"I don't mind the money," the old woman declared, "I mind the trouble." "Then there's nothing to be done," Cheng Ying replied. "I truly can't think of any work that pays well with little hassle. You'll just have to bear with it." The old woman, ever mindful of her granddaughter and grandson, stewed nourishing broths for them daily.

Chi Wu felt he would suffer if he drank any more. "That should be enough. Why don't we head back to the village early?" Cheng Ying glanced at Chi Wu.

They had never returned this early in previous years. "What day is it? We're still far from the New Year." Chi Wu thought to himself: Grandma really doesn't value things.

This is all goji berries, red dates, and ginseng, all to supplement me. I wonder if any doctor approves. He truly couldn't take any more.

With their constitution, they couldn't sleep without these supplements; drinking more wouldn't just cause a nosebleed, it would be life-threatening. "Let's go back. This year is different.

I am our father's son-in-law now, I have to kowtow to him properly and prepare gifts for him. Let's go back sooner." Cheng Ying pursed her lips upon hearing this. My father doesn't lack for you.

Stop trying to get close. Cheng Ying considered. "We have to wait until the workers are on holiday before leaving.

We need to pay the workers their wages and give them the New Year's gifts." Chi Wu countered, "Isn't that what the finance department is for? We don't need to handle it." "What are you saying? Even if the company is big, someone needs to take charge.

It's always been done this way. Besides, what is there to do back in the village so early? I won't be at ease with Grandma alone at home." "Why don't we bring Grandma along?

Furthermore, there are many things back in the village I need to check on, like lumber. We can't always rely on just these few types of wood; we need to inspect them ourselves." Cheng Ying found merit in Chi Wu's reasoning. Their company still lacked talent, especially creative talent.

They should recruit more when the opportunity arose; they couldn't keep handling everything personally. After mulling it over, she found no major issues. "Why don't we head back earlier?

I wonder if Uncle Gan and Auntie Gan are going back with us. If we leave, Mom and Dad will surely stay here to keep your grandparents company, and Xiao Ye probably won't need to go back either, otherwise your grandparents might have something to say. I still need to prepare the New Year's gifts for your grandparents; we can probably leave in a couple of days." Chi Wu nodded.

"Mm, I'll listen to you. Can I discuss something with you?" "Go ahead. As long as it's not too much, I'm usually quite reasonable." Chi Wu pleaded, "Could you perhaps be a little lenient?

Preparing the New Year's gifts until they are almost done should suffice. We shouldn't act like nouveau riche and keep sending such lavish gifts. My grandmother is practically going through our family's entire savings!" If Chi Wu couldn't see the balancing act Cheng Ying was performing between the two families, he would be blind.

Chi Wu felt that starting with this year's New Year's gifts, they should try to restore normal contact between the two families. Otherwise, the two old women would wear them out. No matter how much they possessed, such constant expenditure was unsustainable.

Cheng Ying felt she would lose a lot of the fun. "Alright then, let me see what Grandma thinks." Chi Wu asked, "Yingzi, is there anywhere you'd like to go?" "Weren't we talking about going back to the village?" "Besides the village, is there anywhere else you wish to visit?" "Why? Are you planning an outing?" "If we have time, perhaps we can go somewhere.

It feels like we've never truly traveled together." "Then let's take Grandma to see the place where you went to school. I bet that's what our old lady wants to see the most." Chi Wu inwardly sighed that his wife hadn't considered himself at all. "What about you?

Where do you want to go?" Cheng Ying took a deep breath. Traveling—that was a dream everyone had, an indulgence requiring both wealth and leisure. In her previous life, she never had the chance.

In this life, it never materialized. The key issue was: they had the money, but not quite the leisure. Moreover, going out meant leaving Grandma at home.

Cheng Ying reflected that she would have plenty of time later; for now, staying with Grandma was better. However, if she were to choose, Cheng Ying felt she absolutely had to go south. She had never put any real effort into cultivating her personal space; she only ever dumped whatever was around her into it.

It would be wonderful to enrich the species within her space—a true explosion of diverse flora. Ideally, she could acquire some high-value woods like sandalwood. Oh, if she had just one tree, she could cultivate an entire forest.

Even if she couldn't enjoy it in this lifetime, it would be a treasure for future generations. And perhaps a trip to the Tibetan border. Didn't the flowers in her space bloom most exquisitely there?

She could gather some saffron—aha! A thousand-fold return on investment! Even if setting up the required environment would take some work, stored wealth was still wealth.

Thinking about the places she wanted to visit, the list was quite long. "When I finally have leisure, I think I could travel the entire world." Chi Wu's face darkened upon hearing this. Did she have to make it so difficult for me?

I just asked a simple question. If she doesn't want to go out with me, fine, but does she need to put me in such an awkward spot? Chi Wu's pride flared.

"Hello, Cheng Ying." With a cold expression, he walked away. Yingzi truly didn't think there was anything wrong with what she said. In a few more years, traveling the world would just mean a few more established tourist routes.

Why is this boy getting so angry? Cheng Ying frowned. Men's invisible 'periods' were certainly harder to manage.

