Cheng Ying’s throat was a little hoarse. After all these years, it had always been Chi Wu accompanying her to the gravesites, quiet and desolate.

Cheng Ying had grown accustomed to it. It shouldn't have been a big deal originally. But after this whole affair, Cheng Ying still felt a sting behind her eyes.

Looking at Chi Wu, Cheng Ying thought that if the setting weren't so inappropriate, if there weren't so many people around, she would absolutely nip his face.

A man isn't defined by how much he does for you. He's defined by doing the things you hold in your heart, and doing them deeply enough to reach your core.

“Let’s go,” Cheng Ying said. When they arrived at the burial ground, even Second Grand-uncle couldn't help but smile; it was the first time in so many years there had been such a lively gathering at his brother’s resting place.

Filling the grave, offering sacrifices, burning paper money, kowtowing, setting off firecrackers—

Cheng Ying didn't shed a single tear. She bustled around with the crowd, making sure everything was lively.

Cheng Ming finally said, “Uncle, why don’t you come over and join Grandpa for a bit of excitement?”

Cheng Ying froze. What nonsense was this unlucky kid spouting? He was even less superstitious than she was.

The offerings and incense were packed away. A few people headed back before dawn fully broke.

When they reached the ancestral graves, Eldest and Second Uncles were there with Cheng Shuan, tending to Grandpa’s grave mound.

A few young men pitched in to manage things, and soon Grandpa’s grave was a substantial mound. Cheng Ying followed behind Cheng Ming, burning paper money, just going through the motions.

She overheard Cheng Ming murmuring softly, “Uncle, Grandpa’s place is lively now, right? You come watch, then go on your way. Your nephew won't walk you back.”

Cheng Ying shivered. So, Cheng Ming actually had such spiritual awareness. He must take after his paternal grandmother.

Cheng Ying felt a genuine chill on the journey over. It was as if they had been escorting something unclean.

Eldest Uncle’s expression remained unchanged, which Cheng Ying was used to.

Second Uncle, however, spoke at length with them, inquiring about Yingzi’s father’s situation. Second Uncle advised, “During the New Year, you all should do this for both sides; make it lively for both, don't slight either.”

Neither Cheng Ying nor Chi Wu went home; they took the sled straight out.

Cheng Ming called out, “I’ll come over after the fifteenth. Make sure my room is tidied up!”

Cheng Ying waved her hand, and they were soon moving far into the distance.

It took no longer than usual for Cheng Ying and Chi Wu to reach Grandpa’s house by car.

Seeing that the township roads had already thawed, Cheng Ying felt a measure of relief. “Good thing we can travel now.”

Chi Wu remarked, “The roads in and out of the village haven't seen much traffic, so the snow wouldn't melt that fast. You’ll see, once we leave the township and hit the county roads, it’ll be much smoother going.”

They left Erya and the others at their maternal uncle’s place, spent a little time chatting with Grandpa, and then hurried off.

The roads were difficult, and they had no idea when they’d reach home. Cheng Ying deliberately hadn’t called Grandma ahead of time, fearing the old woman would worry.

Although the snowdrifts along the roadside remained thick, the road surface was decent enough. Even so, Cheng Ying and Chi Wu arrived home just in time for the midnight dumplings.

They couldn't drive fast at all on those roads. The two of them watched the fireworks from inside the car.

Chi Wu had been driving all day, yet he still managed to take Cheng Ying’s hand for a moment of fleeting romance.

Cheng Ying said, “Hurry home. The dumplings must be ready to serve.”

Chi Wu felt his wife was being a bit unromantic. That wasn't ideal.

When the old lady heard the sound of the car outside, she shot up instantly—a physical reaction quite unlike what one would expect from an elderly person.

Auntie Gan, Uncle Gan, Chi Yong, Yang Zhi, Chi Ye—and the elderly Mr. and Mrs. Chi—all stared, dumbfounded. What in the world was happening?

They heard the old lady outside exclaiming, “Oh my, why are you getting home so late? Didn't I tell you the roads were bad, maybe you shouldn't come back?”

Chi Yong scratched his nose, feeling inadequate compared to his son.

