"Look at you two," the Village Head said, "neither of you cares about that small portion; who wants the mountain grounds, who wants the land?"

The Eldest Aunt’s expression soured. "How can we let a junior handle the burial expenses for the elder? The three brothers should split it. What will people say about us?"

Yang Zhi replied, "Sister-in-law, don't worry about that. When the old lady lived with us, she already said that if she lived with us, we would handle the funeral. No one can fault that anywhere."

Yang Zhi genuinely believed handling the funeral was their due, with no ulterior motives. The Second Uncle’s wife, having lived well these past few years and gained some standing in the village, was clearly thinking clearly now. It wasn't like when they didn't have food and the children cried themselves hoarse from hunger. Without needing to rack her brains, she understood why the eldest son’s wife was acting so generous. Look at the third son’s wife—truly, a good person enjoys the blessings of goodness. Was this heaven favoring the simple-minded?

You could say the eldest son’s wife, who was always so sharp and competitive, was still living less comfortably than Zhi Zi. "Sister-in-law said that, so let me add a word. If we let Ying Zi handle the sending off, we elders would be terribly ashamed. However, this matter was settled while the old lady was alive; we have nothing to say. We can’t just take advantage and feign modesty, can we? If you truly feel uneasy, Sister-in-law, perhaps we can do this: the contribution money collected after the old lady passed away…"

At this point, the Second Aunt paused. The Second Uncle’s eyes bulged; his wife hadn't been so calculating in years—what spell had she fallen under?

The Eldest Aunt thought, I knew I wasn't the only one thinking about it.

Cheng Ying watched the Second Aunt, and even Aunt Gan understood: the eldest son’s wife was stirring things up and insisting on handling the funeral just to get her hands on the contribution money.

If you consider how many people there are, the Second Aunt was just hinting at it openly.

Then the Second Aunt spoke, "Only a few brothers from my mother's side have come. Ying Zi, you must give this contribution money to me. Afterwards, I and your Second Uncle will return the contributions from my mother's side. You all don't need to come for those long distances. I will handle the ones from my side. As for those of you coming from the city, Ying Zi… let me say something unpleasant: one contribution from you could keep our family going for a year. The Second Aunt cannot afford that. You can handle those contributions yourselves from now on, right?"

The Second Aunt stopped talking. That was already enough to cause trouble. The eldest son’s wife was only thinking about dividing the money and didn't consider who would handle future contributions? Would she have to return them? Really, such a person had never been seen before. Is her son finally grown up and anxious about buying a house?

The Eldest Aunt's face turned from the excitement over the contribution money to ashen grey, staring at the Second Branch’s wife almost grinding her teeth. Why should they have to return contributions?

The Eldest Uncle lowered his head. If there weren't so many people around, he’d have kicked his wife twice; he was deeply ashamed. "We will handle the return contributions for our relatives. For the village contributions, all three of our families will handle them. Although Ying Zi has been away, she hasn't incurred any social debts in the village over the years. As for those from the city, Ying Zi can return those herself."

The Village Head chuckled, "I have never seen brothers as polite as you. Don't worry, sister-in-law."

That comment made the Eldest Aunt feel utterly mortified.

Cheng Ming looked at his mother and thought, the family isn't short of money; what is she struggling for? "We'll take the mountain grounds; it’s something to remember her by. Second Uncle has been maintaining the land near the village entrance for a long time; let that be a keepsake for him."

The Second Uncle nodded. "That's what I was thinking too. Eldest Brother, do you agree?"

Uncle Gan said, "Originally, there was a chicken in the backyard and a couple of fish—also a keepsake—but I've been too busy these past two days and didn't get to it. I didn't see them this morning; no need to divide them now."

Cheng Ying turned her head; someone here was surprisingly thoughtful.

Chi Wu felt terrible all over. He had just forgotten about last night’s events, and now it was brought up again.

Honestly, looking at Cheng Ying, Chi Wu pinched his nose and said, "It’s better gone. Otherwise, Ying Zi would have had to take them along for the old lady." Then he shut his mouth. This meant there was no need to look for them.

Aunt Gan looked at the Eldest Aunt. Luckily, the old lady never mentioned the chicken that laid golden eggs to anyone outside the family, or it would have caused more trouble. Now that the old lady was gone, who would show off a golden egg to amuse you? It was truly better that they were gone, saving future gossip and trouble.

Fewer people would visit this village in the future. With the old lady gone, there was an emptiness in their hearts.

The Village Head said, "Alright, you've been fussing for days. Everything that should be divided has been divided, and everything that should be kept has been kept. I'm leaving now."

Chi Wu called out, "Village Head, please wait. We left some tools outside; they are things needed for major and minor village affairs. Since we won't be around, perhaps you could keep these things here for the village? Whoever needs them for village matters can use them. Consider it our small gesture of goodwill."

The Village Head smiled. "This is wonderful. Truly, the village has been lacking a set of these things. From now on, for any big or small village matters, this will save a lot of effort. Wu Zi, it’s a blessing that you thought of us."

Cheng Ying nodded, watching Chi Wu—she could see he was somewhat worn out. How did this man manage to think things through so well? Although he didn't spend much money, his thoughtfulness was spot on. From now on, whenever the village had an event, they would think of the Chi family while breaking bread. Benevolence. These items were sponsored by the Chi family. Even if she had only collected contributions, it would cover that debt. It was truly excellent.

