Cheng Ying waved it off; the ideas were clearly someone else's, and she was merely imitating them, though she certainly wouldn't admit it.

A simple renovation? They’d be fussing with things like this from now on.

But this house was done entirely with pure timber, making it even more extravagant.

Cheng Ying had truly spared no expense.

Women always started judging a house by the kitchen.

Yang Zhi looked over the built-in kitchen.

“Yingzi, Mom adores this place.” Chi Yong gazed at his spacious study, especially the tea table milled from a massive tree root, carved with such artistry and mood.

“Yingzi, this is genuinely wonderful.

Even a master artisan couldn't manage this, could they?” Cheng Ying felt her investment in those tree roots hadn't been in vain; her stepfather had surprisingly good taste.

“Mhm, the roots.

I had someone mill it for you.

Nothing was altered; it’s completely natural.

Getting it into your room took ages, though.

The doorway was too narrow, so the workers ended up removing the balcony window and hauling it up with a crane from the first floor.” Chi Yong pursed his lips.

He was genuinely delighted—not just because the pieces suited him, but more importantly, because of the thought behind them.

His daughter’s thoughtfulness.

He looked at his beloved daughter.

“You really went to a lot of trouble, dear.” Cheng Ying was perfectly candid.

“It wasn’t just trouble, it cost a fortune, too.

I couldn't even picture what shape the roots were in when I dug them up—over a dozen old roots.

This one had the best form.

So, do I have good taste or what?” Old Man Chi perked up.

“What about the rest of them?” He was clearly interested.

Cheng Ying replied, “The rest are stacked up in our courtyard.

If you like any, pick one and I’ll have the master mill it for you.

But your building might not even let one through the door.” Old Man Chi frowned.

At his age, why live in an apartment building? Everything seemed inconvenient.

Perhaps he should look into getting a courtyard house instead.

Old Lady Chi followed her grandson to inspect the house, but having seen everything, she couldn't find a single fault with the current setup.

Yang Zhi ran a hand over the cabinetry.

“This must have cost a fortune.” Cheng Ying finally puffed out her chest and declared, “Our family is not short on money.” She had held those words back for so long, finally able to say them.

Back then, her own mother had put up with so much, even confronting people over a mere dozen dollars for her medical treatment.

Back then, Cheng Ying had sworn that regardless of whose mother she was, she deserved a good life just for that devotion.

Old Lady Chi inwardly scoffed: nouveau riche.

Old Man Chi surveyed the house and its arrangement.

“Yingzi, how did you come up with all this?” Cheng Ying replied, “I looked through a few pictorial magazines and had the craftsmen execute the designs.

They are quite clever.” Old Lady Chi looked at the kitchen.

The pots, pans, and bowls were all ready, and those bowls—each one delicate and smooth—she had never seen anything so fine in any department store.

Such quality.

Her daughter-in-law was truly thoughtful.

This was a fact Old Lady Chi had to admit.

Chi Yong looked at the large fish tank in the study; the fish inside were already stocked, including the two prized catches Chi Ye loved.

He pursed his lips, his delight shining too brightly to hide, and said nothing.

The plants on the balcony were the medicinal herbs his wife cherished.

The house was truly decorated according to the preferences of the three of them.

Old Man Chi suddenly wished he had such a daughter.

His daughter-in-law liked medicinal herbs, and the house his granddaughter designed catered exactly to his wife’s tastes.

Chi Ye stayed hidden in his own room.

“I’m sleeping here tonight!” Cheng Ying countered, “Absolutely not.

Moving day requires a carefully selected auspicious date.” Yang Zhi pointed at the kitchen, the curtains, Chi Ye’s toys, the desk, and the children’s bed complete with a slide.

“How did you manage to get everything so perfectly arranged?” Cheng Ying explained, “Grandma and I had nothing to do, so we went shopping.

The house lacks nothing, and Grandma liked everything she saw, so we just bought it and put it here.

But your bedding, quilts, and curtains—Grandma made those herself.” Old Lady Chi looked at the simple, elegant floor-length curtains and once again had to concede that she likely couldn't have arranged such a tasteful home herself.

A country old lady can occasionally show extraordinary skill.

Recalling Old Lady Cheng’s rustic accent, Old Lady Chi frowned; if it were a different person, perhaps she could have sought advice.

Old Man Chi remarked, “This arrangement is very unique.” Cheng Ying said, “It won’t be unique for long.

Wu Zi saw this and liked it, saying he plans to gather a crew to see which families need this kind of overhaul.

He’s probably going to start taking jobs.” Chi Yong sighed.

“Good prospects, but, girl, if you phrased that slightly differently, it would be much better.

Why do you always make it sound so…” Cheng Ying finished his sentence for him, “Crude.

But the statement is practical.

Wu Zi will likely be dragging people over here for tours every other day.

Don’t worry about the trouble, and Wu Zi said he’s covering the feast when you move in, but he’ll be inviting a whole group of extra guests.” Chi Yong understood.

“Right, I’m essentially providing free advertising for you.” Cheng Ying retorted, “Not me.

I still need to focus on studying for the university entrance exams.

I can’t compete with Wu Zi; I don’t have that kind of energy.” Cheng Ying truly felt overwhelmed.

She heard that in rebirth stories, one could dip into everything and control every facet, but for Cheng Ying, that didn't work.

Even with her spatial abilities, it was impossible.

Every venture that promised profit required her involvement, and Cheng Ying genuinely lacked the capacity.

Between the family's forest plot and nursery, plus this furniture store, Cheng Ying was already so busy she had little time left, not to mention she still had to study.

High school was genuinely demanding.

