Gao Yue tilted her chin up, her expression haughty, as if detached from earthly concerns. "Honestly, staying at the hotel would have been perfectly fine."

Before she could say more, Lin Luo sensed that whatever Gao Yue uttered next wouldn't please her much. She decisively strode over and grabbed Cheng Ying's arm. "I'm starving. I’ll go look around with you. Don’t lecture me on the etiquette of being a guest now, alright?"

The two of them left in tandem, deliberately ignoring Gao Yue's impending remark.

Cheng Ying was genuinely relieved to escape the brilliant, beautiful woman. "I actually have no idea about your tastes. It would be best if you could go with me and offer some guidance."

Once Lin Luo and Cheng Ying were out of earshot, Lin Luo commented, "Senior Sister Gao is a bit arrogant, but her academic work is quite good."

Cheng Ying nodded, thinking that Lin Luo was quite a decent person for not speaking ill of someone behind their back. "Beautiful, talented, and she certainly has the means to be arrogant."

Cheng Ying truly believed that.

Lin Luo chuckled lightly. "I think I’ll wander around the courtyard instead. The kitchen doesn't really suit me; I generally don't go near them."

Cheng Ying understood. A person who dedicated most of her time to academic research and invention probably had little time for cooking. Compared to her, she felt quite useless. "Wait right there. It’s a rare chance to relax; I’ll whip up something delicious for you. If you’re willing, there are shears over there; you can snip some grapes. And there’s a wooden tub. Take a whole lot back for your old man; he’ll surely treasure it. Anyone who likes fish usually loves this sort of thing."

Lin Luo clapped her hands. "That’s fantastic! I haven’t been home in half a year; I have nothing suitable to offer him. Thanks, you have impeccable taste!"

Without needing any further urging from Cheng Ying, Lin Luo grabbed the shears and dragged over a stool, immediately getting down to work with brisk efficiency, and certainly showed no restraint whatsoever.

Cheng Ying was stunned. She must have scoped out the yard the moment she stepped in. "You have the potential to be a bandit, you know."

Lin Luo didn't even look down, her hands never ceasing their work, replying dryly to Cheng Ying, "Just so-so."

Cheng Ying headed towards Sister Rong’s kitchen.

The group of men inside watched Lin Luo outside. "What is she doing?"

Chi Wu glanced at the three women outside, who had now separated into three distinct groups. "Picking grapes for my place."

Chu Feng looked unconvinced. "Lin Luo, is she really that industrious?"

Gao Yue walked over. "She’s preparing to make wine. Is that how guests behave?"

Chu Feng found this intriguing. "What’s the meaning of that? Can we take some away?"

Chi Wu glanced at Gao Yue but didn't address her directly. "My wife is generous."

Chu Feng declared, "I'm a man, so I certainly won't fight a woman for things. After we eat, I’m taking a tub too. Don't say I didn't give you a heads-up, buddy."

Gao Yue turned away and let out a dismissive 'Hmph,' the underlying dissatisfaction audible to everyone.

Chu Feng immediately turned and mused aloud, "All beautiful women have that kind of pride. A good man needs a tolerant and easygoing temperament, otherwise, you’ll never end up with a beautiful wife."

That statement was too classic. The junior disciple standing nearby chimed in, "Exactly! All beautiful women have that temper. I definitely wouldn't aim for a beautiful wife; I couldn't handle it!"

Because of this remark, Chi Wu, who was about to retort, "My wife is much prettier than her, and she has a great temper," swallowed his words. He decided to keep good things to himself. Showing off his wife was the act of a simpleton.

As wise people, they shouldn't commit such foolish acts.

Consequently, everyone assumed Chi Wu admired beautiful women with tempers like Gao Yue's. It was quite a painful misunderstanding.

At dinner, everyone observed the usually haughty young lady showering the elderly Mrs. Cheng with compliments, perfectly poised and polite. She was the model of a well-bred young lady.

Chu Feng said, "See? With women, you never truly know what’s going on in their minds."

Chi Wu sat next to Cheng Ying, whispering softly to her. Cheng Ying caught snippets and thought to herself that Gao Yue clearly wanted to play the mistress, and quite actively at that.

She couldn't fathom how this proud and capable young woman could harbor such low-class notions. "Her upbringing couldn't have been flawed, given that Wu Zi graduated from the same institution, and her character seems fine."

Chi Wu turned to Cheng Ying, "Thank you for the praise, thank you for your affirmation."

Chu Feng, standing nearby, interjected, "Affirmation is fine; didn't you see how upright we all are?"

Cheng Ying countered, "Then it must be an issue of character, of aspiration. Senior Sister Gao is innately kind to the elderly."

This explanation effectively silenced Chu Feng. If he had criticized Gao Yue, she wouldn't have said a word, and she hadn't even passed judgment on her character. But to say that now felt like empty flattery, and it sounded awkward no matter how you heard it.

Chi Wu felt uneasy. "I never knew Grandma was so fond of beautiful girls."

Cheng Ying smiled sweetly at Chi Wu. "Oh? Is she very beautiful?"

Chi Wu immediately changed his tune. "No wonder Grandma adores you so much."

Chu Feng looked at the couple, realizing things were different from what he expected. Wu Zi was quite submissive in front of his wife. Looking at Gao Yue again, it seemed things weren't so straightforward. That girl was in for trouble.

Cheng Ying turned to Chi Wu. This unlucky fellow’s mind was turning faster and faster lately. She wondered if it was due to her pregnancy, but her own thoughts couldn't keep up with Chi Wu's now. "I'll eventually be tricked by you."

Chi Wu responded, "I think from the day you married me, you’ve already been successfully tricked by me."

Chu Feng exclaimed, "Can you two stop provoking people? You have a family and a career, deliberately tormenting us bachelors! Show off your affection somewhere else!"