When Chi Wu and Cheng Ying quarreled, Cheng Ying never had to coax him; he always made up quickly. He couldn't stay mad. After all, he was the one who shamelessly pursued his wife; what standing did he have to throw a tantrum?

Chi Wu resolved that one day, when Yingzi truly recognized his worth, he would make her repay all the slights he had endured. He would question her back, word for word, about her past heartlessness toward him. The topic of travel was thus summarily dismissed by Cheng Ying.

After sorting out their business affairs, Cheng Ying and Chi Wu began gently persuading the old woman to return to the village. Unfortunately, she refused. She had been looking forward to the group of opera fans—her troupe—going to the provincial city's small theater to see a major performance during the New Year holiday for half a year already.

The old woman was reluctant to let them go and sent the two youngsters off. "If you're going back, go early. But there's snow expected in the next few days, so be careful.

Take the things I prepared for your Third Aunt and Second Uncle. And for your Eldest Aunt—oh, go see your Eldest Aunt; you can arrive just in time for her child's ten-day celebration. Tell her I won't be coming because it's too far." Cheng Ying chuckled.

"You're really laid-back. You won't even go when your own daughter has a child? Be careful if my Eldest Aunt throws a fit later." The old woman scoffed.

"I am her mother; how dare she? Besides, her mother-in-law is there, and I wouldn't feel comfortable. I didn't go when your Eldest Aunt gave birth to Feng, so it would be inappropriate to go now that she's had a boy.

I've prepared gifts for your Eldest Aunt; take them with you. Remember, don't visit on the seventh or eighth day; if you go, make sure it's after the tenth day. Understand?" "You really aren't coming back?" Cheng Ying asked.

"No, I'm busy." Cheng Ying felt this didn't align with the old woman's character. "Why not?" This was what Yingzi privately asked the old woman when they were alone. The old woman looked at her granddaughter.

"It's too much fuss. Grandma doesn't want to go back." Yingzi pressed, "I don't believe you." The old woman pulled a face. "What makes you believe me?

You spendthrift! Going back and forth costs money! Do you think I don't know what eating and drinking costs?

Is money meant to be wasted like that? You have to force me to say it, don't you? You have to make a big fuss, right?

Having eight or nine people eating every day—is that free?" Cheng Ying thought, Now that sounds like Grandma. "Grandma, you really... Does our family lack that little bit now?" "I'm just afraid they won't be grateful, that they’ll take it for granted, that it will spoil them.

Don't think I don't know; the things Uncle Gan and Auntie Gan bring back every time they visit the village are worth a fortune. Do they deserve it?" Cheng Ying pondered that the old woman had a point. "Whatever you say, Grandma.

Let Uncle Gan and Auntie Gan come over, and you two can go back for the New Year." "Mm. Give your father a little more money, and burn more for your grandfather too. Let them know we are living well.

Don't let them feel slighted." "Mm, I know. I'm burning gold ingots for my dad and my grandfather." "Fine, that settles it. Stop nagging me now.

Go see your aunt." "I know, don't worry. You have fun while we're gone, and don't miss me too much." The old woman mused, "Ah, speaking of which, your father will surely be happy this year." Cheng Ying didn't want to tell the old woman: Why aren't you wishing your son would reincarnate sooner? Are you tormenting yourself or your son?

If Yingzi's father truly has a spirit, won't he resent Grandma? "Yes, that's right. We have a new son-in-law this year.

Perhaps Father will rest in peace sooner seeing such a trustworthy son-in-law." This was truly meant to comfort the old woman, to make her worry less about her deceased son. The old woman sighed. "Ah, my late son had no luck.

Otherwise, just think how happy he'd be now. Back then, we couldn't even fill our stomachs. Thinking about the good life now twists my heart." Cheng Ying was stunned.

Why were the old woman's eyes turning red? What was she saying? She had actually made Grandma start crying.

I have a loose tongue that needs discipline. "Don't cry, Grandma. It's alright.

Later, I'll prepare a whole roasted pig head as an offering for Father. Don't worry, I'll get him all the best food. Please don't be like this; your granddaughter will be worried sick." The old woman scolded, "Spendthrift!

Offerings are for the spirits, but the leftovers are for the living. As long as it's done properly, fine, but don't let people gossip." "You understand this very well, don't you?" "Of course I do. I miss my son.

Alright, you two start preparing. Don't wait until the heavy snow starts falling to leave." "Mm, understood." Chi Wu entered from outside. "Oh, it's freezing!

Grandma, I brought two carts of coal and unloaded them by the factory building in the back. Let's open the back door, and I'll haul a few carts in to store. I heard there’s snow coming in a few days, and it would be inconvenient for you to use them when we're not home." The old woman was satisfied, incredibly pleased inwardly.

"Uncle Gan and Auntie Gan are staying here with me. You don't need to do such dirty work." Chi Wu began changing into his work clothes while addressing the old woman. "How can that be the same?

This is our home. These dirty, heavy chores should be done by me. Looking at Uncle Gan's physique, he clearly isn't made for labor.

And there’s no need to mention my father. Besides, with Auntie Gan here, you wouldn't order her to do it anyway."