Well, while Chi Wu was just an excuse, he was certainly aware of his mother-in-law's attitude toward her daughter. There was no point in him hoping to ever eclipse Yingzi; she was the birth mother, and to her eyes, her daughter was perfect no matter what.

Alas, since he couldn't bring himself to discuss their eventual departure with his mother-in-law, he might as well leave; staying here longer was utterly pointless.

Chi Wu figured this issue couldn't be bypassed without involving his wife; he had to speak to Yingzi about it.

His father had seen clearly; this issue would likely become a problem between her and Cheng Ying, a deeply hidden one at that. It might even escalate into open conflict, so the sooner it was resolved, the better.

Chi Wu decided to douse this fuse as quickly as possible, lest he, too, lose sleep and appetite over it. "Ma, everything’s fine, we’re heading back now."

Yang Zhi found Chi Wu's words abrupt. They hadn't even discussed much, and now he was leaving. Just moments ago, Chi Wu had looked burdened by thought. Was the boy bottling things up again? "Leaving so soon? You just got here."

Chi Wu: "I just came out for a short stroll. Yingzi will worry. Please tell Dad I’m taking the kids and leaving now." With that, he left, not daring to look at Chi Yong. His father had been acting somewhat intermittently erratic toward him lately; best to keep his distance.

Yang Zhi had initially suspected Chi Wu was upset with Cheng Ying, but his tone didn't suggest that. After seeing Chi Wu off, she grumbled to Chi Yong, "I wonder what’s gotten into that boy, acting so strange."

Chi Yong thought, Why did he leave so quickly? Did he say what needed saying? "He didn't mention anything to you, did he?"

Yang Zhi looked at Chi Yong. Should Wu Zi have told her anything? She hadn't heard of any trouble at home recently. "No, nothing."

Chi Yong returned to the room with a dark expression to make a phone call. This troublesome thing, can’t even handle this small matter properly. I can’t rely on this son for anything.

Before Chi Wu even reached home, he heard his father’s phone call ringing. Looking at the device in his hand, he muttered, "Being too modern isn’t all good; look how you can be disciplined anywhere, anytime."

The little chubby girl nearby offered a suggestion: "You could just not answer it."

Chi Wu: "No way, that’ll just make things worse later. Sweetie, remember you always have to answer the phone, or your mother will discipline you, you hear?"

The little chubby girl nodded, thinking her dad deserved the scolding. So, he actually liked it when it happened.

Chi Wu estimated his father’s call finally ended twenty minutes later. He rubbed his ears; the phone bill—that old man’s meager salary would probably be spent entirely on this by the end of the month.

Chi Yong’s estimation was entirely correct: this matter wouldn't really fall on Chi Wu; the boy was unreliable.

Chi Yong stopped staying cooped up at home either. He couldn't devise a good plan stuck inside. If he wanted to follow his wife to the grave—or rather, if he wanted to accompany her—he first had to get his own health in order. At the very least, he needed to die after his wife; otherwise, he wouldn't know what would happen, and he certainly couldn't rest easy. At his age, Chi Yong realized he was the type destined to die with unfinished business. The very thought was vexing.

Cheng Ying conjured some fresh flowers in the space—it was hard not to, given how many they had there—and then, along with her son, decorated the house in a manner that was perhaps a bit gaudy, though it couldn't mask Cheng Ying’s delight.

When Chi Wu returned, he saw the yard bursting with flowers and greenery. Honestly, it didn't make him happy; it was all just more trouble. He hadn't sorted out the issue with his father yet, and now his wife's problem had surfaced. These troubles simply wouldn't leave his mind.

The atmosphere upon returning home was quite pleasant. Chi Wu dedicated himself entirely to spending the weekend with his wife and children, genuinely unwilling to bring up that idiotic mess and ruin the mood. So, this matter would have to be postponed. His wife’s issue seemed to require resolution first.

Chi Wu still clearly remembered the shower of flower petals Yingzi had thrown from a basin when they got married. At that time, Chi Wu was certain he hadn't prepared any such things, and there were none in the house. Therefore, that occurrence was extremely strange.

Just like the profusion of flowers everywhere now. It carried a distinct, otherworldly aura.