Cheng Ying thought to herself that it was better for them to be affectionate so others wouldn't get ideas. Did she want to have this unpleasant conversation in front of them? Couldn't the two of them go back to their room and be as intimate as they pleased? It was all because of that beautiful woman across the table.

Overall, the meal was quite good, except for Gao Yue's peculiar mindset and differing ambitions. Cheng Ying felt that Chi Wu’s research colleagues should be able to keep her within the fold, especially considering the favorable conditions Chi Wu offered, which were enough to make someone less than refined want to stay.

Those pursuing higher ideals would certainly need more time to consider. Later, looking at everyone’s demeanor, Cheng Ying said just one thing to Chi Wu: "We are all merely mortals caught in the mortal coil."

They hadn't stepped outside the Three Realms yet.

As Gao Yue was leaving, however, the old lady detained her, speaking to the young woman for a long time, and even letting her touch her prized, golden-egg-laying hen.

Cheng Ying pursed her lips. She couldn't imagine how many times Gao Yue would wash her hands once she got back to the hotel. The old lady had such poor judgment; didn't she see that Miss Gao clearly wasn't someone who cherished small animals?

The old lady praised Gao Yue to Cheng Ying. "That girl is so beautiful, and she was willing to talk to me."

Cheng Ying countered, "I talk to you every day."

The old lady said, "Oh, my great-grandchild." She only remembered her daughter-in-law and granddaughter after the pretty girl had left. Cheng Ying felt like she was the second choice.

Cheng Ying felt a little wronged. "He hasn't been born yet. He's still inside your granddaughter's belly, showing off." So, you should focus on your granddaughter.

The old lady became anxious. "He's not out yet? Why isn't he out yet? I’m getting impatient waiting!"

Cheng Ying assured her, "Don't worry, he’s more eager than you are to come out and see his great-grandmother."

The old lady corrected Cheng Ying's terminology. "It’s grandmother."

Cheng Ying mumbled, "Now the generation is mixed up again."

Chi Wu intervened, "Alright, stop arguing with Grandma. Whatever she says, that’s what it is." He turned to the old lady. "Grandma, don't be so nice to people next time, Yingzi is getting angry."

The old lady turned around blankly, looking about. "Who?"

Cheng Ying was utterly frustrated. The old lady had just forgotten who that person was the moment she left. Then why had she been chatting so animatedly with her just moments before? It was maddening, this dear grandmother.

After helping the old lady settle down and soothing her to rest, the two returned to their room.

Sister Rong watched from the side, thinking she had never seen such filial children. The old lady was sometimes so confused she didn't know who she was, yet when speaking to the children, they treated her with utmost seriousness, as if she were perfectly lucid.

If the old lady made a mistake, they would patiently correct her for a long time. What young person today would have that kind of patience? Even if they started off patient, they couldn't guarantee they wouldn't get distracted over time.

But these two children had been treating their grandmother this way for two or three years. No wonder the old lady was considered blessed.

Encountering such descendants was the greatest fortune.

There were many elderly people in the old lady's condition, but few who remained lucid enough to recall things clearly after being confused for so long. The old lady was the only one who occasionally returned to lucidity.

This was all due to the children's dedication. Moreover, the food and drink the old lady consumed were not things everyone would be willing to spend on. It was destiny. Sister Rong felt a touch of melancholy, wondering what her own descendants would be like when she aged.

Back in their room, Cheng Ying unleashed her martial prowess on Chi Wu, who dodged while thinking, My wife does have a good temper, but she's certainly a bit violent sometimes. Just a bit. He certainly couldn't tell anyone else this; it was a family secret.

Cheng Ying snapped, "Let me tell you, Chi Wu, our family isn't short of money. You watch yourself. We don't rely on your meager earnings from selling your body."

Chi Wu rubbed his arm and leg. "That’s such a miscarriage of justice! I wouldn't sell my body for anything."

Cheng Ying slammed the table. "Not even selling your looks is acceptable!"

Chi Wu quickly moved to rub her hand. "Easy now, old lady. I have no looks worth sacrificing. Yingzi, think about it—all these years, besides looking at you, have my eyes ever rested on anyone else?"

Cheng Ying knew it wasn't Chi Wu's fault. She could control Chi Wu from looking at others, but she couldn't control others from looking at Chi Wu. She didn't have that kind of power. "Fine. From now on, don't bring just anyone home. It upsets me, and it affects my son's development."

Chi Wu exclaimed, "That's a serious issue! I should blame myself for lax vetting. How did I not realize there was such a dangerously ambitious presence here? It's inexcusable. You need to rest well and make sure nothing disturbs the baby."

Cheng Ying truly understood Chi Wu's character. If he looked at Gao Yue, he was certainly looking at her capabilities, not her appearance.

However, that girl's air of arrogance was truly excessive—too much disdain for others. "I notice you don't seem overly fond of children usually."

Chi Wu replied, "I’m still a child myself! No, wait—you like having children, right? We’re having a baby, naturally, we want the best one. Also, you can't let the child be violent like you. If it’s both of you mothers, I’ll have a very hard life. We need to keep our moods calm, understand? Calm."

Cheng Ying challenged him, "You say I’m violent, and you can’t handle it?"

Chi Wu quickly backtracked. "Metaphor! A poor choice of words!" He swore to the heavens that his vocabulary was impoverished and he had misspoken. It took considerable effort to soothe his suddenly flared-up wife.

After placating Grandma, he then placated his wife. When Cheng Ying finally rested, Chi Wu went out to complain to Cheng Ming, who had just returned. "You can't mess with a pregnant woman! Yingzi has such a good temper, but just because she’s pregnant, her mood has changed, and she’s become exceptionally unreasonable."