Chi Wu was still pacing on the floor. If Chi Wu had just sat there quietly watching Cheng Ying, Cheng Ying’s thick nerves wouldn't have noticed. But circling the floor like that—that was enough to keep anyone awake. “What on earth are you doing?”

Chi Wu held it in for a long time before finally saying a single sentence, “Yingzi, I’m going to school tomorrow.”

Cheng Ying replied, “If you only come back once a week, you’ll basically be gone five days out of seven. If you forget something, you’ll have plenty of time to come back and get it. You don’t need to be so anxious.” When a child is nervous, it’s understandable. First time leaving home for boarding school, right?

Chi Wu looked at Cheng Ying. How could she not get it? “Yingzi?”

Cheng Ying fought down the urge to tell him to scram. “Go to sleep. What is your problem?”

After another long silence, just as Yingzi was about to drift off, Chi Wu said, “Yingzi?”

Cheng Ying snapped, “Are you going to sleep or not? Go outside and pace around! Are you trying to summon a ghost?”

Chi Wu sat down on the kang, looking utterly wronged. “And you can sleep? I’m leaving tomorrow.”

Cheng Ying wearily opened her eyes. Sleep was clearly impossible now. “Then what do you want? I think you’re over-excited, feeling feverish, aren't you?”

Chi Wu flushed crimson with suppressed emotion. “How can you talk like that? Don’t you miss me at all? Is this how you treat someone who—do you even know what I am to you right now?”

Cheng Ying opened her eyes and glared at Chi Wu gloomily. What was this kid thinking? Did he expect to finalize things—to become husband and wife in fact—before he left for school? The boy had some nerve. He was practically asking for death. Did he think taking advantage of his older sister was that easy? “What do you want?” she asked, her voice dangerously low, ready to pounce and bite if he gave the wrong answer.

Chi Wu edged closer to Cheng Ying. Cheng Ying held her breath, waiting for the boy to reach out with those wicked hands so she could deliver a fatal blow.

Chi Wu whispered, “Yingzi, you’ll miss me, won’t you?” Then he blushed deeply and retreated a good distance away.

Cheng Ying let out a long breath, feeling a wave of relief wash over her whole being. Was all that anxiety just for that one sentence? She thought something else was going on. “I will. Don’t worry, I’ll miss you every day.” Who else would she have around to boss around? It was certain she wouldn't be used to having no one.

Chi Wu was finally satisfied. At least he had taken off his shoes and gotten onto the kang, no longer pacing the floor.

Cheng Ying felt relieved; she could finally sleep. Come to think of it, this unlucky kid’s behavior was almost like an interrogation, and he waited until she was physically and mentally exhausted to ask these things. Either Chi Wu had issues, or she did.

Also, Cheng Ying truly let out a sigh of relief that Chi Wu hadn't made any excessive demands. She wouldn't have to face certain issues that she knew would inevitably surface. If she clarified things with Wuzi now, Chi Wu would surely throw a fit. He wouldn't be able to go to school at all then.

Just as Cheng Ying was about to finally fall asleep, she heard Chi Wu, who had been silent for ages, say, “I’ll miss you too, every day.”

Cheng Ying’s heart fluttered so hard she felt it might bleed.

She hadn't decided whether to pretend to be asleep or to get up and kick the boy when a hand, left outside the quilt, was suddenly grasped.

Cheng Ying’s skin prickled. Was this indecent assault? Should she kick him? Fortunately, the unlucky kid just held her hand without any further action. Cheng Ying reasoned that she shouldn't make a mountain out of a molehill; it wasn't the first time they had held hands. Back when the wolf cubs caused trouble in the village, Cheng Ying had always grabbed Chi Wu’s hand when running. When she got tired climbing the mountain, Chi Wu always pulled her along. And when they got into group fights with other village kids, they walked over holding hands. Now things were just in a different setting; she should face this with a normal heart, shouldn't she?

A short while later, Chi Wu’s breathing beside her became steady. Cheng Ying tried to pull her hand away several times but couldn’t manage it. Naturally, any trace of sleepiness Cheng Ying had vanished. Staring at the pitch-black ceiling, her mind raced through everything, but she couldn't sleep. Looking at Chi Wu’s profile, it became even harder to sleep. The child she had watched grow up. If this big sister hadn't answered the country's call, she might have been holding her own grandchild by now; that wasn't an exaggeration at all. Thinking about all this, and then feeling the hand tightly gripping hers, Cheng Ying felt an intense burning sensation. Thankfully, even though the sky was dark, the weather was fine—a clear day. There was no danger of lightning strikes from the heavens. Heavens above, Earth below, you granted me a man, but you didn't grant me one with such complicated ties! It seemed Heaven was unreliable after all.

When Chi Wu got up, he felt refreshed. He had said what needed to be said and asked what needed to be asked; he felt quite content. Seeing Cheng Ying’s dark circles and bloodshot eyes, Chi Wu was surprised. Amidst the concern, there was a thread of satisfaction in his expression. “It’s fine, I’ll come back once a week to see you, no need to worry about me.” Then he tilted his head up with a hint of proud aloofness: “I haven't even left yet, and look how you’ve worn yourself out.”

Cheng Ying was genuinely trembling. Heavens above, Earth below, just strike me down with a bolt of lightning and end it, so this unlucky kid doesn't anger me to death. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Don’t worry, I’ll manage things just fine. You should hurry up and go see if you’ve packed everything.” Cheng Ying felt the most urgent thing right now was to send the unlucky kid away, as far away as possible. “Coming back once a week? That’s hardly enough to cause trouble, you don’t need to rush back so often.” Seeing Chi Wu’s face fall, Cheng Ying quickly added, “It’s a long journey, far away. Rushing back and forth worries both your grandmother and me.” Chi Wu’s expression visibly brightened. “Mm, I know what to do.” With that, he strode out with firm steps, completely self-satisfied. Knowing his wife cared for him was more important than anything else.

