It must be that I paid too little attention in daily life that led the child's thoughts astray; now, I don't know if it's too late to correct things. Chi Wu asked, "Isn't living a life important?

Shouldn't it be like this?" Cheng Ying replied, "Very important, it should be like this." This boy absolutely has to learn about managing a household; I can't raise a profligate child. Then Chi Wu revealed eight teeth, smiling brilliantly, "We'll live just like this, and from now on, I'll listen to you entirely." Cheng Ying’s eyes drooped at the corners, utterly conflicted.

She’d been maneuvered into this. Cheng Ying finally understood the feeling of startling a mouse only to find a jar in hand.

She glanced at Chi Wu and kicked him lightly, "Go on, get to work. So, you have to listen to me too, what's there to gloat about?" Chi Wu grinned, picked up the broom, and started sweeping the yard, his mood exceptionally bright.

It was still a sunny day in the village. Cheng Ying covered her forehead.

The sun was too strong; otherwise, why would she be dizzy enough to talk nonsense? What did 'so' mean?

Had she lost her mind? She looked at Chi Wu, who was equally basking in foolish delight, "Is your head full of water?

There’s a yard full of weeds; can a broom even manage that?" Chi Wu looked at the item in his hand, "That's why people say to listen to your wife. Yingzi is clearly the wiser one." Cheng Ying didn't even want to bother with him.

This was surely him teasing her again. Just look at yourself.

Cheng Ying felt the world was unbearable. She turned and walked away.

Might as well stroll to the village entrance. Even helping Second Aunt with the work would be more comfortable than facing Chi Wu.

When Chi Wu reached the village, he felt completely relaxed. Here, Yingzi truly belonged to him.

Everywhere here held traces of their childhood together. Moreover, his relationship with Yingzi felt secure here.

Chi Wu looked up at the sky. It wasn't easy for me to get a wife; I just hope Yingzi doesn't run into any meddlesome, gossiping people.

Thinking of this, Chi Wu took off running after her. How could he forget this?

Why bother cleaning the yard? If Yingzi isn't happy, she might not kiss him!

What good is a cleaned yard for? Is it to celebrate Fatty Sun's son's full moon celebration?

Chi Wu definitely didn't want that. Cheng Ying hadn't gone far; her Second Uncle and the others were tending to their fields right near the village entrance.

Second Uncle was pulling weeds in the field, looking over the small orchard, truly pleased. "Second Uncle," The honest man turned around when he saw Cheng Ying, a rare look of hesitation on his face, "Yingzi is back.

Why are you here alone? Go home quickly; Second Uncle will head back now too.

Is your Grandma back?" Cheng Ying looked at her Second Uncle. He probably wanted her to go home for fear she'd overhear gossip.

Second Uncle didn't understand his own wife, though. Facing Second Aunt, what gossip could she possibly not hear?

"Mm, I just came from home. Grandma is back too." Second Uncle brushed the dirt off himself, "How is your Grandma?

Is her health still strong?" Cheng Ying replied, "She's fine. With me around, my Grandma will certainly be fine.

Especially her heart, it must be stronger than those of her peers." Second Uncle couldn't grasp the meaning behind his niece's words. Cheng Ying smiled slyly and continued, "Well, I give her something to stimulate her whenever necessary.

Ordinary small matters don't even register as issues for Grandma anymore." Second Uncle’s face was a map of wrinkles, "Mm, you girl, your Grandma is old now. Don't be too careless, okay?

If you can avoid angering her, just avoid it." She knew her own mother best; she was likely quite angered this time. Second Uncle couldn't discuss the issue directly with his niece.

If he had something to say, he had to keep it bottled up, especially since he was a man not inclined to words. "Let's go back together with Second Uncle." Cheng Ying said, "Isn't there still a patch left undone?

Let's finish that before we go back." Second Uncle shook his head, "No need. Let's go back now; I miss your Grandma." Chi Wu arrived from a distance, "Second Uncle." This time, Second Uncle's attitude towards Chi Wu was decidedly less warm.

