Only after Cheng Ying’s child reached its one-month celebration did Chi Wu manage to secure a job for his wife. She ended up at the same unit as Cheng Ming, though Chi Wu, with his particular knack for things, somehow managed to secure over half a year of maternity leave for a wife who hadn't worked a single day.

Cheng Ying didn't think much of it upon hearing the news; privileges always existed, and today, she was the one benefiting. Cheng Ming, however, wasn't feeling quite so comfortable. Should he push it further? Could they really get away with even more? But this person was his own sister, so Cheng Ming only felt a bit disgruntled internally; it didn't rise to the level of any substantive anti-privilege action. He just found Cheng Ying and Chi Wu somewhat irritating to look at for the past while.

Giving birth and raising children was a long process; the reward would surely outweigh the effort, as ultimately, the child raised was one's own flesh and blood, the continuation of the lineage. Cheng Ying spent her days amusing the two children, feeling time fly by like a rocket ship. Every day after work, Chi Wu clung to the babies. It wasn't that he was overwhelmingly fond of them, but rather, Chi Wu operated under the principle that once they were born, he was responsible. He worried that his own mother, the 'old lady,' and his wife might treat his son unfairly—this was a major issue for him.

Educating children was a serious matter; one slip-up and a child’s psyche could become twisted, especially given the severe imbalance and skew in their own family structure. Chi Wu felt that as a father, he must control the overall trajectory of his children's mental development.

Therefore, to guard against the biased actions of the older woman and the younger woman in the house, Chi Wu dedicated every moment outside of work to being at home. No wonder Chi Wu hadn't strayed into any improper behavior—he simply had no time.

The Cheng family entered a new era with the arrival of the two children. Of course, society itself was developing rapidly; the nineties was a time when capability meant you could soar. Never mind Cheng Ying, who seemed to have a cheat code installed. Even Chi Wu wasn't an ordinary man; he seized opportunities when they arose. Don't let him look like he’s just watching the babies; when they slept, Chi Wu handled everything that needed doing—nothing was neglected.

When speaking to Cheng Ying, Chi Wu constantly attributed their good fortune to the blessings brought by the two little ones. When Cheng Ying rolled her eyes, Chi Wu countered, "I peddled medicinal herbs for so many years, and my income this single year surpasses all of that. How can you say it’s not the children bringing luck?" Holding his son, he was nearly ready to formally declare the boy an auspicious mascot.

Cheng Ying couldn't be bothered to argue. Regardless, Chi Wu found everything about the two children pleasing. As long as the old lady wasn't hogging the good child, Chi Wu, a grown man, would take the two babies out for a stroll. He didn't care if people thought he looked ridiculous.

Ever since the children could be held and crawl on their own, Chi Wu dismissed even Rong Sao. Whenever he had time, he took the children out himself. He was hands-on in everything, even more dedicated than Cheng Ying, the mother.

Cheng Ying felt tired just watching him.

Chi Wu explained, "I have to be tired, don't I? You see how partial the old lady is. If I don't quickly take charge of the children's ideological education, there will definitely be rifts between them later on. Look how thoughtful those young fathers are; they anticipate this problem when the kids are only six months old." "Why can't she just think about what's best for both children? Her sense of crisis is too strong."

Cheng Ying patted Chi Wu’s shoulder. "Having kids really was too early. Look how young Chi Wu is, yet he’s already worrying about these things." "Look at Cheng Ming at this age; he’s still thinking about where his girlfriends are," Cheng Ying noted. "They are still small; no need to fret too much." Chi Wu retorted, "That won't do! A child’s personality sets when they grow up; anything said later will be too late. I want my daughter and son to feel the warmth of a spring breeze."

Looking at Chi Wu, Cheng Ying wished she could let him feel the warmth of a spring breeze first. Finding a good man was rare; finding a good father for one's children was even rarer. Cherish it; it was mandatory.

From that moment on, Cheng Ying's attitude toward her son shifted. Raising two children truly wasn't easy, especially requiring parents to maintain a correct mindset. Cheng Ying reflected on her own mistakes; whenever she handed a child to the old lady, she alternated between the two. Now it should be fair, right?

The old lady actually didn't really distinguish between the children. Whoever Cheng Ying held was her child. So, teasing one or the other made no difference to her. As long as one was near the old lady, that was sufficient. That’s what happened when the old lady got confused. Cheng Ying just pretended she was looking after three children, amusing all three. Who else was as blessed as she was?

Sometimes the four of them would tumble together, having a great time. But the old lady’s compliments to Cheng Ying were also quite grating. She would often point at the two children and exclaim, "Which one did you conjure up? My granddaughter has real skill!" Cheng Ying looked at the two children and thought, I’m sorry, but your granddaughter has zero skill; she can appear, but she can’t disappear.

Holding her son, she patiently tried to ‘re-educate’ the old lady again. If she didn't remember after one try, she’d teach her all day; if she didn't remember that day, she’d tell her every day that both children were hers, Cheng Ying’s, and that both were biological. With time, the old lady began to understand that there were two children in the house, both family.

However, to the old lady, one or two made no difference; she truly couldn’t tell them apart. But when the Dry Uncle's child visited, the old lady recognized him instantly. Whenever that happened, Cheng Ying felt a pang of sadness. The old lady was so good to her; if she weren't confused, how wonderful would she have been to Cheng Ying's children? Why had the old lady become so muddled?