So, Chi Wu’s excitement for the weekend only lasted until evening. After dinner, Chi Wu settled the daughter and son together, left the children with Sister Rong, pulled his wife into the room, and even drew the curtains shut.

This made Sister Rong blush. She quickly led the children to the back courtyard. These two were too unrestrained! And doing this right in front of her.

Cheng Ying was also blushing. After taking the children out for a walk, coming back to this—was this proper? Why the rush? They had only just finished eating; the food hadn't even settled yet. Strenuous activity right after a meal was bad for the body.

Cheng Ying acted a bit coy. "Maybe it’s not a good idea..."

Chi Wu glanced at the door; it was securely locked. He lifted a corner of the curtain—Sister Rong had taken the children off somewhere. It was safe enough. "What’s not good? Talking like that puts my mind at ease."

Cheng Ying lightly smacked her own mouth behind Chi Wu's back. She had misread things; she had been led astray by his words. That was just dirty talk. Chi Wu hadn't meant that at all.

Cheng Ying quickly composed her face, making it serious. "What are you talking about? There’s no need for such fuss. Isn't this our own home, where we can be at ease?"

Chi Wu became quite serious, pulling Cheng Ying close. "Yingzi, can I see our chicken? Or rather, can I still see our chicken?"

Cheng Ying didn't see a difference between those two questions. "Sure."

Chi Wu closed his eyes, needing time to calm down. He took a deep breath to steady his emotions. Was his wife a carp spirit, or a chicken spirit? It was so vexing.

And that thing, the thing that had disappeared—was it truly still there?

Cheng Ying looked at Chi Wu. "You definitely won't see anything with your eyes closed."

Chi Wu helplessly opened his eyes, preparing for a serious talk with his wife. Whether she was a demon, a deity, or a conjurer, he just didn't want to end up like the Cowherd, separated from his family. His spirit couldn't be crushed, but even a carrying pole could break him. Chi Wu felt his shoulders might buckle carrying the two children up to the heavens right now. It was too much suffering. This was his only requirement.

For an atheist raised on modern education, Chi Wu truly didn't buy much into tales of the supernatural and the bizarre. But what was happening before his eyes wasn't something he could fix by simply taking a few steps or changing direction. The critical part was the briefness of the transition: the time it took to close his eyes, take a breath, and open them again—and his surroundings had shifted to another realm. How marvelous was that? "Am I dreaming, or are you dreaming?"

Cheng Ying smirked, enjoying the situation: "Little rogue, I thought you were calmer than that."

She bit his arm playfully. "I’m definitely not dreaming."

Chi Wu quickly pulled his arm back. "Ouch! You actually bit me!"

Cheng Ying threw up her hands. "What else could I do? You’re not clear-headed!"

Chi Wu ignored his slightly red and swollen arm and looked around everywhere. "This place is incredible. What is it?"

Cheng Ying looked around. "I don't know where, but I can come in, and I can leave. And here, I can be wherever I wish, purely according to my thoughts. Except I can’t bring money in or take money out, everything else is perfectly normal."

Chi Wu stared at his wife. Even if she weren't a deity, he wouldn't have believed it. What luck did he, Chi Wu, have? He was practically giddy inside—a divine wife! "Is there any danger?"

Cheng Ying: "I'm right here, why aren't you asking if I’m in danger?"

Chi Wu: "Don't I have a son and daughter? Of course, I can't risk myself first. Let me state this clearly: I’m not cultivating immortality with you. Other men might have virtuous wives, but I have an immortal wife! If I could tell people, I’d be thrilled!"

Cheng Ying kicked him lightly. "Cultivate my foot! Dare you tell anyone? If people don't think you're insane, they'll have me drawn and quartered."

Chi Wu breathed a sigh of relief. Not a celestial being was good; he’d read the myths. Celestial beings had too many strict rules. Erlang Shen saving his mother, Chen Xiang splitting Mount Hua, the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl—none of them ended well. Their family should stick to the happy path, consistent with their overall style.

But he still cautiously observed Cheng Ying before asking tentatively, "Then are you a demon?"

That path, at least, had better outcomes, provided he didn't scare himself to death. Their family might still stay together. Looking at his wife, she didn't resemble a fish, nor did she look like a chicken. What was she transformed from?

