What Yang Zhi was thinking wasn't on the same level as Chi Yong; regardless of the reason, this matter had ultimately caused a complete rift between the two families.

How were they supposed to interact moving forward? Furthermore, their own daughter’s household was being thrown into such disarray by them; how would Yingzi manage amongst the neighbors in the future? This whole affair was inherently unpleasant to discuss.

When one family lives their life, ten families watch from above. Even when nothing is happening, people will still fabricate things to gossip about, let alone when there's actual trouble brewing at home.

"This is your Third Aunt," the Eldest Aunt said, "and this is Yun Xue, your Eldest Nephew's wife."

Yang Zhi quickly fumbled in her pocket. "Oh dear, I’m so sorry, I didn't realize the new daughter-in-law was here, I haven't prepared anything."

She was just about to move the bracelet on her wrist when Cheng Ying gently stopped her mother's arm. "It's alright, there’s no need for a welcoming gift. They aren't even engaged yet. If you take something out now, it will make Yun Xue look terribly awkward. You can give them a proper monetary gift when the engagement and wedding happen."

Chi Yong turned to look at his son, pointedly avoiding Cheng Ying. Isn't this girl usually not so stingy? Listen to what she's saying—why does it sound so small-minded?

"I'm going to have a child soon too," Chi Wu said. "It’s good that my wife is prudent with money. Mother, you need to tell her too; haven't you seen how fast prices are rising? Don't just hand things out to anyone." The father and son muttered quietly on the side.

Chi Yong narrowed his eyes. "Is your business running short of cash?" That was the only way he could interpret this.

"Do I look like I'm short of this little bit of money?" Chi Yong felt he and his son were definitely not traveling the same road. This cursed kid’s words were giving him indigestion. They were not the same kind of people.

Miss Yun Xue watched Yang Zhi's gesture. She had almost called out "Third Aunt," but Cheng Ying’s words forced the address back down her throat. To call someone that when they weren't even engaged felt shameless. That title truly couldn't be used.

She just pursed her lips and smiled, looking utterly endearing. Cheng Ying thought to herself: Indeed, a smile knows no borders; it can cover up all sorts of awkward atmospheres.

The Eldest Aunt shot Cheng Ying a glare. "They aren't outsiders. When the two children get engaged later, we’ll invite you for drinks."

Cheng Ying replied, "We wouldn't dare! We are the younger generation. At that time, we'll have to ask the sister-in-law for a gift for ourselves."

What did Cao Cao say? Better to let the world betray me than for me to betray the world. Anyone who tries to take advantage of me, I will deliberately annoy. I don't lack that little bit of money, and I won't give it to you. If I'm going to give something, I should feel happy doing it. Otherwise, am I paying money just to make myself miserable? I have enough to spare! I'll make you regret having ill intentions, I'll make you regret coveting other people's belongings.

Yang Zhi paused the movement of her hand, looking quite embarrassed in front of her daughter. "We will, of course. We are just hoping that Cheng Tie and his brother can get married soon. Once the younger generation is settled, we elders can truly relax."

The Eldest Aunt chimed in, "Exactly! Cheng Tie and Cheng Ming are both good children who focus on their careers. Not like Yingzi. She was already thinking about marriage while attending school. The girl probably just wanted to get married before even finishing university—that's all a girl can do in the end."

The Eldest Aunt was clearly upset and determined to find a sore spot for Yingzi.

Chi Wu interjected, "That's right. Yingzi is lucky; she doesn't have to run around everywhere like us men, supporting the family. Besides, Yingzi has her own timber operation; her job doesn't really matter."

Cheng Ying glanced at Chi Wu. Why does a man like you need to butt in? "That’s enough for me to eat on. You'll have to take good care of me."

"It is," Chi Yong said, kicking him. A child born purely to anger people.

Chi Yong quickly steered the conversation. "Let's all move to the living room. Sister-in-law just arrived. Later, Mingzi, you take your mother and Miss Yun Xue out for a stroll."

