This was the elder’s first expression of dissatisfaction with Chi Wu; he had been giving his grandson face just now.

Chi Wu glanced at Chi Yong, who remained silent beside him. "Yingzi and I have been together for so long; it's the same whether we get married or not. Since we live in the city, registering the marriage would just be more convenient."

It was the same excuse as before.

Old Mrs. Chi chimed in, "If the children are to marry, it’s only a matter of time. Young people get excited; what’s there to discuss? Given the relationship between our two families, could anything really change in the future?"

This was an old woman who had truly thought things through after a painful realization.

The elder looked at his wife, thinking, So now you understand, but don't you think the two children are moving too fast? He couldn't voice this question, so he glanced at his son.

Chi Yong felt he was the most miserable one. Why do you all look at me before saying anything? Why? There's really nothing for me to do here.

Old Mrs. Chi wasn't entirely satisfied either. "It's just, Wu Zi, when was the last time our home had a lively gathering? How can you just casually get married? If you ask me, we should invite all our relatives and friends over so everyone can get to know Yingzi."

The old lady was purely thinking from her own perspective. If everyone knew her future granddaughter-in-law, it would save her the trouble of wavering and being persuaded by some better girl she saw later, only to cause trouble at home.

Old Mrs. Cheng tugged at her granddaughter. "Yingzi, didn't we agree? Marriage after graduation—why has it changed?"

Cheng Ying thought, Grandma might be muddled sometimes, but when it comes to my affairs, she’s never confused. "Grandma, I've calculated it. Getting married now is fine; it won't affect our studies. Wu Zi will graduate from university in June, by the New Year. Won't our family be wonderful then? Maybe you can even hold a great-grandchild!"

The old woman was absolutely set on having a great-grandchild. Hearing this, no matter how conflicted she felt, she stopped arguing. "Well, that’s not bad either."

It was estimated that, just to hold a great-grandchild, the old woman would agree if Cheng Ying said she needed to take a two-year leave of absence from school.

Cheng Ying continued, "Exactly! Besides, Wu Zi has been living with us for so long; is there anything about him you’re dissatisfied with?"

The old lady answered decisively, "No."

"See? We should have given him proper status a long time ago. And another thing—if this lad earns a fortune later, won't it be more legitimate for me to manage the family assets once we’re married? Right?"

The old lady glanced outside and shot her granddaughter a look. "Don't push it too far. It has to be what Wu Zi himself is willing to do. But what you said isn't wrong either. Men—their pockets can't be too full. If they don't have money, they make fewer mistakes."

This supported the granddaughter's idea, though the old lady phrased it delicately.

Cheng Ying pursed her lips; she had managed to fool the old lady just like that. She hadn't mentioned whether she would graduate after Chi Wu did. It was Medical School; Cheng Ying felt she didn't need to be too attached to the major.

When she chose this major initially, she never intended to save all humankind; she just thought it would be nice to have some medical knowledge since there were elders in the family.

If she insisted on the profession, it seemed like putting the cart before the horse.

Cheng Ying touched her belly. If they could truly marry and have children, that wouldn't be bad. After all, with a mental age approaching forty, she really longed for a child of her own. She probably desired a child more than Chi Wu did.

The mother and daughter chattered for a long time. Perhaps the old woman's mind wasn't as sharp these days; in any case, Cheng Ying managed to deceive her.

After serving the old woman to sleep, Cheng Ying came out and seriously contemplated whether the old lady was muddled or not. Why did it feel harder to fool her grandmother than to fool Chi Wu?

Looking back at the sleeping old woman, Cheng Ying wondered if she had been tricked by a wolf disguised as a sheep. Was the old woman's usual absentmindedness feigned? Why was she so sharp when it came to her marriage? It was too strange.

Chi Wu was waiting for Cheng Ying in the courtyard. Seeing her emerge, he stepped forward. "How was it? Am I now legitimately managing the family assets for you?"

Cheng Ying looked at the slightly smug Chi Wu. "That's me thinking highly of you."

Chi Wu rubbed his nose. "I think you have good judgment; you can see my future glory."

"Aren't you afraid of getting scorched?"

Chi Wu followed his wife inside, thinking she might just be embarrassed, which explained her sharp tone. "Are you a little nervous?"

Cheng Ying spread her hands. "You think I'm nervous?"

"I think you look a bit anxious. It’s just getting married; it’s nothing. Relax, I’m here."

Cheng Ying looked at Chi Wu. Why did his tone sound so wrong? "How about you? It’s just marriage; aren't you nervous?"

"Not nervous at all. Who doesn't get married?"

"Exactly. Just treat it as early rehearsal. Who knows how many more times you might get married in the future, right?"

Cheng Ying worried about the divorce rates in the years to come.

Chi Wu’s mood shifted faster than turning a page. His face instantly changed. "What are you saying? Cheng Ying, how can you be like this? We aren't even married yet, and you’re already thinking about divorce. What do you take me for? What do you mean? You’re doing this on purpose, aren't you?" With that, he walked away.

