Old Man Chi sighed, "Forget it. Your grandmother and I are old, and look how well we've managed; why say such disheartening things? Is this how we celebrate?" Old Man Chi was already getting annoyed with the kids bickering; the more they talked, the further off track they went.

Chi Wu thought, It's truly not easy; at least there's a reasonable person in the family. If you weren't causing trouble, my father certainly would be. The only reason they’re still together is because my mother-in-law is sensible and knows what to prioritize; otherwise, this family would still be a mess.

Why worry Grandpa and Grandma with this? Chi Wu swallowed his words, "I shouldn't have spoken."

Cheng Ying was displeased. Dealing with this petty issue back and forth had already agitated Chi Wu enough. Now he had to take the fall for Chi Yong? Why should he? The one who benefited was the stepfather! "What business is it of yours? Did you cause the trouble? If they can still be happy, it’s because our Mom and Dad knew how to cherish it." The words sounded fine, but the tone was utterly sarcastic.

Chi Yong, seeing that Cheng Ying wasn't actively stirring up trouble this time, decided not to stoop to her level. Besides, Chi Yong kept glancing at Yang Zhi beside him—he found absolutely nothing pleasing about her. Cheng Ying's little bit of sarcasm could be entirely overlooked. It really wasn't a big deal.

When they returned home that evening, Chi Wu lamented to his wife, "Finally, I’ve managed your side. But I still don't know what my father intends to do with all that fuss he made. I just don't get it. Usually, my dad doesn't seem so stubborn; he looks quite easygoing and content with whatever comes his way." He genuinely couldn't understand it; the contrast was too stark. The difference in their personalities was too extreme.

Cheng Ying scorned Chi Wu for misjudging even his own son: "If my father isn't doing well, then he is doing well. I've seen through him; people aren't as magnanimous as they seem. All that talk about being content with life—it’s all fake. Poor Wu Zi, you’ve lived this long and only now realize your father's true colors."

Chi Wu recognized the imbalance in his wife's heart. "Yingzi, it’s fine. Later, I'll burn some beauties over to Yue Fei for you. Your father won’t lose out. Don't feel sorry for me; I truly don't feel pitiful about it."

Cheng Ying sighed, "Forget it. When I’m gone, or when you're gone, we can all go accompany my dad. Then I’ll have truly repaid him." If I’m dead, I should give his daughter back to him, right?

Chi Wu heard that and felt it sounded off, "Repay what?"

Cheng Ying knew that what she said couldn't be explored too deeply. "Repay what? What is there to repay? Oh, right, what do you think about us starting our own hospital? A Traditional Chinese Medicine hospital?" This was a pure diversion tactic.

Chi Wu felt his wife switched topics rather quickly, but it certainly showed planning. "A hospital? That won't be easy; just getting the paperwork approved will be tough."

Cheng Ying replied, "That’s why I’m asking for your opinion."

Chi Wu thought the hospital was a good idea, but his wife becoming too engrossed in work wasn't ideal. "It’s so exhausting; why must we do it?"

Cheng Ying explained, "Look, first, Cheng Ming, Miaomiao, and I all studied this field. We have the family expertise, right? Then there's my spatial dimension—it's been sitting there unused. I always felt I was wasting that opportunity. Before, we lacked the capability; even if I had things, I wouldn't dare move them out. But now it's different. Bringing out some medicinal herbs without getting caught—I have some skill in that. I just feel these herbs have excellent medicinal properties and shouldn't be wasted. If we run a TCM hospital, we can produce and consume internally. Isn't that perfect?"

Chi Wu suggested, "Why not just set up a pharmaceutical factory? Wouldn't that be less trouble?"

Cheng Ying countered, "I don't know how these things came to be, nor do I know how long they’ll last. We can’t harm people, can we? When I was in school, testing these properties in the lab gave me some certainty. Originally, I thought about setting up a small herbal shop, but then I considered that a shop would be too small to honor the future renowned physicians, Cheng Ming and Miaomiao. So, I figured we should expand a little."

Chi Wu looked at Cheng Ying. "You always put things so beautifully. I knew you’d talked to Grandpa about setting up a hospital someday. It would also be a way to repay Grandpa and Uncle for all the support they gave our mother over the years."

Cheng Ying exclaimed, "Exactly! Not everyone is lucky enough to have such a good uncle. Setting aside everything else, if I hadn't managed to get into university and escape that mountain village after you and my parents were gone, Uncle had already prepared a house for me—a solid half of his family fortune! Not everyone is that generous."

Chi Wu snorted, "You believe that?"

Cheng Ying insisted, "Why wouldn't I? Miaomiao told me that Auntie was furious with Uncle over this. What kind of woman generously gives away half her family fortune? It's impossible."

Chi Wu nodded. That sounded much more believable. "It’s only Auntie, though. She listens to Uncle his whole life; the fact that she even agreed to that is surprising."

Cheng Ying asked, "What do you mean?"

Chi Wu clarified, "I mean, Uncle and Auntie are wonderful. Speaking of which, if I were trying to deal my herbs without Grandpa there to stabilize things for me, I couldn't have managed it. That was my seed money. Every industry I have now started with a good foundation, all thanks to our Uncle."

