It seemed Chi Wu’s sudden ambition to shine in the kitchen was immediately halted by Cheng Ying. Time truly flew.

For the Old Madam, the new year was mostly about forgetting more than remembering, but her granddaughter had finally let her eat meat. Though still rationed, it was a couple more pieces than usual.

Even though the Old Madam couldn't count, she was delighted inside. For the Chi Family Old Madam, the world had changed too fast; the city she had lived in her whole life was almost unrecognizable, with towering skyscrapers lining both sides, many of which her own grandson had built.

It had to be said that Chi Wu got his start much earlier than most people. While others were only just thinking about soaring, Chi Wu and Cheng Ying were already halfway up in the sky, complete with an aerial castle to rest in.

See, their starting point was just different. This was the pride of the Chi Family Old Man and Old Madam—not only was their grandson incredible, but their granddaughter-in-law was just as formidable.

The former contempt the Chi Family Old Madam held for Cheng Ying’s simple ways had turned into immense boasting; she was practically screaming Cheng Ying’s relationship to her grandson across her face. For Yang Zhi and Chi Yong, the adaptation was equally challenging.

As Cheng Ying’s belly grew larger, Yang Zhi had long since moved in with the Old Madam to keep an eye on her daughter. Of course, this was also a strict requirement from her son, so much so that even Cheng Ming, a doctor specializing in something other than gynecology, was present to "guard the house." Yang Zhi often looked in the mirror, searching for stray white hairs or new wrinkles.

Though she found none, she still felt she was aging, after all, she was about to become a grandmother at any moment. Who wouldn’t age?

Thinking about how the grandmothers in the village dressed, Yang Zhi felt quite troubled. She needed a wardrobe overhaul.

While she didn't own many garishly bright outfits, as a future grandmother, she needed to project a more dignified bearing. Chi Yong’s worries differed from Yang Zhi’s.

He was about to become a grandfather, but the change didn't feel as monumental. His career dictated that the older he got, the more valuable he would become—he was an academic, after all.

But why was his wife always staring into the mirror lately? "Zhizi, are there any good, unattached older bachelors newly transferred to your unit?" Look at Chi Yong, so preemptively suspicious.

Yang Zhi looked up from the mirror. "No, why?

Are you looking to introduce someone? Then you should talk to Sister Li at your unit; she’s much better at that sort of thing.

You know my networking skills aren't great." See how simple Yang Zhi was? She wasn't on the same level as Chi Wu; Chi Yong’s mind was too dark.

Chi Yong felt a pang of guilt. How could he think such things about his wife?

It was completely wrong. He walked over and placed his hands on her shoulders.

"What are you looking at? Why have you been staring so much recently?" See how much better it was to ask directly?

With someone like Yang Zhi, you had to be straightforward. Yang Zhi frowned.

"I feel like I've aged without realizing it." Chi Yong looked at his wife. She wasn't exactly a stunning beauty now, but she certainly retained her allure.

Many people had commented, your sister-in-law looks so young. "No way.

You look beautiful. Look at your face, not a single crease.

If you’re old, then that Sister Li you mentioned should already be collecting her pension!" Yang Zhi was pleased by the compliment. "How am I not old?

I’m about to be a grandmother. Look at the aunties in the village when they become grandmothers—they all have that grandmotherly look.

I need to go buy a few more mature, steady outfits, or I won't look like a grandmother at all." Chi Yong looked at his radiant wife; her thought process was certainly pointed in the right direction—she truly didn't look like a grandmother yet. But there was no need to torment herself into looking like a grandmother just because she was becoming one.

"Have you seen what the grandmothers in the city look like?" Yang Zhi replied, "You want me to carry two fans and start practicing Yangko dance in the square?" Chi Yong covered his face. Words failed him; his wife was too naive.

Perhaps dressing older wouldn't be a bad idea, just to stop people from always saying, How can your wife look so young? It was too disheartening for Chi Yong.

He wasn't that old himself, after all. Of course, he couldn't be compared to his wife.

Never mind that Old Madam Yingzi was old and muddled now, her face still appeared younger than his own mother’s. Sometimes Chi Yong suspected the Old Madam’s face had never truly endured sixty years of wind and rain.

Different people had different perspectives. As far as Uncle Gan and his wife were concerned, the business just kept growing bigger.

How their small restaurant had expanded like this—they genuinely didn't know what went on inside Cheng Ying and her husband's heads. But their own son was blessed.

They were content to let their son raise the second generation. For Chi Wu, none of this mattered.

His wife’s belly was too big; why wasn’t she giving birth yet? Chi Wu worried constantly, watching Cheng Ying’s abdomen day after day with growing anxiety.

Cheng Ying felt it was a matter of time, of the melon ripening before the stem naturally broke. There was no need to rush.

She didn't understand Chi Wu’s fussing. Thankfully, the child had passed the awkward second trimester, or Cheng Ying might have thought Chi Wu was only developing a pre-fatherhood phase now.

While Chi Wu was experiencing a grand revival of spring and burgeoning growth in the warmth of February, Cheng Ying remained calm. Every morning, she would gently pull the confused but still enthusiastic Old Madam—who loved listening to others sing—to the park for a stroll.

Cheng Ying would do her stretching exercises in the park while the Old Madam gathered an audience to watch opera performances. Then, around nine o'clock, mother and daughter-in-law would walk home.

Cheng Ying found this routine incredibly satisfying. Whenever she got older, she could simply adopt this schedule without any need for adjustment.