Cheng Ying reassured her, “It’s fine, Grandma. The snow on the road has melted. We took turns driving. Grandma, we’re fine.”

Chi Wu chimed in, “Grandma, we’re both starving. Are our dumplings ready?”

That single sentence worked better than anything Cheng Ying had said. The old lady grabbed Chi Wu’s arm and pulled him inside. “They’re ready, they’re ready! Just in time for eating. You arrived perfectly on schedule.”

The elder Mrs. Chi, who had come out later, watched the two of them holding hands—it was an eyesore.

This was her grandson! How could he be so considerate of someone else? Her good mood vanished instantly.

Old Mr. Chi patted his wife’s shoulder. “As long as our grandson is doing well, we can rest assured.”

Finally, Mrs. Chi’s expression softened a little.

The whole extended family gathered around one large table. Old Mr. Chi raised his glass. “Come, come, everyone is finally here. A toast!”

Chi Yong protested, “Dad, you’re just trying to scam a drink! You can’t down it all in one gulp!”

Yang Zhi intervened, “Just take a small sip, Dad. The doctor said you shouldn't drink much of any alcohol.”

Old Mr. Chi looked at his son and daughter-in-law, whose enthusiasm had been dampened, but he was secretly pleased. It was because the children were filial that they remembered him.

Old Mrs. Chi's face brightened further. Her grandson might belong to others, but her son was still hers.

Grandma Cheng, having made peace with her daughter-in-law belonging to another family, didn't care about that anymore; as long as her grandchildren were with her, that was all that mattered.

Cheng Ying and Chi Wu carefully placed dumplings into the old lady’s bowl.

The old lady waved them off. “Hurry up and eat yours. I can manage by myself.”

Chi Wu reminded her, “But aren’t you holding Little Brother?”

Uncle Gan chuckled, “Heh heh, this is the liveliest New Year yet!”

After dinner, everyone chatted. Chi Yong then drove his parents home; it was past two in the morning.

The old lady took Cheng Ying’s arm. “Yingzi, go to bed now. You must be exhausted after driving all day.”

Chi Wu didn't mince words with the old lady; they were genuinely tired.

Cheng Ying opened the door to the west room, and a wave of warm air rushed out to meet her. No wonder Chi Wu insisted on coming home.

The old lady had fired up the stove long ago.

Chi Wu understood his grandmother’s thoughtfulness. She had planned deeper than he, her own grandson, had considered.

Chi Wu asked, “Yingzi, do you want a foot soak?”

“Yes, I’ll go right over,” Cheng Ying replied.

The old lady insisted, “Just wait inside the room! What do you need to do? Go to bed quickly. The water is coming right up.”

Chi Wu dared not use the water the old lady carried in. Cheng Ying went out herself to fetch water.

The old lady had infused the water with honeysuckle and several other medicinal herbs, supposedly to relieve fatigue.

Cheng Ying exclaimed, “Oh my, on New Year’s, you don’t need to bother with such things!”—those irritating concoctions were the only reason the old lady allowed her to speak up.

Looking at the two basins of water, Cheng Ying felt that no matter how far the journey, no matter how tiring the road, coming home was unequivocally the right choice.

The old lady sighed. “Oh, I only wanted to warm the room up a bit. Who knew the roads would be so bad that you actually made it back? Why weren’t you more careful? It’s just the New Year’s Eve dumplings; when you eat them doesn't matter. Why rush yourselves like that?”

Cheng Ying urged, “Grandma, it’s already two in the morning. Go back to sleep. Don't wake Little Brother up by talking so much; we know what we’re doing.”

Chi Wu added, “Grandma, I’m here with her. You go sleep. Little Brother can’t leave you. Once we wake up tomorrow, we’ll chat with you then.”

Only then did the old lady retreat to her room.

Chi Wu and Cheng Ying sat side-by-side on the kang, soaking their feet. The more comfortable their feet felt, the more their bodies ached.

With one arm around Cheng Ying, they leaned back. “We’ve finally come back to life. Being at home truly feels different.”

Cheng Ying felt a pang of concern for Chi Wu. “Later, we’ll trade for a bigger car. Look how he can’t even straighten his back after driving all day.”

