The old lady usually held forth for quite some time, but this time she didn't even mention home. She probably forgot.

Chi Wu still had things he needed to say to the old lady, but worried that seeing her like this would upset Cheng Ying, he immediately took her hand. Cheng Ying felt the coldness of Chi Wu’s hand, yet it burned her heart: “I’m fine.

As long as my grandma is here with me, that’s all that matters. I don’t ask for much.” Besides, she had only just come to terms with things recently, thanks to Gan Shenzi’s guidance.

Gan Shu said, “Look at my great-niece, what magnanimity she shows after changing her person. Kid, you’d better treat my great-niece well.” Chi Wu shot him a sidelong glance.

Did he need Gan Shu to tell him that? “Grandma, I brought you something good.

Just wait a moment.” Saying that, Chi Wu made sure Cheng Ying was seated comfortably and then hurried out. He had originally planned to clean things up before giving it to the old lady, but the atmosphere was perfect right now, so presenting it immediately was fine too.

He wondered if seeing this thing would bring the old lady a moment of clarity. Gan Shenzi said, “Wuzi must have found something wonderful for you.

Look at him showing off, saving some suspense.” Gan Shu scoffed, “That boy only knows how to sweet-talk young girls. Otherwise, how could he have managed to placate Yingzi?” He turned to Cheng Ying and said, “Listen, Yingzi, it’s not that Uncle Gan didn’t warn you.

That boy Chi Wu, he isn’t exactly well-behaved at the company. Don’t have his children.

He might bring another one home to you.” Before he could finish, Gan Shenzi slapped him soundly. Gan Shu looked at his wife in shock.

His wife, someone who worked for the government, when had she become so violent as to strike him? “You must take after our mother, definitely.” After delivering the slap, Gan Shenzi was startled herself.

This wasn't her style at all. After hitting him, she didn’t know where to put her raised hand, standing there with her mouth open, speechless for a long time.

Cheng Ying looked at the two of them strangely. It was just one slap, was it necessary to react like this?

It wasn't even on the face. Usually, Gan Shu and Gan Shenzi seemed to have a very good relationship.

Did they always maintain such gentle composure, never getting angry? This refined way of interacting was unbearable to watch.

Seeing his wife’s reaction, Gan Shu grinned, pulling Gan Shenzi’s hand. “Learned well from Mom.

I think I’m getting the hang of it.” Cheng Ying sucked in a cold breath. “So Uncle Gan enjoys being disciplined.” Gan Shu’s remark improved Gan Shenzi’s expression; at least she knew how to speak again.

“Stop talking nonsense, both of you. And you, Yingzi, you’re pregnant.

You can joke around about other things, but this matter cannot be taken lightly.” Her tone was serious. Gan Shu said, “As you command, Madam.

Forgive me.” Cheng Ying laughed, “Hah, trying to stir up trouble between us.” Gan Shu had something he wanted to tell Cheng Ying, and he still needed to be careful about what he said. But seeing his wife’s serious demeanor, he chose to keep quiet.

This girl was sharp enough; she didn't need his input. “I’m definitely more honest than Wuzi.” Gan Shenzi looked at his belly.

“Look at that stomach of yours. Even if you wanted to cause trouble, do you have the capacity?

It’s just me being foolishly devoted.” Gan Shu protested, “What’s wrong with me? I’m telling you, you need to elevate my status, you need to take me seriously.

Otherwise—” Gan Shenzi raised an eyebrow. “Otherwise?” Gan Shu struggled for a moment before blurting out, “Otherwise, I’ll be just as devoted to you.” The three of them burst into laughter because of Gan Shu.

The old lady, watching from the side, smiled along with them, though she didn't know what they were laughing about. Her mouth, missing its dentures, caused Cheng Ying to nearly double over—laughing so hard was truly detrimental for a pregnant woman.

Gan Shu said, “Mom, maybe you should put your teeth in? Otherwise, how will you eat the dumplings later?” The old lady shook her head.

“I won’t. That thing is uncomfortable.” Cheng Ying indulged her, “You just be willful, Grandma.

I spoil you.” Gan Shenzi interjected, “What are you saying? We’ll have the dentist check them again later; there must be something uncomfortable about them.” Cheng Ying replied, “Mm, got it.

As you command.” The phrase sounded familiar, and Gan Shenzi, in her forties, instantly blushed. She’d been teased by her great-niece.

Seeing that both Cheng Ying and Sun Pangzi were reluctant to speak. Sun Pangzi chuckled, “No talking nonsense.” Cheng Ying turned away.

If she and Chi Wu could be like these two when they reached this age, it would be a blessing for them and for their children. Chi Wu returned shortly, carrying a large parcel.

Gan Shu exclaimed, “Oh my, he’s getting more rustic, using a parcel now. Let us have a look at what good thing you’ve got.” Saying that, Gan Shu’s hand opened the parcel.

Cheng Ying froze when she saw the contents. Then she looked at Chi Wu, swallowing involuntarily.

If there was one regret in her life, it was this tiger skin. Cheng Ying was afraid to dream about it.

She remembered telling Chi Wu about it and regretted it now. If she had been a bit more steady then, there might have been other ways, but why did she have to covet that tiger skin?

She hadn't expected Wuzi to keep it in his heart. If the tiger skin was a regret for Cheng Ying, then what was it for the old lady?

To retrieve this tiger skin while the old lady was still around—even if the tiger head and the body couldn’t be matched—it was a kind of symbolic completion, wasn't it? Cheng Ying didn't know what to say to Chi Wu.

