Cheng Ying dressed and asked, feigning casualness, "What about the petals? Why weren't these notes cleaned up with them?"

Chi Wu glanced at his wife, offering no visible reaction. "They were put away. Hurry up; Grandma is waiting for us to eat."

With that, he went about his business. Seeing Yingzi's slight discomfort, he didn't bring up the matter of the petals.

Cheng Ying felt unsettled, caught in an awkward spot. She thought about how Wu Zi hadn't even asked a single question, which, admittedly, saved her the trouble of explaining.

Keeping a secret was truly difficult, especially when you and Wu Zi were meant to be the most intimate people to each other. It was better to clear things up with Wu Zi sooner rather than later.

Both he and Wu Zi were people who guarded their secrets closely. Cheng Ying didn't particularly mind the concealment; it just felt unnecessary because the space she possessed hadn't exactly manifested any otherworldly, celestial powers—it wasn't shocking. Its usefulness was more for idle matters.

Since Wu Zi didn't seem concerned, she decided to mention it later.

After tidying up, the two stepped outside and stood by the door, looking perfectly matched.

Cheng Ying deliberately glanced at the large mirror by the entrance a few times; her mood inexplicably brightened. A handsome man and a beautiful woman—how well they suited each other.

Chi Wu's eyes flicked sideways, the corners of his mouth perpetually turned up.

Chi Wu felt that even when he was admitted to university or named a Top Ten Youth, he hadn't felt this triumphant. Years of anticipation—this felt like a dream realized overnight.

He squeezed Yingzi's hand tighter. Self-satisfaction—that was exactly what Chi Wu felt in that moment.

Cheng Ming, that irritating person, arrived early that morning, instantly spoiling the mood. "Do you have to drag her off first thing in the morning? It’s only a few steps; are you afraid she'll get lost?"

Chi Wu didn't bother engaging him much. "I want to, she's my wife."

Cheng Ying tilted her head up, pretending not to hear his teasing. Does he think he can embarrass me? My skin is thicker than that. "Why are you so annoying?"

Miao Miao shuffled over from the backyard, rubbing her head, looking listless. "Sister, I made a huge sacrifice for you; you have to treat me well. Can I get a red envelope?"

Chi Wu chimed in, "You sacrificed for your brother-in-law! Brother-in-law will treat you well from now on. Here you go, be good, have a red envelope." He somehow produced several large red envelopes from nowhere.

Miao Miao looked at Chi Wu, pouted, and turned away with affected pride, but not before snatching the envelopes.

Cheng Ying's jaw nearly dropped; she hadn't heard about preparing red envelopes today. But if everyone was happy and willing to give, then so be it. "My Miao Miao is much more aloof than you are."

Wu Zi was in high spirits. "Young brothers-in-law, they all have their little tempers. It's fine, I can handle it. I prepared the red envelopes long ago."

Chi Ye called from behind, "Brother, see? I'm the thoughtful one."

Chi Wu smiled at his younger brother, tossing him a red envelope as well. "Mm, later when you talk about your wife, I’ll cover your drinking." Now that was a real brother.

Chi Ye held out his hand. "I want a red envelope too!"

Cheng Ying interjected, "Did I give you less money? Go wash up and eat."

Chi Wu protested. "Only one, why ask for two?"

Chi Ye appealed. "Aren't we real brothers?" Chi Wu pulled out another one.

Cheng Ming stepped in. "What about me? Where's my red envelope?"

Chi Wu replied, "You're the elder brother-in-law; I forgot."

Cheng Ying quickly smoothed things over. "How could I forget? When I get married, I'll organize everyone to celebrate you properly. Really, don't worry."

That statement sent a chill down Cheng Ming's spine. "Hearing you say that, I'm starting to feel a bit of marriage anxiety."

Cheng Ying shot back, "Unless you never get married, you just wait."

Chi Wu chuckled; his wife was avenging him. No rush—he doubted anyone would refuse marriage over something this minor.