Chi Wu chuckled, “Heh heh. Ah, after a whole day of hard work, my wife only gives me one car. It’s worth it!”

“Be serious. Dry your feet properly and get some sleep. I can barely keep my eyes open.”

Chi Wu closed his eyes, thinking to himself, That’s true. I can’t even bear to look at my wife’s fair feet. What a wasted opportunity.

When Cheng Ying spoke again, she only heard Chi Wu’s steady snores. He was completely exhausted.

Cheng Ying got up to empty their foot-soaking water, then pulled Chi Wu onto the kang and covered him. The commotion was significant, yet Chi Wu didn't stir.

It took all of Cheng Ying’s strength to maneuver the large man into the warm covers.

Watching Chi Wu finally tucked in, Cheng Ying understood: she was likely stuck with him for life this way.

When one person does so much, thinks so much, for another, whatever the initial relationship—it transforms into an inextricable part of life. You just can't cut it away.

Cheng Ying didn't want to admit it, but she had been electrified by the radiant, unrestrained look on his face when he was on the ice.

Cheng Ying slept soundly, only waking up past noon the next day. Chi Wu was lying next to her, lazily unwilling to move.

Cheng Ying mused, “It must be the first day of the New Year, right? Grandma didn’t come to rush us awake. This is a first.”

Chi Wu murmured, “Mmm, a first.”

Cheng Ying looked at Chi Wu; the boy had already taken his medicine early this morning, yet he was smiling so shamelessly. “Are you blossoming?”

Chi Wu couldn't contain his grin. “Almost ready to bear fruit.”

“Get up, I’m annoyed just looking at you,” she said, getting up uncomfortably to wash up.

When the two of them emerged, hot dumplings were already served, along with a basin of dumpling soup sprinkled with scallions and cilantro—it was mouthwatering.

Cheng Ying asked, “How did Grandma manage to wake us?”

The old lady replied, “Do you think the exhaustion from driving all day is easy to shake off? It’s right for Wu Zi to get more rest.”

Cheng Ying protested, “Grandma, we took turns driving. Why are you only doting on Wu Zi? I’m the blood relative, aren’t I?”

The old lady smiled knowingly. “Wu Zi wouldn’t let you collapse from exhaustion. I understand him clearly. Alright, eat. After eating, you two go pay respects to your paternal grandparents.”

Chi Wu said sweetly, “Grandma cares for me. She must have boiled two huge pots of water just to cook these dumplings.”

The old lady smiled contentedly; it was good that the boy understood her intentions. “I don’t care about the firewood. We run a furniture shop; what little we use is nothing. Eat up!”

In all these years, that was the most magnanimous thing Grandma had ever said. Cheng Ying felt that even if their old lady burned all the elmwood in the world, she wouldn't feel the pinch.

The three of them ate the belated first-day-of-the-year dumplings.

After eating, the old lady surprisingly announced she would accompany the two of them to pay respects at the Chi family home.

This was the first time in years. Cheng Ying almost couldn't believe it was her own grandmother.

Cheng Ying tried to demur, “Grandma, you don’t need to. We juniors can just make the rounds.”

The old lady retorted, “What, you think your grandma doesn't have the standing? Am I not allowed to visit my in-laws?”

Chi Wu was secretly delighted. This showed Grandma valued him and gave him face. His own father, Chi Yong, had been her son for so many years, yet she had never visited her in-laws on the first day of the New Year. Now, Chi Wu, who had only recently become her son-in-law, was treated like legitimate kin.

What treatment! That was the difference. Chi Wu chimed in, “Grandma, I adore you! I’d love for you to come. Let’s go together! I’ll get the car ready now.”

Cheng Ying whispered into the old lady’s ear, “What’s gotten into you? Did Mrs. Chi feed you an elixir?”

The old lady snapped back, “Go away, stop talking nonsense. They are relatives. If they respect us one foot, we must return them a yard. When you two aren’t home, Mr. and Mrs. Chi visited me every other day. It was snowing hard, and your calls wouldn't go through, but Mr. and Mrs. Chi never once complained. I can’t just ignore their kindness, can I? What’s wrong with paying them a visit for the New Year?”