Cheng Ying stared at the swaying cotton door curtain. What kind of anger can make a cotton curtain float? This man can't be indulged. And married women really do lose value; look, she wasn't even married yet, just discussing the wedding, and Chi Wu already dared to give her a cold shoulder. If they married, who knew what would happen?

Cheng Ying felt that her glorious, youthful, bright, expansive life had just reached a starting point, only to be pushed down.

Perhaps she had no destiny with such peaks in the future.

But thinking that she was at least hooking up with a rich and handsome guy, it wasn't a total loss.

In her previous life, she hadn't had this ability; otherwise, she wouldn't have been angered to death by a 'phoenix man.'

After comforting herself like this for a long while, Cheng Ying felt a little better. Maybe she really had pre-marital jitters. Who could understand the worries of a forty-plus-year-old lonely soul facing the prospect of a home, property, a husband, and children?

Chi Wu’s words had been right: Cheng Ying was indeed nervous. And not just generally nervous; Cheng Ying didn't know how to face Chi Wu, with whom she was about to register her marriage certificate.

There was also Cheng Ying’s anxiety. They had held hands, they had kissed, but they had remained quite pure. Facing the imminent issues, as a woman who had always been in the dominant position, Cheng Ying was truly considering: What exactly should I do? Can I remain as formidable as ever on this issue? She felt this issue was so tangled that she couldn't just figure it out by raising an eyebrow, let alone an arm.

Unfortunately, Chi Wu and Cheng Ying were never considering the same level of problems.

Chi Wu was worried too. He was willing to marry her from the bottom of his heart, but he couldn't help feeling unwilling. For what reason is Yingzi marrying me? Chi Wu felt depressed thinking about this. He must fancy his weakest point—she was already thinking of divorce before they were even married.

Chi Wu hid in the back den, the place where that brat Cheng Ming secretly stashed alcohol. For Chi Wu, who wanted to drown his sorrows, the conditions were quite convenient.

He picked up the wine and drank too much. Even the best wine burns going down without food, and it certainly wouldn't feel good on the stomach.

And Chi Wu understood this in his heart: Was he being overly dramatic? Instead of waiting for Cheng Ying to come find him, Chi Wu went back to the room himself. What is this smell in Cheng Ming's room? Why is it so foul?

Cheng Ying was dissatisfied with having to take care of a man who was drunk before they were even married; this was a preview of their future life.

But Chi Wu kept stirring things up, tossing and turning and refusing to sleep, tormenting Cheng Ying. Cheng Ying felt like crying but had no tears. If only he would become sexually aggressive in his drunkenness, it would save her the trouble of wondering if she could handle it.

But why was he bothering her like this instead of sleeping? It made her feel like she was forcing him into marriage, when heaven knew Chi Wu was the one who brought up getting married this time.

Cheng Ying got up, threw on a robe, and looked at the bleary-eyed Chi Wu, who was shaking her to keep her awake. "What’s wrong? Are you trying to conduct a sleep-deprivation interrogation? How can you be like this? Didn't you used to sing the national anthem when you were drunk? Why the change in habit?"

Chi Wu stared at her persistent presence. "We aren't married yet, and you're already thinking about divorce. Is that my fault? Tell me, why are you marrying me?"

Cheng Ying didn't believe that Chi Wu, who had been messing around making fruit wine with her since he was ten, could get this drunk. She thought it was more likely he was using the alcohol to pretend to be crazy and cause trouble. "What? You think with your talents and ability, you can force me into marriage?"

Chi Wu stopped making a fuss; he truly didn't have that ability. On the question of whether Yingzi wanted to marry him, she had always been the decision-maker.

On this matter, he was always the passive party.

When he looked up, he still wasn't entirely clear. "You think Grandma is old, and you're marrying me to comfort her and let her have a great-grandchild?"

Only Chi Wu knew how much this perception mattered to him.

Cheng Ying replied, "Yes. You should be grateful I’m not having a child with someone else."

Chi Wu felt wronged. He was drunk, and his wife didn't even bother coaxing him. Did she care about him at all? "Couldn't you just say something sweet? Couldn't you say something else?"

"Then tell me what I should say. If I wasn't willing, could anyone in this house force me?"

Chi Wu felt the air was so good now. "Just say you're willing, and I won't make a fuss."

"Yes, I was willing last time, and you turned around and left."

"That was because I was shy," he then looked at his wife with burning enthusiasm.

As they spoke, they were already lying on the heated brick bed. There would be plenty to do tomorrow. "Stop messing around. You’ve worn out all my sleepiness. What's your problem? Why insist on keeping people awake? If you have an issue, can't you ask during the day?"

"During the day, what would you say?"

Cheng Ying thought, So he was truly waiting for the right time. She propped herself up on one elbow. "I have questions too. I have worries too; can you help me resolve them?"

Chi Wu’s drunken state vanished completely. "What concerns do you have? I want to get married one hundred percent, and it's all for you, without a single divided thought."