"What's there to worry about? Yingzi was just a child back then, yet she still managed to make Third Sister-in-law turn red with anger. Later, Mother even went around the village arguing with people. Now that our Yingzi is all grown up, what can happen? Besides, Mother is here too."

Chi Yong glanced at his wife, realizing she had a pillar to lean on. That was just like her.

Fatty Sun chimed in, "After all, she's my mother's niece, she’s just different."

Chi Yong said coolly, "Indeed. If you ever got into a verbal spat in the village, as long as it didn't turn physical, your eldest niece could usually smooth it over for you."

Fatty Sun scoffed, "So capable? Why did I only ever hear people in the village calling my eldest niece 'Stupid Cheng'?"

Yang Zhi interjected, "How can you say that about Yingzi? They just call her that playfully."

Fatty Sun felt a little embarrassed, forgetting that his niece's own mother was sitting right behind him.

Chi Yong glanced at his wife, his reply loaded with unspoken meaning: "They just don't understand the child."

Fatty Sun leaned toward the latter explanation. He wanted to say the world was ignorant, mistaking a tiger for a house cat. But he couldn't say it; it would be too hurtful.

They knew their own child best. Truly, no good deed went unrewarded. She wasn't exactly a good person.

As the Old Lady alighted from the car, holding her eldest grandson, many eyes in the village indeed swept over Cheng Ying.

There were plenty of women in the village holding children, but wasn't the Cheng family's eldest daughter studying elsewhere? Why was she holding a baby too?

The speed of things was truly astonishing. Then they looked toward Chi Wu—surely the two of them had already settled things long ago?

Cheng Ying looked at everyone’s gaze and found it truly marvelous. In such a remote and poor mountain hollow, how could the news travel so fast? How could they afford a telephone that cost several thousand yuan? It simply didn't align with the reality of the village.

The Village Head, knowing the Old Lady was returning, specifically came over to greet her. "Old Sister-in-law, you’ve finally come back!"

The Old Lady replied, "It’s Big Brother who still thinks of me. How is Third Sister-in-law?"

The Village Head beamed, "Good, very good. Thanks to Yingzi and Wuzi's good fortune, our village is much wealthier than others. We're even closer to the Forest Farm now. Several families in our village have installed phones, all thanks to Yingzi's connections. They got the lines extended from the Forest Farm and saved a lot of money on the installation fees. Otherwise, how would we have known you were returning in advance?"

Cheng Ying looked up at the sky, Heavens, do you despise me that much? I responded to the call to lead the villagers to prosperity, only so the village could save money installing telephones, which then led to the spreading of my own scandalous rumors? Is there anything more ridiculous than that? "This is truly wonderful news," she ground out through clenched teeth, then turned to Chi Wu, "Didn't you call the village ahead of time?"

Chi Wu shrugged. "Uncle Lin is a good man, easy to talk to." He conveniently ignored the part about coordinating with the village.

"Isn't that right? With the phones, it's much more convenient for the villagers when selling their seedlings. And Wuzi’s herbal medicine—now that Da Xuangzi is staying home, everyone goes out to gather herbs. One season brings in income equivalent to a whole year's earnings. Oh, when I go to the township meetings now, I’m the proudest one!"

Cheng Ying forced a smile. "Uncle, that’s because you have capability and good foresight." Everyone enjoys hearing kind words.

Aunt Gan couldn't bear to have her child exposed to the sun. "Hello, Village Head!"

The Village Head exclaimed, "Oh, isn't this Dongzi’s wife? You’ve come. You definitely look like you’re from the city. Hurry inside, don't let the sun get to you!"

Aunt Gan replied politely, "Village Head, Dongzi and I will come to see you again soon."

The Village Head regarded the legendary deputy cadre with reverence. Look how approachable she was! "Oh, quickly, go inside!"

