Cheng Ying's cheeks quivered. It was barely springtime, and one might think you were freshly beamed down from elsewhere—did you have to be so unrestrained? It was just a burial plot; I’ve never heard of anyone gifting that.

Chi Wu watched his mother-in-law put away the documents, the corners of his eyes twitching. His father hadn't grasped what his mother meant, and Chi Wu certainly couldn't decipher what either of them intended. Their expressions were utterly unreadable. Life is exhausting.

Glancing at Chi Yong secretly sneaking glances at his wife, Chi Wu shook his head, finally understanding his father's subtle meaning. Heavens, why be so cautious? Why not just ask directly? What a long detour just to maintain composure.

However, Chi Wu also heightened his own vigilance. While his father watched Yang Zhi’s reaction, Chi Wu meticulously observed Cheng Ying’s face, wondering if his wife had caught on yet.

Chi Wu thought deeply. Surely, Cheng Ying wouldn't be angry over something this trivial, or at least, it shouldn't involve him directly. Unsettled, Chi Wu gently touched the handcuffs tucked at the small of his back—he’d specifically spent days learning how to apply them swiftly and cleanly. He truly hoped this skill would remain unused his entire life; that would be his happiness.

Unable to elicit a response from his wife, Chi Yong turned to his daughter. "Yingzi, what do you think?" The question was clearly a trap. Chi Yong immediately began contemplating how he would proceed if Cheng Ying objected.

Cheng Ying didn't overthink it. "Heh heh, I think you and Mom have such a deep connection; it’s a love that spans life and death!"

Chi Yong didn't feel shameless at all, instead stating earnestly to Cheng Ying, "I intend to be with your mother whether I live or die."

Cheng Ying shivered, rubbing her arms, instantly getting goosebumps again. "Have you had some sort of entertainment activity at work recently? Is it a play?"

Chi Yong said meaningfully, "No, I just think the location is quite nice. When your mother and I are old, it will save you the expense of arranging things later. Isn't this me preparing in advance?"

Chi Wu interjected from the side, "Our family truly doesn't lack this money." He was simply trying to establish his presence beside his wife. When Cheng Ying finally understood, she would know Chi Wu stood with her, and that his father's actions had nothing to do with him.

However, he was clearly slighted, immediately receiving a kick from Chi Yong.

Chi Wu felt deeply wronged. I'm happy to spend money for you, isn't that good?

Cheng Ying looked at her mother. On the surface, her mother seemed content, but what was wrong with her stepfather? Had he hit menopause already? Oh dear, Mom has a long road ahead of her.

Then, Chi Yong took the two pieces of paper from Yang Zhi’s hand, examined them closely before his eyes, and then solemnly rose. "I’ll take these inside the room."

Cheng Ying thought, How solemn. Having such things in the house would make it hard to sleep soundly.

Old Man Chi also rubbed his non-existent goosebumps. "Is this kid crazy?" How could you say the child was unfilial? He bought a cemetery plot, but it wasn't for the elderly couple. Old Man Chi was very frustrated.

Old Lady Chi remarked, "I never knew Yongzi could be so sentimental." You truly couldn't call the child unfilial; at least he wasn't wishing you dead, preparing a burial plot for you—that was quite nice. Still, preparing such things in advance, not everyone could face it with such open-mindedness, keeping it right in front of them.

Yang Zhi remained silent, saying nothing from beginning to end.

After entering the room, Chi Yong’s expression darkened. But looking on the bright side, silence was better than outright refusal. Looking even better, perhaps Yang Zhi simply believed they should be together in their old age. Chi Yong pursed his lips. No matter how he tried to see the good in it, he couldn't be content just knowing; he still longed for Yang Zhi to express her approval openly, to show appreciation for the spot.

Chi Yong felt his demands weren't high. Even a relationship without expectation of return was a blessing, whether between father and daughter.

Chi Wu looked at Yang Zhi, thinking she must understand now, that she must have come to terms with it. He wanted to talk to her, to comfort his mother-in-law, but it seemed this was not the time.

When Yang Zhi walked the two young ones out, Chi Wu began, "Mom..." He truly didn't know what to say next.

Cheng Ying asked, "Is there something else?" Chi Wu replied, "No, I just feel it’s getting cold; please keep warm, Mom."

Yang Zhi smiled and waved goodbye. "Drive safely. When you get home, make sure the child drinks plenty of water. Alright, off you go."

Watching his mother-in-law like this, Chi Wu genuinely felt speechless; comfort was out of the question.

He decided to let his father handle it himself; this wasn't their concern as the younger generation anyway.

Cheng Ying, however, craned her neck and specifically told Yang Zhi, "Don't worry, talk to my dad more often. At this age, men hit menopause; you need to counsel him a bit." Fearing her mother might dismiss it, she emphasized the point again and again. Temperamental older men going through menopause were truly difficult to manage.

Yang Zhi kindly told her daughter, "It’s fine. You two take good care of the child."

Chi Wu complained to Cheng Ying about Chi Yong’s unusual behavior. "Is this menopause? I feel like I'm going to need a nerve tonic watching this."

Cheng Ying was unaware that Chi Wu had been worried sick about his father’s issue for nearly half a year. She analyzed it for him. "That's why you have to treat it carefully; it's very hard to manage. Your dad's menopause is early, but for now, we should just indulge him a bit. It will normalize after this period."

