Cheng Ying finally understood. She let out a cry of pain quite readily; even if her grandfather hadn't had a daughter, that didn't mean Chi Wu's grandfather hadn't, did it? As long as she didn't have to pay the dowry, let the 'cheap' aunts have him. If all the women in the world became Chi Wu's aunts, she would have no rivals, and the world would be harmonious. After all, as long as Chi Wu was safe and sound, those aunts could never become Little Dragon Girls, right?

Qing Fang felt utterly uncomfortable hearing this. He got all the benefits, and in front of all these people, she didn't want to call Cheng Ying devious and cunning. Even rabbits don't eat the grass near their own burrow, yet Cheng Ying just snatched Chi Wu away. Now that she was pregnant, this woman was an insurmountable obstacle in Qing Fang's adolescence. What did Chi Wu, even if he were an immortal, have to do with her, Qing Fang? Thinking this, she looked at Cheng Ying with such hatred she wished she had been born in the old society, to become his elderly aunt and torment him to death. "It's good that you know. As a junior aunt, I also have to lecture you a bit. Even though the family conditions are good, you shouldn't be extravagant and wasteful outside, paying everyone's bills."

Cheng Ying glanced at Qing Fang. What business is it of yours? But seeing the crowd, she decided to give face. After all, as a housewife, she didn't have to face so many colleagues and classmates. You just keep making trouble. Sooner or later, you'll bring ruin upon yourself. "As long as you don't become a Little Dragon Girl type of aunt, I can always step back and respect you."

Qing Fang felt much better seeing Cheng Ying's demeanor. Being an elder aunt sounded quite nice. "And you order things and then immediately want to drink? Is it easy for Wu Zi to earn money?"

Cheng Ying looked up and swept a glance over Qing Fang. Don't push it; that's my money.

Qing Fang pretended not to see it, but she was slightly weaker in terms of sheer presence. She had only recently started working. Strictly speaking, if Yingzi demanded repayment now, she would have to pay up.

And it would be embarrassing in front of so many people.

Qing Fang, being a reasonable person, knew that since she had no relationship with Chi Wu, she should naturally pay her own bills; there was no reason to have Chi Wu cover them, even if he had been doing so for so many years. That was only because she used to think she and Chi Wu had a future together.

Qing Fang glanced sideways at the relatively quiet Cheng Ying. "At least you shouldn't confine him, right? If you don't want to drink it, you could just pour it out."

The girls nearby felt that Qing Fang was truly formidable. "Yeah, you should just splash it right onto that woman's head! Your aunt is right!" They chattered so much they almost said the child was too kind.

Cheng Ying replied, "Thank you, I've learned my lesson. I'll definitely pay attention next time."

To be honest, hearing Qing Fang say that, Cheng Ying was momentarily stunned. Was this girl telling her she should have thrown it on her earlier?

Qing Fang took a breath as she observed Cheng Ying's good attitude. "Alright, I'll only say this much today. I'll visit Aunt Chi when I have time."

Cheng Ying replied devoutly, "We'll roll out the mats to welcome you. Aunt, you are welcome to visit anytime."

As the girls were leaving, one didn't forget to speak to Cheng Ying. "Don't worry, if your husband says anything to you later, have your elder aunt be your witness. We support you."

Cheng Ying thought that good women were everywhere, and then watched as the young woman Qing Fang swaggered away with her group of pretty friends.

Cheng Ying shuddered. What was wrong with this world? She hurried to go home. Earth was too dangerous; she should return to Mars.

When Chi Wu returned, Cheng Ying had just arrived back. "You came back at this time?"

Chi Wu shot back, "What were you doing going out at this time? Why wasn't Sister Rong with you? Why aren't you resting well at home? With that belly of yours, you can't just wander around aimlessly, can you?"

Cheng Ying was bombarded with questions that immediately sent her own planned confrontation reeling.

Cheng Ying had originally wanted to have a serious talk with Chi Wu, but that mood vanished entirely. "I was just strolling around, and now I'm hungry. Sister Rong's meal must be ready. Let's eat."

Chi Wu persisted, "You still haven't told me what you were doing."

Cheng Ying replied, "You just said it—I'm heavily pregnant, what else could I be doing? Just wandering around, managing things, and irritating people."

Chi Wu seemed genuinely wronged. "I am your husband, the legal other half on your marriage certificate. If I don't ask where you've been, that would be me being irresponsible toward you."

Cheng Ying looked coldly at the indignant young man across from her. He was quite handsome, no wonder people always fought over him. "Can you stop lecturing?"

Chi Wu felt that he hadn't been caring enough about his wife recently. He hadn't heard of anyone Cheng Ying would go out strolling with. This felt a bit out of control.

Chi Wu considered Cheng Ying's usual standards of conduct and speech. To be honest, he felt most at ease when his wife was under his watch. This woman, right now, was not the type with admirable qualities. Chi Wu had a surprisingly accurate assessment of Cheng Ying.

Chi Wu shifted his tone. "Was it fun outside? Were there any good snacks or entertainment? We can go together next time; I'll accompany you."

This was shifting from interrogation to coaxing.

Cheng Ying thought that if someone as capable as this Chi Wu was snatched away by that girl Gao Yue, then that girl must not be from Earth.

She ignored Chi Wu and hurried inside to find something to eat. If this child wasn't fed on time, her stomach would become terribly upset, churning and causing turmoil.

Besides, she had just drunk a sip of lemon juice; her stomach was already producing acid.

Chi Wu's face darkened. He wasn't home much, and Yingzi had no one to look after her. It was better when she was in school; at least Cheng Ming was there, and he knew exactly who Cheng Ying was socializing with.

