Chi Yong felt this was a huge problem, one that determined whether they could live happily in love going forward. The pressure was immense.

Then, regarding Chi Wu and Cheng Ying, Chi Yong had serious reservations; he wanted nothing more to do with those two unfortunate kids going forward. They always lost their nerve at critical moments! Worse, they only fueled the fire.

If it weren’t for the two adorable little brats in his house, Chi Yong would have considered cutting ties with both of them. Of course, constrained by his wife’s **awe-inspiring authority, severing the father-son bond was impossible; he was clearly being manipulated.

Chi Yong thought it was essential to have a serious talk with Cheng Ying, and ideally, he wished Chi Wu would give the daughter-in-law a good scolding. Though difficult, it was still better than his current predicament; he’d heard Yingzi treated Wu Zi quite well.

However, Chi Yong dared not believe rumors anymore; he himself was someone who had supposedly reversed his fate. Even such an obedient wife still ended up bucking against him. Luckily, he still had his son. Holding his son’s hand brought Chi Yong a sense of solace; only this one obedient and compliant child remained.

Even if Chi Yong said nothing, Cheng Ying would be dealt with once she returned home. Chi Wu spent an entire night instilling a sense of peace into Cheng Ying.

Cheng Ying suffered through a night of lectures—it was pure torment. She truly hadn't known Chi Wu could analyze problems so thoroughly and from so many angles; why had she needed to chime in? Had she known about the fatigue bombardment, Cheng Ying would have wondered why she bothered interfering when her own mother and stepfather had already reconciled in the end. Wasn't she just creating trouble for herself?

Chi Wu looked at his distracted wife. “Do you understand?”

Cheng Ying replied, “I understand everything. I regret it. I’m sleepy. Can we go to sleep now?”

Chi Wu pressed on, “You don’t understand. You don’t understand enough, especially bringing up divorce at the slightest provocation. What do you think married life is? What do you think marriage means? If we have a disagreement down the line, are you just going to turn around and leave?” This was the core issue Chi Wu needed to convey.

Cheng Ying countered, “How could I? You wouldn’t make me unhappy, would you?”

It was a joke, despite the fatigue bombardment; their minds were still sharp. On issues like this, there could be absolutely no mistakes, and one had to proceed with extreme caution—what if they walked into a trap?

Chi Wu’s face darkened. She harbored such treacherous thoughts! “Whose married life goes smoothly? Look at Mom and Dad. They had it good, yet they still had their troubles. What kind of thinking is that?”

Cheng Ying retorted, “It was inevitable. Who knew your father would use such a despicable tactic back then, and still come out losing? How could he even say it?” Alright, Cheng Ying was no longer sleepy; this had devolved into a personal attack.

Chi Wu reflected: Was this educating his wife, or was it leading to civil war? He hadn't even brainwashed Cheng Ying yet, and they were already choosing opposing sides.

After deep contemplation, he conceded, “We got sidetracked. Their problems are for them to solve. I’m talking about your mindset.”

Cheng Ying burst into tears. “Can we really not rest first? I need sleep. If I don’t sleep well, the baby won’t get quality milk. You’re destroying the milk supply! Can you bear to let the child eat junk food?”

He had, admittedly, made himself sound a bit wretched. But the mention of the child made Chi Wu compromise. He could educate his wife at another time; after all, the child was only in this crucial nursing phase. It couldn't be delayed! For the sake of the milk supply, Chi Wu took a deep breath and restrained himself.

Cheng Ying closed her eyes and fell asleep. In her mind, she thought this little daddy was quite reliable after all. He could yield for the sake of the child. Satisfied, she even felt that Chi Wu’s father was suddenly less abrasive—just an old, jealous man. Her mother would handle him later.

Chi Wu was left grinding his teeth through the evening of the second day of the New Year. If this issue wasn't resolved, they couldn't look forward to a happy, unburdened love, nor could they continue to be joyful companions. His thoughts mirrored Chi Yong’s—they were truly cut from the same cloth.

Later, Cheng Ying thought this New Year had been full of unexpected interest.

Cheng Ying also seriously considered the motive behind Chi Wu’s fatigue bombardment. She recognized that Chi Wu was far-sighted, striving to take responsibility for the future of their lives.

Cheng Ying resolved that she couldn't let Chi Wu outdo her. Life presented all kinds of problems; if you couldn't adapt to them, you had to solve them. Wasn't Yang Zhi also managing life with Chi Yong?

Cheng Ying suspected they would need to adapt to this environment even more in the future.

Cheng Ying’s biggest current frustration was that her two children, Chi Shuo and Cheng Le, had absolutely nothing in common with the concept of ‘adorable.’

The two children were so grating. Even Cheng Ying, who normally loved her own children dearly, was driven to distraction by them.

Managing two toddlers who had just learned to walk, plus an elderly woman who was nearly incapable of walking steadily, drained Cheng Ying’s brain cells more than dealing with a crowd of people trying to fleece her outside.

Especially seeing the two wobbly toddlers yanking on the almost unsteady old lady, Cheng Ying felt like she was losing hair with every encounter, verging on baldness.

They were all her closest family. If they got along well, that was wonderful, but couldn't they stop stressing her out so much? They clung together like wrapped rice dumplings—if one fell, three followed! Could she handle that?

