzi running around outside in the future. Had she truly let go of her old ways, or were those old village notions still clinging to her? He hoped the old lady wouldn't regret this later.

Chi Yong rubbed his nose. "Yingzi has a good heart."

"Alright, you tell your father and me in private. If things look promising, find a good day to settle the engagement for the two children."

"If you ask me, my parents have no objections. As long as our Yingzi happily agrees, that’s what matters. Mom, does Yingzi look down on Wuzi? You said the two kids got drunk, but don't let that hold Yingzi back."

"Don't talk nonsense. The two children grew up together; they’ve always discussed everything, good or bad. How could they not get along? They'll be fine once this awkward phase passes."

Chi Yong nodded. "Hearing you say that puts my mind at ease."

With the Old Lady on his side regarding Cheng Ying, he basically didn't need to worry anymore. Yingzi might be uncertain about other things, but she would never defy the Old Lady when it came to filial piety. Thinking about it, he felt a bit useless. If his own son knew the Old Lady's views on this matter, he might relax a bit too. But how much effort had that boy put into convincing the Old Lady? When did he start laying this groundwork? He remembered his son used to dodge the Old Lady like the plague. When the Old Lady hit people with a fire poker, his own child used to glare back fiercely. To completely win her over for the sake of a future wife—that was almost like undergoing severe hardship to achieve a goal.

Chi Yong felt that if he kept thinking, it would turn into a conspiracy theory. He shouldn't slander his own child like that. Since the Old Lady had softened her stance, he should go home and discuss it with his old man. See if it could work out. There was nothing wrong with it; this was the most balanced solution. Since the adults couldn't change surnames, if they had children, one could be surnamed Chi, and one surnamed Cheng—that was fine, preserving the lineage of both families. The Old Lady was indeed more open-minded and looked further ahead. Moreover, this was a solution only someone without limitations could conceive. If it were his own mother, work would be the most important thing; otherwise, why bother with university? The starting points were different.

Chi Yong bid farewell to the Old Lady, then glanced at the two troubled figures agonizing in the courtyard. You two mess around; I’m the one who has to deal with the difficulties.

The evening Cheng Ying and Chi Wu’s exam results came out, both their schooling and engagement issues were settled. There was no room for Cheng Ying to speak, nor for Chi Wu to voice an opinion. Both sides took a step back. Chi Wu could live at the Cheng family home, nominally as a son-in-law who marries in, but without changing his surname. However, they must agree that one of their future children would take the Chi surname. This was the Chi family yielding a step. Cheng Ying, pressured by the Old Lady, also yielded one: she must attend B University alongside Chi Wu. This was non-negotiable. How hard was it to get in? No reason was allowed to compromise that.

Cheng Ying looked at the visibly unhappy Chi Wu. If I had known, why did I cause trouble? If I had known, why did I argue with that unlucky kid? What has this turned into? Cheng Ying looked at her own Old Lady; she genuinely did not want to separate from her. In Cheng Ying’s view, this was akin to abandoning one's wife and children for future prospects. But this wasn't the time to discuss that; the Old Lady’s attitude was too resolute. Having experienced so much in her previous life, she didn't need to be outstanding in this one. As long as she stayed by the Old Lady’s side, cherishing this kinship and living life slowly, that would be wonderful. What was future happiness? How could one talk about the future when unable to grasp present happiness? For Cheng Ying, staying by the Old Lady and their home, living a good life, that was happiness. A pursuit that simple. If Chi Wu wasn't upset, he would be part of this family; now, that seemed pending.

Chi Wu stood silently on the side. No matter what Yingzi said, it was good enough that their engagement could be settled. As for university, in Chi Wu's view, whatever he did was aimed at a happier future. Without Cheng Ying, he wouldn't be happy no matter where he went. He had understood the true meaning of life many years ago. In Cheng Ying's words, if a family could stay together and eat dumplings every day, that was happiness. Their core pursuits were similar; what Chi Wu wasn't chasing now was the future. Cheng Ying felt that the present was already blissful, leaving nothing to chase in the future.

