Slapping his chest, I knew this wouldn't be quiet; that troublesome kid. Why must he be so restless?

"Easy, easy, Nai’s not asleep yet," Chi Wu murmured.

Cheng Ying smacked him. "And you dare to dodge?"

Chi Wu truly couldn't help but dodge. A man, a newly adult man, could hardly withstand such provocation.

The reactions on his body were beyond the control of Chi Wu's mind. Chi Wu felt ruined; he had fallen into the fire.

After struggling for a while, not daring to match Cheng Ying’s force, Chi Wu managed only two words: "Be gentler."

The old lady was just about to let out a few sharp cries. The west room fell silent, instantly quiet.

Chi Wu’s face was so red it looked like it could drip blood; Cheng Ying’s eyes were so wide they looked like they could become springs.

Then came another explosive roar: "You damned brat! I’ll beat you to death!"

Damn it, what kind of reaction was that? Cheng Ying rose with a burst of crackling sounds.

The west room fell completely silent. The old lady sat on the kang, groaning, "Aiya, I'm old; I can't get up too fast. Strained my back."

Why is that troublesome kid so disruptive? Since there was no more noise, she might as well stop interfering.

The old lady rubbed her back and lay down to sleep. In her heart, she cursed her overbearing granddaughter fiercely. She thought, why did this have to escalate into such a commotion? Fortunately, it was in her own house; if this had been at Chi’s home, what would they think of her granddaughter? That troublesome kid.

Cheng Ying rose and fell, trying to calm her breathing. Chi Wu was sucking in cold air at the corner of the kang—it hurt too much. His wife was too violent.

Getting beaten like that wasn't worth it. It was so unfair; he genuinely hadn't meant anything. Can’t even have a purely physiological reaction? So domineering.

Chi Wu glanced at Cheng Ying, her chest rising and falling by the head of the kang, and suddenly his mouth felt dry. Hmm, perhaps it wasn't entirely unfair. Then he closed his eyes to sleep.

She’d get used to the beatings.

For the first time, Cheng Ying directly faced Chi Wu's desire for her. It was truly a frantic feeling, like a cart wheel tearing out of its track.

Why did it come to this? How could such a reaction arise between them?

It would be a miracle if Cheng Ying could sleep. She clenched her fists and hammered Chi Wu, but it still wasn't enough to vent her anger.

Listening to the even sound of breathing beside her, Cheng Ying felt extremely unbalanced. That troublesome kid stirs up trouble and then sleeps so soundly—how immoral.

She turned off the light and tried to sleep, tossing and turning with her eyes half-open, half-closed. She couldn't sleep. What exactly was running through her mind, Cheng Ying couldn't even distinguish.

It wasn't until daylight that Cheng Ying got up early, which was rare.

The old lady was already stretching in the courtyard. Without a word, she gave her granddaughter a couple of punches first.

Cheng Ying said, "Nai, it’s early in the morning. Are you really willing to hit me? I haven't even started making mistakes yet."

The old lady glanced toward the room. "And you still dare to talk? You were restless last night, courting death! You just have to make outsiders talk about it, right?"

Cheng Ying felt deeply frustrated. "What did I do? Who would dare say anything?" She was being scolded by the old lady for things she hadn't done, while the one who had done something got away with it. What kind of justice was this? Is there any place left for good people to walk, any public righteousness left?

The old lady rolled her eyes in anger. "Are you trying to ruin me on purpose? Get out of here, go make breakfast, cook what Wu-zi likes to eat."

Cheng Ying felt terribly wronged. I have to cook for him? I didn't sleep all night! Pointing to her panda eyes, she asked, "Don't you see my dark circles? Are you really willing?"

The old lady said, "Get out of my sight. I don't want to look at you." There was no room for negotiation.

Cheng Ying trudged to the kitchen with dark circles under her eyes, still having to cook what Chi Wu liked. While mixing tofu, Cheng Ying muttered quietly, "Why don't you just choke to death? Why don't you just choke to death?"

Chi Wu, who had just received a warm welcome from the old lady upon waking, was about to head to the kitchen to cook for his wife when he overheard such sweet talk. His heart trembled. If he delayed any longer, his wife might put rat poison in the food. "Ying-zi, let me do it," he offered.

Cheng Ying shot him a cold look. "No need. Get lost."

The old lady began speaking gently from behind. "Ying-zi, is it ready? Didn't you say you were making what Chi Wu likes?"

Cheng Ying said, "Nai, it’s all what Wu-zi favors. We’re about to eat."

Chi Wu shivered. This breakfast is going to be the death of me! "Nai, can you please stop tormenting my wife? I’m the one who suffers."

The old lady said, "Wu-zi, come eat. Ying-zi said she got up early specifically to prepare what you like."

Chi Wu followed the old lady out of the kitchen, his face looking close to tears. It has nothing to do with me. Then he looked at the old lady. Isn't she deliberately setting me up?

The old lady saw that Chi Wu’s lip was split. Then she inspected the bruise on his neck and the purplish marks on his hands.

"Aiya, how did you get beaten so badly?" Her concern for Chi Wu immediately increased, though she was furious inside. That creature acting up! Is there any way to treat people like that? "Fortunately, Wu-zi has a good temper." "Wu-zi, how about Nai gets you a new padded cotton jacket later? It's made from new cotton I acquired; it’s very warm."

"That sounds good, Nai. Did you make one for Ying-zi too? Otherwise, how about the three of us each get one. If there isn't enough cotton, I can find someone to buy some better quality stuff."

The old lady was pleased. What a good grandson! They just fought yesterday, and today he's already thinking about his own granddaughter. She would have to give Ying-zi a good talking-to later. Why isn't her own granddaughter more sensible?

The old lady said, "Ying-zi, why worry about him? He won't freeze to death."