Then there was the added complication of who she would console first if the three of them went down together.

So, every time she witnessed this dangerous maneuver, Cheng Ying was gripping her hair, muttering, "The old lady doesn't even pay attention to you."

As for the two children, they hadn’t a clue about anything. Truly, a truly beautiful harmony was impossible to achieve.

Cheng Ying contemplated that she had become a housewife mired in all sorts of complex affairs. Life wasn't quite beautiful.

Cheng Ying exclaimed, “I need to go back to work! If I keep dealing with these three, even if I don't go crazy, I’ll turn into an old hag. Look! Look at you, and look at me! I’m barely older than you, but look at my face, look at my hair—they’re all thanks to the stress they cause me!”

Chi Wu expressed understanding. Even he found it an ordeal to spend half a day with the three of them; how much worse must it be for his wife, who faced them twenty-four hours a day? “Don’t worry. I’ll find a kindergarten soon, and we’ll send the kids there. Just wait a bit longer; they’re too young right now. They won't accept them until they’re at least eighteen months old. Bear with it for a few more months!”

To prevent himself from turning into a lunatic or an old man, Chi Wu asked his wife to hold on, assuring her he was actively seeking a solution.

Cheng Ying closed her eyes. “Why don’t we switch? I’ll go sit in the office, and you cover for me at home for a few days.”

Chi Wu wasn't reluctant to give up control; he was reluctant to subject himself to his own children. “My skills aren’t up to raising kids! This job really requires you. Besides, if you turn into a crazy old woman, I still love you. If I turn into an old man, you’d surely stamp me out. For the sake of eternal family happiness, Yingzi, just a few more months, please?”

His words were so reasonable, so persuasive.

Cheng Ying closed her eyes and said nothing more. The trouble was unavoidable anyway. Looking at the youthful, refined man before her, Cheng Ying endured it so he wouldn't become an old man. Was it easy for her? This was practically seduction.

She instantly regretted it. The moment she opened her eyes, it was back to the days of two children. Why had she been so desperate for children in the first place? Now she felt her head must have been stuffed with chicken feathers back then.

How correct her decision had been to remain single until thirty in her previous life! Thinking back now, how wonderful life was then! Why had she been so set on marrying and having children? She regretted it deeply.

Of course, these were just fleeting thoughts. When she saw the old lady and the two children happily causing mayhem, Cheng Ying still felt a sense of accomplishment. Home was like this, full of exasperation, but it was better to be exasperated with someone else alongside her.

Especially when her daughter and son called her ‘Mama,’ Cheng Ying nearly wept with excitement.

Chi Wu was less understanding. The joy passed quickly. Why did his wife react so strongly? It was just their vocal cords developing, wasn't it?

It had to do with the length of time spent waiting. Chi Wu had yearned for his own child since his early adolescence. Cheng Ying, however, was thirty years his senior; adding those years together, Cheng Ying had awaited her children for over forty years. Could the feeling be the same? Despite the daily aggravations and occasional minor complaints, Cheng Ying’s love for the children was unparalleled.

Cheng Ying decided she couldn't mention this to Chi Wu, lest she give him the impression of an ancient enchantress preying on a young man.

Cheng Ying firmly decided she could discuss the matter of space, but rebirth? Absolutely not. That would be too embarrassing.

She, a person of her age, obsessing over a young man—this touched upon her dignity.

The children’s development, from crawling and walking to calling her ‘Mama,’ was a joyous process. As the two children became more articulate, Cheng Ying lost her initial excitement, replaced by an urge to throttle them.

If someone was raising one child, hearing 'Mama' five hundred times a day might allow for some patience and gentle replies.

But Cheng Ying was raising two! She had to answer ‘Mama’ at least five hundred times a day!

Cheng Ying was never a soft-spoken person to begin with. Mama Cheng’s temper grew increasingly volatile. Sometimes she wished she could just stuff the mouths of the two little terrors shut so her ears could finally have some peace.

The children's memories improved, while the old lady’s declined. Eventually, the old lady started calling out ‘Mama’ along with the children.

Cheng Ying truly cried, driven to tears by the children. If they hadn’t called out so frequently, if they hadn't had such a bad influence on the old lady, would Cheng Ying be in such a difficult position? If she didn't respond, the old lady would throw a tantrum and accuse her of favoritism.

When she heard her own grandmother call her that—hearing that sound—Cheng Ying truly held the old lady and wept.

She was completely muddled now; she would never understand again.

In that instant, heartache, grievance, and fear exploded within her chest. The old lady who had shielded her from wind and rain for half her life—was she really gone forever?

Cheng Ying wept into the old lady’s shoulder, tears streaming down her face. Not only the two children, but even Rong Sao and Auntie nearby were frightened—what was wrong? Why such intense emotion, as if she were possessed?

Chi Wu rushed home. Seeing his wife clinging to the old lady, weeping in her agitation, Chi Wu felt a pang of sympathy.

However, he first tended to the frightened children to calm them down, only then moving to comfort his wife. (To be continued) ps: Requesting Pink Tickets. If you enjoy this, could you offer some Pink Tickets? (.)RU