Friendships, even the closest ones, often dissolve into mere social obligations. Cheng Ying, who always spoke from the heart, never saw the need for pretense.

Just as she had her own space, Cheng Ying never once considered that perhaps she could invite someone to share it with her.

It wasn't that Cheng Ying was malicious; she simply felt no one could share the burden of secrets so profound.

In the afternoon, Cheng Ying saw her paternal aunt arrive. It was a joy layered upon joy.

Her aunt tapped her twice on the shoulder, "You stubborn girl, what a big thing this is, and you didn't even call me?"

Cheng Ying replied, "Grandma said you just gave birth. She was afraid you’d get worked up, and then little brother would get fiery milk and suffer, so she told me not to say anything."

Auntie retorted, "You listen to your Grandma for everything? Can't you use your own brain?"

Then, she walked over to the old woman, her eyes welling up with tears of worry, "Mom, does it still hurt?"

Seeing her own daughter, the old lady couldn't help but have her eyes redden, even though she wasn't truly aggrieved. People react this way when they see family during difficult times. "It doesn't hurt, truly it doesn't. This thing only started to feel sore after the surgery at the hospital."

Then she gave her daughter a couple of sharp taps on the shoulder, "You wicked girl, who told you to come over? How many days since you gave birth, and you dare to run around wildly? Who did you leave the baby with?"

Cheng Ying thought to herself that her aunt must take after Grandma; their actions, expressions, thoughts, and behavior were identical.

Auntie said, "It’s fine. His father is home. The baby's second aunt happens to have a child that age too, so she can feed him for a couple of days. It’s fine, don't worry, I wouldn't mistreat my own son, would I?"

The old lady snapped back, "Shameless! Still calling him 'son.' How many days ago did you give birth to a son? You settle down! Just because you bore a son doesn't mean you can get arrogant. How you lived before, live that way now. I watch your husband. He treats you well. He didn't look down on you when you hadn't borne a son."

Auntie looked at the old lady’s vigorous spirit, thinking she was launching into a long lecture right after arriving. "Alright, I came to see you. It’s not good for you to lecture me like this. I’m already the mother of two children; can’t you grant me a little dignity?"

Chi Wu walked in and saw his aunt just as she and Grandma were still bickering.

Chi Wu greeted his aunt. Knowing she had come alone, he excused himself.

He told Cheng Ying he was going home to make arrangements.

Cheng Ying asked, "Auntie, how did you find your way here?"

Auntie explained, "I happened to see that kid Mingzi right after getting off the bus! Otherwise, I would have been lost trying to find you. It’s my first time in the provincial capital; I had no idea it was this big. I only had a small scrap of paper with your address on it. I panicked when I got off the bus, not knowing where to even ask for directions."

The old lady understood that feeling perfectly; they both came from the countryside. "You irresponsible girl. You dared to travel this far alone! Why didn't you get lost? Why are you so worrying?"

Cheng Ying understood immediately. Her own parents hadn't arrived yet; Mingzi must have been anxious long ago and was probably wandering around the station. This child must have something weighing on his mind. She resolved to have a good talk with him later.

When work ended, Yang Zhi arrived. Seeing Cheng Shengxia, she didn't know what to say first. "Auntie, you're here. When did you arrive?"

Cheng Shengxia, looking at her honest sister-in-law, shot back sharply, "What? Now that I'm here, what's wrong? Do I need to report to you?"

The old lady pinched her daughter’s arm. "Zhi Zhi works at this very unit. I’m staying here, and Zhi Zhi and Ying Zi’s mother take care of everything. What kind of tone are you using?"

As the only one staying by the old lady’s side, Cheng Shengxia had been upset when she arrived and didn't see her third sister-in-law waiting on the old lady. She forgot that this sister-in-law had already married out and was no longer part of the Cheng family, so her words inevitably became sharp.

Unfortunately, Yang Zhi lacked the awareness to defend herself. In front of Cheng Shengxia, she instinctively felt inferior and didn't retort at all. "Auntie, that’s not what I meant. I just speak poorly."

Cheng Ying thought that her own mother, even if married to Chi Yong, or even the governor in the city, probably couldn't maintain that level of imposing presence.

Cheng Shengxia saw Chi Yong behind Yang Zhi and then remembered this wasn't her third sister-in-law anymore. "I'm just used to sparring with her verbally. Anyway, now that I’m in the city, I have to come see your place, right? You won't stop me from coming in, will you?" Her tone remained just as biting.

However, Yang Zhi was pleased to hear it. "No, no. Whenever you have time, I’ll take you."

Chi Yong thought his wife probably had a face naturally inclined to receive blame, otherwise, why did she never think of resisting? Someone wants to see his home, and she’s overjoyed to the point of compliance. Could his wife be bullied? No.

Chi Yong stepped up to greet her. "Shengxia is here. When did you arrive? Has Ying Zi’s Uncle arrived? Did you run into Elder Brother or Second Brother?"

By saying this, he subtly shielded his wife. What’s wrong with my wife? My wife is much better than your Elder Brother or Second Brother. He was trying to defend her honor.

Cheng Shengxia always felt conflicted facing Chi Yong; she probably wouldn't resolve this relationship in her lifetime. She admitted she wasn't as open-minded as her own mother. "Uh, I came alone. Ying Zi’s Uncle couldn’t get away. Elder Brother and Second Brother will be here in a couple of days; I heard they are coming to collect saplings from the village."

