Cai Wei had initially thought that Huo Yuan’s Nursing Home could be set up within three to five days. However, they had been unable to find a suitable house, leaving Cai Wei rather worried. After much searching and inquiries, they found a mansion in the southern suburbs of Lin’an Prefecture that met Huo Yuan’s requirements.
It was a four-entrance mansion, with dozens of rooms including side rooms, more than enough to house one to two hundred people. The environment was quiet, serene, and very suitable for living. According to impartial sources, the mansion was initially the private residence of a landlord. The landlord passed away due to illness, and his young son, who favoured the splendour of the capital city, decided to sell his family properties, and relocated with his wives and children to the capital.
Upon seeing the mansion, Huo Yuan didn’t find anything inappropriate. Considering Cai Wei’s anxiety about finding a house, he did not want to cause her more trouble. After they agreed on a price, he bought the mansion for two thousand and two hundred taels.
Once they bought the mansion and all the other matters for the Nursing Home were ready, they immediately started operations. On the day the beggars moved in, they were bathed with fragrant soaps in accordance with Cai Wei’s instructions. They were dressed in the clean clothes provided by the Nursing Home and moved in with great excitement.
Upon witnessing the environment of their future dwelling, they could hardly believe their eyes. Was this large mansion, resembling a fairytale amongst humans, really meant for them, mere vagabonds, to live in?
They were told that the mansion had previously housed a wealthy landlord, while they, being at the lowest rungs of society, were typically looked down upon and neglected. Could they really end up living in the mansion of the landlord?
In confirming that this would be their future home, the beggars were so touched that they spontaneously knelt down, endlessly thanking and saluting Huo Yuan. Many of them were moved to tears.
"Benefactor, please accept our courtesy!"
"Benefactor, you have a heart as kind as a Buddha’s, saving all beings. Surely, you will receive blessings in the future."
"Young Master Huo, you are like our parents who gave us a new life..."
Looking at the beggars kneeling on the ground, Huo Yuan was moved and said to Cai Wei, "I never thought that a simple act of kindness from me would touch them so deeply. It is really beyond my expectations."
Cai Wei responded, "These people are unable to work and have no stability in their lives. They worry about their next meal every day and are constantly on the edge of hunger and cold. Your assistance in such a situation is no less than saving them from a crisis. It’s no wonder they are so grateful to you."
Huo Yuan said: "I have been busy all day with my family’s business and have never paid attention to these beggars. If not for your reminder, Cai Wei, I may not have been able to do such a good deed today. I should thank you for reminding me. I will definitely do more of this in future."
Hearing him say this, Cai Wei was very gratified, feeling that her efforts these days had not been in vain. She laughed and said: "I will continue to do such things too. At that time, we can see who has set up more Nursing Homes, you or me."
Huo Yuan laughed heartily: "Alright, let’s have a competition..."
The Nursing Home had started. All the staff inside were carefully selected and trained by Cai Wei. After a few days of inspection, she was satisfied with the management of the Nursing Home and started discussing with Huo Yuan about leaving Lin’an City and going to the capital.
Huo Yuan had also been repeatedly urged by his mother in the capital to return home. He was preparing to go back to the capital, so when Cai Wei came to discuss this matter, they agreed to travel to the capital together.