Cheng Ying looked at Chi Wu. So, he was still that unlucky kid. She desperately wanted to say, I’m your mother. But if he believed it, that would be truly troublesome. She looked herself up and down. "Do you think there are any demons who look like me?"

Chi Wu relaxed. She was still human. Cheng Ying never lied about serious matters.

He patted his chest. "That’s true. Other than draining my vital essence, I haven't noticed anything else."

Cheng Ying was about to explode with anger. "Shut up!"

She then guided Chi Wu around, looking high and low, left and right. "Being here is a bit stuffy, but otherwise, it's quite alright."

Chi Wu felt that if she wasn't a celestial being, she was close enough. She could teleport instantaneously now. Whether it was mythology or science fiction no longer mattered. Chi Wu figured if they set up an entertainment center here, he and his wife could just sit back and count money. They wouldn't even need to pay for the venue.

Looking at the contents inside, Chi Wu gasped. "This is all money! Why did we bother buying so much mountain land in the first place? It would have been so much easier to get wood from here! Wife, you’re like begging with a golden bowl in your hands. Think of all the suffering we endured back then."

Cheng Ying sighed. "Ah, you were too timid. I didn't have that much capability. See? It’s all money, seeing it makes my heart ache, but I truly dare not move large quantities out. If someone found out, I fear they'd dig me up."

What she said was true. Since Cheng Ying gained the ability to make money generate more money, she basically stopped moving things out of the space, except for what the family needed. You can't walk by the riverbank often without getting your shoes wet. With a family and a business, there was no need to take such risks.

Moreover, Cheng Ying feared that one day the space might disappear, just as suddenly as it had appeared. What would she have to rely on then? It was much safer to have tangible real estate in the mainstream society.

Chi Wu stroked his wife's head. "It is indeed hard. I truly understand that."

The couple wandered through their space, sighing over the sheer amount of money they possessed.

The large rock by the pool water shifted ceaselessly, turning black, then red, then black again. These two were too worldly. They weren't from the same family for nothing; all they could think about in such a marvelous place was money. Hmph.

When Chi Wu calmed down, they were standing back by the pool, looking at the schools of fish in the water. "No wonder you always manage to procure such good things; they were all raised by us."

Cheng Ying was modest. "It's just this small ability I have."

Chi Wu reached out and stirred the water a couple of times. "My burn injury—was that healed here too? Is it the water from this place?"

Cheng Ying thought, See? Some things simply can't be hidden from the closest person. "You could say that's one of the advantages of the pool in the space."

Chi Wu marveled nearby. "This is too magical. Later, let our daughter have a good soak; she’ll surely be the most beautiful."

Cheng Ying: "Should I get her a mirror to ask every day?"

Chi Wu glared at her. "Are you even her real mother?"

Cheng Ying: "Definitely more so than you are." Alright, the atmosphere was getting a little out of control. Chi Wu didn't want to argue with a woman over trivialities.

Having a space was certainly a benefit for his wife, but the utilization rate of the space wasn't great. He looked at the wine jars sitting in the empty area; some of them were quite old, but the wine was just piled up, never turned into money. There was grain and vegetables too—though they weren't growing particularly well, it was still a harvest. But keeping this stuff wasn't bad either. You couldn't sell it for much money.

Tree saplings were different. Chi Wu knew very well how much income his wife’s mountain plantations generated. Why weren't these being used? What a spendthrift wife.

And then there were acres of medicinal herbs. He remembered cycling all the way to get just five or six packs of honeysuckle back then, totaling less than half a jin. But in his wife's space, they were piled up into a small mountain! Think of how much money that could generate! Recalling his past suffering, spendthrift wife.

The most frequent phrase Chi Wu uttered in the space was those four words: spendthrift wife. So wasteful.

Chi Wu thought carefully: if they had brought out that much stuff back then, they would have been risking their lives. His wife being cautious had its advantages; at least they had grown up safely. "It's true, we can't let it get out. Back then, was your sheep's wool also washed here?"

Cheng Ying nodded. "Of course. Who do you think I am? Would I go fetch water in the freezing cold to wash your wool?"