As he spoke, he massaged his wife's shoulders. There’s no way to go against this. Chi Wu didn't mind spending the money on a hospital, but involving two large families like this meant his easy days were essentially over.

Just Miaomiao alone was enough trouble for Chi Wu. Regarding his little brother-in-law, Chi Wu had experienced firsthand just how wicked that boy was. He was constantly undermining him, belittling him as a brother-in-law at every turn. He didn't know when their feud began.

Seeing Miaomiao put Chi Wu in a state of readiness for battle at any moment. It was probably due to some joke they shared back then. Cheng Ying had acted as Miaomiao’s sounding board for years as his wife, but hearing it now still bothered Chi Wu.

If the whole family moved in, he knew he’d be hearing these jibes constantly from now on. He was worried.

Furthermore, more people meant more disputes. Right now, just his father, Chi Yong, was causing enough drama; adding two more families meant they absolutely had to consider this seriously.

Chi Wu asked himself if he treated Miaomiao badly. Compared to Chi Ye, he was perhaps a little kinder. Yet, this brother-in-law just didn't click with him. What could be done?

Cheng Ying interrupted, "Hey, I'm just saying this casually. What’s with your expression?"

Chi Wu replied, "If you're just saying it casually, that's fine. I’m the man; I have to make it happen for my wife. What’s the point of being married otherwise, right?"

Cheng Ying was pleased hearing that, but the man thought too little of her strength. Did she really need him to do everything? "Oh, well, that sounds beautiful. Did you even ask if I needed you?"

Chi Wu countered, "If not me, then who? This is the only useful thing I offer. Please, Madam, grant me an opportunity."

Cheng Ying laughed, "I don't know how to thank you enough!"

Chi Wu dismissed it, "Is thanks necessary? But running a hospital is good; at least we won't fear losing our jobs when we have a second child."

Cheng Ying sat up straighter, "Weren't you saying you didn't want another one?"

Chi Wu asked, "When did I say that?"

Cheng Ying retorted, "Didn't you say that in front of First Uncle and First Aunt?"

Chi Wu dismissed it, "Does that count? I was just saying that. If we have a child, it’s because we, the couple, want one, not because they force us to. Mom, look at her two kids; we don't even get them on Sundays. If we don't have kids, what then?"

Cheng Ying huffed, "Well now, you’re the one having the baby, but you speak so lightly of it! I’m not doing it for that reason."

Chi Wu teased, "Look at you. Without me, you can't have a child anyway. No rush, children don't just appear when you want them to. This time, I’ve decided, we must have one that’s obedient."

Cheng Ying thought to herself that whether a child was obedient or not wasn't something he could dictate. This unlucky fellow was thinking too much.

But was there a necessary link between the hospital and having children? The topic shifted too fast. "Are you sure this is what we should be discussing?"

Chi Wu explained, "I was talking about Uncle and them. I think setting it up is good, but I'm afraid once money gets involved, it gets hard to maintain family ties. It happens. Profit wounds affection most deeply."

Cheng Ying conceded, "It’s always right to think that through first. I’ve also considered that I might not be the best person to manage the hospital. I plan to set it up as a joint-stock company with dedicated management staff. Then we just wait for dividends. Someone like Cheng Ming, even if he’s working for our family hospital, gets a salary, and his dividends are separate. If his medical skills aren't up to par, he gets fired, but it won't affect his dividends. What do you think?"

Chi Wu responded, "That sounds good, at least we can look after Second Uncle's family that way. But one thing—the hospital isn't guaranteed to make money. It's hard to say."

Cheng Ying countered, "Our village mountain has plenty of medicinal herbs, besides saplings. I’m thinking it could stimulate things; maybe everyone will start cultivating herbs together, and the village can benefit too."

Chi Wu chuckled outright. Cheng Ying looked slightly embarrassed; it was rare for her to be so altruistic. "What are you laughing at?"

Chi Wu said, "I never realized you had such a heart to give back to your homeland."

Feeling criticized, Cheng Ying retorted, "It was where my grandmother lived for most of her life. If not for anything else, I should do it for her sake."

Chi Wu conceded, "Alright, my heart is too small, and my awareness isn't high enough. But if you want to help the village get rich, you don’t need to make such a fuss. You just need to secure a piece of land in the village, cultivate herbs, and ensure someone buys those herbs on time. That should basically make the village wealthy."

Cheng Ying protested, "It sounds easy, but if I tell everyone to just plant herbs?"

Chi Wu stated confidently, "If you tell them, they definitely will."

Cheng Ying asked, "What do you mean? Are you teasing me?"

Chi Wu explained, "You don't realize how much influence you have. Back when you planted saplings, didn't everyone follow along and cultivate them? Now that you’re planting herbs, you won't even need to advertise; everyone will be tugging at your sleeve, telling you. There aren't many fools in our village."

Cheng Ying replied, "That would be best."

Chi Wu advised, "Later, bring out some herbs from your space. I need to test the waters first. If you lose a bit, it's fine, but we can’t let everyone lose money following you."

Cheng Ying finished, "What’s there to lose? It’s better than spending money on farming."