Cheng Ying thought to herself that yesterday's Chi Wu must have been drunk, or else nothing would have dared him to treat her that way.

The thought fueled her resentment. Cheng Ying couldn't let Chi Wu miss out on their wedding night; she even resented Cheng Ming for plying him with alcohol.

Early that morning, two tables were already set up in the old lady's room—how lively it was!

Cheng Ying and Chi Wu entered, and the old lady examined the young couple with sharp eyes. "Good, good. Wu Zi, come here quickly; Grandma cooked soup for you."

Cheng Ying turned her head; indeed, a tonic was necessary. Overindulgence was harmful, and this young man was certainly taxing her health.

Old Aunt brought over a bowl of chicken soup. "Your grandma made this for you—black chicken soup." The look and tone in her voice made it difficult for Cheng Ying to drink.

Cheng Ying gave the Old Aunt a sharp look but still drank the soup. It was Grandma's kindness, after all. Besides, if she wanted children, she needed to regulate her body well; healthy parents produced healthy children.

Healthy reproduction was crucial; this was practically responding to the nation's call. Wasn't their man a Top Ten Youth?

Chi Wu slyly glanced at his wife. Seeing Cheng Ying drink the soup, Chi Wu's mood soared. He opened his mouth wide and downed the entire bowl the old lady had served him in one gulp. Hehe.

In truth, Chi Wu’s eyes hadn't left Cheng Ying for the entire breakfast. Although he tried to watch her subtly, to everyone in the room concerned with the newlyweds, his gaze was undeniably sticky.

The old lady sighed. "Oh, I've been worn out these past two days; I just want a good long sleep. You all go have fun; I'll stay in my room for a while."

Old Aunt said, "Mom, we're leaving tomorrow. We're worried about the two young ones being home alone during the New Year."

Cheng Ying offered, "That's perfect; I'll go out with Old Aunt to get some New Year supplies."

The old lady replied, "You two run around; just don't drag me along."

The Eldest Uncle said, "After three days, you two come back with us; we'll visit your grandfather's grave before returning."

Cheng Ying and Chi Wu agreed, "We'll listen to Eldest Uncle."

And so, Chi Wu spent the day dragging Cheng Ming and the others to clean the courtyard. Chi Wu had taken note of everything his wife had said yesterday.

Cheng Ying went out with Old Aunt and the Eldest and Second Aunt to shop for New Year's goods. Cheng Ying realized she had made a mistake; for a woman newly married just yesterday, she shouldn't be out traipsing around today—it was exhausting.

When Cheng Ying emerged from the department store, she saw Chi Wu waiting outside, dressed cheerfully. Seeing his wife, he strode toward her. "Tired? Let me carry that. You rest in the car."

Cheng Ying turned, surrounded by people, and didn't dare utter a word. He was being too unrestrained.

Cheng Ying felt this behavior wasn't like her at all; she was actually too embarrassed by Chi Wu to speak.

Old Aunt exclaimed, "Oh, look, Wu Zi knows how to dote on people! Don't tell me you came to pick us up; I don't believe it!"

Second Aunt said, "Wu Zi, you haven't seen me much lately; stop talking nonsense. You two go back first; your Old Aunt, Eldest Aunt, and I still have a lot to buy. We'll look around a bit longer."

Cheng Ying started to say, "I'll stay with you," but Chi Wu secretly tried to tug her away.

Old Aunt cut in, "No way, your Grandma will scold us later. Go on now."

Chi Wu said, "Then we're leaving. Old Aunt, I'll come pick you up later."

Old Aunt retorted, "No need. You know where we are; we'll come back ourselves."

Cheng Ying turned sideways; how artificial this young man was being! Only Old Aunt was honest enough to be polite with him.

Chi Wu tucked his wife into the car, and the two of them drove off.

Second Aunt commented, "Yingzi is truly blessed."

