It wasn't until Chi Wu returned home for the holiday that he saw how much more comfortable Cheng Ying was living there than when they were around, and only then did Chi Wu's attitude toward Yang Zhi soften somewhat, though the matter never truly left his mind.

Because of this, Chi Wu always held a certain measure of Yang Zhi in his heart; even though Yang Zhi was the most competent stepmother who never mistreated her stepson, something always remained between them.

In Chi Wu's view, every time Yang Zhi was kinder to him, it brought him a sting of displeasure; Chi Wu carried a constant sense of unfairness, a personal scale tipping for Cheng Ying.

Every time Chi Wu came home for vacation, he worked furiously for Cheng Ying, hoping that the more he did, the easier things would be for her.

Chi Wu even used the money he had saved over the years to buy Cheng Ying a tractor, just so she could move more lightly between the mountain plots and relieve some of her burden.

That period was the most bittersweet time in Chi Wu’s heart, and also when Cheng Ying began to take root and sprout within him. Chi Wu learned of Cheng Ying’s persistence and tenacity, and of course, he also couldn't help but frequently admire the supple curve of her waist from behind.

For Chi Wu, the darkest days of his life were not the years spent hungry and thirsty, with his stomach perpetually sloshing with water, but rather his high school years after Cheng Ying arrived.

The moment his youthful heart began to stir, Chi Wu’s focus locked onto Cheng Ying, just like satellite navigation—never wavering.

In Chi Wu’s estimation, no girl was more beautiful than Cheng Ying. In his eyes, no one else could make him hold on so tightly, be unable to let go, with her filling his entire heart and sight.

In junior high, Chi Wu had visited Yingzi’s school, and his feeling then was that Yingzi was certainly meant to be his; there was no reason why someone as outstanding as he, hovering right in front of Cheng Ying, would be overlooked for anyone else.

As for Miao Miao, Chi Wu truly didn't take her seriously; it only bothered him slightly whenever his aunt mentioned that Cheng Ying would be her daughter-in-law. That little brat simply wasn't comparable to Chi Wu, not in the running.

Chi Wu felt secure in his heart then, and when the time finally came that Cheng Ying moved to the city, when he could attend school with her, Chi Wu’s secret joy nearly overflowed the heavens.

For those few days, even Yang Zhi noticed Chi Wu’s rare expressions of happiness.

Chi Wu’s joy lasted only about a month. As his contact with Cheng Ying increased, Chi Wu began to understand the breadth and depth of her mind, and how much it bothered him.

In that insular era, Cheng Ying could actually appreciate the young men and women around her, even slightly distinguished older men and women.

Chi Wu became worried.

In the village, he, Chi Wu, was somewhat of a figure, but in the provincial capital, it wasn't a lack of self-confidence; he truly knew how high the heavens were. Not looking far, just Cheng Ying herself was someone Chi Wu couldn't measure up to.

Chi Wu knew Cheng Ying was capable, and he knew she had made a considerable amount of money over the years, but he had no idea she could casually acquire a courtyard house in the city. His own grandmother and grandfather, after all, were figures of some standing, but could they procure property as freely and casually as Cheng Ying?

Chi Wu somewhat understood: to covet Cheng Ying, one needed the capability to match her.

When school actually began, Chi Wu felt that the entire world was the enemy, regardless of gender; fortunately, his Yingzi’s taste had always been high, and she never paid attention to those high school students anyway.

Chi Wu felt his diligent guarding wasn't entirely without reward, and he had tested Yingzi, but from her words, Chi Wu knew Cheng Ying did not harbor romantic feelings for him, Chi Wu.

Feeling utterly dejected, Chi Wu secretly drank half a jar of fruit wine in the old lady’s room, wishing he never had to be sober again.

Chi Wu knew he had lost before he had even truly loved.

But the next day, seeing Cheng Ying, the thought of watching her walk toward someone else was something Chi Wu could never endure, even if it cost him his life. Chi Wu cautiously guarded Yingzi’s side, subtly isolating everyone around her. Any small note Cheng Ying hadn't opened himself would be scrutinized closely behind her back, after which he would find someone to have a talk with. This resulted in Cheng Ying having virtually no market among her peers throughout high school.

Of course, Chi Wu would sometimes act up, showing off a few notes in front of Cheng Ying, but her reactions always made Chi Wu grit his teeth. He had never seen a woman with such a lack of crisis awareness. When Chi Wu was out, people looked at him like he was blindingly attractive; even though he was only in high school, when he accompanied the Chi family matriarch, many people inquired about her grandson. How could Cheng Ying not see his merits?

Chi Wu resented Cheng Ying’s lack of discernment more than once.

When facing unrequited desires like a normal high schooler, Chi Wu also exhibited rebellion.

Chi Wu’s rebellious phase was very brief. Before he could officially embark on a path of delinquency, having only learned a few signature moves from his peers, he was spurred by Cheng Ying to cease any reckless behavior.

Perhaps in Cheng Ying’s eyes, Chi Wu’s various rebellions were simply childish.

Chi Wu couldn't understand why the signature moves he saw in movies, when he performed them, made the girls nearby stare intently, yet in Cheng Ying’s eyes, they seemed so ridiculous. Chi Wu was thoroughly depressed at the time.