She sniffled. “Uncle Gan is just trying to stir up trouble between us.

I don’t believe him.” Meaning, she trusted him more. Chi Wu turned to Gan Shu.

“Can you please stop setting traps for me behind my back?” Gan Shu looked at the tiger skin. “Oh dear, what is this?

Such a big commotion, and it sold me out immediately.” Chi Wu turned back. “It’s Yingzi’s dowry.” Cheng Ying touched the tiger skin, her voice trembling slightly.

“It’s wonderful. It’s so good to have it back.

Grandma must be thrilled to pieces.” Chi Wu said, “Your dowry. I can’t let anyone else have it; it bothers me too much.

I had to get it back.” Cheng Ying almost wept. She placed the tiger skin in the old lady’s hands.

“Grandma, touch this. Look, do you remember what this is?” Cheng Ying had never been so agitated, filled with hope, with a fragile longing.

Chi Wu patted Cheng Ying’s shoulder. “It’s okay if you don’t remember.” Cheng Ying whispered, “It’s all okay.” Then she went to open the old lady’s securely locked cabinet.

She had always hoped the old lady would see the tiger skin returned when she was lucid. Sister Rong said, “Oh my, the old lady guards that cabinet very strictly.

You don’t want to stir up trouble during the New Year, Cheng Ying.” Cheng Ying replied, “I won’t.” She dug out a package from the very bottom of the cabinet, much smaller than the one Chi Wu brought back. An identical tiger skin peeked out from inside.

Cheng Ying exclaimed, “Grandma, look, look, they are the same! From the same one.” The old lady’s withered hand trembled slightly.

“The same, the same. This is my tiger skin.

My son’s.” Cheng Ying’s eyes reddened. The old lady couldn't remember the sons who were alive, but she never forgot the one who had passed away.

“Yes, yes, it’s yours. It’s your tiger skin.” The old lady hugged the tiger skin.

“Lock it up, lock it up. My son’s.” Cheng Ying was in tears, wishing she could slap herself twice.

She had been guarding against her own greed. “Grandma, you don’t need to lock it up; no one would dare touch it.” The old lady still clutched the tiger skin tightly.

“My son’s, my son’s. Where is my son?” The old lady looked around the room in confusion.

Why had they agitated her like this on New Year’s Day? Chi Wu said gently, “Grandma, Yingzi is waiting for you to eat dumplings.

Don’t forget, it’s New Year’s. Time for dumplings.” Gan Shu said, “Mom, your son is here.

Don’t forget, me. Your old son.” Cheng Ying, beside the old lady, could only sniffle.

She knew how much the old lady cared about this item. Why had she been so foolish back then, daring to take it?

Seeing the way the old lady clung to the tiger skin, one could tell how much thought she had put into it. The old lady looked at Gan Shu for a while before finally speaking, “Son, you must be tired from hunting tigers.

Sit down and rest. Where is Zhizi?

Tell Zhizi to cook for you.” Gan Shu quipped, “So now I’m Wu Song?” Cheng Ying looked at the old lady, unsure if this confusion she was displaying was good or bad. It seemed the old lady had internalized all her deepest worries.

Gan Shenzi said, “Mom, we’ll go boil the dumplings, and we’ll eat soon.” The old lady, with one hand stroking the tiger skin and the other clinging to Gan Shu, seemed lost in thought. Whatever she was thinking, it was making Cheng Ying deeply uncomfortable to watch.

Chi Wu murmured, “I should have just secretly given it to you.” Cheng Ying’s face, having just stopped crying, didn’t look good. “I cried a whole river when I traded this thing for money back then.

Now that it’s back, I’m crying again. It seems this thing just attracts tears.” Chi Wu sighed.

“Tell me about it. Why did your father give such a thing as a dowry?” Cheng Ying pursed her lips and began stroking the tiger skin next to the old lady.

This item held far more significance for the old lady than it ever did for Cheng Ying. Cheng Ying’s attachment to the tiger skin wasn't really about her deceased father; the crucial point was that the old lady had never let go of it.

Didn’t they see? She didn't recognize the living son standing right there, yet she constantly called Gan Shu 'son'—the son who had died years ago.

This was a fixation, a mental ailment. Otherwise, how could this be?

Gan Shu observed, “I see. This thing has history.” Chi Wu bragged, “Of course, it does.

Don’t think that just because Grandma calls you the third boy, you actually look like my father-in-law. Let me tell you, my father-in-law was a celebrated beauty in our area, a famous man who could take down a tiger on the mountain.

With your physique, it’s only because Grandma is confused now that she’d mistake you for him.” Sun Pangzi’s face grew livid at being belittled. “You little grudge-holder.

Is it necessary? Just one comment, and you have to trample me underfoot.” Cheng Ying added, “Wuzi isn’t lying.

My dad was famous in the village as a handsome man. Not comparable to your looks, Uncle Gan.

Even though Wuzi’s dad is good-looking, he can’t compare to my dad. Otherwise, why didn’t my mother even blush when she first saw Wuzi’s dad?” That last comment was definitely intended to stir things up.

Even Chi Wu thought that if his own father heard it, it would cause a domestic incident. Gan Shu complained, “So now I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place, right?

No matter how inferior I am to your father, I am the one accompanying the old lady now. Your dad, no matter how great, doesn't have my fortune.” He almost implied that his father had a shorter life.

Chi Wu kept quiet. This old fatty could always find a way to be relevant.

Cheng Ying sighed wistfully. “My dad just had thin fortune.

If my dad were still here today, how happy our family would be.” (To be continued) (.)RU