Yang Zhi let out a breath of relief. "I know what Mom said puts you in a difficult position, but I've never lived life on anyone else's terms, not even my own. I want to follow my heart, and I don't want this issue to cause trouble for everyone."

Cheng Ying said half-jokingly, "Managing a household for someone else only lasts a moment. You're talking about managing one permanently—is it worth it? Don't tell me that 'thing' can just be moved anywhere."

Yang Zhi was amused by her daughter's retort. "I never knew Xiao Ye's father would get sick over something like this. I feel like I'm finally finding my footing now, perhaps a bit late, but I promise to live my days even better."

Speaking openly made Yang Zhi feel much lighter. Although she knew her daughter probably wouldn't stop her, she had been quite anxious on the drive over.

Cheng Ying remarked, "Your emotional intelligence is a bit low. You were supposed to settle down with Wu Zi's father; now you're getting sentimental over someone else. Is it a big deal to start dating later? Not at all. We all understand you. Just settle down and live well with your stepfather; don't overthink things, and don't let him keep stirring up trouble and making everyone uneasy. Who knows what's going on inside his head."

In her heart, Cheng Ying despised Chi Yong. Seducing middle-aged women—putting on a show of 'facing the sea and having warm spring blossoms'—and sweeping my mother off her feet just like that. He's taken care of all the matters, living and deceased, which isn't what anyone asked for. She was truly just throwing in a slight barb, completely unintentionally.

Yang Zhi looked quite embarrassed. "Your father is getting younger as he gets older."

Cheng Ying countered, "Yes, but not everyone can handle such a gloomy 'thing.' Only you treasure it enough to keep it hidden. How unsettling that must be," she thought, sensing she might be sowing discord.

Yang Zhi fell silent. These were topics that made her blush even when speaking to her daughter. Forgive Yang Zhi, a conservative woman from the countryside; she truly didn't discuss such matters with others.

Cheng Ying felt that saying one more word would be bullying her honest mother, yielding no sense of accomplishment. She decided to save those barbs for later to use against her stepfather.

After finishing her conversation with her daughter, Yang Zhi carefully tucked away the item in her hands. This kind of commitment to an afterlife together was something a rural woman like her had never encountered; it burned intensely red. When Yang Zhi looked at Chi Yong, she even felt a flush of color rise to her cheeks.

However, this silent state was making Chi Yong anxious. Come on, wife, tell me what decision you've made!

Chi Yong couldn't straightforwardly ask his wife, Are you planning to die alongside me in the future? That phrasing was too harsh.

After wandering around the house for two days, he went to see Cheng Ying. As for Chi Wu, Chi Yong basically considered that son a good-for-nothing, someone who was disloyal, incapable of handling anything important—he had given up on him.

Seeing Chi Yong arrive with a bag of fruit unsettled Cheng Ying; even her greeting was perfunctory. "Dad, here to see the children? You could have just said so, and we would have brought them over. Why make the trip yourself?"

In reality, she was grinding her teeth in hatred. That old scoundrel, daring to come to our house and strut around like he owns the place. Is this a display? What's there to be proud of when dealing with a dead man?

Chi Yong wore a cheerful facade, primarily because he had a request. "Yingzi, I just came by to check in. I haven't been here in a while, and I missed you all. To tell the truth, when your grandmother was alive, we spent a lot of time here. But coming back now feels... roundabout. Losing the elder really leaves one feeling unsettled."

Cheng Ying didn't even want to engage with Chi Yong. Do you realize what you're implying? Now that the old one is gone, you don't care about the young ones? Is that how a respected elder acts?

Chi Yong noticed Cheng Ying’s expression and realized he might have strayed off topic. "Ahem, Yingzi..." It was difficult for him, after all.

Cheng Ying raised an eyebrow, responding vaguely, "Go on."

Chi Yong was Chi Yong, hardened by years in the workplace—he had the thick skin for it. "Yingzi, your mother visited the other day. Did the two of you..." He then looked pointedly at Cheng Ying, meaning, If you're sensible, tell me quickly.

Cheng Ying stared at Chi Yong, her expression blank. If I don't say anything, you won't know what I'm asking. I'll just make you suffer. "What do you mean? Is my mother unhappy?" she asked, deliberately acting petulant.

Chi Yong coughed. "No, Yingzi, not that. For so many years, I truly regarded you as my own daughter. What about your grandmother—wasn't I a better son to her than your uncle?"

This was an attempt to build rapport through past favors. This shameless old man. Because of these small courtesies, I'm supposed to sell out my mother? Sell out everything, living and dead? If you weren't afraid of my dad coming at night to summon your soul, I’d worry about my dad chatting with me tonight.

Cheng Ying’s anger flared up fiercely. Agreeing with Yang Zhi was one thing; facing Chi Yong was entirely another matter.

Cheng Ying forced herself to calm down so she wouldn't spit on Chi Yong. "And so?"

Chi Yong said, "You child, you're deliberately making me anxious. I just want to know what your mother said to you."

Cheng Ying pursed her lips. "You actually have the nerve to ask? Calculating the feelings of a dead person—do you have any moral limits left? I don't even know what to say about you."

Supporting Yang Zhi's decision and agreeing with Chi Yong's actions were two completely different things. What needed to be said had to be said.

Chi Yong bristled, arguing with his daughter-in-law. "How am I calculating a dead person? I admire your mother!"