If these were merely the youthful sentiments of his heart, then the moment Cheng Ying noticed that Chinese teacher was the beginning of Chi Wu's heartache—a genuine, sharp pain. Seeing the way Cheng Ying stared at that teacher, Chi Wu felt like slapping her across the face. Chi Wu didn't know how he restrained himself then; he always believed his exceptional patience was forged during that time.

Chi Wu clenched his fists so tightly his nails dug into his flesh. Cheng Ying had never looked at him with that kind of expression. Even though Cheng Ying said it didn't matter, Chi Wu knew in his heart that Yingzi liked that type of person, and she had stored that image away.

Later, no matter how the old lady explained things to Cheng Ying, no matter how sweetly Cheng Ying agreed, Chi Wu just knew Cheng Ying cared.

Chi Wu secretly observed the male teacher, genuinely unable to discern what Cheng Ying found so appealing about him. Chi Wu even secretly started dressing like the male teacher, but Cheng Ying probably never noticed the change. Eventually, Chi Wu threw all those clothes into the stove pit.

During that period, Chi Wu felt his life was shrouded in darkness. His already heavy academic load, coupled with his nascent career endeavors, left Chi Wu mentally and physically exhausted.

Yet, Chi Wu still dedicated the majority of his energy to Cheng Ying, especially her emotions.

Chi Wu felt that if what he had guarded for so many years slipped away just like that, he might as well buy a block of tofu and smash his head against it. Never mind university or career success—even if the entire world were offered to him, he wouldn't trade it.

Chi Wu felt utterly base at that time, employing every petty trick imaginable on Cheng Ying, yet Chi Wu never regretted it.

It wasn't until the teacher Chi Wu was fixated on revealed he had a girlfriend that Chi Wu was elated again. He returned to the old lady’s room and drank another half jar of fruit wine; Chi Wu believed his current tolerance for alcohol was developed then.

Chi Wu secretly rejoiced, never considering telling Cheng Ying, and he tried his best to never bring up that man in front of her.

Later, more classmates discovered Cheng Ying’s merits, her beauty, her brilliance; it wasn't something a pair of shoes or a flowered vest could conceal.

Chi Wu felt life was becoming increasingly unlivable. What were these people thinking? Shouldn't they be focusing on their studies?

Could Yingzi possibly like any of you?

Chi Wu felt that all his painstaking efforts to make Cheng Ying wear cloth-soled shoes and flowered vests were wasted. What he regretted most was letting Cheng Ying accompany him to a competition; the dashing way she moved stunned the few boys standing before her. Chi Wu was beside himself with frustration, wondering how he could have been so foolish as to let Cheng Ying escort him to school—such a lack of foresight.

Chi Wu wished he could wrap Cheng Ying up as he had in the past, forbidding her to leave the room; then he would feel secure.

Unfortunately, the more he feared others seeing Cheng Ying, the more incidents occurred.

At that time, Chi Wu hadn't intended to call Cheng Ying over, but when Qingfang phoned her, Chi Wu, perhaps possessed by some impulse, didn't stop her. Chi Wu didn't know what he was thinking then—whether he wanted to see how nervous Cheng Ying would be about him, or if he wanted to see her, or perhaps gauge his own standing in Cheng Ying’s heart.

Chi Wu couldn't decipher the feeling. When Cheng Ying stood outside the glass window carrying her bag, Chi Wu truly felt a dazzling radiance emanating from behind her.

At that moment, Chi Wu resolved that he would overcome all obstacles; this person had to be his, or he would never know happiness in his life.

When he saw Cheng Ying holding the money, Chi Wu was overjoyed. Chi Wu knew exactly how Cheng Ying felt about money. Sometimes Chi Wu wished that Cheng Ying could love him as much as she loved money; then his position in her heart would be first-rate.

Seeing Cheng Ying’s generosity when spending money made Chi Wu’s mouth split into a wide smile.

It seemed Cheng Ying liked him much more than she liked money. Chi Wu thought then that perhaps Cheng Ying did like him, but simply didn't realize it herself. After all, after so many years, besides the old lady, Chi Wu was the only person Cheng Ying would spend money so liberally on.

Every time she bought things for Chi Yong and Yang Zhi, Cheng Ying would nag Chi Wu about it, complaining about how much money it cost.

Chi Wu was filled with soaring confidence regarding Cheng Ying during that time.

Perhaps without the old lady’s feather duster, Yingzi would finally see him. That was the only time during his high school years when Chi Wu’s heart was filled with sunshine.

He also encountered some foolish classmates at school. Although one girl chased Cheng Ying quite enthusiastically, Chi Wu knew she was just a clown; Cheng Ying never liked that type of person.

Cheng Ying liked the reserved-but-passionate type, like that teacher.

Chi Wu hated thinking about it. Silly Yingzi still didn't know that teacher had a girlfriend. Whenever Chi Wu remembered, he would secretly chuckle for a moment, immensely pleased in his heart—pleased at Cheng Ying’s unhappiness, thinking, See what happens when you can't see my worth? See what happens when you are blind to good things? R1152