"Auntie, I just got back to the village, what would I know? You say Big Brother is dating someone, how does that land on my plate? Did I introduce them? Did I force him to get together with the girl? You need to rein in your own son and ask him if I have anything to do with this. I'm an unmarried girl; I don't get involved in this sort of thing. You need to make things clear for me," Cheng Ying stated.

Chi Wu countered, "Big Aunt, what has Yingzi done that you have to block our doorway and cause a ruckus? Cheng Tie is dating someone, and you're not bothering your own son, but questioning your niece? Aren't you asking the wrong person?"

Big Aunt huffed, "Stop playing the good guy. You all moved to the city, so now you think you're better than us stuck in the village? Who knows what kind of schemes you're hatching?"

Cheng Ying thought that Big Aunt's head must be filled with conspiracy theories all day long. No wonder her hair had turned white.

Chi Wu wanted to distance himself from this person. She had such ill intentions, constantly thinking such things; it was no wonder she had such an irresponsible son as Cheng Tie.

Cheng Ming said, "Mom, let's go home. If you make such a scene, what will people think later? Will Big Brother and I even dare to mention finding wives anymore?"

Big Aunt retorted, "Why wouldn't we mention wives? Can our family still find village wives?"

Cheng Ying sneered, "Hmph, Big Aunt, you're from the village too."

Big Aunt sneered, "Hmph, I knew someone couldn't stand to see us do well. You two need to be more careful. Look, they practically wish we’d be digging in the dirt forever. Don't let them lead you astray. You two clueless things, opening your hearts completely to them."

Cheng Ying's face darkened. This woman was clearly intending to disrupt things. Her son dating someone—what business was it of theirs? "Big Aunt, this is my home. If you want to make a scene, go cause trouble at your own house. I know nothing about your son's affairs."

Cheng Tie stood by the side, his face flushed crimson. Cheng Ying didn't even spare him a glance.

Big Aunt whined, "Oh, I'm your Big Aunt; can't I say a few words to you?"

Chi Wu exploded, "What kind of Big Aunt are you, distorting your own niece like this? If you won't acknowledge that, then just scram! Both of you, get out! If anyone else causes trouble at my door, don't blame me for being impolite. My wife is perfectly fine, so why are you talking like that? Go home and lecture your son!" He left absolutely no room for saving face.

Seeing Chi Wu enraged, Cheng Ming and Cheng Tie quickly dragged their mother out. After all, Big Aunt had been making a scene at Yingzi's door for quite some time.

Chi Wu's face looked dark enough to wring water from it.

Cheng Ying spat, "If it weren't for giving Mingzi face, I would have dumped a bucket of water on her head."

Chi Wu chuckled, "It seems my wife's social skills have improved; she even knows when to show deference."

This was his way of finding humor in the bitter situation, trying to soothe his wife.

Big Aunt failed to cause trouble at Yingzi's place, so she moved on to harass her own son. Somehow, she managed to interrogate Second Sister, and soon enough, the drama spread to Second Sister's house. In these kinds of incidents, it was always the girls who suffered. Even if Cheng Tie was merely dating someone, it still damaged her reputation. How could that young lady tolerate such a commotion from Big Aunt? Second Sister even fled to her Second Aunt's home.

In the village, if a girl suffered in such matters, she could only swallow her pain. If she fought back, she would be the one to suffer the consequences, the one whose reputation would be ruined.

Chi Wu and Cheng Ying closed their door and tried to settle back into their lives. They heard from Second Aunt that Big Aunt had been raising hell throughout the village all day.

It wasn't until late in the evening that Cheng Ming showed up. Without a word exchanged, Cheng Ying knew he had come to apologize for the day's events.

Chi Wu couldn't be bothered with him. However, Cheng Ming always seemed to act in direct opposition to Chi Wu, deliberately provoking him at every turn. They were on the verge of a physical fight.

Cheng Ying intervened, "Enough, stop being difficult. We aren't taking it to heart."

Cheng Ming, pushing his luck, argued, "That's my mother! How could you treat her that way? Couldn't you have been nicer?"

Chi Wu responded coolly, "I was already very polite in asking her to leave."

Cheng Ying nodded in agreement, "I can vouch for that. Big Aunt wouldn't listen to kind words."

Cheng Ming had been present, listening to everything from the start. He understood everything perfectly and couldn't utter a single defense.

Then the three of them ate dinner. The tension seemed to have been absorbed.

Cheng Ying asked, "Why are you eating so late?"

Cheng Ming sighed, "It's a blessing we have anything to eat at all. Do you think my family is in the mood to cook right now?"

Cheng Ying considered that Cheng Ming's household must be in utter chaos. Big Uncle and Big Aunt were not particularly sensible people.

Cheng Ying felt he would be letting Cheng Ming down if he didn't show some concern. After all, they were brothers in a sense. "Is the ruckus still going on? What does Big Aunt want?"

Cheng Ming, recalling the mess back home, felt frustrated. "What else? My brother is such a coward."

Cheng Ying approved of Cheng Ming's choice of word. "Indeed, he lacks responsibility. Second Sister has poor judgment. When choosing a man, you need someone responsible; everything else is secondary. Hey, you better treat your own wife well in the future."

Cheng Ming's face was gloomy. "If this were in the village, how would I ever find a wife now?"

Chi Wu offered a rare word of comfort, "But you're not in the village anymore, are you? Don't worry. If you bring back a girlfriend from school, Big Aunt will probably adore her or something."

Chi Wu's comment was based on analyzing Big Aunt's character, but it was also deeply sarcastic.

Cheng Ming glumly flicked his sleeve and left. He went to the East Room, indicating he wasn't leaving immediately.

Cheng Ying followed him, asking probing questions. "Tell me, is it really okay for you to just hide out like this?"