Chi Yong watched his own son nod in approval; how was this boy so perceptive?

The Eldest Aunt’s expression darkened further. Women only see such small things. She had originally planned to divide these things with the Second Branch after they left, but now, nothing was left.

Looking at the big gold bangle on her sister-in-law’s wrist, she felt even worse. All her efforts had come to nothing! Why was her chest so tight?

The Eldest Uncle said, "You two rest well. Ying Zi, pick some flowers and drink some tea to soothe your throat. Your grandmother is gone, but from now on, come back to us, your two uncles; this is still home."

Cheng Ying felt that since the day she crossed over, her Eldest Uncle had only said this one necessary thing. Now that his mother was dead, he seemed to understand, though perhaps a little late. "I know."

Those three words sounded particularly difficult coming from Ying Zi’s mouth. Chi Wu felt a pang of heartache. "Uncle, we know Grandma is still here, and our Dad is still here. We will come back for everything."

Chi Yong was thrown into turmoil when he heard that. What did he mean, his dad was still here? What about his father-in-law? Looking at Yang Zhi, Chi Yong felt even worse.

To be honest, after personally participating in the village funeral, Chi Yong hadn't felt right. He had something weighing heavily on his mind—a major issue.

The wife, Yang Zhi, was truly precious to Chi Yong. While the marriage was born out of necessity, the two of them had risen from hardship together. They were husband and wife through trials; their affection was real. Even the fact that his wife was previously married, Chi Yong could overlook, given how good she was. Moreover, his wife had given him a child—a child as pure and lovely as jade and snow.

In Chi Yong’s eyes, this was a happy family of three, bound by life and death.

But coming to the village had changed that perception. Cheng Ying’s grandmother, at such an advanced age, had passed away, and she had to be buried next to Ying Zi’s grandfather in the village.

A few days ago, when they exhumed the remains of Ying Zi’s grandfather, only dust and bone fragments remained, but the sons had carefully collected them and placed them beside Ying Zi’s grandmother. They were to be buried together.

Chi Yong had heard people say that this is how it is when people grow old, following the customs passed down through generations in the village.

Applying it to himself, if Yang Zhi grew old one day, would she also have to return here? After Chi Yong died, who would be by his side? This question was too heavy, especially seeing Cheng Ying’s respect for village rites. Chi Yong felt even worse. His son was Ying Zi’s man; he couldn't be fully trusted. His wife was naturally soft-hearted; there was no one truly reliable to rely on.

If he died later, it would be fine. But if he died first, wouldn't Ying Zi have the final say? Where his mother would be buried would become a huge problem.

Fighting with the dead felt undignified to Chi Yong, but if he didn't fight this, he felt he would choke on blood. They were all human; they all had the seven emotions and six desires. He didn't worry about the next life or rebirth—that was ephemeral. But the arrangements after death were concrete; that wasn't abstract.

Chi Yong’s face remained gloomy. Those who didn't know would assume he was deeply mourning the old lady and hadn't recovered from the shock.

The Second Uncle said, "Children, this is home. We won't talk anymore; you should rest first. We will re-inter the old lady at the original grave the day after tomorrow. Once the first seven days have passed, you can return to the city. We two brothers will handle the rest. We understand that such a long journey is taxing; your grandmother understood too. Rest assured."

The Second Uncle was worried that Cheng Ying and the others would leave before the first seven days were over, so he reminded them.

Cheng Ying replied, "I understand, I know." She truly didn't dare let him say another word; his vocal cords must be failing.

Chi Wu said, "Mom, take Ying Zi inside to rest. I'll go check on the children."

Indeed, the children. They hadn't paid attention to them these past two days. However, Cheng Ying was indeed lacking energy. She went inside with Yang Zhi.

Cheng Ying wondered why Uncle Wu’s father was looking at her with such a dark expression. If she weren't so exhausted, she would have asked if something was wrong.

But she truly had no strength left. She didn't even see off the Eldest and Second Uncles; Cheng Ying just went to sleep. She would deal with Chi Yong's concerns later.

Chi Wu went to see the two children. They were young, and this kind of event meant they were neglected. Even though the two aunties were personally taking care of them, with Grandma Chi and Aunt Gan assisting nearby, the children were still agitated. A biological mother is irreplaceable.

Even if Cheng Ying wasn't always the most meticulous with the children, even if she usually disciplined them by lightly spanking their bottoms, at this moment, the children needed their mother.

Chi Wu played with the two children, and they clung to their father, refusing to let go—they had sensed neglect.

Chi Wu didn't want to let go. He hadn't paid much attention to them for half a month. "Sister Rong, you two rest well. Tonight, I’ll take the children back to the room to rest."

Sister Rong asked, "Can you manage? Ying Zi is in that state."

Chi Wu replied, "It's fine. The children miss their mom; I'll take them."

The two children tugged at Chi Wu, scrambling towards him. Chi Wu thought he was lucky he still had stamina; otherwise, these two kids would be too much to handle. They didn't know how to take turns; one was more overbearing than the other.

He lifted one child in each hand. "Stop making a fuss, or I won't take either of you!" If this issue wasn't resolved, the siblings would start fighting each other.

Chi Wu said to his son, "Why aren't you yielding to your sister?"

His son smeared something on Chi Wu’s face. Alright, this son was never very reasonable.

Chi Wu turned to his daughter, "That’s your brother."

The daughter hugged her father, ignoring everyone else. No matter who it was, I have to be the one you hug.