How was she becoming so good at retirement? At the end of February, under Chi Wu’s intense surveillance, Cheng Ying finally experienced discomfort.

To be honest, Cheng Ying’s discomfort was a relief to everyone, especially Cheng Ming, who had been dragged away from work by Chi Wu and was already worried his job would be terminated for his continuous absence as a mere civilian. He truly didn't understand Chi Wu’s fussing.

Why have a surgeon watch over a pregnant woman? Could he be any less reliable?

Cheng Ming himself lacked confidence. As Yingzi put it, every birth is the same; there’s no need for such tension.

"Chi Wu, you aren't the one giving birth; why are you making such a fuss? You’ve unsettled the entire family, making everyone miserable." Cheng Ying herself had developed a slight mental block because of Chi Wu.

She used to be quite carefree, even considering what would happen to the child and the elders if something happened to her, but she hadn't thought about what would happen to Chi Wu. That felt a bit unfair to him.

When Cheng Ying looked at Chi Wu now, she felt a touch of guilt. Naturally, her attitude improved, and she stopped complaining about Chi Wu’s fussing.

If only he wouldn’t stare so intently at her belly every single day. Thus, the imminent arrival of the baby became an intense, shared urgency.

Yang Zhi emerged from the kitchen. "Don't panic.

We’ll head to the hospital now. It’s close, so it’s fine." Chi Wu paced nervously in the yard, pretending not to notice that he wasn't keeping Yingzi from moving as well.

"It's fine!" Even the usually good-tempered Yang Zhi was starting to get annoyed with Chi Wu these last few days. With unprecedented finality, she stated, "Tell your father to come over and help!" This was done without consulting Chi Wu.

Chi Wu, however, didn't object; having help was fine. For the sake of his wife’s labor, his father, mother, grandfather, and grandmother had all been summoned days ago—they believed in the strength of numbers.

Cheng Ying really wanted to tell Chi Wu that this had nothing to do with it. The key was that she, Cheng Ying, needed to give birth.

Cheng Ying managed the birth in a single day, shedding the physical and mental burden completely. She felt utterly refreshed, body and soul.

Chi Wu, the husband of the pregnant woman, hadn't left her side from the moment she entered her due period until the child was born. When the two babies were brought out, Chi Wu looked slightly bewildered.

"I only want mine." Yang Zhi, having worked at this hospital for so long as a nurse, had accompanied her daughter inside and stayed by her side. Learning that her daughter had delivered twins, she was so overjoyed that she ignored her daughter for a moment and rushed out holding the two bundled infants, only to hear her son utter that foolish sentence.

She genuinely wanted to ignore Chi Wu; he had never been so dense. He seemed fine normally.

But at this critical moment, he was utterly useless. Even Chi Yong was momentarily stunned.

Although medical technology wasn't perfect then, detecting twins in utero was usually possible. This was a complete surprise; it hadn't been detected at all beforehand.

Chi Yong rubbed his hands together. "This is truly...

this is truly so surprising!" Yang Zhi’s face glowed, as proud as if she had given birth herself. "They're both healthy.

A dragon and a phoenix pair. Isn't my daughter capable?" Chi Yong looked at his wife.

This was the first time in years she had shown off so openly, but she had every right to; she had undeniable credentials. The Chi Family Old Madam exclaimed, "Capable, truly capable!" She then took one of the babies from Yang Zhi’s arms.

The Chi Family Old Man’s face crinkled with joy. "Quick, show the old in-laws!" Without needing prompting, Yang Zhi bypassed the stunned Chi Wu and went to the Old Madam to show her the baby.

Even though Cheng Family Old Madam was so confused, she instantly cherished the child—perhaps this was the pull of blood. She knew this was her grandson.

Chi Wu finally walked over. "Mom, is Yingzi alright?" Yang Zhi replied, "She’s fine, perfectly fine.

Don't worry. It just took a long time to deliver two babies; she’s tired and needs rest." Chi Wu gently stroked the face of the little daughter alongside the Cheng Family Old Madam.

"Granddaughter to Grandma." The Cheng Family Old Madam corrected him, "Yingzi gave birth to him, he's our family's grandson." Chi Wu, cherishing his daughter, dared not touch her roughly, so he corrected the Old Madam: "Granddaughter." The Old Madam repeated, "Right, granddaughter." She finally got it right, but now she was off by a generation again. The Chi Family Old Man and Old Madam never let go of the little boy.

Even the lingering complaints Chi Wu had caused them vanished. Even if they hadn't been invited, they wouldn't have left—a grandson!

Their son's grandson! Their dear, great-grandson.

Chi Yong took a deep breath. "After all these years, today I finally feel I’ve repaid my elder brother.

At least I didn't let Wu end up without any descendants." The Chi Family Old Man hadn't realized his son carried such a burden. "What does it matter what surname he carries?

Isn't he still the blood of the Chi family?" Chi Yong sighed. "I could never truly let go.

When my elder brother entrusted Wu to me, I raised him as my own son, but the thought of having him adopted out—though I wouldn't have minded for myself—I couldn't explain it to my brother. Now, it’s resolved.

With Yingzi giving birth to two, there’s no need to argue; everything is settled." He then turned to Yang Zhi. "My daughter is capable of giving birth!" The Chi Family Old Madam remarked, "You carry too many worries, child.

This was never an issue to begin with, but Yingzi is certainly capable."