Cheng Ming snapped at Cheng Ying, "I didn't start this mess, so what does it have to do with me? If someone looks for me, tell them I'm not here either."

Cheng Ying was speechless for a while. "He's another irresponsible one."

Chi Wu pulled his wife back. "It's their family's business; why are you worrying about it? If anyone dares to come looking for trouble with you again, they'll have to deal with my shovel."

Late that night, the auntie who had argued with Big Aunt earlier knocked on Yingzi's door and profusely apologized to Cheng Ying.

Cheng Ying thought to herself that it was wrong of the woman to drag her into it, but outwardly she remained polite. "It’s nothing, Auntie. I truly knew nothing about this matter."

The auntie insisted, "I just mentioned it casually. Who knew you didn't know? Your Big Aunt is so unreasonable. Should we just hide it from her forever?"

Cheng Ying had little to say. This woman’s mouth was certainly too quick. If the whole village knew, why was her mouth the one that seemed so leaky?

However, Cheng Ying couldn't say anything; it was best not to provoke people like that.

The auntie chattered for a while before leaving. Cheng Ming inwardly resented this meddlesome woman, but he knew this drama was bound to surface sooner or later. He couldn't really blame her for gossiping.

If his brother had any capability, he should have resolved this sooner. Look at the chaos now.

As for the impact on the young lady, her reputation in all the neighboring villages was likely ruined. Finding a partner would be very difficult; she would probably have to marry far away now.

Chi Wu commented, "Why does it feel like the atmosphere for New Year's has arrived a bit early?" Cheng Ying promptly kicked him.

How could this compare to the liveliness of the New Year? Big Aunt had made her scene, the sons were exhausted by the drama, and the young lady probably wished to cut ties with them forever.

It seemed this little couple's romance had no future now. A relationship not approved by both sets of parents could essentially be considered over.

Cheng Ying felt this fault lay entirely with Cheng Tie. Knowing his mother's personality and knowing he couldn't handle the responsibility, why did he have to provoke this?

When Cheng Ying called Old Madam, she mentioned this to her grandmother.

Old Madam could only manage two sentences after a long pause: "He's endangered that good girl's reputation. I can't interfere with your Big Aunt's business. Do you think everyone can be like our Wuzi, handling everything without you worrying or lifting a finger?"

Cheng Ying promptly hung up. What was that supposed to mean? What was he handling for her? It was all the troublesome deeds of those wayward kids.

Cheng Ying wanted to kick Chi Wu a couple of times out of frustration, but she hadn't seen him for the past two days.

She didn't know what Chi Wu was so busy with; he was never around.

Old Madam called again, telling Cheng Ying not to get involved in Big Aunt's family affairs, and if Big Aunt came over causing trouble, she shouldn't show her any face.

Cheng Ying ordered a large pig's head from someone in the village and arranged for it to be prepared, keeping it at home.

The offering to her father wasn't just something she told Old Madam to placate her. Cheng Ying understood that Old Madam missed her son.

No matter how lightly Grandma spoke, she must have worried, as her son had never experienced such comfortable living.

On the evening of the twenty-ninth, not only did Cheng Ming come over to join the fun, but Cheng Shuan and Cheng Dun'er even showed up. The only one missing was Cheng Tie.

Cheng Tie was being guarded by Big Aunt and had no opportunity to move about freely.

At this critical time, Cheng Ying didn't want to provoke him. If he ran away from her house during the New Year, Cheng Ying couldn't take responsibility for that.

Seeing the group, she teased, "Why are you all here to freeload a meal?"

Cheng Dun'er was more honest, keeping his mouth shut but eating whatever good food was available.

Cheng Ming explained, "You two are heading back first thing tomorrow morning, so can't we come over to celebrate with you?"

Cheng Ying said, "Spare me the drama. Don't stay up all night. We have to drive tomorrow."

Chi Wu assured them, "Don't worry, you enjoy yourselves, and you keep looking after your things."

Cheng Ying ignored the men for a moment and busied herself preparing what they would need for the morning.

Cheng Dun'er asked incredulously, "Sister, you're actually listening to him?" His tone was clearly indignant.

Well, Chi Wu realized, this little brother-in-law was truly something. It seemed all the younger brothers-in-law were a handful.

Cheng Ying challenged, "What, you thought I'd let the two of us organize everything for you? See which one of us is more capable. Want to place a bet on who wins between us?"

Cheng Dun'er firmly stated, "Still, we shouldn't listen to him. In the village, whatever happens at Big Aunt Cheng's place, you listen to Big Aunt Cheng."

Cheng Dun'er was referring to another family in the village who had a marriage arrangement. Even though their child was young, he seemed to have some insight.

Chi Wu thought that for his wife's sake, he was willing to make concessions, even managing the little brother-in-law. "Don't worry, I'll listen to your sister." This seemed to placate the younger man.

This group of young men stayed up most of the night chatting inside.

They finally got up at three in the morning the next day. Cheng Ying felt that aside from the time she walked to the graves in the past, she had never woken up so early.

Was she crazy? "Getting up this early, aren't you afraid of disturbing Dad's rest?"

Chi Wu felt that no matter how many years passed, Old Madam hadn't managed Yingzi's habit of speaking whatever came to mind. "Get up, hurry up, we're busy."

When they were about to leave, Cheng Ying noticed the group was quite large.

It wasn't as bleak and quiet as other years. Cheng Ying asked, "Are you all coming too?"

Cheng Ming was driving the sled, loaded with the incense Cheng Ying had prepared for the offerings. Cheng Shuan sat beside him.

Chi Wu's sled carried Cheng Ying and Dun'er. It seemed everyone had prepared in advance.

Cheng Ming announced, "Let's leave early so we have time to celebrate properly at Grandpa's gravesite."