Cheng Ying came in carrying the mixed tofu and heard words that chilled her to the bone. Nai, are you confused? You don't realize this thing has wicked intentions toward your granddaughter.

She closed her eyes. When one is old, one is bound to favor one side. But she was her Nai, so she endured it. "Nai, let's eat."

The old lady said, "Mmm. Serve Wu-zi some rice."

Cheng Ying felt like dumping the bowl right onto Chi Wu’s face.

When Chi Wu reached for the bowl, his hands were trembling. This misunderstanding is huge. "Ying-zi, hurry and sit down to eat. You must have been busy all morning. I’ll cook something delicious for you at noon." If saying a few soft words could soothe his wife's anger, it was worth it.

Cheng Ying glanced at the old lady, smiled grimly, and replied obediently, "It's fine, it's what I should do." Chi Wu found this even more unsettling.

The old lady said, "Mmm, that’s how a woman should be. Wu-zi, don't spoil her. This holiday break, Nai will teach her a good lesson."

Cheng Ying hadn't even eaten but let out a huge burp. So the hard times were just beginning? This wasn't over yet.

She turned and shot Chi Wu a look, considering the possibility of silencing him permanently.

Chi Wu wore a pained expression. "Nai, why don't you teach me instead?" This was a purely natural reaction.

The old lady snapped her mouth shut and turned, ready to yell at Cheng Ying. Chi Wu quickly intervened, "Nai, can we learn together? We’ll be just as filial to you in the future; there’s no harm in knowing more skills."

Cheng Ying’s anger from the morning seemed to vanish. How could this kid suddenly start joking around?

The old lady didn't know what to say looking at Chi Wu. Does he really need to be so cowardly when I’m backing him up? How will Wu-zi ever stand tall in his marriage if things go on like this?

Cheng Ying held back a laugh and said to Chi Wu, "You settle down, you embarrassment."

The old lady couldn't stand it. "How are you speaking?" She then turned to Wu-zi, "You have Nai here, what are you afraid of?" This was specifically addressed to Chi Wu.

But Cheng Ying could hear it. With only three people in the house, whispered conversations weren't very private.

Chi Wu puffed out his chest, trying to show off to the old lady. "A man doesn't stoop to the level of his woman." While saying this, Chi Wu’s face looked just as timid as when he was being told he’d be beaten to death.

Cheng Ying couldn't figure out how Chi Wu managed this. Can you possibly look any more cowardly while saying that?

The old lady looked at Chi Wu. "It's all because you spoil her so much."

Cheng Ying said, "Eat." As soon as these two words came out, Chi Wu let out a huge sigh of relief. He figured the events of last night and this morning were probably forgiven. Although Cheng Ying was petty, she had one redeeming quality: she kept her word.

The old lady felt a bit of disappointment, yet disappointment was also good—after all, the recipient was her granddaughter.

Breakfast was eaten quite pleasantly. Chi Wu was just a bit hesitant about picking up dishes, constantly checking his wife’s expression, knowing he was at fault for last night.

The old lady said, "I originally planned for you two to go home today, but now... how can you go back?" The old lady looked at Chi Wu’s face and stopped talking.

Chi Wu touched his lips. It was indeed impossible to go home looking like this. "Nai, I was tired from driving yesterday. I'll rest a bit before we go back." How considerate of him.

"Good, good, rest well. Later, I'll have your Uncle Gan come over to cook you something good. Ying-zi's cooking isn't presentable."

After eating, the old lady went to the kitchen, boiled two eggs, and brought them to Cheng Ying. "You settle down now! If this happens again, I’ll finish you off. You two are married; I’ve never seen you act like this. If word gets out across the entire village, we'll lose face. Hurry up and use the eggs to roll over Wu-zi’s face where he’s marked!"

Cheng Ying reluctantly took them. "Are you celebrating my birthday?" She muttered inwardly, A split lip? Eight eggs wouldn't fix that!

The old lady raised her hand. That gesture was always most effective on Cheng Ying.

Cheng Ying threw up her hands in surrender. "I'll go," and then she went into the room, clearly intimidated by the threat of more beating.

Chi Wu was in the room, taking over the task of looking over account books. When he saw what Cheng Ying brought in, he dared not use them.

He quickly helped his wife lean back against the quilt stack and started wrapping the eggs for her. He didn't forget to bring the egg up to his wife’s mouth.

When the old lady walked in with a bowl of old chicken soup, she saw her granddaughter lounging with her legs crossed, and her grandson-in-law peeling eggshells.

The old lady’s expression turned icy cold. If this got out, not only would people look down on their Cheng family child, but they’d also look down on their daughter-in-law.

Cheng Ying saw the old lady nearly choke on egg yolk. Chi Wu quickly took the chicken soup to help his wife catch her breath.

Then he turned to the old lady and asked, "Nai, did you drink your soup?"

The old lady said, "I drank some; this is for you. Nai will bring you another bowl. I've been simmering this since early this morning; I added ginseng."

Cheng Ying patted her chest, trying to calm down. Why is everything so unbalanced? Why do I always annoy Nai? I need to remember to pray later. Next year will definitely be a year of great fortune.

Chi Wu said, "Nai, you sit down. I’ll go get another bowl myself."

The old lady said, "You focus on doing proper things. If I don't move around, I feel uncomfortable just sitting here." She gave her granddaughter one last glare before leaving.

Cheng Ying patted her chest. "You scared me to death! I thought I was going to get beaten again."

Chi Wu licked his lips ingratiatingly. "If you're nicer to me, the old lady won't hit you."

Cheng Ying said, "You’re asking for a beating!"

Chi Wu replied, "I was letting you win. I’m a man; I can’t just let you hit me like that, hmph." After saying this, he continued peeling eggs for her.