"Your grandmother can barely get down the stairs at home, it must be so dull for her to just stay put. I have some orchids I recently painted; I'll bring a set over for your grandmother later."

Cheng Ying nodded and smiled, only to bite his cheek. Can't you be less heartfelt? You and my old lady aren't exactly on the same level of appreciation. My grandmother truly won't grasp the artistic intent in your work.

Cheng Ying stammered, "That would be wonderful, just to keep my grandma from being lonely." I'll just have my old lady stick it up like a New Year's picture for a few days. He was worried. He hoped the orchids painted by Chi Wu’s grandmother were colored. What if they were simple black ink wash paintings? His grandmother would mistake them for scrap paper—all dark and murky—she wouldn't appreciate that at all.

Chi Wu cautioned, "Grandma, don't be too picky. My old lady just likes to look at the lively aspect; if we don't care for them well, you'll feel sorry for them."

Chi Wu's grandfather was pleased with his grandson’s handling of the situation. They were family, after all; they should understand and forgive each other. If a minor conflict arose over a painting, how irritating would that be?

Chi Wu’s grandmother chided, "How can you talk like that, child? How could you be so casual about something given to your grandmother? Your grandmother just likes lively things; I can just pick one that has color."

Cheng Ying breathed a sigh of relief; this was somewhat acceptable.

Chi Wu felt his grandmother was being truly generous. After all, when people visited their home, they usually sought the old lady's calligraphy, and they had to consider her mood.

After the casual talk, the elder couple began to discuss serious matters.

The grandfather said, "Caring for the elderly is the responsibility of you young people, but you can't let it interfere with your studies. If you get too busy, we are here; we can lend a hand. You should head back to school soon."

Chi Wu replied, "I'm returning to school tomorrow. Yingzi was supposed to go back today." The implication was that to visit them, Yingzi had skipped school today.

Chi Wu’s grandmother added, "You’re in the same city; it’s convenient to travel back and forth. Don't make special trips and neglect your studies, especially Yingzi; what you are studying requires even more diligence."

Cheng Ying thought to himself that he already regretted his path a little. Being a doctor—if the technique isn't good enough, if the morals aren't up to par—you carry human lives on your conscience. The responsibility is heavy, perhaps a bit too much for his easygoing nature.

Unfortunately, changing majors now would not only be embarrassing for him, but his own grandmother would likely get furious. "I know, I will work hard. Sorry to make Grandpa and Grandma worry."

See? As long as Cheng Ying was willing, he could charm anyone into a cheerful mood. In his previous life, he had clawed his way up from the bottom, having been a mere office worker.

Chi Wu’s grandmother noticed the dark circles under both children’s eyes; it was clear they hadn't rested well. These past few days had been tough on them. "Auntie is going to make lunch. You two eat before you leave, and go upstairs to rest for a while first."

Chi Wu’s grandfather reassured them, "I was worrying needlessly. Listen to your grandma. Go get some rest. I've seen how tired you two have been lately."

Chi Wu pulled Cheng Ying along, walking upstairs confidently, specifically wanting his grandmother to see so she wouldn't prepare two separate rooms—they shared a room. This was Chi Wu’s greatest dissatisfaction with his grandmother; she simply didn't grasp the customs of the village.

Chi Wu's grandparents watched the closing door. The old man spoke to his wife, "Do you know why our grandson doesn't want to stay home?"

Chi Wu's grandmother thought, How would I know what they are like? This is too much. They aren't even married, and they are still students—what is this all about? If word got out, she would feel embarrassed for both children. "What kind of ridiculous custom is this? Is an engagement the same as marriage?"

The old man replied, "But your grandson likes this custom. If you want your grandson to come home more often, you have to follow this custom." The old man didn't mention that since his grandson was the one being courted, this custom was inherent to the arrangement. He didn't dare say it for fear of upsetting his wife.

Chi Wu’s grandmother turned and went into the courtyard to look at her peonies, which had just sprouted new buds. What on earth is Mrs. Cheng thinking?

Cheng Ying had always known that the Chi family had prepared rooms for them, but he had never felt the urge to look inside, because in his heart, he never expected those rooms would ever be used. But now, stepping in just like this, and lying on the bed in the room, actually using it—his feelings were quite complex.

Cuddled in the bed by Chi Wu, Cheng Ying didn't forget to look around. He could only say that Chi Wu’s grandmother had much better taste than he did. Cheng Ying found the room elegant in every detail, not much inferior to his own 'elegant space.' He wondered what artistic atmosphere would emerge if Chi Wu’s grandmother were managing his space. And the feeling of the bed was wonderful. Since arriving here, he had been sleeping on heated brick beds. He had bid farewell to beds a long time ago.

Chi Wu held his wife, immensely happy, and chuckled, "Yingzi, our bridal chamber!" Chi Wu meant that the two of them were lying in their marital bed.

Cheng Ying and Chi Wu were never on the same wavelength. "Even if we marry, our bridal chamber will be at my place." This had to be stated upfront. Just because they were lying on someone else's bed didn't mean he belonged to their family.