Following Chi Yong’s suggestion, everyone moved into the living room and gathered around the Old Madam to chat.

Cheng Ying thought how fortunate her own mother was to have a stepfather like Chi Yong. Listen to how he spoke—he smoothly extracted his wife from the situation, arranging for Mingzi to accompany the Eldest Aunt out while ensuring his own wife wouldn't have to endure any more aggravation.

Yang Zhi couldn't keep things bottled up. She really wanted to tell her Eldest Sister-in-Law that the house belonged to Yingzi, but she never found the right moment.

And every time she was about to speak, Chi Yong interrupted her. This had happened several times already.

As for giving the young woman a small gift or anything, Yang Zhi genuinely hadn't thought that far ahead.

Seeing that the conversation had wound down, Chi Wu spoke up. "Yingzi, go and get our house deed."

Cheng Ying felt this turn of events was somewhat surreal. Hadn't all that already passed? Why bring it up now? Were they really going to divide the house now? "What for?"

"I’m not home often," Chi Wu explained. "The Eldest Aunt mentioned the house matters, and I need to make things clear with her."

Cheng Ming’s face flushed red. "Wu Zi, my mother..."

Chi Wu cut Cheng Ming off. "Brother, let's skip the pleasantries. We, as buddies, have a certain dynamic that doesn't mix with the previous generation. But Mingzi, you know Yingzi's current situation. If you think about her being home alone, with Grandma in her condition, and something like today happens again—what would I feel as a man, unable to protect my wife? I can't do anything drastic toward my Eldest Aunt, but I must make things absolutely clear to her, let her see the papers clearly: this house belongs to Yingzi. Yingzi originally bought the three eastern rooms, the small courtyard with three entries inside and out; that was all Yingzi’s hard-earned money over these years. Then, I bought the three western rooms and the five mu of land behind it; that was paid for by Yingzi’s money."

Cheng Ying added, "Chi Wu handled all the paperwork for me."

"Later, when we renovated the house, we knocked down the central courtyard wall. When the land was surveyed recently, our property deeds were updated and combined into one. Both my name and Cheng Ying’s name are on it. Eldest Aunt, if you have any confusion, you can ask me while I’m here. Yingzi is a woman; she might not understand these matters clearly. I, Chi Wu, married into the Cheng family. From now on, I am the head of this household, the one standing at the door. Eldest Aunt, if you have any issues in the future, speak directly to me. Yingzi is a woman, and what she says often won't count as final."

Chi Yong turned away, feeling his son had just been completely undermined. Yang Zhi felt relieved; her daughter was blessed, look at the two young people.

The Eldest Aunt sputtered, "I didn't say anything! Isn't it allowed for me, as the elder, to ask and see what the situation is with the two children?"

She was clearly backing away from demanding the house, but she still spent an extra few glances staring intently at the property deed.

Of course, if it hadn't been for Mingzi’s earnest pleading, you couldn't even count on her accepting this; even if they had something, the Eldest Aunt was the type who could stir up trouble. They dared say she would have ripped the property deed up.

Yang Zhi sighed. "Speaking of which, I feel quite ashamed. We divided the family property so early. You know, when the two children were so young, we moved to the city, and Yingzi stayed home with the Old Madam, with no one to support her. That she managed to get this far is all due to the two children pushing themselves."

For Yang Zhi, these words carried the most weight. You didn't help the children when we separated the property in the village, and I haven't helped the children in the city either. You have the nerve to ask for the house, feeling guilty, don't you?

Chi Yong couldn't stand seeing his wife blame herself. "It’s nothing, Sister-in-law. The Old Madam is confused, but we are all alive and we all know the truth, right?"

This was him backing up his wife.

Cheng Ying turned aside, realizing the Eldest Aunt was taking advantage of the Old Madam's confusion to stir up trouble.

Cheng Ying sat down beside the Old Madam and held her hand. Why was the Old Madam so clear-headed? Why had she arranged everything for her so meticulously in advance? No wonder the Old Madam had kept the gold bars from the chicken coop for her. She was likely afraid that if Cheng Ying became confused herself, others would benefit unfairly later on.