Chi Wu’s face darkened. "Then why did you insist I wash the sheep's wool in the sheep pen? Do you know how cold it was?"

Cheng Ying: "Be reasonable! You insisted on washing it."

Well, this was basically the breaking point.

Cheng Ying: "Okay, pause. Can we stop talking about this?"

Chi Wu: "Fine. I wasn't trying to dwell on it, but you were completely wrong. Even if you don't say anything, you shouldn't have made me wash the wool. Do you know how hard it is to carry up a bucket of water?"

Cheng Ying: "Look at this place. Haven't I been diligent enough?"

Chi Wu: "Not really. If someone else had such a place, they wouldn't have ended up like you."

Cheng Ying gritted her teeth. "If you're so capable, you do it then!"

With that, she walked out, leaving Chi Wu alone in the space pondering very practical issues.

The space was good, the location acceptable, and the contents even better. His wife wasn't a celestial being or a demon, which was good, but the hidden danger remained. It was like how he couldn't leave right now. If his wife had a spat with him and decided not to come out, even with all his ability, he wouldn't know how to coax her.

That was a problem. Chi Wu hadn't expected wealth or beauty; he hadn't even considered having his own private Earth. What he worried about was: what if his wife got angry and refused to come out? In that case, no matter how good this place was, it was more harm than good to him. His wife should enter it as little as possible. It wasn't right for a married couple to treat things this way. If an ordinary wife got angry and ran to her parents' home, they could go fetch her. If his wife ran here, and he wanted to stage a pitiful act to apologize, he wouldn't even know where to find her.

Never mind that couples didn't argue—that wouldn't be married life.

Cheng Ying found it boring to be outside by herself, too. Once she was sufficiently angry, she had to go back in and pull Chi Wu out.

Chi Wu felt that Chi Yong’s problem was no longer the main issue. From now on, his problem was the big one.

Compared to the issues after death, the crisis was already happening while he was alive.

Chi Wu spoke earnestly to his wife. "Yingzi, your place is nice, but I don't think it's suitable for people to live in. It feels quite terrifying."

Cheng Ying frowned. "Is it? I didn't feel that way."

Chi Wu nodded firmly. "You will feel it later. There’s no vitality in it."

Cheng Ying thought, Hearing what you say makes me nervous. The big stone inside had even turned black. There wasn't a single truly good thing in this house.

Chi Wu reacted calmly. "Just treat it as another piece of mountain land our family owns, another property. It’s not bad. When we feel like living like immortals, we can go in for a vacation. But let's try to go together, the two of us. I’m not at ease if you go alone. What if this place loses control while you're inside? You won’t be able to see your son and daughter. I won’t even mention that—could you bear to be apart from the children?"

His analysis was logical and reasonable.

Cheng Ying: "You are insightful. But it has never lost control over all these years."

Chi Wu glared. "Are you listening to me?"

Cheng Ying: "Okay, I'll listen to you. Don't worry, nothing will happen, I’ll go in with you."

Chi Wu: "That's good. Later, I’ll bring in some good materials, and you use your willpower to create a small two-story villa inside. We'll decorate it luxuriously. It can be our vacation spot in the future."

Cheng Ying's mouth spread into a wide grin. "You really are capable. You think of the best things! All these years, how did I never think of that?"

Chi Wu: "Isn't that because your heart is entirely filled with me?" Although it sounded a bit mushy, Cheng Ying had to admit Chi Wu was right. His heart, his person, his eyes—they were all focused on his family. No matter how good the space was, the people she cherished weren't in it. That's why Cheng Ying never spent long periods inside. It truly lacked human warmth.

When the old lady was alive, Cheng Ying felt like she was staying near her. After the old lady passed, Cheng Ying wanted her daughter and son to stay near her. Thus, a space that could potentially force someone to stay became, for Cheng Ying, just a storeroom, a secret vault, and a safe deposit box that couldn't even hold money.

Cheng Ying looked at Chi Wu. Although she didn't answer his statement, she grabbed Chi Wu’s hand. It was true, her heart and eyes were focused on him. And her husband was more useful than the space; otherwise, he wouldn't have left her so little chance to use the space herself. What was fulfillment? Cheng Ying felt it was exactly what she had now: a good husband, good children, a good family. A woman blessed by fortune could possess all these things.

