After giving the matter of the foot-washing water some thought, Cheng Ying decided it might not be as serious as she first assumed. Of course, she had no idea what went on behind closed doors in the village; what couple didn't have their own little quirks?

Chi Wu was conflicted. He couldn't read Cheng Ying's mind anymore.

Was she deliberately keeping him at a distance, or was she finally starting to treat him like a real husband, elevating his status? Chi Wu frowned in contemplation.

When Cheng Ying went out to dump the water, she saw her grandmother-in-law waiting outside, her brow tightly furrowed. Cheng Ying held up the basin.

"Grandma still isn't asleep?" The old woman snorted. "Hmph, you watch yourself.

If I catch Wu Zi doing that chore again, I'll deal with you." Cheng Ying patted her chest. That was a close call.

Thank heavens she'd seen the light today; the old lady must have been waiting specifically for her. Cheng Ying bustled back inside, casting a reproachful look at Chi Wu.

Did this boy do it on purpose? He’d actually asked about it, hadn't he?

"You did that on purpose, didn't you?" Chi Wu looked utterly confused. "Did what?" Cheng Ying felt she’d overthought things.

They put out the light, climbed onto the kang bed, and their shared space was utterly devoid of any intimacy—a purely platonic arrangement. This left Cheng Ying feeling completely unburdened and content.

Chi Wu felt that if having Cheng Ying sleep next to him so cheerfully, without constraint or resistance, was the price for cultivating the peerless art of remaining unmoved by temptation, it was worth it. Enduring this was not hard work.

It made sense why people said only those who endure the bitterest hardships rise above others. Chi Wu envisioned a bright future for himself, and for that future, he resolved to sleep honestly.

He silently recited the tightening mantra in his mind. Thankfully, he believed in nothing.

Otherwise, which road deity or Buddha would tolerate him? Being a superior person wasn't easy, as Uncle Gan had once told him.

The work from yesterday remained unfinished, and early this morning, Cheng Ying was already heading up the mountain again. When Chi Wu woke up after tossing and turning half the night, his wife was already gone.

His heart felt no different from that of an abandoned, aggrieved wife. A woman who was too independent robbed a man of his sense of accomplishment.

For a woman like Cheng Ying, Chi Wu never felt a sense of accomplishment; what he always felt was frustration. Before the Chi family matriarch could voice an opinion, the patriarch spoke up.

"Yingzi is such an understanding child. Even during her precious holiday, she insists on working in the mountains.

Perhaps we should all go take a look. I heard the orchids in your grandmother’s courtyard were all gathered by Yingzi from the mountain." This comment instantly silenced the Chi family matriarch.

One must never expose a weakness, especially not to someone who knows you intimately. Chi Wu happily led the way, as he was going to see his wife, after all.

Chi Wu pulled out a small wicker basket. "Yes, there are many varieties of mountain orchids.

Grandma, you’ve come at the perfect time this time." The Chi matriarch primly picked up a small hoe. "Exploring the mountain wilderness is indeed quite nice." Yang Zhi, holding a hoe, was weeding the courtyard, completely ignoring the old woman's words.

They simply couldn't comprehend the leisurely mood; it was all weeds, and if they weren't pulled, good crops wouldn't grow. The Cheng matriarch pursed her lips.

This was her in-law’s grandmother, her granddaughter’s husband's grandmother—she could endure a few sharp words. At worst, they’d have dumplings for dinner, and she wouldn't need to buy vinegar for sour soup.

As for the Chi matriarch holding that little hoe, the Cheng matriarch pretended not to notice. That wasn't a tool for working the soil; it was for scraping bark.

Heavens, she wasn't a farmer! What kind of life could anyone have with a wife like that?

The Cheng matriarch’s opinion of Chi Yong’s father rose several notches. To manage life to this extent while married to such a woman was no small feat.

Chi Wu’s thoughts were entirely focused on his wife, and he was oblivious to his own grandmother's behavior as he led the two elders up the mountain. Chi Yong stayed at home to prepare things.

No matter how nice the countryside was, they couldn't stay here forever; he still had a job to worry about. Furthermore, Chi Wu and Cheng Ying’s phones had been ringing off the hook.

Everyone was looking for the young couple. They needed to return as soon as possible.

The Chi patriarch and matriarch followed Chi Wu up the mountain. The matriarch’s eyes were wide with wonder.

"Oh, this place is truly wonderful!" Seeing the wild orchids by the riverbend made her stop in her tracks. No wonder the Cheng matriarch kept getting pot after pot of flowers.

Even if these weren't technically orchids, they were gorgeous. "What varieties are these?" Chi Wu explained, "They are all wild mountain flowers.

The ones in Grandma’s pots are the ones Miao Miao and I thought were nice enough to bring home. I don't know their names." The Chi patriarch asked, "These weren't gathered by Yingzi?" Chi Wu felt it was necessary to educate the elders on Comrade Yingzi's character.

"If these grow in the fields, they interfere with the crops. Yingzi wouldn't look at them twice.

Here, they serve to beautify the environment." The implication was that Cheng Ying was a practical person. The Chi patriarch thought that his granddaughter-in-law knew the value of thrift and sustenance from a young age; a child who had suffered would cherish what they had and would certainly not turn out badly.

The Chi matriarch, however, was filled with regret. They truly weren't the same kind of people; all the good things were being wasted here.

The only small advantage was that it had nothing to do with the granddaughter-in-law; it involved the jade bracelet that had been forbidden in their own household. The Chi matriarch asked, "The many new varieties at Uncle Gan’s shop recently—did they come from here?" Chi Wu replied, "He helps Yingzi manage the nursery, so he comes over a few times a month.