Only then did Aunt Gan help the Old Lady into the courtyard. As for whose child it was, no one dared to ask openly. The Cheng family's girl was formidable. Any gossip about her could only be whispered in private, never aired publicly.

Second Aunt leaned closer. "Yingzi, whose child is this? Why is Grandma holding him?"

Second Aunt had improved a lot over the past few years; her temperament had changed considerably. She had rushed over, eager to clear things up before her niece entered the house. The rumors circulating in the village were unpleasant, and while her own son wasn't exactly a model citizen, she knew he wouldn't do that.

Second Aunt felt certain in her heart. As the saying goes, those who know you best are often your enemies.

Cheng Ying looked at Second Aunt, noting the significant improvement in such a short time—A man looks at a new acquaintance with new eyes after three days apart. "This is Aunt Gan and Uncle Gan’s son, just a month old. Second Aunt, come and see!"

Cheng Ying finally didn't need to offer excuses to tell people this wasn't her child.

Second Aunt raised an eyebrow toward the crowd gathered outside the door, her meaning clear: Did you all hear that?

Cheng Ying stood beside Second Aunt with a gentle smile. "Second Aunt, where is Second Uncle? We miss him."

Second Aunt sighed. "What can your Second Uncle do? He’s certainly in the fields right now, tending to his few acres. Oh, she really is a beautiful city child. I dare not touch her. Sister-in-law, you must treat us to a proper meal later."

Aunt Gan deferred, "I'll listen to Second Sister-in-law. You have no idea how good Dongzi’s wife has been; she’s already here to treat us."

Second Aunt followed the family into the courtyard. "Are you all here? Where is your mother and the others?"

Cheng Ying replied, "They are behind; their car is slower."

Second Aunt reverted to her old self. "Yingzi, Second Aunt needs to ask you something. When did you and Wuzi get together? I’m not criticizing you, but if you two have settled things, you should at least have an engagement ceremony in the village! It’s not right for people to talk like this, creating such uncertainty."

Cheng Ying lowered her head, intimidated by the sharp gaze from the Old Lady.

Chi Wu quickly clarified, "Second Aunt, we are just here to finalize the engagement. I only just managed to court Yingzi. If Yingzi had agreed sooner, we would have been back earlier. Please don't listen to rumors."

Second Aunt nodded. "I believe that part. I won't doubt my Yingzi; she has a big heart and isn't easily fooled."

Cheng Ying smiled wryly, recalling when she became 'our Yingzi.' People change.

Cheng Ying said smoothly, "Second Aunt, you must come and help out a few days when the time comes."

Second Aunt responded eagerly, "You don't need to say that. In our whole Cheng family, you are the only young lady; the rest are boys. We must make it a proper celebration. Oh, I don't know why the times are changing so fast; girls are precious now."

Cheng Ying inwardly realized the reason for the shift in attitude.

But Second Aunt's change was indeed profound. Cheng Ying reflected that when people were starving, their tempers naturally soured. Now that life was better, people cared more about appearances, and look, even Second Aunt had become so benevolent.

The Old Lady settled the sleeping baby in a room and came out. She saw her second daughter-in-law standing intimately chatting with her granddaughter, and the Old Lady felt the world spinning strangely. It was like the sun had risen in the west.

Second Aunt quickly said, "Mother, you just got back, why aren't you resting in the room? I'll go start the fire and cook."

The Old Lady waved her off. "No need. It’s a large family; we can just have something simple later. Don't bother." She was genuinely surprised by Second Aunt's sudden solicitousness.

Second Aunt insisted, "What are you saying? You’ve just returned and haven't settled in yet. How can I not cook? Why are you being so formal with me?" With that, she briskly walked out of the courtyard, not forgetting to turn back and say, "Mother, when the meal is ready, I’ll send Dunzi to call you all over. Please take your sister-in-law with you."

The Old Lady asked Cheng Ying, "What did your Second Aunt say to you?"