"Mm, you're back," just that one sentence, very curt. Chi Wu nervously rubbed his hands together, "Second Uncle, your saplings are growing really well." Second Uncle replied, "What do you mean by not growing well?

The trunks are straight, the backs aren't bent, they look passable." Cheng Ying glanced at Chi Wu. Serves you right for showing off.

Someone should have given you a hard time earlier. Chi Wu took a deep breath.

If there was anyone in the Cheng family whose words Cheng Ying would truly consider, it was Second Uncle. He had to win this man over, no matter what.

"Second Uncle, Yingzi and I have both been accepted to university. My Grandma and Grandpa will be here soon.

We specifically came back to ask Grandma for her blessing; Yingzi and I are going to be formally engaged. It’s an in-marriage [zhaozhui], so Second Uncle, you must help us manage things." Those words were a heavy blow, especially the last part.

Second Uncle froze for a long moment, "An in-marriage? You’ll come to the Cheng family?

Hm, very good. I’ll stop by later.

Don't worry." The wrinkles on Second Uncle’s face began to spread into a smile. If Yingzi could secure an in-marriage, his own brother’s lineage would finally have continuity.

It was only then that there would truly be descendants during festivals and annual rites. When Second Uncle looked at Chi Wu now, it was as if he were looking at a relative.

In these times, let alone someone like Chi Wu, even young men from the village were reluctant to marry into another family [zhaozhui]. Otherwise, why would villagers risk fines to have a third child?

Those who marry in usually come from mountain gullies even more remote than theirs. It was good that Yingzi went to university, but after her studies, could she still pass the lineage to the Third Branch of their family?

Second Uncle had never voiced this concern. But he had always been weighing it in his mind.

Chi Wu’s words were like a stabilizing anchor. The fact that someone was willing to come to this remote gully showed genuine intent.

He looked at Cheng Ying; this child hadn't forgotten her roots. She hadn't forgotten a single thing she'd said before.

"An engagement is good, very good. Wuzi, before the engagement, you should stay with Dunzi.

It’s not right for you both to live in the same yard inconveniently. I’ll have your aunt clear out a room for you.

When your grandparents arrive, they can stay at our place. We can’t let people gossip at a time like this." Cheng Ying thought, that solves the lodging issue.

Chi Wu smiled broadly, "Mm, I'll listen to Second Uncle." Chi Wu thought to himself, this is short-term pain. For future happiness, I and Yingzi are officially engaged in the village; let's see who dares tell me to keep my distance now.

Cheng Ying pondered for a long time and didn't tell Second Uncle that they had already finalized their engagement in the city. Wouldn't that undermine her Second Uncle’s efforts?

Cheng Ying made a full circle and returned home with her Second Uncle. Although the Eldest Uncle’s family found out a bit later, by the time Fatty Sun drove his double-row truck into the village, they had already gone to see the old lady.

As for Eldest Uncle, his expression soured the moment he saw Cheng Ying. Cheng Ying truly didn't care about this man's expression.

What did I do to deserve your attitude? Who do you think you are to give me a dirty look?

Don't you look at what I think of you? But Chi Wu felt guilty.

For the first time, he realized the harm his actions had caused Cheng Ying. It turned out that no matter what he did, some things simply couldn't be hidden.

The village was, after all, a place where rumors flew everywhere. This truly hurt Cheng Ying.

Chi Wu stared grimly at his Eldest Uncle and Aunt, wishing he could just kick the two of them out. When Eldest Uncle entered, he just snorted through his nose at Cheng Ying.

Eldest Aunt, however, was brimming with spirit, wearing an expression of utter disdain for everything. Chi Wu clenched his fists.

Looking again at the old lady, Chi Wu resolved to ignore this branch of the family for the rest of his life. Eldest Uncle said, "Mother, why didn't you call ahead to let us know you were coming back?