It’s convenient. But they are still mountain things; they don't look nearly as good once they get to his shop." The Chi matriarch observed, "They certainly don't look as vigorous here, and the flowers are much smaller." With that, she picked up the small hoe and began to dig.

Chi Wu watched his grandmother’s actions, thinking that she truly wasn't a person who worked the earth. Tugging at them like that would damage the roots of even the finest plants.

This was the mountain, not her flowerpot. "Grandma, let's continue to the clearing.

The flowers by the spring are even prettier. We only have this one small basket; we won't have room for much more." Only then did the Chi matriarch follow her grandson.

Er Ya called out from a distance. The Chi patriarch exclaimed, "How imposing!" Chi Wu said proudly, his eyes shining, "This is Er Ya, mother of Zhaocai Jinbao." Everything belonging to his wife was something he was proud to show off.

The Chi matriarch could barely manage a look of disapproval. Why was everything so down-to-earth, so saturated with rural character?

She had thought Zhaocai Jinbao was vulgar enough, but now there was an Er Ya. The matriarch began seriously considering the naming of her future great-grandchildren, firmly resolved not to give this woman any opportunity to ruin them.

The old lady was thinking too far ahead. When they reached the mountain clearing, they saw Cheng Ying from afar, her trouser legs rolled up, working in the field.

Cheng Ying was checking the irrigation ditch; the branches she had pruned yesterday needed watering today. Cheng Ying diverted the water to the field, then carefully saturated each small section individually.

If Er Ya’s name was down-to-earth, then Cheng Ying’s current attire was even more so. She looked exactly like a village girl.

The Chi matriarch’s heart clenched. How could this woman be worthy of her handsome grandson?

Her grandson was handsome, tall, and imposing; he had temperament, education, and capability. How could this woman have ruined him?

Thinking this, the Chi matriarch felt the need to cleanse her eyes by picturing her grandson's noble image. She turned to look at her grandson, only to find his shoes had been tossed God knows where, his trouser legs were rolled up, and he was already walking barefoot toward Cheng Ying.

The Chi matriarch’s face turned ashen; all pretense of temperament had vanished! Where was his dignity?

Oh, her grandson! The Chi patriarch looked at his wife’s expression.

"Oh, the children are practical. At least their future lives will be manageable.

That’s better than those flighty city children; they are grounded." The Chi matriarch retorted, "Practicality doesn't necessarily require working in the dirt." The Chi patriarch countered, "The ancients valued scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, placing agriculture third. Your thinking is quite improper.

Look how well-matched the two children are!" The Chi matriarch nearly choked on her phlegm. Well-matched, indeed!

She turned to admire the scenery, feeling it was the only way to endure the place. Still, the scenery here truly was magnificent.

Second Uncle heard Er Ya’s bark and knew immediately that strangers were on the mountain. This was the rapport built between Second Uncle and Er Ya over the years—proof that dogs are intuitive.

"Oh, why have you two come all this way? Please, come sit inside!" The Chi patriarch said, "We apologize for disturbing you.

This place of yours is truly wonderful; look at all the greenery covering the mountain!" Second Uncle chuckled, pleased. He thought, See, this is what cultured people notice—a world away from how we country folk would see it, which would be mountains full of money!

"If it meets your approval, that’s good enough. Please, come inside and cool off." The Chi patriarch and matriarch replied, "No need, this is excellent out here, just the mountain breeze.

It’s a perfect retreat from the heat!" Second Uncle was secretly quite proud. Cheng Ying had once said that emperors have their summer retreats, and they had theirs too—completely private, so much more enjoyable.

"Close the door, and we’re emperors." At the time, Second Uncle had cautioned her, "Be careful you don't get criticized." Now, Second Uncle dared to feel proud of that remark. It showed how much people's thinking had changed.

Back then, running even a small supply point in the village was considered clinging to the tail of capitalism. Now, the village had two supply points, and they were importing goods directly from the supply and marketing cooperative, supposedly "to better serve the common people." Second Uncle brought out two small stools, and the three of them sat chatting at the outdoor table.

Second Uncle picked some sweet melons and cucumbers, which he had chilled in cool water and set nearby. The Chi patriarch held one up.

"This looks familiar..." He took a bite. "And the flavor is so familiar too." Second Uncle chuckled.

"Haha, isn't it? Yingzi used to bring some back to the city every summer vacation." The Chi patriarch exclaimed, "No wonder I could never find this taste in the city.

This is truly excellent. Yingzi has a good heart." Second Uncle declared, "We villagers may not excel at everything, but we know loyalty.

Filial piety toward elders is taught from childhood, so it’s only right that Yingzi thinks of you. Sir, you are truly blessed; Yingzi will surely be even more devoted to you both from now on." The Chi patriarch laughed heartily.

"Haha, you said it! She’s my granddaughter-in-law now!" The Chi matriarch glanced to the side.

She hadn't seen any evidence of this "devotion" yet, and the melon suddenly tasted less sweet. She looked around.

Under Second Uncle's window, there was a large plant in a battered earthen pot—she couldn't identify the species, but the flowers were nearly as big as two fists. And by the wooden fence, there was a peony, still blooming this late in the season.

The peony season in the city was long over. The Chi matriarch remarked, "Peonies aren't rare, but it’s very rare to see one blooming this profusely.

Cousin-in-law’s nephew, you certainly nurture your flowers well."