The overall style was calm and steady, with a set of smoothly lined rosewood sofa and coffee table in the living room, and several ink paintings with distant meanings hanging on the wall. Looking up, the ceiling was a flat design without a main light, with concealed central air conditioning vents ensuring a comfortable temperature. The floor was covered with warm and delicate oak flooring, making no sound underfoot. "Dad, look, isn’t this TV big enough? It’s eighty-five inches, perfect for watching news and opera without straining the eyes." Li Dingjian pointed at the LCD TV that took up almost half the wall, proudly introducing it as if showing off a treasure: "And this, a fully automatic massage chair, I’ll set up the program for you later. Use it every day to energize you." Li Biyun was more concerned with practicality. She touched the standing water dispenser next to the sofa, glanced at the brand-new air purifier in the corner, and nodded in satisfaction: "Dingjian, you’re very thoughtful. These appliances are all top brands, Dad can use them with peace of mind." "Of course, it’s for my dad, so how could I be careless?" Li Dingjian laughed heartily. "Grandpa, I also prepared a gift for you to congratulate you on your new home." Fang Cheng said as he picked up a long brocade box from the side. "You child, you didn’t need to bring anything when you came." Li Zhenhua grumbled, but the smile on his face deepened with wrinkles. Fang Cheng opened the box, and a beautifully framed vertical scroll gradually unfolded. In the painting, several ancient pines stand robustly beside the mountain stream. Two red-crowned cranes stand gracefully, one stretching its neck, the other peering down for food, with misty mountains in the background. "This should be called... the Pine Crane Longevity Painting, right?" Li Zhenhua’s eyes lit up, and he carefully reached out his fingers to lightly brush over the surface of the scroll, feeling the texture of the paper. Fang Cheng explained with a smile: "This is an authentic piece by the modern master Liu Haisu. It’s not particularly valuable, but the workmanship is exquisite and the meaning is good. Pine and crane symbolize longevity and peace at home, perfect for the living room." "Good, good painting, good meaning!" Grandpa praised repeatedly: "Chengcheng, you are thoughtful, I like it, it will hang on the wall behind the sofa." Seeing the old man’s genuine joy, Li Biyun and Li Dingjian exchanged smiles. "Alright, we’ve viewed the painting, it’s getting late, I’ll go cook." Li Biyun rolled up her sleeves, ready to head to the kitchen. "Sis, why don’t you take a break?" Li Dingjian tried to dissuade her: "I had already arranged for the master chef from the hotel to come over with two assistants to prepare a meal, saving you the trouble." Li Biyun shook her head immediately, with a determined attitude: "For the first meal in a new home, we must cook ourselves to ensure that things will get better and better. It’s called the ’starting meal’, the ’move-in feast’. Letting others do it would dilute the family’s fortune." "Your sister is right." Li Zhenhua chimed in: "In our hometown, we even have to cook with new rice, meaning the granary will always be full and the home prosperous." "Okay, I’ll listen to you." Li Dingjian raised his hands in surrender with a smile. "Mom, I’ll help you." Fang Cheng followed his mother to the kitchen. The kitchen was spacious and bright, fully equipped with appliances. A brand-new double-door refrigerator, built-in oven, and dishwasher were all in place, with a large island in the middle. Fang Cheng put on an apron and deftly handled the ingredients. The iron pot was heated on the stove fire until it was scorching, and when oil was added, it sizzled loudly. With a flick of his wrist, the sliced kidney pieces slid into the pot. As the spatula moved, flames leapt over a foot high from the edge of the pot. The spatula clashed with the pot’s edge, making a crisp sound. Sauce was drizzled along the pot’s edge, instantly releasing a rich fragrance. Soon, a dish of "Fiery Kidney" was served, bright red and fragrant. "Chengcheng, your cooking skills have improved so much, it’s almost like a hotel chef!" Li Biyun looked over and praised without reservation. Fang Cheng gave a slight smile, as a prompt quietly appeared before him: Li Biyun was breaking the greens apart, washing off the soil from the roots under the faucet, while sighing: "This kitchen is really well-renovated, it’s almost bigger than our living room at home. Your uncle is really willing to spend money." "A few months ago, he was still at a loss for what to do, sighing over the money for Dad’s surgery. Now he’s buying a house and renovating it for Dad without hesitating..." She sighed again, with a hint of relief in her words. Fang Cheng was slightly touched by her words. Grandpa’s retirement home was now thoroughly resolved. Next, it was time for him to consider a better place for his mother. That was no longer a problem. Soon, he would become a veritable millionaire.