Now, there was no one to look after her for him; he was completely in the dark.

Chi Wu absolutely refused to admit that Cheng Ming had been keeping an eye on Cheng Ying for him.

It seemed his wife couldn't be a free spirit. School was better; having a job was better, at least then he could keep track of his wife's work status and environment.

How did Cheng Ming choose such a good major? He should ask Cheng Ming which hospital he worked at and arrange for his wife to go there too; then he would be at ease. Chi Wu's thoughts raced quickly.

Sister Rong said, "You two are back together. Yingzi, did you eat with Miss Gao? Do you want to join us for a little more?"

Cheng Ying's eyes lit up at the mention of food. "Yes, yes, I'll have a bowl, some chicken soup would be great too!"

She was so hungry she even craved old hen soup.

Chi Wu reacted quickly. "Which Miss Gao? What was she doing here? Sister Rong, who are you talking about?"

He realized he couldn't get anything from Cheng Ying and switched to questioning Sister Rong.

Cheng Ying went straight into the room, sat next to the elderly lady, and started stuffing food into her mouth. She almost threw up, but thankfully, she could just pout.

Sister Rong replied, "The Miss Gao who came over yesterday and got along so well with the old madam. She came to see the old madam again today."

Sister Rong certainly didn't think highly of Miss Gao. One could tell from how she spoke: the one who got along so well with the old madam.

The old madam was confused half the time, twenty-four hours a day, and the other half she was either not confused or she was asleep. Sister Rong's comment was quite sharp.

Cheng Ying shook her head inside the room. It seemed this person wasn't just unwelcome to her alone.

Even Sister Song, who had been around for half her life, could tell that Miss Gao’s intentions were not entirely pure.

Cheng Ying was serving the old madam; to put it bluntly, she relied on the Cheng family for her livelihood. If Cheng Ying and Wu Zi weren't together, she, as the one looking after the Cheng family's old madam, would naturally side with Yingzi and the others. Who she ate off of determined where her loyalty lay. It would be strange if she had a good impression of Miss Gao.

Chi Wu muttered to himself, "What did she come for?" He quickly went into the room and confronted Cheng Ying with dissatisfaction. "Why are you going out with every person who comes by?"

Cheng Ying felt like things were reversed. Shouldn't she have started the barrage first? But here was the flirtatious one starting the fight. She really didn't feel like dealing with him.

The old madam saw Chi Wu. "Wu Zi is back. Hurry up and eat. Today's meal is good; there's meat!"

Chi Wu quickly moved to appease the old madam first. "Grandma, this is my favorite. You must have told Sister Rong to make this. In this whole house, only you care about me."

After saying this, he shot a resentful look at Cheng Ying, implying his wife hadn't been thinking of him.

Cheng Ying wanted to say, Plenty of people have been thinking of you. No need to be jealous.

But saying that out loud would make her seem petty. Since she was drinking the mother hen soup, she swallowed the retort. "Eat."

Once the old madam and Chi Wu quieted down, Sister Rong observed everyone's reactions. This household was still stable and united. It seemed Miss Gao's destructive power was limited. She settled down to eat with relief.

After the meal, the old madam began her rest time.

Cheng Ying said, "Don't overthink it. You couldn't even eat your meal comfortably. That Gao Yue acts like she's sick. If you told me you liked her, I'd beat you to death! Never mind that you are my person. Whether she can steal you away aside, if you have that kind of taste, then all my effort on you for these past few years has been wasted! You must have your eyes screwed into your pants to fancy that kind of woman. And I'm not just being mean; I'm telling you, that woman is sick! Do you understand? She has Princess Syndrome! She thinks the Earth revolves around her! Didn't your school teach physics?"

Chi Wu had become mostly accustomed to Cheng Ying attacking his school at every turn.

Now she had dragged his school into it again. Chi Wu finally understood: Cheng Ying was petty, and she must have been quite unhappy about him going to school in City B.

Otherwise, why would Cheng Ying connect school to almost every little issue that arose over the years?

This woman was so petty, and yet she was his wife. Chi Wu felt magnanimous.

Another person probably wouldn't understand.

Chi Wu replied, "Physics is taught in junior high; it's basic knowledge, not really related to my school. Besides, my school can't compare to yours, can it? Isn't that the school you chose not to attend?"

Cheng Ying felt relieved but maintained a degree of self-awareness. "It's not necessary to put it that way. But they are all places of education, sacred grounds in their own right. We just shouldn't create hierarchies among ourselves. However, people are different. Even in a sacred place of teaching, the children they cultivate don't all turn out like you and me, right? Next time, I'll be careful; it has nothing to do with the school."

Chi Wu swallowed and began to rub Cheng Ying's lower back. The school always managed to get pardoned somehow.

Cheng Ying asked, "What are you doing? I'm fine."

Chi Wu said, "It was windy; I was afraid you strained your back."

Cheng Ying only understood after the evening meeting that he was mocking her.

Chi Wu conceded, "I was wrong. You—fine, she's sick, and we're not. There’s no point in getting angry over her. She'll probably be returning to City B soon. We should just have less contact with her going forward."

Cheng Ying was quite satisfied. Why would Chi Wu be upset about some random person causing trouble for his wife and son? It was the same as if they were causing trouble for Chi Wu himself.

Cheng Ying asked, "Will moving the company back affect you?"

Chi Wu scoffed. "What effect would it have on me? I'm not building my career there. With my small stature, do you think you can drown me?" (To be continued) (.)RU