Chi Wu thought, I hope you feel the same way in a few days. May the world find peace because of you two father and daughter. Heaven help us.

The couple finally returned home with the child. Chi Wu felt the evening was chaotic; it was such a relief to leave that place. Perhaps if his wife didn't see those upsetting papers, she wouldn't dwell on it. Chi Wu genuinely felt they should wait until his father or mother passed away to confront the burial arrangements. Getting angry over this now seemed premature. When would this end?

After settling the child at home, they bathed and went to bed, chatting idly when there was nothing else to do—truly, the kind of boredom that aches.

Cheng Ying felt she could only speak honestly to an outsider, and she spoke on her mother's behalf. "My mom has suffered enough; she has to look after a whole group of children now. You see, your dad seems fine, so why is he suddenly going through menopause?"

Chi Wu wholeheartedly agreed. His father had been acting like a child lately, thinking about what strange things. "It's too early for him to come here, too early for him to leave. Mom’s happy days will come later." Chi Wu was reluctant to bring up Chi Yong, feeling uneasy. He was about to change the subject.

Then he heard Cheng Ying laugh, "It’s quite something for your dad to think of that—'facing the sea, with spring blossoms.' It's quite romantic, a little tragically beautiful. I've never heard of anyone seeking that out nowadays, nor heard anyone complaining about it."

Chi Wu made his concluding statement: "He’s definitely lost it, just like Grandpa said." Then he looked at Cheng Ying; no way, does my wife like this style? "Should I go get a couple of plots too?"

Cheng Ying slapped Chi Wu. "Don't talk nonsense! Do we need to buy them? If you die first, I’ll bury you in the spatial realm. If I die first, I’ll have you put in the mountain grounds. We’ll be together then."

Then Cheng Ying suddenly objected. "Wait a minute! Now I know why your dad thought of that—he has no good intentions! Then she wore a dark, sullen expression. Chi Wu’s eyes were quick; it took less than a second—he cuffed her.

He slapped his own face as well. Even I sensed something was off; why would you discuss that with your wife, you idiot? You should have just changed the subject earlier.

Cheng Ying raised her arm, looking genuinely endearingly confused. "What does that mean?"

Chi Wu said, "Just practicing. For proficiency."

Cheng Ying’s entire demeanor shifted. "You've practiced plenty; look at that speed!"

Chi Wu quickly countered, "I have to practice; if this thing comes up, it’s your mother's choice and has nothing to do with me. You can't hold a grudge against me."

Cheng Ying realized she had veered off course. The most important issue so far wasn't how practiced the handcuffs were; it was the matter of her mother's grave. "I've known about that for a long time."

Chi Wu admitted readily, "It’s maddening. My dad is going to lose it."

Cheng Ying nodded with a grim expression. "I agree. He's not just losing it; he's black-hearted and ruthless. He's planning things even after death. If he could time travel, would he go straight back to before Mom married? Just to erase me?"

It was becoming a more infuriating topic the more she thought about it. "Scheming against a dead person—how can he be so shameless?" She was about to explode. This issue wasn't something Cheng Ying could decide easily; if matters regarding the future came up, her Cheng family brothers would have grounds to speak up.

Cheng Ying frowned, deeply troubled. It was impossible to live happily like this; why did Chi Yong have to cause trouble?

Watching his wife sit there, head down, angry and lost in thought, Chi Wu felt his father was truly off his rocker, seeing the chaos he'd stirred up in their home.

He knew his wife was smart, but he never knew she was this smart; she could draw parallels and connect their own problems to his parents’ situation.

But his own father’s actions were truly unconscionable. How could anyone do that? It was like being forced into a lottery.

He wondered what Cheng Ying’s mother was feeling right now. As a man, he showed such a lack of responsibility. He should have waited until Yingzi’s mother was gone to arrange everything himself. A man should handle it himself instead of forcing a situation—saying it lets the woman choose was just a polite way of putting her in a difficult position.

Chi Wu felt embarrassed to even mention this to Cheng Ying. How could he explain it? My dad is essentially competing with my grandfather and my brother for posthumous rights over your deceased father. The phrase itself was awkward.

Besides, what could Cheng Ying do? She certainly couldn't laugh at him. We can’t discuss what his father is like or what he means; we can’t even ask. But while his mother was alive, her opinion mattered most. This whole thing depended on what his mother said, and after hearing her opinion, they would still need to discuss it with her elder brothers. It wasn't simply a matter for the living or the dead to decide. Chi Yong thought simply, and Chi Wu thought simply too.

What was Chi Yong thinking? Wasn't this forcing the issue to an extreme?

No one knew Yang Zhi's temper better than Cheng Ying; Yang Zhi was the type to keep everything bottled up inside.

With the mess Chi Yong had created, it wasn't out of the question that Yang Zhi might suffocate herself with worry.

Furthermore, Chi Yong was utterly despicable. You steal a living person, and now you steal a dead one? Is there anyone like that? How was she, his daughter, supposed to face her deceased father?

If they said Cheng Ying was a reincarnated soul, wouldn't that make her even less representative of her own daughter?

The couple sank into their respective thoughts, the atmosphere growing heavy and still.