The Chi family Old Lady held her chin up at a forty-five-degree angle. "Our family is one of scholars; it is only fitting that Yingzi be cultured at B University. Only then will the two children be a true match." This sounded nice, but upon deeper thought, it implied that if Yingzi didn't attend B University, she wouldn't be worthy of their Chi Wu, and the Chi family wouldn't truly be scholars.

The Cheng family Old Lady remained silent. They had secured the advantage they could; they wouldn't argue over words. Cheng Ying, however, would not stand for it. The Old Lady currently couldn't grasp the situation, and she wasn't even officially family yet, yet she dared to use words to needle her. Sister can take this, but don't think I’m like my mother. She looked at the group who had just finished discussing the engagement with a worried expression. "I wonder if B University has Agricultural Science? Otherwise, if Wuzi comes to our house, he’ll have no place to use his talents." If your grandson comes to our house, he'll have to learn farming. Don't act so high and mighty. You’ve got it backward; it’s not me going to your house.

The old Chi man, despite his age, suddenly turned his neck toward the window. The atmosphere was so vibrant, so full of life! Ever since his son and daughter-in-law moved out, the house had been quiet for a long time. It seemed the family would be lively again.

The Chi family Old Lady was choked up by Cheng Ying's words. The girl was telling her that if her grandson married into their family, he’d be disconnected from their scholarly prestige. Don't keep up appearances.

Chi Yong lowered his head. It hadn't even officially started, and the sparks were already flying. If they got engaged and married, what would it be like? Luckily, they had moved out; otherwise, he and his honest wife would be caught in an unbearable middle. We won't interfere.

Chi Wu felt that as long as Cheng Ying accepted him, the location didn't matter. Without even thinking, he knew he had to listen to his future wife and save her face. "No? Then I’ll consult about it. Otherwise, should we switch to an agricultural school?"

The Old Lady didn't understand what "Agricultural Science" meant, but looking at everyone's expressions, she knew her granddaughter wasn't saying anything nice. Poor old grandmother, why won't she learn her lesson? "What are you saying, child? Whatever Chi Wu studies is his ability. What assets do we have? Just that one plot of land, and I can barely manage it myself. We don't need your help with anything. Just do what you need to do. Our family isn't that snobbish. As long as you two live well, happily, and freely, Grandma will have lived up to her worries, justified to your ancestors, to your deceased father, and to your living mother. When Grandma dies, she’ll rest easy."

The Old Lady's words were blunt, yet they contained the true essence of life. Unadorned, yet full of heartfelt sentiment, each sentence was a slap to the Chi family Old Lady’s face. What was more important than the children living well? Moreover, the Old Lady hadn't explicitly said it: What sort of scholarly family are you, anyway, to even dare bring it up? We have vast mountain lands, and I’m too modest to call ourselves great landlords. If this mother and daughter duo truly wanted to use words to squeeze people, they could say they had never met their match since leaving the village. The Chi family Old Lady was no match for them, a free giveaway.

Cheng Ying smiled contentedly and glanced sideways at her grandmother. "Grandma, you truly are the guiding light of my life. Why do we live so realistically, so solidly?"

The old Chi man said, "Esteemed in-law, your insight is profound. Nothing is more important than the well-being of the two children. The farewell banquet shouldn't be delayed; I've drawn up a list. Would you esteemed in-law like to take a look?" Protecting his own wife, the old Chi man immediately stepped in to change the subject.

The grandmother said, "No need, no need. I don't understand those things. But one thing: I have a large place, and I will prepare the provisions. We will hold the farewell banquet right here, at our house, not at a restaurant. It will look proper. What do you think?"

Cheng Ying thought her grandmother was going to tire herself out again. But since the old Chi man helped his wife navigate out of that awkward topic, the conversation had passed.

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