Cheng Ying put on her clothes and yawned as she stepped out of the room. The Old Madam saw her granddaughter and felt sympathetic. She leaned in close to Chi Wu and whispered, “See? Regretting it now? If you couldn’t bear to part, why insist on going to university here instead of going with Wuzi?” Then she turned and walked away, not giving Cheng Ying a chance to defend herself.

For most of the morning, everyone who came to see Chi Wu off gave Cheng Ying looks of pity—the kind reserved for a child being reluctantly parted from a loved one. Their expressions were laced with understanding and compassion. These looks made Cheng Ying extremely agitated. She had no idea when this unlucky kid Chi Wu had coordinated with this crowd, but by now, everyone knew Cheng Ying was attending university within the same province. And nobody raised any objections. Even the Chi family’s Old Madam and Old Man had no questions. Cheng Ying conceded that Chi Wu had one decent quality: she didn't have to face the Chi family elders directly. He showed a bit of responsibility as a man.

Even Yang Zhi came over to pat her daughter’s arm reassuringly. “Don’t worry, Wuzi isn’t an inconsiderate child.” Cheng Ying felt surrounded by an atmosphere of resentful wives; heaven knew she really wasn't in the mood for any of this drama.

Chi Wu took the Old Madam’s hand, but his eyes were fixed on Cheng Ying. “Grandma, you’re really not coming to see me off to school? Don’t worry about me.” Cheng Ying turned away, determined not to meet the unlucky boy’s gaze.

The Old Madam said, “Don’t worry. Your father, mother, and grandparents are all going to see you off. If I go, I won’t know anything and will just cause trouble. Study well out there, and don't worry about things at home; Grandma is here.” Chi Wu said, “Mm, Grandma, I’m leaving now.”

The Old Madam thought, Does this unlucky kid think I’m senile? Can you look at me while you say that? “Go on, go on.”

Chi Wu was still reluctant. With the crowd waiting at the doorway, he pulled Cheng Ying back into the courtyard. “You’re really not coming to see me off?”

Cheng Ying replied, “I’m starting school in a couple of days too, right? I need to prepare. Although we can certainly stand tall based on our scores, we can’t appear too arrogant in our attitude. We still need to give face to the school, otherwise, people will say I’m throwing airs, and how will I manage these four years?”

Chi Wu listened to Cheng Ying ramble on and knew immediately that she was just stalling. Cheng Ying thought privately, The Old Madam Chi usually keeps a tight rein on her grandson; why isn't she starting to hurry people along? If this keeps up, what more can I even say? If it truly came to this point, and she couldn't resist giving the unlucky kid a sound beating, wouldn't his own grandmother go into shock?

Chi Wu pressed, “You just don’t want to come see me off.”

Cheng Ying closed her eyes. Here we go, a live broadcast of a brain-dead drama. “Alright, there’s a whole crowd waiting for you outside, hurry up and go.” This big sister was practically begging, as desperate as someone pleading for pink tickets.

Chi Wu grabbed Cheng Ying’s hand, his body stiff, refusing to move. Before Cheng Ying could explode in anger, she spoke first, “We said everything we needed to say last night. What are you still fussing about? Don’t push it.”

Chi Wu recalled Cheng Ying saying she would miss him last night. He assumed Cheng Ying was just too embarrassed to say it now and let last night’s words stand in for the present. His mood inexplicably improved.

Cheng Ying demanded, “Are you going or not?”

Chi Wu huffed, “I’m going! Why are you so impatient? Why aren't you gentle? Don't you realize you have a man now? Only I can tolerate this attitude of yours; anyone else would have left you by now, understand?” Cheng Ying shot him a cold glare.

Chi Wu immediately shut up and quickly added, “So you have to cherish me, understand?”

Cold sweat broke out on Cheng Ying’s face. “Are you leaving or not?”

Chi Wu thrust his chin out and marched through the main door. Cheng Ying took a long time composing her expression until it looked normal again before stepping out the main door.

If one were to judge by appearances, Chi Wu’s skill at putting on a show had greatly improved. As soon as he emerged, everyone could tell the young couple had a good relationship. They assumed he was lovingly comforting his weeping wife. Cheng Ying thought, Should I just let this misunderstanding continue? Why is the unlucky kid acting so smug?

Uncle Gan teased, “Well, Wuzi, did you soothe your wife? She’s not going to come crying after you, is she?”

Chi Wu raised an eyebrow. “Yingzi is so sensible, why would I need to soothe her?” Then he turned to Cheng Ying and said, “It’s okay, I’ll be back soon, don’t worry.” With that, he efficiently got into the car.

Cheng Ying’s nose was practically steaming white smoke, her lungs about to burst from anger. Worry about your uncle! Uncle Gan, acting completely without the demeanor of an elder, started joining the teasing until Auntie Gan, holding her child, pinched him to make him quiet down.

Chi Yong and Yang Zhi sat in the car, genuinely comforted to see the young couple looking so affectionate. The Chi Old Madam grew more and more unsettled the longer she watched. If the two kids were together at school, they might maintain their feelings, but if they were separated for a long time, what would happen to their affection? For their family, the idea of breaking off an engagement was hard to accept. The Old Madam muttered discontentedly to the foreman standing nearby, “Do you think this girl is too broad-minded? Isn't she worried enough about our Wuzi?”