We could have sent Mingzi to pick you up." Eldest Aunt chimed in, "Mother, our family has great news! Mingzi got into university!" The Old Lady’s expression brightened slightly, "Mm, good, good.

Mingzi is indeed promising." Eldest Aunt raised her chest proudly, "Of course! Everyone is saying our Old Cheng family has sprouted mugwort on the ancestral grave mound!" The Old Lady was genuinely pleased; her own grandson was successful.

"Indeed! We must set up a big banquet later; this is cause for celebration!" Eldest Aunt continued, "Mother, you don't know what’s being spread around the village about what Yingzi has done.

It's clear no one has managed her properly. Thank heavens we only have one daughter like Yingzi, or it would be too distressing." For the first time in years, she had stood tall in front of the Old Lady, immediately seeking to put someone else down.

The Old Lady's face turned ashen, "What did you hear about Yingzi? Did Yingzi expose a hole in your family's window paper?

What do you mean 'no one managed her'? Do you think I’m dead?" Chi Wu interjected, "Mingzi’s score was indeed quite good, but Eldest Aunt, you don't know that Yingzi’s score was even better.

Top schools like B University were fighting over her." Eldest Uncle retorted, "Yes, her score was good, too. Too bad the girl's family is not ours in the Old Cheng line; eventually, she belongs to someone else’s family." Chi Wu chuckled, "Speaking of Yingzi’s capability, Eldest Uncle, you don't know that Yingzi and I are getting engaged back in the village.

An in-marriage. From now on, I’ll take Yingzi’s surname.

My score is also good; the acceptance letter from B University has arrived. Speaking of which, have two stalks of mugwort sprouted on my father’s grave?" Cheng Ying looked up at the sky.

She had never heard an in-marriage announcement delivered with such bombastic flair. Did this person even understand what an in-marriage meant?

If his grandmother heard that, wouldn't she die of anger? And calling his father sounded way too casual.

Chi Wu’s chest puffed out even higher than Eldest Aunt’s. Although there is a significant difference in height between a man’s and a woman’s chest, Chi Wu gave it his all.

His spine was straight: your family has one university student, my family has two—what’s the big deal about you showing off? Eldest Aunt exclaimed, "Oh, Third Brother is blessed!

This daughter is truly capable, to have lured a university student into the family!" Cheng Ying agreed, "That’s right. Otherwise, how could they say it?

You can’t have a daughter if you haven’t accumulated virtue." Eldest Aunt’s face turned impossibly sour, "Oh, that’s truly novel. I’ve only heard people say you can’t have a son if you lack virtue; I’ve never heard this one.

She’s spent too much time in the city; her perspective is certainly different." Cheng Ying shook her head. Such a shallow woman.

To stoop to her level would lower my standing. Just wait until the village’s dual-female-head households deal with you.

See if you’ll be able to live peacefully in the village later on. See how people talk about your son when he tries to find a wife.

I'll tell Cheng Ming later that his mother has offended all the village girls. He should study hard and prepare to find a city wife, because it’s unlikely Cheng Ming will be able to find a bride within ten li and eight villages.

Chi Wu declared, "Eldest Aunt, your insight is profound! My mother is blessed with both sons and daughters, which proves she accumulated virtue in her past life and hasn't lacked virtue in this one.

To have a son-in-law as good and excellent as me marrying in is certainly a tremendous fortune." Cheng Ying turned her head away. This boy was talking too much.

Did he need to kick her when she was down? Chi Wu looked at the Old Lady, "Grandma is also blessed with both sons and daughters." The Old Lady thought to herself, how malicious this child’s tongue is.

Yang Zhi walked in from outside, feeling overjoyed. If she hadn’t had a son a few years ago, she surely wouldn't have dared speak up when her Eldest Sister-in-law made such remarks.

But now, she wasn't afraid, as she had both sons and daughters. "Sister-in-law, don't mind the children’s words.

Wuzi’s grandparents will be coming to propose the marriage in a couple of days."

For more novels, visit storyread.net.