The Eldest Aunt tried to speak, but Cheng Ming immediately cut her off. "Uncle, we all understand. Our family separated long ago."

Few people in that house would likely get a good night's sleep tonight.

Yang Zhi made sure the Eldest Aunt and her husband were settled in the resting quarters. She genuinely worried that the Eldest Daughter-in-law might cause another scene. Her own daughter was pregnant with such a heavy load; she couldn't just let her be bullied carelessly.

Cheng Ying only managed to leave the Old Madam's room because Chi Wu pulled her along.

Cheng Ming took his mother to rest in the three rooms in the back courtyard. Miss Gao Yue, however, seemed quite eager to stay with the Old Madam, but Sister Rong firmly ushered her over to Cheng Ming's assigned area instead.

Cheng Ming was one breath away from telling this person, who wasn't yet his sister-in-law, to just rest up already.

In truth, the Eldest Aunt's behavior had little effect on Cheng Ying; she simply didn't take the woman seriously.

But the Old Madam had thought so much for her, showing such thorough consideration for Cheng Ying. This made Cheng Ying feel deeply touched.

Back in their room, she pulled Chi Wu close, and tears started falling uncontrollably. Chi Wu was heartbroken. How many times had he seen Yingzi cry over the years? It was truly countable on one's fingers. Why had he allowed someone to upset his wife like this?

Chi Wu tried to comfort her. "It’s alright. They are outsiders. Don't pay attention to anything she says. If you’re still unhappy, I’ll go throw them out right now—we won't save anyone’s face."

Chi Wu genuinely made to stand up, but Cheng Ying held him too tightly, pinning him in place. "It's not that. I just feel overwhelmed, I don't know why I feel so wronged. Just let me cry for a bit."

Chi Wu found this agonizing to hear. "What are you saying? If you weren't feeling wronged, would you be crying? You’re not alone! I wish I could go out now and throw those two out. Who did they have to pick on but you?"

Cheng Ying sniffled. "I just feel it in my heart, Wu Zi. I’m scared. I’m afraid if Grandma passes away, what will I do? I definitely won't be able to bear it."

Chi Wu looked at his worried wife. They say pregnant women have many anxieties, and this seems to fit. Look what his wife is worrying about. "Grandma’s health is great! Why are you talking nonsense?"

Cheng Ying continued, "You said Grandma is muddled, but she quietly figured everything out in advance. Does that mean she already knew her health wasn't good? You said she refused everything I gave her, keeping only that pair of gold bracelets, saying she’d give one to Old Aunt and one to Dry Aunt when she got old, but none to her three sons and their wives, just to prevent them from arguing. And her own burial clothes—the ones she made herself years ago when she was clear-headed. When we visited home the year before last, she even supervised the making of her own coffin. How could she bear to leave us?"

Chi Wu stroked her hair. "When people get old, these are the only things they cling to. The Old Madam sorted everything out while she was clear-headed so she could rest easy. Don't overthink it, Grandma’s health is truly fine; she certainly wouldn't want to leave you. Besides, I saw her recent physical exam reports; she’s actually in great shape."

Cheng Ying insisted, "If she were in good health, would she be so muddled? Moreover, you just said Grandma is muddled. When she was clear, she naturally wouldn't bear to leave me, but when she's muddled, will she still remember to keep me close?"

Chi Wu was momentarily stunned. When had his wife ever been so unreasonable? And yet, her tears were falling so heavily while her reasoning was so logical and coherent. It was truly difficult; you couldn't appease a wife under any circumstances.

Looking at his wife’s expression, Chi Wu had a sudden vision of a high school girl. His wife also had moments where her mind wasn't entirely focused. "Don't worry, it will be fine."

That was all he could say.

Cheng Ying cried for a while and then felt better on her own. Thinking back, she didn't understand why she had been so emotional just now, or why she had cried at all.