Before she married Chi Yong, Yang Zhi had met him once when she went to the village sheep pen to collect a basket of sheep manure, and she had even exchanged greetings with him. But back then, in Yang Zhi’s eyes, Chi Yong was like an old man, stooped over, taking shaky, swaying steps, looking as if he could freeze to death at any moment.

Even though it was already spring, Chi Yong was leading a child, and he was still wearing a thick padded coat, the cotton in which was unevenly distributed, lumpy in places. Chi Wu, the child, was thin and small, looking no older than Yingzi.

No one knew where he came from, staying in the draughty sheep pen for nearly two years. Yang Zhi was a soft-hearted person, but there was a clear line between men and women, and gossip followed a widow everywhere.

She just glanced at him, collected the manure, and left. Later, when Yang Yong came to tell his sister about the potential match—they just said he was the village shepherd—Yang Zhi was a bit reluctant.

A widow remarrying was already frowned upon, let alone marrying someone considered incapable. A man earning the same work points as a woman—what practical use would he be to the household?

Besides, the mother-in-law had already hinted through subtle words that she was unwilling. Yang Zhi thought that with the support of her uncles in the village, she, a woman with one child, could manage.

Why bring another person into the burden? With someone like Chi Yong, if their family of four really had to make a living, it would be sheer suffering.

It wasn't that Yang Zhi was materialistic; in those days, without a strong physique, it was truly impossible to support a whole family. And so, Yang Zhi refused the match, but Yang Yong and her own father insisted the man was decent, kind-hearted.

Moreover, it was tough for Chi Yong raising a child alone. Old Master Yang repeated this beside his daughter more than once, and Yang Zhi merely felt more sympathy for the father and son.

No one knew how Old Man Yang managed things, or how Old Madam Cheng suddenly agreed to the marriage. After that, Yang Zhi had no room to argue.

Yang Zhi sighed inwardly. Who knew what twists and turns this life would bring?

When she first married Yingzi’s father, the young women in the surrounding villages envied her. Yang Zhi and Yingzi’s father lived a life that truly invited envy.

Others earned ten points in the collective, but with his skills, Yingzi’s father could always stuff a handful of fruit into the children’s pockets on his way home from work. Even at home, Yang Zhi was the most favored daughter-in-law; she had a good relationship with her mother-in-law and an even better one with her sister-in-law.

But who could have foreseen that such days would last only two or three years before he was gone? Yingzi’s father was simply gone.

Yang Zhi cried until her tears dried up, but she still had a child to raise. Even wishing to close her eyes and go with her husband was a luxury.

Yang Zhi sighed, deciding it was for the child's sake. Though the man didn't look sturdy, a bit soft, he was still a man.

Having someone to stand at the door and manage things would make it easier for her daughter when she sought a husband later. Yang Zhi also considered that since Chi Yong earned little, he might be more compliant at home, saving her own daughter from being bullied.

Though Yang Zhi seemed quiet, she had her own ideas. Treating someone else's child well was a matter of conscience, but one could never truly know another’s heart; who knew if her daughter would suffer in the future?

That’s how Yang Zhi ended up marrying Chi Yong. Before the wedding, Yang Zhi had only briefly exchanged words with Chi Yong.

At that time, Yang Zhi wasn't in a good mood, so she hadn't really looked closely at him. Chi Yong's image remained fixed on that first impression.

It wasn't until the wedding day that Yang Zhi noticed Chi Yong carefully, after all, they were getting married, and they needed to become acquainted. Someone must have sorted out Chi Yong’s clothes.

Although patched, they were worn cleanly and neatly. The man himself was no longer stooped; his back was perfectly straight, making him look tall and handsome.

While he couldn't compare to Yingzi’s father, it was still decent. By village standards, his appearance was acceptable.

Furthermore, Chi Yong and Yingzi’s father were not the same type. Chi Yong was more of the refined sort.

Yang Zhi felt a slight blush then. She had thought she was marrying a man nearing forty, but after being tidied up, he looked surprisingly young.

Yang Zhi had grown less cheerful during her years of widowhood, speaking little. She wasn’t naturally glib anyway; her standing in the village came from her honesty and the fact that she knew a little about medicinal herbs.

So, even when they lay on the same kang, they barely exchanged a few words. Chi Yong was quite satisfied looking at his new wife.

This woman had a good reputation in the village. Despite being a widow, she was honest, hardworking, and knew how to trade herbs.

Even though she brought a child, how much better off was he than others? Setting aside his own background, Chi Wu was his son, after all.

At least the child could suffer less in the future. Besides, Yang Zhi was not unattractive.

In those days, women’s faces were often gaunt, their complexions the color of wilted leaves from malnutrition. Chi Yong had secretly observed Yang Zhi; if she were properly cared for, she wouldn't be inferior to girls in the city.

He had things he wanted to discuss with his new wife, but unfortunately, she was shy. After washing the two children, she blew out the oil lamp.

Chi Yong stared at the dark ceiling, lying on the warm kang. So be it, he thought.

With time, husband and wife will have things to say. At least this room was warm and free of drafts, and the kang was heated.