Chi Wu shot up. Ever since they got engaged, Chi Wu knew Cheng Ying resisted talking about the future and had never dared to mention 'later' in front of him. Even though his wife’s tone differed from his, hearing the word "marriage" from Cheng Ying’s mouth filled Chi Wu with joy. No, it made him excited to the point of being slightly awkward.

Chi Wu immediately declared, "Yingzi, I have no objection. I have no objection where our bridal chamber is." Chi Wu harbored zero rebellious feelings toward his wife. She didn't ask for much; Chi Wu was content just knowing his wife considered marriage at all.

Cheng Ying realized what he'd said. "Get lost, who is talking about getting married?"

Chi Wu protested, "Why can't we talk about marriage? We're engaged; the next step is marriage. Why don't you want to think about it? What do you mean?" People are prone to pressing their luck. Chi Wu hadn't dared to mention the future before, but after hearing Cheng Ying’s words, he seized the opportunity to nail down a wedding date.

Cheng Ying felt marriage was too soon. Besides, he truly didn't want to let this boy have his way so easily. Was he that simple to calculate? Dream on. "Sleep. What are you strutting about for?"

Chi Wu shook Cheng Ying, who was trying to sleep. "Tell me what you're unsatisfied with about me. Why don't you want to think about getting married?" Chi Wu felt wronged. In the village, after an engagement, couples usually became intimate. He didn't have that privilege. Chi Wu didn't dare ask for parity with others, considering this a step back, yet Yingzi was still dissatisfied? If they didn't marry, he wouldn't even be able to get closer to his wife. Thus, Chi Wu was anxious, genuinely anxious.

Cheng Ying said, "Why get married so young? Stop going to school?"

Chi Wu argued, "You can still go to school after getting married. Why can’t you think about it? I haven't even been intimate with you, so why can't you think about marriage?" Chi Wu had let his tongue run loose; otherwise, he wouldn't have said that. Cheng Ying shot up, his face flushing, but what was more infuriating was that Chi Wu dared to shout that out loud. "Are you feeling wronged? You wretched child, I knew you had ulterior motives! You think I’m easy to fool, don't you?"

Chi Wu immediately wilted. "That's not what I meant, my brilliant wife. I was just comparing us to the young couples after an engagement in the village; it meant nothing. I am so honest!"

Cheng Ying had wanted to bring up the matter of their engagement, but he felt that saying it out loud would only make things easier for Chi Wu. He decided to let the boy feel guilty for a while. Serves him right.

Cheng Ying declared, "Let me tell you this: regardless of our village background, our home is now in the city. All customs must follow the city's rules. Stop thinking about silly things; there are no such easy benefits."

Chi Wu wore a long face. Why did I get so excited? I just sentenced myself to life imprisonment. It was better before; at least there was hope. "I'll listen to you. So, when are we getting married? You have to give me a date."

Cheng Ying replied, "Depends on your performance." Chi Wu comforted himself: it was better than being completely ignored.

Staring at the ceiling, he finally slept quietly, with all hope gone. What was I excited about? If he had just quietly held his wife to sleep, none of this would have happened. If he had started by working on his grandmother, perhaps the marriage would have been settled before they even graduated university. But now, he couldn't even start with his grandmother; Cheng Ying wouldn't let him off.

So, after sleeping through the entire morning, Chi Wu emerged for lunch looking even less energetic than before he slept. Chi Wu’s grandmother looked on with pity. "Why don't you sleep a little longer after lunch? Look how listless he is."

Cheng Ying took a deep breath. This man deserves a good thrashing. Does he really need to be this dispirited over something so small? It's just a wedding date; they'll get married sooner or later. Can he still run away now? Even if Chi Wu wanted to run, Cheng Ying wouldn't allow it.

Chi Wu replied, "It's nothing, Grandma. I just woke up and feel sluggish. I’ll be fine after eating. Yingzi and I will go out for a stroll."

The grandfather chimed in, "A stroll is good, a stroll is good. Young people should walk around more. You two have been too tired lately. Fine, you don't need to keep us company; leave after lunch."

Cheng Ying joked, "Are you trying to get rid of us? We haven't even finished eating, and you're already shooing us out."

The grandfather replied with some humor, "Well, if I keep you here, you’ll get annoyed with me, and Wu Zi will get annoyed with me for keeping you away from him!"

Cheng Ying flushed. See? Meeting an indiscreet boyfriend means getting teased like this.

Chi Wu quickly said, "Grandpa, eat quickly." He couldn't bear to see his wife teased.

Chi Wu’s grandmother sighed. She could see it clearly with these two children; they were both devoted to each other. For this reason alone, even for her grandson’s sake, she had to treat Yingzi well from now on. Her grandson had suffered enough slight disappointments in his life; she couldn't let him down on this matter.

The two left the courtyard hand-in-hand after their meal. The elderly couple watched them go, feeling content.

Chi Wu felt that buying a car so early didn't have many benefits now; he couldn't even hold his wife's hand for longer.

Cheng Ying said, "Let's go to the cinema." Chi Wu was excited; it felt like their first date. "Okay, the cinema."

As he got out of the car, Chi Wu rubbed his hands nervously. A date! He had seen others date but had no practical experience himself. Moreover, as a man today, he hadn't performed well; his wife was the one who asked him out. He needed to be more proactive next time.