Cheng Ying shot back, "Could you be any more sickeningly sentimental? Haven't you considered that if my mother can't process this, she might hang herself? The father of a daughter, the father of a son—do you have the gall to say that?"

Chi Yong grew impatient. "What exactly did your mother say?"

Cheng Ying replied, "I’m not telling you."

Chi Yong got angry. What kind of wretched child is this? What kind of daughter-in-law? He glared at Cheng Ying, but the glare instantly dissolved. Anything that made Cheng Ying unhappy meant his wife hadn't sided with his daughter. He didn't need to agree with Cheng Ying's words; Cheng Ying felt guilty toward him, not this aggressive attitude. In an instant, Chi Yong broke into a warm, spring-like smile. That handsome old man's smile was almost too much to bear. Cheng Ying had always known she was a sucker for looks; that flaw probably wouldn't change in this lifetime. At worst, I just won't look.

Chi Yong said, "Yingzi, don't worry. I treat your mother very well. Besides, even though your father was closer to you, I’m still your father-in-law. We're family, after all. You can't be too biased, can you?"

Cheng Ying’s face darkened. You have the nerve to say that! "Right? You’re so sickly sweet that you’re promising to follow her through life and death. I feel my teeth aching for you. You’re old now; try not to cause so much drama."

Chi Yong left cheerfully, completely unbothered by his daughter-in-law's insults. I like being sickly sweet if I want to be! He pitied his son for having such a daughter-in-law, someone who couldn't appreciate any romantic sentiment at all.

Honestly, she didn't fit in with their family at all.

Chi Yong started showing off as soon as he sorted out the post-mortem arrangements. If Cheng Ying had shown him an expression of guilt, he probably wouldn't be strutting around now. People shouldn't be allowed such luxuries.

Chi Yong was in high spirits, so that evening he cooked a huge feast. When Yang Zhi returned from work, the food was ready, and the in-laws had arrived. The son, daughter, and grandson were all waiting at home. "What's the occasion today? Why didn't you tell me earlier? Look, Mom and Dad are here; I just got back."

Chi Yong looked at his wife as if seeing a mirage. "Nothing major. It’s just that I’ve been unwell lately, and I made everyone worry. I feel much better now, so I thought our whole family should gather."

Yang Zhi replied, "That’s true, we should. You really feel better? Why didn't you say so sooner? I would have swapped shifts with someone so you wouldn't have to manage everything alone."

Chi Yong insisted, "What's wrong with me serving you all once? You all have jobs; why should women always be stuck in the kitchen? Hurry up and get ready to eat."

Yang Zhi went to the washroom, and Cheng Ying emerged from the side, remarking sarcastically, "I never realized Dad was such a friend to women. You're so understanding. Mom is truly lucky."

Chi Yong blushed, glancing at his daughter-in-law. His authority as a father-in-law was dwindling. Wretched girl. "Go on."

Chi Wu chimed in, "My wife is upset. You got the benefit, and you won't even let us complain a little, Dad?"

Chi Yong retorted, "What has she lost? I'm keeping her son company, too! Living or dead, he's by her side. She made a huge profit!"

Chi Wu nodded. "I'm the one you pawned off to someone else. Why didn't I ever mention that to Grandma?"

Chi Yong exclaimed, "You two good-for-nothings, can't stand seeing me happy? Is there any way you two can badger me like this? Get out of here now!"

Cheng Ying shot back, "The old saying is that once you marry a wife, you forget your mother. But there's also the saying that if you marry a stepmother, you get a stepfather. You can't compare these things."

With that, the two of them left. They genuinely couldn't stand Chi Yong's smug expression. That shameless old man. Cheng Ying would probably curse Chi Yong this way forever. He was just an old, shameless man.

Yang Zhi came out from inside. "Why did you offend the two children?"

Chi Yong argued, "Offend them? They just said they can't stand to see me happy."

The two exchanged a look, blushing, and then shyly moved toward the dining table. Cheng Ying felt her jaw ache; her cheeks were throbbing from the sickening sweetness.

Chi Wu also felt deeply frustrated. The term 'shameless old man' surely referred to his father—how could he have the nerve to fool an older woman like that?

The elderly Mr. and Mrs. Chi, however, were happy to see their daughter-in-law and son getting along harmoniously. It was certainly better than the near-death state their son had been in recently.

Children are debts, whether they are the first or the last.

Old Mr. Chi said, "I’m no match for my son. If I had known giving away a burial plot would make my wife this happy, I would have done it sooner."

Old Mrs. Chi, ever so refined, snapped, "Bah! At my age, you dare offer me that thing? I plan to live a few more years! Stop cursing me!" Then she turned to the two unfortunate children. "Don't you two have any sense of propriety?"

Old Mr. Chi looked at his old wife. "Why do I feel like you’ve suddenly possessed our in-law? Is this still my wife?"

The atmosphere had essentially settled into a harmonious family setting. Chi Yong was so excited he was almost raising a glass for a toast: I'm so happy I'll be with your mother after I die.

Cheng Ying thought to herself that if Grandma were still alive, Chi Yong wouldn't be this cheerful. Grandma would surely punish her mother if she followed him after death. Speaking of which, she felt quite bad for her biological father back home. Cheng Ying planned to have several beautiful women burned for him in the New Year so he could find a wife down there and stop thinking about her mother. This promise couldn't be forgotten; she had delayed someone else's whole life.

Chi Wu raised his glass. "Mom, Dad, at your age, you can still be this affectionate. How about a toast?"