After speaking, Cheng Shengxia lowered her head and became quiet—a simple rural woman without many intricate thoughts.

Chi Yong asked about her brother, and Shengxia answered, but when he mentioned her brothers hadn't arrived, she was naturally unhappy, showing it plainly on her face.

Seeing Shengxia like this, Chi Yong felt he was being harsh. Why should he, a man, get into a spat with a woman? Her coming all this way to see the old lady was good enough. "Shengxia, you’ve been here half a day; you must be tired. Go home with your sister-in-law to rest. I’ll take care of things here. You haven't toured the provincial capital yet, have you? Let your sister-in-law take you around properly."

Chi Yong immediately softened his tone after saying that.

Cheng Ying thought her stepfather wasn't cut out for being a villain; look how upset he got after a few sharp words from her aunt.

Cheng Shengxia insisted, "I came to see my mother. Why would I tour the provincial capital?"

Under the old lady's forceful pinching, Cheng Shengxia swallowed the rest of her complaint.

Chi Wu arrived shortly after Chi Yong and the others entered. Seeing a room full of people, he said, "Auntie, you must be tired. The housekeeper has food ready at home. You and Ying Zi should go home and rest for the night, and then come see Grandma tomorrow. We are here with Mom; everything is fine."

Cheng Ying felt that having Chi Wu nearby was truly unparalleled; otherwise, how could she be so relaxed?

She knew Chi Wu had gone out to arrange things for her aunt, so Cheng Ying didn't need to worry about it.

The old lady remarked, "Our Wu Zi is the most thoughtful. Alright, you go back. Go back with Ying Zi. Your sister-in-law is here with me; I don't need you around to upset me. Yes, Ying Zi, have Mingzi book your aunt’s train ticket for tomorrow. Don’t worry about your three-month-old baby."

Yang Zhi also felt it wasn't entirely appropriate for her sister-in-law to leave a three-month-old baby at home. "Won't Uncle be angry? Should I call him?"

Cheng Shengxia dismissed her concern. "Nonsense. Everything is arranged. I came all this way, so I’ll stay with you for two days to keep you company."

The old lady waved her off. "I have a granddaughter, a grandson, and a daughter-in-law. I don't need you, an outsider. Hurry up and scram back home to look after the baby!"

Cheng Ying thought this matter could be discussed tomorrow, but the train ticket needed to be bought first.

Chi Yong suggested, "Yang Zhi, accompany Shengxia back. Mom is here with me."

Cheng Shengxia looked at Chi Yong, truly unable to relax about leaving him. "Let Sister-in-law stay here with Mom instead. I'll go back. Mom, I'll come back tonight. Is there anything you want to eat? I'll prepare it at home and bring it over."

This was a rural woman who spoke whatever was on her mind, completely guileless.

The old lady waved her hand. "I don't lack anything, and I don't want to eat anything. You rest well. You traveled a long way; don't get worked up, or the baby who drinks milk will suffer."

The aunt and Cheng Ying left, glancing back at the mother at every third step. She had come such a long way and stayed such a short time.

Chi Wu stayed with Yang Zhi to accompany the old lady at the hospital, while Chi Yong drove Cheng Ying and Cheng Shengxia.

Cheng Ying could tell from her aunt's expression that she was definitely not feeling well.

When they got home, the aunt immediately asked Cheng Ying to find her a room to enter as soon as she got out of the car. Women in the lactation period suffer the most from long journeys.

Cheng Ying closed the door and watched her aunt rub her chest. "Are you alright?"

The aunt sighed, "What does it matter? They're all congested anyway. Just take it away to feed the dog."

Cheng Ying looked at the full bowl of white breast milk and didn't know what to say, then burst out laughing. "Auntie!"

The mood between mother and daughter lifted significantly. Knowing the old lady was recovering well and was fine, the aunt's tension eased considerably. She looked around Cheng Ying's courtyard, seeing that her own mother wasn't suffering but enjoying life with her granddaughter. The aunt felt even more relieved. "Oh my, Ying Zi, look at the life you’re living! You even have a housekeeper taking care of you. I am truly relieved. Even if your Grandma lived with your Uncle and Second Uncle, I doubt it would be this easy."

She was a biological daughter; her concerns were always viewed from the old lady’s perspective.

Cheng Ying said, "It's all my fault for being lazy. If I had gotten up earlier to sweep the yard clean, this wouldn't have happened."

Her aunt slapped her shoulder. Cheng Ying felt the pain—this woman's grip was much stronger than the old lady's.

Her aunt scolded, "You're young; how can you stay up later than Grandma? Old people are old; they sleep less. Accidents happen; you can't take all the blame onto yourself."

When the mother and daughter emerged from their chat, Chi Yong and the housekeeper were waiting for dinner. Looking at the spread, the aunt knew Chi Wu must have arranged for it when he went back home to get things. Her lingering irritation about Wu Zi leaving Cheng Ying to care for the old lady vanished. They were a family, after all; someone had to step up and manage things. "Oh my, I'm not an outsider. Why are you making such a fuss?"

Cheng Ying replied, "Auntie rarely visits; can't we have one good meal together?"

Chi Yong, acting as a host, tried hard to smooth things over. "Auntie, please don't be polite; this is your own home."

ps: Third update, seeking votes. (.)RU