Cheng Ying joked back with Yang Zhi; it was only in front of Yang Zhi that Cheng Ying called him that. Mother and daughter waved goodbye at the door.

While Cheng Ying held their daughter and Chi Wu held their son, the four of them strolled in the courtyard to aid digestion. Cheng Ying began her critique: "What was your father's attitude? Why was he so jealous? My mother hadn't even said anything, why did he bolt off like that? I never saw your dad have such a temper when he was young. Besides, when he married my mother, none of us suggested it was a deception; my mother was a widow then. Isn't it a bit late to be agonizing over it now?"

Holding his son, Chi Wu felt a deep sense of grievance. Why was his own father acting so crazy? Just as Cheng Ying said, whether or not there was deception—when Yingzi’s mother married Chi Yong, she already had a child. Is it a bit late to be jealous now?

Even if he later found out he wasn't Chi Yong’s son, meaning Chi Yong was at a slight disadvantage concerning that specific issue, yet you still engaged in deception, didn't you?

Saying you were wronged now is far too late. Why didn't you say anything back then? However, he couldn't undermine his own father in front of his wife. "That just shows how much my dad cherishes our mother," he said, choosing his words carefully to appease everyone.

Cheng Ying countered, "Cherishes that much?"

Chi Wu nodded with firm assurance, "That much. Didn't you see he became irrational? That's true love!"

Then he resolutely decided not to discuss the matter further. Even a top student couldn't irresponsibly say just anything. Chi Wu feared disgusting himself.

Cheng Ying sighed, "It’s enough if you cherish me normally. Definitely don't play with this thing called 'true love.' It hurts the body and the heart. I estimate your father will suffer more; my mother might look frail, but she's not without a temper, and she’s very hard to coax once upset."

Chi Wu thought to himself that he wasn't having a fit; how could he be like his father? "For the four of us, there won't be that problem. Rest assured."

Cheng Ying looked at Chi Wu. "Your father didn't have this problem when he was young either. Are you sure that when you reach your father's age, you can maintain the same level of rational affection?"

Chi Wu inwardly understood his wife was worried he might go crazy at that age. "Tell me one time when you were irrational with me, and I’ll give up on any future pursuit in this life."

Speaking of which, Chi Wu had one regret: Cheng Ying was too rarely jealous. She never threw tantrums with him, which made Chi Wu feel rather insecure.

Cheng Ying rolled her eyes. "Are you bored or something? Are you acting in a movie? Your father picked up that flaw from watching television. Later, when I’m watching TV with the old lady, you take the kids and play with them, lest you become brain-dead."

Chi Wu felt wronged; even this small bit of privilege was gone. Driven by a thirst for knowledge, he ventured, "How come you don't become disabled from watching?"

Cheng Ying raised an eyebrow. I’ve been seasoned by the melting pot; how could I be deficient? I can tell the ending by the first episode of any drama. It would be a miracle if I couldn't spot a mental issue! "Can you compare yourself to me?"

Chi Wu fell silent. I can't compare myself to my wife, because my wife simply never argues logically with me. Accept it.

When Chi Yong came out, he immediately regretted being so impulsive. He had completely disregarded his dignity. How would Sun Pangzi tease him later?

But to say he wasn't angry was impossible. He was almost out of control. It wasn't jealousy or envy; Chi Yong just felt that Yang Zhi, all these years, had never treated him, Chi Yong, as an equal.

In his heart, he treated not only his wife but also his wife's daughter as his own flesh and blood. If Yang Zhi had spared a thought for him, Chi Yong, she wouldn't have let Wuzi take the children to mourn the dead man. How old are the children? It's clearly exhausting for them. Those aren't just Yingzi's children; they are Wuzi's children too! Did you see his elder brother make a fuss over his only child?

Chi Yong couldn't find any peace in his thoughts.

However, having come out of that room, going back in served no purpose. In any case, his face had been lost inside.

For years, Chi Yong had harbored a sensitive avoidance regarding Yingzi’s first husband. But this was the first time Yang Zhi had spoken of him so naturally, so openly concerned about a dead man, right in front of him. This made Chi Yong deeply unhappy.

Chi Yong felt a lack of equilibrium. He genuinely believed his wife cared more for her deceased husband and his daughter than for him, her current husband, and the son of her current husband.

Perhaps Chi Yong was a man who valued order and had clear life goals. He hadn't exploded with juvenile angst during his most difficult moments, yet in his forties, it erupted. He felt he had to argue with her, force his wife to compare in her heart which man—father or son—was more important.

It was like getting chickenpox—if it breaks out normally at a respectable age, and if cared for properly, it passes easily. But the more it’s suppressed, the more dangerous it becomes, especially for older people.

That was Chi Yong’s situation. He didn’t have his teenage outburst when he should have, and now, in his forties, he was experiencing a late-onset juvenile phase, and the eruption was more severe than it would have been otherwise.

Furthermore, the logic of a forty-year-old in a juvenile phase isn't the same as normal logic, so it’s harder to cure. Their thought patterns operate on an entirely different level.

Chi Yong actually slammed the door and stormed out. He even went to the school to pick up his son, who was taking extra lessons. Without a word, he took his son to his own father’s house, leaving his wife to reflect on her actions.

Chi Yong consoled himself, thinking that during the Lunar New Year, his wife would surely come to celebrate with the elders anyway. Even if she was upset, the matter wouldn't escalate too much. They had to be together for the New Year, right? He was leaving himself an exit route.