Old Aunt sighed. "Alas, if Third Brother were here, it would be wonderful. Seeing Yingzi like this, he wouldn't know how relieved he'd be. Third Brother just wasn't fated to be happy."

Eldest Aunt was slightly displeased. "Young people, always messing around."

Second Aunt realized now that the Eldest Wife wasn't well-liked, but she didn't need to compete now; her own popularity was better. "Alright, let's go look around."

Old Aunt glanced at her Eldest Sister-in-law, then at her Second Sister-in-law. "Let's go."

Chi Wu asked, "Yingzi, are you alright?"

Cheng Ying snapped back, "What could be wrong with me? Just drive properly." How could he ask that? What am I supposed to say? Honestly.

Chi Wu pursed his lips and handed Cheng Ying a thermos. "Mom sent this over this morning. Drink it quickly."

Cheng Ying thought, Mom is still the best. She took the cup and drank the warm water, which tasted faintly of herbs. She felt much more comfortable.

Chi Wu recalled what Yang Zhi had said to him that morning and looked at Yingzi with a tinge of concern. "If I had known, I wouldn't have let you come out. Why didn't you say anything?"

Cheng Ying turned her head to look outside. "Is your courtyard cleaned up?"

Chi Wu replied, "The others are cleaning it. You don't need to worry about it. Are you tired or not?"

Cheng Ying firmly steered away from his line of questioning. "Hey, let's go to Uncle Gan's small shop and get some flowers and plants for Grandma. You've managed to kill off all the non-blooming things in the warming room."

Chi Wu countered, "No need. It'll be perfect to show them off when the first month of the Lunar New Year arrives."

Having heard Yang Zhi's words, Chi Wu was entirely focused on getting Cheng Ying back home to rest warmly on the kang.

Cheng Ying asked, "Why go back so early?"

Chi Wu stated, "To sleep."

Hearing this, Cheng Ying felt annoyed. "Wu Zi, you've hidden that wolfish nature quite deeply, haven't you? You must have been tortured?"

Chi Wu didn't blush; he truly had been tortured. "It's fine, I didn't hold back too much. Don't worry."

Cheng Ying glared at Chi Wu, who was driving beside her. This was a new record; the boy actually dared to make suggestive jokes with her.

She truly didn't recognize him anymore.

For Chi Wu, acting crudely toward his wife was like throwing open a gate. He grabbed Cheng Ying's hand. "Feel it, it really isn't broken."

Cheng Ying was so stunned she didn't know how to react. Had he been possessed? That shy, reserved, easily embarrassed Chi Wu who used to blush around her—how could he be this rough?

Chi Wu looked at his stunned wife, laughed heartily, and kissed her cheek. The car snaked haphazardly for a good distance.

Cheng Ying came back to her senses. "Drive properly, you liar! Don't tell me you're carrying the marriage certificate around as a shield; I don't believe it!"

Chi Wu chuckled slyly. "That was me showing my best side during the courtship process."

Cheng Ying challenged him, "And now?"

Chi Wu shamelessly replied, "That's me being honest with my marriage, with my wife—showing my truest self."

Cheng Ying shivered. I'm supposed to be reborn, and I ended up being duped by this brat. "I don't care what stage you're in; on their wedding day, Chi Wu got bitten by his wife for the second time."

Life from now on might just be lived under siege. She wondered if Wu Zi had any awareness of what was coming.

Chi Wu groaned. "Ow, gently, gently! Couldn't you wait until tonight?"

Cheng Ying shot back, "I can't wait anymore, Chi Wu. You remember that."

Chi Wu tried to placate her. "Alright, alright, don't get agitated, don't be angry. I have plenty of other good qualities; we can discover them slowly."

Cheng Ying frowned darkly, I'll deal with you yet.

The old lady, perhaps exhausted from the recent events, slept for a long time. Cheng Ying rested with her, but Chi Wu, acting like he had hyperactive disorder, kept pacing into the room, clearly dissatisfied. They have their own room; why is he always coming here...?