At least the old lady knew she had Yingzi's children in the house. Even if she couldn't remember their names, every morning she had to come over and see them—she had to see them. After seeing them, the old lady would let them be. Perhaps the old lady herself didn't know why she was so insistent on checking on the children every morning.

When autumn passed, the old lady caught a slight cold. Rong Sao blamed herself. The temperature had dropped a bit the day before, and the old lady had been fishing all day—of course, she caught a cold. It should have been a minor cold. Cheng Ming and Cheng Ying were both doctors. They watched the old lady take medicine, but this cold lingered for nearly two months, almost until the New Year, before it finally cleared up. It went from Western medicine to Chinese medicine, and finally to injections and IV drips. It truly terrified Wuzi and Cheng Ying.

Previously, whenever the old lady caught a cold or coughed, she’d just drink a bowl of ginger soup, sweat it out, and be fine. Now, it was so severe. Was there something else wrong with the old lady’s health?

After the old lady recovered, Chi Wu stubbornly dragged the reluctant old woman to the hospital for a full check-up. The doctor said the old lady’s body was fine, no underlying diseases, but all her bodily functions had slowed down. Her resistance was poor; a simple cold or fever was a major illness for her now. The central message was: the old lady was old; her physical functions had declined and couldn't compare to when she was young.

Chi Wu had no way to comfort his wife, except to say, "Our Grandma is old, Milk. From now on, even a small cold could take her life." He could only coax the two little ones to act cute and playful around Cheng Ying. He needed his wife to recognize this issue. People age.

He had originally planned to take the old lady and the two children back home to pay respects at his father-in-law's grave. Seeing the old lady’s current state, Chi Wu dared not risk the upheaval.

When Chi Wu discussed it with Chi Yong and Dry Uncle, he suggested he go back alone, asking Yingzi to stay and keep the old lady company. Chi Wu finally understood: every glimpse of the old lady was one less he'd have.

But Yang Zhi objected. What Yang Zhi said had merit: Yingzi's father needed to see the children. Upon hearing this single sentence, Chi Yong raised an eyebrow, glanced at his wife, said nothing, lifted the curtain, and left.

When Cheng Ying watched Chi Yong’s retreating back, she had one feeling: his jealousy was overwhelming. No wonder Chencu (Vinegar/Jealousy) was so popular; its intensity was great. Yang Zhi’s expression shifted, but she still told Chi Wu, "Getting married and having children are huge matters. These two things—whether the person is alive or dead—must be known. When the children were small and we were far away, we didn't bother them. But now the children are bigger, and with the New Year coming, you two should go back. I, your father, and your Dry Uncle will stay with the old lady."

Dry Uncle and Dry Aunt, standing nearby, should have said, "Just let them go." But the way Chi Yong lifted the curtain and walked out just now made it impossible not to misunderstand. So they felt awkward; it was difficult to interject. The husband and wife didn't agree—what could they possibly say?

Cheng Ying spoke up, "Mom, we will arrange things. Wuzi is here to stay with Grandma. You and Dad don't need to come; please stay and keep Grandpa Ye alive instead. Otherwise, Wuzi won't feel at ease anywhere." Cheng Ying framed it well: if they stayed with the Chi family elders, it counted as them fulfilling their filial duty on behalf of Chi Wu and his wife.

Chi Wu added, "Mom, we know. I was just worried about bothering the small children with the travel back and forth. We’ll see." Yang Zhi insisted, "It’s the New Year. Yingzi didn't go back last year. You have to see your eldest uncle, second uncle, and paternal aunt back in the village. Community relationships are built on attendance."

Cheng Ying replied, "Mom, I understand. You go see Dad. We will discuss things here at home; it will be fine." Cheng Ying was truly anxious. Chi Yong was a man very concerned with appearances. Even when angry, he wouldn't do it in public. Seeing him today, he must have been truly agitated; perhaps his mind was racing. There were so many new venues in society now. If Chi Yong became displeased and stepped wrong, Cheng Ying feared his mother would have nowhere left to regret.

Although Yang Zhi felt awkward, she stood up anyway. "Dry Aunt and Dry Uncle, I'm leaving now. If you need anything, please call us." After saying that, she still circled through the old lady's room once before leaving.

Cheng Ying walked her own mother out. "Mom, you’ve been married to Wuzi’s dad for so long. You should worry less about the family matters. Even my father should think less about them. Anyone in his place would have to weigh things carefully. Don't be angry; Wuzi's dad is just jealous. It proves that my stepfather cares about you." Cheng Ying genuinely worried that if her mother felt slighted, she might get angry with Chi Yong later, and that would be their sin.

Yang Zhi looked at her daughter, the corner of her mouth curving up. Cheng Ying thought, Her charm truly lingers; no wonder Chi Yong is so jealous. Her mother’s allure was becoming more and more captivating.

Yang Zhi reassured her, "Mom doesn't need you to worry. Your uncle isn't a petty person; don't worry. But we still must take the children to let your father see them; that way, I can put one of my wishes to rest. At least your father will have seen his descendants."

Cheng Ying knew that a remarried woman also had the burden of a daughter from her previous marriage, making her feel conflicted. That’s why Cheng Ying had always understood Yang Zhi over the years. For a woman managing two households, it was always difficult; she was difficult at every turn.

Cheng Ying said, "What’s the trouble? We’ll drive back and forth; it’s fine. You just settle down and live your life with your stepfather. Don’t overthink things. Don't assume Dad has forgotten me either; otherwise, Dad might look at me unfavorably later."