As for the wedding night consummation, Chi Yong assumed his new wife was merely shy. Who stipulated that a widow must be ravenous?

Besides, they had two children present. It was too inconvenient.

Chi Yong comforted himself this way. When the children were asleep, Chi Yong reached out his 'sinful hand' to pull his wife closer.

However, Yang Zhi was already asleep—not pretending, but genuinely exhausted. For a woman to earn nine-tenths of a man's work points was truly grueling.

She had to haul timber in the mountains just like the men. Even with the wedding during these days, Yang Zhi hadn't taken it easy, keeping up with housework inside and out, all while enduring the jealous sniping of her second sister-in-law—a dual torture of spirit and body.

Thus, Yang Zhi slept profoundly. Chi Yong was perhaps timid.

After tugging twice and receiving no response, he withdrew his hand. What he truly thought in his heart, perhaps only Chi Yong himself understood.

The wedding brought no special treatment for people of that era. The next day, Yang Zhi went to work as usual, and Chi Yong still had to go herd sheep in the village.

However, when they finished their respective tasks, they both headed home. What relieved Chi Yong was seeing a new patch on his son Chi Wu’s padded coat, and it felt much thicker.

Chi Yong entered the room and saw Yang Zhi sewing his own padded coat. Chi Yong felt a pang in his heart.

Life was hard, but adults always prioritized the children. The fact that Chi Wu’s coat could gain this extra layer meant Yang Zhi had taken cotton from her own coat and sewn it in for him.

Chi Yong couldn't speak for a long time. This marriage was the right one.

He knew this was a good woman. Yang Zhi rarely spoke, "Spring will come after the New Year.

Next year, I'll ask Mom about making a new padded coat for Wu Zi. For this year, we'll just have to make do.

I saw you have a greatcoat; you can use that for a while. Do you think that's okay?" Yang Zhi was also troubled.

Now that they were married, she couldn't pretend not to see the condition of the children. But approaching her mother-in-law and sisters-in-law to ask for things was difficult.

Chi Yong spoke with some stuttering—this was the longest passage Yang Zhi had ever heard him speak—"That’s fine. I’m not cold.

But how can you wear something so thin in this bitter cold?" A slight curve appeared at the corner of Yang Zhi’s mouth. They were both enduring a hard life; knowing someone cared was enough.

"It's okay. The weather will warm up soon.

Besides, we work in the mountains all day; we never stop sweating. We won't freeze." The words were simple, but they struck Chi Yong deeply.

Survival itself was not easy in those times, let alone for a woman who had no man. To work nonstop all day just to earn work points—what heavy physical labor that must be.

However, Chi Yong was truly not suited for manual labor. He wanted to tell Yang Zhi that earning less was fine, no need to exert herself so much, but this household wasn't his to command.

Even after just one day of marriage, Chi Yong understood that this whole family was struggling. Especially his wife, who had to yield to her two sisters-in-law in everything, worked harder than both of them, and certainly ate less.

The conditions of their family of four were plain to see. And so, their brief conversation ended there, layered with deep helplessness.

On the second night of their marriage, Yang Zhi was energetic, while Chi Yong was a bit shy. When the children were asleep, Chi Yong secretly glanced at Yang Zhi several times.

The couple finally showed signs of blushing and racing hearts. Unfortunately, Chi Yong was too hesitant, progressing too slowly, cultivating their emotions too delicately.

Before long, the familiar, sharp rattling sound came from outside. Chi Yong now had a slight phobia of the old lady; all his intentions vanished.

Yang Zhi, even more flushed, covered herself with the quilt and didn't emerge for half the night. After a few days in the household, Chi Yong saw clearly that everyone struggled, especially his wife.

He also observed his little daughter. She looked small and somewhat temperamental, a difficult child in appearance.

Chi Yong worried more: would his son Chi Wu get along well with this girl? Blended families were never easy.

But within a couple of days, his little girl changed. In Chi Yong’s view, he had misjudged her completely.

This girl seemed much shrewder than his wife. To be honest, Chi Yong wasn't afraid of a clever daughter; dealing with an understanding person was far better than dealing with a fool.

At least communication and interaction would be simpler. But the surprises this daughter brought him kept coming, one after another.

It wasn't until he accidentally rescued his daughter on the ice of the Upper River that Chi Yong realized this was an opportunity—a chance to change the way he interacted with his family. Yet, Chi Yong never imagined that this opportunity would bring another surprise: the girl managed to cry until the family was partitioned.

Chi Yong was overjoyed. Although he didn't earn much and wasn't considered a strong man in the village, he could at least feed his two children and his wife—at least keep them half-full.

He realized the suffering Chi Wu endured before was because they were outsiders, due to their political background. People in the village were reluctant to interact with them, almost actively avoiding them, even if they possessed goods that couldn't be converted into grain.

But now it was different. He and Yang Zhi were a single family, belonging to this village; their household registration was settled here.

Those past issues were no longer obstacles. Partitioning the household was truly beneficial.

At least Wu Zi could eat his fill. Yang Zhi was not a harsh person; she was truly much better than Old Madam Cheng.