She had made up for all the regrets of her previous life in this one. Heaven had treated her kindly enough.

For the first time, Cheng Ying felt genuine gratitude toward Heaven. Usually, Cheng Ying cursed Heaven, both internally and externally.

Now, she could actually feel that Heaven had treated her well. What an unexpected change.

Chi Wu held Cheng Ying, feeling deeply moved. "Yingzi, we've been together so many years. I always thought you were good at hiding things; anything you hid, I could never find. At most, I just thought you were good at magic tricks. I never imagined you were hiding something like this."

Cheng Ying: "Regretful now? Don't worry, I definitely won't let you in."

Chi Wu thought, I’m not afraid of that; I’m afraid you’ll lock yourself inside.

Chi Wu continued his contemplation. "Actually, I've always wanted to tell you, what I did yesterday was wrong."

Cheng Ying: "You were wrong yesterday? Chi Wu, don't hold a grudge like that! I served you so carefully, and now you're bringing up old scores?"

Chi Wu: "That’s not what I meant. I truly feel I was wrong. Whether it's a man or a woman, married life always encounters various problems. Living life is about enjoying and solving problems. Isn't that wonderful? As a man, how could I just say I’m leaving? That was all influenced by my father. Grandma was right: being angry isn't the problem, but after being angry, you two have to face the issue and resolve it before you can continue living, right?"

Cheng Ying: "I don’t remember Grandma saying that."

Chi Wu: "You weren't there when Grandma criticized me."

Cheng Ying thought carefully. She probably said it behind her back. "Grandma is truly cultured and insightful. Right! You’re a grown man, even if you had to scold me a couple of times, you shouldn't have left with the children. It makes it look like you have somewhere else to go, right? It suggests your family is closer?"

Chi Wu: "I was wrong. I will definitely change in the future. I even need to take Dad and correct this undesirable habit of his."

Cheng Ying nodded. As long as he didn't run away from home, that was the most childish behavior. "Exactly! We progress together. We can't let your father remain the only childish one." This was the highest praise she could give Chi Wu; the man had become sensible, actually understanding he needed to correct his mistakes. That was rare.

Cheng Ying felt even happier. The way he woke up this morning must have been exceptional.

Chi Wu smiled broadly. "You must help me progress together too."

Cheng Ying thumped her chest in assurance. "Don't worry. If you pull a stunt like that again, I'll discipline you severely so you learn your lesson."

Chi Wu looked heartbroken, speaking with absolute conviction. "That's not enough. It needs to be harsher, or he won't learn."

Cheng Ying gave him a thumbs-up. "That’s harsh, isn't it? So tough on yourself. Actually, it’s unnecessary, I understand. Really, there’s no need."

Chi Wu shook his head, his attitude firm. "It must be harsh. If you do something wrong, you must be punished."

Cheng Ying: "Oh my, his thinking has progressed so much! I should follow your lead."

Chi Wu smiled brightly. "My wife understands best."

Cheng Ying felt her husband had become sensible overnight. Looking at how compliant he was, she almost couldn't believe it. Where had his arrogance gone? She hoped the way he woke up next Sunday would be the same; otherwise, there would be big trouble.

The next day, Chi Wu came home with a pair of handcuffs and deliberately flaunted them in front of Cheng Ying. Cheng Ying thought Chi Wu had started browsing adult shops. "You’re too open-minded."

Chi Wu: "What? I had someone procure these for me."

Cheng Ying feigned shyness, pretending she didn't know what they were used for. "What for?"

"It doesn't matter how much you say. Next time you get angry, I'll just chain us together. Even if I run away, I'll be taking you with me. That solves the fundamental problem—wherever I go, it won't count as running away from home."

Cheng Ying took a deep breath. Look how deeply this person saw the issue. It was absolutely wonderful! And it truly wouldn't be running away from home anymore; at most, it would be kidnapping.

"Agreed?"

When posing this question, Chi Wu flashed a grin that showed all eight of his teeth, perfectly timed and dazzlingly brilliant. Cheng Ying was momentarily blinded. "Agreed."

"Excellent," Chi Wu declared. "Then I'll just keep you close. R1152"