If Cheng Ying knew what Chi Yong had done, she would certainly say Chi Yong had missed his juvenile phase and brought on menopause early—it was an explosive syndrome! Otherwise, no one would mess up good days like this.

Regardless of how angry Chi Yong and Yang Zhi were, Cheng Ying and Chi Wu accepted the mother’s opinion and took the two children back to the village.

After all, this was the first year they were bringing the children to see their maternal grandfather. Her mother had a point. These two children were indeed Cheng Ying’s, and more importantly, they were the continuation of the bloodline from the body she now inhabited. They absolutely had to pay respects. Thinking this, she felt her physical body was ruined. Cheng Ying shook her head; dwelling on it further would make her lose her mind.

The old lady was truly unwilling. Ever since the children were born, they hadn't left her sight. Even if she was confused, with only a few people in the house, and her granddaughter personally helped her recognize them, how could she forget?

She grabbed the family of four at the door and absolutely refused to let them leave!

Cheng Ying was distressed. She really couldn't take the old lady; the temperature in the village was vastly different from here. If the old lady went through the trouble, she wouldn't survive it.

Sister Rong and Aunt Gan took turns coming over, but eventually, Uncle Gan brought out his own precious darling, which eased the old lady’s worry.

Only then could Chi Wu and Cheng Ying leave.

Cheng Ying sighed, "It's a good thing we don't have to stay home long. I was really afraid Uncle Gan wouldn't be able to manage the old lady."

Chi Wu replied, "Yeah, we'll leave later, stay for a couple of days at home, and come right back. I called home earlier; Second Uncle has already started the heating, and the rooms are cleaned up. Don't worry."

Cheng Ming accompanied them home. Hearing this, his face flushed slightly. When his mother heard they were returning, she only said, "Just come back, then." She offered nothing else.

Cheng Ming wasn't too awkward. "Can the two of you manage it? Do you need me to lend a hand?"

Cheng Ying looked at Cheng Ming. "What, are you planning to go home and stay at your place? Who will cook for us?"

Cheng Ming turned away. She was clearly treating him like Sister Rong—not being polite at all.

Chi Wu chimed in, "If the two of us couldn't manage, you'd definitely have to stay and keep Grandma company, or we wouldn't be at ease. Did you really think you could go home and have a quiet New Year?"

Cheng Ming replied, "Can I rest for a while now?"

Cheng Ying looked at Cheng Ming. "Fine. Take this little guy and sleep with him."

With that, she handed over the little boy dressed up like a Chihuahua. Cheng Ming gave the chubby baby in his arms a look of distaste. How could anyone sleep with this weight?

During the New Year, the old lady was unhappy because the house felt empty. She didn't know who to talk to and kept grabbing Uncle Gan, asking, "Where did everyone go?"

Uncle Gan and Aunt Gan were patient, but they couldn't withstand the old lady asking the same question every time she saw him.

Uncle Gan was starting to avoid being near the old lady and was eagerly hoping the others would return quickly.

You wouldn't think the old lady was so attached to Yingzi and Wuzi before.

Uncle Gan also noticed that although Yingzi’s mother and Chi Yong had both visited the old lady these past two days, Yingzi’s mother’s expression was wrong. Those two must have had a fight. He desperately hoped Yingzi would return soon. This was beyond his ability to handle.

Then, looking at Chi Yong, he felt a sense of disdain. You dared to provoke anger, you dared to slam the door and leave—why don't you have the skill to coax your wife? If you have the guts, why didn't you follow behind Yingzi’s mother? Is that what a man does?

Seeing Uncle Gan's look, Chi Yong felt like biting him. He was already upset, and now he had to endure this man’s expression! They were both causing trouble together. Chi Yong regretted that his wife had such a strong temper. In fact, apart from a brief awkward period when Chi Yong was about to return to the city when she was arguing with her mother, they hadn't raised their voices in years. What a mess this turned out to be.

So, when Chi Wu brought his wife and children back, Uncle Gan was so moved he almost cried. Salvation! Otherwise, the old lady might not have let the couple eat New Year’s Eve dumplings with them. This old lady was being very unreasonable right now. Uncle Gan admitted he truly couldn't handle it anymore.

Chi Wu settled his sleeping daughter and son before coming to pay respects to the old lady.

Unfortunately, the old lady now only remembered Cheng Ying and the children; she wasn't very familiar with anyone else. Chi Wu had no heart to argue with the old lady over such matters.

The journey back and forth took three or four days of tiresome travel; the children and wife were exhausted.

Cheng Ming was dragged back by Chi Wu to spend the New Year at home, precisely because if the couple traveled with the children alone, they would have no stand-ins.

Of course, now that he had an elder sister-in-law, Cheng Ming was less enthusiastic about spending the holiday at his own home. When a whole family unit has an extra woman, somehow the atmosphere changes to become almost unbearable for him.

On the road, Cheng Ming had remarked that he must have spent too much time with Cheng Ying; his heart had changed, and he was finding normal social environments hard to adapt to.

Cheng Ying said apologetically, "I'm truly sorry, sir. Otherwise, why don't you invite Sister-in-law to stay in the city for a few days? That way, you can adapt to group living faster."

Cheng Ming quickly retorted, "Don't talk nonsense. That's my elder sister-in-law; why would I invite her over? Don't give me such strange ideas; my reputation would suffer."

Chi Wu interjected, "Give it a rest. Do you even have a reputation?" Being teased by the couple together, Cheng Ming felt if he didn't shut up now, he was purely inviting torment.