Cheng Ying was currently trying hard to keep her eyes open and discover trustworthy talent.

Unfortunately, there were many talented people, but she hadn’t found anyone truly reliable yet.

Cheng Ying realized this might stem from a flaw in her own mindset; she found it difficult to trust people.

The result was that she was constantly busy, extremely busy.

Now that Wu Zi was setting up a decoration team, she expected to be even busier in the future.

But Wu Zi had assured her that the furniture store’s main tasks—receiving and dispatching goods, sourcing lumber—wouldn’t interfere much, as the decoration team would also need materials.

Cheng Ying could only hope.

Chi Yong and Yang Zhi were very pleased with their new house.

If their son wanted to play around, let him; it was just temporary anyway.

Cheng Ying took a camera and photographed every nook and cranny.

She even took a few shots of Chi Ye; the two kids were having a blast.

Yang Zhi commented, “Nonsense.” Cheng Ying replied, “Helping Wu Zi out.

We can blow these up to poster size for publicity photos, saving you the constant nagging.

Besides,” she asked Old Man and Old Lady Chi, “Grandpa and Grandma Chi, do you want a few pictures taken? My technique is quite good.” Grandpa Chi said, “Then let’s take one family portrait.” Old Lady Chi spoiled the mood.

“Wu Zi isn’t even here.

Why take a family portrait?” Old Man Chi cut in.

“Don’t spoil it.

This is much more comfortable than a photo studio.” Yang Zhi and Chi Yong stood behind the elderly couple with little Ye, laughing as they took a few shots in the living room.

Cheng Ying felt indifferent, but Yang Zhi was uncomfortable; this was a family portrait, yet her daughter wasn't in it.

Yang Zhi asked, “Did you take one of your grandma?” Cheng Ying replied, “Grandma refused.

She said it captures souls, and she’s afraid it will frighten her at night.” Old Lady Chi frowned: Ignorance is truly frightening.

Noticing the Old Lady’s concern, Yang Zhi specifically instructed Cheng Ying, “Grandma is old, don't mess around.

Don’t actually scare her.” Cheng Ying nodded.

“I know.

Once my developed photos are out and I’m jumping around lively, she’ll dare to pose.” Chi Yong expressed doubt.

“Your grandma will let you take her picture?” Cheng Ying smiled sweetly, her words completely contradicting her expression.

“I’ll sneak one while she’s not looking.

She won’t know.” Old Lady Chi thought to herself: Deceptive and disobedient.

None of this family is good.

Chubby Chi Ye rushed over.

“Sister, you haven't taken one with just us yet!” Chi Yong took the camera.

“My technique is good too.” Cheng Ying held Chi Ye and posed for a photo.

Chi Yong observed his daughter through the lens.

Ignoring the thick-soled shoes beneath her feet and the flowery smock partially obscured by his son, his girl truly looked like a fresh lotus blossom.

My daughter has come of age—that’s all it could mean.

This girl wasn't very good at dressing herself up.

Cheng Ying then drew Yang Zhi close, the two mother and daughter standing very near for a picture.

Chi Yong’s sentiment deepened.

His daughter was beautiful, and his wife was even more so.

In the frame, looking at his two women, they didn't look like mother and daughter at all; people would believe they were sisters.

Heaven had truly been kind to them.

Chi Yong always believed his wife had grown more beautiful because he cherished her; a woman who lives comfortably and feels loved naturally becomes prettier.

It seemed that wasn't the primary factor.

This must be genetic.

He should remember to check if his brother-in-law looked the same way.

When Cheng Ying and the others left the new house, Chi Ye was quite unhappy.

For his son’s sake, Chi Yong decided to pick a good date to move in as soon as possible.

Old Lady Chi was satisfied that her son’s new house did not include accommodations for any of the Cheng family members.

Of course, it didn’t include a room for her either.

A mother is never unwilling to see her son do well, even if that mother is slightly difficult.

It was very late when Cheng Ying drove home.

As she got out of the car, she saw Chi Wu leaning against the doorway.

The reassuring thing was that the boy wasn't chewing on anything random, and his posture was still straight.

It seemed the child had remembered her words.

Cheng Ying said, “Why are you loafing outside this late? It’s getting cold, stop lingering out here.” Chi Wu’s face darkened as he looked at the person stepping out of the car.

“I like it.” Well, that was certainly an opinionated response.

Cheng Ying parked the car.

There was no garage now; the vehicle was always left by the door.

Cheng Ying sighed.

“Fine, stand out here and catch a chill, then.” She turned to go inside.

The boy wasn't ready to be dismissed.

Chi Wu was displeased.

“Where were you?” Cheng Ying shot back, “That’s none of your business.

Anyone hearing you would think you were my father.” Of course, she was mostly teasing the boy; it was just a remark.

Chi Wu pursed his lips.

He couldn't be that controlling.

Surely Grandma could manage things? “Grandma has been looking for you all day.” Cheng Ying thought carefully.

“Did I not tell Grandma when I left?” She felt her memory wasn't the best; she thought she had mentioned it.

Cheng Ying never doubted Chi Wu’s words.

Chi Wu answered decisively, “No, you didn’t.

What were you doing all morning?” Cheng Ying explained, “Taking the keys to your father.

Then, I drove them around for a bit to show them the new house.” Chi Wu challenged, “Did that take so long?” Cheng Ying felt like she was being interrogated; her mood soured considerably.

If it were anyone else, would Cheng Ying have tolerated it? Seeing the young man’s eyebrows raised—he was concerned about her, after all—“Yes, and I gave them a tour of the new house too.” ps: Third update.

RP