Cheng Ying explained, "Second Aunt said that girls are precious now, and in our Cheng family, I'm the only granddaughter of my generation."

Chi Wu listened to the two women talking and leaned over, chuckling. "Grandma, back then, no one had enough to eat; which mother wouldn't favor her sons? Now that life is better, Second Aunt’s temper has improved. That's a good thing; you shouldn't overthink it. Every time I’ve come back these past few years, Second Aunt has treated us well, truly. I'd say no mother is more dedicated than Second Aunt."

Cheng Ying teased, "Oh, if you say so, Second Aunt’s maternal love is quite great. Not everyone can handle that kind of devotion. Oh, right, why have I never heard you mention this before?"

Chi Wu ignored Cheng Ying’s cynical remarks and got to the point. "It was because I saw you weren't eager to talk about it. Relationships are built over time. Look at Second Aunt now; our whole family seems so close. That's a good thing, isn't it?" He looked at Cheng Ying cautiously, adding, "If you don't want to, and if you aren't leaving again, I’ll go cook now."

Cheng Ying looked at Chi Wu. "Oh, please. It's a rare treat to eat Second Aunt's cooking. Grandma, go rest inside. I’ll tidy up the rooms. We don’t have enough space here; I need to go out and see about arrangements."

The Old Lady agreed. "Fine, your Aunt Gan has me. You two go sort yourselves out." She thought to herself that her grandson’s perspective was quite objective. If she were to say it, the Second Daughter-in-law, as a mother, was indeed much better than Yang Zhi.

Cheng Ying waited until the Old Lady went inside before turning to Chi Wu. "Tell me, how did you manage to turn Second Aunt into this person?"

Chi Wu explained, "Well, I saw you treated Second Uncle well. Besides, when you were in trouble back then, Second Uncle was the one who stood up for you. When I came back, I brought Second Aunt a bag of rice and Second Uncle two bottles of good liquor. Things developed naturally through these exchanges. Aren't people nicer when they see you being polite? Second Aunt has a good husband, after all."

Cheng Ying looked at Chi Wu, wondering if this unlucky child had any other motives when giving gifts. "Did you give anything to Eldest Uncle?"

Chi Wu replied, "I did, but just a bag of rice. You know, whenever Mingzi is home while I'm back, he insists I eat at his place; it wouldn't be right to show up empty-handed."

Cheng Ying conceded, "Your relationships are getting closer and closer. You did the right thing."

Chi Wu leaned in flatteringly, "I only did what you told me; I didn't do anything wrong, right?"

"They are Grandma’s sons, the closest relatives. If you can get closer to them, it will comfort Grandma."

Chi Wu smiled, pleased that his actions earned Cheng Ying's approval, realizing a man must always think ahead for his wife.

Cheng Ying smirked. "What are you so happy about, grinning like that? It's rare to see you so generous."

Chi Wu beamed. "They are your Eldest and Second Uncles now, too. We should treat them well. If the atmosphere at home is better, and Grandma is happy seeing it, spending a little money to make Grandma happy—we are both willing. I have the money for this."

Cheng Ying replied, "Keep it up," then added, "But don't overdo it; don't spend lavishly."

Chi Wu nodded understandingly. "I know, I know. We still have to live our lives."

Saying this, he looked at Cheng Ying with bright, expectant eyes, clearly hoping for approval.

Cheng Ying found it hard to respond. If he said 'live our lives,' that was correct, but adding 'us'—the two of them—changed the original meaning entirely. Perhaps Chi Wu hadn't meant anything specific, but it still made Cheng Ying pause, slightly intimidated. Maybe she hadn't paid enough attention to these matters before, causing the young man to develop skewed ideas. It was too late to fix it now, perhaps.

Chi Wu looked at Cheng Ying, his next question earnest enough to make her feel like he was stating a fundamental truth of life: "Isn't living our lives together important? Isn't that how it should be?"

ps: Requesting Pink Tickets. (.)RU